「I heard the report, but seeing it in person, it really is something」
Even the guild master knows about the Pioneer? Then why are they still struggling with goblins? You are competent, so put some budget into goblin extermination already.
「If you exterminate five or six hundred goblins, you can buy one」
「So that means you have killed that many」
「Even so, it is abnormal that the goblins still do not disappear」
At this rate, I will probably reach eight thousand soon.
──Piroon! Congratulations on passing eight thousand! You can draw the lottery three times! We added new support items, so be sure to draw!
It really did pass eight thousand right after I said that. Oh right, I forgot to draw the lottery. I will do it later.
「……So, it really is abnormal?」
Ah, so he noticed it properly.
「It is abnormal. But that said, I have no idea what the cause is」
I am an exterminator, not an investigator. Let someone else figure out the cause.
「We were told goblins were weak, but there are so many of them that it is a nightmare. Even if I earn a lot, I spend just as much. It feels like a scam」
It is fine while I am still in the plus, but one mistake and it would shrink right away. What kind of endless hell have I stepped into? My stomach hurts every day.
「……I see. Very well. I will have each branch stay on alert. Let us go, then. How do we ride this?」
「Huh? We are going with this?」
I thought we would head out in a carriage or something. I planned to follow behind.
「It is fine. I usually walk to the guild for exercise」
Is that really fine for the guild master, who is the lord’s sister’s husband? You are an important person.
「W-well, if the guild master says it is fine」
No real reason to refuse. I opened the door on the passenger side.
「By the way, where is the Second City Wall gate? I have only walked along the main road in the Third Wall District, so I do not really know」
For a place called a frontier, it is a big city. You cannot see all of the Third Wall District in just a day or two.
「There are eight gates that lead into the Second Wall District. If you take that road, you will reach one soon」
The Adventurers’ Guild was located in the southeastern part of the city, and the road the guild master pointed out apparently led to what was essentially a commercial gate.
Two gate guards were stationed at the commercial gate, checking those who entered and left.
「Cyrus-sama!?」
「Good work. This man is my guest. Inform Misha that I am bringing a guest to see her」
「Yes! Understood!」
One of the guards immediately ran off. Is the guild master a noble? And a high-ranking one at that?
Passing through the commercial gate, it was clear why they collected such high taxes. It was nothing like the Third Wall District. This was clearly a place where the wealthy lived.
Following the guild master’s directions, we continued along the road until the castle came into view. No, the castle had been visible even from outside the city, but it really did not feel like something you would see in a frontier region. Is a border marquis really that high in status?
「It is an impressive castle. In five hundred years, it could probably be registered as a world heritage site」
「Fufu. That is an amusing thing to say. Five hundred years, huh. I hope the Michedd family lasts that long」
So the family name is Michedd. Wait, not Koraus?
When I parked the Pioneer at the stable beside the castle and got out, a refined elderly man who looked like a butler or chamberlain, along with a woman who seemed to be a maid, approached us.
「Welcome home, Cyrus-sama」
「Yeah. I have brought a guest. See to him properly. He is the one who saved Margrave Koraus Territory」
There he goes again with that exaggeration. I have never saved the Koraus Territory, nor do I plan to.
「My name is Takato Ichinose. It is a pleasure to meet you」
I am a man with no status, of unknown origin. As a guest, I bowed my head.
「You have a family name?」
「Where I come from, having a family name is normal. Not having one would get you in trouble with the law」
Well, I do not actually know if it breaks the law.
「I see. Then I am sorry, but could you hand over your weapons? Even as a son-in-law by adoption, I cannot bend the castle’s rules」
So, he is a son-in-law by adoption. A Masuo*-type situation. My condolences.
TN: A character in Sazae-san Family. You probably know his role.
「The weapons I carry are extremely dangerous, and mishandling them can lead to death. If you value your life, do not touch them carelessly. Do not bring them near fire either. Also, I know exactly how many there are, so if even one goes missing, I will hold you responsible. Is that acceptable?」
Even if they disappear after fifteen days, I cannot stay calm knowing that weapons capable of killing me are out of my hands for that long. If they are not returned, I will never come back here again. I will escape from those I cannot trust.
「Roz. Make sure you drill that into them. I want to stay on good terms with Takato」
So, it is a place where you need to drill it into them. I should make sure not to let my guard down.
「Understood. I will take full responsibility for their safekeeping」
I spread a sheet on the ground and laid out my guns, magazines, grenades, various knives, stun grenades, chest rig, and gun belt. I also took everything out of my backpack and lined it up.
「If you want me to strip naked, I will comply」
「No. We would not be so discourteous to a guest. Especially one invited by Cyrus-sama」
So, if something happens, it is the guild master’s responsibility. Life inside a castle is harsh in its own way.
「Also, the contents of that bag over there are a gift for the acting lord. I would appreciate it if you could inspect it and then deliver it」
「What is inside?」
「Alcohol. Its alcohol content is several dozen times stronger than wine, so when you taste it, just touch it to your tongue, or dilute it with water. If you are worried, I can taste it myself」
Kainzel-san mentioned before that the guild master’s wife likes alcohol, so I brought some as a gift.
「Then I will carry it. Misha is very particular about alcohol. If someone drinks it carelessly, there is no telling what she will say」
At the guild master’s words, the man who seemed to be the butler let out a sigh. She must really love her drink.
「Understood. We will leave it to you, Cyrus-sama」
The guild master took the bag, and we headed toward the acting lord.
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