Crown of Intellect

In the reception room of the Adventurers' Guild, Renato and Perly sat on a sofa, eating free white bread and drinking free floral tea.

These complimentary refreshments were limited and only available in the morning. Anyone who came late would find that others had taken them all.

This time, however, the two had not come for the food. They were waiting for someone.

The door opened, and an elderly man with a gray beard walked in. He was not particularly bulky, but he was sturdy and stood straight. He wore a dark brown woolen shirt beneath a sleeveless leather robe, with only a Blacksmiths' Guild badge on his chest.

The female guild receptionist following him smiled broadly as she introduced him.

"This is Master Wolfram, an inspection commissioner from the Blacksmiths' Guild..."

"Take the goods out and let me see them." Wolfram ignored the receptionist, fixing Renato with a sharp gaze. "The guild says you seized a shipment of smuggled weapons. I need to inspect them."

Renato had kept four longswords for himself. He had sorted the remaining sixty-odd weapons beforehand and now took them all out.

Wolfram frowned slightly at the table covered in weapons. He produced a steel ruler engraved with the guild's mark and a roll of parchment documents, inspecting and recording each weapon in turn.

No one spoke. The receptionist stood awkwardly for a while, then withdrew.

After recording all the weapons, Wolfram looked up and asked:

"Where did you get these weapons?"

"It's a long story."

"Then make it short."

"From a carriage in the north of the city."

After a brief round of questions, Renato received his reward for the quest.

[Quest]

Investigate the Red Iron organization's smuggling network in the northern district. Reward based on the information provided: 10 gold coins.

[Quest description]

The filthy streets and alleys are not only a source of chaos, but also home to countless impoverished people. In the shadow of the law, evil quietly grows. Smuggling runs through this city's veins, and Red Iron conducts its dealings out of sight. As a keen investigator, you must not only follow hidden clues and trails, but also beware of blades that may flash out of the darkness at any moment.

Clues submitted. Gained 500 experience points.

Master Wolfram proved fairly generous. He had asked the guild to pay the reward on the spot in the name of the Blacksmiths' Guild.

Renato gave Perly five gold coins. They still had to visit Iron Wheat to collect the larger payout, and he did not want an uneven split to cause trouble at this critical moment.

"Renato, just give me two. That's what we agreed on at the start."

Perly held out three gold coins, her hands trembling slightly. Renato shook his head.

"I said we'd split the money fifty-fifty. Just let me have the magic item from Malik."

Hearing that, Perly immediately pulled her hands back and pocketed the coins.

You could have at least refused one more time. Talk about shameless, Renato grumbled inwardly.

"Renato, whatever magic item he gives you, don't use it yet, and definitely don't rush to attune to it," Perly cautioned him on the way. "Lots of magic items have side effects. Some are outright traps. You can wait until tomorrow. I'll buy some spell components and use Identify to check it for you."

When they pushed open the door to Iron Wheat, the first thing they saw was Malik in his red coat, drinking at the bar.

There were no customers in the tavern that morning, only a few Iron Fist Gang enforcers sitting in chairs, their eyes fixed on Renato.

"You're finally here, my friend." Malik approached Renato and moved to embrace him. "I was starting to think something had happened to you."

Renato gave him a perfunctory hug and replied with a smile:

"I can't die yet. I'm still waiting for my money so I can enjoy myself."

"It's all ready for you." Malik gestured with one hand. "Shall we talk inside?"

"No need to go to the trouble. I'm in a hurry. Let's do it here." A small room would leave little space to wield a greatsword, so Renato decided to stay in the main room. "We've already agreed on everything. There isn't much left to discuss, is there?"

The atmosphere instantly froze. Perly gripped a piece of cured leather, ready to cast Mage Armor at any moment.

"Of course, my friend. If you're in a hurry, we can talk right here." Malik's tone was relaxed, as though the tension a moment earlier had been an illusion. "Barico, bring the money out of the room."

A burly enforcer entered the back room and soon returned with a bulging bag of silver coins, setting it before them.

"Two hundred brand-new Silver Crowns. Not one short."

"Count them, Perly." Renato had Perly count the money behind him. This was precisely when he could not afford to relax. His muscles remained taut, ready to draw his sword at any moment.

"Here's the magic item we agreed on." Malik's expression remained unchanged, and he paid no mind to Renato keeping his distance. He produced a distinctively shaped metal circlet. "This is called the Crown of Intellect. It's set with a moonstone and improves the wearer's memory and speed of thought. It just makes you a little dizzy if you wear it too long."

Renato took the circlet in one hand and examined it. The metal had been drawn into wire and woven into three layers to form the circlet, engraved with intricate patterns. A white moonstone sat in the center, radiating a pale blue glow.

"As you can see, this circlet must be elven work. Exquisite craftsmanship. A true work of art."

Renato ignored Malik's sales pitch and weighed it in his hand. It was light, which suggested no precious metals had been added. Moonstone was merely a common spell component, not a valuable gemstone.

It contained no complete spell. Its enchantment only improved memory and speed of thought, came with side effects, and prevented the wearer from using a helmet. It was hardly useful.

Renato's overall assessment of this magical accessory came down to one word: rubbish.

Still, it was free, so he put it into his Bag of Holding.

"Renato, there are two hundred in total. Not one short."

Perly counted quickly and deftly stuffed the money pouch into Renato's Bag of Holding.

"You don't need to be so tense, my friend. I'm a decent man who keeps his word." Malik raised both hands to show that he held no weapon. "Other gangs might not follow the rules, but we in the Iron Fist Gang value loyalty above all."

A slum gang that keeps its word, follows the rules, and values loyalty? Renato sneered inwardly, but outwardly he still had to play along.

This was the first connection he had made since entering the city, and he could not afford to lose it. Whether taking private jobs or fencing stolen goods, he currently depended on Malik's contacts.

"My friend, one deal leads to another. I'm sure we'll have plenty of chances to work together. You'll find me here at Iron Wheat. You're always welcome to come have a drink."

When Malik offered his hand, Renato shook it without hesitation.

"A pleasure doing business."

"A pleasure doing business."

At noon, Renato lay alone on his bed at the inn.

After dividing the money, Perly had immediately repaid Renato ten silver coins, then gone to a magic shop in the Inner District to buy the components needed for Identify.

Renato could not be bothered to move just then, so he let her go alone.

Now that he had money, Renato decided to indulge himself and ordered the most expensive lunch at the Silver Deer Inn.

"The door's unlocked. Come in." Hearing the knock, Renato knew his lunch had arrived.

The door opened, and the half-elf waitress from the front desk entered carrying a large platter. More than a dozen pieces of golden, glistening roast meat had been cleverly arranged into the shape of a little pig.

The aroma of meat instantly filled the room, and Renato sat right up.

"Mr. Renato, here's the roast suckling pig you ordered, along with a can of Elf Beer. Enjoy your meal."

"My name is Lailas. If you need anything else, you can find me at the front desk."

The half-elf's distinctive beauty was exactly his type as an Earthling, not to mention the added appeal of her fantastical, magical race.

Lailas spoke warmly. Aside from the tip he had given her, Renato was certain his conversation must have left a deep impression.

Apparently, for an extra fee, the beautiful half-elf waitress would even feed him herself. Though tempted, Renato did not think he was rich enough for that yet. Besides, he was not used to being fed.

The aroma of the roast suckling pig whetted Renato's appetite. Ignoring the heat against his fingers, he grabbed a piece of hind-leg meat.

The crisp skin gleamed golden and cracked audibly as he bit into it. Juices seeped from the firm meat beneath, carrying a faint smoky aroma.

Renato devoured the entire piece, licked his fingers, and let out a satisfied breath.

Now this is living. It's been ages since I've had roast meat this good.

Seasoned with numerous unfamiliar spices, the pork had none of its usual unpleasant smell. Combined with the suckling pig's tender texture, it was nothing short of a heavenly delicacy.

Renato picked up his cup. This can of Elf Beer was completely different from the beer he had drunk in Brekka Town. The amber liquid was clear, without a trace of sediment.

He took a sip. It was thicker than light beer and noticeably sweeter, with a faint fruity fragrance beneath the malt.

This was the most perfect meal Renato had eaten since arriving in this world.

He picked the entire suckling pig clean, then lay on his bed as a long-forgotten sense of contentment welled up inside him.

This is real food. He resolved never to eat rubbish like black bread again.

Opening the Adventurer's Guide, Renato added the 2,500 experience points awarded by the two quests.

Champion Warrior level 5 (1000/3000) → Champion Warrior level 6 (500/5000)

As his level increased, his constitution rose by another point. A familiar warmth filled his body.

[Character]

Renato de Fernando

Race: human

Class: Champion Warrior level 6 (500/5000), Chosen of Dakoul level 1 (30/?)

HP: 72/72

Strength 15

Constitution 14

Dexterity 14

Perception 15

Intelligence 11

Resolve 15

Feats: heavy armor proficiency, martial weapon proficiency, swordsmanship specialization, Darkvision, Mind Over Body

Skills: religious knowledge level 6, historical knowledge level 4, linguistics level 4, group tactics level 3, riding level 2

Combined with his full stomach, this made Renato feel drowsy at midday for the first time in ages.

An occasional afternoon nap wouldn't hurt. With that thought, he drifted off to sleep.