Chapter 98: The Royal Capital’s Adventurer’s Guild
“Master. Regarding the securing of personnel you ordered, about sixty percent has been completed. However, as expected, the situation with poaching active craftsmen is not favorable. Most are apprentices or those who have retired from active service.”
“Hmm…”
Klaus reported to me, looking apologetic.
There are many things lacking in the Baumgarten Territory. For example, shops. Currently, there isn’t a single shop in the Baumgarten Territory. To begin with, there’s nothing that could be sold. Everyone lives by self-sufficiency and barter.
However, manpower is necessary for the territory’s development. To attract people, various shops are needed to establish a living infrastructure.
To compensate for that, I had ordered Klaus to secure personnel, but…
So, active craftsmen are proving difficult, huh…
“No, you’ve done well, Klaus. Keep gathering people at this pace.”
“Understood.”
Well, I should be grateful that sixty percent of our target—such eccentric individuals from the Royal Capital willing to go to the undeveloped land of Baumgarten Territory—were found.
Besides them, Benno has been reaching out to merchants. We’ve already gathered more merchants than planned.
According to Benno, the merchants want to establish connections with me. The only noble to have received a Promotion to higher peerage in many years. Moreover, I’ve been Promoted to higher peerage twice from Baron, and now I’m a Count. They probably figure I’ll need various things to maintain the dignity of a Count. That’s where the merchants see a business opportunity. If they can curry favor and become purveyors to the Count, that’s likely their aim. Being a purveyor to a Count is apparently viewed with considerable envy in the merchant world. Benno was pleased about it.
“All that’s left is the Adventurer’s Guild, huh…”
I’ve received permission from the King to claim any territory east of the Baumgarten Territory as I see fit. It’s a golden opportunity to expand my domain. To clear the forests and mountains spreading to the east, I need the power of adventurers.
“At the very least, I’d like a branch of the Adventurer’s Guild… No, even if we just build the shell, it’s useless without content. We definitely need the support of adventurers.”
“What will you do? It seems adventurers form groups called parties to operate. Shall we try to recruit each party one by one?”
“Hmm…”
Isn’t there some good way…
Ah, that might be usable.
“Klaus, we’re going to the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“Master, do you intend to do the recruiting yourself?!”
“Adventurers believe in individual strength, after all. It’s quickest if I, the Dragonslayer, go.”
Having contributed to the dragon’s subjugation, I’m apparently called by the rather embarrassing title of Dragonslayer. It makes my whole body feel itchy, but this is probably the time to use that embarrassing title.
“Also, prepare that thing from the basement.”
Now, to the Adventurer’s Guild!
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“So this is the Royal Capital’s Adventurer’s Guild, huh.”
It’s a large, magnificent stone building. There are no unnecessary decorations; it gives off an impression of being simple and sturdy. An Adventurer’s Guild should be like this.
“Let’s go, Klaus.”
“Yes.”
As I passed through the large door Klaus opened, a cacophony of voices immediately reached my ears. It seems this Adventurer’s Guild has a dining hall attached, and many adventurers were eating or drinking.
This is convenient.
When I took a step forward, the appraising gazes of the adventurers pierced me. However, those curious looks quickly turned to astonishment.
“What’s with that skin color? Is he a foreigner?”
“That’s…!”
“Could it be, Baumgarten’s…?”
“It’s the appearance of Dragonslayer-sama, huh.”
“What on earth does he want?”
“Hey, he’s a friend of mine.”
“Wasn’t he a Viscount-sama?”
“Idiot! He’s a Count-sama now!”
“He’s a great man who even evolved his Gift. He’ll undoubtedly become a historical figure…”
“He’s scheduled to be engaged to the Princess, right?”
“Did you see the size of the dragon he defeated? It was bigger than this Adventurer’s Guild.”
“How did he even defeat something like that…”
Having been bathed in dragon’s blood, this body of mine could clearly and accurately hear the adventurers’ whispers. My hearing has gotten incredibly good.
“First, let’s give the adventurers a demonstration. Klaus, are the preparations ready?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Mhm.”
I took a step forward and looked out over the adventurers in the dining hall.
Giving a speech to this many people is a bit nerve-wracking.
“My name is Dietfried Baumgarten. Adventurers, I’ve come today because I have something to discuss with you. Won’t you come to my territory?”
“Baumgarten Territory? Do you know it?”
“No… I don’t know it…”
“Didn’t he just get a new territory?”
“No way, how could he get a territory without even winning a war?”
It seems the adventurers don’t even know of the Baumgarten Territory’s existence. It’s an undeveloped, rural place, after all. It’s natural they wouldn’t know.
“My territory is at the easternmost edge of the kingdom. It’s the frontline of battles against monsters. I intend not only to protect my territory but also to expand it. To fight monsters and increase human lands, I need adventurers! Spreading to the east of my territory are forests and mountains untrodden by humankind. Are there any among you with the spirit to take on such a challenge?”