"I'm pleasantly surprised," Wayland said with a nod. It seemed the Department of Policies was quite generous after all. However, he didn't plan on choosing any of those rewards. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Is it possible to let the rewards accumulate for now?"
"Of course," Elena said, her tone turning a bit more serious. "But I should warn you--the best things aren't always what you need right now. Don't go trying to reach the top in a single step."
"Don't worry. I know exactly what I'm doing."
The next morning, Wayland arrived at the Department of Policies early.
He headed straight to Hishiri Adashino's office on the first floor and knocked. There was no answer. He tried the handle, but the door was locked tight.
'Did she stand me up?'
Wayland pulled out his phone and dialed her number. "Captain? I'm here at your office."
"Do you always get up this early on a Sunday? Don't you know that lack of sleep is the greatest enemy of a woman's complexion?" Hishiri's voice came through, punctuated by a long, sleepy yawn.
Wayland momentarily wondered if he'd dialed the wrong number.
She sounded surprisingly like Elena.
"Just wait a few minutes. I'm on my way."
"Understood."
Wayland waited for a few minutes before he spotted Hishiri Adashino approaching. She was dressed in a traditional kimono and wore her usual glasses, though her expression was noticeably weary.
'Didn't get enough sleep?' he thought.
He followed her into the office. Hishiri took her seat behind the desk and gestured toward the sofa, indicating for him to sit.
"The mission to the ruins was a success, and your contributions were obvious to everyone. You've earned a reward. Tell me, is there something specific you're looking for?"
"I wanted to ask... if the reward I have in mind is greater than the contribution I've made so far, does that mean I can't claim it yet?"
"Naturally." Hishiri leaned her head on her hand. "The principle of 'Equivalent Exchange' is the foundation of all magecraft."
"I have a rather... ambitious request. Because of that, I'd like to hold off on claiming my reward until a later date."
"An ambitious request?" A flicker of curiosity lit up Hishiri's eyes. She'd spent enough time with Wayland to know he was a remarkably level-headed individual. A faint, knowing smile played across her lips. "How ambitious could it be? For the Department of Policies, very little is truly out of reach."
Wayland remained silent.
What he really wanted was a slot in the Holy Grail War.
But explaining that now would be difficult, if not impossible. It would be better to wait until he had a more plausible justification for his request.
"Talking about it now wouldn't do much good," he said.
Hishiri didn't press him. It was as if she'd thought of something else. "Since you're so focused on accumulating credit, I actually have a mission here. Would you be interested?"
'Where have I heard that one before?'
Wayland gave her a skeptical look. 'Captain, what are you doing? Are you moonlighting as a quest-giver for some game system?'
"What kind of mission?" he asked.
"It's a collaborative operation. The Association has many different departments, and when one is short-handed or overwhelmed, they can request assistance from others. For a fee, of course."
Hishiri crossed her arms, her expression turning serious. "Have you heard of the Enforcement Division of the Department of Lore? The ones responsible for securing Sealing Designations?"
Wayland's expression remained neutral. "I've heard of them. Their reputation precedes them."
"They're a pack of dangerous combat fanatics," Hishiri said, raising an eyebrow. "Most departments, including Policies, prefer to give them a wide berth. But I have to admit, the rewards for this particular mission are... compelling."
'So they're offering a lot, then?'
Wayland looked at her. "If they're as strong as everyone says, why would the Enforcement Division need help from us?"
"The mission was originally intended to be a routine Sealing Designation, but something went wrong and they found themselves short-handed."
"Captain, are you sure you're not just sending me to my death?" Wayland asked with a dry chuckle. "With my current skill level, I'm not sure I'm the right person for this."
"Don't worry. You won't be alone." Hishiri rubbed her temples. "The orders came through from the Enforcement Division late last night. I've already sent Pascal and several others."
'Late last night?'
That explained why she looked so exhausted.
"If Pascal is already on it, why are you recommending me for the mission?"
"Because the pay is excellent," Hishiri said with a sly, knowing grin. "Orders arrived late on a Saturday night, and Pascal was only able to gather ten operatives. Since they didn't specify exactly how many people they needed, I decided to send a few more 'reinforcements' to show just how much the Department of Policies values our 'allies'."
"You really are something, Captain." Wayland was genuinely curious now. "What exactly did the Enforcement Division offer that caught your eye?"
"They need an escort for the Alchemist, Eliza Werdt. You understand what it means when the Enforcement Division is tasked with protecting a magus, don't you?"
"It means they possess an incredibly rare and valuable talent."
"Exactly. And the reward they've offered is for her to refine a set of elixirs specifically for us."
Wayland's eyes narrowed.
His mind immediately jumped to the quest for his Magic Crest.
'This is exactly the 'friend' I need to make!'
No--this was the mission he had to take.
"You like the sound of that, don't you?" Hishiri continued to sweeten the deal. "And besides, the Enforcer leading this operation is none other than Bazett Fraga McRemitz."
Bazett. The most powerful Enforcer in the history of the Clock Tower and a Master in the Fifth Holy Grail War. A descendant of the 'Tradition Carrier' lineage and a scion of the knights who once served Cú Chulainn himself. She possessed a God-Age Mystic Code, exceptional physical and magical abilities, and was one of the few humans capable of facing a Heroic Spirit in direct combat. She was, in every sense of the word, a living weapon.
Wayland took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll take the mission."
"Good. Take the West Coast Main Line from London station to Oxenholme. You'll meet up with Pascal there."
"Understood. Is there anything else, Captain? If not, I'll head out now."
"That's all."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]