Ch.43Draisen (1)

“Is this Dreisen…”

Compared to Ortus, it was a wider… a city of a scale reminiscent of Parcival.

Although this city was located inland, the waterway visible over there extended all the way to the sea, seemingly generating enormous profits through water transportation.

“A waterway….”

I had seen waterways in Parcival before.

Not as large as this one, but they had extended waterways for dry docks where they would build, repair, or dismantle several ships at once. When I was young, I found it so fascinating that after work was done, I would endlessly watch the water drain and fill in the dry dock waterways.

“Well… I still can’t forget Parcival, can I…”

No matter how generously one might describe it, Parcival is not a pleasant city to live in.

But it wasn’t an easily forgettable good city either. Since I was born and raised there, Parcival will always be my hometown.

Someday, when I become a complete adult and fulfill my goal of visiting all the famous places across the 13 continents, I will take a ship back to my hometown.

Back to my hometown where tenacious thieves lurk, where people exhausted and struggling with life sustain themselves, and where markets are swayed by the speculation of greedy capitalists.

They say this is called a triumphant return home.

“Anyway, friend.”

I took the letter from my chest and looked at the detailed address.

“Hmm…”

It’s written in detail, but as an outsider, I have no way of knowing where this is.

For now, finding an inn would be best.

Usually, cities like this weren’t friendly to adventurers, especially to little kids like me who carried swords dangling all over.

When many people gather, inevitably bad or strange people tend to gather as well.

This Dreisen wasn’t as active in trade with other continents as Parcival, so while its size was similar, the number of people passing through was noticeably fewer.

In terms of population density, maybe about one-fifth? It seems like several hundred thousand people live here, and including the floating population, it might exceed 1 million.

After finishing my assessment of this city, I put the letter back in my chest and looked around to find an inn.

“The Adventurers’ Guild… ah, there it is.”

Adventurers’ Guilds typically build tall spires.

The reason is simple—so adventurers can spot them at a glance.

A cafeteria, a lounge area for chatting. And some well-equipped places even had childcare facilities.

The Parcival branch of the Adventurers’ Guild had all the facilities I mentioned, and the guild building was so massive that it always ranked among the top 10 largest buildings in the city.

“…But indeed, it’s no match for Parcival.”

However, Dreisen’s guild was clearly different compared to Parcival’s guild.

Not only was it smaller, but the architect’s intention of “cramming it in somehow!” was plainly visible in the design.

It wouldn’t be inconvenient to use, but they must have chosen this minimalist architectural style due to lack of funds.

“What did you say, kid?”

“…?”

Just then, I heard a very displeased voice from behind me, and I turned around.

Probably a dock worker or someone in a similar profession, a sturdy man with sun-tanned skin and bulging veins was looking down at me, and with a frown, he spoke again.

“Not a match for Parcival? You impudent little brat… You seem to be from Parcival. If you speak like that one more time, I won’t let it slide.”

“…”

I just stood still.

I couldn’t understand what he was warning me about or why he was angry in the first place.

From his mention of “Parcival kid,” it seems related to some kind of national rivalry… but no, what can I do if Parcival is better than Dreisen?

If it bothers you, build up your national power.

“Tsk. Just my bad luck.”

I thought about drawing my sword and turning him into mincemeat, but then decided it would be a waste of time.

Killing someone who picks a fight was a right granted to all by the Blood God Karil, but rights were not obligations.

*

Creak… creak…

Having stopped by the Adventurers’ Guild, I was pulling a handcart myself.

There was no special reason; there was just a request to deliver this cart, and the destination happened to be the inn where I could stay.

Usually, such requests were taken by lower-ranked adventurers, but since carts are inherently heavy and one could strain their back without proper technique, it had been left unattended all day until I finally took it.

“Phew… it’s been quite a while since I’ve driven a cart.”

I used to drive carts often in Parcival.

Not ordinary carts like this one, but small carts in mines that I would struggle to push. Being small in stature as a child, I could fit into places while pulling the cart.

I mainly transported food or water, and on the way back, I would load heavy ores.

I think I was six years old then… or maybe seven…

Well, it doesn’t matter anymore.

I won’t be entering coal mines as a laborer again.

Clank! Clank!

Finally, I arrived at my destination, the [Ebb Tide Inn], and I stopped someone who was about to enter.

“Hey, wait.”

“Huh?”

“You seem to be entering the inn, right?”

“…And?”

“Could you pass on a message? Tell them the cart has arrived.”

“Uh… sure.”

He looked at me suspiciously at first, but soon dispelled his doubts when he saw the cargo loaded on the cart behind me.

After he went in, a man who appeared to be a staff member came out and called for me.

“You’ve come at just the right time. Leave the cart over there. We’ll take care of it.”

“Will do.”

Rumble…

The cart stopped at the position the employee wanted, and I got out of the cart and let the sea breeze dry the sweat that had seeped through the gaps in my chain mail.

“Phew….”

After drying my sweat, I went inside, and the employee called the inn’s owner.

He silently held out his hand, and I took the request form from my chest and handed it to him.

Scribble scribble…

Afterward, he handed back the request form marked as completed, and I put it back in my chest.

“You seem to be an adventurer, how about staying here?”

“I was just thinking about that. I’m planning to stay for about a week.”

“Then two silver coins.”

When I took out two silver coins from my spatial storage, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Oh, spatial storage?”

“First time seeing one?”

“Of course not. I’m just surprised that a young child like you has one. Must come from a wealthy family?”

“What family? I’m an orphan. This is money I earned with my blood and sweat.”

“…I apologize for my rudeness.”

Saying that, he gave me a key marked 108.

“It’s still a bit early to go to bed, would you like something to eat?”

“No. I need to go to the Adventurers’ Guild first to get my payment. And I have someone to meet.”

“Well, if that’s the case.”

*

“Yes, I’ve confirmed the completion of the request. Here’s your payment.”

“Hmm.”

Thirty copper coins.

A paltry amount compared to the 2 silver coins I paid for lodging.

But even dust becomes a mountain when gathered, so I stored the thirty copper coins in my spatial storage.

“The time is…”

3 PM.

Still 15 hours until sunset.

“With this much time, I could complete five or six requests.”

Thinking so, I headed back to the request board and took another cargo transport request.

Then, I spent 3 hours completing the request, returned to the Adventurers’ Guild for payment, and took the next request.

After 2 hours of effort, I completed that request too, and eventually earned 1 silver coin. (Combined with what I earned initially.)

Next, I took a request to exterminate giant sewer rats, wandered through the sewers for an hour, completed the request, and received thirty copper coins, then returned to the guild to settle the payment.

“Excuse me…”

“Hmm?”

“You’ve… completed four requests just today, maybe you should go back and rest…”

“It’s fine. I’m used to working 240 hours a week like it’s nothing…”

“Eek…”

The guild receptionist was worried about me, but I’m really fine.

Anyway, this time I took a request to teach some neighborhood thugs a lesson, and after 2 hours of thoroughly clearing out the ruffians’ hideout, I received 1 silver coin.

The next request was to deliver a precious liquor.

In normal cases, this would be a very demanding request, but for me with my spatial storage, it was as easy as eating cold porridge. After 2 hours of delivery, I received 1 silver coin just like before.

And next was a request to retrieve a box that had fallen into the water at the harbor, worth a whopping 3 silver coins.

I naturally accepted, and after 3 hours of struggle, I barely managed to retrieve the box.

And for my final request of the day, I took on a 20-copper-coin job to find a lost elderly man, and after searching the marketplace for 2 hours, I finally found him just before sunset and handed him over to his family.

Total earnings: 6 silver coins, 50 copper coins.

Having spent 2 silver coins on a week’s lodging at the inn, my net profit was 4.5 silver coins.

“Hmm. It always feels good to earn such a sum.”

Muttering that, I checked the inn key marked 108 and headed to the inn.

Tomorrow, early in the morning, I’ll go meet Professor Felice’s acquaintance.