Kays Translations

Chapter 16: At the Mayor’s Conference

“You’re the ‘Mercia’ that everyone’s been talking about, right? I see some familiar faces among you. Any particular reason for that?”

“There are various circumstances.”

“Well, I suppose that happens. It’s sad that you left our city. But it’s good to see you again.”

A stern-faced old woman grinned.

Even at over seventy, she exuded this aura of authority.

She’s still as formidable as ever, this fearsome old lady.

“Now, I invited you to the city council because it’s more efficient that way. Can’t refuse a request from the ‘young master.'”

“We’re honored, Mayor Kuto.”

With Saran gracefully taking the noble’s courtesy, the rest of us stood silently.

Well, it’s our first time here, so it’s a bit nerve-wracking.

The city council decides on all matters of governance in Advante.

It’s not every day that adventurers are invited to such a meeting.

“Jurg, straighten up. You’re the Guild Master of Malhas’s Adventurer Guild. There’s nothing odd about you being here.”

“Geez, you haven’t changed a bit, old lady.”

“Call me Mayor Kuto! Your lack of manners is still the same!”

I couldn’t help but look away from the old lady who raised her eyebrows sharply.

I’m aware that I owe her a lot of gratitude, but I’ve also been disciplined by her many times.

Back then, as a novice, I never won against this old lady.

Perhaps that’s why I find her presence so intimidating.

“Mayor Kuto, it’s been a while.”

“Yeah, it has. You’ve got a good look about you now. With a nickname and all, you’re a full-fledged member.”

“It’s all thanks to everyone. I haven’t changed.”

“Your excessive modesty is still as annoying as ever. Your nickname should’ve been something like ‘Almighty Warrior.'”

The grinning old lady finally made sense of Rolo’s nickname.

Rolo’s nickname had oddly become well-known among the common folk, all thanks to the top brass of Advante.

Honestly, if they had acted a bit sooner, ‘Silhasta’ might still be around.

Or perhaps it’s too late now.

“Well then, let’s get started. The meeting is informal. You guys should speak up about what you think is necessary.”

With a dignified stride, the old lady led the way, and we followed her into the conference room.

In the center of the windowless circular room was a large round table, where the heads of various Advante organizations were quietly seated.

Among them was the head of the Thief Guild, whom I met yesterday.

“I’ve kept you waiting. Today, we have guests.”

The old lady, who had taken her seat in the remaining chair, turned her gaze towards us.

As if by prior arrangement, Saran bowed his head.

…I should have done the same, but I seemed to have missed the timing.

“Now, let’s put off everyone’s reports for later and solve the matter these folks have been sniffing around since yesterday. Before the dim-witted Jurg stirs up a hornet’s nest!”

A small wave of laughter suddenly erupted.

Well, I may not be as good as Saran, but as an adventurer and a scout, I’m aware of where the line is drawn.

“So, what are you guys looking for… the ‘culling,’ right?”

“Huh? Why do you say that?”

I couldn’t help but ask in response to the old lady’s words.

Both Saran and Fimia had emphasized not to use that term during information gathering.

Why is it being brought up here?

“I heard it from Saint-dono yesterday.”

The bearded man grinned at Fimia, clearing up my confusion.

I see. If it was information from the Saint at the church, there’s no need to hide it.

“What do you think ‘Salt Dog’?”

“Unfortunately, I heard about it directly from Jurg yesterday. So far, no information has come in that matches your concerns.”

The man, now with neatly combed hair unlike yesterday, shook his head in response.

Nodding in agreement, the old lady turned her gaze to the slightly overweight man.

“What about the Merchant Guild?”

“For now, everything seems to be as usual. The increase in resource influx from the east is definitely their work, and there haven’t been any major changes in the west or north. However, there is one thing…”

The head of the Merchant Guild tilted his head slightly in thought.

“As of now, dungeon resource production, including in Advante, has decreased slightly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m currently reaching out to armed merchants and adventurers for investigation. It’s a modest effort, but I’ve heard that various dungeons across the land are experiencing similar situations ─ isn’t that right?”

The head of the Merchant Guild nodded quietly in response to the man’s query.

This old man is the Guild Master of the Adventurer Guild in Advante.

He’s my colleague, but he’s also a senior adventurer and Guild Master.

“Yeah. The adventurers have been talking about it. Individually, they don’t feel like they’re ‘unlucky’ yet. But if you look at the numbers, they’re gradually declining.”

“What’s the cause?”

The leaders fell silent at the old lady’s question.

While fluctuations in dungeon resource production are abnormal, it doesn’t seem to be related to the ‘culling.’

Could it simply be that the dungeon isn’t in good shape?

“It might be groundless worry…”

Saran spoke up in the now-quiet conference room.

Following his lead, I spoke up too.

“If there’s nothing, then that’s better than anything else. Is there any news of a breakout or overflow somewhere, signs of a major rampage or stampede, or the discovery of dangerous monsters… Anything?”

In response to my words, “Salt Dog” chuckled wryly.

Now, did I say something that would warrant being laughed at?

“I have a clue, breaking heaven’s strike.'”

“Really?”

“Yeah. It happened in Malhas, the ‘Pioneer City,’ far to the east, as reported by Advante.”

At “Salt Dog’s” words, I let out a disappointed sigh.

Well, he’s right, isn’t he?

Both the breakout, the signs of a major rampage, and the dangerous monster Scared beast were indeed events that actually occurred in Malhas.

“On the contrary, no other information has come in besides that. Probably, it’s not just the Thief Guild; merchants and adventurers are in the same boat.”

At “Salt Dog’s” words, the heads of each organization nodded slightly.

In other words, despite coming this far, it seems we’re striking out.

“Sorry we couldn’t be of more help.”

“No, this is also part of the process of elimination. Having nothing is the best outcome.”

In response to the old lady’s words, Saran nodded respectfully.

“If there are any developments, please send a mail bird. We’ll be heading to the capital.”

“And if you come across anything, pass the information to us too. Dealing with the ‘culling’ is terrifying, and you guys alone won’t be able to handle it.”

The old lady threw a sharp glance our way.

With a nod, we quietly excused ourselves from the seemingly ongoing meeting room.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter