Chapter 50 Journey to Fluud

The morning of the 30th, the time is 7:50am.

Im currently at the depot in front of the Royal Capitals eastern gate.

In front of me is this times client, Afgar Vesta-san.

And right now, Im troubled.

Like Ive saidna,ojou-chan. You aint sposed to lie. Look, Ill keep silent bout this, so quickly return it to the ownerna.

Even though Ive already said this many times, Im the owner! This card is also mine!

Right, its that exchange.

Furthermore, this times opponent is quite tough, or rather, hes completely ignoring my story.

Up until now, people understood when I displayed my adventurers card, but it seems this person thought I picked up or stole this card.

I wonder, have we been exchanging like this for around ten minutes?

ka,Ojou-chanis stubbornna! This aint a game! If you remain persistent, Ill hand you over to the guards!

Whos the stubborn one!

Might you be, Afgar Vesta-san?

A dignified voice was heard from far away.

Afgar-san turned towards the direction of the voice.

I cant see from my position because of the carriages shadow but it seems to be a woman from the voice.

I received this times escort commission, Im Mary Mersol. My party behind me has also received the same commission.

Aah, Im Afgar. Nice to work with you.

Those people appear to have accepted the same commission it seems.

By the way, is there some sort of trouble? Also, there should be five people if Im not mistaken. Wheres the last person?

n?Aah, it aint a big deal but Just a kid telling a lie about receiving this commissionna. It looks like the last person still hasnt come yet. Really, even though Ive said our departure is very soon

Are you still saying that?

Like Ive said, I formally received this commission from the guild, havent I said this many times!

Im sure you just dont believe it.

Is that the child who was saying that?

The voice of the leader-like woman appeared from the carriages shadow.

Aah, Im sorry but, could you somehow drive her away?

Although Afgar-san said something, that woman and I didnt move.

Where do I feel Ive seen?

AAH!?

Our pair of voices overlapped.

The person who always helped me at the commission board!

The guilds angel!

Eh?

I have a feeling a heard some strange words but

No, leaving that aside.

This is perfect! Please explain that Im an adventurer,onee-san! No matter what I say, he wouldnt listen to my story!

If its this person, then shed know Im an adventurer!

Onee-san.Onee-sanhuh, thats nice.ufufufu.

Oh? Hey?O~i?

Mary, what happened?Oh? This kid is

hyoi, from the shadow of theonee-sancalled Mary, a different woman appeared.

Its the child that always jumps up and down by the commission board.

Wai-, always? I havent done that recently you know?

Whats this? You girls, are you thisojou-chans acquaintance?

A, rather acquaintance, we just recognise her. Because this child, is famous in the guild.

What do you mean by famous? I havent done anything to attract attention you know?

The trouble you were just talking about, was this child?

Yeah, she said she received the commission from the guildna. She also showed me the card but, I think she just picked it up from somewhere right?

Ahaha, the card and certificate, could you show me it for a bit?

I handed over my adventurers card and commission certification to the lady.

Hm~m, Sakura Fujino, 15 years old,ah, so youre 15 years old. Human race, rank is D. Youre already rank D? It hasnt even been a month right? Isnt that too fast?

Well, various things happened

Various things you say.n, the certificate is genuine as wellne. The thing this child said, its true you know. It seems she received the commission.

I received my card and wooden tag back.

Oi oi, even youre saying things like that? The card and certificate as well, werent they just picked up or stolen?1

A, thats impossible. Dont you know about it? The glyphs wont show on the adventurer card unless the originator allows it you know? In addition, this child receives commissions at the guild almost every day.

Ah, now that you mention it, there was that sort of functionne

I had completely forgotten about it.

Eh? That means, thisojou-chanis an adventurer, and came here after accepting the escort commission?

Didnt I say that from the beginning?

Ill say this while were at it, Im 15 years old as well.

Eh? 15 years old you say, seriously? Youre even smaller than my 8 year old niece ya know?

n, well I was surprised as well at firstne. Since its written as so on the card, it shouldnt be a mistake.

Afgar-san grumbled for a short moment, but when he finally calmed down, he suddenly turned his body in my direction and lowered his head.

Im sorry! Even thoughojou-chanhas been tell the truth this whole time, I arbitrarily decided you were lying from the start Im a failure of a merchant.

It was me who was surprised at this.2

Please raise your head! I also forgot about the matter of the card I understand, so its fine already.

At that moment, the bell for the 4th koku sounded just on time.

Look, its already time for departure. Lets quickly prepare.

Taking advantage of that, I change the topic.

n, aah, thats right. Well then, Ill go check the on carriage. You guys can introduce yourselves.

Aah, thats good. If he continued to lower his head like that, it wouldve been hard on my mentality3.

As I was feeling relieved, the voice of the lady from just now appeared.

Is it alright to call you Sakura-chan? Im Meriana Schuzlbal. Meriana is fine. The bow is my forte. And, Mary Mersol over here is a swordswomanne. That male beastman over there is Bolt Mardeano, and that other man is Sindhi Melanone. Weve all formed a party together, everyone is D rank. Best regards during these five daysne.

Meriana-san introduced the remaining members.

Ah, yes. Im Sakura Fujino. I look forward to working with you all.

After exchanging a brief introduction, Afgar-sans voice was heard.

O~i, were leaving.

It seems were ready for departure.

n,then shall we get on the carriage? Hey, Mary. You coming?

Meriana-san dragged Mary-san while she was still staring at the sky and boarded the carriage.

The carriage was a wagon with two canopies attached to it, it was fairy large.

Afgar-san was the coachman, one person could sit beside him, and the remaining four people could board the open luggage space.

Sindhi-san sat by the coachmans seat at the beginning, and Bolt-san was in charge of guarding the rear.

The remaining three people, chatted in the open space.

Since this was my first escort commission, I was taught various things.

I was also taught other things like the troubles of a female adventurer, and the stuff I should be careful of.

According to their story, theres very few female adventurers, it seems there are less than ten ~ twenty percent of them.

It appears there were many discriminations and animosities, or even sexual harassment towards female adventurers in the past, however the guild strengthened the punishments and made various improvements, and it seems to have become considerably better.

However, those kinds of consciousness are still around even now, women are often looked at lightly even when they receive commissions.4

Besides that, I was also taught advice for travelling.

Well, such as not to approach places with bad public order, or investigate as much as possible for the places youll be going to for the first time, and things like not getting involved with suspicious commissions, I felt like there was a lot of fundamental advices.

For some reason, Mary-san persistently said things like if a stranger calls out to you, dont follow them, or dont accept food from a stranger Why was that?

Although we had a rest and lunch on the way, the first day passed by without incident.

Evening, probably around 6 oclock. We decided to camp out beside the forest.

Bolt-san and Sindhi-san constructed the tents, Mary-san drew water, and Meriana-san and I gathered firewood

I did a few round trips, and collected firewood for tonights portion + a portion for myself to use.

The reason why, its because it seems everyone has their own preserved food and water for dinner.5

In other words, the portions of the dishes Ill make will be guaranteed for myself and I wont get bothered, was what I thought.

Although I didnt have the time for lunch, since theres time for dinner, I think Ill at least make some soup.

Everyone gathered around the bonfire after their preparations were done, I separated a little and made a fire on my small stove.

I then filled a pot with water, as one would expect, it cant be passed as soup stock but, I teared some dried meat and bacon, cut them into small pieces, then boiled them together with vegetables.6

Though it would be convenient if there were something like instant soup stock

After thoroughly heating the vegetables, I flavoured it with herbs and spices, and its completed.

I transferred it to a mug and matched it with some bread, and thats dinner.

I lightly washed the pot that was used for the soup, then I filled it with water again and placed it over the fire.

Its for the after meal tea.

When I began to eat my dinner, everyone else had finished eating.

As I restlessly ate dinner by myself, Meriana-san peeked at me with great interest.

Isnt it troublesome to go out of your way to cook? Its impossible for me. Although its certainly nice to have soup, its quite troublesome dont you think?Oh? This bread Sakura-chan is eating, you also ate this at lunch right? Its being easily teared off but,eh? It can be eaten without water or soup? What is that? Is Sakura-chan actually an amazing muscleman?

Thats a little, annoying.

Its troublesome if someone began one-sidedly talking when youre eating right?7

I think having a lively meal is different from a noisy one.

Furthermore, because shes bending her body forwards in order to peek, its extremely difficult to eat.

Ah, a strand of hair slightly went into my mug!

I just want to eat delicious things. So I cook for myself as well. I dont think that its troublesome. Also, regarding the bread, its a secret.

I reluctantly answered.

The reason why the bread is a secret, is because I think itll be incredibly troublesome if I talked about it.

Eh, even if its only that, its amazingne. As for me, all my meals are the same. Every day during a journey, its preserved food you know?Ne, ne, that bread, even a bite is fine, let me eat some okay?

Wait, youre close! Thats no good, since this is my meal!

Isnt that fine, dont be so stingy~. Just one bite, even a crumb is fine! Okay? Pleasee~

I said thats no good,ah, wait, please dont pu-,ah!

basha

Aah, the soup is. Even though there was still half left

acha~, sorryne~?

Even if you apologize here

What happened?

Maybe she was curious because of the noise we made, Mary-san approached.

Meriana you, again

When Mary-san saw the spilled soup on the ground and the fallen mug, she seemed to have understood the situation.

Ahaha, Ive done it.

From the conversation, it seems something similar has happened several times.

Sorry, for Meriana troubling you

No

Haa

I awkwardly turned my back towards Mary-san, and restlessly ate the remaining bread.

I washed the cup, made some herb tea, and finally relieve my mind.

It seems that while I was eating bread, Mary-san dragged Meriana-san and went somewhere.

Although I thought she wasnt a bad person at first No, I think she isnt a bad person. Only, how do I say it. Troublemaker? Even so, a neither ill willed nor self-aware natural airhead, isnt that the most troublesome type?

Oh right, about this times companions, Mary-san has blond hair up to her shoulders, a cool beauty-san. Her height is also tall, with a slender body to go with it. As for her chest I cant tell since shes wearing a metal breastplate. Though I said she was cool, its like shes distant towards me, her replies on most of our conversations we have are things like aah or thats rightna, nothing but single phrases8. The next thing Ill know, shell be intently glaring at me. Could it be she dislikes me?

Meriana-san has light brown hair, a cheerful and lively woman. Her height is slightly shorter than 170cm? I think around there, but her characteristic is that self-asserting chest. Isnt that an F? Shes easy to talk to, and as long as she has spare time, shell talk to someone. I realized not long ago, but it seems, shes actually a troublesome person.

Sindhi-san is about the same as Mary-san, around 180cm I think? He has reddish blonde hair, a man around 25 years old. Hes had almost no conversations with me, this person also looks at me with glaring eyes.

As for Bolt-san.. hes, big. He seems to be a tiger beastman from the story Meriana-san told me, his height should exceed 2m. I can tell he has brawny muscles even from over his clothing, together with his height, hes like a wall. Hes expressionless, should I say, even when I tried starting a conversation, he only shook his head, I still havent heard his voice. His features are his large body, the ears above his head and his tail.

Oh? Other than Meriana-san, Ive barely had a conversation with them.

As expected, do they dislike me?

After a short time, I heard about tonights lookouts from Mary-san.

With two shifts, it seems the first will be me and Sindhi-san, during the night will be Mary-san, Meriana-san, and Bolt-san taking turns.

Honestly, it seems theres going to a delicate atmosphere no matter who I partner with, its depressing.

As for the better one, it would be Bolt-san?

Leaving those sorts of feelings in another place, Sindhi-san and I were left as everyone else slept.

Sindhi-san and I were sat across the bonfire in silence.

Its, awkward

I tried to bring up a topic, but because Sindhi-san was intently staring at me, I gave up.

In order to do something about this silence, I tried serving some tea.

U-Umm, would you like to, drink some tea?

I was ignored.

Furthermore, the sound of me drinking tea and chewing on cookies, that were substituting as dinner, could be heard during that awkward atmosphere.

Hasnt been one month.

Without any warning, Sindhi-san began to talk.

Eh?

I completely didnt understand what he was talking about, and ended up letting out a stupid sound.

D rank after a month of registration? Normally, it takes half a year to become D rank. What on earth did you do?

It seems like hes not convinced with me being a D rank since Im a beginner.

I thought it would be simple to rise if you accept commissions, but it seems its not that easy in reality.

For example, the harvesting commissions I mainly accept, there are many of them which usually cant be completed in a single day. Its because for a beginner, its difficult to find the place where the medicinal herbs grows.

Also, even if the place where they grow is found, a number of them would already be picked and there wont be enough, so it generally takes a number of days.

I grasped the said locations from my previous lifes knowledge, many people cant go to those locations to harvest.

In other words, most of the commissions I accept in the morning can be completed on that same day, which can be said is an abnormal occurrence.

..I havent considered that sort of thing.

Since I also took half a month to become an E rank, much less becoming a D rank, it seems its an impossible occurrence.

Even if you ask me what I did, Ive only just accepted commissions. Well, could I say it was luck that I became a D rank? Though it was a coincidence, I caught some kidnappers so

Luck you say? With just that, isnt it impossible to become a D rank with that short amount of time? Kidnappers huh,aah, is it that kidnapping incident?Hmph, you seem to be good at walking aroundna.

I felt something like an unpleasant aura, but.

However, I wont accept it. Even I almost took a year to become a D Rank. Even catching those culprits, you just seized them after somebody defeated them after all right? How can I accept you becoming a D rank, the same as me, practically right after you registered!?

Even if you say that right?

Suddenly, I had a feeling my ears heard some sort of growl.

Animal? No, those footsteps several presences

Its approaching this way.

Sindhi-san hasnt noticed yet.

Excuse me, could you wake the others up? Something is approaching.

I said that while standing up with my weapon.

Numbers are five, no, could it be six?

I took out the lamp magic tool from my baggage and illuminated the surrounding area.

Something, you say, alright. Whatre you going to do?

Sindhi-san had a doubtful expression, but it seems he noticed the presences.

Their numbers are probably, six. Ill gain some time, so Ill leave everyone to you.

I replied while staring at the forest.

Ill return immediately.

I understood Sindhi-san headed towards the tents from his presence.

Now then, I wonder whatll appear?

I slowly walked towards the forest.

GURAAAAAAA!

What appeared from the forest was a bipedal pig?

A stout and chubby body and a head which looks just like a pig. Its height is around 2m and its holding an axe and a sword. Shabby armor was attached to its body.

Its probably, an Orc.

Contrast to its dull body, I was attacked with quick movements.

The numbers were as expected, six of them.

fu!

I cut down the one that attacked me at the beginning withiai, then killed the next one with a diagonal slash.

I quickly jumped back so I wouldnt be covered with the blood spurt, then turned to the remaining Orcs.

With the two Orcs killed within seconds, the remaining raised their voices in anger and immediately attacked.

I cleaved open the stomach of an Orc attacking with his arms swinging, then continued to cut that Orcs body in two.

When they saw that, an Orc stopped moving for an instant so I cut its leg, then finished it off when it fell down.

Although the last Orc tried to escape, I instantly approached and cut it down.

All the Orcs were killed, I confirmed whether there was anymore, then finally relaxed my guard.

Although I didnt feel anything at the time I fought, the moment I relaxed, from the fact that I took away lives and the sensation of cutting flesh, I shivered.

If I think about it, this was my first time I cut and took away a persons (?) life with my own hands.

Not being as shocked as I thought, as expected, could it be my previous lifes influence?

When I was slightly absorbed in my thoughts, I felt the presence of people approaching.

Oi, are you alright!?

It seems Sindhi-san woke everybody up.

Im fine. Since its over already.

I answered while wiping the blood off the katana and returning it to its sheath.

Over, you say. these guys, arent they Orcs!? Did you do this yourself?

Well of course? Since Im the only one here.

Yeah, this weapon helped me out. Something wrong?

When I looked, everyone was petrified. Was there something strange?9

Something wrong you ask, that, isnt that obvious!? An Orc is a C rank monster you know? We can barely defeat one even with several of us D ranks. Just you alone with six of them, and even defeating them in such a short time

Could they have been that strong?

I do think they were quick, but

If it was master, master would immediately defeat around fifty of them you know?

No, leaving that aside, why would Orcs appear in this sort of place? This area has a relatively small amount of monsters, even if there were, it should be Goblins at most but

Mary-san pondered with serious expression.

Come to think of it, the Chivalric Order regularly patrols along this highway, monsters shouldve been immediately eliminated.

Which means, could they have recently appeared?

I didnt understand even when I tried thinking about it.

For the time being, lets return to the camp. Well just report this to the guild, isnt that fine?10

Everybody nodded at my words.

When we returned to the camp site, everybody (Afgar-san is sleeping) surrounded the bonfire.

Thats because, since its almost time to change lookouts, even if they slept now thats how it seems.

Im sorry about that.

Sindhi-san suddenly apologized.

Because I wasnt aware of your ability, I said those sorts of things. Most likely, I didnt want to accept it. I think its my foolish pride but A position I took almost a year to reach, I think I was envious of you that took a month. Thats why

A,un, well, Id also think thats strangene.

Please dont worry about it. I believe it cant be helped you thought like that you know? Because of this appearance of mine.

Ah, Ive somewhat become sad after saying that.

However, you have the ability. To defeat six Orcs by yourself. Its even difficult for a C rank to do alone you know?

Like I said, this weapon helped me out you see. If I didnt have this, it wouldve been a harder fight.

Could it be thanks to the glyphs? I recalled the excessively sharp katana.

Although it was an expensive purchase, I think that that alone was worth it.

Ne ne, doesnt that weapon have an unusual shape? Where did you get your hands on it? Though you said it helped you, does it have some special power?

It appears Meriana-san showed an interest for the katana.

Although I purchased it at Garams Weapon Store, Garam-san said it was purchased from a merchant from an eastern country. Ive had it etched with glyphs, but I dont think it has any special powers.

Since theres no reason to hide it, I answered.

Otherwise, it might serve as trouble again

Garams Weapon Store you say, that hard to please dwarfs shop?Heeh~, so you bought itne? That place, although the items are good, Ive heard the shopkeeper wont sell if he dislikes you, you know?

Hard to please? It didnt seem like that to me

Besides, to not sell if he dislikes you, how much of stubborn old man is he?

Is it okay if you show it to me it for a little?

While saying those words, Meriana-sans hand had already grasped the katana.

Aah, itll turn into something troublesome again if I declinene

Hey Meriana. Stop that.

Although Mary-san rebuked her, Meriana-san didnt listen.

I dont mind but. Please be careful okay?

Since I think its useless even talk, I submissively handed it over.

Thank you.Oh, its quite heavene.

Well thats because, its a lump if iron so

Oh~, its single edged?Ah, its the glyphs. I wonder whats written?

Its Fixing and Sharpness you see.

Heeh.Ahaha, what a weird shape~.

She drew it from the sheath, then swung it around with a hum

Wait, isnt that dangerious? Stop it.

Tsk, oka~y.

After getting scolded by Mary-san, she stored away the katana while sulking.

Shes a childish personne

After our talk, since the time to switch had passed before we realized, I decided to go to bed.