kscans

Chapter 86 - Ill Tidings (Part 1)

That day, after finishing the Adventurer's Guild's beginner workshop, blacksmithing edition, Yuri came out of the room in a good mood and noticed the commotion in the guild. He saw not only adventurers but also merchants, including Adon. It wasn't unusual for merchants to visit the Adventurer's Guild to post requests, but for so many of them to be in such a state of disarray was not normal. Hmm...?

"Adon-san, what happened?"

"Hmm? ...Oh... Yuri-kun."

It seemed Adon had only just noticed his presence when Yuri called out to him.

"Yes. ...So, did something happen?"

"Well... a caravan that was supposed to arrive yesterday is late... I was wondering if any information had reached here..."

"I see..."

Hmm, Yuri tilted his head inwardly. This wasn’t modern Japan, so did things in this world operate on such a strict schedule...?

Perhaps sensing the doubt in Yuri’s expression, Adon explained the situation in more detail.

"...So, the caravan itself sent a message in the morning saying they were scheduled to arrive yesterday afternoon?"

"That’s right. Using a magical communication device. And yet, the scheduled arrival time has passed, and there’s been no sign of the caravan, not even a message."

"Even if they were attacked by bandits or monsters, there should have been enough time to send a single report. That’s why we equip them with expensive magical communication devices."

"And yet... without a single word, the caravan has vanished."

The adults explained the situation one after another... Hmm... this was indeed a strange story. The content felt less like a mystery and more like a political thriller... The classic setup in cases like this would be...

"Have you considered the possibility that the driver stole the cargo? Could the message from the driver have been a deception meant to create a diversion?"

"Unthinkable. Leaving aside the character of the driver, it’s not just one caravan that’s disappeared."

"Then... does that mean all the caravans were wiped out without even a moment to send a message?"

"...I don’t want to think that, which is why I’m here at the Adventurer’s Guild..."

"I was hoping to find out what happened."

The ones who answered were likely the merchants who, like Adon, had lost their caravans. All of their faces were pale. As Yuri was wondering what to do, the entrance suddenly became noisy.

"Move! Let us through, let us through!"

"Hurry! Quickly!"

"What’s wrong! What happened!?"

Carried in with the commotion were about five adventurers. Two of them were seriously injured. The remaining three were only just out of mortal danger, their conditions far from good. From what Yuri overheard, they seemed to be a party of adventurers from here who had gone to search for the missing caravans.

"Dammit! We don’t have enough potions!"

"What about the apothecary!"

"No good! There’s no time to go buy more!"

"Doesn’t anyone have any!"

Seeing that lives were on the line, Yuri remembered the homemade potions in his Storage. Fortunately, he was wearing his magic bag, so it wouldn't be difficult to make it look like he was taking them out from there. But... would his homemade potions be of any use in a situation like this...?

"Um... if homemade ones are okay, I have some... potions..."

Yuri timidly spoke up, and the gazes of the surrounding adventurers pierced him.

"Anything will do! If you have them, give them here! Now!!"

"Ah, yes..."