Chapter 54 (2/2)

I was still feeling anxious as I wondered what that reward could mean.

After leaving the castle, we got back into the carriage and went to the Adventurer’s Guild.

After entering the Guild, the official that had been acting as our guide since this morning left us alone. It seems he’s gone off to speak with other officials of the Guild. He told us to wait for him before disappearing behind the counter.

Thanks to this, Gonzalez, the Dark Elf, and I were finally able to talk amongst one another. We sat down together at one of the tables.

“Those guys, they plan to crush us all in one go.”

Gonzalez was the first to speak.

“Seriously, they’re nothing but a joke.”

The Dark Elf nodded in agreement.

They both seem to feel the same way.

While I have no idea why they feel this way. We were able to increase our rank in the army and got other rewards as well so I don’t understand why it’s bad.

“Is that true?”

I asked this to clear up my confusion.

And Gonzalez quickly replied.

“Isn’t it obvious? They just plan on sending their best fighters to the front until we die, and then they’ll just get someone to take our places. Even though we were promoted to sergeant, we’ll basically be acting as chaperones to the new recruits sent into battle. Do you understand? In other words, any knights and other military officials will be sent in after us.”

“Eh, well, certainly.”

“Do you think those guys want to sacrifice soldiers from their own army first? Even those that didn’t come with us today realize this just after seeing how the last battle went. They just come in and kill the few enemies left after we’ve been fighting and dying for hours. They use us to weaken the enemy because we mean absolutely nothing to them.”

“Isn’t it possible that you’re reading too much into it? The war is a major concern for this country and especially this city.”

“That just makes it even clearer. This battle was taking place so close to the city and yet the main forces of the army didn’t arrive until long after the battle was won. The soldiers that fought for the majority of the battle were all adventurers. Almost all of the few knights and lower-ranking officers that were sent with us died but that guy showed hardly any concern over their deaths. Does he not intend to honour those that gave their lives to protect this country?”

“I can understand that.”

“And why wasn’t Henry Sensei called here as well? Even if you’re a foreigner, you should be able to understand how strange this seems. Well, in this case, I’m actually glad Henry Sensei wasn’t summoned. This way, he’ll be able to live longer.”

“I see.”

After hearing Gonzalez’s explanation I felt like I sort of understood what he meant.

It’s like the employees of a subsidiary of a much larger company being forced into working overtime to make up for the larger company’s lack of effort.

“If the regular soldiers from Tricklis’ army were sent to battle, we wouldn’t have had nearly as much trouble, and if we lost that battle, the Pussy Republic would’ve gone on to pillage the surrounding towns, resulting in countless casualties. So, why wouldn’t the Empire want to stop the enemy right then and there?”

“I’m starting to doubt it as well now.”

It’s definitely a strange situation.

“I wanted to speak with the new lord today but she wasn’t even there. I heard she was involved in slaying a dragon, but she seems more concerned with politics right now than the war right on our doorstep. If things stay like this, I really don’t know what will happen to Tricklis in the future.”

“W-Well, what do you mean by that?”

“I’m afraid of what trouble this new lord may cause here. She was given this territory without any input from the people of Tricklis. I’m afraid that she won’t have the support of the people and who knows what that could lead to.”

“I see.”

Ester-chan is probably trying to gather the support of other nobles and politicians at the same time she’s trying to deal with this war.

And Ester-chan doesn’t seem like a very suitable commander.

It’s got me feeling very uneasy.

I think she’d be useful in battle considering her magic is rather formidable.

But that’s it.

Now, I know I can’t return to the capital until this conflict is over.

“Anyway, the rank of Sergeant was just given to us so the higher-ups will have less work for themselves. But it doesn’t matter. As long I’m alive, as long as I’m still breathing, I’ll keep fighting.”

“.”

It seems that I’ve been put in a much harsher environment than I originally thought.

“How many Adventurers Guilds are there in this country?”

“Well, there’s probably one in every major city.”

I see.

It’s just like any fantasy world really.

I really don’t know the basics of this world, so the information Gonzalez is giving me is invaluable.

By the way, the Dark Elf is staying mostly silent.

She’s as gloomy as usual.

“Sorry, I’m really not familiar with this country. Please tell me, are the Guilds limited to this country or are there other Guilds in the surrounding countries?”

“I understand.”

After asking, Gonzalez spoke softly then looked lost in thought.

“The places known as ‘Guilds’ are not only found in this country. They’re similar to blacksmiths or tailors. They’re available throughout any other country and, although occasionally these guilds will work together, more often than not each guild operates independently of any other.”

“I see. They’re similar to a private company.”

“If two countries have good relationships with each other, it’s more than likely that a Guild member from one country would be able to find accommodations at any guildhall in the other country. And it would be the exact opposite if the two countries were enemies. By the way, the Pussy Republic and the Penny Empire were considered to be quite close not too long ago.”

“That was very helpful. Sorry for asking such a strange question.”

“What are you saying? This is nothing. After all, you saved my life more than once.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Is there anything else you’d like to ask? I don’t mind answering any questions you may have. You should take the time to learn as much as you can now. I want you to live a long life.”

“Umm, then I’ll take you up on your offer.”

Gonzalez showed me a bright smile. I could tell he was a good person. This was a great chance for me to learn various things about this world. Things such as financing, how goods are distributed across the country, the transportation available in this world, and finally, how large this country actually is and how many countries are on this continent. For most adults in this world, much, if not all, of this information would be considered common knowledge. The questions I’ve had about this world ever since I first woke up and grabbed Mercedes-chan’s poop have finally been answered for me.

I have a lot of people to thank for getting me this far in this world. But I’d never be able to ask these questions of the noble mage, Sophia-chan, Allen, or any of my other companions.

It would be quite strange to not know how many countries there are on this continent yet I somehow know how to create a medicine that can cure a mysterious illness affecting the princess that has been resistant to all other cures.

But Gonzalez seemed happy to answer any and all questions I had.

His face is definitely scary, but theres no doubt that he’s a good person.