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Imperial Capital Errands and the Boy
I thanked the guild worker once we reached the room and she returned to her counter. I would have to do the rest alone.
I knocked three times and then a voice rang on the other side. The Guild Master of the grand guild. Vellefrost headquarters. I was surprised to hear a woman's voice.
"Come in."
"Thank you. I'm an Adventurer. Asagi Kamiyashiro."
"Yes, yes. I'm Laika. The Guild Master of the Imperial Capital. A dark elf, as you can see. It's nice to meet you."
Behind the door, the Guild Master reclined on a leather sofa. As dark elves were rare, I couldn't help but be reminded of Eve.
"Is something wrong?"
"Uh… Oh, I came here to make a report of the stampede. If I may?"
"Yes, let's hear it."
She gestured for me to sit, and so I sat down on the same sofa and gave a brisk account of what had transpired. Of course, I left the Queen's Knight Goblin's identity out of it.
"…It was probably by coincidence. But goblins with extreme breeding abilities were born. And that led to them using the newborns for food."
"And so we decided to kill the goblins used for breeding as a way of cutting off their food supply. However, we also have a limited supply of food. As I was the fastest on foot, I was sent back to the city to restock."
"Hmm… Where are you going to buy these supplies from?"
"One of the Adventurers with us has a family that owns a trading company. So I'm thinking of buying through them."
I would be heading to the Mistnas Company as soon as I was done here. I told her this as well.
"I see. How very strange all of this is. In that case, we will also support this effort. To be honest, I thought sending a group of Jades would be more than enough to stop a goblin stampede. You see, the standards for Adventurers are higher in this city… But as things have turned out to be worse than I thought, it's only right that we act."
It was true that their standards were high in terms of combat. Though, I remember watching the B Rank preliminary fights during the tournament and being rather…unimpressed… However, the current expedition did teach me that there were quite a few people that were on the same level as that spear-wielder, Bandi Ree. And that was more than strong enough for a Jade. However, the enemy had been stronger than expected. There were an abnormally evolved being and the remains of an ancient elven city. But we had surprises on our side too, I suppose. Adlus, Manager, me, and Daniela had joined. The fact that that's what it took to even the playing field really demonstrated the danger of this stampede.
"The guild will cover the supplies. I will write a check."
"Of course. I underestimated these goblins. In a way, it was my fault, and so you can consider this a compensation for that error. However…you must annihilate them completely."
She said with an intense stare. I gulped.
"I understand. We won't let a single one escape."
Laika stood up and walked to her desk, where she pulled out a sheet from a drawer and scribbled a figure on it. I couldn't see how much…
When she was done, she sat back down on the sofa.
"This should be enough for fifty people. You can return any leftover money at the counter."
"Thank you. …Huh?"
I said as I accepted the check. '100 Gold' it read.
"This is too much. What exactly do you think I'm going to buy?"
"Food, obviously. But also weapons, armor, and whatever camping supplies you require. Things you will need later on, perhaps. Use your imagination."
"I didn't intend to…"
"They must be annihilated no matter what."
There was nothing I could say to that. Preparing your own food and equipment were basic parts of being an Adventurer. It was with this mindset that I always carefully prepared before a quest. I didn't like to rely on others.
However, this was an emergency. Something unpredictable had happened. This seemed like the time to shut up and accept any help we could get…
"There's no need to hesitate. Offering this support is well within my authority as Guild Master."
I would accept it then. Besides, we Adventurers were employees of a guild. And so we had to obey the orders of our superiors.
"Well, I must be going now."
"Be careful, Asagi. And send the others my regards."
I stood up, bowed, and left the drawing-room behind me. I would have to use this money wisely…
My eyes met the guild worker's as I returned to the entrance hall. She still looked scared, and so I nodded reassuringly. Hmm. It seemed to work.
As for the guy who got in my way, it seemed like someone had explained things to him while I was away, and so he was staying quiet now. I was thankful for that…I didn't need to waste more time here. That being, there was something I needed to say, and so I walked up to him. He shuddered visibly.
"Sorry about earlier. I was in a hurry and had to react like that."
"…I was wrong as well… Be careful."
He looked a lot like a child who was sulking, but I was touched by the concern.
"Thanks. Don't worry, we'll protect the city."
I said as I patted him on the shoulder. And then I started to make adjustments to the plan in my head as I stepped out of the doors to the guild.
First, I would go to the Mistnas Company to buy supplies. Apparently, they delt with food as well. And while that was being prepared, I could go out and buy weapons and armor. I wasn't really sure what weapons or armor sizes to get, so I'd just get stuff that was good for all sizes maybe. One-handed swords, shields, and arrows. Armor would be tricky, but I'd figure something out.
That would give the company enough time to prepare. Then I could put everything into the hollow bag, rest one night, and return in the morning. Yes. It was a good plan. I could get everything we needed without making them wait too long. It seemed like it would go well.
Well, that was what I had thought, but the world wasn't so kind.
"Hey, don't move! That's dangerous!"
"W-whaa!?"
A boy was swinging his sword wildly while a goblin looked frantic. As they were both swinging their swords, I was unable to get close. Tragically, the goblin seemed like it was the more experienced of the two.
"Ah!?"
There was a high-pitched metal ring, and the sword flew out of the boy's hand and fell into the snow. The goblin's face twisted in triumph as it raised its sword for a final attack.
"Ahhh!!"
But this was good news for me. It was easier to deal with one sword flailing in the air. In a flash, I moved between the fallen child and the goblin. And just like that, my blade separated its head from its body.
In spite of it just being one goblin, I felt very tired. Damn it. A God Wolf's thrall should be tougher than that.
"Go home. You're too green for this."
"No! I want to protect the village too!"
This happened as soon as I left the city. Could anything be more annoying? It was ridiculous.
"Yes, as you say."
"Thank you. Alright, I'll be back in the evening."
"Certainly. We will be waiting."
I had to repress a sigh as I finished negotiating and walked out of the store. It wasn't something I could ever get used to doing. And it wasn't even that serious. After all, I had the letter from Silket and the all-powerful check from the Guild Master. Still, business was business. It wasn't for me.
I had gone straight to the store after leaving the guild. It didn't take long for me to see the 'Mistnas Company' sign. You couldn't miss it. The unexpectedly large size of the building was one of the reasons that I was uncomfortable. It was as least twice the size of the other stores in the area.
Lake Freeter
…What? What was that?