Chapter 61: Commercial Guild

This time, I finished everything quickly in three days, returned to the royal capital, and handed over the 20 Chikki chikki Birds, explaining that it was for Jaeger’s request.

“This time you’re unusually punctual.”

“I had a little errand, so things might be irregular for a while.”

“I understand, but be careful.”

He said something with a meaningful tone as he took the appraisal sheet.

“Eh…what do you mean?”

“Lately, there have been a lot of adventurers wanting to know more about you. I suspect they’re tied to someone, so don’t fall for any strange schemes.”

“Is this about the patrons you mentioned the other day?”

“Yes. You can ignore the low-ranking adventurers trying to join your party, but be careful with those who are connected. Some are wealthy merchants or nobles, but there are shady ones mixed in. If you don’t know the person well, consult Jaeger.”

I thanked Chief Holtz and left the dismantling area. Definitely don’t want any weird connections this time.

This time it was just the 20 Chikki chikki Birds, 77,000 × 20 = 1,540,000 Dara. I handed the appraisal sheet to the settlement counter and told them I would deposit everything.

I booked a room at the Martins Hotel and requested a carriage for tomorrow to go to the commercial guild.

Since starting camping in the cabin, a spacious hotel room feels oddly out of place.

There’s an old saying, “Half a mat to sleep, one mat to lie down.” For adventurers, as long as there’s a place to sleep and a chair to sit and relax, it’s enough.

Of course, only for when camping, though.

After a late breakfast, enjoying tea, I considered keeping a tea set at the cabin as well when the carriage I requested arrived.

It was time to go out in my freshly tailored city clothes.

The guard at the entrance of the commercial guild barely glanced at me as I got off the carriage—free pass.

Looks matter, indeed.

But it’s impossible to hide the fact that I’m a city visitor, and once inside the guild…rows of counters.

Where am I supposed to go?

As I looked at the counter signs, a kind voice asked.

“How may I assist you?”

“I’d like to check my balance and also discuss something.”

“Right this way.” 

They bowed and guided me to a counter in the back, explaining my request to a staff member.

When I presented my adventurer card and requested a balance check, the friendly expression froze, and they mechanically said, “Balance check, understood,” taking my guild card and informing someone behind the desk.

After a while, they returned with a piece of paper, smiling again. Even as an adventurer, the moment they realize you have money, they turn instantly.

“Sir Leon, here is your balance confirmation.”

I took the paper politely, and the balance was… 34,180,000 Dara.

If I have over 30,000,000 Dara, I should be able to buy the magical-enhanced clothing.

“Excuse me, I’d like to inquire about clothing with magical enhancements. Is someone in charge available?”

“I will call the staff; please wait a moment.”

They must have sensed a business opportunity. With a smile, they quickly went inside.

When they returned, they brought along a gruff-looking man, asking in an annoyed voice.

“So you’re the adventurer wanting clothes with magical enhancements?”

“Yes. I’d like to know what kind of magic, and how much it would cost to make the clothes. Depending on the price, I would like to place an order.”

“Hmm. First, the fabric. It’s woven from the silk of weaving spiders deep in the forest. The clothing will have three enhancements: slash-proof, impact-resistant, and magic-attack immunity, plus temperature-regulating magic. Prices: jacket 9,000,000 Dara, pants 7,500,000 Dara, hat and gloves 1,300,000 Dara each. This includes fabric and tailoring, but magic enhancements are separate, 800,000 Dara per item.”

Total 22,300,000 Dara. Cheaper than I expected, though the hat and gloves are surprisingly expensive.

Even the ponchos Jaeger and the others wore were 4,000,000 Dara, but I guess complicated tailoring drives the price up.

“I’d like to order the clothes.”

“Then I’ll prepare the fabric; come here tomorrow at noon.”

With that, the man turned his back and walked away.

Since weaving special thread and adding magic is entirely handmade, the labor cost is high, but at least my wish can be fulfilled.

Measurements were done in the guild’s negotiation room, and I was shown fabric samples. I chose a dark green that blends with the forest.

As a special request, I asked that the pants’ hems, jacket sleeves, and hood be adjustable with cords.

I was told to come back in ten days for a fitting and was informed where to get boots. Payment would be deducted directly from the guild, so no worries about being shortchanged.

The gruff man seemed content since he didn’t have to be friendly to the customer.

I took the carriage to the Rachel Leather Shop on Jorandas Street. The shop was full of flashy armor and saddlery, and even in my tailored city clothes, I felt as if someone might grab me by the collar and toss me out.

A guard outside looked suspiciously at the carriage. As expected, he blocked my way, so before he could speak, I presented the guild’s letter of introduction.

“May I be let through?”

“And what business do you have?”

“I have a commercial guild referral. If you don’t like it, you can turn me away…”

He glanced at the letter, stifled a grunt, and opened the door for me.

Merchants dealing with the wealthy really have a sharp eye for spotting poor customers.

Inside, I handed the letter to a staff member, was shown to a meeting area, and was offered a sofa.

“How may I help you?” 

He asked with a faint smile.

I thought about leaving and coming back later, but decided to handle it quickly.

“I want to make boots with magical enhancements.”

The craftsman was called to measure my feet and determine the shape for the boots.

The boots cost 4,500,000 Dara, and for the magical enhancement, I was told to request it through the Commercial Guild. I asked for them to be made in ten days.

“How would you like to pay?”

I tilted my head, pondering, and was told, “If you sign the certificate, the payment can be withdrawn from the Commercial Guild.” I confirmed the amount, wrote down my adventurer card number and name, and handed it over.

They told me to wait a moment while they sent a servant to the guild. For the first time, tea was served.

I couldn’t help but think sarcastically, “So now that I’m a confirmed customer, you offer tea?” But after taking a sip, I tilted my head again in surprise.

The taste and aroma were far superior to any tea I had drunk before. I had been thinking of buying alcohol to pass the time tonight, but first, I’d have to find some good tea leaves.

The horse gear displayed outside was understandable, but the armor seemed just for show—a display of technical skill.

When I returned to the carriage, I asked if they knew any shops that sold good tea leaves, but all I got was a shrug. Naturally, I would have to make do with whatever tea I could buy at the market for now.

My savings of about 34,000,000 Dara had dropped to just over 7,000,000 Dara, so I decided to go out to earn money to cover the extravagant spending.

I planned to follow the last leg of my royal capital circuit route and, while at it, hunt a few wild beasts.

If I only hunt birds, some would underestimate me, so to keep them in check, I needed bronze-class, second-tier prey.

I wanted a slightly larger haul, so I went beyond the usual grassland boundaries into the forest.

Following the cries of the Chikki chikki Birds, I threw stones with my sling to flush them out, then wrapped the smaller ones in a small “[Whirlwind!]” to bring them in.

Dogs and wolves would gather around the shelter, and I would ring them in, preventing escape before spinning them in a whirlwind and finishing with a short spear.

Being an adventurer is such an easygoing job~♪ 

After a short break, I entered the dismantling area, and as usual, a staff member called Chief Holtz for me.

“Ah, you’re a bit late this time.”

“Well, I went a little deeper into the forest.”

“And the catch?”

“About 40 birds, and for the wild beasts, high orcs, wolves, dogs… around 50 heads.”

“Alright, let’s get them out back then.”

Holtz still couldn’t resist the birds. I wonder if there’s still demand for them.

Breakdown of the catch:

• Chikki chikki Birds: 15
• Runner Birds: 7
• Green Birds: 18
• Red Chickens: 9
• Black Wolves: 11
• Fang Wolves: 8
• Killer Dogs: 14
• Carrions: 7
• Big Horn Boar: 1
• Medium Elk: 1
• High Orcs: 4
• Orcs: 9

“This time there are fewer Runner Birds and more Green Birds.”

“Chikki chikki and Green Birds fly deeper into the forest, so they’re easier to find there. Runner Birds are harder to spot in the forest. And you almost never see Red Chickens that far in.”

“Your hunting skill with the beasts is impressive as ever.”

Well, of course. Spin them around and thrust—one poke is enough.

I handed over my guild card and went to the dining hall, grabbing a mug of ale and sitting at an empty table.

I was still being stared at, but since wearing my custom-made clothes, fewer people seemed to say unnecessary things.

Even as an adventurer, appearances matter, I guess.