After fully enjoying Sauril City, it was decided that they would depart for the next town, but the problem became how they would travel.
While they could summon Hiryu, including Kou, it would mean arriving too quickly, thus losing the appreciation for the journey (?).
On the other hand, if Kouhi and Mitsuki were to ride in a public carriage, it would undoubtedly cause unnecessary trouble.
After considering this, they ultimately decided to purchase a carriage.
The budget for purchasing one was not an issue.
However, the problem was what to do with it after the journey was over.
Even if it could be used during this trip, it would be completely useless when they returned to the tower.
Kousuke thought it was a waste to prepare something that would be useless for such a reason.
Frankly speaking, given Kousuke’s current assets, it wouldn’t be strange to own one or two carriages.
Kousuke still had a surprisingly commoner-like sensibility in strange places.
Putting aside Kousuke’s minor internal conflict, the party visited the Crafts Guild, which dealt with carriages.
As Sauril City was a port town that received ships from various places, they handled many carriages for traveling merchants who arrived by ship.
In port towns like Sauril City or the capital, carriages are generally made to order. However, fortunately, several carriages were already on display in Sauril City.
When Kousuke and the others visited the Crafts Guild, they decided to choose a suitable one from the available options.
As they were swept up in the merchant’s sales pitch, just as they were nearing the final decision, someone came to speak with Kousuke and his group.
It turned out to be the receptionist from the Adventurer’s Guild who had accepted their request.
“Oh, good. I made it in time.”
Kousuke’s eyes widened at the flustered receptionist.
“What’s wrong?”
Seeing Kousuke’s surprise, the receptionist seemed to realize her disheveled appearance and quickly tidied herself up.
During that time, Kousuke could tell she was catching her breath from running all the way there.
“…I apologize. Actually, there’s an urgent request for Kou and the others. Whether you accept it or not is entirely up to you, but I came here hoping you would, if possible.”
Her frantic demeanor made it clear that the request was indeed urgent.
Feeling it would be rude to refuse after she had gone to such lengths, Kousuke decided to at least confirm the details of the request.
“…What is the content of the request?”
“It’s a guard request to the capital of this country.”
Kousuke tilted his head at the request.
It didn’t seem like the kind of request that would warrant the receptionist chasing after specific adventurers.
Guard requests were commonplace in this port town where various goods were gathered.
Understanding Kousuke’s thoughts, the receptionist began to explain the request.
“For a normal guard request, the pay wouldn’t be that high, but this particular request specifically requires adventurers of C Rank or higher.”
“That’s quite rare, isn’t it?”
Normally, guard requests only require D Rank or higher, and sometimes even E Rank depending on the distance and the surrounding security.
Therefore, requiring C Rank or higher for a guard request was exceptionally profitable.
“Yes. The problem is the cargo we need to transport, and they want it delivered to the capital as quickly as possible. Because of that, the departure is scheduled for today.”
“That’s very sudden.”
If such a request existed, Kousuke would have noticed it when he checked the requests yesterday.
However, there was definitely no such request posted.
This meant that it was either a request posted after Kousuke and the others left, or it was posted today.
Judging from the conversation, it was clear that the matter was extremely urgent.
“I see. So, you want to hire high-ranking adventurers so that even if monsters appear, it won’t affect their travel speed?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Here is the request form.”
As Kousuke was quick to understand, the receptionist handed over the request form without further explanation.
While Kousuke didn’t doubt the receptionist, he checked the request form to confirm that it matched what he had just heard.
“Indeed, it appears to be an official request.”
After confirming that it was a formal request issued by the guild, Kousuke handed the request to Kouhi.
This was to ensure that they also properly checked it.
While they were reviewing it, Kousuke asked a few questions.
“There seem to be other adventurers involved, what about them?”
“The condition is for adventurers of C Rank or higher to act as the guards’ leader. In addition, several other adventurers are also joining.”
“Has the recruitment already ended?”
“Yes. Because the conditions were better than other guard requests, the recruitment was decided very quickly.”
“I see.”
With other adventurers involved, Kousuke felt a sense of unease, primarily due to Kouhi and Mitsuki, and furrowed his brow.
“If we’re the leaders, doesn’t that sound good?”
To Kousuke’s worry, Mitsuki somehow encouraged him to accept the request.
Kouhi nodded in agreement.
“…But I’ll be the one they resent, right?”
Kousuke looked at them with a glare, but they acted as if nothing was wrong.
Though they were always loyal to Kousuke, their occasional behavior like this made their relationship not strictly formal, but rather one that created a comfortable space for Kousuke.
Knowing this, Kousuke didn’t press the matter further.
“Sigh. Well, I suppose it’s fine. …Alright, we’ll accept it.”
“Thank you! …Oh, right. Since this is an urgent, designated request, simply accepting it will affect your evaluation.”
“…Shouldn’t you have mentioned that when you were making the request?”
In response to Kousuke’s retort, the receptionist smiled.
Seeing this, Kousuke’s initial impression of her as a capable woman crumbled.
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Having decided that it was not meant to be with the Crafts Guild this time, Kousuke and his group immediately headed to the Adventurer’s Guild.
This was to formally accept the request and because the client was already waiting.
The Adventurer’s Guild had already informed them that there was a possibility that they might not find anyone, given the urgency of the request and the strict condition of C Rank or higher.
In response to that request, the receptionist happened to remember Kousuke and his group, and thus came to search for them, staking a glimmer of hope.
Given that she went to such lengths, it was likely that the client was offering a very good commission.
However, this was not something for adventurers like Kousuke to concern themselves with, so even though they noticed, they did not pry.
Upon arriving at the Adventurer’s Guild, the receptionist exchanged smiles with other receptionists.
Kousuke could vaguely hear them saying things like “Well done” and “This means a bonus,” but he chose to dismiss it as his imagination.
Kouhi and Mitsuki, who had even better hearing than Kousuke, were undoubtedly hearing it all.
However, their expressions remained completely unchanged, as usual.
Neither of them seemed particularly bothered.
“So, who is the client?”
As the receptionists continued to celebrate, Kousuke decided it was a good time to speak up.
“Ah, yes. Right this way.”
The receptionist, still struggling to regain a serious expression, led Kousuke and the others to a room in the back.
In the room they were guided to, the client and the adventurers who would be accompanying them were already gathered.
Thus, Kousuke and his group decided to travel to the capital by carriage while fulfilling a guard request.
The members of the party will be revealed in the next chapter.
