"Results would vary. You might just get an adventuring party that just arrests a dozen homeless people and calls that a job well done."

"That how it always goes, then?" Cattleya meowed. "Would they care more if there's more dosh?"

"Hmm." Julie tilted her head. "I suppose a Savant Lord promising to build an artifact for someone might be good enough to tempt an A-Rank adventurer. Offering glory could work in certain circumstances: But since you aren't someone that's often made requests, nor are you connected to anything that the Guild is familiar with, you'd have a better chance by simply giving money, items, or materials you have."

You thought about how there was doubtlessly some bounties against the lamia and the harpy killer, but this might help with incentivizing people to actually do something. It was still something to consider.

>Make a request and have it posted on the Adventurer's Guild. (Against crime? The lamia? The murderer?) (Will you give money? Materials? Promise to make an artifact?)
>No, you didn't think you needed the help in this yet.
>(Write-in)

With that said and done you leave the Adventurer's Guild. You considered seeing if you could purchase some items from there, but apparently you needed to have an actual business or otherwise get a few quests done— all for the sake of making sure you're a committed enough adventurer to see the store.

Next you enter the Merchant's Guild. Unlike the Adventurer's Guild or the Centrian Knights, you don't find much to do there. Despite Ayane's and Ruby's attempts to apply for a meeting with the Guildmaster — Ryan 'The Magnificent' — being in vain, their efforts weren't fruitless. You were able to get the signature of Jal Mozz, who seemed to have some influence with the non-aligned merchants of Centria. Ayane and Ruby were also able to get an audience with Conrad Tripper— second in command of the Merchant's Guild, who seemed to be rather popular and was considered the a key member of the mercantile class in Centria, right behind Guildmaster Ryan.

Conrad welcomed you with a kind and disarming smile, almost making you feel like you're about to be pressured into buying something. But he doesn't make any offers and gladly signs the paperwork after he skims it over. He shakes your hand, and with that you finish what you were here for.

===

You found that Hisashi had responded with a telegram not too long after Ayane sent hers, much to your amusement.

AYANE AND JOHN DOE -(STOP)-

JOHN FORMALLY INVITED ALONGSIDE AYANE -(STOP)- MEETING CONSIDERED FAMILY GATHERING -(STOP)- OTHER WIVES OF JOHN NOT ALLOWED DESPITE MY REQUEST -(STOP)- IMPORTANT TO SPEAK IN PRIVATE WITH JOHN -(STOP)-
WISH YOU BOTH FORTUNE -(STOP)-

RESPECTFULLY - HISASHI MITSUBISHI

Other than this, you got a letter from Eisho— detailing that the meeting would begin today at a certain hour in the evening. It was still a bit before then, so you decided to meet with Hisashi.