The River Town of Donsama (South Side)

After crossing the river that ran through the middle of Donsama, I was so exhausted that I headed straight to the inn. I slept soundly right until just before we were set to depart the next morning.

Man, you really can get good sleep after wearing yourself out.

"The north and south don't look any different to me, but what's really the difference?"

"At least the Adventurer Guilds aren't at odds with each other. That's all that matters for us."

It was all inconsequential for travelers like us anyway.

At most, we had to plaster on smiles while people at the inn said things like, "You stayed in the north yesterday? Oh my. It's so much warmer and more comfortable down here in the south, don't you agree?" As if we could tell any difference.

"Alright, we'll be leaving Donsama today. Is there anything we're forgetting?"

"I ate fish from the carts, then more fish for dinner. I'm set. And if I think of somethin', I can just get it on the way back!"

"As expected of Ichika-san. What about you, Kehma-san?"

"I'm good. We just need to accept a quest from the Adventurer Guild, right?"

"What about resolving the conflict between the inn's parent and child?"

"Pass."

With that settled, we came to South Donsama's Adventurer Guild. Wataru had apparently already delivered the cargo from North Donsama yesterday, so with nothing left to hand over, we smoothly accepted delivery quests for the next town and the capital.

Just as we were about to head outside, someone called out to Wataru.

"Wataru-sama. Just now, a quest was submitted specifically nominating you for an escort to Corky. Would you like to accept it? The person you'd be escorting is a merchant over there."

"Hmm? What do you think, Kehma-san?"

"Wait, you're asking me?" was my first thought, but then I remembered that I'd hired Wataru as my escort.

In that case, I, the client, had the power to decide. By the way, Corky was the name of the next major town on the way to the capital, about three days away by coach.

"The coach is already too cramped to bring another person."

"He has his own."

Wataru spoke while looking at the quest ticket he'd received from the receptionist.

By the way, the reason the receptionist already knew Corky was our destination was because Wataru had openly said, "We're planning to go to the capital via Corky. Do you have any delivery quests?" Nothing suspicious about it, but…

"Why did they nominate Wataru directly? Wouldn't requesting a hero cost a lot more?"

"It happens occasionally. It could be for connections, or maybe being escorted by a hero is itself the goal."

So some people just want to get close to a hero? Makes sense. Flawed or not, he's still a hero. Still, one gold coin for a three-day escort by Wataru seems steep.

"Well, if the quest isn't accepted, it'll be converted to a regular escort quest and some appropriate adventurer will take it. So feel free to decide however you like, Kehma-san."

"Then go ahead and accept it. If you ride on the merchant's wagon, that means one less person in ours."

"Aww… well, fine."

Saying that, Wataru went back to the receptionist to accept the quest. The merchant was overjoyed and asked to shake Wataru's hand, which Wataru obliged.

… So there were quests like this too, huh.

Having finished his greeting, Wataru returned while the merchant hurried outside.

"He asked us to wait a bit longer so he can get more goods."

"I see. If a hero's escorting him, it's basically guaranteed to be safe, so he'd want to load up on goods to recoup the nomination fee."

"Well, the route from here to Corky isn't particularly dangerous to begin with… Though there was a sighting report about a band of thieves in the area, so with him bringing up to four wagons as I specified, it should be a good opportunity to bait them out."

Oh, so he's trying to lure out the thieves. That means this escort is premised on fighting people…?

"Kehma-san, have you ever killed anyone? If you haven't, you don't need to push yourself."

I have as a Dungeon Master, but that's indirect, so…

If we were attacked by thieves… it could come down to me doing it directly. Hmm. That's a bit nerve-wracking.

"By the way, regular C-Ranks are expected to be able to handle escort work… meaning combat against bandits and the like. Kehma-san, you're D-Rank, but how about you? Can you manage?"

"As long as no big shot shows up, probably. Even if I get surrounded, I can stall for time, so save me if things look bad."

"Got it, leave it to me."

I didn't just have the Cloth Golem; I had magic too. I figured I could manage somehow.

Gozoh and Roppu were C-Rank, and Ichika was formerly C-Rank, so they should be fine… and Niku was even stronger than Ichika. Regardless of whether she killed them or not, she could at least subdue them.

By the way, our coachman apparently had combat ability equivalent to a C-Rank adventurer too. As expected of a coachman favored by nobles.

The only problem was Rokuko. She had a Cloth Golem, but I couldn't picture her actually fighting. She had a rapier at her hip, but that was just for show, right?

How was it that Rokuko, who wasn't even human, was the most ordinary person among us?

… Well, I'll have Ichika guard her.

"Alright, shall we wait at our meeting spot, the south gate?"

"Yeah."

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

And so, we ended up waiting at the south gate leading out of Donsama toward the capital.

Ichika had gone off with Niku to the nearby stalls to procure food… Didn't she say she hadn't forgotten anything to eat?

"Still, getting a nomination quest… Wataru really is famous, isn't he?"

"He is a hero, after all."

"It's kind of strange when you see how he's treated at our inn though."

Hearing Rokuko and me chat about him, Wataru popped into our conversation.

"Were you talking about me just now?"

"We were, we were. About how differently people treat you inside versus outside our village."

"Golen Village is special. Because the village chief is Kehma-san, after all."

Wataru spoke as if it were my fault. Rokuko even nodded in agreement. Why though.

Me being village chief has nothing to do with it… I'm just a figurehead, you know. Deputy Village Chief Wozuma, the Adventurer Guild receptionist, and Gozoh as the adventurer representative all have more authority than me.

"Speaking of the village, how are things going with Nerune?"

"Oh, it's going great! We talked about going on a date to Tsuia next time Nerune-san's schedule opens up. So, Rokuko-san, please arrange for Nerune-san to have some time off. Actually, I'll pay, so please give her paid leave."

"Well, I suppose… next time you come by, Wataru, I'll give Nerune some time off. Consider it a favor you owe me."

"Thank you very much!"

Huh? Nerune's always on break whenever Wataru comes by. So she can cater to him properly.

There shouldn't be any problem with her going on a date to Tsuia with him… eh, whatever.

A while later, the merchant we'd be escorting arrived.

He had four covered wagons, loaded to the brim with goods. Apparently the merchants driving the wagons were also packing things in [Storage] on top of that. But wouldn't the wheels break from all that weight and leave us stranded?

Let's stop there. I get the feeling I'll raise some flag if I keep thinking about this.

"Well then, Hero-sama and company, I'm in your capable hands."

"Of course, leave it to us. We could even handle a dragon, so you've got nothing to worry about."

"That is very reassuring."

The merchant then bowed his head toward us as well. Looking forward to working with you for the next three days.

We took the merchant and exited the gate, departing for the next town.

Wataru predicted we'd be attacked, but… even if we were, Wataru would probably handle it so well that everyone would be thinking, "Do we even need anyone besides him?"