「──Mister!」
Whoa, that scared me! Don’t just pop out like that! My heart isn’t that strong!
「You again.」
Wait, am I being stalked? That’s creepy!
「Receiving alms is my job.」
Don’t make mooching your job. What kind of education are you giving kids? Teach them a proper trade!
「Here. Curse the gods and thank me.」
I take out a silver coin and drop it into the box.
「Thanks, mister!」
Curse the gods already. I paid enough for that.
「Do you give alms every time, Takato?」
「So, I can curse an incompetent god.」
「You’ve got a strange hobby.」
「It’s not a hobby. If I can curse a useless goddess who can’t save people, one silver coin is cheap.」
Ignoring the look on Mishinie’s face that said she wanted to comment, I headed to the Adventurers’ Guild and was promptly captured by the female staff again.
……I’m such an idiot. Why did I forget again……!
I couldn’t say I brought nothing, so I pulled out a bulk pack of chocolates from my Aport Pouch and managed to get released.
「Don’t say anything. I know what you want to say.」
I stopped Mishinie before she could speak. My life gauge is already in the red, so please don’t finish me off…….
「Takato, you’re here. Hm? What happened?」
「It’s nothing. Please don’t worry about it. Give me the information.」
Regret can wait. Right now, I need information on that monster called a Roselan. I have to plan the route to the Count Rydand Territory assuming it will appear. I can be ashamed of my stupidity later.
「Very well. As for the Roselan, it seems to be quite intelligent. It keeps evading the adventurers sent to subdue it. Despite that, it attacks caravans, which makes it troublesome.」
「There are adventurers escorting those caravans, right? Does it still attack them?」
「Yes. It sneaks up at night and steals food while causing chaos.」
It does not wipe them out completely. It seems to take what it wants and then flee.
「Have you confirmed their numbers?」
「Four to five. Based on their size, they seem to be moving as a family group.」
So they are monsters that can coordinate with each other. That makes things troublesome.
「They live in the mountains, so they move quickly. They also seem to use clubs.」
Around four meters tall, using clubs, and moving in groups. If they attack at night, then they must have good night vision. Another nocturnal enemy.
「Is the Mirand Pass a high mountain?」
「It’s not especially high, but there are many valleys. You go up and down a lot. It’s not much of a problem for adults alone, but watch out for the Kidnapping Birds.」
Kidnapping Birds? A monster?
「They’re birds of prey that mainly target small animals. Their feathers sell for a high price, so some adventurers hunt them.」
A few hundred years from now, they’ll probably be an endangered species.
I asked many other things as well and took notes on what seemed important.
「It’s about a day to the pass. That means we’ll have to camp before reaching it.」
From the guild master’s explanation, it’s about fifty kilometers to the Count Rydand Territory. The straight-line distance is around twenty kilometers, but because of the valleys, the actual route is more than twice that.
We camp in the mountains before the pass and cross it during the daytime.
「Because of the valleys, we can’t pursue them deeply, can we?」
「Despite their large bodies, they move fast. There are even reports of them using vines to cross valleys.」
If it can’t even fly, subduing it still sounds difficult.
「……Are you planning to hunt them?」
The guild master said that while I was staring at my notes and thinking.
「I am.」
「That’s a very clear answer. I thought you would avoid unnecessary fights.」
「If it’s a fight I can avoid, I will. But this one can’t be avoided. It feels like the flow is pushing things toward a battle.」
Whether it was the curse of a useless goddess or my own bad luck, I keep running into monsters other than goblins far too often. If that’s the case, it’s better for my peace of mind to assume we’ll encounter them this time as well.
「I see. Then accept the subjugation request. You’ll receive ten silver coins per kill. If you can extract the magic stones, you can earn even more.」
「What happens if the subjugation fails?」
「There will be a penalty fee, but the Adventurers Guild will cover it. I owe you that much.」
In that case, it’s better to accept it.
「Then I’ll take the request.」
「Understood. I’ll handle the paperwork here. Proof of subjugation will be the ears. You can sell the magic stones in the Count Rydand Territory if you like.」
「Got it. Thank you for the information.」
I pulled a bottled cocoa drink out of my Aport Pouch and handed it to the guild master.
「Please have this during a break. It’s sweet and tasty.」
「Oh. Sweet, is it. I’m looking forward to it.」
He said that and immediately opened it and started drinking. Do you have no patience at all?
Having asked everything I could, I left the Adventurers Guild.
「Mishinie, do you have any plans now? If possible, I’d like you to guide me to the Mirand Pass.」
「Even on horseback, it’ll take a full day.」
「That’s fine. Wait here for a moment.」
I moved to the plaza in front of the Adventurers Guild, returned to Home, and brought Pioneer outside.
「What is that?」
「A magical carriage that a goblin exterminator can afford to buy.」
I’ll say it again, but I will not accept any comments like where are the horses.
「Come on, get in. I’ll pay you properly.」
「Five bottles of wine. The three-thousand-yen kind.」
「You really don’t miss a chance. Fine. We have a deal.」
I put Mishinie in the passenger seat, had her guide me, and headed for the Mirand Pass.
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