Volume 4 Chapter 0 prologue (2/2)

The guild regularly purchases the items and materials obtained by adventurers in the city and sells them using their connections to trade unions and other sources. However for larger guilds, they still regularly hold a large auction. It was a largely anticipated event as the items sold there were much cheaper due to the items going straight to their customers. I have also been saved by them several times in the past.

[Certainly it would be much more convenient for us to have our own carriage than constantly travelling with a caravan.] (Yuuya)

[That’s right. All high level adventurers have their own carriages as their travelling ability was most important.] (Receptionist)

The merit of a caravan was the security as well as the leisure of enjoying the ride as passengers. However they travelled extremely slowly since the load was much heavier and the horses would require more rest breaks. Furthermore it was also frequently delayed by large-scale activities. They may not be travelling to the town you wanted to go either.

In regards to this, having a horse carriage would allow us to travel multiple times faster since we had a Raptor instead of a horse plus we were able to leave anytime we want. Our party were also considered high-levelled and we would be able to protect ourselves. Currently with a carriage we should be able to travel much more freely than before.

[No it’s okay. I can’t wait until the auction next week.] (Yuuya)

[You don’t have to wait for it. Since it’s a carriage managed by the guild, we could get it to you right away. With this, what do you think?] (Receptionist)

The receptionist showed me the price which was cheap despite the fact that it was a used carriage, at roughly 60% of the market price. However, it wasn’t an amount anyone could carry around leisurely.

[It is an attractive proposal. I’ll make my decision after I take a look at the real thing.] (Yuuya)

Since the carriage was a used one, I had no way of knowing what it’s condition currently is.

[Of course. Now then, this way to our warehouse.] (Receptionist)

Afterwards, following the receptionist’s lead we headed towards the guild’s warehouse. The guild’s warehouse was much larger than a usual warehouse as mountains of goods were constantly being transported in and out of the location. If they had a surplus of magic bags they could make due with a smaller warehouse, however magic bags were expensive which is why they decided to make a larger warehouse. Thus, I carefully inspected the carriage that the receptionist presented to me. It was a good carriage which was spacious enough for five people to idle comfortably. Although as expected it would be too cramped for the five of us to sleep in, so we would have to set up a camp and sleep in our tents at night.

I entered the carriage in order to ensure its craftsmanship and decided that it was okay although it looked somewhat shabby, it had been made by excellent craftsmen and was durable. It had also been well maintained. I was also impressed by its design as the weight of the carriage was minimized by removing unnecessary areas while maintaining its durability.

[So what do you think Yuuya-san?] (Receptionist)

[It is too good and I feel bad for buying it at such a low price.] (Yuuya)

[There’s a simple reason for that you know. It’s worn out and unlike ordinary carriages, raptor carriages are much plain-looking as even the decorations on the carriage were removed for efficiency. Thus they were only used by adventurers.] (Receptionist)

Raptors were stronger and faster than normal horses, however it had a tendency to eat the weaker people and were mostly only obedient to adventurers. People who owned carriages were often the rich who craved recognition and time in the limelight, thus they would avoid this sort of carriages which were much more plain than normal carriages.

[I understand. I’ll buy it. There is also something I have to report. After defeating the Koronoa dragon, I was ambushed by the Crimson Hounds who were upset and we successfully repelled. Because of that, they are somewhat persistent towards us.] (Yuuya)

This was my other purpose for coming to the guild.

[About that, you do not have to worry about it. Outside of the dungeon, among the Crimson Hounds, four men including Gardo Kelrose, the leader of the Crimson Hound had attacked Yuuya-san’s party. It was also reported that you had done it in self-defense against their party as they had been sexually harassing the girls in your party. Because of that we have already detained Gardo on the premise of assault and sexual assault. Of course, Yuuya-san wouldn’t be convicted of any charges.] (Receptionist)

Just how did she know that much? I wanted to ask but I fought back the urge. The only explanation that came to my mind was that there was a spy planted into the Crimson Hound by the guild. I intended to file an assault report in the city but this was a pleasant development.

[I’m glad. I was regretting that fact that I had to resort to attacking once or twice and that I would be punished for doing so. Now I feel much more at ease.] (Yuuya)

[Please leave it to us. It is the guild’s responsibility to punish lawbreakers and detain them. Another curious matter we had was the matter about how you managed to pull out ahead of them and reach the boss without confronting them first.] (Receptionist)

[About that, I’ll reveal it on the condition that it is spread to everyone else in the guild. It isn’t fair for one party to occupy the boss room.] (Yuuya)

Regardless if their boss is detained, the Crimson Hounds won’t stop chasing us for the secret. Thus I plan to expose it to the public as it would be difficult for them to secure both the front and back doors with just seven parties. By sharing the information with the guild, it was possible to share the information with effectively the entire population of adventurers and thus, I told the receptionist everything I knew about the hidden path.

[I understand now. So it’s that kind of method. However, are you sure about publishing it in the guild? Having this sort of information could benefit Yuuya-san’s party greatly. ] (Receptionist)

[I don’t mind it. Please do so.] (Yuuya)

[I understand now that you do not want to keep the information confidential. In that case, the information will be confirmed by the guild today and we’ll publish them tomorrow. Next, do you need help purchasing a Raptor? There is no use for a carriage if there isn’t anything to pull it. There is a ranch dedicated for the guild where you will be able to purchase an excellent raptor.] (Receptionist)

[Ah. Then I’ll have one. I already have one Raptor so I’ll just need a second.] (Yuuya)

As expected it would be too much to expect Raptor to pull a carriage with five of us by himself. With this, our business at the guild was completed.

Until we left the guild, we were allowed to rent the rooms meant for the guild’s guest. With the current situation, it is now possible for us to obtain a high-quality carriage at a low price, secure a safe living quarters while becoming a silver-grade adventurer by the next city. We were also given the opportunity to enter the special dungeon where the Temple of the Primal Flame exists. Over there we’ll be able to obtain a final souvenir before leaving the city. It’ll be great news for Luna and the girls who are waiting at the restaurant.

It’s about time for me to head to the restaurant as I’m sure Luna and Til are already completing and crying out their hunger since I hadn’t arrived yet.

Note: the Primal flame came up previously in the previous volume however I am unsure what I named it back then. I’ll be changing it to the Primal Flame instead.