Chapter 12 - Volume 1

The next morning after we were done with the explanations from the shrine maiden and the request from the hero.

I was enjoying breakfast with Berzelia at a cafe near my house.

「Well, it’s been a long time since we relaxed like this, Master.」

「Because I only meant to normally change the job, and yet a lot of unusual stuff came up.」

I tried to search for a cause, but strangely nothing came to light.

However, I understood that I became a carrier through proper means.

Today, I would like to start operating as a beginner 《Carrier》. That’s why—

「Berzelia.I think it might be worthwhile to go around some guilds today, will you go together with me?」

When I asked, Berzelia immediately nodded.

「Of course, if it’s together with Master, I will go anywhere! Ah, but why are you going for guilds?」

「Well, although we completed a few requests, as carriers we are still newbies, right? So I thought it would be better to learn the basics.」

What I understand is that a carrier is supposed to have overwhelmingly low ability scores.

And the convenience of the transport bag, I guess?

We were just that ignorant about the job of a carrier.

「And, the merchants guild also employs carriers, so I might be able to learn a lot there.」

「Aah, you are right. We don’t know much about common tactics for carriers.」

I know that merchants guilds and adventurers guilds are working with carriers.

I don’t have acquaintances at any of those, so I will have to find some suitable big place and get information there. Well, I’ll manage in one way or another.

「For now, I plan to go to the biggest place in this city. Berzelia, please go along with my information gathering.」

「Yup, got it! My dragon ears are good at picking up voices. I will do my best not to miss any talks that might be useful to Master.」

「Yeah. I am counting on you. ——Then, let’s go and talk with people dealing with carriers.」

「Yea!」

And so we were on our way to the guilds of the City of Stars.

●

The first place I and Berzelia visited, was the biggest merchants guild in the city, located in its central area.

It is a three-story wooden building with a liquor store, and from behind the wooden door, a lively buzz of voices could be heard.

The more people there, the easier it is to get information, and it also should be possible to get an introduction from the guild’s reception desk. Therefore, we opened the door and tried to enter—

「……」

The moment I stepped inside the merchants guild, the room turned silent.

On top of that, they are staring at me quite intensively.

The people inside were giving us clearly weird looks.

「Somehow, we are getting weird stares, Master. There is no hostility though…」

「You are right. It’s more like they are seeing something strange.」

They are looking mostly at Berzelia beside me and at the transportation bag on my shoulders.

While walking towards the counter with 『Reception』written on it, I was wondering, why are we gathering so much attention—

「…Hey, why is there a beginner-tier in this guild?」

A silent but clearly distinguishable voice was heard.

The voice came from a group of warriors at a table near the counter. No, they are not alone.

「…He brought a beautiful companion with him, so maybe some rich kid that wandered in here?」

「Haha, someone please tell him. It’s too early for him to come to such a major guild…」

Everyone present in the bar on the first floor was saying something.

Even laughs could be heard.

Judging by their reaction, could it be that this guild was not a place where novices could come?

「Master. When Master is being so obviously mocked it really makes me want to go on a rampage. Can I?」

「Calm down, Berzelia. In a way, this is also a kind of information, so this is good in its own way.」

…Yes, we didn’t know anything about the guild’s conventional practices for getting work or manners in here…

We had to learn from there first.

Although this viewpoint makes me somewhat sick, it’s great that we learned about it right away.

「Muuh……I think Master is too kind….」

「We gained something from this, so it’s fine. Well, though, I also don’t enjoy being ridiculed.」

And while I was talking with Berzelia—

「Hm, it’s strangely noisy, what happened?」

Such a voice was heard from the back of the guild’s counter.

When I turned my eyes to it, there was a well build elderly man.

「Huh?」

「Aah, that mister, I’ve seen him before!」

Both I and Berzelia were familiar with that elderly man.

And it seems that he remembered us as well.

「Y-you are… Axel-kun and Berzelia-kun?!」

「Yeah. You are the old man we encountered at the City of Winds. It’s Kaufmann-san, was it?」

There was the merchant we met the other day at the City of Winds.

「Umu, that’s right. I’m Dort Kaufmann. I’m glad you remember me. And you even came to the branch of my guild.」

「Huh? This is Uncle Dort’s guild?」

I heard that it was in the City of Winds, I expect it to be in this town as well.

「You came without knowing?! Well, my guild is quite large after all. We have branches in almost every city of this country…」

「I’m sorry to say, but it’s my first time hearing about this. I’ve never been close with merchants guilds.」

「…I see, well, you are beginner carrier after all….But this is even more fortunate. Even though I’ve asked for your name and city, I forgot to ask about your residence, so I thought maybe I can find your house today and hence came here, to think I would be able to meet you in person so soon!」

After making a triumphant pose, Dort starts walking towards me.

「And since you came here, I guess it means that you have time? If it’s fine with you, I would like to have a talk with you and show you my hospitality in the VIP room on the second floor. Along with my gratitude for the last time.」

「Aah, well, I don’t mind, but I’m beginner-tier. Should I be using the VIP room?」

In the light of the reaction I received upon entering this guild, I tried to throw those words at him, but Dort only shook his head vigorously.

「What are you saying Axel-kun! If you, my benefactors, won’t use it, then what is the point of having it! 」

「Oh, really? Then, I will accept your offer.」

「Umu, ——Then, follow me without any reservation.」

Having said that, Dort walks in front of me guiding us behind the counter.

Following after Dort, I thought, that although it’s a sudden development, being welcomed feels nice, and then—

「The submaster was really supportive of that carrier…?!」

A voice was heard once again.

However, this time it was really silent, that I barely could pick it up with my ears.

When I looked around trying to find where it came from, the expression’s of most people that were laughing not so long ago now were stained with shock.

Among them, the group of warriors next to the counter had especially horrified expressions.

「That transportation bag means that he is a beginner-tier for sure… Right…? J-Just who is that man…?」

「N-No idea. Maybe he is hiding his status and job?」

「L-let’s apologize later, even if we have to kneel. Otherwise, it won’t end well…!」

The people around were exchanging such words in panic.

The nature of the noise has changed at once.

…Since I’m not sure what is the common treatment for《Carrier》anymore, I decided to ask about that later.

While thinking so, I and Berzelia, lead by Dort, were heading towards the VIP room.