Volume 2 Chapter 6 (1/2)

Volume 2 Chapter 6: Dashing Through the Sky for the First Task in the City of Water

Spending the night at the inn in the City of Water, early in the morning we went out for a walk around the city with Berzelia.

No matter how long we will stay here or what kind of work we will perform, memorizing the structure of the city won’t be a loss.

With these thoughts, I was walking around the city with a map at hand.

「It’s great that we were able to get the city map from the chief in the morning」

「Yeah, I also was surprised that they would make our accommodation free of charge.」

In the morning, when I tried to pay for our stay and meals, Lilac rejected it saying that『To honor our acquaintance I’ll make it free』.

「Well, that’s nice but I would like to pay her back somehow.」

「You’re right. The food was delicious and came in big servings, the room was also great.」

Chatting about such things, we went for a hill not that far from the inn and took a look at the surroundings.

「Unlike the City of Stars, this city has rivers passing through it. Everyone seems to be traveling on boats.」

Berzelia said, pointing at the river running near the center of the city.

A beautiful river, sparkling in the morning sun. Although it is early morning, several boats are moving around, carrying people.

……So boats are the primary method of movement here?

However, as the width of the river barely had a few meters it would be easy to jump over it.

In such a case, there might be even more jumping than in the City of Stars, I thought, following the flow of the river and boats with my eyes, then—

……That is a harbor, huh?

I saw a big port in the distance.

An enormous ship stood there.

With『Regular Service』written on the hull in large letters, I caught sight of luggage being carried on board.

…That’s right. There are such methods of transportation as well.

And while thinking that there is a lot to transportation, I tried to return to my room at the inn, when—

「Damn, forgetting the load for the ship, a mistake even a rookie wouldn’t make… Didn’t I tell you to check it every time?」

「Sorry, Boss…」

Such voices were heard as soon as I opened the entrance door.

There, next to the counter I saw a metal container, a dejected man, and a frowning Lilac.

Then, Lilac seems to have noticed that I came in and looked my way with a wry smile.

「Ah, Axel-san. That’s some weird display we made here. Sorry for this early in the morning.」

「No, it’s fine… By the way, not to be a meddler, but that huge ship is still in the port, if you rush you might make it in time?」

Lilac shook her head when I conveyed what I just saw.

「Thank you for the information. But from here to the port it would take at least twenty minutes even for our fastest bearer. And with such a heavy load, it will take even longer.」

Lilac lightly pushed the container with her feet. Producing a sound of heavy object dragging on the ground it certainly seems to be quite heavy.

「And there is only ten minutes before the departure, we ain’t going to make it in time. And that is the type of ship that will never delay the departure even if I were to contact them.」

Lilac breathed a sigh of resignation.

「Ah, but, if there are ten minutes, want me to carry it to the ship?」

She even made my accommodation free, so I should repay her somehow. That’s why I suggested that but—

「Hm?」

She tilted her head and gave me a very puzzled look.

「That is, of course, if they accept baggage until the very last minute. If they are already done, then as expected, it might pose a problem.」

「N-no, it’s fine. The package has a magic seal on it, if you show it they should accept it immediately…」

「I see. Then it’s all good.」

If I only have to deliver it then it’s simple. Is what I implied by those words—

「N-No, no, no, no!　Please wait!　In the city where roads are cut off by rivers and bodies of water all over the place, it will take at least twenty minutes, just how……」

「It’s okay. With five minutes of time, you can easily reach it by going in a straight line and will still have time to spare. And I also want to grasp the feeling for movement in this city. It’ll be really nice if you were to leave this one to me.」

When I said that, Lilac went hmmm… With a troubled look.

「W-Well, if you say so, then I’ll leave it to you. But don’t be too rash. 　If you are trying to do something reckless to repay for a freebie then don’t mind it, we are going it be fine.」

「Yeah, understood. Berzelia, what are you going to do?」

「I’ll go along.」

「Okay then, let’s go together.」

Saying that, I received the request form for delivery of the baggage to the ship and the metal container, which I then slid into the transportation bag.

「Well, we’ll be going without much rush.」

Going just outside the inn I immediately take a huge leap.

That took me over the river and landing on top of a roof I run straight to the port.

Perhaps to protect from the sea breeze, the roofs had strong magical protection on them and weren’t fragile enough to break from us running on top. Thus, we could accelerate without any worries, allowing us to run like the wind.

「——Phew, arrived.」

In one breath with Berzelia I land in front of the ship at the port.

「What, what are you people……?!」

Perhaps because we fell from the sky, but sailors that stood in front of the ship were looking at us with eyes full of caution.

「Oh, we are not someone suspicions. I’m a carrier who came from the Marine guild to transport a package. You still do accept baggage, right?」

When I stated my purpose, the eyes of the crewman turned to those of suspicion.

「G-Goods from the Marine Guild, you say?」