Kays Translations

Chapter 335: A mysterious problem

　The subjugation quest Tauro and his team had taken on in the city of Caxart continued for several days.

　During that time, there were no reinforcements from other Adventurers’ Guild branches, and even Tauro and his team became suspicious.

“I don’t see too many adventurers coming from other branches at any price, do you?”

　Ankh bit at the receptionist, Armine, inside the guild.

　Normally he would have stopped him, but Tauro agreed with him, so he didn’t stop him and instead watched the situation 

“That’s right ……. I keep thinking that too, but I’m having trouble because they don’t actually come …….”

　Receptionist Armine shuffles over and apologizes flatly.

“You’re sure you got your request right, right?”

　Tauro reminds her.

“Of course! I have gone through the proper procedures through our superiors and requested each branch to do the same.”

　Receptionist Ermine nodded as she replied in a strong tone of voice.

“If …… that’s the case, then maybe subjugating the Flaming Crabs themselves is unpopular, or this city of Caxart has a bad reputation ……. But the rewards aren’t bad, and if it weren’t for those numbers, it wouldn’t be so hard to defeat them.”

　Tauro pondered as he uttered this.

　Right now, there is absolutely no one who gains from the proliferation of these flaming crabs.

　Count Graunewald, the lord of the city, is in trouble because his tax income has plummeted, and the mayor of this city is probably in the same situation.

　The Adventurers’ Guild must also be in a lose-lose situation, as they are unable to respond to requests.

　But there is a catch.

　First, the fact that they left it to grow so massively.

　Then the fact that the mayor of the town did not send out his territorial troops during that time.

　That the highest rank C+ team of this adventurer’s guild has not made a move.

　This is just one of those cases where It's all too puzzling.

　And during all this time, the many E-ranked teams in this guild show no signs of taking action at all.

　Of course, since this is a subjugation quest of D rank or higher, the adventurer's guild has designated it as D rank or above, but even if subjugation is impossible, there are many things that can be done, such as monitoring to limit the damage and evacuating the residents.

　However, there were no such quests, and Tauro had noticed over the past few days that not a single person was involved.

“Doesn’t the mayor of this town have any intention of sending out soldiers?”

　Tauro put one of the most plausible questions to Armine, the receptionist.

“That's a fair question, but the city's territorial soldiers were originally just barely enough to provide security. And since the current mayor has implemented austerity measures under the guise of cost-cutting, expense cuts were made, the territorial soldiers are shorthanded, and they have their hands full guarding the city.

“Is this town’s finances that bad? I heard that it is the largest city in Count Graunewald’s territory and is quite prosperous from the revenue from the salt.”

"That's right... This town is a salt town. In order to protect that salt, we have to spend some money, but the current mayor insists that this town is wasteful."

　The receptionist, Armine, also seems to have her doubts about this.

　The more I hear about it, the more contradictions there are.

“Is the mayor from somewhere else?”

“No. He is the third generation of the Baron Colon family, who has been in charge of this town for a long time. He took over after the sudden death of his predecessor a few years ago, so I think he was only about 25 years old.”

　I have even more questions.

　If you were put in charge of this city yesterday or today, it is possible that you would make policies without understanding the situation the city is in, but If you've been in this business for generations, you would understand the situation.

　Could it be that the mayor is in a situation where he has some kind of money problem, and as a result of implementing austerity measures, the number of monsters has increased, causing tremendous damage to salt production,, creating a vicious cycle?

　However, quest requests are normally sent to the Adventurers’ Guild by the town mayor, and the rewards are not bad.

　Everything seemed so contradictory that even Tauro had trouble understanding it.

“We are adventurers. We have no choice but to contribute by defeating the flaming crabs again today.”

　Ragune was standing by with Tauro, pretending to think about it, but left it to Tauro, and suggested they went back to the basics..

“……Yes, that’s right. We’re going to take them down and reduce their numbers today as well.”

　Tauro agreed with Ragune’s suggestion.

 “I’m really sorry ……. I’ll check back with you on the topic. …… Please help me take down some more today.”

　The receptionist, Armine, apologized apologetically and sent Tauro and the others on their way.

　That same day, Tauro and his team, the “Black Golden Wings” after defeating the flaming crabs to some extent alone began preparing to return home.

“It’s a little late today, isn’t it?”

　Tauro says to them as he checks the sun is setting.

“Let’s go back to the guild, report on the subjugation, and then go have a quick meal.”

　Ankh suggested, looking like he was ready to drink.

“Yeah, I guess so. The food in this town isn’t bad, so that’s all I’m looking forward to!”

　Ragune had also changed her mind to eating mode at Ankh’s suggestion, and her feet were already heading back to the city.

“…… wait a minute. There are people …… looking at us, but I don’t feel good about it.”

　Tauro identified a figure behind a rock by the salt lake a short distance away.

“Are you saying there is someone who is targeting us?”

　Ankh's face suddenly changed and his face became serious.

"I wouldn't say it's like that, but I feel like they're aware of us and a hint of guilt... Hmm...  what is this feeling? It’s like they’re not interested in us at all."

“If they don’t want to attack us, then we don’t have to deal with them, do we?”

　Ragune offered this dismissive opinion.

“…… I agree. Let’s just go home.”

　Tauro replied and returned to the town of Caxart.

The next day.

　The next day, Tauro and his group, who had accepted the quest, were visiting the salt lake again.

　Tauro then went to check behind the rocks where he had noticed signs of people yesterday.

 “…… Is this leftover food? No, maybe it’s bait?”

　What Tauro saw was a bag that had been eaten away and a small amount of leftover food left inside.

"...It stinks.  I don’t think they would dump their garbage in a place like this. Even for free, there are flaming crabs here."

　Ankh peeks out from behind Tauro to check on the situation.

“……It looks like some people are feeding the flaming crabs and making them multiply."

　Tauro and his group arrived at the cause of the mass outbreak of the monsters.

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