NOVEL NEXT Chapter 60
After a long day of walking, we finally reached the gates of Vespians.
“Identification badge.”
The guard leaning against the wall yawned long, demanding proof of identity. After sunset, only those whose identities had been verified could pass through. It was a procedure to prevent major criminals from sneaking in under the cover of darkness. If it actually worked, who knows?
“I’m the party’s adventurer, Hilde. I just completed a request from the Guild.”
I stepped forward and showed the guard my adventurer badge.
“I-I’m the party’s adventurer, Friede…”
“Is this good enough?”
Friede also stepped up, showing her badge, while Amy pulled out her proof of being an official mage belonging to the Mage’s Tower.
There was no doubt about the Mage’s Tower’s symbol, and our adventurer badges would also work as identification for inspection.
Adventurers below the iron badge level were treated like riffraff or day laborers, so showing a badge wouldn’t mean anything, but…
“Hmm… It definitely checks out as an iron badge.”
If it’s an iron badge, that’s a different story. Being an iron-level adventurer meant the Guild vouches for your identity.
Unless you’re at a strict identity check like a lord’s castle or military installation, simple gates like this pose no problems at all.
“Confirmed. You may pass.”
So, as soon as the guard verified the badges, he nodded as if that was enough and stepped aside.
In novels, there are always guards who try to unnecessarily search women or demand bribes blatantly, but that sort of thing was nonexistent in this city.
You might end up hanging headless from the walls if you make a fuss.
The lord of Vespians was pretty strict with his subordinates.
Not because he was just or moral, but because if his men caused trouble, the number of passing travelers and adventurers would decrease, severely affecting income.
Well, it’s not a bad thing at all.
It was just a brief background note, but there were indeed cities where lower-ranked, attractive women got ‘trained’ under the pretense of body searches.
At least here, I could live in peace, so it was something I welcomed, regardless of the reason.
◆◆
Inside the request office of the Adventurer’s Guild, it was as chaotic as if a storm had swept through.
Adventurers who returned before me were shouting excitedly while arguing.
It was probably due to the treacherous adventurers.
Those who betrayed had acquaintances, and those who died at the hands of the betrayers also had acquaintances, so chaos was to be expected.
Yet amidst all this, the guild staff, who could be seen as the authority figures, couldn’t be blamed, which was hilariously typical of adventurers.
“What a mess.”
Amy, seemingly amused, let out a small laugh and shook her head.
“Don’t say it so loud. If you start a fight, we’ll be the ones to deal with the trouble.”
I advised Amy not to be too blunt and then approached the receptionist to submit my completion report.
From the report, it seemed many iron adventurers had perished, along with summoned priests from the Guild, so the receptionist’s expression appeared particularly pale today.
While she read my report, I briefly recounted the details of the request to her.
Both sides of that story were blatant lies, and I felt a bit guilty about it, but there’s no way I could reveal the truth.
“I see. The Abyss Priest killed Gerda…how unfortunate.”
Given the grim nature of the mission, with adventurers scattered dead around the office, the receptionist wrote down my report without any suspicion.
“…It was truly a stroke of luck that you returned safely. You’ve worked hard, Hilde. Truly.”
Immediately after, she handed me the payment, her face displaying a tired but gentle smile.
“This might be a bit presumptuous, but…what will happen to the Guild from now on?”
I took the payment and casually inquired about the future of the Vespians Adventurer’s Guild.
I may have survived, but this catastrophe could very well shake the Guild to its very foundation.
With the iron adventurers who should have been the backbone of the Guild drastically reduced, if the Church started pressing for responsibility, a substantial payment would have to be made.
The Paladins said they wouldn’t hold responsible the adventurers who didn’t betray, but that’s a different matter when it comes to filing claims against the Guild.
The priests of the Church had been slaughtered by the betrayers, who were, after all, adventurers that the Guild had vouched for.
So, the damages caused to the Church from the betrayal could possibly fall under the Guild’s responsibility.
“Well… we’ll have to see how things turn out in time.”
The receptionist sighed and shook her head.
The higher-ups in the Guild were in a flurry over the matter, holding planning meetings, but as a lowly receptionist, she couldn’t possibly know what conversations were happening.
“But… um… I don’t think it’ll go under. Probably.”
The receptionist awkwardly smiled and nodded as if trying to comfort me.
Was that a confident assertion backed by clear reasoning, or merely an optimistic hope from an employee facing unemployment due to the company’s bankruptcy?
Looking at her face, it certainly resembled the latter.
“Well, the lord, city residents, and the Church wouldn’t want to see adventurers disappear from here.
From what I heard, there is a rationale behind that.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. I’ve grown somewhat fond of this city.”
I shrugged lightly, said my goodbyes, and returned to my party.
“Done? Then let’s get out of here. If we stay any longer, my eardrums are going to burst.”
Amy, leaning against the wall with a frown, greeted me with relief and urged us to leave. She looked like she couldn’t bear the noise any longer.
“…”
Friede, though she didn’t express it, agreed with Amy’s opinion.
“Yeah, let’s go. I’m feeling a little dizzy myself.”
And so, we left the request office, leaving behind the blaring noises and shouts.
I wonder if they’ll end up fighting among themselves…
“—If you’re so dissatisfied, step outside, you punk! Quit running your mouth!”
“Don’t think I can’t? Who do you think you’re talking to, you cocky brat?!”
…like that.
◆◆
Having escaped the fierce and noisy request office street, we headed towards a quieter rest area to discuss the distribution of bonuses and our future plans.
“Oh, you returned safely? I heard the Guild is in turmoil; you must be lucky.”
“It’s not luck; it’s skill.”
So, we arrived at the first floor pub of ‘Snowbear’s Rest’ where I and Friede were staying.
It was Amy’s suggestion. After completing such a dangerous mission and returning alive, she wanted to celebrate with a drink.
…How does an eighteen-year-old love alcohol so much? She’s legally an adult in this world, but still…
Anyway, I felt guilty not agreeing the last time, and I had no reason to refuse, so I brought her to Snowbear’s Rest.
While the pubs in the bustling district were full of drunks and as noisy as the request office, this one was relatively quieter and more peaceful.
However, just like the price of lodging, the drinks were also more expensive, making it impossible for drunks to even glance at it.
“Anyway, I’d like a bottle of Rieslingen, please. Two… no, three wine glasses.”
Pointing towards the table where Amy and Friede were seated, I ordered a bottle of white wine from the Kingdom of Rhine, the only drink enjoyed by the original Brunhilde.
Initially, I considered ordering just beer, but that stuff isn’t that good.
Actually, it tasted downright terrible. You know the kind of flavor you’d get from leaving the cap off some drink on the sweltering street for a day? That’s what it tasted like.
The locals must have been used to drinking that bad stuff, so it didn’t faze them, but after being accustomed to the fizzy cold beers back home, it was hard to tolerate the bad taste here.
Since today was a celebration, I wanted to try a decent drink instead of that garbage even if I had to spend a little.
“Is there no ale? Don’t adventurers usually drink ale or something? Why look for such high-class wine?”
“Don’t you have any?”
“We do, but it’ll cost you five silver coins, and are you okay with that?”
It was indeed pricey. I could afford it, but still…
I handed five silver coins to the man displaying his fingers, and he beamed, as if he’d never been reprimanded, and handed me a bottle of wine.
“Here you go. One bottle of Rieslingen and three tin cups. If you want more, just let me know. I still have two bottles left.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Nodding slightly, I walked over to the table where the two were sitting and placed the wine bottle along with the cups in front of them.
“Uh…? Is this Rieslingen? Isn’t this quite expensive…?”
Amy was stunned, alternating her gaze between the bottle and me, as if surprised by the high-class drink.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m treating you. As the party leader.”
I gently patted Amy’s shoulder and smiled.
Just like Lotto, who grinned while treating his school buddy to Dom Pérignon after a long time.
“Really? You’re treating, Hilde?”
“Yep, as a celebration for coming back safely.”
“Oh my….”
Amy gazed at me with an ecstatic expression, her mouth watering. She looked like an outsider marveling at the generous bonus given by the boss.
…Is it really that big of a deal?
Five silver coins for a bottle is indeed outrageous for an adventurer’s earnings, but for me, it was just a matter of treating friends out of goodwill.
I had a bit more money than the average iron adventurer.
It turns out, dealing with a single raider earned more than slaying forty goblins.
In my days as a low-level butcher, I’d raided entire villages or trade routes, which brought in pretty good profit.
Now I understand why some broke iron adventurers change their occupation to raiders or bandits.
Of course, unlike them, I was purely ‘defending myself,’ but the profit I made from those self-defense situations allowed me to indulge in a bit of luxury.
I just refrained because it wasn’t necessary.