The request to escort the pilgrimage group that Kousuke and his party accepted is to Ryusen, located in the northeast of the continent.
Of course, the pilgrimage itself continues to Mikusen, but whether they go all at once without rest or take breaks in between is up to the pilgrims.
Zento, the captain, rests for several days with breaks, but there are other pilgrimage groups besides Zento’s. Pilgrims who do not rest will transfer to those other groups and continue their pilgrimage. By the time Zento’s rest is over, a following pilgrimage group will arrive, and Zento’s group will depart in turn, as if being pushed by a collision.
Although there are several villages and towns between the northern town and Ryusen, they are basically places to stay for one night, stock up on consumables, and then pass through. Since this is not a sightseeing tour, there is almost no time to stop and look at each place. Of course, this applies to Kousuke and his party, who have been hired as guards.
As they advanced through several towns and villages from the northern town, Zento, who was completely accustomed to it, spoke to Kousuke, who was sitting next to him. “Still, I can’t believe you accepted this request.” To Zento’s same words, the number of which Kousuke had lost count, Kousuke replied with a bitter smile. “It just happened to coincide with the timing.” Kousuke’s reply was exactly the same. Zento wasn’t expecting a different answer from Kousuke either.
There is a reason why Zento keeps saying the same thing over and over again. It is currently in full swing right before Kousuke and his party’s eyes. Since the opening of Razek Amamiya, the roads that circle the continent have become relatively safe compared to the past, but they still cannot completely prevent monsters from appearing. When moving from town to town, it is almost certain that they will encounter monsters. That is precisely why merchant caravans and pilgrimage groups hire adventurers as guards for a fee. Zento’s pilgrimage group has already encountered monsters several times since leaving the northern town. In those instances, Kousuke and his party, who were hired as guards, of course, would step in… however, Kousuke, who is in the same carriage as Zento, hardly moves during such times. And now, Zento’s pilgrimage group is encountering monsters for what feels like the umpteenth time. Dealing with them are Nana, Shurein, and Floria, who were on the self-propelled wagon running in front. As for Kousuke, he is not slacking off in combat; he is protecting the pilgrimage group by maintaining a barrier around them using the fairies’ power.
Monster subjugation is generally ended with Nana running wild, but Shurein and Floria are also active. Every time Zento witnesses Kousuke and his party’s efforts, he utters the aforementioned line. The fact is that although they are being attacked by monsters at the same intervals as usual during this trip, the party is hardly affected. This is an unbelievable result for Zento. Of course, Zento knows that Kousuke and his party are A-Rank when he hires them, so this result is predictable, but he still cannot stop his words of admiration. By the way, the clerics inside the pilgrimage group’s carriages also watch Nana and the others’ exploits with wide eyes every time a battle breaks out.
Somehow, this time as well, the pilgrimage group managed to get through the monster attacks without any particular damage. The monsters that appeared were not particularly strong, so they were no match for Kousuke and his party. However, the reason Zento praises Kousuke and his party is not simply because they have a surplus of strength against monsters. “Still, you’re as fast as ever at clearing them up.” Although they’ve encountered the same number of monsters as usual, the time it takes to deal with them is overwhelmingly shorter. This is the greatest safety for the pilgrimage group. “Is that so?” Kousuke knew that they were dispatching monsters with overwhelming speed, but he feigned ignorance and tilted his head. “Ah, at this rate, you might even catch up to the previous group… that’s an exaggeration, but I think you’re closing a lot of the gap?” “That’s a good thing… isn’t it?” “Of course.” If they can quickly pass through the road and enter the next town, it means they will encounter fewer monsters. So far, the effect doesn’t seem to be significant, but that’s just looking at the results. Zento, who has been the captain of the pilgrimage group for many years, understands this well.
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After dealing with the defeated monsters and the pilgrimage group had advanced to some extent, Kousuke spoke to Zento. “By the way, is it okay to leave those behind?” When Kousuke said “behind,” Zento made an “ah” face and nodded with a slightly bitter smile. “Well, this is a pilgrimage group. A little charity should be acceptable.” “Is that so?” Kousuke nodded slightly at Zento’s words. Seeing this, Zento looked at Kousuke with a puzzled expression. “You’re not against it?” “Yes, well.” Kousuke replied and glanced at Silvia before continuing. “We are, after all, escorts for the ‘pilgrimage group’.” “I see.” Zento could only return a bitter smile to Kousuke’s meaningful words.
The pilgrimage group led by Zento consists of the self-propelled wagon ridden by Shurein and the others at the front, and two other carriages. However, there are currently about three more carriages attached to them. The purpose is evident without thinking. Peddlers, having witnessed the strength of Kousuke and his party, have attached themselves in order to benefit from it. However, such actions are called “parasitism” and are not considered a good thing. After all, it is no different than hiring a cheap escort for oneself while making the other party pay a high price. If parasitic behavior among merchants is recognized, the rumor will spread rapidly among them. Nevertheless, there are still those who continue to act parasitically, but it certainly makes business more difficult. It also makes them disliked not only by merchants but also by adventurers. From the adventurers’ perspective, it is no different than using adventurers without paying the proper amount.
Despite being disliked for parasitic behavior from various quarters, the exception to the rule is parasitism on a pilgrimage group. Of course, the act itself is not praised, and people still frown upon it. However, as Kousuke and Zento were discussing, pilgrimage groups are formed to transport clerics to Mikusen. From the perspective of protecting the carriages carrying clerics, who are believers of God, the practice of parasitism is overlooked. However, it is natural for human emotions for adventurers escorting the pilgrimage group to not find this amusing. Zento, a former adventurer himself, understands this feeling well. That is precisely why Zento was puzzled, but he was convinced after hearing Kousuke’s answer.
From Kousuke’s perspective, it is partly because Silvia is there that he is going along with the special treatment for the pilgrimage group. More than that, to be blunt, he has no particular feelings about the act of parasitism itself. After all, Kousuke is not establishing himself as an adventurer, so he doesn’t care if peddlers act parasitically. The only reason he brings it up is to prevent it from becoming a problem that would make it impossible for adventurers to make a living. He confirmed with Zento as well, considering all these circumstances.
Amidst all these various circumstances, the caravan, now increased in number of carriages, continues to advance towards the next town.
This is about parasitic behavior. The reason I had Kousuke escort the pilgrimage group was to write this story. Whether parasitism becomes a flag or not, even the author doesn’t know lol.
