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 . ”
“I see . ”
“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 . ”
“Really?”
“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 . ”
“Good . ”
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 understand . ”
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 . ”
“Yes . ”
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 .
“Hah…”
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 .
As for the interior, it was pretty but also simple in taste . Perhaps it would be described as refined . Regardless, I always felt out of place at such establishments .
Thankfully, they were very kind when I approached them . I showed the letter and was taken to the back so I could meet the owner, Marcera Silket .
I told them that Silket was safe and gave a brief report of what had happened . And then made the request for supplies . This would have all taken a lot more time without the recommendation .
I was thankful for Silket and the Guild Master . Things went smoothly and concluded without any trouble .
I used the check from the Guild Master to pay and put the rest back into the hollow bag . Mister Marcera looked worried about Silket’s safety at first, but I assured him that she was fine . Besides, she was in good company .
“…Hah . That was tiring… I think I’ll get a bite to eat first . ”
I felt bad for those on the frontlines, but I was hungry . And so I found a place to stop by and eat . As it had been a very long time, the meat pie and chili soup were especially delicious .
After that, I had to go buy weapons and armor . The blacksmith district was just down the street from the food district . I scanned the different stores as the sounds of banging metal rang in my ears . The first store I went to looked suspicious in terms of quality, and so I turned around and walked right out . I ended up having to go in quite a few places and pick out stuff that seemed good .
“That should be enough…”
I looked at my memo to be sure that I had bought enough . It was . Swords, shields, and arrows .
There was a large variety of arrows . Some had ore stones inside the arrowheads . Ones with the fire attribute would burn your enemies and ones with the water attribute would push them back . Ice would freeze them and earth would turn the arrow into a stone spear . Thunder would paralyze and wind gave a boost in speed .
I bought a lot of these arrows and stuffed them into the bag . The archers should be happy, at least . Though, I didn’t see any arrows with the dimension attribute .
When all of the shopping was finished, I looked at the check that the Guild Master had given me . There were only ten pieces of gold left . Perhaps I had gone a little too crazy with those arrows… While I was free to spend it, I probably should have been a little more careful . And so it was with a feeling of slight regret that I returned to the Mistnas Company .
Wooden crates were stacked up to form a mountain near the entrance . They all bore the Mistnas brand and had their contents written on them . The first one I checked was…meat .
“Thanks to this hollow bag you told us about, we were able to gather a lot of food without worrying about it going bad . ”
Someone said as I looked at the boxes . I turned around to see Mister Marcera standing there, and so I bowed my head in gratitude .
“Thank you . Now we’ll have a lot less to worry about when we fight . ”
“Think nothing of it . You Adventurers are doing your best for the Empire . ”
Mister Marcera said with a laugh .
This was everything that I had ordered . There were ten of the wooden boxes in all . Most of it was food . Though, there was one box that contained small items and tools .
I quickly got to work, storing them in the hollow bag . I just needed to open the bag and carry the box over it, and they would get sucked into it . As for getting them out, I might have to turn it upside down .
Everything fitted in easily . I put in the last one and then carried the bag on my back . Mister Marcera watched the whole process and sighed .
“Aah… That really is an impressive bag . ”
“It was given to me by a friend and is priceless to me . So I’m not going to sell it . ”
“Hahaha . I am not that ungrateful . However, I am just a little jealous . ”
Well…maybe priceless was an exaggeration . Regardless, it was no wonder that a merchant would drool over it .
“Well, I better go then . Thank you for everything . ”
“No, no . Please look after my daughter . ”
We shook hands before separating . Ah, this really was an eventful day… I was terribly tired . This was one night where I needed to sleep at an inn . In fact, we still had our room, so I could just go back there . I felt bad about the others on the frontline, but it couldn’t be helped . Sometimes, people just needed to get a good sleep . I wanted a hot bath and a warm bed . It would be good for my morale and would result in improved performance . Yes, it was something that had to be done…
I told myself this as I bathed, ate dinner at the dining hall, and went to bed . Somehow, I managed to sleep in until it was quite late, and I had to get ready and rush out of the city in a near panic .
“Damn it… It’s all your fault, you warm blanket…!”
I still hadn’t calmed down as I dashed through the sky with Legs of the God Wolf . While I wasn’t going at full speed, my steps were long . It was just as I was nearing the Rivier lake that I saw someone below me . I slammed on the breaks and looked down with Eyes of the God Wolf .
I saw a boy and a goblin .
The boy was swinging his sword wildly while a goblin watched and licked his chops . Well, it seemed like the boy was only moments away from being killed and eaten . That wasn’t something I could ignore, and so I changed direction and unsheathed the Velnoir . That’s when the goblin hit the sword out of the boy’s hand .
“Damn it…!”
I raised my speed and descended while swinging the dark blade down like a bat . It cut through the goblin, head to crotch . The old chief from Fhiraldo would be furious if he saw me using a sword like this . Such thoughts were in my mind as I stood up and a cloud of powdered snow rose into the air . As for the boy, he seemed okay . But Legs of the God Wolf had blown him back a little .
I unleashed the wind and blew away the snow that was in the air . And then we faced each other on the clear field .
“Don’t you know that it’s dangerous here? Go back to the city . ”
While he looked surprised by my sudden appearance, he didn’t back down .
“No! I have to protect the village too!”
And so that was how I met the kid . His name was Felz .
He was from Namila Village . But he was still very young . Not even an Adventurer . And yet somehow, he had picked up a sword and traveled all of the way here from the Imperial Capital . I didn’t know what route he had taken, but I couldn’t just leave him here . Sleeping in meant I had already wasted a lot of time, and I could only use Legs of the God Wolf for so long . However, I couldn’t take him with me either .
Well then, since he was from the village, maybe I should just drop him off there . I thought, as no better idea had occurred to me . He could hide in one of the houses for now, and then we might send a Jade or two to escort him back to the village later . I could make up for them during the battle . Yes . That would work .
“Alright, let’s go . ”
“Agh! It’s so cold!”
And so I took the boy who had no sense of danger and flew off towards the village .
On the way, Felz insisted that he would fight against the goblins who attacked his village . And so I allowed him to fight a goblin just once . Of course, I had Presence Detection activated as well as Legs of the God Wolf, just in case . Basically, if he wasn’t going to listen, he could learn the hard way . A mere boy could not take down a goblin .
“I told you this would happen . If you haven’t done it before, you’re not going to be able to do it now . Everything takes practice . That’s the important trick to living . ”
“Grrr…”
He did not look convinced as I carried him under my arm . However, he was used to flying in the sky now, and so he just hung limply and glared at the snow .
“Got it? You better . Now stay quiet in the village . I’m going to send some nice Adventurers to come and get you . ”
“…Send a pretty lady . ”
“Shut up . ”
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