“Is everything you need packed?”

Mili, the mature elf beauty stood in front of us with a warm smile.

“Yes. Thank you for the accommodation you gave for these past few days.” Charlotte bowed gracefully. She spoke like any other day. As the third princess of the Colchis Kingdom.

Arielle will be like our guard since she’s the only one that can fight at the moment. I have to carry our luggage since Charlotte is too weak for that. Arielle will alert us if there are monsters nearby.

“Be safe, children.” Mili kissed each of our foreheads and hugged us.

Her motherly gestures remind me of my mother as well. It just makes it more painful not knowing how my parents are doing as I get reminded of them.

“Byeee~”

I waved as we walked down the capital road. Mili and all the villagers we got to know waved back with smiles on their faces.

“It was short but fun…” Arielle muttered with slumped shoulders. “Although I wish I didn’t have to go in the bushes to the toilet.”

Being a young lady and all, I can guess why she’s so disapproving of living in villages. That was one of the reasons both of them insisted on leaving early in the morning. They kept muttering in their sleep that they’d finally have a bath again.

Not going to lie. I also want to soak in a bath and cool off. The areas I can’t reach from washing by the water well are starting to feel uncomfortable. I might not be on the level of a clean freak but I as least want to clean the dry dirt and sweat off my body.

□□□

“Finally.”

Arielle ran ahead to scout how far we are from our destination and said that we’re almost there.

We passed by many adventurers that also gave us pointers and advice of areas we shouldn’t go to.

—Habsburg Kingdom—

A kingdom with eight generations of kings and queens throughout their history. The kingdom is still far too small to be called big as its capital cities only stretch the kingdom about 1km in diameter.

Even if the size of the kingdom is small, their military power shouldn’t be underestimated. Possessing both aerial and land armies, their only weakness are sea attacks since they don’t have a navy.

Another thing Mili told me was that the kingdom is the best trader and manufacturer when it comes to magic items and artifacts. The mage tower produces all the items and sells it to the kingdom or auctions most of it for higher prices.

I took a cursory glance at my staff that was wrapped in cloth.

I think it would be a good idea to buy a gemstone there for my staff. The one I have at the moment is on the verge of breaking apart. I still don’t have good control on my magic power consumption. It’s like my body is telling me there’s no need for that since my mana pool is so large.

I looked at all our equipment. Arielle thankfully had a sword the day we left to go see the mermaids. The only one I’m worried about is Charlotte. She’s wearing the same dress she wore on the day of that phenomenon. Mili lent her clothes but I don’t think she is satisfied with that. Just look at how sour and quiet she is.

‘I’ll have to work hard for our provisions.’

We arrived at the East gate of the kingdom and stood in line.

Many people wearing different kind of clothes stood in front of the gate awaiting entry.

Despite the cold weather endless snow that’s streaming down, many people who are owners of shops were advertising outside.

The infrastructure of the kingdom can’t be compared to ours since the buildings look like buildings out of the dark ages from earth depicted in paintings.

“I guess this is good enough.”

Arielle said as we stood in front of our chosen Inn. Since our budget is limited at the moment, we had to settle with a cheap inn that’s located near the slums.

“Let’s go inside. This time of the day shouldn’t be too busy.”

We then entered the inn and instantly felt warm air again. The outside was covered in heel deep snow.

The inn wasn’t big to say the least nor is it luxurious by any means. It’s just ordinary. As Charlotte said, they really didn’t have customers. Only one guy was dining on one of the seats.

Ting

I rang the bell on the counter.

“Oh, customers! Welcome!”

“Hello. Two rooms please. Exclude meals please.” Charlotte spoke for all of us.

He gave us a pair of keys. The three of us went up the stairs and felt the floor creak. The wood kept creaking that I was worried I’d fall through the stairs.

‘Geez, the least you can do is venerate your inn.’

“We’ll need to find someone that can help us. I’ll visit the Mage Tower since I heard from Lady Mili that they grant access to all individuals.”

Charlotte then took her bag and opened the door to the room on the other side of the hallway.

“We’ll have to prepare for the worst if we can’t return home.”

She then went inside and closed the door. I heard something like thump coming from the room.

“It seems she has a lot on her mind. I’ll go look around the city. Can you take care of her, Arielle?”

“Where are you going first?”

“The adventurer guild or the information guild if they have one.”

An information guild is similar to news studios from my previous world. They broadcast important news to the continent using magic holograms. I can’t expect something like that in a small kingdom like this, though.

I’m worried about Charlotte that’s why I asked Arielle to take care of her. No matter how smart she is, she is still a child at her age.

“I’ll be off then.”

“Good luck!” Arielle shouted before I shut the door.

□□□

“Thank you.”

I bought a map from the uncle that’s dressed as a peddler. The map highlights all the important buildings and areas of the kingdom.

I checked the map several times to make sure I go the right way. I asked the peddler if they had an information guild but he told me:

“You’ll have to go to the duchy east from this kingdom to find one.”

I don’t want to leave the two of them at the Inn while I go to that duchy just from hearsay. It’s possible they won’t even sell real news to me and I might just end up wasting a lot of money.

That’s what we’re sort on right now so I can’t just spend it carelessly. While Arielle and Charlotte seek information, I’ll make us money for the time being.

What better way than to go the adventurer’s guild?

Ting

The bell above the door rang signalling all the people inside to look towards me.

A silence loomed and then–

“””””Bwahahahahahha!””””

“Oi, kid. This isn’t a playground for you!”

“Wait, wait. He does look like he has a tight ass. Plus his face looks girly enough. Kukuku.”

I shivered when I heard the big greasy armoured guy say that while licking his lips. My steps toward the register quickened.

The ridicule continued as I made my way up to the counter.

“Welcome. How may I help you?”

Unlike the ridicule form the crowd, the uncle behind the counter spoke with a smile. His smile looks like a smirk though since his face is so scary.

“Hello, can I register using this?”

I took out my current adventurer id. It’s the one I made back home.

“Hoho. You’re a foreigner.”

He examined the material.

“You can tell by that alone?”

“I used to travel a lot during my prime as an adventurer. I’m already 58. As a result I have three different Adventurer ID’s. Yours is something I haven’t seen around here though. I won’t pry. It’s your business where you came from.”

He’s retired, huh? And how the hell is he 58 years old? Those muscles made me think he’s twenty years younger.

“I’ll be marking this by punching a hole through this. That will let everyone know that you are a foreigner. And don’t pay attention to those idiots. From what I can tell. You look like an experienced mage at your age.”

I’m starting to like this uncle more and more. He doesn’t treat me like a kid at all. He then took out a cylinder object and warmed it up after burning a fire scroll. The hot rod went right through the badge. He then soaked it in the water making steam rise from the intense heat.

“The one who made you this ought to have explained how everything works.”

I nodded.

“Good. I’d like to remind you that if there’s a large scale emergency request then rookies like you can also participate in hopes of improving your reputation. Another thing, the achievements you gathered at the previous guild means nothing here. That means you’ll have to begin as F rank once again.”

A magic laser printed the letter ‘F’ on the ID card. He held it out to me.

“We’re looking for baggage carriers for our party! We’ll be entering into a dungeon today! The rookies that want to watch our party fight, step forward!”

A roar came from the entrance. I looked over and saw a blonde beauty wearing an armour skirt. She has a saber on her waist.

“Who’s that?”

“That’s Helen Lockhart. She’s one of the most skilled adventurers around these parts. You’re in luck, kid. She’s the leader of the party so head over to their table.”

The uncle gently pushed my back with his large hands.

“Hm? Are you interested?”

A male archer. with green hair spoke towards me. All four party members looked at me at once.

“Yes. I just registered. It would be an honour to join the party.”

“I see. Well, I didn’t set any requirements so it’s not like I can refuse the kid.” The leader stood up with a smile. She extended her hand, “My name is Helen. This is Billy.”

She gestured to a man in leather armour holding a spear.

“I’m Paula.”

The girl wearing light clothing with a breastplate said. Judging by her attire, she seems to be a martial artist. So she fights with her fists.

“Raymond.”

The archer from earlier smiled as he greeted.

“And this is Lucy.”

Claire pointed to the curvy young woman wearing priest clothes.

“You don’t have a magician?”

“Sheila cancelled on us to go on a date with her fiancé. We don’t have the time to look for someone competent right now. Raymond bought magic scrolls in case we need a spell in a battle.”

“I see.”

I was expecting to be accepted as a mage but it seems they think my staff is for decoration.

“Are you ready to head out right now? We have to leave by noon, after all. Dungeons sometimes have a lot of other people inside. We have to hurry lest we lose the treasures to other adventurers.”

I checked the clock on the wall of the guild. 10:45.

‘I should tell Charlotte and Arielle where I’m going first.’

“Can I quickly leave for a few minutes? I have to inform my companions where I’m going.”

Helen said it’s fine with a small smile. I quickly ran back to the Inn. Thankfully the guild wasn’t so far from the Inn so I made it there in couple of minutes.

I caught them just in time before they got ready to leave. Arielle told me to be careful and Charlotte said:

“Clyde-sama, be back before 6. Lights out are at 7 at the Inn and I want to discuss our plans for the future with the three of us together. Checking the map will be impossible in the dark, after all.”

Since we don’t have the luxury to afford lamp oil, we have to resort to the Inn’s lamps which are taken each night at 7. I don’t have any magic related to light attributes so we have no choice but to rely on lamps. Fire is a no-no.

I hope nothing unexpected happens.

□□□

“Are you a foreigner?”

A sweet voice came from the front as I walked with everyone’s bags. It was the healer, Lucy.

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Your hair is different. I’ve never seen anyone around here with light brown hair. Dark brown perhaps but not light.”

So you’re identified as foreigner if the pigmentation of your hair is lighter?

“Yes… I got lost along with my companions.”

“Poor boy.”

She walked slowly backwards to match my pace and stroked my head.

“Keep your claws off the kid, Lucy.” A cold voice came from the very front of the formation. Helen looked at Lucy with a glare.

“Tch.”

Lucy walked faster back to her position.

“She snatches all kinds of men every night. If you know what I mean. I suggest you stay a bit away from her, kid. Raymond and Billy have also landed in her bed a number of times. Nothing stops her from preying on innocent little boys.”

The martial arts girl said when she turned to me.

‘I-Is that so?’

“We’ll be meeting up with Jered’s party tomorrow for the joint battle. If you want to be our porter then as well, you should come to the guild at noon as well. Put your game face on, we’re about to hunt an Orc colony.”

She then ran ahead, probably to scout for enemies.

Helen raised her hand and gave a signal to move quietly.

I also duck a little as I heard gurgling noises and loud grunts.

‘An orc nest, huh?’

I’ve never hunted anything stronger than a goblin before.