Isn't the Wealth Goddess's Body Fragrance Just the Smell of Money?

Eruien not only had astonishing luck with women, but also possessed remarkably rare talent as an adventurer.

The four-person adventuring party—one man and three women—fought their way through countless obstacles. By the time they arrived at Friendly Arm Inn from Elturgard, the four greenhorns had already advanced to level 2.

"In just one month, these four young people have advanced. Such a rate of growth is enough to turn heads.

"You should know that, in Faerûn, the average time it takes for adventurers to advance from level 1 to level 2 is half a year!" the gnome proprietor praised.

"They really are impressive," Marvin casually agreed.

Would he really boast about reaching level 2 after completing just one quest with the system's assistance?

And then there was Malik, the priest of Gond he had met yesterday, who had been elevated to a level 5 priest by his god in the blink of an eye...

Compared to that, Eruien, who seemed quite protagonist-like, did not appear all that remarkable.

Enough gossip.

Marvin did not care whether Eruien had opened himself a harem and spent every night sleeping beneath the same blanket with his brides.

The Sacred Eternal Sun Squad was the only adventuring party that had recently visited Blue Creek Valley. The important matter was how to obtain useful intelligence from them.

According to previous information, the Blue Creek Valley region was not particularly dangerous. Challenge Rating 1 dire wolves and brown bears were already the most powerful potential enemies there.

What he was most likely to encounter were packs of wolves, giant rats, giant badgers, and the like—creatures that even a level 1 adventurer could handle in numbers.

Still, for Marvin, the more thoroughly a mission was prepared for, the better.

After all, only by raising the chance of success as high as possible could he obtain better rewards.

However, seeing the Sacred Eternal Sun Squad's atmosphere of one man and three women, resembling a protagonist and his harem, as well as their bizarre requirement that they only recruited female members, Marvin felt it would be best not to interact with them directly.

A young, hot-blooded fellow with protagonist written all over his face was definitely not easy to deal with.

What if he became displeased just because Marvin glanced once too often at one of the female party members? That would be troublesome.

Finding companions to travel to Blue Creek Valley with would have to wait.

"Banlit, I'd like you to help me gather information about Blue Creek Valley. Has the environment changed recently? Have any new enemies appeared?

"And why did the druids abandon the herb garden they established in Blue Creek Valley? I want to find that out as well. Once it's done, I'll pay you 3 gold coins."

"A good thing like earning 3 gold coins just by talking? Of course I won't pass that up. As an innkeeper, gathering information is far too easy."

The gnome proprietor nodded toward the Sacred Eternal Sun Squad, then added, "You made a wise choice by keeping your distance from those youngsters.

"Eruien seems to be highly possessive. Whenever another man tries to speak to one of the women in his party, he becomes extremely guarded.

"You know how adventurers are... Five adventurers higher in level than Eruien have already clashed with him over that, only to lose beneath his sword.

"I have to admit, that young man is truly formidable. Given time, his future will be limitless."

"But can someone with that kind of personality really become a paladin?"

"Who knows? I have things to do, so I'll be off. See you tomorrow." The gnome proprietor shrugged and left on his little short legs.

Early the next morning, Marvin went to Lantan Store, picked up the free cartridges, and placed another order for three hundred rounds.

Good marksmanship was fed by bullets.

If he wanted [Enhanced Mage Hand] to operate the flintlock proficiently and become an effective combat asset, he needed to train and train some more.

However, he only had three 1st-level spell slots. Even if he used them all on [Enhanced Mage Hand], he would only have three hours of practice time per day.

Marvin had also considered copying a few [Enhanced Mage Hand] scrolls to increase his practice time.

But he ultimately gave up on the idea.

It was simply too extravagant.

After his earlier equipment purchases, Marvin did not have many gold coins left in his pocket. He needed to save more money.

After leaving Lantan Store, Marvin went to the target range at the Flaming Fist garrison.

Thanks to Liana's connections, he could use the place whenever he wanted.

These two flintlocks gifted by Gond relied on magic for ignition, so unlike ordinary flintlocks, they did not require priming powder to be poured into the flash pan before firing.

The streamlined firing process not only increased the rate of fire, but also allowed [Enhanced Mage Hand] to grasp the method of shooting more quickly.

After completing his morning shooting practice, Marvin returned to Whispering Creek Inn. Following a simple lunch, he began copying scrolls.

After gaining the [Robustness] feat, his stamina had improved considerably. He did not need an afternoon nap, and even after working nonstop all day, he barely felt tired.

By five thirty in the afternoon, the sky outside the window was gradually darkening.

Marvin snapped his fingers and recalled Mage's Quill. He decided to stop working and head to Friendly Arm Inn for dinner, while asking the gnome proprietor whether he had learned the information Marvin needed.

He entered the increasingly lively first-floor hall of Friendly Arm Inn, which could now be described as bustling with voices.

The waitress by the bar spotted Marvin and immediately came over. "Mr. Marvin, today's recommended dish is Royal Roast. Will you be sitting in your usual place?"

Marvin was just about to answer when he noticed someone waving at him.

"Thank you, but I'm afraid I won't be dining alone today." Marvin pointed at a large round table not far away.

"Oh, so you're a friend of the Goddess Body Fragrance Squad? Then I won't disturb you." The waitress looked in the direction Marvin indicated and suddenly understood. She then smiled faintly and withdrew with the menu in her arms.

Goddess Body Fragrance was a four-person adventuring party.

After the original owner of Marvin's body became an adventurer, he had met the Goddess Body Fragrance Squad. They had worked together temporarily several times and were on good terms.

The bard Scumbag, who had invited Marvin to join them in rescuing the female knight last time, was a member of the Goddess Body Fragrance Squad.

However, Scumbag was not here today.

The one waving at Marvin was the captain, Slicked-back Hair.

True to his name, the man always liked to slick his hair back, using a lethal amount of hair wax to make it shine brilliantly.

He was a priest of Waukeen, which was why he had given the party the name Goddess Body Fragrance.

Whenever Marvin thought of the party's name, he could not help but complain inwardly: The body fragrance of Waukeen, the goddess of wealth? Isn't that just the smell of money?

"Marvin, it's been a long time! You have no idea how heartbroken I was as captain after you turned down Scumbag's invitation!" Slicked-back Hair called for Marvin to sit down.

"Ah, if the party had just one more spellcaster, maybe we could have infiltrated the Shattered Tooth Tribe. Even if we couldn't rescue the duke's daughter, we could at least have made off with some profit before leaving... This mission cost the party a great deal of money. The goddess will surely be disappointed when she sees our financial report."

Slicked-back Hair looked utterly grief-stricken.

Unsurprisingly, this party had failed like many other adventuring parties. They had not managed to rescue the young lady knight and achieve the grand feat of rising through the social ranks.

Slicked-back Hair had come to Friendly Arm Inn today hoping to raise morale and encourage his teammates with fine wine and good food.

He also hoped to gather information and find a way to treat Scumbag's injuries.

"Scumbag is injured?"

"Yes. And the place he was hurt is quite... fatal." Beneath Slicked-back Hair's solemn square face, he could barely conceal his amusement.