Volume 5 Chapter 15 The Guide of the Serpent's Path
I'm not bragging, but I'm completely useless when it comes to anything other than combat.
Since I started getting involved with royalty and nobility, I've gained some communication skills, but according to Eris, my ability is just enough to stand there and do nothing.
So when Kagami-san asked me to collect coins, I was at a loss from the beginning.
First of all, are these coins really circulating within the university?
I don't remember ever seeing them.
Although Kanami said she would look into it, I can't just sit back and do nothing.
"So, have you ever seen coins like this?"
In the empty literature club room, I took out the coin that Kagami-san had given me as a sample.
Of course, I already knew who I was going to show it to.
"A coin?"
Matsuda-san, the disgrace of our literature club, no, our school. When it comes to wanting information about the school, there's no one more reliable than him. Matsuda, who covers everything from the schedules of the instructors to the mixer situations of all the clubs, is like a walking internet bulletin board.
Matsuda looks at the coin I handed him.
But, the coin is a product of magic. Even though Matsuda is a modern-day phenomenon, he probably doesn't know about it.
However, Matsuda simply nodded.
"I know, it's a magic coin, right?"
Wait, does he actually know? It was so unexpectedly nonchalant that I thought I misheard him.
"I'm actually surprised that Yuusuke knows. You're not interested in this kind of stuff, right?"
"It's just a coincidence. I want to know the circumstances."
Here, it's just me and Matsuda. And Lisha, who is reading a book, and Souji, who is sleeping. Lisha closes her book and comes over to us.
After returning the coin to me, Matsuda tilts his head as if remembering something.
"Even if you say circumstances, I don't know much about it either. It's just a bunch of dubious stories like granting wishes and bringing happiness if you have it."
"I see."
If rumors are circulating, then someone must have used it.
"But it's definitely circulating in the school recently. I haven't seen it myself, but I've met people who have it."
"Sometimes I think, aren't you an amazing guy?"
"That's amazing, Matsuda-san! You're like a spy from an anime!"
"Well, I guess. Normally, I'm just a disguised form hiding in the world."
Is there such a noticeable way of sneaking around?
"So, if you're so interested in getting information, do you want the magic coin too, Yuusuke?"
"Yeah. Well, I want it, but not because I want to use it."
"I see. That's good then. There's nothing good that can come from using something like that."
It's unusual for Matsuda to say something good. Even though he shouldn't be aware of the danger of the coin.
"Rather, don't you want it? If you wanted to, you could somehow get it."
"Don't underestimate me. Suffering is the greatest happiness given to humans. Skipping that and only getting results is like a strawberry shortcake without strawberries."
"Oh, I see."
Even though he's saying something good, his true nature is showing here and there. Is his head glitching?
"Well, I can't help it. I'll look into it a little more. Should I collect them if I have the chance?"
"Is that okay?"
"Of course, I'll have you repay me later."
I can't help but feel indebted and scared of Matsuda, but the fact remains that he's a reliable ally.
You can't change your fate.
"Got it. For now, just tell me everything you know."
"Understood."
Although there are probably many things I want to ask, Matsuda doesn't delve deep into our situation and just tells me what he knows.
It's in moments like this that I can't hate him. That's his annoying side, really. Thank you, Matsuda.
* * *
And then, for a while, the days of running around the school grounds based on Matsuda's information began.
It was more difficult than imagined to collect each coin that was already circulating in the school.
And it's not just about finding them. After finding them, they had to be collected peacefully.
If it were a guy, it would be easy. After all, Lisha is here. If she asks, things usually work out. With a smile and a coy look, it's all over. I was reminded of the power of a saint. It's a lethal weapon against men.
But when it comes to dealing with women, it's not that simple. People who genuinely believe in magic coins have some kind of wish. The magic coins cannot be collected unless those wishes are fulfilled. Searching for a runaway cat, setting up a blind date through Matsuda, repelling a stalker.
It's much more difficult than defeating monsters.
And so, six coins were collected. Two of them had already been used. To activate the effect of these coins, a sincere wish is necessary, so it was fortunate that they hadn't been used yet.
While struggling, Matsuda came and collected two coins with his usual frivolous smile.
Isn't he too excellent?
"Still, it's tough beyond this point."
"Yeah, that's right. The ones we collected this time are only at a surface level. People who genuinely need them won't come to negotiate."
Those people have probably already used them, so it's probably the limit.
Back in the literature club room again. In the indescribable heat, it's just me and Matsuda today. Lisha should be taking a lecture with Kanami. Seriously, they're more of a university student than me.
"I guess it's impossible after all."
Just because we collected them doesn't mean anything is progressing. Kanami analyzed the coins, but the results are unknown.
But it's unsettling that they're scattered around the university. It feels like someone spread poison in my own backyard. I want to collect them all if possible.
Then Matsuda laughed.
"But here's the thing. The more valuable the coins are, the more we can search for them through different routes."
"What do you mean?"
"It's the basics of society. When something has value, demand that matches it arises. And there are plenty of people who take practical benefits over suspicious jinxes."
Practical benefits, huh?
"So, what does that mean? The coins become money?"
"Exactly. If they can become money, they will. Marketing is like that."
I see. But weren't we in the literature department?
"And those shady things are traded in appropriate places."
Saying that, Matsuda took something out of his bag. It was a bundle of unprinted sheets that hadn't been made into a booklet yet.
Dancing on it were the words "Soten Festival" in black and white. When he turned it over, Matsuda's smile turned into something sinister.
"Yes, like the Uraten Matsuri."
Okay, from here on, it's a dangerous path.
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