Chapter 17.1
17.1. Port Town
Among the materials to create a new armor for Nord, the materials from the great serpent and the venomous viper have been gathered.
The remaining materials are the scales of the water fish and the armor of the fish dragon.
“I understand the water fish, but how can we gather materials from the fish dragon?”
Elsa expressed her doubt while enjoying her usual meal and alcoholic ale at the guild’s tavern.
Nord nodded as if to say that her question was indeed valid.
The water fish is a literal fish monster that inhabits the sea.
It can grow to the size of a human child, and its scales are hard and densely packed. Its large mouth is lined with sharp, serrated teeth.
It is a fierce carnivorous fish, and once attacked at sea, one cannot escape unscathed.
However, this monster is also known to be quite delicious.
Under its scales, there is a thick, flavorful white meat, and its texture is firm, closer to that of beef or pork than fish.
Moreover, one can enjoy a rich, non-greasy flavor, and a significant quantity can be obtained from each fish.
Therefore, during this season, many fishing boats set sail from the southern ports of the Hamir Kingdom in search of these fatty water fish.
Nord planned to join those boats to gather the water fish scales.
Since the water fish thrash about on the boats they are caught on, adventurers are hired as combat personnel.
The pay is moderate, but since additional meals are provided from the caught water fish, it’s a popular quest among adventurers ranging from beginners to intermediates.
Moreover, since the water fish is powerful, it can be fished in place of temporary hired fishermen.
As a carnivorous fish, the water fish bites eagerly, so many can be caught one after another, making it popular as a leisure activity.
Well, the experience usually ends with getting bitten on the boat, which is a part of the package.
The resistance created by its large body is such that it could almost pull the rod into the sea, making it an irresistible catch for anglers.
“Yes, yes, I get that you love fishing. The water fish is no problem, but what about the fish dragon?”
Just as Nord was about to passionately explain how deep water fish fishing is, Elsa interrupted him.
Reluctantly, Nord shifted the topic to discuss the fish dragon.
The fish dragon is a large aquatic monster, classified not as a sub-dragon like the lesser dragon but as a fish.
However, its size is comparable to that of a “whale,” and it has caused damage capable of sinking even large ships.
Though it is a pretender, it is called a dragon for a reason, possessing high combat power.
According to the Adventurers’ Guild regulations, requests for hunting fish dragons are classified for bronze-tier adventurers or higher.
Naturally, Nord and the others are no match for it at present.
Therefore, it was said that among the materials needed for scale armor, the armor of the fish dragon could be substituted with metal.
That said, if the armor included materials from a higher-level monster like the fish dragon, its defensive performance would undoubtedly increase significantly.
“No, so how do you get the materials from the fish dragon?”
Elsa’s question was quite valid. To that inquiry, Nord answered without hesitation.
“By fishing.”
“No, I mean how do we defeat it afterward…?”
“Fishing for octopus.”
“???”
She looked confused. Seeing this, Nord began to explain.
There exists an octopus called the box octopus.
It’s an aquatic monster with a body length comparable to an adult, but it is not highly threatening.
For Nord and Elsa, who are stone-tier adventurers, defeating it would be easy.
It is not particularly useful as a material; its meat has a strong, unique texture, making it a divisive food choice.
Aside from foodies who enjoy it, it is mostly consumed in fishing villages.
However, the box octopus is a popular catch among fishermen, regardless of whether it’s for requests, livelihood, or leisure.
The reason lies in its name, which includes “box.”
The box octopus carries a “box” on its back as part of its biology. This serves as armor to protect itself from enemies and also becomes its home.
The box, which can accommodate the size of an adult octopus, contains various items that have fallen to the sea floor as its “box” materials.
The octopus seems to recognize various items as materials, but it generally appears to collect hard objects like seashells, pebbles, and fish bones.
Occasionally, it might even pick up belongings from shipwrecks, including coins and other human possessions. There are even stories of gold ingots being found inside.
Regarding the fish dragon, it is known to shed its solid scales as it grows.
Due to this biology, there is a hypothesis suggesting that fish dragons may not be fish but rather snakes. However, Nord was not interested in that aspect. (He was interested in the fishing methods, though.)
The shed scales often end up on the ocean floor, getting caught in fishing nets or found in the homes of box octopuses.
If luck permits, they have become secretly famous as materials that lower-tier adventurers can obtain. (Fishing enthusiasts only.)
“Wow, it’s just like a treasure box!”
It seems Elsa has become interested compared to before, as she mused with an amused expression.
After all, she is an adventurer; topics like this must be enjoyable for her.
And it makes sense; Nord nodded deeply.
It seemed many people shared the same sentiment as Elsa.
Now, the box octopus is called this:
‘Treasure Octopus’.
§
“I’ll go too!”
Whether it’s the water fish or the treasure octopus, fishing can only be done at sea. Thus, Nord had to venture to the southern port town of Hamir Kingdom. Although it was for material gathering, what they would be doing was ‘fishing.’ While Nord would eagerly join, he was unsure if Elsa, who didn’t seem interested in fishing, would come along. However, it appeared that she was intrigued by the treasure octopus and agreed to accompany him.
A few days later, the two had accepted a bodyguard request while traveling to the port town.
“Adventurers, I appreciate your help.”
The requester was a young merchant setting out to procure goods for his trade. The wagon was loaded with products meant for sale in the port town, and with the addition of Nord and Elsa, it became quite cramped in the wagon. The other two bodyguards were also at the stone level like Nord and Elsa. The main road connected the capital to the port town and had regular patrols, which likely made the bodyguard fee reasonable. In reality, after deducting the meal expenses along the way, the payment was almost negligible—an amount that normally wouldn’t warrant a request. However, for adventurers like Nord and Elsa, who were traveling to another town, the benefit of free wagon fare made such bodyguard requests common. Unless they were transporting expensive goods, they were likely carrying daily necessities based on their age and appearance.
As expected, they encountered no attacks along the way. Instead, they passed the time admiring the seemingly endless stone-paved road and the occasional horse-drawn wagons or pedestrians while surrendering to the rhythm of the wheels on the cobblestones and the swaying of the wagon.
While Elsa mentioned that boredom was tougher to handle than nonexistent ambushes, Nord agreed.
But regardless, they finally arrived at the port town.
“The sea, huh?”
“Yeah, the sea.”
Welcomed by the sea breeze, the two shared the same impression.
The port town was named Els. Port Els.
In Port Els, splendidly constructed buildings lined the streets.
There were red brick structures and houses coated in plaster. Many had flat rooftops where laundry hung out to dry.
On the seaside was a well-maintained port bustling with large ships flying flags from various nations.
At the edge of the town, on a peninsula-like cliff protruding toward the sea, stood a tall tower—likely a lighthouse.
“Good job, I’m glad nothing happened.”
After receiving confirmation of completion from the requester on the request form, Nord and Elsa headed to the Adventurers Guild. Unlike regular requests, bodyguard missions paid out rewards at the destination city rather than the city of origin.
The Adventurers Guild in the port town was quite large, matching the size of the buildings in the capital.
Unlike the capital, it was made of stone—probably due to exposure to the sea breeze.
Despite the difference in appearance, the guild’s emblem remained the same.
Using the prominently displayed sign as a guide, Nord and Elsa entered the building.
The interior was slightly different from the Adventurers Guild in the capital.
While the counter area resembled that of the capital’s guild, the tavern exuded an exotic atmosphere.
The tavern was lively even before noon, offering dishes that Nord had never seen, stirring both his curiosity and appetite.
Drawn by the tavern’s allure, Nord and Elsa completed their mission report, divided the reward, and then headed to the quest board.
The requests on the quest board were quite unique, befitting a port town.
There were tasks like escorting trading ships and hunting sea monsters—special requests specific to the region.
“What kind of requests will we take on?”
While their goal was the treasure octopus, there was a chance they might come up empty-handed.
To avoid a wasted trip, it was customary for adventurers to take on requests alongside their main objectives.
In response to Elsa’s question, Nord reached for one of the papers on the board.
§