Chapter 9 - Volume 1 (1/2)

After returning to the City of Winds, we first visited a guard station.

Because the victim, Natalie, was also with us, it was easy to describe the crimes of the bandits.

After handing over the bandits, Natalie bowed in front of me and extended words of gratitude.

「Thank you for saving my life, Axel-san. It is all thanks to you that I’m even able to speak right now.」

With hands on her chest, Natalie speaks words of relief.

Probably, she finally was able to relax after the bandits were thrown in jail by the guards.

「Anyway, it’s great that it didn’t turn into anything serious.」

「Yes. Although some of the luggage was ruined, it’s nothing compared to my life or my body. I will have to just do my best again.」

With a wry smile, Natalie mutters as if talking to herself.

Well, it seems a bit forced, but if she was able to recover then it’s fine.

「Be more careful in the future. —Then, I’ll be going.」

「Eh, Axel-san, are you leaving already?」

「Yes, I only came here for work. I live in the City of Stars.」

The shrine maiden from the temple of job change was supposed to come tonight.

I wasn’t in a hurry but it’s better to return earlier.

「Even though I’m yet to give my gratitude to Axel-san…」

「It all happened by chance so you don’t have to worry that much.」

「But for a merchant… That is…」

And while I was talking with Natalie in front of the guard station—

「Natalie!!!」

From the side, a well-dressed old gentleman jumped out.

And with that momentum, he ran up to Natalie and embraced her.

「Uphuh, G-Grandfather?!」

「Ah, Natalie. My heart almost stopped when I heard that you encountered bandits, thank goodness you are safe…!」

Apparently Natalie’s relative.

Looking at it, they do have some similarities, like hair color or facial features.

「Grandfather. It’s embarrassing.」

「What did you say! I was about to become unable to meet my dear, dear, granddaughter ever again! Please allow me this much…!」

However, more passion could be felt from his demeanor than from Natalie’s. He looks very energetic, unfitting for his age—

「So you are the young man who is said to have saved my granddaughter?」

The old gentleman turned to me. And after looking at my face and transportation bag on my shoulders, narrowed his eyes.

「That backpack, you are a carrier… Aren’t you?」

「Well, yes. That’s right. I only recently have changed my job though.」

To my words, the old gentleman frowned even further.

「Beginner that only recently changed his job… And《Carrier》on top of that, just how could you save my…」

And after saying that much the old gentleman shook his head.

「No, it doesn’t matter right now. What matters is the fact that you saved my granddaughter. I’m the submaster of the merchants guild of this town, Dort Kaufmann. Concerning this incident, you truly have my unyielding gratitude. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.」

「It’s fine. I was only passing by, you don’t have to concern yourself that much.」

I repeated what I have told Natalie, stressing the point even further, but Dort shook his head again with a serious expression.

「It won’t do. You protected my granddaughter. I will be a failure of a merchant if I won’t appropriately compensate for the favor.」

Words filled with power. Not even a hint of a doting grandparent was left in his eyes, only a strong pride as a merchant.