CH 48

Then, after defeating Goblins and Forest Wolf several times today, we returned to the village. And the next day, and again the next day, we went hunting in the same pattern, we kept defeating a group of monsters several times before returning back.

Probably because it is far from the place where monsters appear, it seems that we are earning worse than when in Rankfurt, but even F-rank monsters such as goblins in this area get a silver coin as a subjugation reward unlike Rankfurt, so it is truly a plus.

“I want to go back to town soon.” (Rocky)

While we were eating at the bar in the inn that evening, Rocky, who usually doesn’t speak much, said this.

I was a little surprised because he said that he didn’t usually voice his opinions, so I’m sure he really wants to return to Rankfurt as soon as possible…

“Don’t tell me, you want to go home soon.” (Mel)

“Originally, these are the conditions. You knew from the beginning that you might not be able to return for 10 days at the very least…. And it was a request from Stoll Trading Company. So no.” (Dan)

Mel and Dan said so.

Listening to the conversation in detail, it seems that this request was not a request listed on the bulletin board of the Adventurer’s Guild, but a request directly made by the guild.

Since the main purpose of an escort request from a merchant is to escort the merchant and their product, the merchant also wants to request only for a person/party who has the ability and personality they can trust. Therefore, large merchants make a list of adventuring parties and famous adventurers who are based in the town and whom they can trust and then ask the guild to request an escort from one of the parties who had come to the adventurer’s guild that day.

In short, it feels like they are quite the trusted adventurer party.

Well for our party, Mel’s parents’ got them connected to Stoll Trading Company. Dan met the conditions because he was ranked D in the guild and was seen as a promising adventurer.

Because of such circumstances, they don’t want to fail this mission and lose the trust they earned, and it seems that it is difficult for them to decline a request from Stoll Trading Company.

As a matter of fact, there is a difference between heaven and earth between an adventurer who gained the trust of a merchant and an adventurer who is not trusted by one.

Of course, an adventurer with credibility can find a good request like this. They may also receive discounts at the merchant’s shop. They can also receive items and information needed essential for adventurer activities, or receive requests from aristocrats who are within the merchant’s network.

Guild cards do not have the function of personal authentication using some mysterious technology with similar biometric authentication technology like in modern Japan. In other words, the guild card is just a metal plate. And if someone tries to forge one, they can forge one.

Besides, guild cards are basically issued to anyone. Though, the guild rank can only be given by the Adventurer’s Guild or the Guild Master after accomplishing something. An adventurer’s rank is not always given because of proper reasons.

Therefore, it cannot be said that the guild card or the rank within the guild card guarantees the adventurer’s ability and credibility.

In other words, I felt that even if you are an adventurer who has risen through the ranks with only one arm, you need to gain trust from people, prove your abilities, gain fame, use the fame you gain to increase your connections with people, and promote yourself to the people around you to be called a top-notch adventurer.

“I want to go back to town as well…. Please try to be more patient.” (Dan)

The words Dan said gave my heart a slight squeeze once again.

The next morning we headed back to the guild.

We came to look for some requests from this morning as well.

“I’m thinking of accepting this request, what do you think?” (Dan)

I looked at the piece of wood that Dan brought, it said that it was an escort for herb collection.

“I asked the receptionist, and it seems to be a day trip at the request of the Merchant Guild. It seems that they will not venture to the place where monsters appear. We can trust the commercial guild. How about it?” (Dan)

Dan asked, “Well, I’m getting tired of subduing goblins,” Mel said, and Rocky said, “That’s fine.” I have no particular reason to oppose the request, so I gave an affirmative.

“Okay! Then we’ll accept it.” (Dan)

Then we were asked to escort the herb collectors.

“I don’t know if it’s a lucrative request or not, but it’s not good when they drag out old people like this.” (Old Lady)

Right, the elderly woman complained to us.

After that, we handed the piece of wood with the request to the receptionist, and we were immediately accepted and taken to the guild’s backyard.

There were several adventurer parties heading towards the backyard and other people carrying baskets on their backs. Then the guild staff brought together the other adventurer party and the people carrying the basket on their back, then we all went out to the backyard.

After a while, our turn came and the guild staff introduced us to the elder woman.

So the elderly woman was named, Granny Hana.

She is about 60 to 70 years old, I guess? Still, her legs seem to be strong, and although she has a cane, he is still quite spry. She wears a green robe and carries a basket on her back.

Granny Hana says that some stores seem to have placed a large order for herbs, and the store that couldn’t handle it cried at the Merchant guild and gathered the maximum number of people who could be of use to the Merchant guild. As a result, Granny Hana who has already retired was pulled out back to service.

That may be the reason why we were given this escort request.

Originally, the escort request should be left to a trusted adventurer party, but as a result of increasing the number of people to collect the herbs and even pulling out the retired Granny Hana, it seems that they cannot handle it.

By the way, this is the third time Granny Hana has complained.

When Mel says, “Grandma, we’re in the woods, please don’t talk anymore—“, Granny Hana immediately replied, “There’s no way a monster will appear in such a shallow area!” This exchange is also the third one.

Of course, Dan and Rocky don’t say anything anymore. At times like this, men are considered useless.

…… that includes me.

“Hmm? This one is Kell grass. It’s the most abundant medicinal herb in almost every region.” (Old Lady = Hana)

It seems that Granny Hana discovered a medicinal herb, and while saying this, she lowered her basket, took out something like a sickle from inside it, and chopped some of the Kell grass.

Kell grass is a grass similar to mugwort. With a height of about 20 to 30 cm, and it grows densely around a meter in diameter from the roots.

“This herb has a strong vitality. So it’s okay to take all of it. If you leave the stalk in the middle, it will grow back soon.” (Hana)

Aunt Hana packs the cut Kell grass inside a bag and puts it in the basket.

“Medicinal herbs can’t be cultivated for some unknown reason. Even if they are planted in the field, they die for some reason. Many people have tried, doing various trials and systems, but it was all in vain. Therefore, we have to rely on nature. We should care about the forest… ” (Hana)

While saying that, Aunt Hana started walking with her back basket on her back.

So that’s it. That’s why we have a request to collect herbs.

Normally, if it is a useful plant, people will try to increase it by collecting its seeds. Then they can grow it without ever risking going into the woods. There would also be a stable supply.

Is there a good reason not to do that?

This time I heard an interesting story. It may have been a blessing to receive this request.

With that in mind, I stared at Hana-san’s back as she walked away.

…… No, Granny Hana.

Could you please say something first and not leave your escort alone and just move on your own?