Chapter 126: The Stomachache Margrave’s Opening Ceremony 5
*
Once I understood, it was a simple matter.
It was merely that the systems in the Faltar and Orclaugh Adventurers Guilds were different.
In the Orclaugh Adventurers Guild, one’s Rank apparently increased by taking something called a Rank Promotion Exam.
The books I had read stated that in Orclaugh, just like in Faltar, Rank increased by demonstrating one’s ability—combat strength to defeat Monsters and the capability to complete requests.
However, that seemed to be a story from long ago. Nowadays, a system called the Rank Promotion Exam had been established, where adventurers wishing for a Rank Promotion would engage in a mock battle with an adventurer chosen by the Guild to have their Rank increased.
Surprised by this explanation, I asked back.
“Isn’t it decided like, if you can defeat a Golden Ogre solo without injury, you get Rank 7, or if you defeat an Ogre Knight solo, you get Rank 8?”
To which Lana-san and Shara-san replied, looking exasperated.
“What is that Barbarian (Barbaroi) custom?”
I mumbled, trying to form some kind of rebuttal to the rather harsh term “Barbarian.”
Shara-san tapped my shoulder from behind.
As I turned around, still thinking of a retort, Shara-san said with a smug look.
“Welcome to the civilized world.”
I swallowed the retort that seemed likely to become mere sophistry.
I pretended not to see Erica-san covering her face with both hands, her shoulders shaking as she held back laughter.
I was a Barbarian (Barbaroi).
*
That day, a shockwave ran through the City of Hecate.
That Longdagger Couple was finally taking the Adventurer Rank Promotion Exam.
The rumor spread with astonishing speed amidst the lingering excitement from the commotion over the Blackened Dragon heading towards Hecate.
The source of the rumor was the Adventurers Guild receptionist, Lana-san.
Since it came from her—known in some circles as Longdagger’s exclusive receptionist—the rumor was treated as almost certain fact.
First, long-distance escort requests vanished from the Hecate Adventurers Guild.
Because hunting Monsters in the Demon Realm was more profitable than flimsy escort requests, the usually unpopular long-distance escort requests were snapped up instantly.
Next, requests from Noel Jeun disappeared.
The amount of earnings was completely disregarded.
Parties that normally hunted even Golden Ogres snatched up requests to guard stalls in the Forest of Fools, fought over jobs refueling the Monster Wards along the highway, and rejoiced at obtaining requests to transport Magic Stone Fragments to satellite villages.
Around this point, the adventurers who had been slow to react began to regret it.
They regretted not acting faster when the requests that would allow them to escape Hecate while earning at least some money disappeared.
They were driven by fear.
Fear that if they stayed, they might be chosen as opponents for the Longdagger Couple’s Promotion Exam.
Even fools who earned money by putting their lives on the line considered what might be placed on the other side of the scale.
They wanted no part of something that would send their own life flying like a trebuchet the moment it was placed on the scale.
“In that case, an expedition into the Demon Realm’s middle layers!” declared an adventurer who normally wouldn’t even set foot in the middle layers, one who usually obsessed only over safely earning money while minimizing risk.
“An expedition for three days, no, a week!”
Voices overlapped in agreement.
“Me too, take me too.”
“I can use a little Healing Magic, take me along too.”
“I’ll do anything, please, me too.”
Thus, an alliance of adventurers who had failed to escape was formed.
All this happened in less than half a day after the rumor spread.
And then, the adventurers vanished from the city.
It was early the next morning when Margrave Makikomarkrow learned of this and yelled, “Longdagger!”