Rumors about horseless carriages first began to spread throughout the Central Continent, starting from the Northern Town.
More precisely, people entering the town via the road to the east of the Northern Town would share tales of a strange carriage as an accompaniment to their drinks.
For the first few days, the reaction was one of disbelief, but after several days, the situation changed. Clerics from the pilgrimage group, having completed their pilgrimage from Mikusen, began to speak of similar things.
Of course, there is no rule stating that clerics must never lie. However, by their very nature, continued falsehoods would lead to a loss of credibility, which would be a fatal situation for any cleric. Therefore, it is generally understood that they do not lie in such cases.
However, if only one cleric had mentioned the rumor, it might have been laughed off. Yet, in this instance, all the clerics in the same pilgrimage group affirmed it, leading people to begin thinking that it might be true.
Once that thought took root, all that remained was to await further reports to confirm the truth of the rumors, as false rumors, after all, do not usually last very long.
Ultimately, the rumors of the horseless carriages continued to spread without interruption. This was understandable, as the sighting reports of the carriage heading south along the continent’s roads persisted, as if its owner had no intention of hiding its presence. Furthermore, it was understood that its speed surpassed that of ordinary merchant caravans, and even large-scale caravans from Crown.
When such information circulated, it was natural that there would be those who desired it. From adventurers who frequently traveled, to merchants conducting trade, and even connoisseurs seeking rare items – all began to take action, seeking ways to obtain a horseless carriage. It was at such a time that Bartolo, the Guild Master of “Oro no Tsudoi,” a merchant guild in the Eastern Town, heard about the horseless carriages.
***
“…Too late, I suppose.”
After reading the report from his subordinate, Bartolo muttered this as he tossed the report onto his desk. The report stated that the horseless carriage had already left the Eastern Town and was heading further south on the continent. He had hoped to negotiate while the horseless carriage was still in the Eastern Town, but that thought had proved futile.
“Yes. Once it has come to this, pursuing it will be extremely difficult, Your Excellency. It seems to move faster than any existing carriage.”
Bartolo put on a grim expression at the words of his subordinate, who had been his trusted aide for many years. Bartolo himself was aware of the rumors of its incredible speed on the roads. In fact, it was precisely because of those rumors that he had been trying to figure out how to obtain one.
Realizing that direct negotiation was difficult, Bartolo sighed and unintentionally let slip a complaint.
“…Bad timing. If only its departure had been a day later…”
In this room, there were only himself and his subordinate. Even if he voiced his true feelings, no one else was listening. As Bartolo clicked his tongue, his subordinate added more information about the horseless carriage with a wry smile.
“The adventurer using the carriage appears to spend very little time in towns and villages before heading to their next destination. Capturing it for an extended period will be extremely difficult.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. They seem to stay in the same town for no more than two days, at most.”
At this information, Bartolo’s eyes widened. Typically, a merchant would stay for several days, even in a small village, not only to sell goods but also to rest their bodies. This was the same for adventurers venturing far from home; departing in less than two days would be considered an extremely strenuous journey.
“Does this mean traveling by that carriage is that comfortable?”
The ability to travel without the need for rest made it an ideal carriage for merchants. Bartolo found it almost suspicious, but his subordinate tilted his head as if in thought.
“I cannot say for sure about its comfort, but it certainly seems easier to travel in compared to other carriages. …After all, there is even information that they have traveled with a child on board.”
“…What did you say?”
Bartolo, now looking utterly suspicious, was met with his subordinate shrugging.
“There are rumors that they traveled together from the town of Ryusen to a village along the way.”
There is nothing more conspicuous than a family traveling by carriage. While there are tales of traveling merchants with children occurring in other continents where monster attacks are not as frequent as on the Central Continent, it is considered suicidal to do so on this continent. Regardless of comfort, traveling across the Central Continent with a child would only be undertaken by someone supremely skilled, essentially an adventurer. Naturally, merchants traveling with children are among the actions adventurers dislike the most. Of course, there are sometimes unavoidable circumstances, but merchants generally try to avoid such actions.
Bartolo, momentarily stunned, closed his open mouth and said in exasperation, “What? Is the owner of that carriage suicidal?”
To Bartolo, who reacted as most would on the Central Continent, his subordinate shook his head.
“It is unlikely to be the case. After all, there are rumors that it is an A-rank party. It is more likely that they believe it’s better to have it close by.”
At these words, Bartolo’s jaw dropped again, and he let out a groan. “…I see. That is quite plausible.” Bartolo, unfortunately, had never hired an A-rank adventurer. It was only natural, as the依頼料 (request fee) would soar with each rank increase. In fact, very few people were able to witness A-rank adventurers in combat. That was precisely why Bartolo could accept the idea of them traveling with a child. “This… seems like it won’t be easy.”
“Indeed. However, that doesn’t mean you will give up, does it?”
At his subordinate’s expectant, almost certain gaze, Bartolo offered a faint smile. “Of course not.”
***
Bartolo, organizing the continuous stream of information about the horseless carriages, felt like he wanted to punch his past self, thinking, “Was there such a time?”
“This is… no good. I give up.”
“…Indeed.”
To Bartolo’s firm declaration, his subordinate nodded with a wry smile. As the horseless carriages neared the Southern Town, the detailed information from adventurers and merchants who had encountered them gradually increased. Among this confirmed information was the cost incurred to build the carriage. Upon hearing the amount, Bartolo found himself making a decision with a face betraying half conviction and half resignation. It was an amount that a medium-sized merchant guild could not possibly afford. In fact, even large guilds would likely find it impossible. The figure was that extraordinary. Conversely, it could be said that this astronomical cost finally severed Bartolo’s lingering attachment (?), which had prevented him from giving up.
“However, there must be many others besides us who were defeated.”
“Perhaps even many major guilds thought they could afford it.”
Bartolo and his subordinate, harboring the regret of not being able to obtain it themselves, thought of those who had not yet given up. This was all about the rumors of the self-propelled wagon. Small and medium-sized guilds had completely given up by the time they reached the Southern Town. Conversely, this meant that more troublesome opponents remained.
