Moonlight poured like water, quietly bathing the three of them.
Yuri's unusual behavior told Precht and Warrod that if they didn't settle this now, they'd never be able to move forward properly.
"…What exactly are you trying to say?"
Yuri tilted his head toward the night sky. "Adventuring, treasure hunting—this life is fun, but every time I sell a treasure, I feel hollow, like something's missing."
Precht said, "We risk our lives for these treasures, and you're a money-grubber. Of course you'd feel reluctant to sell them."
"No, it's not reluctance, it's something else."
"I didn't know what it was before, but now I do: it's a void of meaning and value!"
For some reason, Yuri's mind was suddenly flooded with thoughts he'd never had before.
"We snatch loot and sell it, and besides money we gain… basically nothing."
"Those treasures' worth, history, craftsmanship, materials, is entirely defined by others!"
"In other words, an ordinary stone, if an Appraiser claims it can trade for a city, is worth a city."
"Don't you find that pathetic?"
"When you think about it, what we've done is no different from merchants…"
"No, merchants at least sell food, clothes, things with clear market value. Our 'treasures' have invisible worth. You can't eat or use them."
"Even if we secure the Tenrou Jade today and something greater tomorrow, their value can vanish with a single word from an Appraiser."
"Then everything we've bled for becomes a joke."
Yuri's words struck like thunder; Precht and Warrod's eyes widened, a chill racing down their backs.
They'd never even considered these things.
After all, such questions don't belong to Treasure Hunters or the Treasure Guild, they're from a realm they'd never touched.
Now that Yuri had shattered the illusion, enlightenment dawned.
Right, what does it matter if we risk life, fame, and tricks to claim legendary relics?
In the end, Appraisers decide our achievements.
More precisely, the collectors or users of those treasures decide.
Being at the mercy of others… there's no security in that!
"You make a strong case."
"But we're already here. Even if we switch careers later, let's finish this job first, okay?"
Yuri still shook his head. "No, we can't take the Tenrou Jade."
The money-lover choosing to leave it behind had only one reason.
"You're really going to accept that kid's invitation and join 'Fairy Tail'?"
Will being a Wizard really bring more than being a Treasure Hunter?"
Yuri closed his eyes and thought for half a minute; when he opened them, resolve shone bright.
"I believe so!"
"At the very least, helping people in need—saving them from pain and despair—has real meaning!"
His attitude was rock-solid.
Precht stared into Yuri's eyes; the boy seemed to glow.
After a long pause…
"Sigh… you're impossible."
"You've always been the type to act the moment you decide!"
"Warrod, what about you?"
Caught off-guard, Warrod blinked. "Huh? Me?"
"I'm asking what you think about switching to being Wizards!"
You're part of the team; of course your opinion matters."
Precht looked exasperated.
One teammate leaps into things without a thought; the other dithers and can't decide—yet these opposite traits made them inseparable partners.
Probably because of that Complementary personalities, they were fated to stick together.
"If you want my opinion…"
"I think Yuri's right!"
"I don't know how far we'll get as Wizards."
"But if we can help war-torn folk rebuild their homes, like the villagers of Tenrou Island, then even without profit, I'll feel fulfilled!"
Warrod was the gentlest, most sentimental of the trio.
Yesterday, hearing how Weston had saved the islanders with magic seven years ago and then led them to build a village, he'd been awestruck.
Last night he'd even dreamed of the three of them becoming Wizards, using mighty magic to save the Fiore Kingdom and becoming heroes to countless people.
Later in the dream the king married his three daughters to them—though the scene turned indecent and woke him up.
Still, the dream revealed a hidden desire deep inside: he wanted to be a 'hero'.
And it had absolutely nothing to do with marrying princesses!
Tonight, when Weston brought orange juice and invited them to join 'Fairy Tail', Warrod had wanted to say yes immediately.
Not because he'd seen through the guild's nature like Yuri, nor for self-worth—just pure 'hero dream' longing.
"I see…"
"What a shame!"
"Let's go."
Yuri was puzzled. "Go? Where?"
"Back to the village, of course." Precht started walking. "You want to stay here and wait for the villagers to wake up and find us missing?"
"Huh?"
"Wait… what does this mean?"
Yuri and Warrod exchanged glances, joy flashing across their faces, then hurried after him, not even glancing at the Tenrou Jade within arm's reach.
"I only said I want to switch jobs; I didn't force you two…"
Precht stopped abruptly, grumbling, "Cut the crap. We're a team, we advance and retreat together!"
"Precht, you big tsundere."
Clearly wanting it yourself, yet using us as an excuse… thud!
"Ow!"
"Serves you right!"
Precht huffed, cheeks still flushed.
Right then—