Published: July 3, 2025
The next day, Ryo was again present at the Holy See.
"Mr. Graham, I've come to deliver today's report."
"Um... Ryo-san, I don't recall there being an arrangement for that..."
Indeed, there was no such arrangement.
While it was true that documents exchanged hands daily between the delegation and the Holy See, and negotiations took place, that was the responsibility of the officials handling the negotiations.
It was certainly not the job of the Guardian Adventurers.
"We decided that since the trips back and forth are dangerous, it would be better for the Guardian Adventurers to handle the delivery of the documents."
That was nonsense.
The delegation's lodgings and the Holy See were literally a stone's throw away from each other.
They were positioned just across a large street.
Furthermore, it was in the most secure area around the Holy See in France... There was no reason for the trips back and forth to be dangerous!
However, Ryo had managed to persuade not only the leader Hugh McGrath but also the chief negotiator Ignis to take on this job.
The meaning of the phrase "managed to win" was rather complicated, though...
The reason Ryo created this job and secured the role was so that he could enter the Holy See every day.
After all, he was still concerned about Neil Anderson, whom he had seen yesterday... That was the biggest reason.
Of course, once he passed through the gates of the Holy See, a guiding monk would accompany him to Graham's office, and he couldn’t stray from the route... But still, curiosity doesn't wane.
Naturally, this wasn't a bad arrangement for Chief Negotiator Ignis, who was responsible for all negotiations of the delegation.
In reality, the officials had many cumbersome tasks.
Among those, there was an astonishing amount of work submitting documents to negotiation parties... That was a fact.
It was much appreciated if someone from the surplus of Guardian Adventurers could take it over instead of allocating valuable officials.
Thus, when Ryo proposed the idea, Ignis accepted it without hesitation.
Hugh was the one who hesitated.
"Ryo, don’t cause any trouble, okay?"
How many times had he said those words...?
"Of course. I haven't caused any trouble up until now, have I?"
Ryo had answered like this each time.
In fact, for some reason, Ryo had the image of being a troublemaker, but he had not really caused any significant issues that inconvenienced others... Or at least, he hoped so... probably... maybe...
Yet, he was still told this, and it was all about image...
Image was important.
"Huh... I see."
After hearing the sequence of events from Ryo, Cardinal Graham nodded.
To Graham, Ryo's daily delivery of documents presented no issues.
After all, it was just Ryo replacing someone from the officials who would bring the documents anyway.
What had been almost daily became every day...
"Well then, understood. I'll inform the relevant parties. Although you can't move freely within the Holy See, at least the odd looks will decrease."
"Thank you very much."
Graham nodded and said this, and Ryo expressed his gratitude and bowed.
"I have also heard of Neil Anderson's name. He is a famous alchemist, after all. He had been staying in the Mafalda Republic for a long time. I believe France has tried to invite him several times in the past... but he always declined. If he is indeed within the Holy See, it certainly piques one's interest."
After saying this, Cardinal Graham looked down as if deep in thought.
"Hmm... Is it Adolfito pulling the strings behind the scenes, or Camilo, or perhaps Sakarias? Or someone else entirely?"
Graham's murmurs were inaudible to Ryo.
From the following day, rumors began to circulate gradually within the Holy See.
Every morning at nine o'clock, a robed, mage-like adventurer from the Central Nations appeared.
When there were few documents, he would carry them in a shoulder bag.
That was fine.
However, sometimes he would come carrying an enormous quantity of documents.
The kind of quantity that would require many people to transport.
Even then, that adventurer came alone.