What She Was Given Was a Small Stone Fragment

A few days after the incident was resolved.

"So, was there any point in calling me out here?"

Finn had come to visit Azu and the others, who'd been staying under the duke's hospitality. She'd been hired by Yohane.

Decked out in her usual black outfit, fully armed, she stood with her legs planted wide.

Arms crossed, she radiated intimidation.

Finn was only slightly taller than Azu, but the severity of her expression gave her considerable presence.

Ever since she'd been shown in and found Azu leisurely sipping tea, she'd been like this.

"… A friend of yours?"

"I… guess so?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Auuu…"

Finn's manner was anything but gentle, and Azu looked over her shoulder for help.

Elza was watching with amusement.

"I'd say she's more a comrade."

"Is that so? If you'd like, why don't you have a cup too?"

"I'll pass, Lady Anatia. I'm busy. I got called out here only to find… I came prepared for something involving the Church of the Sun God, you know."

"Ahaha, sorry about that."

Finn uncrossed her arms and let out a sigh.

"I don't know the details, but it's all been resolved?"

"Yes, for the time being."

"Good. So you'll be heading back to him soon?"

"We plan to leave tomorrow."

Azu answered, and Finn snorted.

"Taking payment for a job I didn't do goes against my principles, but there's nothing I can do about this. More importantly, why haven't you gone back already?"

The edge left Finn's face, replaced by exasperation.

Yohane had hired her with such a grave expression that this was a letdown.

"The thing is… the duke told us to name anything we wanted as thanks, but we can't decide. It'd be rude not to accept anything, so we've been dragging our feet."

"Just ask for money or gold bars or land or whatever. He'd be thrilled. A duke won't be stingy about it."

"That's true, but…"

"You're being awfully wishy-washy."

Finn was losing patience with Azu's vague answers.

"There was something I wanted to ask for, but I wasn't sure if it was okay to say it."

"Oh, you've decided? I'm curious, do tell."

"I was thinking I'd like the Earth Elemental Stone. But that's impossible, right?"

Anatia blinked in surprise at Azu's words.

"That's bolder than I expected. Still, it can't hurt to ask, can it?"

"I have a feeling I'd get yelled at."

"He didn't say there were limits, so just asking should be fine. Although, it might be worth more than me. The future of this entire domain hinges on it."

"The farmland, right? We took the quest and helped with the clearing work."

They'd accepted the job, and Alexia's earth magic had carved out an entire farm.

A field that size should produce a substantial harvest.

"That's right. As the lord's daughter, let me thank you. Thank you. This land has suffered from poor harvests for so long."

"Is that so…? I'd heard the drainage wasn't very good."

"We've tried all sorts of methods, and we've managed to grow crops to some extent, but we still have to rely on outside sources for food. It's been a challenge since the first lord's time. We've recovered the broken crown, too, so I should be able to give Father a good report."

Anatia said this, and a brief silence followed.

"Oh dear, now I've made it harder for you to ask, haven't I?"

"No, I figured it was a long shot anyway. But I'll go ahead and ask."

"Please do."

The tea gathering ended, and they filed out of Anatia's room.

Then, with Finn in tow, they moved to their guest quarters.

"What about you, Finn-san? We have room for one more if you'd like to stay."

"… I've lost all my motivation, honestly. Sure, why not. I'll never get another chance to sleep in a duke's mansion. Tomorrow we talk to the duke first thing, then leave. Bringing you lot back is part of my job."

"Understood."

With that, Finn dragged out a spare blanket, sat down in a corner with her back to the wall, and fell asleep.

"Won't Finn-san sleep in a bed?"

"That's a battlefield technique. You sit like that to minimize blind spots while staying in light sleep, so you can react to any sound immediately."

"… I think it's safe here right now, though."

"She's an assassin. She's lived a life where nowhere feels safe. Normally she wouldn't even sleep in a room with other people. I suppose she trusts us, at least a little."

"We have been running into each other a lot. Thanks to Master and all."

"Keep it down. I can't sleep. I took this job right after getting back from another one. I'm tired."

"Got it. We'll be quiet, so please rest."

Apparently they'd been too loud. Finn cracked one eye open and directed her complaint at Elza.

Azu raised both hands in surrender.

Finn snorted at the sight and closed her eyes again.

She really was tired, it seemed. Before long, she was breathing softly in sleep.

"We made Master worry, didn't we?"

"Maybe we overstayed a little."

"He's the one always pushing unreasonable demands on us. It's fine to turn the tables once in a while."

"Should we just ask for some jewels or something safe?"

"I really want that Earth Elemental Stone, though…"

"From the way she talked, it's almost certainly a no. But there's value in asking anyway. They'll probably give us something of equal worth instead. They have their pride, after all."

"Now I feel a little guilty."

"They're the ones who offered. It's fine, it's fine."

Azu wasn't entirely enthusiastic, but she didn't have the nerve to say she didn't want anything, either.

The next morning, Azu told Duke Baroba that she wanted the Earth Elemental Stone.

After several encounters, she'd finally become able to speak to Duke Baroba on her own without relying on Alexia.

"… I had considered the possibility you would ask for that. But I cannot give it to you. Not because of its value, but because it concerns the covenant with the Earth Elemental. If we broke it, this domain would become barren forever."

"I'm sorry. I knew it was asking too much."

"That said, I have no intention of retracting an offer once made. Therefore, take this."

Duke Baroba placed a small stone fragment in Azu's hand.

"Duke-sama, what is this?"

"A fragment of the Earth Elemental Stone. I'm told you performed the land-clearing work right in front of it."

"Yes."

"It seems that earned you a measure of the stone's recognition. I was entrusted with this fragment, to be given to you should you ever ask for the Earth Elemental Stone. Each time you bring crops to harvest, this fragment will regain its power."

He handed her the fragment. Azu studied it closely, but it looked like nothing more than an ordinary stone. She couldn't help wondering if she was being brushed off.

But the Water Elemental reacted to the fragment.

The Fire Elemental, too, peered at it with interest.

It might just be the real thing.