Episode 31: The Job Called “Adventure”
In the morning, five women gathered at the Adventurer’s Guild.
Shio, a tribeswoman with thin breasts and tanned skin.
Margot, a quiet elf with white skin and white hair.
And in addition to them…
“Oh, Dru-大哥! You’ve arrived, aru yo!”
Xiaolin, a Chinese-style woman with a plump silhouette, wearing cream-colored trousers and a Tai Chi-like uniform.
“Dru-nii, good morning. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, bro.”
Hanako, a horned giantess who is about 220cm tall.
“Dru-nii-chan, good morning!”
Roa, a tribeswoman girl who looks like a smaller version of Shio.
Today, I’m going hunting with these guys…
“Alright, is everyone ready?”
And I’m the leader.
Why?
Because these guys have no talent for leading people!!!
So, I, an outsider, am doing the leadership role.
““”“”Yes!””””
“Xiaolin, the carriage?”
“I borrowed one of the ‘Blue Comet’s’ shared carriages, aru yo.”
That’s right, one of the benefits of being in a Clan is being able to borrow the Clan’s shared property, like this carriage.
However, carriages are normally ridiculously expensive, so low-ranking members can’t borrow them. This is simply because I have the ability to pay for any damages, and Shio and Margot have high positions and are trusted within the organization.
“Alright, if we have a carriage, we can collect all the Fortress Crab carapaces. Even after paying the ‘Blue Comet’ their due, we’ll still make over 500,000 Lido per person.”
“500,000 Lido! Sounds good, aru ne!”
Xiaolin… she’s so greedy for money…
If I bring up a money-making opportunity like this, she immediately jumps on it. I’m a little worried about her.
“Um…”
Hmm?
“What’s wrong, Hanako?”
“We’re going to beat up a big crab, right? Why did you call so many people?”
Hmm.
“The Fortress Crabs we’re hunting this time can be easily defeated if Margot’s magic hits them a few times… That’s not wrong. But they gather in groups, and they have dozens of Soldier Crabs guarding them.”
“Hee… So, you’re saying that small crabs are protecting the big crab? If there are dozens of them… then it’s true that we need numbers to protect Maa-nee.”
“And they’re tough… Probably, everyone except Hanako won’t be able to do any damage without using ‘Adamantine Strength’, right? It’ll be exhausting, so I gathered extra people just in case.”
“Okay, I understand. I’ll do my best for you, nii!”
“Yeah, I’m counting on you… So, we’re about to leave, but does anyone have any forgotten items?”
“Grave, Rag Cloth, water bottle! And dried meat!”
Roa says while opening her waist pouch.
Good girl~!
…I’ll bring the food, extra water, and other miscellaneous items, yes.
Let’s go then.
I greet the usual gate guard and head out of town in the carriage.
I’m riding my own horse, as usual.
It’s a large horse with completely black fur.
It has thick legs and is a sturdy giant horse that wouldn’t budge even if Hanako, an Oni race, rode it.
“Ah… come to think of it, Dru’s house had a horse, right…”
“Hmm, a horse. What’s its name?”
“It’s called Zephyr.”
The origin of the name?
My old car was a Zephyr, so…
“…The name of an ancient god who controls the west wind? Is it a very fast horse?”
“Yeah, it’s fast.”
Of course, it is.
This horse is an artificial life form that I created.
It runs at an incredible speed that no ordinary horse can match.
It’s as fast as the Zephyr motorcycle!
However, I didn’t consider the vibrations, so if it runs at full speed, the rider will be blown off. It’s okay if you strengthen your body with Magical Power and hold on tight, but it’s still dangerous.
“…The Magical Power is different from ordinary living things?”
Ah, she noticed.
As expected of a Mage, I can’t hide it from her.
“Keep it a secret, okay?”
“Yeah… Can you tell me later?”
With that, we move, move.
Xiaolin rides in the carriage and operates it.
Shio and Roa walk.
Margot sits next to Xiaolin.
Hanako is huge and heavy, so she can’t ride in the carriage. Therefore, she walks.
But I don’t mind walking, so I’m thinking of letting a tired girl ride if there is one. Well, these guys are Striders, so they seem to have strong physical abilities, so it doesn’t seem to be a problem.
“Hee, that’s a big horse! Horses are super expensive, right? Nii-chan is amazing to have such a fine one! Shio-nee has caught a good man…”
Roa says.
Roa is Shio’s younger sister and came to this town from Gila’s tribe to follow Shio.
She’s a thirteen-year-old child, but she has mastered ‘Adamantine Body’ and ‘Adamantine Strength’ to some extent, so she’s stronger than the average soldier.
Also, from Shio’s point of view, isn’t there an intention to let her gain experience in a safe battlefield with me, a great force, in reserve?
It’s certain that the tribesmen, who are also a fighting race, have a stance of “it’s bad to fight and lose!” but they also have feelings.
Shio is almost old enough to be on her own, but Roa is just a child who has just finished her coming-of-age ceremony.
They wouldn’t kill a child of their own race without a reason.
…Well, they seem to cull disabled children, but that’s another story.
“Fufun! Isn’t it great? Roa, you’ll find a good man soon, too?”
“Hmm… there aren’t many. If the leader of ‘Blue Comet’ was a man, I would definitely sneak into his bed!”
“Well, if he were a man, he probably wouldn’t have quit being a noble just because he lost an eye, right…?”
“Ah, that’s right. Female nobles can’t have scars on their faces…”
Shio and Roa are walking while having such conversations.
However, they have their hands near their weapons, ready to fight at any time. As expected of professionals, they’re different…
“Hum hum hum…”
On the other hand, Hanako is humming and completely relaxed.
Well, the Oni race has a body so sturdy that they won’t die even if they’re suddenly hit by a car, so it’s safe, right?
Hmm, I’m bored, so let’s have a casual conversation…