Chapter 178: Departure to the Eastern Country
Having resolved the cause of the chimera orc commotion, we returned to the Royal Capital for the first time in a while.
“Using the teleportation gate lets us return in an instant, so it’s a breeze.”
“We really can return in an instant, so I almost forget that there’s quite a distance from the town of Togai to the Royal Capital.”
That’s a classic teleportation gate thing.
“Even though we’ve returned to the Royal Capital… it’s still morning, so what should we do now?”
“Adventure, obviously! We have to quickly pile up achievements and become B-rank adventurers, after all!”
When Norb confirmed our upcoming schedule, Jairo proposed that we take on some request for the sake of ranking up.
“Leaving rank-ups aside, looking for a request is a valid option.”
“Nn, it’s better to earn money when we can.”
With Mina and the others agreeing, it seems everyone’s opinions are united.
“Alriiiight, let’s go to the guild and look for a request!”
” ” ” ” “Ooh!” ” ” ” “
◆
Arriving at the Adventurer’s Guild, it’s packed with people today as well.
“As expected, the population density is thicker in the Royal Capital.”
“That’s true. The town of Togai was quite bustling too, but as expected, the Royal Capital has a lot of people coming and going all day.”
I can understand Norb agreeing with Liliera‘s words.
As expected, the number of requests is higher in the Royal Capital, so the liveliness of the guild is on another level.
“Then shall we look for a request?”
We also mix into the crowd and seek out requests.
Forcefully pushing my body into the crowd to look for the first requests of the morning like this feels like it’s been a while.
“Oh? Hey, Rex. About this request…”
There, Liliera points to the request at the very top of the request board.
“Is that an S-rank request?”
“But the request contents are strange.”
Curious about Liliera‘s suspicious demeanor, I try reading that request form.
“Procuring goods in the Eastern Country across the sea. It looks like a normal request, though.”
“Right, the fact that it’s a normal request is what’s strange.”
“What do you mean by that?”
If it’s a normal request, I think there shouldn’t be a problem?
“Isn’t it strange that the content is a normal procurement even though it specifies the highest rank, S-rank, for the adventurers accepting the request? I’d understand if it was gathering precious materials. With this, the content feels like a D or C-rank.”
“If there happened to be trouble and a problem with the procurement, I think the request would come for problem resolution.”
Meguri, perhaps curious about the request we were looking at, also joined the conversation.
However, I see, that might certainly be true.
“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
Hmm, the more I think about it, the less I understand.
At times like this…
“For now, shall we try asking the reason at the reception? Since the guild accepted it, there might be some proper reason for it being S-rank.”
Yeah, at times like this, asking directly is the best!
“That’s true too.”
“Excuse meee!”
Peeling off the request form, we take it to the reception counter.
“Oh, Rex. It’s been a while.”
Seeing my figure, the receptionist greets us.
“Hello. I’d like to ask about this request.”
“Ah, this request.”
Looking at the request form, the receptionist makes a troubled face for some reason.
Could it be some troublesome request?
“Even though it’s a procurement request, why is it specifying S-rank?”
“That’s right, isn’t it. We were also curious so we checked, but it seems the cause is that the ships heading to the Eastern Country aren’t returning.”
Surprising information popped out from the receptionist.
“Ships aren’t returning!? Isn’t that quite a major incident!?”
As expected, not having thought it was such a major incident, Liliera also widens her eyes.
“It is. On our end as well, we proposed to the client how about having the country make a move and waiting until the cause is resolved, but they said they need to procure it urgently due to a transaction problem. So they forcefully made the request, thinking that if it’s an S-rank adventurer, they can manage somehow by brute force even if there’s some cause for the ships not returning.”
Heh, wanting the goods that much, that client must have been in quite a hurry.
“But would they request an S-rank for that? When it comes to an S-rank request, it’s quite an amount of money, and travel expenses to get there also incur. To turn a profit even after going that far, what kind of item is it?”
“Certainly, it might be strange if you consider it a business-related request, but requests prioritizing time and disregarding profit margins, like medicinal ingredients where lives are on the line, aren’t rare.”
“Ah, that’s true too. If we consider it medicinal ingredients, we can also consider the cause of the trouble as an obstacle for the S-rank adventurer to subjugate.”
Medicinal ingredients, huh. Certainly, even I in my previous life often accepted jobs under such circumstances.
Various troublesome matters tagged along afterwards, though.
“Besides, we have already received the reward and commission, so it doesn’t seem to be a prank. There is a possibility they are concealing information with malicious intent, but considering the average reward amount for an S-rank, I don’t think it’ll be a loss.”
I see, to issue a request to the Adventurer’s Guild, you had to pay the reward and commission in advance.
“However, right now it just so happens that all the S-rank adventurers have taken on some sort of request and are out far away, and there was no one to take this request, so we were troubled about what to do.”
Saying so, the receptionist floats a smile, saying she’s glad I took an interest in this request.
Umm, that’s implicitly telling me to accept it, right?
“Hmm, it’s a bit irregular but there’s no doubt it’s an S-rank request. The reward is also deposited at the guild, so there’s no worry of a scam.”
“But the Eastern Country is quite far. Even the round trip will take quite some time. It’s a sea voyage so we’re at the mercy of the wind. Not being able to take other jobs during that time is a problem, isn’t it.”
Ah, certainly, the destination being far means it’ll cost budget accordingly.
I wonder what’s going on with that? Don’t tell me it’s out of pocket!? Or is it like claiming expenses later?
“About that, we have already received the accommodation fees to the local site, food expenses, carriage fees, and boat fares as expenses. You’re allowed to keep the surplus amount as reward too, apparently.”
We can even get the surplus money!? Isn’t that amazing?
“Ooh, generous. Maybe the client is a wealthy noble.”
Hearing we can get the surplus money, Meguri lets her imagination run, thinking the client might be quite wealthy.
“As expected, I cannot answer about that area… also, due to the goods procurement problem, there’s a possibility it might take time until you receive the goods locally. The accommodation fee apparently even includes the extension fee in case of such delays.”
“When it’s that accommodating, it conversely becomes suspicious.”
“Considering issuing a request to an S-rank, a premonition of trouble.”
Because the treatment is too good, everyone conversely starts to be vigilant.
Certainly, now that it’s pointed out, the treatment is strangely good.
“Certainly. But it’s a request to an S-rank, right…”
” ” ” ” “S-rank.” ” ” ” “
Eh? Why is everyone looking at my face?
“If it’s that S-rank, I feel like we can handle it even including hidden matters.”
“What a coincidence. I also feel like if it’s that S-rank, it’ll be fine even if the client is plotting something.”
That S-rank? Do they mean Roddy and the others who excel at team battles? Or Ramize who is knowledgeable about magic?
” ” ” ” “I guess it’s a valid option?” ” ” ” “
I don’t really get it, but everyone seems enthusiastic about accepting the request.
The conditions are good, and as for me, I have no particular reason not to accept it.
“Ah!”
Right then, Jairo raises a loud voice.
“What’s wrong, Jairo?”
“Come to think of it, this is an S-rank request so we can’t accept it, can we!”
” ” ” ” “Ah.” ” ” ” “
That’s right. Adventurers can’t accept requests of higher ranks too far apart from their own rank.
Even in cases where a high-rank adventurer accompanies them, there are times when a minimum rank is decided, like during the mine ruins before.
“Ah, that’s fine then. The condition for this request is that an S-rank adventurer is among the members.”
“Eh?”
“Ah, it’s true. It’s written that the condition is at least one S-rank adventurer is among the members, and it’s desirable if the other members are also high rank.”
“‘Desirable’ means it doesn’t have to be that way! Then it’s fine!”
By confirming the details of the conditions, realizing they could go together too, Jairo‘s eyes sparkle.
“Let’s go, Big Bro! If it’s a request specifying S-rank, it must definitely be an amazing request! I want to see your fight up close, Big Bro!”
“My fight!? But I think you’re always seeing it, though.”
“No, this is an S-rank request. It’s a dedicated S-rank request, different from the guild’s forced requests and stuff until now, isn’t it!”
“Eh? Ah, now that you mention it.”
Certainly, the jobs and battles I’ve taken on since becoming an S-rank have been nothing but things requested by the guild or coincidentally getting involved in during my travels.
A request purely specified as S-rank by the client might be the first time this time.
“Certainly. Besides, come to think of it, I feel like this is the first time I’ve seen a request with an order acceptance level of S-rank.”
“Right? Then if we accept this request, we’ll understand what kind of work S-ranks normally do! Seeing how you work, Big Bro, it’ll also serve as a reference for when I become an S-rank someday!”
I see, certainly thinking about it that way, accepting this request might be a valid option.
If I can experience a normal S-rank request, and it becomes a learning experience for Jairo too, it seems worth accepting.
Besides, a sea voyage with expenses covered feels good too.
“Yeah, it might be good.”
After all, speaking of traveling far in my previous life and the life before that, airships or teleportation gates were the standard, so a time-consuming mode of transportation like a sea voyage was a pastime for a very small portion of the wealthy.
I have ridden the Good Loser before, but that was entirely a warship, far from a passenger ship, and moreover it was for work, with monster investigation as the objective.
But this time, even though it’s the same request, if it’s a sea voyage on a passenger ship, the crew or dedicated guards will handle the combat, so we who board the ship as passengers won’t need to fight.
Yeah, it seems we can enjoy the sea voyage with peace of mind!
It seems to be in a hurry, so setting aside the way there, I think it’s a valid option to return via teleportation gate on the way back as it’ll save time too.
“A sea voyage, I’m looking forward to it.”
“I wonder what this is, I just had a strong premonition of disaster.”
“Me too.”
“Me too.”
“Me too.”
“Me too.”
“Kyu kyuu.”
Eh? Why?
“Anyway, we will accept this request!”
I declare to the receptionist anew that we accept the request.
“Yes, I have confirmed the acceptance of the request.”
Alriight! We’re heading out on an adventure across the sea!
◆
Having arrived at the port via flight magic, we decide to immediately look for a ship heading to the Eastern Country.
“Excuse me, we are looking for a ship going to the Eastern Country.”
First, we try asking a sailor working nearby.
“Ah? The Eastern Country?”
The sailors stared at us with suspicious eyes, but immediately floated broad smiles.
“Are you guys adventurers?”
“Yes!”
“In that case, it’s the third ship over there. Tell them you heard it from Sig and they’ll understand.”
“Thank you very much!”
“Take good care of yourselves~”
Thanking the sailors, we head towards the wharf.
“I’m glad they were kind people.”
“But, how should I put it, they were people with a nasty way of laughing.”
“Ah, I get it. They were directing nasty gazes at us.”
“…”
However, for some reason, their reputation wasn’t good with Liliera and Mina.
“Men of the sea are perceived as intimidating because they train through their work, after all. Besides, there’s a need to not be underestimated by pirates and monsters.”
Yeah, the captain I knew in my previous life often lamented that his face was so scary he was mistaken for a pirate. Even though he was really a simple man who loved flowers.
He loved flowers so much that he had a botanical garden in his hideout made of rare flowers collected from all over the world. Well, because of that he even ended up collecting dangerous plants and was almost caught, though.
I wonder what happened to that botanical garden by now.
Having come to the third ship just as Sig-san told me, I call out to the sailors working nearby.
“Excuse meee. We received an introduction from a person named Sig, but is this the right ship heading to the Eastern Country?”
“Sig’s?”
Hearing Sig’s name, the sailors look at each other and nod with impactful smiles.
“Yeah! This is indeed the ship heading to the Eastern Country!”
“We want to go to the Eastern Country too, is it still possible to board?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. But you’re lucky.”
“Lucky?”
At the sailor’s words saying we were lucky, I tilt my head.
“Yeah, actually we were planning to set sail soon. Partly because the Eastern Country is far, there are few ships heading there. If this ship had left, you wouldn’t have known which ship would head to the Eastern Country next or when.”
I see, it’s not like there are regular flights heading to the Eastern Country.
Hmm, thinking about it that way, flying here was the right answer.
“If you want to board the ship, it’s ten silver coins.”
“Understood.”
We pay the sailors ten silver coins and go up to the deck.
“Captain, we have guests.”
Called by the sailor, the man in captain’s attire who was standing on the deck turns this way.
Ooh, just from his appearance he feels like a captain.
He has a robust physique typical of a man of the sea.
“Hoh, how rare. Guests?”
“Apparently they want to go to the Eastern Country with us.”
“Want to go to the Eastern Country? That’s quite daring!”
“Daring… is it?”
“Yeah, lately it’s been the talk among sailors that ships going to the Eastern Country aren’t returning.”
Ah, we heard about that at the guild too.
“Wanting to go to such a dangerous sea, you’re quite reckless, aren’t you.”
“It’s a request from the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“A request?”
Saying so, the captain looks us over.
“I see, you certainly have the appearance of adventurers. Well, if you have confidence in your skills, that’s fine. But who knows what will happen over there. Even if you fall off the ship, we won’t help you!”
“Heh, that’s my line! You’re the one who better not get attacked by a monster and fall into the sea, old man! Well, if you do fall, we’ll save you, though!”
Jairo talks back, riding the captain’s provocation.
“Hahahaha! Save me, a man of the sea! I like you, brat!”
I was a little on edge, but the captain seemed to like Jairo‘s attitude and let out a hearty laugh.
“Captain, preparations for departure are complete!”
“Alriiiight! We’re setting sail!”
The ship lowers its sails and begins to move to leave the port.
At that sight, I felt a sense of incongruity.
“Huh? The frontmost sail hasn’t been lowered?”
I wonder what it is, is there some rule like you mustn’t lower all the sails and depart near the port?
◆
The ship slowly leaves the land and heads further and further offshore.
Hmm, this relaxed atmosphere. You can’t taste this on a sea voyage while being vigilant of the surroundings for work!
“Well now, this should be good enough.”
The captain mutters when the land has become quite small.
“Heheheh.”
For some reason, the surrounding sailors raise joyful laughs.
“What’s wrong?”
“Heheheh, it seems they still haven’t noticed.”
Haven’t noticed? What?
“We’ll teach you! You guys, lower the sail!”
” ” “Yeah!!” ” “
When the frontmost sail comes down at the captain’s instruction, a picture of a pitch-black skull appears from within the pure white cloth.
“A, a picture of a skull!?”
Everyone raises a voice of surprise seeing the skull picture drawn there.
“Gahahahaha! We~lcome to the ship of the Dreld Pirate Crew! You foolish little brats!”
Simultaneously, the sailors holding swords surround us.
“Pirates? Captain, what on earth is this?”
“Gahahahahaha, you guys have been kidnapped by pirates.”
“Kidnapped!?”
The captain slings a sword over his shoulder and floats a grinning, joyful smile.
“Did you deceive us!?”
“Exactly. Did you think a pirate’s job is only to attack ships? Brat.”
Th-The one who appeared there was the sailor who taught us the ship’s location earlier, if I recall his name was Sig.
“You were in on it too?”
“Hehe, you know, a pirate’s job also includes kidnapping ignorant little brats.”
“Kukuku, sorry to say when you’ve just become adventurers with dreams and hopes, but your adventure ends here, brats.”
The sailors edge closer with their weapons drawn while saying whatever they please.
“So saying you were going to the Eastern Country was a lie.”
“Yeah. Like hell anyone would go to a place with such dangerous rumors circulating. Pirating and kidnapping in coastal waters brings in way more money!”
This is a problem, even going to the Eastern Country was a lie.
“Drop your weapons and quietly let yourselves be captured. If you do that, you won’t have to go through a painful experience.”
“Hehe, these guys have quite good equipment equipped. Could they be noble brats?”
“In that case, it seems we can get a hefty ransom too. Well, we don’t intend to return them even after getting the money, though.”
“After that, we’ll make them slaves and sell them off!”
“Worry not, if the young ladies over there are obedient, they’ll be doted on by their master. The brats will also be treasured as a young labor force.”
It seems they intend to turn us into slaves and sell us.
“Oh, the brat over there is a guy but it seems a husband with good tastes might buy him, eh?”
“Hii!”
Being looked at with lewd eyes by one of the pirates, Norb raises a scream.
“Everyone, be careful!”
I urge everyone to be vigilant.
To reveal their true identities in a place this close to land, these pirates must be extremely confident in their skills.
Normally, if you attack prey in a place where land is visible, a signal is sent to the land with magic and you’re immediately discovered by the Knight Order.
Then the Knight Order launches an assault from the sky and underwater, puts a hole in the bottom of the ship to eliminate your escape route, and you’re captured at best.
Even if you take hostages, without a ship you have no choice but to return to land, and it’s standard to be neutralized by magic before that.
But since they attacked ignoring such a theory, unless they are huge idiots, it would be appropriate to assume they have countermeasures for those things.
I don’t know what kind of tricks they’ll use. It’s dangerous if we don’t fight with vigilance here!
◆
“…We are sorry.”
“Please, at least spare our lives.”
” ” ” ” “Please help us.” ” ” ” “
“Gajigaji kyuu.”
“Also, please remove this creature.”
Or so I thought, but the battle ended unexpectedly easily.
Moreover, one of them is crying being gnawed on by Mofumofu.
“Eh? Huh?”
Could it be these people are really surrendering?
“We will take you to the Eastern Country or anywhere else, so please spare us.”
Judging from the captain and the others’ state, they don’t seem to be inviting our negligence.
In the first place, if they intended to invite our negligence, they wouldn’t go out of their way to reveal their true identities, right?
“I thought it would turn out like this.”
I am surprised by Meguri softly muttering that.
“Eh!? Could it be you noticed? Meguri?”
Meguri noticed these people were pirates and stayed quiet!? Why!?
“Nn, the moment I saw the sailors’ faces, I understood in one shot. That they were faces of villains. But I also saw this outcome, and I thought if we played it right, the boat fare might become free, so I stayed quiet.”
“You stayed quiet because of that!? No matter how you look at it, that’s too dangerous!?”
“Even if we can fly in the sky, not conveying it to your allies is indeed a problem.”
“That’s right! What were you intending to do if something happened by some chance!”
“It would have been better if they had more resistance, though.”
“Jairo, it’s not that kind of problem.”
Intentionally staying quiet about being attacked to save on the boat fare is way too dangerous, as expected.
Everyone criticizes Meguri too, but Meguri herself acts like it’s someone else’s problem.
“In the first place, there’s no way Rex would lose to mere pirates. If they could defeat Rex, who can defeat a dragon or a Majin single-handedly, it would be much more profitable to become S-rank adventurers with that ability.”
No no, as expected that’s going too far.
There’s no way everyone would be convinced by such a reason!
” ” ” ” “Ah, you can say that.” ” ” ” “
Or so I thought, but for some reason everyone was convinced by Meguri‘s outrageous reasoning.
“Why are you convinced by thaaaat!?”
