Chapter 102: Firwood.

Chapter 102: Firwood.

At first glance, most newcomers would probably notice the huge walls surrounding the town. While I could hop over the one I made for Carine village in my dragon form, the walls of Firwood would probably require me to jump up to reach the top. As my dragon form was probably a bit smaller than a mammoth, I think any monsters smaller than me would probably have a hard time scaling it.

Covered in a blanket of snow, a sign of how deep we were into winter, the grey-brown walls stood majestically before us, showing little sign of deterioration. Were they newly made or were they regularly maintained? From this distance, it looked like the walls were made with [Terra Wall], and then further fortified with stones and fortifications. A fact Ellaine quickly confirmed for me when I muttered it. Another difference between this wall and mine.

While I couldnt see any buildings from this angle, I was able to describe the land surrounding the town. On the road to Firwood, I was able to see multiple small farming villages managing patches of fertile land. While a lot of the land was now completely barren due to the snow, it seems the management of Firwood still left large forest areas intact, probably to serve as monster nests, as my [Detection Sensor] confirmed multiple signals coming from those areas.

When I asked Ellaine why so much land was kept unattended, she explained it had to do with the mana in the soil. While too much was dangerous, small amounts helped soil cultivation, enabling plants to grow stronger and faster, which led to larger produce harvests. Normally, monsters spawning around a town or village were only around G and F rank, similar to the situation in Carine village, so normal soldiers and stronger villagers could handle them easily.

This balance was actually beneficial for soldiers and adventurers in general, as this opened an opportunity for them to train up their newcomers levels and stats while keeping them close to the town. If a newbie were injured, veterans would be able to respond immediately.

You know quite a lot on the subject, Lady Ellaine, I complimented her for the explanation.

This is common sense for any properly educated noble, Lady Hestia. Despite not managing a fief like Firwood, it is the duty of a noble to know. Knowledge is power, and as the elites of our kingdom, we must strive to better ourselves, Ellaine explained passionately, but then raised her brow as she continued. That said, it is surprising that you werent aware of this fact. Does Loatryx handle this matter differently? I cannot imagine it.

Realizing I had no good excuse for this question, I just shrugged and responded bluntly, I have nothing to say to that. Ill have my ID issued soon, so you will probably understand by then.

Ignoring her confused expression, I turned my head away. The moment they see [Otherworldly Reincarnator] and my racial skills, theyll probably be able to piece together the puzzle. I very much doubt they would be stupid enough to not figure it out, and thats why I only wanted a few people to know about it. I hope Ill be able to count Ellaine and her family as allies by then, despite my grievances with her father. Ive been a good girl.

As the carriage and our entourage drew closer to the towns gate, we suddenly turned to the left, driving away from the gate. Apparently, that gate was for the general populace, commoners. The town was split up into two parts: the noble and the commoner sections. As a noble, Ellaine had the privilege to avoid riding through the lower town and could instead enter the noble district directly.

It was logical. The Kingdom of Artorias had a caste system, and nothing would enforce this even better than having different districts for different social groups. I mean, they even do this on Earth. Take for example my home in New York and how it was divided into five boroughs. My apartment was in Manhattan, the richest county, but the moment you went into the Bronx, youll notice a clear difference in apartment prices.

As I was looking outside the window, I suddenly noticed a commotion at the front of the commoners gate. A burly man with two ox-like horns protruding from the top of his head was standing before two guards.

When my [Enhanced Auditory Sense] merged into [Idol], my hearing became much more powerful. Even from this distance, if I focused on it, I could clearly hear everything.

So, your name is Cernust? Is that correct, Sir? a guard asked cautiously, looking a bit scared of the almost 190cm (63 inches) tall man.

Yeah, of course, it says it there on the ID. What the hell you so suspicious of, huh? Youre a guard. As if youve never seen a bovline before, the man responded aggressively, pointing at his sharp horns.

After my carriage moved a bit more to the side, I finally got a good glimpse of this Cernust guy. Not only was he tall enough to stand out among the crowd, but his whole appearance was conspicuous. Aside from his massive arms, he had a cow-like tail coming out of his brown trousers, minotaur-like hooves for feet, a small ox-like nose, and two floppy ears. This confirmed there was a beastman version of oxen and bovines in Peolynca.

Regarding the rest of his appearance, he had medium-long verdant green hair, armless black studded leather armor barely able to hold in his massive frame, and two polished wooden gauntlets covered in green scales with a mystifying gleam. He was also carrying a full backpack, but I wasnt sure what it held.

I wonder where those scales came from? Its curious.

Uhm. Uh, the guard stuttered, struggling to form the words of his question. S-So, uh, what are you here for, Sir? Why have you come to Firwood?

Oh, come on! Im getting this same question every single time I arrive in a city. Why cant you humans be just a little bit less suspicious about beastmen, huh? My companion is tired, and we need to get an inn! The bovliner named Cernust walked forwards, pointing at something on the card. This here is the hunters guild emblem. Im a merc and a hunter, plus an alchemist on the side. My companion and I are taking a break at Firwood during our travels, and Im planning to do some work to get some Davi. You happy? Is that enough for you?

Uh, y-youre an alchemist?! the guard flinched, taking a step back as he looked at the bovlines hairless human face, to his full backpack.

Cernust sighed, took a glass bottle filled with a green liquid from his backpack, and showed it to the guard. Minor agility potion. Not often on sale. I made it. Proof enough? The other people in the queue started raising their voices, murmuring at the bovlines potion, which attracted Cernusts attention. Fucking hell! Can you please let us in, now?! Youre holding everybody up and Im behind schedule. I need to get my companion to an inn already, so get your ass to the crystal and inspect our IDs already!

Hearing him say that finally made me notice the smaller person standing beside him. The person was completely wrapped in a black robe, but, according to her frame, I guess it had to be a woman. She wasnt saying much despite being called out by her companion, but looking at how she was panting quickly, she really must be tired.

While the guards werent sure how to handle the situation, almost as if they were freezing up in fear, an older man with the aura of a veteran soldier came over. You two, whats the hold-up? he asked the two before being given an explanation of the situation. Damnit, thats why the line is being held up?! Get your asses to the crystal and check the IDs authenticity. Thats all you needed to do!

After the guards fled the veteran guards commandeering voice, he then turned towards the bovline. Sorry about that, kid. Those two are newcomers; theyve barely had any experience with beastmen outside of wolves, cats, rabbits, foxes, and birds. Dont cause too much trouble once youre in, alright, adventurer?

Instead of raising his voice like before, the bovline smirked and gave the older guard a thumbs up. Yeah, no harm done, old man. Ill be careful to not party too much, hahaha!

The guard nodded and then turned towards the woman. No problems, I hope? He asked with a grimace, before shrugging it off after the woman nodded firmly. Good enough. Ill handle everything. Go in already and get your IDs; welcome to Firwood. NEXT!

Before the pair went through the gate, the bovline turned around and started sniffing the air. Is something wrong, Cernust? the woman finally asked.

The bovline scratched his head in confusion before shaking his head, Uhm, I think its nothing? Dunno, I thought I smelled something sweet. Nostalgic even. Well, whatever, lets go inside.

Weird guy. Strangely, speaking of weird smells, I thought I smelled something weird from his direction. Meh, whatever.

Once we reached the noble districts gates, the process went by more quickly than what Id just seen, since the queue was empty. Everybody showed their IDs except for Saori, Tasianna, Lorena and me. Ellaine pulled out a sheet of parchment.

As Ruld wanted to bring Lorena to his home, a safety precaution due to Lorenas health, they left us before we entered the guild. With Saori, Tasianna, and Barathan with me now, we entered the guild and were assaulted byIn fantasy novels, adventurer guilds are always filled with armored men with swords and elves wielding bows or magic. Those classic novels, you know. Well, instead of cheering men and women drinking along to tavern music, I was instead greeted by extreme stares.

Although it wasnt filled to the brim with people, the few hunters inside dropped what they were doing, whether it was maintaining their weapons or eating, and were now all staring at me with inquisitive eyes, assessing us. They eventually lost interest and returned to whatever they did as liveliness returned to the guild. Still, no music. Thats sad.

Barathan pointed at a counter manned by three women and led us to the far left. I was expecting some tall, muscular dude to appear and question what we were doing here, but nothing tropey like that happened. Ahh, no confrontations, the best outcome. Sometimes a calm day is what I needed instead of constant action and excitement.

Welcome, said a cat-eared woman. She wore a pleasant smile fitting for a person in the service industry, and looked to be in her early twenties. My name is Melia. The hunters guild is ready to accept any Quests, how may I help the young mistress?

The young woman had marine blue colored hair tied up neatly into a ponytail, giving her a mature look similar to Saoris. Aside from having cat ears where her human ears shouldve been, she also had a fluffy tail that reminded me of ragdoll cats, furry clawed hands she was covering up with fingerless gloves, and two long fangs that showed whenever she spoke. The black outfit she wore was identical to the other receptionists, giving all three women the aura of a secretary.

Seeing as Saori and Tasianna were following behind me while Barathan stood to the side, the receptionist probably understood the hierarchy between us. I mean, I could understand Barathan and Tasianna choosing to act like that as they are true servants, but you arent one of them, Saori! I hope you arent doing this simply for the laughs, otherwise Ill get your ears again!

Hello, I wish to issue hunter IDs for my two companions behind me and myself, I responded, causing the receptionist to show a hint of surprise before hiding it back behind her smile. Barathan, please give her the document.

The receptionist took the document from Barathan and began reading it, covering her mouth multiple times as she gasped at what she read. She then told the human receptionist next to her to get a [Crystal of the Divine System], to prepare the issuing process, and to wait for her to return before handing us our IDs. Afterward, she ran up the stairs behind the counter.

What the hell was written on that thing?!

Uhm, please place your hand on it. All the information on your status boards will be recorded and we will then turn it into your hunter IDs, the younger receptionist informed us, looking bewildered as her colleague ran away.

So this is a crystal, huh?

The orb placed before us was similar to the one you could find in a fortune-tellers tent, attached to a printer-like machine through a cable. I placed my hand on it and my mana was instantly stolen away from me as the orb shined a glaring white, meanwhile, a blue screen projected before the young receptionist.

You may take your hand off, young mistress, the receptionist told me, inspecting the blue screen probably projecting all my information. Lets see, is everything-LEVEL 80! Mhmph! She screamed something before shutting her mouth up with both of her hands. Her warm pink face quickly turned paler as she looked at me with utter shock.

Her attempt might have stopped her from saying anymore, but I already heard her scream my leveland it seems like I wasnt the only one.

Wait, what did she say? Level 80?!

Oi, what the fuck, that cant be true now, right? Some random B ranker?!

Bro, my ears are better than a humans, I bloody heard her say that whit-priestess level.

The surrounding adventurers whether they were humans or beastmen, or man and woman all of them were causing a massive commotion as they overheard the young receptionist say my level. The third receptionist then came over to check on what was wrong with the young receptionist, as the latter couldnt get her eyes off me.

I looked over at Barathan and noticed his smile slightly waning. Was he also surprised?

By the Goddess the third receptionist muttered as she checked the blue screen, but, unlike her younger colleague, she quickly regained her composure and pushed her back to her counter. I-I apologize dearly for what happened, y-your Grace. I will continue in my colleagues stead.

She then picked up a silver card, placed it inside the printer, waited for a few seconds, and took a card filled with small details from the printer. Your ID is ready, your Grace. However, your original receptionist told us this was only the preparation, so I cannot hand it over to you yet. Please, understand. If you wish, we can continue with your companions.

The poor lady couldnt get a break as her face turned paler and paler when she inspected both Saoris and Tasiannas status boards. Although the intensity of the shock wasnt as high as the younger clerks, I heard her quietly mumble my two friends skill levels. Her eyes were wavering on the brink of wonder but also total disbelief, although I could barely hazard a guess at why. We three just had numerous skills and titles that we just wanted to hide so dearly. Oh, among these skills, which one was shocking her the most?

I hope my sarcasm came out properly, cause this is making me feel bad. I think I just shaved years off these three receptionists lives. Considering Ill be working with them now, I hope they wont take this too badly.

Once all the cards were done and our status boards were recorded onto them, we waited for a while until Melia, the first clerk, came back. Thank you, you two. I apologize for making you wait, Lady Hestia.

You know my name? I asked, wondering how she knew it, as I hadnt introduced myself yet, nor has she seen my status board.

Yes, the document informed me of it and the guild leader confirmed it, Melia told me with a smile, having completely abandoned the terror she had before. Back to your IDs, the special ones we have to prepare for you and your retainers will be done in three days. We will use the ones weve made today as the reference material. I apologize for the delay, but I must humbly ask you to have patience. We will have everything done by then, my Lady.

That wont be a problem. Thank you very much for informing us, I told her with a nod, before shyly continuing. Uhm, about before. I do apologize for giving you all a shock. It wasnt my intention, sorry.

Melia raised her brow for a moment, waggling her ears in astonishment, but then gave me a big sister-like smile. You have done nothing wrong, my Lady. As members of the hunters guild, surprises should be expected at every turn. Although we must wait for three days, I will happily anticipate the time when we may work together.

While I was feeling good that I fixed my first impression, Saori suddenly asked Melia if we could hand in our monster pelts and materials. Although this service was reserved for hunters only, as we couldnt officially become ones today due to circumstances, Melia took the liberty to direct us to the third receptionist who was responsible for it.

There were quite a few monster materials inside my storage and I dont know when the last time I checked on them was, so I think we will be sorting through it all for a while. However, once were done, I think its about time that I finally meet with my mysterious benefactor.

To the temple I go. See you soon, Goddess Aurena.