CH 285

Nominated Quest

A few days after returning to the Sanctuary, I came back to our house in Volton.

Long absences harm the house, after all.

And for the first time in a long time, I headed to the Adventurers Guild with Sophia to take a quick peek at it.

As soon as we entered the guild, Hans-san beckoned us over.

「It’s been a really long time.」

「Sorry about that, Hans-san. We’ve been really busy lately. How have things been?」

「Yeah, there haven’t really been anything problematic. With the completion of the city and forts aside from Volton and Wedgefort, business was good thanks to the traffic from adventurers and merchants from neighboring countries, and the adventurers wandering in increased as well.」

It would appear that Volton City was also booming. Even when it came to monsters, he said that there hadn’t been a need to summon high ranking adventurers.

「Takumi-kun, a nominated quest came from the feudal lord for you.」

「A nominated quest from the Margrave?」

What I learned from Hans-san was that it wasn’t a subjugation request, but a request related to this city from Margrave Volton.

「It would have been preferable if you heard it from the Margrave himself, but it’s about the expansion of this city.」

「An expansion?」

「Yeah, that’s right. You might have also noticed this, but the Volton as of late has been troubled with the lack of land because of the rise in population.」

「Well, it’s true that the influx of liberated slaves from the former Divine Empire of Sydnia are also affecting it too……」

I knew that with the fall of the former Divine Empire of Sydnia, the undeservedly abducted Elves, Dwarves, and Beastkin who were turned to slaves for being “subhumans” were being set free and that a large influx of those former slaves and refugees were going to the countries except for Triaria Kingdom.

「Even if you take it on or reject it, could you at least listen for a bit?」

「No, it’s a nominated request from Margrave Volton, it’s not something that I can just decline.」

「Not really, aren’t you an important person, Takumi-kun? There’s no country that trades with the Sanctuary that would dare to offend you. The wine made in the Sanctuary is the best. That “whiskey” thing, it’s too strong for me but that’s popular too. And the competition in the Commerce Guild to obtain even a little bit of that “brandy” and “rum” is intense.」

Thanks to the cooperation and passion of the Elves and Dwarves, the alcohol that originated in the Sanctuary which includes wine, whiskey, brandy, and rum were produced as high quality goods. It would normally require maturation, but that issue was cleared because of Dryas and Gnome’s magic and Salamander pointlessly cheering them on.

「Honestly, it would be nice if there was enough to consume in the Sanctuary alone. The Great Spirits and Dwarves consume quite a lot.」

「The amount probably wouldn’t increase anytime soon, of course, but as a low-wage worker, I hope it does get better.」

「Ha, haha, I’ll pass that along.」

Sophia and I left the guild after greeting and chatting with Hans-san, then we headed to the castle which was Margrave Volton’s residence.

Both sides of the street held open-air markets. This was also prospering more than in previous years as an effect of the boom.

Nobles and merchants would probably use carriages, but it would be too conspicuous for someone like me to move around the city in one. Together with Sophia, we walked leisurely on the road to the Margrave’s residence. It’s great having dates like this every once in a while.

「My my, it has been a very long time, Iruma-dono. I am glad that you seem to be doing well.」

「Xervus-san, it’s great to see you too.」

It was Margrave Volton’s chamberlain, Xervus-san, who came to greet us. He personally came to us when the sentinel protecting the gate informed them of our arrival and guided us to the parlor.

「Ohh, Iruma-dono, long time no see.」

Since Margrave Godwin Volton came in a little while after we were guided into the room, the two of us were about to stand up from the sofa when he gestured us not to while smiling and greeting us.

「Margrave Volton, it has been a long time.」

「Now now, let’s drop the formalities. I would like to discuss the details of the nominated request immediately.」

The details of the request was to assist with the expansion of Volton City for its rapid increase in population.

Since he already knew about my Earth magic because of the construction of the forts and Wedgefort, his request was no mystery.

「It has been booming everywhere recently. We haven’t been able to gather Earth mages because of that.」

When it comes to expanding the walls of a city, it isn’t entirely impossible for normal mages, but it isn’t feasible with a small group. In that respect, those that could use Earth Magic besides me were Maria and Titan.

「And how big will you expand it?」

「Umu, take a look at this.」

Margrave Volton unrolled a blueprint onto the table.

「I would like for the wealthy district on the north to remain unchanged, the south side to expand 200m, and another 200m on the west side..」

It would expand quite a bit if the city’s south and west side each adjust 200m.

「Understood. Would it be fine to keep the structure of the walls as they are?」

「Yeah, that’s no problem.」

「Very well. I will start tomorrow.」

「Umu, I appreciate it.」

After a bit of chatting, we boarded the carriage that Xervus-san had prepared and returned to our Volton mansion.