Dream Life Vol II Chapter 11: “Adventurer’s Guild Headquarters”

　We had lunch at the “Eagle’s Nest” inn in Pericritor, and afterward, my chattering ate up a little time, but it was not yet three o’clock yet.

　Guy led us to the city of Pericritor.

　Guy asked, “Where should we go next?” I quickly replied, “I want to see the Adventurers’ Guild Headquarters.”

　Guy said, “It’s not that interesting a place,” but he still began to lead us on our way.

　The headquarters of the Adventurers’ Guild is located in the center of the city of Pericritor.

　After leaving the inn, we returned to the main avenue that runs north to south and walked toward the north.

　On the south side of the city, there were many adventurer-like people with weapons in their hands, used leather armor, backpacks, and sturdy-looking cloaks slung over their shoulders, but as we headed north, we saw more merchant-like people dressed in tunic-like clothes.

　Most of the buildings in the city of Pericritor are made of wood. The center of the city is indeed the center of a large city, and although wooden, many of the buildings are magnificent.

　In the midst of such buildings, I came across a magnificent three-story stone building. And in front of the magnificent double-opening doors stood two guards in plate armor.

“This is the guild’s headquarters. We could take a tour, but first I’ll go talk to them.” (Guy)

　Guy said and went to check with the sentry.

　Guy nodded to the guard and quickly returned and reported, “They say it’s all right.”

　I was told later that normally the headquarters is not open to the public, and it is difficult to get inside unless you are registered with the Adventurers’ Guild. This time, he was allowed to enter in the name of the Lockhart family, a knight family.

　We showed our orbs to the guard and entered the building.

　Once inside, a wide hall with high ceilings and a two-story atrium spreads out before us. Unlike the guild branch in Kilnarc, there was no counter-like reception desk, but rather a staff member standing at what looked like an information desk in a government office or hospital.

　There were hardly any people in the spacious hall, and the inside was deserted as if the hustle and bustle outside was a lie.

(I guess there is no reception counter. Come to think of it, the headquarters must have also served as the administrative office of Pericritor, so it looks more like a government office. Yes, more like a prefectural government or a city hall of an ordinance-designated city. I feel like it’s somehow similar in terms of the difficulty of getting information… Though I may think so because I don’t have good memories of government offices…) (Zach)

　I was remembering the various government offices I went to when I was a businessman.

“I’m pretty sure they only managed the business status of the various branches here. And then there are the administrative affairs of this city.” (Zack)

　Guy answered my mutterings, which sounded like a monologue.

“Yes. I’m sure they were also analyzing the information gathered from the various branches.” (Guy)

　As expected, typical visitors cannot proceed beyond the hall on the first floor, and after going around the hall, we have to go outside.

“It certainly wasn’t an interesting place. Where would you like to go Sharon?” (Zack)

　I asked Sharon, but she just shook her head and gave me no concrete answer.

　She seems overwhelmed by the first big city she saw.

“Let’s just hang out in the south area and return to the inn today.” (Zack)

　Guy nodded at my suggestion and, perhaps remembering my interest in weapons, said, “Well, why don’t we go to a weapons store?”

　“That sounds interesting,” I nodded with a smile.

(The only weapons shop, or rather a blacksmith I know was Bertram. A dwarven blacksmith, so in a way, it is a standard fantasy, but still, a weapon shop in an adventurer’s town is an exciting thing for RPG fans…) (Zack)

　As we entered the southern district, we saw more and more adventurers covered in dust, perhaps returning from the forest.

　Some of them were bloody adventurers walking on the shoulders of their friends.

　I ask Liddy, “Don’t you need to cast a healing spell?”, but she gives a small shake of her head.

“There’s a healing clinic nearby run by a healer, so they’ll be fine.” (Liddy)

　She looked unconcerned, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the sight of the adventurer walking in pain.

“But with that injury, it must be hard for him to walk. You might want to give him some first aid…” (Zack)

“I don’t care if it’s in the forest, it’s not a good idea to cast free healing spells in the city. It’s every healer’s livelihood at stake. Besides, injuries are one’s own responsibility. If you can’t get a healer to join you, you should try not to get hurt…” (Liddy)

　Beside her, Guy nodded his head in agreement with Liddy’s opinion. And then she continued.

“If you get hurt, it will cause trouble for your party members. It’s a good thing they made it back in one piece, but if they make a mistake, they could all be wiped out.” (Liddy)

　What she meant was that a full-fledged adventurer should be able to complete a request without getting hurt, and if she was going to take on a dangerous request, she should bring in a healer as one of her companions. If someone is injured, not only will it be difficult to accomplish the request, but the smell of blood will be spread in the dangerous forest, further increasing the danger.

　In the case of severe injuries, there is always the option of abandoning the person, but usually it is difficult to make such a heartless choice, even if the person is not a member of the party.

“But what if something unexpected happens? For example, what if there was a powerful monster that wasn’t supposed to be there?” (Zack)

　Guy answers the question before Liddy can.

“That kind of thing rarely happens. Usually, there are always some kind of signs, so as long as they gather information properly, unforeseen circumstances rarely occur. Even if there is no information about powerful monsters, they should be able to prevent them from happening if they pay attention to their surroundings.” (Guy)

(Whether it’s Liddy or Guy, they are surprisingly strict. It is true that if there are injuries, everyone’s life is at stake, but a contingency is a contingency because things are unpredictable… Well, if you are a master at detecting presences like Guy is, you can probably notice the monsters before they arrive and escape…) (Zack)

　We saw off the injured adventurers and continued further into the city.

　I was thinking about the exchange we just had.

(I understand what Liddy and Guy are saying. But I’m not sure I’m capable of making such a calm decision. I would be so engrossed in hunting monsters that I would probably neglect to be aware of my surroundings, and if nothing happened after entering the forest, I might neglect to gather information. Maybe the two of them wanted to tell me that.) (Zack)

　Many weapon shops, armor shops, and tool shops line the eastern side of the south district.

　Even the weapons shops are divided into specialties such as one-handed swords and spears, and it is fun just to look at the signs.

“This is the one that specializes in swords. I came here once before, and if the owner had not been replaced, they would have a very good craftsman.” (Guy)

　The arms shop Guy points to is a small two-story wooden workshop with a large chimney on the roof, spewing black smoke.

　A sign in the shape of a sword read “Giselher’s Shop”.

　There was nothing outside the store but the sound of hammers coming from the open window.

　I was a bit nervous, partly because I was just looking for a place to chill out, but Guy walked in at a brisk pace, and I followed him into the store.

　When I opened the door, I heard the chiming of a bell, and with it, the sound of the hammer was cut off.

　Looking around the store, I saw about ten different types of swords, including longswords, short swords, and two-handed swords.

　From the back of the store, a bearded dwarven craftsman emerges with a bam.

　It was hard to tell the dwarf’s age, but from the looks of it, he was as experienced a craftsman as Bertram, the blacksmith from the village of Rathmore.

　The dwarf looks at us with a quizzical expression on his face at the sight of us, a group of two adults with two children.

“Are you here to buy? Or are you just looking?” (Dwarf)

“Mind if I take a look? We’re not planning to buy anything at the moment.” (Guy)

　When Guy answered, surprisingly, dwarf nodded without saying anything.

(I thought he would tell us to go home immediately, but… He seems to respond surprisingly calmly. Or maybe he thinks we’re looking around at a couple of weapons and comparing them.) (Zack)

　Guy pulled out one of the bastard swords from among the swords on the table and said, “Why don’t you take a look at it, Master Zack?” He handed the sword to me.

　I had the bastard sword that Bertram had given me, so I didn’t quite understand Guy’s intention.

　But as I accepted the sword, I began to understand Guy’s intentions.

　Giselher is also a skilled dwarven craftsman, so he makes a pretty well-balanced sword. However, the sword he had on display was not a one-of-a-kind item, but rather the equivalent of a mass-produced item.

(They are well-balanced, but the care with which they are made is quite different from the ones at Bertram’s. I guess Guy wanted to show me that the sword I have is quite a piece of work. And since all the swords in the Lockhart family are pretty well-made, I guess he wanted me to know what an ordinary sword looks like…) (Zack)

“I wonder how much this one is worth?” (Zack)

　At my muttering, Giselher raised one eyebrow as he asked, “Can you use it?”

　Certainly, it would sound like a slender boy, only about 150 cm tall, wanting a bastard sword used by adults simply because it looks cool. But I have a bastard sword on my back that Bertram smithed for me. He must also be able to see it too, so I don’t understand what he means.

(Perhaps he thinks I have it as a decoration. A child who wants to look bigger can’t even use it, so it must seem like I am forcing myself to have it.) (Zack)

　When I replied, “Of course I’m able to use it, you know?” When I replied, Giselher grumbled, “Go ahead and swing it.”

　I don’t want to get in trouble here, so I look at Guy and he nods with a smile on his face.

(I’m sure Guy has an idea. He should have told me first. …Well, that’s okay. I didn’t say anything at Byron’s either.) (Zack)

　Since it was too small in the store, I asked, “Can I swing it outside?” I asked, and Giselher gave a small nod.

　Actually, I did not intend to make a spectacle of myself on the street, so I went around to the back of the store, unloaded my belongings, and readied my sword.

(It’s a little heavier than Bertram’s, and a little tougher with one hand, but I think I can manage with two hands.) (Zack)

　At first, he slowly traced the pattern he had learned from his grandfather. After a few swings, he became somewhat accustomed to the weight of the sword, so he increased the speed to his usual level and continued swinging for about a minute.

　Finishing my swing, I asked, “This is about it, any problems?” I muttered, and Giselher shook his head as if he didn’t understand.

　I look at Guy and ask, “What does that mean?”

　Guy nods in reply with a mischievous expression on his face.

“You were testing my Lord’s son. Wouldn’t it be nice to give a word or two? Giselher?” (Zack)

　It seemed that Guy and Giselher were old friends after all.

“Your Lord’s son, so you must be from the Lockhart family… I see. By the way, Guy. What’s with your group?” (Giselher)

“I’m just looking ahead in case Master Zacharias comes here in the future. I’m sure you can take care of Bertram’s sword from the village of Rathmore, and I’m sure you can introduce me to someone you know in Doctus.” (Guy)

　Guy knew that my sword was a special one, and he seemed to be concerned about its maintenance down the road.

“I’m Zacharias Lockhart. Please call me Zack.” (Zack)

　I held out my right hand, and Giselher took it with a curious look on his face.

“It’s Giselher. If it’s too much trouble, just call me Gisel. How old are you, by the way?” (Giselher => Gisel)

　When I answered that I was ten years old, he shook his head and froze, “Ten years old…”

　He was even more surprised when he saw Bertram’s sword placed with my luggage.

“My half-baked weapons can’t even be good enough. The only person in Doctus who could handle this is Zergius…. I’ll write you a letter of introduction later.” (Gisel)

　After that, I was asked about my bastard sword, but at the end, he said, “If you’re going to be based in, Pericritor, show up at my place.”

　Incidentally, as for the value of Bertram’s sword, according to Giselher’s estimation, it would be no less than 30,000 C = 30 million yen, since it was made of the finest steel and was specially crafted.

(10,000 C for the material alone, which I thought was about double that, but it’s a hell of a birthday present. It’s not absurd to say it includes a thank you for the scotch…) (Zack)

　After we left Giselher’s, I thanked Guy.

“I hadn’t thought about the maintenance on the road. I was just assuming that with a certain amount of skill I could do it. Thank you for your help.” (Zack)

“Bertram is such a first-rate blacksmith that it is actually strange for him to be in the village of Rathmore. If it were not for his friendship with the former lord, your grandfather Govan Lockhart, he would be in Ars, the royal capital of the Kingdom of Caum, the city of craftsmen where dwarven blacksmiths are numerous. He would have established his own workshop in Ars. If he were to use the finest steel to make a sword, it would surely be of the highest quality. Such a sword cannot be handled by an ordinary blacksmith.” (Guy)

　Since I had spent more time in Giselher’s store than we had expected, we went back to the “Eagle’s Nest” pavilion quite late in the day.