by Ryota Hori
All of these were circumstances Ryoma came to realize after traveling with them for several months, of course, and seeing their master show them casual consideration made the Malfist sisters grin happily.
“Give me your sack, Laura. You go report our requests for the guild. Sara and I will get rid of this stuff.”
“As you wish.”
Laura’s expression was a bit disappointed, but she realized Ryoma’s suggestion was the most efficient.
Not getting to be with Master Ryoma is a shame, but... I suppose this is for the best.
And looking at it another way, he’d permitted her to handle this on her own because he trusted her more than her little sister.
“In that case, while I report our requests, I’ll also check for any promising requests we could undertake.”
“Yeah, you do that. Maybe we could decide what jobs to take next over lunch.”
Before leaving Mireish, the three of them registered in the guild as a squad. This allowed for any one of them to accept and report requests in the name of the whole squad, which saved a lot of time and trouble.
“I will see you two later, then.” Laura bowed her head slightly, and disappeared in the direction of the guild.
“All right. Let’s go cash these in, then.”
Ryoma spurred Sara forward, and took off with two sacks on his shoulders.
“Right, so that’s ten blades of moonlight grass. Please give me a moment.”
“Thank you.”
The guild’s clerk confirmed the contents of the small sack Laura placed on the table, and then smiled.
“Great! We were just running low on these, so this is a great help. It’s actually become a bit of an issue, since most people have been avoiding the northern forest recently. Even intermediate level adventurers have been hesitating to go there.”
Moonlight grass was a medicinal herb crucial for refining medicine, but it was hard to preserve for long and couldn’t be cultivated artificially. Because of this, it would need to be periodically picked from spots where it grew naturally.
It had very characteristic light blue petals, which made it easy even for an amateur to identify, so one didn’t need to be an apothecary to pick them. However, they only grew in forests, so the only way to collect them was to hire adventurers or mercenaries, as any inexperienced person loitering about in the forest would obviously only serve as prey for the monsters.
No, even an intermediate level adventurer might find themselves in trouble. Forests were the kingdom of insect-type monsters, which were among the most fearsome of monsters. The fighting potential of an insect-type monster, which felt no pain and counterattacked unflinchingly, was not something to be underestimated.
And on top of that, insects tended to live in large groups. Given each individual one’s size was different from those in Ryoma’s world, they didn’t mass in the tens or hundreds of thousands, but they still proved a very menacing threat.
Areas near the road weren’t as dangerous thanks to the protection of the barrier pillars, but the deeper one went, the more they would advance into territory where mankind was the weaker species. The depths of the forest were simply that dangerous.
In fact, even Pherzaad, the largest trade city in the kingdom of Myest, lacked people capable of completing this request, and getting those who were capable to accept it was difficult, even for the guild.
“Really?” Laura tilted her head at the receptionist. “I didn’t get the impression it was that dangerous.”
There was certainly danger involved, which was obvious given many monsters, the large mantis among them, were on the prowl. But on the other hand, they hadn’t run into any kind of monster they knew they wouldn’t be able to beat.
Even the large mantis, abhorred by many an adventurer with its terrifying insect’s vitality and two sharp scythes was certainly a threat, but during this one visit to the forest, Ryoma and his group had defeated at least ten of them.
“That just goes to show how skilled you all are, Miss Laura. The moonlight grass only grows rather deep into the forest, so your recon skills must be impressive... Oh, here is your reward. Be sure to check it.”
As the receptionist handed Laura her card and the bag containing their payment, she eyed her with concern. Apparently she thought Laura and her group collected the grass by avoiding battle with the monsters.
Certainly, Laura was still a novice in terms of her rank, so she couldn’t imagine her beating a large mantis, which even seasoned warriors struggled against. And Ryoma took all the materials they gathered from the northern forest’s monsters to be converted into money in the second-hand store, as they didn’t accept any delivery quests from the guild.
“Thank you.” Laura nodded after checking the contents of the sack. “Everything looks to be in order.”
“But really, though, don’t push yourself too hard. Your group is still only beginner rank, and there’s plenty of easier requests you could take, so I think it’d be for the best if you focused on raising your rank for now.”
“Yes, I’ll consult the others about raising our rank... But that will be all for today. I’ll come again.”
Replying to the receptionist’s innocent concern with a vague answer, Laura took the bag containing their reward and turned her gaze to the request board. She’d looked around for any requests that seemed worthwhile, but they were all the kind Ryoma couldn’t undertake.
That wasn’t to say there were no requests they could take at all, of course, but they were all time-consuming or bothersome tasks that weren’t worth their pay.
I think raising our rank might be a good idea at this point...
Laura herself thought raising their rank wouldn’t be bad at all, but Ryoma seemed to have little interest in raising his rank. He didn’t say anything of the sort directly, but she realized this naturally from seeing which requests he did accept.
It’s like he doesn’t want to make a name for himself...
It was true in this case, too; he’d accepted the request to collect the moonlight grass, but no subjugation requests for the monsters on the way in or out of the forest. Of course, Ryoma’s low rank meant he couldn’t accept many subjugation requests, but there were some that he could. Despite that, the only request he took was the one for delivering moonlight grass.
It was an obviously ineffective way of taking requests, and frankly speaking, Ryoma could increase his rank basically any time he wanted. Even without yet having gained access to thaumaturgy, Ryoma had enough strength and tactical foresight to defeat a large mantis.
But still, for reasons unrelated to their actual strength, the three of them were still at a novice’s level.
Maybe he has something in mind... Or perhaps he’s still worried about pursuers from the empire of O’ltormea?
A small doubt sprouted in Laura’s heart regarding Ryoma, but it disappeared almost immediately. To Laura, the life of her master took priority over all.
“Oh. Moonlight grass, I see. Thank you very much.”
As Laura turned around to go back to the inn, a man who had been sitting on a table behind the reception desk and handling some paperwork called out to her.
He seemed to be in his mid-thirties or so, and his golden hair was neatly combed back, giving him a refined appearance. Judging from his well-tailored clothes, it seemed he had something of a high standing in the guild.
“Laura Malfist, yes?” The man asked her with a serene tone. “Partnered with Ryoma Mikoshiba and Sara Malfist. I’m not mistaken, right?”
“That’s correct... Who are you?”
They’d used Pherzaad’s guild a few times already and recognized the employees by face, but she’d never spoken to this person before. The most she could remember was seeing him seated at his desk, working through a mountain of paperwork.
“My apologies. I am Wallace Heinkel, this city’s guildmaster. Could I have a moment of your time?”
As the man called Wallace suddenly appeared before her a
nd claimed to be the guildmaster, Laura could only nod.
Ten or so minutes later, Wallace ascended to his office on the second floor of the guild.
“What do you think?” Looking down the window, Wallace asked the man standing next to him. “I think the girl fits all of the criteria you were looking for.”
The two watched Laura walking toward the inn like merchants appraising a piece of merchandise.
“Yes... Her silver hair is quite eye-catching, and her age is just about right, too. But I’m curious. How did you get her to accept?”
The one who answered Wallace’s question was a young man with black hair, which was tied up at the back of his head. His body was slim, but toned from harsh training; the glint in his eyes gave anyone who laid eyes on him a cold impression. He looked to be just about thirty.
He was clad in thick armor that gave him the veritable appearance of a knight, and the elaborate design of his sword made it clear he was a high-class knight, at that. His face, however, didn’t give off the impression of someone who fought fair and square. If anything, he looked to be the type that spun plots from the shadows.
“Her comrades are still low ranking novices. Heheh, let’s just say they don’t have a grasp of the guild’s rules.” Wallace responded to the man’s question with a clear tone, tapping himself on the chest.
It had been just ten years since he inherited his father’s place as guildmaster, and judging by their experience, he didn’t believe Laura and her group had a good grasp of the guild’s regulations, and even if they did read them carefully, he was confident his position as guildmaster would be enough to convince her.
“So you tricked her into accepting... Understood. I’ll leave the matter to you, then. If no one else fits the bill but her, we don’t have the leisure of choosing.”
“I’ll handle everything. Not to worry, I’ll be sure to work in accordance to the sum I’ve been paid.” But as he said that, Wallace’s face was dyed over with greed— an expression he wouldn’t let others see.
“Yes, I’ll be relying on you. Let me give you one warning though, as a precaution of sorts.” The black-haired man’s cold gaze stabbed into Wallace like a stake. “Don’t fumble this. The duke is not tolerant of those who fail. If you value your life and the lives of your family, you’ll do as you are ordered.”
The fact he brought the other man’s family into it as a threat cast the black-haired man’s humanity into question. It was the kind of threat the mafia or yakuza would make.
“Do you really think I’d fail a job as simple as this? I can’t help but feel I’m being looked down upon here.” Wallace shook his head, as if he’d taken offense.
If he was the kind to flinch from that sort of threat, he wouldn’t last as a guildmaster.
“Then all is good, so long as you don’t betray our expectations. Preparations are already complete on my side, and the rest hinges on your efforts. You recall the arrangement, yes?”
“Of course. I will just need a little more time.”
“Very well. I’ll be going back to my country, now.”
The black-haired man cut off the conversation one-sidedly, as if to say his business with Wallace was done, and opened the door to leave. Wallace watched his back disappear, keeping his head down respectfully until he left.
Bribery.
What sum would one have to pay to make the leader of the guild— which, at least on the surface, claimed to be completely neutral— to be this accomodating to their needs? Wallace’s attitude despite his position as guildmaster and being one of the more influential people in Pherzaad made ominous implications as to the amount of money being passed around.
That said, money could buy superficial subordination, but not another’s honest heart. That was one truth that didn’t change, even in this world.
“Fool... Throwing threats around when you’re just a traitor’s lapdog.” With his gaze still fixed to the floor, small words of contempt slithered from Wallace’s lips. “But so be it. I’ll do the work for the price I’ve been given.”
“A compulsory request?” Ryoma asked Laura, biting into the meat he’d picked up with his fork.
It was just after one in the afternoon, and since it was past the usual time for lunch, the dining hall Ryoma and his group occupied was fairly empty.
“Yes. That’s apparently what it is.” Laura nodded.
They used scented oil in their hair when they bathed in the inn, and a flowery fragrance wafted from the Malfist sisters’ bodies.
“A compulsory request, eh... A system where the guild’s master or higher brass specify a specific adventurer or mercenary, and forcibly have them complete a request... I think that’s how it goes.” Ryoma kept speaking, trying his hardest to recall the contents of the booklet he’d read once before. “But that’s reserved for high-ranking mercenaries and adventurers. At least, that’s what the booklet said. Are you sure that Wallace guy is the guildmaster, and he’s the one who told us to show up at the guild tomorrow?”
Laura silently nodded at Ryoma’s question. She didn’t quite know the details herself. What she did know was that, as she made to leave for the inn, a man named Wallace Heinkel approached her claiming to be the guildmaster, and asked her to ensure the three of them would come to the guild the next morning.
“But it’s strange the guildmaster would call on us.” Sara said, placing a finger on her chin and tilting her head. “The guild knows our rank.”
“He said he’d explain everything, that matter included, tomorrow.”
The two’s gazes fixed on Ryoma. Honestly speaking, Laura wasn’t pleased with having to go along with this. As far as she was concerned, she’d simply told them what she was asked for, and it showed on her demeanor. Sara was just as unenthusiastic about this as her sister.
Compulsory requests were the kind not just anyone could accept, and were usually only made in emergency cases; if the case wasn’t an emergency, it could wait until someone more appropriate would become available. If they needed someone specific for the job, it would mean whatever task this was, it was so bothersome or dangerous that no one would take it of their own volition.
Even if Ryoma would accept Wallace’s request, it was unlikely it would end in a satisfying result for them. Ryoma had no intent of underestimating his power, but overconfidence would only get him killed.
“We’re probably better off turning that request down... Assuming we even can.”
Those were Ryoma’s honest feelings. He wasn’t hurting for money, so it wasn’t like he had to accept any request he could. There was no need to take up any requests that wouldn’t pay off, and most of all, something about the whole thing felt off.
On the other hand, though, Ryoma got the feeling that turning down the request wasn’t an option. Seeing the look in Ryoma’s eyes, Laura heaved a sigh and spoke up.
“I thought of declining myself... But apparently, if we don’t accept, our guild registrations might be revoked...”
“So he threatened you.”
“He didn’t say anything blatant, but what he did say meant pretty much the same.”
Hearing Laura’s words, Ryoma grimaced and looked up into space. In his mind, he weighed the pros and cons of the situation.
For starters, I don’t like that he threatened Laura. And the part about revoking our registrations— can a guildmaster really exert his authority that easily? He definitely has that kind of authority, but he shouldn’t be able to revoke them one-sidedly like this.
As far as Ryoma’s individual feelings on the matter were, it looked horrible. Ryoma hated nothing more than people who pushed work onto others from above.
And he had his doubts about the validity of the threat itself. Even if this was the guildmaster, Ryoma was dubious as to whether he had the authority to just erase their registrations like that. But on the other hand, the part of him that wanted to stay on the safe side gave another answer.
But there’s always the off-chance he isn’t bluff
ing... I don’t have anything to prove my identity in this world except this. The money I got from Azoth is still untouched, and I earned some good money from hunting. If I use this money, maybe I’ll be able to buy myself a citizen’s standing... Nah, I’m not familiar with anyone influential enough, so that won’t fly... Even if I end up leaving the guild sooner or later, there’s still value to holding my position as an adventurer. I guess I’ll just have to turn a blind eye to him strong-arming us and stay with the guild, huh...
Eventually, it all came down to whether Ryoma thought of the potential gains and accepted Wallace’s proposal, or believed in his gut feeling that the matter seemed fishy and suspect, while aware of what it would entail. And this choice was for Ryoma alone to make, as the Malfist sisters would abide by his choice no matter what it was.
After thinking things over long and hard, Ryoma finally parted his lips to speak.
“Let’s at least go there tomorrow... We can hear him out, and if it’s too big of a request, we can reconsider things.”
The sisters nodded wordlessly at Ryoma’s decision.
The next day, Ryoma and the sisters entered Pherzaad’s guild, equipped with new gear. The time was just before noon. They approached a young clerk, and after informing them of their business, they were immediately ushered in and instructed to go to the second floor, where the guildmaster’s office was.
“Wow, this room looks like a lot of money went into it...” A small whisper escaped Ryoma’s lips.
The unblemished ebony table set near the window was obviously made by a craftsman and set with ornaments, making it a clear balance of utility and artistry. The carpet set over the floor gave an equally refined impression.
The room was also full of items that gave the pronounced feel of another culture, likely imported from other continents. Even the bookshelf, stuffed as it was with books, was made by a skilled craftsman and had the kind of quality even an amateur would recognize. Even the leather sofa intended for visitors had a magnificent lace cover weaved with silk laid over it.
