Volume 2 Chapter 19

Volume 2 Chapter 19: Additional Means of Travel

Before even a few minutes passed after greetings at the reception, a man ran out from the workshop area.

Wilhelm in his triangular hat, an executive of the shipbuilding guild.

「Carrier-niisan, you came right away? And everyone!」

「Time wasn’t specified, but I thought that for such things the sooner the better. Was it alright?」

「Yes, absolutely. Or rather, thank you for responding to my sudden invitation… And, we don’t have to talk while standing, do we? There is a reception room over there, mind if I guide you there?」

「Sure, show us the way.」

After saying a thing or two to the female clerk, Wilhelm started to walk.

After following him for some dozens of seconds, we reached the parlor at the back of the guild.

The reception room, which was designed to be adjacent to the workshop, was lined with a beautifully decorated table and comfortable sofas.

However, because it was in the immediate vicinity of the workshop, I still could hear the sound of metal being worked. From the glass window in the room also came voices from the work area.

Probably realizing that, Wilhelm wryly smiled as we sat down.

「Welcome to the Shipbuilding guild. Sorry for it being so noisy here.」

「No, no, hearing the sounds of work is interesting in its own way. Berzelia also was happy to see something unusual.」

「Yup! There is a lot of interesting stuff here, so it’s quite fun.」

Visible surprise appeared on Wilhelm’s face when we said that. And—

「…Is that so. It’s my first time hearing that from anyone. I’m glad that you say so.」

He uttered with a delighted expression—

「——Captain, I brought the tea!」

A man and a woman with a tray came in from the door that was left open. But they weren’t alone. Several more people came with them.

Their faces looked familiar—

「Oh? Could it be that you are the sailors that took the icy road back there?」

They were the people that walked to the port with the help of Saki’s magic.

Some should have gone to the hospital after that but looks like everyone returned.

「Yes! You truly saved us there! Thank you very much, Hero of Magic-sama! And her companions as well!」

One after another, they took turns bowing their heads to Saki and us.

「If it wasn’t for your road of ice, I thought that we would be dead…」

「Saki-sama is out savior!」

They were saying in unison.

「No, I was just tagging along.」

On the other hand, Saki responded with the usual frozen smile—

「You guys, get back to work already. I understand how you want to thank them personally, but they are guests. Stop intruding.」

「——Ah, got it, captain! We will leave the tea and sweets and go!」

With Wilhelm’s shouts, the sailors placed the tea and left the room.

However, it didn’t affect the gazes I felt coming from the window connected to the work area at all—

「So that is the Hero of Magic-sama? She is so beautiful.」

「Yes, and so dignified. It’s my first time seeing her in person…」

And we could even hear such voices coming from there. Apparently, Saki’s visit is seen like a pretty big deal.

「Axel was the one who received this job, so I think it’s Axel who should be the center of attention…So why is everyone so stuck on me…」

Muttered Saki with a smile, yet for some reason, a black fog was slightly flowing from her.

In response, Wilhelm apologetically lowered his head.

「Sorry for those rude gazes. They are thankful to Carrier-niisan as well, but looks like they can’t help but be captivated with the hero. From my point of view, carrier-niisan accomplished a pretty amazing feat as well…」

「Haha, it can’t be helped. Saki’s magic is flashy. She uses such elegant and beautiful spells that no one would be able to forget after seeing them even once.」

In fact, Saki played a very big part this time. Of course, she will leave an impression. As I voiced my thoughts, Saki, though blushing, looked at me with a pout.

「I’m happy about your praise, but please don’t just laugh and accept it! Originally, Axel is a lot more amazing…!!!」

「C’mon, if everyone is safe and sound then it doesn’t matter who is more or less amazing.」

Since everyone is fine in the end, then it’s all good. In reply, Saki sighed as if she gave up.

「You really didn’t change one bit. Though I like that about you as well.」

While saying that, Saki clung to me. Looks like she is satisfied, for now, the black magic power is not coming out anymore as well.

While I thought that, Wilhelm showed a somewhat relieved smile, but his face still looked apologetic.

「Hearing that from carrier-niisan takes the weight off my shoulders.」

「No need to be so concerned about us… Ehm, right. One thing about the sailors was on my mind, have all of them been discharged?」

When asked, Wilhelm scratched his head with a clouded expression.

「No, the guys saved by you personally had quite serious injuries. They are still at the hospital. Apparently, they want to get out as soon as possible and repay your favor. They are pretty noisy with all that we want to treat him to a drink! And such. So they are doing quite fine.」

「I see. So not everyone was completely healed.」

「Well. I have a combat job《Captain》so I guess I should say that it’s just me who got so quickly healed due to my abilities and skills.」

There are differences in the speed of recovery depending on level and job.

It’s only natural, so nothing can be done about that.

「But, it’s a matter of time, we just have to wait. If they are alive they will be able to go out into the sea again— Well, enough of the talk about our situation. Passing items to you comes before that.」

Speaking of which, he did say that he has something he wanted to give me.

And while I was wondering, Wilhelm put a leather bag on the table. Inside it was stuffed with banknotes.

「——With gratitude, naturally, first comes money, so I will be giving you this. Lilac was the one who formally put the request, but we will be paying. It became a bit of a delayed payment though.」

「Oh, thank you.」

Upon receiving, the leather bag felt quite heavy in my hands.

Looks like it’s really stuffed.

I wonder if I can put it into the bank of merchants’ guild. For now, I’ll put it into the transportation bag.

「——And this is our main item today. I want you to have this.」

Wilhelm handed a thin metal case that shined silver.

Inside was some white plank with letters engraved on it.

「All-purpose boarding ticket issued by Pisces…? What is this?」

When I tilted my head while reading the letters on the plank, Saki, who peeked into the case from the side, spoke.

「It’s a ticket that allows you to board any ship from the shipbuilding guild. And it’s the top-grade ticket, so you should be able to ride luxury ships and prototype ships as well.」

Saki said narrowing her eyes as if recalling something.

「You are well informed, Saki.」

「Occasionally traveling by boat you would see such tickets at the ticket office. As I remember this eternal free pass costs enough to buy a house in the capital, and it was displayed in a frame.」

「Eh? A whole house?」

When I looked at Wilhelm to confirm if this is true, he looked at me with a wry smile.

「Well, it’s a boarding pass, or should I say free pass, that can be used at any port. We demand a reasonable price for them.」

「But a house is expensive, quite expensive… Or rather, is it really okay for us to take it?」

「No, no, on the contrary, I feel sorry that I can give you only this much despite you saving my life. Besides, it’s precisely because it’s you we are talking about that I want to hand this over. I heard from a lot of people that you are currently traveling. if it suits you, I will be happy if you use this.」

Certainly, we weren’t in a particular rush and this trip doesn’t have any fixed destination.

So, I think it’s nice to have access to such a means of travel.

「Well, that’s in case if you can put your trust… In us… The shipbuilding guild that caused that accident. We will make sure to never repeat such a disgraceful situation, so can you please take it?」

Wilhelm asked me after changing his bitter smile to a serious expression.

Looks like he’s positively fired up from this incident. If so—

「Right. When we get the opportunity for sea travel I will use it with appreciation.」

When I replied so, Wilhelm showed a relieved and bright smile.

「Oh! There is no time limit for its validity so please keep using it!」

Thus, in addition to monetary reward, I also got the means for sea travel.