CHAPTER 53: REQUEST

　Mr. Zeol rarely speaks to me in a judgmental manner, except when practicing staff arts or escorting a carriage.

　More often than not, he will present me with options such as “there is this way” or “there is this other way.”

　It would not be surprising if someone, as experienced as Mr. Zeol, would talk to me if I should follow his lead, but I guess it is because he is a freedom-loving person who lives a life that is like a picture of a sunny day.

　At the farewell party last night, Mr. Zeol repeatedly reminded me of something.

“Listen, Nyango. Always accept jobs through the guild. At least until you are over 20 years old and have gained a certain amount of experience, always take a job through the guild.” (Zeol)

“Yes. But why?” (Nyango)

“As your name becomes well known as an adventurer, many people will approach you. They are the ones who want to take advantage of you to make money and get off easy. If you work through a guild, you will be paid by the guild. Even if the client refuses to pay, the guild will intervene and work out a solution. But if you take the job as an individual, you have to take care of the payment yourself.” (Zeol)

“I’ll be taken advantage of…?” (Nyango)

“Yes. If you take a job for yourself, make sure it’s something you can live with, even if you have to work for free.” (Zeol)

“I understand.” (Nyango)

“But that doesn’t mean that you should accept any job that comes your way, even if it means working for free. From now on, you will have to live on your own merits as a full-fledged adventurer.” (Zeol)

　After that, Mr. Zeol told me a funny story about his own failures in his youth, but in hindsight, he was probably trying to teach me a lesson by exposing his own dark history.

　After breakfast at the Orc Tracks Pavilion, Mr. Zeol returned to Atsuka village by carriage.

 

“When you get settled, come see me again…” (Zeol)

　His parting words were very simple, and I watched the carriage drive away until it was out of sight, but Mr. Zeol did not even look back.

　After parting with Mr. Zeol, I headed for Chariot’s base, following the route I had been taught at the Orc Tracks Pavilion.

　The base was located in the eastern part of town, where warehouses and craftsmen’s workshops were lined up.

“Is this the right place…?” (Nyango)

　The site was surrounded by a fence taller than I am, with weeds growing here and there, and a building that looked like a warehouse or a stable.

“Sorry for disturbing you…” (Nyango)

　It was too much trouble to open the heavy-looking gate, so I ducked between the fences and entered the property.

“How can I describe it, it’s a mess…” (Nyango)

　The walls, lined with wooden planks, had holes here and there, and the pillars appeared to be slightly tilted.

　Chariot also owns his own horse-drawn carriage, so maybe this place doubles as a garage for the carriage and the residential part has solid walls inside. …No, I hope not.

“Hello, it’s Nyango.” (Nyango)

　I called out as I knocked on the door of the garage that holds the carriages, but there was no sign of anyone inside the building.

“Hello! Mr. Laius, Mr. Serge, Mr. Gad! Anyone here!” (Nyango)

　I tried calling out a little more loudly, but there was no response at all.

 

　I went around the building and found a door like a service entrance on the back side.

　I walked up to the back door, which also had a small eave to protect it from the rain, and found a sign on the door.

“We’re on our way to Kabane because of a request to kill the orcs… We won’t be back in Ibouro until… Three days from now!” (Nyango)

　Apparently, Chariot had gone out on an expedition with another request right after he returned from defeating Bronze Wolf.

　Kabane is a village located a day’s ride east of Ibouro, where dairy farming is thriving.

　It is the most frequently named village among the requests posted on the guild’s bulletin board, and its main industries are dairy and livestock farming.

　It is said that not only goblins and kobolds but also orcs and ogres frequently appear in the village, targeting the cows, pigs, and chickens being raised there.

“What should we do? I can get back to Atsuka village by using [Bike], but I can’t go back there the next day after they sent me off…” (Nyango)

　But there was no other place to stay, so I had no choice but to stay at an inn somewhere.

　The Orc Tracks Pavilion is a familiar place, but since the village chief has made it his regular lodging, the price is a little high.

“Hmm… I’ll consult with the guild… I’ll withdraw some money while I’m at it.” (Nyango)

　I gave the money I had earned from the sale of grilled Forest Mouse and fish at the encampment to my mother before leaving the village.

　I had saved up some money by then, but I was a little nervous about staying at an inn for three days.

　Mr. Zeol had repeatedly told us that if we had any problems, we should first consult with the guild.

　It would be interesting to get information on cheap and safe lodging until Chariot’s three men returned, to withdraw the deposit, and take any affordable jobs that were available.

　I walked through the streets of Ibouro with our backpacks filled with a change of clothes and daily necessities.

　Thinking about it, I had been with Horacio and Mr. Zeol, so this was my first time walking alone in the city.

　When I realized that I was free to do whatever I wanted without being tied down to a schedule, I was tempted to go to the market and the area lined with stores, but I held back and headed for the guild.

 

　The scenery became familiar, and when the guild building came into view, I put on full armor with void magic.

　I was afraid that the people I had tangled with at the bar last night and the horsekin adventurer I had beaten up earlier might attack me.

　I am a small guy, and even a single blow would do me a lot of damage, so even though I may be called a coward, I will not be lacking in preparation.

　I stepped into the guild, bracing myself for an attack at any moment, but it seemed that the morning bustle had already ended, and the place was not as crowded as I had expected.

　Looking at the guild counter again, it seems that it is divided into an area where the guild pays money, such as for reporting the completion of requests and buying materials, an area where requests are submitted and money is paid to the guild, and a consultation area where no money is given or received.

　At any rate, I need to be introduced to an inn where I would stay for three days, withdraw the necessary money, and find work.

　The staff member at the consultation counter was a plain-looking, dogkin lady who looked to be in her early 20s. She looked at me with curiosity at first, but then she had a sudden change of expression on her face.

“Uh… Excuse me.” (Nyango)

“Welcome, Mr. Nyango. What is your business today?” (Receptionist)

　I was a little put off by the curious, sparkling stare, but if they knew who I was, there would be no need for them to have to look down on me.

　When I made a foothold with [Step] and made eye contact with her, the female staff member looked at me with wide eyes and then gave me a big smile.

　

 

“Well, I’d like to be referred to a reasonably priced inn where I can stay for three days or so…” (Nyango)

“What kind of room would you like?” (Receptionist)

“As you can see, I’m small, so a small room will be fine. Instead, I would like a clean room.” (Nyango)

　I asked her to introduce me to three reasonably priced lodgings and to make a withdrawal of my deposit.

　When I handed her my guild card, she handed me a document along with the money.

“Mr. Nyango, a request for you has been submitted.” (Receptionist)

“Request… what is it?” (Nyango)

“It is a request nominated to a specific individual.” (Receptionist)

“Eh, you nominated me?” (Nyango)

“Yes. It’s from Professor Lembolt from the academy.” (Receptionist)

“Eh! Why a schoolteacher?” (Nyango)

“In the request, it says that it is for research assistance, but it says that they will tell you the details after they meet you in person… Would you like to accept it?” (Receptionist)

“Will there be a reward or something?” (Nyango)

“If you accept the request formally, we will arrange for you to be paid an amount that meets the standards that the guild considers reasonable.” (Receptionist)

“Is that after I meet them and hear the details of the request…?” (Nyango)

“Yes, that would be the way to go.” (Receptionist)

　I don’t know why a teacher from the academy, whom I have never met, would nominate me, but the only thing I can think of is the matter of defeating the Bronze Wolf.

　The academy has not yet started classes, so they might want to hear about the monster they are researching during their break.

 

　The academy in Ibouro was established by the lord, Viscount Lagart, and the teachers are respected by the world.

　There is a worry that I will be looked down upon, but not a worry that my life will be in danger.

“For now, I’ll go talk to him anyway. I should visit this Professor Lembolt, is that correct?” (Nyango)

“Yes. If you accept a request involving the exchange of money, be sure to report it to the guild.” (Receptionist)

“Understood. Then, I’m going…” (Nyango)

“Ah, Mr. Nyango, congratulations on your promotion to E-rank.” (Receptionist)

“Eh! I just registered and haven’t received any requests yet…” (Nyango)

“This is a promotion in recognition of your achievements in subjugating the Bronze Wolf. All the Iburo guild staff are looking forward to your future successes.” (Receptionist)

　Other staff members at the counter and bystanders also applauded.

　I’m blushing because I’m not used to it, but at times like this, my catkin body, whose complexion doesn’t show on the surface saved me.

“T-Thank you very much…” (Nyango)

　I left the guild, bowing to the people who applauded me.