episode_0060

I walked all day and finally reached the gates of Vesperian.

“Identification.”

A guard leaning against the gate yawned and demanded proof of identity. They only allowed passage to those whose identities had been verified after sunset.

It was a procedure to prevent serious criminals from sneaking in under the cover of darkness. Whether it was effective was questionable.

“I’m Hilde, an Eastern Guild adventurer, returning after completing a mission for the Order.”

I stepped forward as the leader of our group and presented my adventurer’s badge to the guard.

“I-I’m Freide, an Eastern Guild adventurer… um…”

“I wonder if this will do?”

Freide also approached me and displayed his adventurer’s badge, while Amy produced evidence of being an official mage under the Matap affiliation.

The Matap affiliation badge was self-explanatory, and the adventurer badges around mine and Freide’s necks could also serve as identification for inspection.

Adventurers below Iron rank were treated no differently than vagabonds or temporary laborers, so presenting the badge was meaningless, but…

“Hmm… yes, your Eastern Guild status seems legitimate.”

Being an Eastern Guild-level adventurer meant that the Adventurer’s Guild vouched for my identity.

Unless it was a place with strict identity verification like a noble’s castle or a military facility, passing through a simple gate like this was no issue at all.

“Confirmed. You may pass.”

Therefore, as soon as the guard checked our badges, he nodded as if to say it was sufficient and stepped aside.

In novels, there were often guards who targeted women for unnecessary body searches or openly demanded bribes, but such things were unheard of in this city.

If you were caught gossiping, you’d end up hanging on the wall with only your head left.

The Lord of Vesperian was rather strict with his subordinates. Not because of justice or morality, but because troublemakers would reduce the number of travelers and adventurers, thus decreasing income.

Well, a good thing is a good thing.

It was just a brief setting that passed by, but I heard that there were cities where low-status and attractive women were detained under the pretext of a “search” for “breeding.”

At least I can live here without worrying about that. Whatever the reason, it was something I should be grateful for.

◆◆

Inside the adventurers’ guild’s request center, it was in a state of chaos as if a storm had just swept through.

Adventurers who had returned just a step ahead of me were excitedly shouting and quarreling with triumphant expressions, likely due to betrayed comrades.

Perhaps it was because of the adventurers who had betrayed them. Since the betrayer would have acquaintances, and the deceased adventurer betrayed would also have acquaintances, it was natural that things would be in such disarray.

Amidst this, the staff who could be considered as the authority figures in the guild couldn’t show their anger, which was truly characteristic of adventurers, to the point where it was laughable.

“What a mess.”

Amy, too, seemed incredulous as she chuckled and shook her head.

“Don’t speak so loudly. It’ll only be a bother if we start an argument.”

After advising Amy not to be too candid, I approached the receptionist and submitted the confirmation of completion for the request.

Perhaps it was due to the tragedy of the majority of the adventurers and priests from the Dongpae faction and the sect who participated in the request being wiped out, but the receptionist, receiving the confirmation, seemed unusually pale today.

As the receptionist read through the confirmation, I provided her with a brief report on this request.

The story of fleeing from the Abyssal Priest and the corpse giant, getting caught in Gelda’s magic, and then hiding in a cave until the noise disappeared and returning.

Both stories were blatant lies, so my conscience pricked a bit, but it wasn’t my place to tell the truth.

“I see. The Abyssal Priest killed Gelda… What a tragic incident.”

Perhaps because it was a request so grim that adventurers who were murdered were scattered throughout the request center, the receptionist accepted my report without any suspicion.

“…It was fortunate you returned safely. Thank you for your hard work, Hilde. Truly.”

Right after, she handed me the reward with a slightly weary smile on her face.

“This might be a bit of an overstep, but… what will happen to the guild from now on?”

I received the remuneration she handed over and casually inquired about the future of the Vespyrian Adventurers Guild.

I managed to return safely, but this disaster had indeed shaken the very foundation of the guild.

With the dwindling numbers of capable adventurers who should have been the backbone of the guild, if the clergy were to press for accountability, we might have to pay a substantial compensation.

The knights claimed they wouldn’t hold accountable those adventurers who didn’t betray, but claiming compensation from the guild was a separate issue.

The fact that the clergy’s priests were assassinated was the doing of the betraying adventurers, yet upon closer inspection, weren’t they the trusted comrades certified by the guild?

Hence, it might be the guild’s responsibility to compensate for the damage inflicted by their betrayal on the clergy.

“Well… I suppose we’ll have to wait some time to know.”

The receptionist lady sighed and shook her head.

While the upper echelons of the guild were in a frenzy over this issue, as a frontline receptionist, she had no way of knowing what discussions were taking place.

“Still… um… things won’t go completely downhill. Probably.”

The receptionist lady awkwardly smiled, nodding as if to reassure.

Was her assertion a confident belief based on clear evidence, or just the optimistic hope of an employee who feared losing her job due to the company’s bankruptcy? At least from her expression, it seemed more like the latter.

“The lord, as well as the city residents and the clergy, surely wouldn’t wish for the disappearance of adventurers as a resource.”

There seemed to be some basis for her words.

“In that case, that’s a relief. I’ve grown somewhat fond of this city.”

I shrugged lightly, bidding farewell and then pocketing my purse as I returned to my companions.

“Done? Then let’s leave. Staying here any longer will drive me crazy.”

Amy, leaning against the wall with a furrowed brow, urged me to leave, looking like she couldn’t bear the commotion any longer.

“….”

Freddie, without saying a word, expressed agreement with Amy’s opinion through his facial expression.

“Right, let’s do that. I’m feeling a bit dizzy myself.”

So, we set out for the guild. The clamor and shouting fading behind us.

They might as well have been fighting among themselves with all that noise.

“If you’re so unhappy, step outside, punk! Stop flapping your gums!”

“If I step out, you won’t be able to handle it? Arrogant punk…!”

…That’s how it went.

◆◆

After escaping the fierce and tumultuous streets of the guild, we headed towards a quieter shelter to discuss rewards and future tasks.

“Oh, you’ve returned unscathed? The guild is in chaos, but it seems luck is on your side.”

“It’s not luck, it’s skill.”

So, we ended up at the first-floor tavern of the “Snow Bear Shelter,” where Freida and I usually stay.

It was Amy’s suggestion. She proposed we have a drink to celebrate safely returning from our perilous quest.

…I don’t understand why this 18-year-old is so fond of alcohol. Well, by the standards of this world, she’s definitely an adult.

Anyway, feeling somewhat bothered by having declined her once before and having no real reason to object, I brought her to the Snow Bear Shelter.

The tavern here is just as rowdy as the guild, but compared to other places, it’s relatively quiet and serene.

The drinks are as expensive as the inn, and the drinkers don’t even glance at them.

“Anyway, a bottle of Rießlingen, please. And three glasses… no, make it four.”

I ordered a bottle of white grape wine from the Rhein Kingdom, which Brünhilde, the original, used to enjoy.

Initially, I considered ordering beer, but the beer in this world isn’t as tasty.

No, honestly, it was downright awful. It tasted like leaving a lid off and letting it sit on a hot summer road for a day. How can they call that alcohol?

The locals seem to love it, though. But for someone accustomed to carbonated, cold beer, it was truly an unbearable taste.

Today, as a commemoration, I wanted to have a drink, but I desired to taste some proper liquor instead of that garbage, even if it costs me a bit.

“Adventurers drink ale, why are you looking for such high-end liquor?”

“Don’t have any?”

“I do, but… it’ll cost you five silver each. Is that alright?”

It’s definitely a bit pricey. Not beyond my means, though.

Handing over 5 silver to the man who extended his five fingers, he grinned as if to ask when I’d ever nagged, and handed me a bottle of liquor.

“Here you go. One bottle of Riesling and three lead crystal glasses. If you want more, just let me know. There are two bottles left for later.”

“I’ll think about it.”

I nodded slightly and headed towards the table where the two women were seated, placing a wine bottle and lead crystal glasses in front of them.

“Huh? This isn’t Riesling, is it? This must be quite expensive…”

Amy looked surprised, alternating between the bottle and me. It was a face that seemed to question why I brought such high-end liquor when we were just planning on having a casual drink.

“Don’t worry about it, just drink up. It’s on me. As the party host.”

I lightly patted Amy’s shoulder and smiled broadly.

Treating an old friend with Dom Perignon, laughing like a lottery winner from our school days.

“Really? You’re buying this, Hilde?”

“Yeah, in celebration of returning safely.”

“Unbelievable…”

Amy looked at me with a moved expression. It was a face akin to a foreign worker gazing at the boss who had generously given him a bonus.

…Is it really that big of a deal?

Paying 5 silver for a bottle of liquor might be an outrageously luxurious expense for an adventurer’s earnings, but honestly, for me, it was just a matter of biting the bullet.

Being a rookie adventurer, I’m relatively well-off.

You see, dealing with one plunderer pays better than taking down forty goblins.

Back when I was a lowly butcher, there were numerous occasions where raiding an entire village or a merchant convoy yielded quite a profit.

I wonder if those broke adventurers turned bandits understand the reason for changing their profession to marauders.

Of course, I was merely acting in self-defense unlike them, but with the profits gained from that self-defense alone, I could afford such luxury without hesitation.

I refrained from doing so just because there was no need to.