Book of treasures

Ami looked like she was ready to blast a massive spell at my face as veins began to pop on her forehead. But before she could do anything, a man arrived at the counter, forcing her to put on a happy face.

"Ah, it is the witch of amethyst. Have you finally fulfilled my request?" the man asked.

Clad in a dark green tweed vest and matching fedora, and sporting a finely styled round curly beard, the man was certainly the definition of suave, to say the least.

"Mr. Foxx, I finally got it," Ami smiled as she nudged the gold rock monster statue forward.

"Hoh, it does look fine," the man nodded as he slid the loupe on the rim of his glasses into position. "Yes, yes, it certainly is real. But just to confirm..."

The man then pulled out a large book and opened the pages of it. Upon reaching a certain point, he lifted up the book and pointed at the statue. Slowly, the statue began moving towards the book until it merged into the page.

"Yes, yes. You've done well. Now, as per my policy, your reward shall be a free copy of the treasure you brought me," the man nodded as a gold rock monster statue suddenly appeared before us.

"Huh? What-"

"Thanks, Mr. Foxx. Pleasure doing business with you," Ami smiled as she began to shove me aside.

"Ah, that's your partner, yes?" the man asked.

"She helped me get the artifact, yes." 

"Then allow me to express my thanks. I'm Lazar Foxx, the owner of this establishment. I'm rather fond of treasures, you see, which led to me seeking out the book of treasures, a magical book which can catalogue any treasure from the dungeon its user comes into possession of. As such, all it takes is for me to find one of something, and I'm able to reproduce it en mass so long as I deposit the exact listed price of the treasure into the book. For example, the statue you found was worth 15,000 golmil. And a more common treasure like this smooth jade rock, only 30 golmil," the man stated.

"Mr. Foxx's requests are pretty fair. Just bring him something he doesn't have, and he'll give you one right back after he's catalogued it," Ami nodded.

"That's usually for solo parties. When there's more than one, that's when I have to adjust things. In addition to the treasure for treasure policy, I'll throw in some golmil as I take it you'll be the one keeping the statue, yes?"

"That's right."

"Then please accept 7,000 golmil from me," Mr. Foxx nodded as he placed a sack of coins on the counter.

"Th- THAT MUCH!?" I cried in disbelief.

"The floor the artifact can be found on is not an easy floor to mine on. The witch of amethyst herself has been stuck on it for weeks, yet thanks to you, she finally cleared it. With a team like you two, I'll finally be able to log all the treasures in Golde dungeon. Ah, then I'll need to set my sights on other dungeons and provinces, but expansion is the life of a merchant. So consider this a worthwhile investment. I look forward to doing business with you again," Mr. Foxx smiled as he closed the book and retreated to the back.

A "team" huh?

"And now we leave," Ami grumbled as she began to leave.

I nodded and followed after her.

When we were outside, her scowl from before returned. "Well thanks a lot. Now that merchant's gonna be expecting big things from me. But if you figure out the riddle, I can salvage this, no pun intended. So, wanna try answering me with something other than "friend", or do you need more time to think? Still got 2 and a half days left."

I frowned for a bit, before forming a smile. "I think I'm ready to answer, so let's head back to the guild."

"Where'd this confidence come from?"

"Secret," I snickered as I began skipping towards the guild.

After how she's been treating me, I think a little teasing is justified. Especially since thanks to Mr. Foxx, I know what Ami means when she says, "guard".

Entering the guild, I hummed as I strolled up to the reception counter.

"What a smile you've got. Care to explain why?" Slavena menacingly smiled as she nudged the receptionist on duty aside.

"Yup! I've solved the riddle! Put me in a party with Ami!" I beamed.

Slavena's face slowly lit up. "You did it! And in just a few hours. I thought you'd take the full three days. I'll get the paperwork sorted now."

"Wh- WHAT!?" Ami cried as her face contorted in shock.

"Huh? Why do you look so scared?" I asked.

"I- I wanted her on as a merc!"

"A 'merc'!?"

"Mmm, sorry, but "party" was the answer I had in mind this whole time. It's the only thing that fulfills both your requirements. Plus, it's the relationship that would build the best bonds between you two," Slavena smiled.

"When Mr. Foxx mentioned us being a "team", that's when it clicked. The best way for us to become one is to form a party. That makes us equals, like I want, and allows you to have a "guard" as in parties, there's roles, and guarding is one of them."

"If you formed a merc contract with her, you wouldn't get to bond as much as your relationship would be client and laborer. Not to mention, you'd have to pay her out of pocket as the kingdom won't provide funding for a merc, even if the Knight's Order gave their official recommendation for her," Slavena added.

"And so... I solved it!" I smiled as I struck a pose.

Ami remained in a state of shock for a few seconds before she finally sighed. "Alright, you win. Let's... Let's form a party," she mumbled as she extended her hand.

Her face had begun to turn red, while her gaze was shifting away from me. Seems like someone's embarrassed.

"Nice to be working with you, partner," I grinned as I shook Ami's hand.

"Now, all that's left is to sign the paperwork, you two," Slavena smiled. 

This time, there were no issues, and within seconds, we were an official party. 

"I- I'll meet you here tomorrow... Ngh, noon. We'll take on a quest, together," Ami mumbled before scurrying as fast as she could to the door she always seems to come in and out of.

"Ah, Ami actually has some private quarters here, in case you're curious," Slavena smiled.

"Oh, guess that makes sense. Wait, why not at the inn?" I asked.

"Easier for me to watch her if she's here. Now you make sure to be a good party mate to her. Disappoint me, and you're in trouble," Slavena menacingly smiled.

"MA'AM! YES, MA'AM!" I saluted out of fear.

"No need to salute, but I like the sincerity. I think you'll make a great friend for Ami."

"Huh? But when I said that, she got mad."

"Hmm, might've been because you hadn't passed the trial yet, or maybe she was just being rebellious. Anyway, now that you're in a party, you'll be able to bond much easier than before. I'm looking forward to it."

"Yes, ma'am," I smiled.