99 - East Branch
On my first day in Beim, I went sightseeing with a guide.
I was shown the areas where shops I would likely use were located, as well as the popular stores in Beim, but I was also told about the places I must avoid.
Of course, there was no way I could visit everything in a single day.
Basically, as an adventurer, I was introduced to the guild, equipment shops, eateries, inns, and real estate agents.
Spending time in a decent place at an inn while staying in Beim would be a nightmare.
The expenses would be astronomical.
Unless you were a solo adventurer, part of a small group, or a party with an exceptionally high reward per mission, living in an inn would be impossible.
For those on the scale of a mercenary company, some had their own bases within Beim.
Due to various circumstances, it's not a simple rule, but if you make Beim your home for a long-term stay, expenses pile up at an inn.
Even if you earn a large sum of money, it gets eaten away by equipment maintenance, upgrades, and daily expenses.
Adventurers, too, grow old and retire.
Savings are necessary for that time.
In other words, a real estate agent is a necessity for an adventurer.
As the eight of us headed toward Beim's 【East Branch】, we were slightly surprised to see the residents of Beim moving about busily from early morning.
Central also had many people and gave a busy impression. Compared to Beim, I could now say Central felt more composed.
Alamsars was similar, but as an academic city, there were many students heading to the academy in the morning.
Darion was smaller in scale; while it had vitality, the difference compared to Beim was still clear.
I saw many adventurers heading toward the guild. I had heard that the guild on the east side was a dispatch type and had fewer adventurers, but was that not the case? Just as I was thinking this...
"Hey, look at that group over there."
Aria spoke up, so everyone looked in the direction of her gaze.
A well-equipped group was heading toward the guild.
Judging by their weapons and the way they walked, they were certainly not ordinary adventurers. Amidst the many lightly armored adventurers, they were using metal armor.
Aria remarked,
"They look quite imposing. I wonder if they're a mercenary company?"
There were about twenty people in the main group, with support personnel following behind them.
The idea that they were a small mercenary company was certainly possible.
However, the one who spoke from within the jewel was the Fifth.
『They're knights from somewhere. They're likely not from Vanseim, but is there a country where knights become adventurers?』
The Fifth wasn't the only one with doubts.
The Fourth also spoke.
『It certainly is unnatural. Though, some countries have different policies than Vanseim, so it's hard to say for sure.』
In Vanseim, the example of knights becoming adventurers was generally frowned upon.
This was because it tended to leave a bad impression.
Then, Miranda tapped my shoulder with her finger.
Turning around, I saw a tall woman yawning, who seemed to be heading toward the guild as well.
However, the adventurers around her were avoiding her.
"Some of the adventurers I've seen since we arrived are amazing, aren't they? People who would be called first-rate elsewhere are just rolling around everywhere in Beim."
Miranda said this while looking around, and indeed, there were many skilled adventurers.
There were a fair number of adventurers who had a different aura.
Clara, walking nearby, was walking carefully so that her large staff wouldn't hit the passersby.
Because the ground was made of neatly laid cobblestones, the sound of metal scraping and the sound of many people treading on the ground made it difficult to hear voices.
"Since there are so many adventurers, it might just seem that way. It's said that because such adventurers exist, requests gather in Beim."
Do requests gather because adventurers gather, or do adventurers gather because requests gather... While I was thinking about such things, a commotion broke out in front of me.
Looking at the shouting adventurers, the people around them were avoiding the area and heading for the guild.
One side was a group that looked like they had just become adventurers, and the other was a group led by an adventurer in his thirties with a beard.
Just as I thought the bearded adventurer, who had a total villain's face, was picking a fight—
"A single 'sorry for bumping into you' is all you've got?! Just because we just arrived in Beim, don't think you can look down on us!"
The adventurer with a greatsword on his back was wearing only a tank top on top. However, his lower body had metal armor around his waist and metal greaves on his boots.
He was dressed imbalancedly, but the young followers accompanying him had ordinary... or rather, they didn't have proper equipment.
Now that I thought about it, they were the adventurers who had been making a scene when we arrived in Beim.
They had healthy, tanned skin and looked strong with their muscles. However, the villain-faced adventurer they were bothering looked exasperated.
His equipment was well-used, but it looked well-maintained.
Above all, he had thicker arms—a more trained body—than the youth bothering him, and his companions were also adventurers with appropriate equipment.
"...What is this situation?"
While I was thinking it was actually impressive, Shannon, seeing this, laughed through her nose.
"Those guys would be killed in seconds if they actually fought."
Eva asked Shannon for confirmation.
"Eh? Is the one with the greatsword stronger? I'd like to see that."
Then, Novem shook her head.
"It's the opposite. They would be defeated in an instant. The one with the greatsword seems capable to some extent... but his companions are not."
Judging by their equipment, they were on completely different levels.
I could only wonder how they could possibly pick a fight in such a situation.
The bearded adventurer apologized.
"My bad. I was looking away too. I'm properly apologizing, so can we just go now? You guys have business at the guild too, right?"
He looked truly disgusted.
I immediately understood why he didn't care about things like face or pride.
The surrounding adventurers were saying,
"They're energetic since morning, but they picked the wrong guy to mess with."
"Being energetic is a good thing. If they can survive, they'll grow."
"They headed to the guild early in the morning, only to waste time getting bothered by someone like that. My condolences."
Since the nearby adventurers were saying such things, it was likely viewed as nothing more than bad luck.
Elsewhere, it wouldn't have been strange for this to turn into a fight.
As we tried to avoid the conflict and head for the guild, the adventurer with the greatsword looked our way.
Following his gaze, there was Monica in her maid outfit. When I looked at Monica, she deliberately put both hands on her cheeks and blushed.
"Oh my, what are you doing in a place like this? If you want to whisper words of love, please wait until we are alone..."
"...What happened to your robe?"
I had told her to wear the robe because she stands out, but Monica had taken it off.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"The surrounding adventurers and passersby didn't seem to mind much, so I took it off. I take pride in my maid outfit. I can't stand hiding it with a robe, and I thought there was no need to hide it."
I could only wonder why the ancients created an automaton like this.
The bearded adventurers also looked where the greatsword adventurer was looking.
I took Monica's hand and hurried away from the scene.
Once I gripped her hand, Monica said,
"Let us flee together in love."
"I'd love to flee from reality anytime! Now, let's go, hurry up."
I wanted to complain, but if I kept saying things like that, I'd get bothered by weirdos. The remaining members followed behind me.
Seeing this, the Fourth said,
『There are all sorts of adventurers here; it seems like an interesting place.』
The Sixth added,
『I wonder what kind of guild this is. I pray it's not like Alamsars.』
The Third said,
『The guide mentioned something about education, but I wonder what it's like? Well, I suppose we'll find out once we arrive.』
Then, from further behind the greatsword adventurer,
a commotion could be heard.
"Albano! You again!"
"Hey now, don't put this on me, Mr. Crate!"
I thought to myself.
(It's really lively, or rather... how should I put it...)
The people of Beim call the guild on the east side the 【East Branch】.
The guild building was large, and it was fully equipped with lodging facilities and baths.
Seeing how well-organized the services for adventurers were, I could realize just how much profit they were making.
At the east guild, the reception desks were separated by purpose.
Separate counters were provided for home transfer applications and the acceptance of newcomers.
A separate warehouse-like building was provided for bringing in prey, and having the reception on the first floor might be a characteristic of Beim.
A sign was placed in the wide hall, and a map of the guild was also provided. Looking at it, there were guides written for adventurers visiting the Beim east guild... the East Branch, for the first time, or for those intending to become adventurers.
"For newcomers and home changes, it's the second floor."
I began walking toward the second floor from the guild entrance, where people were constantly coming and going.
Adventurers performing home changes, just like us.
People intending to become adventurers in Beim.
As we went up to the second floor, glances were occasionally directed at us.
(...Well, it can't be helped.)
The reason the attention was gathered was likely that everyone except me was female. Moreover, one was young, and one was in a maid outfit... if asked what kind of group we were, saying we were street performers would probably pass.
(Ah, I might be able to make a living as a street performer.)
Looking at Eva, who is an elf, she tilted her head.
I looked forward and noticed that I was being given a different kind of gaze than my companions.
It was a gaze that included jealousy, and a gaze that included pity.
The Third's voice could be heard from the jewel.
『No matter where you go, Riel is popular.』
Since he was being sarcastic, I rolled the jewel with my fingertips.
Then, upon arriving at the second floor, a line had already formed.
At the clean reception desk, staff members were explaining various things to adventurers.
Looking at the staff, they were all wearing the same uniform while attending to the adventurers.
The Seventh said,
『They seem to be spending quite a bit of money. I've never been to Beim, but... how should I put it, I imagined a much worse place.』
I agreed with the Seventh.
From what I had heard, Beim was a place with many dangers.
Since it was the first day, it might just be that I didn't understand it yet, but even so, it was different from the atmosphere I had imagined.
As I searched for the counter to perform the home change procedure, a staff member called out to me.
"Home changes are this way."
"Ah, thank you. There are a lot of people, aren't there?"
When I gave a light greeting and made small talk, the guild staff member gave a wry smile.
"Beim has a large population, and there are many adventurers coming from elsewhere. In the past, the counter was narrow and the procedures took a long time."
When I showed the two guild cards for seven people, the staff member looked at Monica.
I let out a sigh.
"She's not human. She's an automaton."
Then, the female staff member held my guild card over a device. While I was wondering what she was doing, the staff member nodded upon seeing the result.
"It's been a while, but you were in Alamsars. I didn't think I'd see an automaton so soon."
Just as I wondered if information from Alamsars had already spread, the staff member explained.
"Few adventurers go from Beim to Alamsars, but the reverse is common. Besides, Professor Damian is a celebrity here too. Recently, adventurers have started going to Alamsars seeking the luggage-carrying dolls he created... the Porters. It's amazing, isn't it? I wonder what kind of scholar he is. Do you know him?"
I decided to nod with an ambiguous smile.
(Has the talk about Porters already spread? That was fast.)
To the curious female staff member, I said—
"Yeah, he was a good person. A bit strange, though."
Hearing that, the female staff member nodded happily.
"Are you an acquaintance of Professor Damian? Ah, but since he's apparently famous over there too, I suppose it's not strange that you'd know him... Ah, I'll proceed with the paperwork."
While the female staff member hurried the procedure, the Fourth inside the jewel spoke in an exasperated tone.
『Well, you didn't lie. He certainly was a good person for Riel. He taught you magic and gave you an automaton, after all.』
The Third laughed.
『"A Kiss for the Sleeping Beauty" was the best. But saying he's "a bit" strange isn't a lie, is it? He was a complete weirdo, not just a bit.』
I decided to ignore the voices coming from the jewel.
The female staff member, having confirmed the guild cards for seven people, took one of the two cards.
When I also applied for the party registration, the guild cards were returned to me.
"That's all. Please participate in the explanation of the Beim Adventurer's Guild. The location is the room in the back. Since you've just changed your home, there must be many things you don't know. There are many differences from other guilds, so please really participate."
Returning the guild cards to everyone, I nodded.
Given how much she insisted, there were probably adventurers who didn't attend.
When I headed to the back room, several groups of adventurers who had changed their home were already gathered.
Near that conference-room-like place, I heard a loud voice, perhaps from an orientation session for newcomers.
It was the adventurer with the greatsword.
While participating in the orientation,
(Did that guy come to Beim to become an adventurer? He's brave.)
I had chosen to gain experience elsewhere because I thought it would be too tough in Beim right away.
However, I wondered if there was a need to be so noisy during an orientation.
(I mean, we keep running into each other.)
After receiving the orientation, we descended to the first floor.
Everyone's expressions were more dissatisfied than I had expected.
Especially Aria—
"Hey? What do you mean, 'jobs will be assigned'?"
The main reason for the dissatisfaction was that we couldn't choose the requests ourselves.
A vast number of jobs come to the Beim guild.
And even if one wanted to choose a job with good conditions from among them, it was set up so that adventurers could not choose freely.
Novem calmed Aria down.
"It can't be helped. The number of requests to Beim is so large that a choice-based system would... there are probably some requests that couldn't just be left with 'no adventurer accepted it,' right?"
If the conditions aren't very good, adventurers won't take the request.
The guild side also tries not to accept such requests, but occasionally there are ambiguous requests.
Clara looked at Aria.
"However, it seems that adventurers who have gained a certain amount of experience aren't given chores and such, so it should be fine, right? The problem is that this place is a dispatch type."
My companions' gazes gathered on me.
Being a dispatch type meant there would be times when we had to move outside of Beim.
If that happened, travel time would become a loss.
I cleared my throat.
"No, look... our goal isn't to be adventurers, it's Celes. If this place doesn't work out, I think we can move to the west side."
To my opinion, Monica replied simply.
"At least three months? They said there are restrictions on home changes within Beim, right?"
Restrictions were in place to prevent people from moving too easily.
Shannon added,
"Regular achievement of requests is also a condition, but what does that mean?"
I admitted honestly.
"...I thought about it a bit too optimistically. I'm sorry."
When I apologized, Eva said,
"Eh? Is it that strange? I don't know much about adventurers, but I often hear that the way things are done differs by home."
As she asked while brushing back her hair, Miranda explained.
"The guild pushes jobs on us. It changes how we plan our schedules, and it might be a bit tough for the type of adventurer who doesn't like taking requests."
If we only challenged the labyrinths managed by Beim, there would be no problem even if we didn't take requests.
However, the Fifth said,
『You haven't even taken a request yet, and you haven't earned anything in Beim. Wouldn't it be better to judge after trying? If it doesn't work out, you can just change your home quickly.』
It was a very constructive opinion.
"Well, let's make this our home for a while and see how it goes. It won't start if we just deny everything before trying."
When I said that, Clara nodded.
"That's true. There might be some kind of merit to it."
Eva added,
"There are adventurers who make this their home, so you can't say there's absolutely no merit, right? Unless there's a reason why they can't change."
It's a more troublesome guild than I thought.
While I was thinking that, a voice called out.
"Hey!"
Turning around, the man with the greatsword was standing there.
"Me?"
"Yeah! Aren't you getting a bit carried away?"
I thought he was someone I saw often, but I never imagined he would call out to me.
Judging by the other's aura, he was certainly not friendly.
Behind the greatsword adventurer, his companions were looking this way... looking at my companions other than me.
A voice came from the jewel.
It was the Third.
『Ah~, so that's it. They're all beauties. I guess he's envious.』
The Fourth was exasperated.
『What? He called out because he's envious? This kid is interesting.』
The Fifth's voice was irritated.
『I hate people like this. If they were decent adventurers, they wouldn't bother getting involved, but a rookie... these kinds of people are truly irritating.』
The Sixth was laughing.
『It's the privilege of youth! Reckless, desperate, and spinning their wheels. Isn't it great?』
The Seventh said calmly.
『People like this exist everywhere. Ignore him. Don't get involved clumsily.』
Since each of them gave their opinion, I decided to follow the Seventh's words, smile ambiguously, and leave the scene.
"Is that so? Well, I'll be going. Come on, everyone, let's go."
As I tried to leave with my companions, my shoulder was grabbed.
I was grabbed so hard that a creaking sound could be heard, and I narrowed my eyes and glared at the opponent.
The opponent was laughing, and the Second's skill informed me of the opponent's skill usage.
(Strength is being amplified? A vanguard type? There's also the possibility of a support type.)
I said one thing.
"That hurts, you know?"
When I said that, the opponent replied,
"So? The people here are just too cowardly. I want to test my strength, but no one will play along. You came from elsewhere, right? Then, be my opponent. That way, I'll know how good an adventurer you are."
His gaze was flickering toward Novem and the others, and it was obvious he was conscious of them.
Perhaps sensing the atmosphere, the surrounding people's gazes gathered on us.
And then—
"Wait a moment! Private fighting between adventurers is forbidden!"
A tall young man with black hair slicked back entered between us.
The greatsword adventurer asked,
"Who the hell are you?"
The tall young man introduced himself.
With his back straight, the polite-looking young man introduced himself proudly.
"I am 【Crate Benini】. I work here as an adventurer. As a fellow adventurer, I cannot overlook private fighting!"
He seemed to be a rather hot-blooded person.
However, just as I was sighing in relief thinking I was saved—
"Therefore, we should make this a match to fairly compete in each other's skills!"
I looked up in surprise at the young man named Crate, who had an expression as if he had just done me a huge favor.
"Eh? A match? Eh!?"
Seeing my surprise, the greatsword adventurer said,
"Fine, I'll take you on. I'm 【Airhardt Baumann】. Killing a scrawny guy like you would leave a bad aftertaste anyway."
The opponent was eager, so I turned around and looked at my companions.
Aria and Miranda said,
"Look, just get it over with."
"Why not? If it's a match, you won't die. If you get injured, I'll treat you properly... and I'll stay right by your side."
Clara and Shannon said,
"This kind of story-like development is a bit exciting. It happens often in books, but rarely in reality, so I'm getting a bit excited."
"A duel over women? I can't read books, so I don't understand."
"No, it's a classic development where a rookie is bothered by a veteran. Isn't it something to aspire to?"
"I don't really get it, but in that case, isn't Riel the villain?"
—They looked like they were having fun.
The surrounding people, who had thought it was just a fight between rookies, were now laughing as they watched because the young man suggested a match.
Eva said,
"Riel has that, doesn't he! He's got that quality! But when singing or storytelling, I think this kind of development is important! You absolutely must participate!"
This girl was telling me to fight for the sake of her own songs.
Monica even started singing, her twin-tails bobbing up and down.
"I want to see the cool side of Mr. Chicken~"
(Her voice is good and she sounds subtly skilled, which makes me even more annoyed!)
Novem had a troubled expression.
"Um, please be careful not to injure your opponent too much."
Novem, who was worried about whether the opponent would be injured, is as always kind and wonderful. However, she didn't say anything to stop me from participating.
Laughter could be heard from the jewel.
The successive heads spoke in turn.
『He's got it! Riel certainly has that quality! It's like this wherever he goes!』
『People don't usually pick fights with us, so this is actually quite fun.』
『Adventurers don't usually have this kind of thing, right? Well, as long as he can beat him to a pulp, it's fine.』
『This is getting interesting, Riel!』
『He seems to be a skill user, so it will be a good experience. Lucky you, Riel.』
I shook my head and thought,
(Why is it that instead of stopping me, everyone seems to be enjoying this?)