Chapter 8 - Volume 1 (1/2)

It was around the afternoon when the report on the ending of the abnormal outbreak of goblins and orcs has spread through the City of Wind.

At the same time, I and Berzelia decided to return to the City Of Stars.

During that time, Fang, who apparently has finished with guarding Princess Luna, came to see us off.

「If something happens please contact me, I will run to you right away. Or rather, I will visit you again, so until next time!」

Responding to him by waving our hands, I and Berzelia proceeded towards the southern gates of City of Winds.

After leaving the south gate it was necessary to pass through the woodlands in order to reach the City Of Stars.

And so at the south gate, they were selling various insect repellents, magic tools for avoiding beasts, and lunch boxes for eating along the way.

Also, even though the abnormal outbreak of goblins has ended, a few monsters still remained, so some people were offering their services as guards.

「Hey, buddy. How about hiring me for escort? I’ll make it cheap.」

And some came to promote themselves to me as well.

It was a stern-faced warrior-like man, carrying an axe.

「Escort?」

「Aye. Since you are carrying that transportation bag, you must be a carrier? Traveling with this beginner’s job is dangerous, and on top of it, you even have a woman with you. I don’t mind going along as your guard. How about the payment of 10,000 gold?」

「No, we have no need for that. Besides, for how close the City of Winds and the City Of Stars are, your price is too high.」

「Hey, don’t be like that. Even if it’s close it’s still dangerous. Traveling with non-combatant job… In addition, it’s beginner-tier. You know, a while ago a kid with low-tier job of《Merchant Apprentice》passed here on a carriage, all alone as well. Even if the abnormal outbreak has subsided I don’t think it’s a good idea.」

While faking a smile the warrior-like man makes sales talk. Indeed, what he said made sense and I even wouldn’t have minded hiring him if the distance was greater, but—

「Thank you for your advice. But I don’t need a guard after all. Sorry ’bout that.」

I politely refused his offer. Then—

*Phooey* 「Turning down my kindly offer. I don’t care what will happen to you or that slender girl, buddy…」

Saying such words the stern looking man went away.

The sudden change in attitude left me wondering if he is really suited for a job of a guard or doing business with people in the first place, and beside me, Berzelia let out a long sigh.

「Wow, the City of Winds has all kinds of people. Calling me a slender girl. …So I appear thin… I’m kinda shocked. Even though I train quite a lot since I want Master to rely on me.」

「Hey, don’t worry about that. I like the slender Berzelia. You look lovely.」

「O-oh, really?　Well, since Master says so, I’m fine with being slender.」

While having such conversation I shop near the south gate for a while and then enter the woodland highway.

The green trees weakened sunlight and from time to time a pleasant breeze was blowing through.

…It would be nice if we could return home just casually walking like this.

We weren’t in a rush to return and could eat lunch boxes on the way. As we were walking through the woodlands with such thoughts—

「Kyaaa!」

A scream came from ahead of us.

●

「Hahaha, hunting the guys that got careless just because the abnormal outbreak has ended feels really nice. 」

「Yeah. Yeah, this is a really good spot. Because it’s between the twin cities of Winds and Stars their drop their guards『It will be fine since it’s such a short distance』. Isn’t that right? Little lady《Merchant Apprentice》?」

The first thing I heard after arriving at the place from which the scream came, were hoarse male voices. And—

「Uh, uuuh…」

At a short distance from the woodland highway, one red-haired girl, crouched and all covered in dirt, was surrounded by several brawny men.

Next to her was a bleeding horse and a carriage, and the men surrounding them had blood on their swords. I guess those are—

「Bandits.」

「Seems so.」

Right when I and Berzelia made such an exchange out aloud, the bandits and the girl turned towards us. Furthermore—

「S-save… me…」

The girl with red hair reached out her hand towards us.

However, seeing that, one of the bandits broke out in loud laughter.

「Hahaha, sorry, little merchant lady. That guy has a beginner-tier job. I’d say it’s rather you with your low-tier job, who should be saving them.」

I remember that voice. Or rather, I remember that face as well.

「Huh? You. Ain’t you that warrior from the city, who wanted to escort us?」

Hearing me, the man with a stern looking face slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

「Haha, you’re right. It seems that you, my buddy《Transporter》, will have to learn about real life from me. If only you didn’t get stingy about the payment for escorting I might have guided you so you wouldn’t end up here.」

I see. So from the very beginning, he had no intention to escort anyone, and in fact, was a member of a gang.

「Boss, can we kill him?」

「Yea, it’s not like a carrier would have anything great on him, so I wanted at least to squeeze his money from him….Well, fine. At least some money will pop up. Since he has a fine woman with him and all. Go get him, guys. He might have only a pocket change, but what can you expect from a weak, weak, beginner’s job. It’s a bonus game.」

「Aye aye, Boss!」

Judging by their exchange, that warrior-like man appears to be their leader.

Looking at the bandits, who after nodding to his order were approaching us in silence, Berzelia quietly asked me, with a bit of anger was mixed in her voice—

「Hmm, they really pissed me off making fun of Master. Can I do it?」

「No, if I leave it to you right now, you won’t be able to restrain yourself and will turn it into a bloodbath, I will do it. It just happens that I wanted to experiment with my skills. With wrongdoers as the opponents, it won’t be a big deal l if I go a bit overboard. 」

「Experiment?」

Talking with Berzelia I thrust my hand into the transportation bag.

And then I pull out a single sword. It’s the long sword that I used as a dragon knight. Seeing that, the bandits laugh mockingly.

「Hey, don’t you have a good sword for a frail beginner.」

「Hehe, it’s wasted with your beginner’s job. We will have it!　We will earn it our《Bandit》’s way, carrier lad.」

With those words, the bandits run up to me.

So I assume a stance and reply.

「Indeed. Then, as《Carrier》I shall transport you to the city guards…!」

●

The leader of the bandits was smiling looking at the trembling girl in front of him.

To be more precise, looking at a work permit that was left in the carriage, with her real name written on it.

「Good, good. Today we got top quality goods, a relative of the big shot from the guild. Everything else is just pocket change, so it would be better to withdraw quickly. Right, Natalie Kaufmann-chan?」

The red-haired girl shook her body when the bandit’s leader said the name.

「Kaufmann, huh. That’s one name I often hear at the merchants guild. This smells like money, I’m quite happy.」

While shaking the girl called Natalie was glaring back at the bandit’s leader.

「I-it’s a waste of time. Neither my father nor grandfather would lift even a finger for my sake. There is no way they would allow such lowlife to take advantage of them.」

「That’s not for you to decide, missy. And calling us lowlifes is quite harsh. You know, we are very kind people. After all, we are regularly educating those with beginner and low tier jobs. If a beginner tries to go outside of town, he might go through a very painful experience, and then die…!」

「Hii…」

The bandit’s leader drew his swords as if trying to show off before Natalie. It was at that moment.

「Guaaa!」