SWDYHTITYDHMP Chapter 197

“The stars are as turbulent as ever……”

The nomad oba-san said as soon as she saw my face. I see, so from now on I’ll be at the mercy of the goddess for a while.

Oba-san had set up shop in a different place from last year, but I was able to find her after all.

“But you don’t seem like you’ll die that easily, so don’t worry……looks like you’re going to have a hard time?”

Oba-san looked at Percival, who was standing next to me, with a mocking gaze.

“That’s what I hoped for. There’s no problem.”

That reliable reply, given without a moment’s hesitation, made me resolve to protect Percival no matter what. I just had to make sure I didn’t make a mistake.

Since the fortune was free, I bought a souvenir for Aurora in return.  It was a pendulum with a rare water-filled crystal hanging from the end of a thin braided cord that an old lady had woven.

Since the items are sold by this oba-san, they must be different from just any other item. I’m glad I was able to buy a nice souvenir.

We said goodbye to the oba-san and headed to the guild.

The guild is located on the main street of Oriens. It is a large three-story building that looks like it has a long history.

“What a fine guild.”

“Yeah, I think it’s probably the largest guild in Solmontana.”

Basically, there is no superiority or inferiority between guilds. Since they are mutual aid organisations for adventurers, even the smallest guilds perform the same duties as the larger guilds. Still, it’s a good feeling to be told that it is the largest. Moreover, the Vanderwall guild is quite trusted among adventurers.

Urged by Percival, I bravely went inside and found the three-story guild with an open atrium bustling with people.

It’s not just adventurers who use the Adventurer’s Guild. It also serves as a guide for travellers, providing information on the town you’re staying in and travel destinations. If you ask, they’ll tell you pretty much anything, making it a very welcome place for travellers.

Most guilds have a conversation space where the receptionist and users can interact. Smaller guilds don’t have conversation spaces, but they’ll exchange information and chat in a convenient place that won’t get in the way.

There was also an adventurer among them who was doing his best to woo the receptionist. You know, just like that.

In the crowded reception area, a man who seemed to be a traveller was asking one of the receptionists if they’d like to dine with him on the night of Yor, but the receptionist looked annoyed. A seasoned receptionist would just brush him off with a smug nod, but she doesn’t seem to be that experienced yet.

She looked like she was in trouble, so I turned my eyes to Percival, wondering if I should help her.

“It’s okay, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Just as he said, a well-built man with a scar on his face soon came over and called out to the traveller.

“Is there a problem with our staff?”

The grinning traveller turned around to look at the man and was at a loss for words.

“…..Oh, no! No-nothing.”

“Really? It’s a busy day, so please be brief about your requirements.”

The traveller looked embarrassed and quickly left the reception desk.

After chasing away the troublesome traveller, the man turned around and came straight towards me. What, what? I didn’t do anything.

“Long time no see. Percival-dono.”

“Long time no see, Sven-dono.”

Oh, so the two of you knew each other. That’s a relief. I was prepared for him to scold me as this is not a place for kids.

“Sapphiras, this is Sven Tyler, the guild master.”

I see, he is the guild master. Most guild masters are very skilled adventurers. So this man must have been a skilled adventurer in the past. He has such an air about him.

“Nice to meet you, I am Sapphiras.”

“I’m Sven. I’ve heard from the lord that you’re an excellent magician.”

Sven held out his big hand for a handshake, and when I shook it, he shook it back forcefully. If he really shook it, my thin fingers would break in an instant.

“I hear you’re touring the guild today. If you have any questions, feel free to ask any of the staff.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After exchanging greetings with Sven, Percival guided me to the second floor. The second floor is the reference room, and the shelves are filled with books from all over the country. It’s like a small library.

“Amazing books……”

There is a book whose title makes me want to reach out for it. It’s probably a book written by an ancient magician. I’m really curious.

“The materials here can be viewed by anyone, even if they’re not guild staff, if you apply. Do you want to take a look?”

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah, just wait here for a minute.”

Percival headed to the reception counter in the back and immediately got permission to view it. I immediately picked up the book I was interested in. When I opened it, it was a travel diary written in an ancient language.

“Can you read it, Sapphiras?”

“Yes, a little. It seems to be a memoir.”

Old books are often written in an archaic language that is rarely used these days. As an adventurer, I was interested in the wisdom and knowledge of my predecessors, so I taught myself the ancient language to a certain extent. I can’t read it fluently, though.

“Sapphiras is amazing.”

I feel a little embarrassed when Percival looks at me like I’m looking at something dazzling, but to me, Percival is much more amazing. He never gives up on his efforts and always looks at things calmly. Percival does that as if it’s natural, but not everyone can do it. In fact, I can’t do it!

“……It’s a memoir about a country at the end of the sea. At the end of the sea, there is an island that is closed off by ice all year round, and a deer with large antlers pulls a carriage.”

“A deer? If so, it is no longer a horse carriage, but a deer carriage¹the word for carriage (馬車) literally translates to ‘horse car’.]/mfn].”

“That’s true.”

We both laugh quietly.

Someday, I want to go to the end of the sea. If we can go there once, we can go there anytime.

We read the journal for a while, but it’s almost time for tea, so we decide to go back to the castle.

“How was it, Sapphiras?”

“It was fun. I’m really looking forward to next year!”

I already have a reliable companion in Percival. I can go on an adventure anytime. Just as I was smiling at this thought, I was hit by one of the men who roughly opened the door and came in.

“Sapphiras!”

I nearly fell over due to the difference in physique and the force of the other man’s attack, but Percival quickly supported me.

“Th-Thank you. You saved me.”

“Are you hurt?”

“I’m not weak enough to be hurt by something like that.”

Percival and I turned our gazes to the men who had bumped into us, but they completely ignored me as they pushed me away and went to the request board, roughly peeling off one of the posters that was posted up and slamming it on the reception counter.

They were so violent.

……But I feel like I’ve seen those guys’ faces somewhere before. Hmm, where could it be?

“I’m sorry, but you cannot accept requests here.”

“Ha?! Why?”

“You may ask why, but it’s because your plates state that you will not be able to accept requests from the Vanderwall Guild for ten years from the date written on them. I explained that to you the other day, didn’t I?”

“Don’t mess with me!”

The man yelled, slamming his fist on the counter. However, the receptionist was firm and unfazed. This person seemed to be a veteran receptionist.

Still, I seem to have heard ten years somewhere. What was it?

“Ah, those guys were back then……”

I remember. They were the ones who killed the juvenile flame dragon and seriously injured Theodore, weren’t they?  Are those guys still trying to work for Vanderwall? Of course it’s impossible.

It’s clearly written on their plates, so they can’t take on a job here, no matter what they say. Why don’t you just go somewhere else and take on small requests?

“Let’s go. Sapphiras, it’s almost time to bake the tea cakes.”

That’s right. He said he’d bake lemonade sables for us today. I can eat as many freshly baked sables as I want.

As we were about to leave the guild at Percival’s urging, the men noticed us.

“You guys……aren’t you the kids from that time in the Forest of Magical Beasts?”

“Yeah, that’s right. There’s no mistake.”

“Because of you guys, we couldn’t get any good requests!”

The men came rushing toward us.

“Ehh……that’s just an unfounded accusation.”

“What?! If you hadn’t interfered, everything would have been fine!”

I’m about to get caught up in trouble. Nomad oba-san’s fortune-telling is never wrong, is it?

“That can’t be. Besides, you snuck into the Vanderwall army camp and put the life of the next Margrave in danger, so that’s a fair punishment. From my point of view, I think it’s too lenient.”

“You bastard!”

Percival grabbed the hand of the man who was reaching for me by the collar and stopped him.

“Don’t touch him. I’ll break your arm.”

“Wh-at……!”

Percival gives off an intimidating air. I’ve never felt this from Percival before, and it sends shivers down my spine. Wow……what is this?

This isn’t a threat. He’s seriously trying to break his arm.

The men are completely intimidated by Percival’s aura.

“You guys, that’s enough.”

“Sven-san.”

“Gu-Guild master……”

Sven-san had come over, having heard the commotion. The men looked embarrassed at the guild master’s arrival, but somehow they looked relieved.

“We can turn a blind eye to a few things, but if you raise your hand against a minor, we can’t just ignore it.”

“N-no. We’re not……”

“Th-that’s right. This guy……”

“What’s wrong with them? If you cause any more trouble, I’m gonna have to take you off the registry.”

“Le-Let’s go.”

“Ye-yeah.”

The men leave the guild as if they’re running away. I stuck my tongue out at their backs and sent them off. If this is your lesson, you better do work that is appropriate to your abilities.

“I apologise for causing a commotion.”

Percival apologised, so I bowed my head as well. If we make a fuss inside the guild, it will cause trouble. I should deal with those guys when we go outside.

“But this is quite something. I thought you were a quiet person, but you’re hiding a terrible blade. I look forward to seeing you two register next year.”

We bowed to Sven-san once more and left the guild.

“Come on, let’s go home, Sapphiras.”

“Mm.”

Percival took my hand, and he had completely regained his usual calm.

Remembering Percival earlier, my back shivers and my spirit rose. It was like a sharp, heavy blade that shook the air just by pulling it out.

Amazing, amazing……

 

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