“…Then, let’s start with the good news.”

Good news and ambiguous news, huh? I don’t have a good feeling about the ambiguous one...

For now, let’s hear the good news.

“When you went to the royal capital before, you taught Ruhail how to make a compass, right? It seems that it's finally been successfully completed.”

“Oh, that’s great news!”

When we visited the royal capital before, I taught Ruhail, the Adventurers’ Guild Master there, how to make a compass. Since this world has magic, I figured it might be possible to create artificial magnets by striking ores from this world with lightning magic, and use that to make compasses.

At the time we left the royal capital and returned to the beginner town: Al-Flare, it sounded like they were making some progress, but now it seems the project has been completed.

“Yes. It seems that if you only apply lightning magic once, it won’t keep pointing in a consistent direction, but by processing the ore material first and then applying lightning magic continuously for a long period, they managed to get it to point permanently in one direction. They said they’d explain the details when you come to the royal capital.”

“I see, got it.”

Patrice added the detailed explanation.

“Also, it seems there’s something they’d like to consult with you about, Tetsuya. They’d like to distribute the compasses made by the Adventurers’ Guild to the Commercial Guild as well. After all, compasses aren’t only useful for adventurers—they’re also extremely helpful for merchants traveling between villages and towns.”

“If anything, compasses might be even more useful to merchants than adventurers. Of course, they plan to give Tetsuya a share of the profits from the compasses sold through the Commercial Guild, too.”

That makes sense. In this world, where there are no compasses and directions are unclear, the ones who travel constantly—like merchants—would have a high demand for them. Especially when traveling by sea, where there are no landmarks, the need must be even greater. Even at our store, not only adventurers but merchants have been purchasing compasses.

Since I taught them how to make compasses, I’m under a contract with the Adventurers’ Guild to receive a portion of the profits from sales. It’s kind of like a patent in my previous life. If they’re going to sell them through the Commercial Guild as well, then that’s a welcome development for me.

“Yes, of course I don’t mind. If merchants have compasses, it’ll reduce the chances of getting lost. If fewer people get lost on the road, that’s what matters most.”

Getting lost in the forest is dangerous, but even getting lost between towns and villages can be life-threatening. And getting lost at sea might mean no chance of rescue at all.

“Heh, that’s Tetsuya for you!”

“Yeah, I figured you’d say that, Tetsuya!”

“Thank you very much, Tetsuya.”

They say that, but I’m pretty sure most people would say the same thing.

“I’ll pass it on to Ruhail. She’ll be happy to hear it. Oh, and I’ve got the money she left with me for you.”

“…Money. Ah, is that for the completed compasses?”

Usually, we receive payments for goods distributed to the royal capital or other towns via the Adventurers’ Guild. But I’ve already received this month’s payment, so this must be something else.

“The sales proceeds will be included in the monthly payments going forward. This here is the reward for providing the compass manufacturing method. Here, 30 white-gold coins.”

“Thank you. …Huh? Did you just say white-gold coins?”

“Yeah, white-gold coins. First time seeing them? Look here. One of these is worth 100 regular gold coins, so this is the equivalent of 3,000 gold coins.”

“………………Huh?”

Saying that, Rizac placed 30 white-gold coins on the table, each slightly larger and with a color between white and gold, unlike regular gold coins. I had heard of them, but this was my first time actually seeing one.

Since the beginner town: Al-Flare has very low living costs, white-gold coins rarely circulate here.

One white-gold coin equals 100 gold coins—that’s 3,000 gold coins total...

“True, our contract with Ruhail stated that I’d receive 500 gold coins if the compass was completed, but 3,000 is way too much. I really can’t accept that much.”

The contract I made with Ruhail at the time was to receive 500 gold coins if the compass was completed using the method I taught. Separately, I was to receive a portion of the profits from sales.

“Her letter said the contract specifies ‘at least 500 gold coins,’ so 3,000 isn’t a problem. She was really grateful to you, and I think She’s also thinking ahead. That woman’s got good instincts—she probably wants to stay on your good side. Plus, in the royal capital, 3,000 gold coins can be recovered in no time.”

“She also made it clear that even if the compasses weren’t distributed to the Commercial Guild, this payment should still be given to you, Tetsuya. Receiving these white-gold coins doesn’t come with any obligation, so don’t worry.”

So the written contract actually said “500 gold coins or more,” huh? I definitely didn’t read that far... But still, who would expect to receive 3,000 gold coins just because of that?