CH 239

New request

***---***

The morning after the auction was held in Bakkenheim, Hort, Beatriche's escort, suddenly appeared.

"Wafuu, Goshujin-sama, please come to the Guild's office."

"Ehh, Klaus-san? What is it?"

"Hmm ... I don't know."

"I see, maa, I'll meet him and listen to what he has to say. Thank you."

I petted it and it wagged its tail as it walked away.

The guild was crowded with people looking for work since the New Year holidays had just ended.

Wasn't the crowd in front of the bulletin board about 50% more than usual.

Also, there was the promised appearance of Ridner and the others, but they seemed to have gotten used to the crowds, so they didn't seem to be jostled around as they used to.

Had they been participating in combat training since then?

When I looked into the office on the second floor while hiding in the shadows, I saw Klaus-san and Beatriche.

Come to think of it, Beatriche was acting as my secretary.

I normally contacted him directly, so I was kind of ignoring it, but it wasn't good at this rate, so I should think of some countermeasures.

I went out into the corridor and knocked on the office door.

"Who is it?"

"Good morning, it's Kent."

"Ou, please come in."

When the door to the office opened, Klaus-san got up from his seat and sat down on the sofa.

Beatriche immediately started making tea.

"I'm sorry to call you when you're busy."

"No, I was thinking of postponing today's return work, so it's okay."

"Hou, are you not being rushed by Japan?"

"Yes, since I sent ten people back to Japan at once yesterday, it seems that the prospects look brighter for Japanese government and it looks like I have some leeway."

"I see ... But then, wouldn't they want you to proceed with the return?"

"That's right, after all, if I repatriate to a different world, the amount of magical power used all at once will increase, and if I drop them somewhere on the way, it would be impossible to recover them, so it was said that it's better to take all possible measures."

"I see, in any case, I'm glad that there is the prospect of returning."

"Yes, I'm very grateful to Volzard for their help."

"Speaking of which, Volzard has been saved many times in times of crisis, and I cannot thank you enough."

Starting with the horde of Rock Ogres, the maximum outbreak of Goblins, the stone-throwing Orcs, the Griffon ... Klaus-san smiled wryly as he counted them.

"Maa, I'm glad they ended without incident."

"The Griffon was really troublesome."

"Such a thing rarely comes, and it would be a problem if it came, but in case of emergency, I'll be counting on you, my son-in-law."

"Of course, I will intercept with all my might."

After that, after talking about the horde of Ogres that attacked Bakkenheim and yesterday's auction, we got into today's main topic.

"Is it a nomination request?"

"Indeed. Appointed by the Dukas Company of Marburg."

"Dukas Company ... Ah, I wonder if it's the ones I met in the Irosun Great Forest?"

"It's that Dukas Company, Kent, they need your healing skills."

The Dukas Company was the owner of the carriage that I rescued from the Ogre attack in the Irosun Great Forest on the way back from Bakkenheim while escorting the Volzard Family.

I treated a girl who was given up on by the Bakkenheim healers, so I guess it was to be expected.

"I treated the girl, but did she get sick again?"

"Nope, the girl has completely recovered and seems to have recovered to the point where she seems to be doing well, but her mother seems to be unwell."

The girl I treated, Lucile-chan, was the only daughter of the Dukas Company, and it seemed that she inherited her sickly constitution from her mother Sybil.

Sybil had also suffered from respiratory problems for many years, and her condition worsened around the end of last year, seeing the treatment results of Lucile-chan, rather than the Bakkenheim healers, it looked like they made a request to me.

"The reward is 2 million Helts. However, it seems that they want to use it as a success reward on the condition that Sybil Dukas regains her health. What will you do?"

"2 million Helts is another large reward, isn't it."

"It's true that it's large compared to normal rewards, but judging from the story, she's in a state even the Bakkenheim healers can't handle, and if the nominee is an S-rank adventurer, the amount of money cannot be said to be exorbitant."

"Hmm ... What should I do."

"What's wrong, are you dissatisfied with something?"

"It's not that I"m dissatisfied, but ..."

Regarding the treatment, I had an unsubstantiated confidence that it would probably be fine, but I told Klaus-san that I had doubts about the situation where those who could pay the high cost of treatment were saved, while the poor could not receive treatment.

"I see. How is it in Japan? Will people without money be able to receive treatment?"

"No, there are treatments that you can't receive without money."

"Then there is no need to hesitate. The world is unfair. It's not just about treatment and medicine. The right to education, expensive clothes, expensive ingredients, luxurious mansions, money and power. Some people get it, and others who don't have it don't get it ... You seem dissatisfied."

"I understand it in my head, but my feelings are ..."

Klaus-san smiled at me who frowned.

"In that case, use the money you get so that the poor can afford it. Oops, don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you to give it away, use it so that they can get it as a reward for working properly."

"Is it a reward for working?"

"Indeed. There are some poor people who want to work but can't. You should reach out to those people, but don't give charity easily to those who can work but are lazy."

"Those who don't work, shouldn't eat ... Does it feel like that?"

"Maa, it's a matter of course, but handing over money easily would deprive them of the opportunity to get back on their feet and to let their inherent talent bloom. Kent, we talked about when you just came to Volzard, right?"

"Yes, I tried various jobs ... That's right."

"Even if you do one or two jobs and it doesn't go well, if you try different jobs, you will definitely find a job that makes you shine. If you give lazy people money, their chances of finding that job will go away."

"That's right. But ... Would the people not try to grip the chance by themselves?"

What came to my mind was the thugs who came to me when I was working at the Garm Potato Warehouse and told me not to work seriously.

I was just thinking about having fun, and I didn't feel the need to grab a chance.

"Those who don't move on their own and aim higher will have no choice but to grovel all the time. We can prepare a chance for them, but Volzard isn't such a sweet town as to deliver it."

"I see ... But, if I pay them for their hard work, does that mean I'm going to make a request of the Guild for something?"

"That's one way. Another option is to make a donation for the construction of the ramparts. Those who can't provide their own labor will contribute to the city with donations."

"Hmm ... But, isn't that just making Klaus-san's expenses lighter?"

"D, don't be ridiculous. Donations to the construction of the ramparts will only be used for the construction of the ramparts, and it's already decided that I'll put out an annual budget as well."

"That's right. Then, if this nomination request goes well, I will donate half of it. Riche, can I ask you to handle the procedures?"

"Yes, leave it to me."

Perhaps because she was asked to work as a secretary, Beatriche smiled with satisfaction.

"So, Kent, what time are you leaving for Marburg?"

"If I remember correctly, the road leading to Bakkenheim turns in the middle, right? Then ..."

[ Kent-sama, if it's Marburg, we have already been there, so we can act as a landmark first. ]

"Klaus-san, Reinhardt ... has been there before, so I should be able to use shadow movement."

"I see, then it won't take long to move, right? In that case, you should go quickly, considering the return work. If you accept the request and it was too late when you arrived, it would leave a bad aftertaste."

From Marburg to Volzard, requests were delivered by making use of a fast horse.

Even so, it should have taken about three days from departure to arrival, so there was a high possibility that her condition had deteriorated further.

"Then, I'll go and see how things go. Anyway, I'll start the treatment, and if it's impossible to do it in one day, I'll split it up into two or three days."

"I see, even if you divide the treatment into several days, is it possible to come back in the middle."

"Yes, anyway, I have to proceed with the return work, so I'll consider going to do treatment while watching the interval."

"For you right now, the first priority is to return the others home. It may depend on the patient's condition, but think about that first."

"I understand."

I went into the shadows from the Guild's office and headed for Marburg with Reinhardt as a landmark.

Reinhardt guided me to a road overlooking the city of Marburg.

Marburg was a basin surrounded by mountains, and it seemed that the main entrance to the city was the road along the river, and there was only a mountain road for hunters to follow.

Iron and copper ores were said to be produced from the surrounding mountains, and Marburg's main industry was the smelting of these iron and copper ores.

"There is an amazing building, but what is that?"

[ Probably Marburg Cathedral. At the time we were alive, the roof hadn't even been completed yet. ]

In the center of the city, there was a cathedral with two tall towers, and in front of it was a cobbled square.

Was it perhaps stone quarried in a mine, the stone pavement had a complex geometric pattern.

Many of the buildings surrounding the plaza were also made of stone, giving the whole town a dignified feeling.

"Well, where is the Dukas Company?"

[ It's probably near this plaza, but since it's an emerging business, we can't tell. ]

"Well ... It would be good to go out and ask passers-by, but isn't it quite noisy?"

[ The New Year holiday is over, so I don't think it's a festival, but ... now? ]

In front of the large building facing the plaza, there was a crowd of people packed together, and the air was somewhat tense.

On the other side of the building and the plaza, I went out in a deserted alley and asked an elderly woman who was passing by at the end of the alley for directions.

"Excuse me. I would like to go to the Dukas Company, could you tell me the way?"

"The Dukas Company is it ... Go down the road ahead and go a little to the left at the end."

"Thank you very much."

When I entered the street I was told from the plaza, there were many shops lined up, but there were almost no shoppers.

A middle-aged man who seemed to be the store owner was standing in front of the store with his arms crossed and a bitter expression on his face.

When I passed through the street lined with shops and turned to the end of the street I was told, there was a crowd of people there.

"Alternative personnel, help me carry the food!"

"Hey, don't be sluggish!"

"You idiot, you can't necessarily help right away even if you're in a hurry."

"That's why, you can't just do it so leisurely!"

"It could be a long battle, if we fall, it could be troublesome!"

"Everyone, don't forget to ensure your own safety! Don't cause a secondary disaster!"

Men with strong physiques were moving around in a tense atmosphere.

It seemed like this place was the Dukas Company, but it was a little harder to get close than in the Guild during the morning.

[ What happened? ]

[ Perhaps there was an accident in the mine. ]

[ I see, these people are the people who are going to rescue. ]

[ Kent-sama ... I'll investigate for you ... ]

[ Yup, please, Fred. ]

Let's complete the nomination request while Fred investigates the situation.

I made up my mind to approach the Dukas Company, but the flow of people was uninterrupted, so I couldn't find the right timing.

"U, umm ..."

"Ora, you're a nuisance. Kids shouldn't be wandering around!"

"I, I'm sorry."

Many people were moving around in the Dukas Company, and I was stuck on the edge of the door and couldn't move.

[ Kent-sama, this me will scatter them ... ]

[ No way, no way, if Reinhardt shows up, there will be a big fuss. ]

[ Then, wouldn't it be better to enter inside with shadow movement? ]

[ But, it's the first time I've come here, so I should be hesitant to enter on my own. ]

I moved along the wall from the edge of the door and tried to approach the counter little by little.

It would be helpful if I could talk to someone in charge of the office.

As I continued to move sideways like a crab, I met the eyes of a bearded old man.

"Hey brat! Where did this guy enter from."

"Uhii, I received a request ..."

"A request? I'm busy right now, so I can't trade, so go home!"

"No, it's not ... Wa, wait a minute!"

The old man walked up to me and grabbed me by the neck and held me in the air.

I wonder why I'm treated like this even though I reached S-rank.

"Wa, wait a minute, I came from Volzard after receiving a request."

"That's why I said we aren't doing business."

"No, it's a request from the Dukas Company."

"A request from the Dukas Company?"

Just before I was thrown out of the door into the street, the bearded man's legs stopped.

"I haven't heard that a request was sent to Volzard."

"That's not possible. It's a formal nomination request through the guild."

"A nomination request? A guild nomination request is ..."

Just as the bearded man was about to throw me out again, a voice called out from the back of the store.

"Release him, Luzekk!"

"Racole-san, do you know this guy?"

"It's fine, just let him go, you idiot!"

"Y, yeah ..."

The person who called out to me was Racole-san, who was the driver when we met in the Irosun Great Forest.

"Kent-san, I'm very sorry. Even so, it was three days ago that I sent a request via fast horse to Volzard, but I didn't think I could see you so quickly."

"Because I can use the shadows to move faster than a normal person ... Rather than that, about the request."

"That's right. Will you accept it?"

"Of course, I asked with that intention."

"Thank you very much. Then, please come this way ... You guys, what are you standing around for!"

The people who were so busy moving around until a little while ago were looking at me with strange faces, but when Racole-san shouted at them, they began to move in a hurry.

It seemed that Racole-san held an important position in the Dukas Company.

"Kent-san, what happened to your hair? You had black hair before, so for a moment I didn't know who you were."

"Aahh, there were various things ..."

"Is that so, if it's someone like Kent-san, there must be some circumstances that you can't talk about. Please, come this way."

The further I was guided into the store, the stronger the smell of Chinese herbal medicine.

The medicines in this world were not as scientifically created as those on Earth, but depending on the type, they were very effective.

Even with that medicine, she wouldn't recover, so it must be a pretty serious condition.

Racole-san knocked on the door of a hidden room.

"Danna-sama, Kent-san from Volzard is here."

"What, is that true? Send him in right away!"

"Kent-san, please, go inside ..."

"Excuse me ... Uuh."

The room was so hot that I stopped walking when I entered the door, and the smell of medicine was filling the room.

A bed was placed in the back of a large room of about 20 tatami mats, a woman who looked white beyond pale was lying there, and a man with a haggard expression was sitting on a chair beside her.

"What are you doing! The medicated bath will escape, so hurry up and close the door!"

"Ehh, y, yes. Excuse me ..."

Beside the bed was another nervous-looking man in a well-tailored shirt rolled up and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"Orlean-dono, who is this boy."

"He's a healer from Volzard ..."

"What's that! Are you saying that my treatment can't be trusted?"

"No, it's not like that, but at this rate, my wife's life ..."

"In order to save your wife's life, isn't it for that reason that I'm using all my strength to continue treatment like this! Relying on a child like this ..."

It seemed that this nervous-looking man was Sybil-san's primary doctor.

When I treated Beatriche's rot, the healer in Volzard was resting, so I didn't have to worry about it, but from the healer's point of view, if a child like me were to butt in, it would be natural for them to be opposed.

"Umm ... If I'm in the way, I'll go home ..."

"That's outrageous! It would be a problem if you had to go back. With your skill in treating Lucile-ojousama, who even the famous healers of Bakkenheim gave up on, please help Sybil-sama."

I was about to go home, but Racole-san stopped me with an angry look.

"What are you going to do, Orlean-dono. If you say you'll rely on a child like this, I'll be going home."

"No, please wait. If Sensei goes back now ..."

"Then, that child ..."

"Danna-sama, Lucile-san is thanks to Kent-san ..."

"I know. But ..."

"Orleans-dono, what are you going to do?"

When I saw the older adults arguing, I snapped.

"Don't be so noisy. There's a sick person here, all of you shut up!"

"What is that, you, I trained at Bakkenheim ..."

"Reinhardt, throw this thing out. Basten, open the window."

[ As you wish! ]

[ Roger that, Kent-sama. ]

"Whaa, S, Skeleton ..."

The three of them were speechless at the sight of the two Skeletons slipping out of the shield of darkness.

Basten quickly opened the window, and Reinhardt threw the healer out into the garden.

"They are my genus. No harm will be done to you. Rather than that, let me treat her."

"U, understood. Please."

When I walked over to the bedside, Sybil-san was breathing painfully with a whistling sound in her throat.

"Excuse me ..."

When I took off the futon to use healing magic, Sybil-san was so skinny that I thought she was a skeleton.

When I put my hands on her thin chest and cast healing magic, it was a terrible condition that was worse than Lucile-chan's symptoms by several steps.

She also had several tumors in her lungs, and from the healing magic that ran through her body, I could feel that it had spread to other organs.

I was also concerned about her metastatic lesions, but for now I would focus on stabilizing her breathing.

When I focused healing magic from her lungs to her trachea, her painful rasping stopped and her cheeks gained some color.

"Oohh, even an amateur like me can tell you that her condition has improved! This much ..."

"Danna-sama, it was correct to rely on Kent-san after all."

It seemed that in order to completely heal her whole body, I would have to use healing magic to the extent that I collapsed again, so considering the return work tomorrow, I would cut off the treatment for now.

"Fuu, I've treated the condition of her lungs for the time being, but the condition of the other organs isn't good either. I'll have to do a few more treatments, is that okay?"

"Of course. Please help my wife."

I decided to continue the treatment in response to the request of Orlean-san, who bowed his head deeply.