Chapter 102 - Buying A Carriage

After leaving the Manor of the Wester Family, Ellena and I went straight to the adventurers' guild. However, just after entering the establishment, people are looking at her with different kinds of gazes. 

There are people who are scared of her!

Points started to emerge out of nowhere, as there were also those who sent malicious auras to her. What's happening?!

These bothering gazes didn't take a rest until she got into the receptionist's desk. There, Ellena surrendered her bronze guild card and requested the silver.

But don't forget the points! 

I swiftly collected a total of 30 points! This is a lottery jackpot prize! I wonder what's the reason why they are scared of Ellena. I can't remember a notable incident that will make them scared of her.

"Uhm... I'm here for the silver guild card." Ellena said to the receptionist who also attended her when she changed her name on it.

"Hm... Wait a minute, please," she responded while she took Ellena's old guild card and updated it using an artifact.

She swiped the card on top of the artifact that seems to be... a microscope? I don't know, but the resemblance is there. 

After that, she slides the lining of the card over the seeming lenses of the microscope. I don't know what to describe it as, but it's a different object. Nothing similar to an actual microscope.

A few moments later, Ellena's card changed into silver and then the history of her achievements and contribution disappeared.

So, it was like that? After she gets promoted to a higher rank, her past history will be wiped out to make way for another one.

I guess that's how their database works. This place is pretty populated to be exact and the staff inside barely accommodates everyone's concerns.

"Here. Thank you for your assistance." the receptionist said after handing out the guild card to her.

Ellena showed some reluctance. She hesitated about whether she'd ask the question or not.

"Just ask it. Why would you be bothered by it anyway? " I snorted at her.

'Just shut up. This receptionist is the nicest here. I can't be rude to her.' she retorted.

"Okay, go on. Sorry for bothering you." I said in an irritated manner, but it wasn't that big deal. It was just a joke, to be honest.

Ellena finally asked the receptionist.

"By the way, why are the people giving me that kind of gaze?" She pointed to the people who had been intently staring at her since the beginning.

"Ah... It's because of a rumor."

"Rumor?"

"Yes. After the test, people started talking about what happened inside the forest. Some say that you killed the participants who died because of a fake announcement, and some say that you are the reason why the other participants were almost killed."

Ellena was frozen after hearing it. That happened in the entire 4 days? Well, that's a long time, but still, what kind of rumors are these people making?

"I see. Thank you very much." Ellena bowed a little.

"No problem."

Ellena left the receptionist's desk and moved her way outside the building. This is supposed to be the day that we will return to Azmar. However, it's problematic since there are people who are wary of her and some are also hostile towards her.

This will also be a problem if the group from Uno's organization comes to her.

'Let's go. I'll change first so people won't recognize me as 'The Masked Monster',' she said to me in a ridiculed tone.

I couldn't help but snicker.

After going back to the inn, Ellena changed swiftly and then left the inn afterward.

For the journey, she tried to hire a carriage at a shop that sells different types of carriage services. However, we don't know that they don't have a renting service, which also means hiring isn't accepted here.

"This is going to be a problem. We should have planned this first." I said.

'I was complacent when I sometimes saw this shop. But alas, I was unprepared.'

"Can you just ask what you can do with it? I guess they have some suggestions." 

Ellena nodded and approached staff at the shop.

"Excuse me, can I ask? What do you think I should do so that I can still go to Azmar?"

"You can hire some slaves, young miss." 

Zap!

The staff was surprised at the sudden light that flashed.

Ellena almost released — no, almost is an understatement — as she almost crisped the shop floor. Hearing it, she was struck by lightning, recalling the traumatic experience of being a slave.

I am concerned. Really... As this was sensitive to her, and the staff just casually said it.

But it wasn't his fault, and it was no one's fault. Slave trading is legal in this world, especially in this place where human resources are considered an industry.

But human resources didn't mean hiring here. It means literal human resources, where they consider some humans as properties — objects.

"What did you say?" Ellena said in an inaudible tone.

"Be careful, Ellena. You might release another bolt of lightning." I said.

When Ellena heard my voice, she snapped and soothed down. 

Ha... That was scary...

The staff was agitated. Obviously, he was trembling and a point appeared in his head.

That's fast!

"S-Sorry! I didn't mean to sa-!"

"No. I'm sorry. I will pay for the damage, and for what you said, can you continue it?"

I think something is starting to form in Ellena's head. I didn't mishear it, right? She was asking to have him continue? Is she planning to follow his suggestion?

"S-Sorry." The staff was still agitated, but he had to be professional. Thus, he stood straight and continued. 

"You can buy slaves. There are slaves who have talents as they were not random people in reality. If you... want to go to the Azmar without walking or on feet, you can buy a carriage and a slave to drive it."

Ellena breathes out.

"Okay. Sorry again. I would like to buy one and here is the payment for the damages." Ellena said and handed out a specific number of gold coins.

The staff immediately took it and swiftly moved away, as if he was about to run.

"Ellena, what makes you ask him about slaves?" I asked.

'It's because I thought it would be immature of me to show it to someone. Well, slaves are normal, but for me who experienced it, it was a sensitive matter. '

I see... So it was like that.... She was trying to understand some things that were sensitive to her in order to be flexible in handling things.