Chapter 197: A Job Unsuited for Longdagger 3
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“Yo, kid.”
The one who appeared before us as we were about to depart from the southern entrance of the four Barriers in Hecate was the master of the Adventurers Guild, Baldo Barrel.
The area bustled with merchant caravans preparing to leave and the adventurers guarding them. Amidst them, Baldo Barrel’s figure stood out strangely.
“Yo, Baldo Barrel.”
When I greeted him with the ease of having faced death together, a nearby passing adventurer gave a startled look.
“Need something? We’re about to head out for the nominated request we received from the Margrave, you know?”
I gestured with my eyes towards the backpack slung on my back and towards Erika and the others. Where I looked, Erika and Shara were flawlessly bowing their heads in greeting.
“I am the Guild Master, you know.”
Baldo Barrel twisted his stern face into a troubled expression. Looking at him like this, he really resembles an intimidating bear.
“You should’ve said that before we faced death together. Now, even if you tell me you’re Rank 10, I can only think of you as an older pal.”
“I see. That’s a style full of Guts.”
Ah, could this kind of vibe only work in Faltar?
I reflexively glanced at the nearby adventurer who had looked startled earlier, seeking confirmation. For some reason, they hastily averted their gaze.
Well, whatever. If he finds it unpleasant, he’ll say so. He’s not a child.
“So?” I tilted my head, asking.
“Sorry about the trouble my young ones caused yesterday.”
I shrugged, indicating with my posture that it wasn’t a big deal.
“Tell them to listen until the end next time.”
“I was asked to tell you to say the important things first, you know?”
A strange pause hung in the air.
“Well, that’s also a wise saying.”
“Mm, Guts it is.”
Is this conversation actually connecting?
“Also, I came to tell you something I forgot to mention amidst the chaos yesterday.”
Lana uses the Guild Master as a messenger?
“Kid, it seems a large-scale Bandit Brigade has been rampaging recently in the Helcums Territory you’re heading to now.”
Providing information to adventurers is part of the Adventurers Guild’s job. Indeed, failing to inform an adventurer who just accepted a request that there’s a large Bandit Brigade where they’re headed would be negligence.
“She said to be careful, as the bounty won’t be paid unless they can be identified at least from the neck up.”
Isn’t that a strange way to show concern?
“Ah, no, that’s not it.”
“That’s right,” Baldo Barrel dutifully replied to my mutter.
“Are there guys whose faces are recognizable enough to warrant a bounty?”
That Lana, using such a confusing way to relay information.
“Well, it seems the Knight of Hecate and the Helcums Knights Order are dealing with that jointly. It probably doesn’t concern you kids, but it’s better you know.”
“I see. Thanks for the information.”
“Well then. I’m not worried, but put some Guts into it.”
Having finished his business, Baldo Barrel turned his back and quickly walked away. I didn’t expect him to see us off or anything, but even for an adventurer, it was an unceremonious parting.
“Thank you very much, Baldo Barrel-sama.”
“We’ll be going, Baldo Barrel-san.”
As Erika’s and Shara’s voices were cast towards his retreating back, Baldo Barrel tilted his head for just a moment and rubbed the top of his bald head, looking troubled.
The adventurer from before stared at us with eyes seeing something unbelievable.
It can’t be helped, right? We don’t know his real name.
Later, just before the sun began to set.
We were in Noel Jeun Town.
“Shin-san, please listen to me. I’m begging you, please listen! Humans… Humans! Are not made to run all day using Physical Enhancement while carrying luggage!”
I feel like I heard something similar just the other day.
“This is the second time!”
Just as I thought that, she read my mind.
I shrugged and looked at Shara, who was glaring up at me on all fours on the ground just outside the Noel Jeun Town gate.
“We took a break, didn’t we?”
“Eating lunch isn’t a break, it’s a fundamental part of being human!”
Isn’t sitting down to eat a meal a break?
I was about to argue back but clamped my mouth shut. The last time I refuted a similar protest, Erika went off to the civilized world.
Even the barbarian world needs a Flower. Rather, if Erika isn’t here, I’ll wither and die.
“You said it was nearby! You said the first day would be nearby!”
Shara wailed, tearing up grass while still on all fours.
The gate guard looked at me as if wanting to say something, but I averted my eyes. I understand how he feels, but getting looked at like that doesn’t help.
“It is nearby. Noel Jeun is.”
As if escaping the gate guard’s gaze, I shrugged and said so, causing Shara to punch the ground and scream.
“It’s a two-day trip by carriage!”
Ah, yes.
I’ll keep quiet about thinking we’d arrive by noon.
“Alright, alright. My bad. I’ll treat you to dinner, so cheer up.”
“Meat!” Shara yelled, jumping to her feet, while the gate guard shot me a face that seemed to say, ‘Do something about this already.’
Erika stood about ten steps away from us.
＊＊＊Afterword＊＊＊
Thank you always for the comments, likes, follows, and ratings.
They are a great encouragement to the author.
It’s a little early, but thank you for reading my humble work in 2024 as well.
I will be busy on the 31st and unable to post, so today’s post will be the last update for this year.
This year, I was able to receive the Special Prize and the ComicWalker Prize at Kakuyomu Con 9, and personally, it feels like it was a dreamlike one year.
I feel like I’ve said this many times, but it’s all thanks to you, the readers, and I still don’t feel I’ve said it enough, so please let me say it again.
Well then, everyone, have a Happy New Year.