179-163 Abandoned mine (4)

As Diora had said, the response was quite prompt.

The next day, while I was leisurely watching Toya improve the bunk, a messenger from the guild came and asked me to come to the guild first thing in the afternoon.

I did as I was told, ate lunch, and visited the guild, where I was taken to a room I would not normally enter.

The room was furnished with high quality Laffan specialty furniture, as if it was a place to receive guests.

After a few moments of waiting, a middle-aged man entered the room, looking a bit pompous - not in terms of his attitude, but in terms of the atmosphere.

As Haruka and Natsuki stood to greet him, we hurriedly stood up and bowed.

I'm not sure what to say.

The man smiled and took a seat, and we sat down again as he asked us to.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Joseph Fader, Raffan's deputy.

My name is Natsuki. This is Haruka and Yuki, as well as Toya and Nao.

Each of them bowed as Natsuki introduced them.

Normally, Haruka would be the one to negotiate, but since they were dealing with a high-ranking person, Natsuki, who was used to dealing with such people, was in charge.

Diora said that since he was an adventurer, he would be tolerated as long as he didn't do anything rude, but I guess it's better to make a good impression.

In fact, I was also told that it would be better if a man, specifically Nao, negotiated with her, but I wasn't sure, so I asked Natsuki to do it this time.

With her good looks, I'm sure she can handle the gender difference.

I'm sure she can handle the gender difference.

I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you.

"No, sir. It would be a great honor if our knowledge could contribute to the peace and stability of this city.

Natsuki also said something that was (probably) not in his mind when the deputy said something low and calm.

I'm sure you think it's nice to have peace, but I'm sure you don't think it's an honor.

Well, all he has to do is say it.

There is no need to be aggressive.

"Well, well, well. Thank you very much. However, as the governor of this town, I can't take advantage of your kindness. I'll give you this, though it's a small gift.

"Thank you, sir.

Natsuki accepted the small bag on the table.

I don't know how much is in it, but if it's gold, it's a good amount, right?

I don't think it's silver coins,......, but I don't know.

It is a very useful knowledge depending on how you handle it, but how do you value it?

And how will they react to us, mere adventurers? It's a delicate point.

At least he doesn't coerce us into disclosing our skills, though I think he's a decent officer, as Diora says.

However, disclosing how to make it is fine, but that doesn't mean it will be useful. Are you okay with that?

"Yes. It's my job to figure it out.

All right. Well then...

Then, I'll explain how to make our fertilizer.

However, it's nothing difficult, since all you have to do is throw the demons into a normal compost made with alchemy.

I see, so it's made from demon waste. That's what an adventurer with a magic bag would do.

Did you know that I have a ...... magic bag?

Yes. Did you know that I have a magic bag? - Yes. You supply a lot of meat for a party of adventurers.

I'm not sure what to make of that.

He must be very competent to have done such a thorough investigation of a mere adventurer.

Or did you do your research beforehand?

I'm not sure how many of them there are, but they're not enough to affect the food situation in this town,......, are they?　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.

I'm not sure what to make of it. That's impressive for someone so young.

It was only possible because we reduced the number of orcs little by little. I don't have the strength to plunge into an Orc's nest from the start.

"No, no, it's enough that you can destroy an orc's nest by any means. It would be great for the deputy to have such a skilled adventurer settling in this town.

Come to think of it, there was a story that the previous deputy was ousted for failing to deal with the orcs.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

"But I see. If you're as good as you are, you won't have any problems with demon corpses. But considering the magic stones needed for composting, isn't that a loss?

"We've modified the compost a bit there. Instead of using magic stones, it uses its own magic power to crush the bones of the demons so that they can be processed in a short period of time.

"So you're processing the bones as well. Where did you get the compost?

We made it ourselves. That's why we can keep the cost low.

The deputy's eyes widened in surprise at these words.

He didn't know that they could do alchemy.

"Oh, alchemy too. Is it possible to order it?　Of course, I'll pay you a fair price.

"Yes, of course. Not in large quantities, though. ......

How much can you process in a single composting unit?

It's a rough estimate.

The deputy nodded his head and thought about it for a moment.

I see. The remaining problem is how to obtain the corpse of the demon. Well, ...... make ten of them and deliver them to me.

"Ten? ......

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

I understand. So--

Then, after deciding the details of the composting price and delivery date, the deputy stood up with a smile and held out his hand.

We had a very good talk today. As I said earlier, this town could use a good adventurer. I look forward to working with you in the future.

"Yes, thank you as well. I have no intention of leaving this comfortable town for now.

After shaking Natsuki's hand tightly, he held out his hand for us to shake as well, and left the room.

Natsuki watched him go with a smile on her face, and as soon as the door closed, she let out a big breath and sat back in her chair as if she had lost her strength.

I was so nervous...

Tatsuki let out an uncomfortable voice that I have never heard before, and fell down on the desk.

I thought she looked very dignified while she was talking, but it seems she was actually nervous.

It was unusual for Natsuki to be so nervous. Based on population, you must be at the level of a Japanese mayor or mayor at best.

In terms of population, yes, but the law doesn't protect us here, so we're not on the same level.

I see. It's all up to them.

I've heard that's not the case, at least not in this country. ......

In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at the following.

The actual problem is that there have been such things in this territory in the past.

If you're a storybook hero, you might be able to solve the problem by force, but we're only the top adventurers in this town, and we have to live with our heads down.

Of course, if there is a level of unreasonableness that we can't tolerate, we'll probably have to abandon the town.

But at least that person seemed somewhat trustworthy. That's a good thing.

That's true. I've gone to a lot of trouble to build a house in this town, but I can't live in peace if I can't trust the man at the top.

I can't live in a town where the laws are changed at the drop of a hat, or twisted according to the deputy's mood.

By the way, how much did they pay you?　You didn't seem to negotiate with them.

"Considering the profit to be made from fertilizer, I thought it would be better to make a loan than to negotiate unnecessarily. The price is like 100 ...... gold coins. It's not bad.

Natsuki looked into the bag and nodded lightly.

Considering that it was not much of a secret, it was probably a large enough price.

Considering the fact that he gave it to the deputy before asking him about it, and didn't say anything about it afterwards, I guess you could say that he is a man with a big heart.

A hundred gold coins. That's not that much money for us, but it's a lot of money, normally.

It's less than a third of what I made during the week I was in the abandoned mine, but it's probably enough for half a year, based on the average income of a commoner in this world.

Well, we're not going to make money from fertilizer, so it's just a little spending money. We can't afford to buy food.

Yeah, right. --By the way, I was just thinking, shouldn't we have a party name or something?　In a situation like this, it would be more convenient for people to know our party name than to remember us by our individual names.

I see. I was a bit curious when I introduced myself this time.

It would probably be more memorable to introduce myself as "I'm Nao, a member of Honyarara", and I think people would remember me better than my personal name.

It's not a bad idea, I thought, but Haruka looked at me delicately.

It's not a bad idea, I thought, but Haruka seemed a little sensitive about it. "Is this a situation where we shouldn't think it's painful to name the party ...... ourselves?

I'm not sure what to say.　Yeah, I know what you mean.

I don't want to blush when I say my name.

It's not easy.

I don't want to be embarrassed to tell people my name.

On the other hand, I don't want a name that won't leave much of an impression.

Is it necessary for adventurers to have a certain amount of self-expression, even if it's considered to be a midlife crisis?

As we were talking about this, the door to the room opened and Diora walked in.

Everyone, I see your conversation went well.

Yes, thanks to you. I'm relieved to hear that you're not being unreasonable.

"Compared to the last one, this one is much more capable. He understands that adventurers of your rank are very valuable in this town. You need not worry.

I see. I've been properly compensated.

Natsuki lifted the bag of gold coins and showed it to Diora, then put it away and stood up.

We also got up and left the room together.

"Oh, yes. Diora, do adventurer's parties usually have a name?

"A party name?　Well, some do and some don't, but once you reach a certain rank, there are almost no people who don't have a name. Oh, Yuki-san, do you have a party name too?　The Adventurer's Guild recommends it.

The reason why the guild recommends it is because it is easier to gain fame as an adventurer if you have a name that is easy to remember, and it is also easier for the guild to ask for your name.

As for us, we're not really interested in nomination requests, but Diora says that it's better to have a name to avoid trouble if you have some fame.

It's like, "They're the Marumaru of Honyara, don't mess with them.

But what kind of name do you think would be best?　Ms. Diora, what kind of name do you want?

"Whatever you want.　Well, a newly registered party would be laughed out of the room if they named their party 'Dragon Slayer' or something like that.

It's only natural if you don't have a track record. In our case, ......, 'Ogre Killer'?

I don't like that one bit. Let's use a more beautiful name!

"That's also abstract. Ms. Diora, what kind of name are you going to use?

"It's really up to you. ...... You can name it after a natural object or a weapon, or you can name it after your goal. The Dragon Slayer is one of those names, but if it's a big word without much ability, it's ......

Diora laughs at this.

Thank you. Thank you, I'll think about it.

Yes. But if you're Nao and the others, you can say big things, right?　You're the type of adventurers who will succeed.

"Is that so?　By the way, what is that type?

The type of adventurer who does not have these qualities is the type of adventurer who is not overworked, who works hard, who knows himself, who is not underestimated, who is not arrogant, and who is prepared. If an adventurer can't do these things, he won't make it to the top.

"I see. I'll keep that in mind.

I'll keep that in mind." All of these things are basic, but I think you should be more careful when you've reached a certain rank.

I think the most dangerous time is when you think, "I've gotten a little stronger, haven't I? That's when it's most dangerous.

There's a cautious Haruka, and I'm sure she'll be fine. ...... Is it possible to name the party after such a mindset?

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea.

It's a good idea to have a name for your party if you're as old as Haruka and her friends. Please let me know if you decide. I'll register it with the guild as well.

"I understand. I'll think about it.

If I'm not careful, it's a name that will be with me for decades to come.

There was no easy way to decide, so we left the Adventurer's Guild on hold.