Kays Translations

Chapter 333: Starting from the City of Salt

　Tauro and his team, Black-Gold Wings, were visiting Caxart, a city in the northwest roughly a week’s journey from the Royal Capital.

　Caxart was the largest city in Count Graunewald’s domain. The territorial capital was Graunewald, but Caxart stood beside an enormous salt lake, and the salt produced there was the domain’s greatest source of revenue. The wealth generated by the city was one reason House Graunewald was regarded as a leading power within the neutral noble faction.

　Tauro had decided to visit after Count Graunewald mentioned a problem during dinner with him and Aida.

“Actually, monsters have recently begun multiplying throughout the salt lake in our territory, and we’re having considerable trouble dealing with them.”

　As both an adventurer and the couple’s adopted son, Tauro wanted to be useful to the domain he’d one day inherit. After discussing the matter with Ragune and Ankh, he had set out for Caxart.

　The city was larger than any of them had expected. It had been constructed across broad, level ground and seemed to spread endlessly in every direction.

“This is an enormous city,” Ragune observed.

“It’s the largest in the count’s domain,” Ankh replied. “Most of the salt used throughout the northwestern region comes either from this lake or from rock-salt deposits in the mountains. I’ve passed through Caxart several times before.”

“Even so, it doesn’t feel very lively for a city of this size. Of course, I may be comparing it unfairly with the Royal Capital…”

　That was Ragune’s first impression after they entered the gates.

“You’re right,” Ankh said after looking around. “I was last here almost two years ago, and the city had far more energy then. The mass appearance of monsters in the salt lake must be affecting everyone.”

“If the city can no longer produce salt, its greatest source of income has stopped. It’s no wonder the atmosphere is so gloomy,” Tauro said.

　He then turned his attention to their immediate plans.

“First, let’s find an inn. After that, we’ll visit the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“All right. But Leader, since you’re the lord’s eldest son and heir, shouldn’t you also present yourself to the mayor?” Ankh asked.

“Hmm… I was adopted only recently, and Count Graunewald hasn’t yet formally introduced me to the officials throughout his domain. It would create unnecessary confusion if a thirteen-year-old suddenly appeared and announced that he was the count’s successor. This time, I want to concentrate on resolving the problem as an adventurer.”

　Tauro was cautious about approaching the city administration before his status had been publicly established.

“That makes sense,” Ankh agreed. “The mayor would be bewildered if you arrived without warning. Traveling through the domain incognito and exterminating monsters for its people might not be a bad idea either.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Ragune said with a smile. “The three of us can travel from place to place, defeat monsters, and help everyone we meet.”

“Then let’s secure rooms and head straight to the guild.”

　The three began searching for an inn.

　My name is Armine, and I’m a receptionist at the Caxart branch of the Adventurers’ Guild.

　I have four years of experience in this glamorous profession.

　Caxart is wealthy because of its salt, which means all sorts of suspicious people come here hoping to make easy money. After dealing with so many of them, I’ve become quite good at recognizing trouble.

　And every instinct I possess is warning me that these three are suspicious.

　The boy’s silver tag identifies him as D-plus, and his guild record says he’s only thirteen years old.

　He has dull blond hair, blue eyes, and an innocent face. Nothing about him looks like a veteran of the D-rank band.

　Yet he claims to lead an adventuring team called Black-Gold Wings, which was previously active in the Royal Capital.

　His companions are no less peculiar.

　One is a striking warrior with long black hair and golden eyes – and she’s dragonfolk, an extraordinarily rare sight in this part of the kingdom.

　The other is a rough-looking man with shaggy red hair and black equipment from head to toe. I assumed he must be the most experienced member, but according to the records, he has the shortest adventuring career of the three.

　Their combination is so improbable that I checked their tags twice to make certain they weren’t frauds pretending to be adventurers.

　…They’re genuine.

　Armine concealed her doubts behind the most popular professional smile in the branch. Her long purple hair framed purple eyes, and her curvaceous appearance made that smile particularly effective with customers.

“This is extremely helpful. Our branch is desperately short of qualified adventurers, and we have requested reinforcements from neighboring branches. I never expected a team to be dispatched all the way from the Royal Capital.”

“We weren’t dispatched in response to a request,” Tauro clarified. “We heard that monsters were multiplying in the salt lake and came to investigate. Could you tell us about the subjugation quest?”

“Oh, I see. The local residents are suffering because of a monster called the Flaming Crab. Each one is considered a D-minus-or-higher subjugation target, and very few adventurers registered at this branch can handle them. That’s why we requested outside assistance.”

“What, miss? This branch has almost nobody in the D-rank band or above?” Ankh asked from behind Tauro.

“Caxart normally produces very few monster-subjugation requests. Most problems that do arise can be handled within the E-rank band. Although the city is large, there isn’t enough high-ranked work to attract powerful adventurers, so most of those registered here are E rank or below.”

“What rank is the strongest team based at this branch?” Ragune asked.

“Our leading team is a veteran C-plus team. However, the mayor frequently gives them nominated requests, and they apparently won’t participate in the current subjugation. That makes Black-Gold Wings the highest-ranked team presently available to us.”

“We’re the strongest available team?” Ankh repeated. “Does that C-plus team always work for the mayor?”

“The mayor trusts them deeply and regularly requests them by name. Ah – guild confidentiality prevents me from discussing the details.”

　Armine covered her mouth with deliberate exaggeration.

“Then how many other adventurers in the D-rank band or above are available?” Tauro asked.

“There’s one D-rank team, but the mayor has sent them away on another request. Therefore… none.”

　Armine once again acted as though she could reveal nothing more.

　So, until the reinforcements arrive, it really is only us.

　Tauro finally understood the situation facing the branch.

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