Kays Translations

Chapter 11

The capital city Lindblum apparently isn’t strictly a castle town.

The royal castle is built outside the capital’s boundaries on adjacent land, and accordingly, the royal family does not get involved in the administration of Lindblum at all.

Instead, the city’s management is handled by representatives of various artisans, merchants, and other guild-like assemblies living in the capital.

Of course, this doesn’t mean the relationship is bad — the kingdom still dispatches knights who cooperate in maintaining public order.

From what I’ve heard, it sounds like quite a good city.

It feels a little closer to a modern style of governance compared to what I know.

“Hmm… Same-san, you are not just an ordinary adventurer, are you? You clearly understood what I explained and how it relates to city development. Besides, you efficiently prepared unfamiliar dishes during the journey, which is unusual for typical adventurers. I don’t mean to say anything bad, but adventurers generally aren’t that educated. I have no intention to pry into your background… but perhaps you could shine in another field? I hold you in high regard.”

“Eh? No, it’s not like that…”

I’ve been having many deep talks with the head of the trading company, and maybe I was a bit careless.

After all, I’m a Japanese person who received proper compulsory education.

I thought I understood the basics of society and history well enough to follow what the company head said, but maybe that made me stand out as odd.

“If you can even do some calculations, I’d want to hire you right away as a bodyguard and employee at my trading company.”

“Hahaha… If I can’t make a living otherwise, I might ask for that…”

“Same-san, I’m serious, you know? Our company is very hungry for talent.”

I seriously underestimated merchants in a real fantasy world.

Well, I guess it’s natural merchants want educated people, since schooling isn’t common here.

“Merchant, merchant, what about me? Do you want me?”

“Hahaha, young lady, I’d definitely want to hire you as a sales clerk.”

Ah, how cute. Melt really is soothing just to look at.

Well, looks like you’ve already got a job lined up.

“Same, I see a big city. That must be Lindblum.”

“Oh!”

Following Melt’s words, I looked toward the direction the carriage was going, and saw city walls stretching so wide that both ends were out of sight.

It looked like a city-state.

“We’re heading straight to our shop, but you and Same will get off at the Lindblum Guild along the way, right?”

“Yes, I plan to submit my transfer notice there.”

“What should I do?”

“Melt, you’ll register as an adventurer there.”

“Got it! An adventurer, huh? It feels nice to get a title like that.”

I see. The title of adventurer does have a certain appeal.

Maybe it’s best to register at the guild under another identity besides Same.

Since I’ve already met my former classmates as Same once, it’s better to have an alternate ID and appearance ready.

At the same time, I promised to share some info with Melt, so I want to think about how to act when using a different identity as well.

So, as the carriage rolled on, we moved through the bustling streets of Lindblum, incomparable to Golda.

“Amazing… so many beastmen in the city… I can’t believe it…”

“You look happy, Melt.”

“Yeah, really happy… We’re not hated! Everyone’s living normal lives in the city! I can become like them too, right?!”

Seeing Melt, moved to tears while looking at the city, tightened my chest.

She talked lightly about her past, but deep down she must have carried loneliness and despair from her harsh experiences.

…Indeed, in this country beastmen live alongside humans normally. There’s no difference in clothing, and it’s not uncommon to see them laughing together.

This must be how the world is meant to be.

Golda was the abnormal one, that’s for sure.

Then… what will happen to my former classmates who are being used in that strange country?

If a war ever happens, I’d side with this country.

“There it is, both of you. The ‘General Guild’ of Lindblum.”

“General Guild…?”

“Yes. The capital is vast. Though many guilds operated by various groups exist, having them scattered is inconvenient. So all guilds—from blacksmiths to housekeepers, adventurers to explorers—are gathered in this one building.”

“Wow! There are that many kinds?”

No way! Then even characters with crafting professions can register in their respective guilds!

This makes me feel secure in case anything happens.

“Melt, we’re getting off here.”

“Okay! Wow, what a huge building!”

“Yeah, it’s really big.”

It’s actually about the size of a shopping mall.

Maybe there’s a guild that suits Melt besides adventurers.

“Well then, we part ways here. But I’d like to talk more about buying that raw gem, so I hope you’ll visit our trading company within a few days…”

“Understood. Where is it?”

“This street is called ‘Guild Street.’ Our trading company office is in the ‘Commercial District,’ so you’ll find it easily if you head there.”

“Got it.”

I have to remember that.

As I waved goodbye and reached for the guild’s door, I suddenly realized Melt was nowhere to be seen beside me.

Wait, where did that fox girl go!?

“There you are! Melt, what are you doing?”

A little ways off, she was looking curiously at the goods displayed outside a flower shop.

If I take my eyes off her even for a moment, she disappears… I’m worried.

“Ah, Same. Look, they’re selling flowers. I didn’t know flowers could be sold.”

“Ah, I guess that would seem fresh to you, since you’ve lived in the mountains for so long.”

“Yeah, I never thought of flowers without any medicinal properties being something to sell. My grandma used to sell medicinal herbs and processed goods to traveling merchants, though.”

So that’s what surprised her—makes sense.

“See, flowers are beautiful, right? But in the city, it’s rare to see them blooming naturally. So people buy them to decorate their homes or plant in their gardens.”

“I see… That’s a lovely idea. If I ever buy a house, I’ll plant lots of flowers in the garden.”

“Haha, yeah, that sounds nice.”

Seeing Melt talk about such a cute dream made even the shopkeeper lady smile warmly.

…A house, huh? I should really find a good place.

Not just for Melt, but also to test the capabilities of my vast number of characters.

A safe, private base is absolutely necessary—no question about it.

So many of my characters ended up as “storage alts” for various reasons.

There are even some that I sealed away because their job combos were so broken it made the game boring.

Some job combinations are just taboo—not officially, but everyone avoids them because they ruin the challenge.

And this isn’t a game world. There are no restrictions here.

I might even be able to stack buffs and use abilities without limitations.

“Same, what’s up? Why are you grinning like that? Are you really that excited to plant flowers?”

“Huh? Oh, no, it’s nothing. Anyway, let’s head to the General Guild.”

Oops. I let my desires and daydreams run wild for a second.

I make sure not to lose sight of Melt as we head to the General Guild.

“It’s so big inside too! It’s huge! Same, what do we do? Where should we go!?”

“Don’t yell like that, people will laugh at us. First… let’s head to the reception so you can register as an adventurer.”

“Okay… I’m finally going to become Adventurer Melt…”

Too late. People are already chuckling around us.

Please don’t laugh! She’s just a country girl! She lived in the mountains!

Among the many reception counters, I realized something terrible—I couldn’t even tell which one was for the Adventurer Guild.

I can’t read.

Maybe, just maybe, I could use some kind of character-based bonus to learn. I do have a character with the “Scholar” job, after all.

I should try that soon.

“Same, I think the adventurer guild is over there.”

“Oh, right. You can read, can’t you, Melt.”

I might not be able to live without Melt anymore.

Damn… I thought of her as a kid or little sister, but now I’m totally relying on her in practical ways…

Please teach me how to read later.

“Welcome to the Adventurer Guild reception. What can we do for you today?”

“Hi, I came from the Golda Kingdom. I’m here to submit a transfer form.”

“A transfer from outside, understood. May I see your guild tag for verification?”

I explained my purpose, and they asked to see my tag.

I have it—it looks a bit like a microchip.

Probably magic? I don’t really get it.

“Same-san… your request history is… just one escort mission? That’s quite an unusual record.”

“Yeah. Actually, I was encouraged to transfer pretty early on, and they let me join in on the escort mission.”

“I see, that makes sense. Your combat skills, though… this is an impressive evaluation. And being recognized by her… then we’ll classify you as a ‘Ruby Rank Adventurer’ who’s eligible for combat-related requests here as well.”

“Sorry, that’s the first I’ve heard of that rank.”

“Of course, it’s a system not used in Golda. It’s basically a way to categorize the types of jobs you’re allowed to take.”

Ah, I see. So it’s like the usual F-to-S rank system?

Apparently, normally a first-time registrant isn’t allowed to take on combat missions.

Stone Rank: For newcomers—allowed to take simple gathering or urban work in safe areas.

Shining Stone Rank: Slightly advanced—permitted to gather outside of town or deliver short-distance packages.

Crystal Stone Rank: Can take gathering missions in places where monsters might appear.

Topaz Rank: Qualified to take on monster-hunting missions.

Emerald Rank: A full-fledged adventurer—can accept jobs that might involve human conflict.

Ruby Rank: Proven combat skills—can accept missions involving matters of life and death.

Sapphire Rank: Awarded to those with significant achievements and contributions to the guild.

Jewel Rank: Granted to individuals recognized by the country with status and honor.

“So it seems.”

What’s with this country’s obsession with gemstones?

No, more importantly… isn’t “Ruby Rank” actually a really high rank?

Why did it end up like that? Was that combat test at the reception desk really that serious?

It honestly feels like they deliberately inflated my rank just to sneak me into that escort mission.

“No, the reception desk at the Golda branch—or rather, the combat instructor there—personally acknowledged your abilities. So I believe your combat skills genuinely qualify as Ruby Rank without question.”

“Is that so…”

That slightly sadistic lady seems to have been quite a capable person.

“Um, may I ask one more favor?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“Actually—”

I gently push Melt, who was idly standing behind me looking bored, up to the front.

“I’d like to register this girl with the Adventurer Guild.”

“Oh, is it my turn now!? Please, I want to become an adventurer!”

Melt declares with a bright and eager tone, and the receptionist smiles warmly at her enthusiasm.

“Oh my, how rare. Are you by any chance of the white fox tribe, young lady?”

“Huh? Ah—yeah, I’m from the white fox tribe.”

Hm? I felt like Melt hesitated for a moment just now.

“How old are you? Can you write? You’ll need to fill out this form.”

“No problem. Can I fill it out here?”

“Sure, please use the desk next to us.”

As Melt moves over to the next desk, I follow her and decide to ask what had been bothering me.

“You hesitated for a moment when she mentioned the white fox tribe, didn’t you?”

“Yeah. I think I mentioned it briefly before, but… I’m actually from the silver fox tribe. But everyone thinks they’re extinct, so I figured I should just keep quiet about it. You’re not allowed to tell anyone either, okay? Promise me.”

She whispers quietly into my ear.

“Got it. But you have to keep my secrets too, deal?”

“Okay! I promise I’ll keep your secrets.”

I see—so she’s from a rare race.

The fact that she could make the judgment to hide that herself shows that, despite her childish mannerisms, she’s actually pretty clever.

Well, appearance-wise she looks like a high schooler, but her behavior is so childlike…

After finishing the paperwork, she goes to submit it, and now it’s time for them to assess what rank she should be placed at.

Since the process would take a while, Melt is escorted to a different room, and I’m allowed to accompany her as a guardian.

Now then… I wonder how they’ll evaluate this young lady?

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter