Chapter 18 — The Escort Ends…

Editors: PROCRASTINATOR & GREETER

 

[Ei’s POV]

 

We’ve been travelling for nine days now. Today’s the last day and I think I can see a tower in the distance. I guess that’s our destination? I think I passed by this place on my way to destroy a moun- wait, that wasn’t me. Definitely.

 

So far the trip has actually been really smooth. Well, not literally, as these wagons keep bouncing! It really hurts! Although, there is an oddly large amount of humans a few miles ahead. Maybe it’s another party? Seems unlikely though, considering they’re being displayed as hostile. 

 

“Jade, we might have bandits up ahead. Be on the lookout.” (Ei)

 

“Eh? I don’t see anything…” (Toya)

 

“They’re hiding, you idiot.” (Mel)

 

How did two people, who were not Jade, end up the only people responding. Whatever, we can take a few bandits. Or 30 bandits. I didn’t count when checking where they were.

 

I kept watching the scenery go by, but I got bored and went back to checking the map. Those people still haven’t moved… definitely bandits. I also counted this time, there are 27 bandits. I guess we’ll have to kill them if they attack. They might ignore us since we have a decently large caravan. I think we’ll reach them in five minutes? Maybe? 

 

Five minutes later, bandits showed up. Incredible.

 

“Hand over your weapons and goods, and maybe we won’t hurt ye too bad.” (Bandit Leader)

 

“You heard the boss, spit out the goods!” (B1 (Bandit 1))

 

“No.” (Ei)

 

“A-are you sure about that? There’s l-like 50 of them!” (MItsuha)

 

“It’s fine. There’s only 27.” (Ei)

 

“27? Isn’t that a bit much?” (Luna) (P/N No.)

 

“We have six C rank adventures, we’ll probably be fine. Not to mention, we have a few tricks.” (Ei)

 

“Are ye insane?! We have the numbers advantage, and no matter how good ye are, ye can’t keep yer employer safe from us all.” (B2)

“I think you underestimate us. Perhaps you should reconsider your position. Nobody would care if 27 bandits mysteriously died, no?” (Ei)

 

“K-kill us?” (B1)

 

“Exactly. You’re already attacking us. It’s an act of self defense.” (Ei)

 

“*pst* EI! You know that normally they get sent to jail right?” (Luna)

 

“And?” (Ei)

 

Luna looks at me like I’m a battle maniac. I don’t think she’s wrong though…

 

“Besides, you threw away your chance for mercy when you chose to become bandits instead of trying to get an honest job.” (Ei)

 

“We didn-”

 

“You could have become an adventurer. I’m not going to say we’re the ‘good guys’, but you started this.” (Ei)

 

I created a massive wall of earth around all the bandits.

 

“The least you can do now is put up a good fight.” (Ei)

 

The bandits are practically shaking in their boots. Even Jade looks a bit shaken. Oh well, guess I went overkill.

 

“Now then, goodbye.” (Ei)

 

I launched all of the bandits up into the air with [Gale Burst].

 

“Take them out while they’re in the air!” (Jade)

 

“[Fireball]!” (Mel)

 

“[Ice Shard Storm]!” (Luna)

 

“I’m useless again!!” (Toya)

 

““Just get them once they fall, idiot!”” (Jade + Senia)

 

“Haha! This is fun!” (Kurui)

 

A barrage of spells and Kurui’s sword–which was somehow everywhere at once–landed upon the bandits. The remainder should have broken legs, so that will make taking them out easy. Assuming they survive the fall that is.

 

“Let’s sweep the area!” (Jade)

Jade moves out with Senia, Toya, and Luna in tow. I stayed with the merchants and Mel.

 

“Was genociding all these bandits really what they deserved…?” (Mel)

 

“They attacked us. We’re just removing a problem.” (Ei)

 

“But they had families. They were likely forced into being bandits.” (Mel)

 

“I never said we were the ‘good guys’. All it was was self defense. Also, they could have become an adventurer. It’s free…” (Ei)

 

“...” (Mel)

 

After a while, Jade came back.

 

“There are no survivors.” (Jade)

 

“I see.” (Ei)

 

“We’ve brought the bodies. What do you want to do with them?” (Senia)

 

“Let’s just burn them. [Fireball].” (Ei)

 

…There are 27 bodies. And they aren’t piled up. I don’t feel like casting [Fireball] 27 times. Let’s try something else…

 

“Let’s try this…” (Ei)

 

I snap to make an intense blue fire turn the body to ashes in seconds. That’s better.

 

“““““““...””””””” (Everyone besides Moon’s Shadow)

 

“Well, let’s get moving!” (Ei).

 

“E-ei… did you just use silent magic?” (Mel)

 

“Yeah?” (Ei)

 

It’s not really hard. I just have to concentrate on the image a bit more. Mel looks really shocked though… whatever.  Luna just sighs.

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

“Did you really have to kill all the bandits?” (Luna)

 

“They were in our way… I guess, maybe?” (Ei)

 

“Shouldn’t you have at least given them a chance to change?” (Luna)

 

“Hm… I… guess…” (Ei)

 

“*sigh*” (Luna)

 

I feel kinda bad now… maybe we should have given them a chance to repent? I don’t know… Huh. It seems that there are more bandits up ahead… maybe I’ll try something different.

 

“Jade! We’ve got more bandits ahead.” (Ei)

 

“*sigh* Are you going to get all genocidal again?” (Jade)

 

“I- …I’ll try not to.” (Ei)

 

A few minutes later, the bandits strike.

 

*rip*

 

“Get the goods and move out, boys!” (Bandit Leader)

 

An ambush. Much smarter. But not good enough.

 

“[Earth Wall].”

 

I created a ring around us again. There will be no escape. Prepare to die- oh wait, we’re not doing that. Probably. Also, why are there so many bandits on this road?! This is, like, the MAIN ROAD.

 

“What?! Where’d this wall come from!?” (B1)

 

“Sorry, but we can’t let you escape.” (Jade)

 

“I’m sitting this one out. You take care of things.” (Ei)

 

I need to think of some less dangerous ways of subduing people…

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

[Nadia (new character :O)’s POV]

 

I am Nadia, a C rank adventurer. Today I was patrolling the roads when I saw a massive ring of earth. What is its purpose? Perhaps it is for trapping something. I should take a look at it.

 

These walls are surprisingly tall. Climbing these may be a bit problematic. I try punching my fist into the wall, and it crumbles around it. It seems I do not need to run up the wall.

 

By creating my own footholds, I climb the wall. There are four wagons there, with a group of ill-mannered men. I shall assist these adventurers. These bandits are the scum of the entire kingdom.

 

“Die, you worthless pieces of trash!” (Nadia)

 

“What?! Another adventurer?!” (Bidon’tknowwhatnumberwereon) (P/N It’s just number 4 lazy)

 

I slam a kick into his face then shoot another with my crossbow. The crossbow bolts are laced with a paralysis poison, so if one is hit, it is the end of them. My crossbow is a magic artifact, so it reloads automatically. All I have to do is pull back the crossbow and hit the trigger. What?  Is it not normal to draw a crossbow with your hands? 

 

I load six bolts into my crossbow and press the trigger. The bolts spread out perfectly, pinning two bandits to the tree through their clothes. The last two fly into their skulls. I, as judge and executioner, sentence you to death.

 

“So much for not commiting genocide…” (Jade)

 

“These criminals do not deserve your mercy. They are the scum of the kingdom. Name yourself, adventurer.” (Nadia)

 

“I’m Jade, C rank. In the wagon is Ei, also C rank. The forest elf is Luna, C rank. The other three humans are Mel, Senia, and Kurui, C rank. The idiot over there is Toya, C rank. Our employers are Mitsuha of the Yamado Trade Company and some of their merchants.” (Jade)

 

“I am Nadia, C rank. Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Do you mind if I travel with you for the rest of your journey?” (Nadia)

 

“We do not have any money to spare.” (Mitsuha)

 

“I do not require payment. I simply wish to travel with you.” (Nadia)

 

I join their wagon and sit down on the floor. These are much less comfortable than I had anticipated. I suppose not everyone has the luxury of nice wagons. 

 

The high elf girl, Ei, has an odd presence about her. I know not if that is due to her being a high elf. As for the red eye human, I would have thought they were a vampire had it not been for the lack of pointed ears. They have an odd presence as well. The other elf seems to radiate spiritual energy for some reason. This is quite the odd caravan.

 

The atmosphere is incredibly tense, although I cannot reason why. A few of the merchants have been glancing at me, along with the elf and Jade.

 

“Why are you all looking at me like that?” (Nadia)

 

“Uh… you just have a… noble presence around you.” (Luna)

 

… Of course my training bites me in the back.

 

“Oh… I will not have your head removed. Speak freely.” (Nadia)

 

“You really do sound like a noble, though I’ve only met one other.” (Ei)

 

Was it really that easy to find me out? *sigh*

 

“...I am.”

 

“Well, forgive us for our rudeness. We will not intrude upon your circumstances.” (Mitsuha)

 

“I said to speak freely. I thank you for your consideration.” (Nadia)

 

All I wanted to do was make some friends… Am I really that unapproachable? Perhaps I should work on masking my eloquence. Ah… but if I practice here, they will surely find me odd.

 

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

 

[Ei’s POV]

 

After the noble girl, Nadia I think her name was, joined us, the atmosphere was really awkward. Maybe it was her noble aura or because she looked like a ninja. She had some sort of mix between orange and blonde hair and wore a black ninja suit. There was no head portion of it though, and simply wore a light blue mask. She also carried lots of daggers and a crossbow.

 

After her constant instance, everyone finally got used to her noble aura and talked normally around her. I mean, I found it easy, because nobles are practically meaningless to me. Maybe they thought that I was able to due to being a high elf? But I’m a half elf?

 

We arrived at Hauritsu about half an hour later. 

 

“Halt! Who goes there?” (G1)

 

“Mitsuha of the Yamano Trade Company. Here are my permits.” (Mitsuha)

 

The guard looked over everything and then looked back to us.

 

“All the paperwork seems fine. An inspection is still required, please step away from the wagons.” (G1)

 

The guards were very quick. It took only a few minutes. Maybe they used some magic to help them? Either way, we passed into the royal capital for the first time. The houses actually looked to be of a pretty good quality, which was surprising as I had thought the outer houses would be in worse condition. 

 

The escort quest only ends once we reach the Yamano Trade Company’s warehouse, so we still have a bit to go. The streets were practically lined with houses. It almost reminds me of Earth. I guess this is my first city since coming to this world, huh?

 

After another hour or so we finally reached our destination. The warehouse here also looks like an aircraft hanger. 

 

“Thank you for the escort. Here’s the completion certificate. Sorry Nadia, but you don’t get any reward.” (MItsuha)

 

“I said that I do not require compensation, no? Well, I shall take my leave now. I hope to see you all again some day.” (Nadia)

 

“We’d ought to head to the guild to get the request completed. Want to join us, Ei?” (Senia)

 

“Sure. Luna, Kurui?” (Ei)

 

“I’ll go with you!” (Luna)

 

“I think the two of ya can handle the guild. I’ll find us a tavern to crash in.” (Kurui)

 

“Alright.”

 

“... Does anyone know how to get to the Adventurers' guild?” (Ei)

 

“If it hasn’t moved in the last 15,000 years, yea!” (Kurui)

 

“You… weren’t even alive back then…?” (Jade)

 

“I can help you, I suppose.” (Nadia) (G/N: Any Re:Zero fans?) (A/N: When was that?)

 

“I thought you left?” (Ei)

 

“I came back having realized you had not been in this city before.” (Nadia)

 

Hmmm… right. I’m pretty sure you were hanging around in the shadows for a while, but okay.

 

“Follow me.” (Nadia)

 

Nadia led us to the guild… huh. It’s really fancy. It looks like Acantilado’s house but without the garden. Maybe a bit smaller? There’s also several warehouses behind it… Is this really the Adventurers' Guild? Not some multi-billion dollar company? Oh wait… it is, isn’t it? *sigh*

 

The interior is super fancy too; there’s an entire bar in here. There’s also a lounge with some really fluffy looking pillows and two ten-tailed fox plushies. The reception area has 10 desks with one line for all of them… *sigh* Going through all these lines will be a pain. At least you can skip the line if you are B rank or above… which is about to be us! Probably.

 

After standing in line for a good 10 minutes, we finally arrived at the receptionist.

 

“Hello, welcome to the Adventurers' Guild. I’m Helen, how may I help you?” (Helen)

 

“Can you process this request please?” (Ei)

 

“Sure thing. May I have your IDs please?” (Helen)

 

“Here you go. I brought one of my party member’s with me, is that fine?” (Ei)

 

“It is. I will have to check that you are in a party though. Moon’s Shadow, correct?” (Helen)

 

“Yep!” (Luna)

 

“It’s done. Do you need anything else?” (Helen)

 

“Nope. Thanks.” (Ei)

 

We’ll be back. Just you wait. Oh, also Kurui made it to D rank. That’s nice.