by Funa
More than likely, they showed how life was in the “previous civilization” God had mentioned.
There was no telling whether the murals were created by those people themselves, by their descendants, or even simply by those to whom the legends had been passed down.
Now, elder dragons were investigating these ruins. Or, rather, researching. Could elder dragons really have such whims and interests regarding human history? Let alone the history of a civilization so long ago fallen to ruin? Were they really doing archaeological and historical research?
It wouldn’t be surprising if one or two of them had taken such an interest. However, an entire clan was involved in this. Even though there was not a single copper’s profit for them. Even though it had nothing to do with their own history.
If it were being done for archaeological or historical reasons, those murals would have been an enormous find. At the very least, they wouldn’t have been dismissed as simplistically as a “miss.”
In that case, what was their true aim?
Why would elder dragons mobilize not only their entire clan but also beastfolk and demons? Why would they look so hard into every known ruin?
The first answer that came to mind was treasure. Gold and silver, rubies and pearls. A mountain of shiny coins.
However, would the dragons truly rally their entire clan for such a simple thing?
According to the stories of her past life, dragons were incredibly fond of treasure and other shiny things. In this world, however, Mile had never heard such a tale. Those elements in the stories of Earth were probably fabrications for the sake of giving dragons motivations, as well as reasons to slay them. If they really did nothing but hoard shiny things in their nests, they might as well have been crows.
The train of thought about the elder dragons seeking treasure was swiftly abandoned.
They were focusing on ruins, but it wasn’t for research.
In her past life, such people would be called “treasure hunters” if they were well-liked; “raiders” if they were not.
In this world, ruins rarely had owners or even caretakers, so it couldn’t really be thought of as “raiding.”
If the dragons weren’t interested in academic pursuits, nor in finding hidden treasure, then what were they after?
A relic. It could be nothing else.
Not a precious jewel or a work of art, but something one could use. In other words, a practical artifact.
One might wonder whether any tool could be usable after such a long time, but the elder dragons seemed to have some sort of intel about it. If this was a civilization so far beyond Earth’s, it wouldn’t be strange to find the item preserved in a vacuum, a time stasis field, or a separate dimension such as Mile’s own inventory. The so-called God had implemented such a thing easily, after all.
But why would the elder dragons be searching for it? What would the strongest creatures to exist in this world want something like that for? Elder dragons lived so out of step with the rest of the world that they couldn’t possibly be interested in something like global conquest.
It made no sense.
It wasn’t good to rely on them, but Mile had no choice. She would have to ask them about this.
Hey, nanos?
HELLO!
Do you know what the elder dragons are after?
YES.
So…what is it?
THAT IS A PROHIBITED REQUEST.
Huh? Had her nanobuddies just refused her?
BECAUSE WE ARE PROGRAMMED TO RECEIVE THE THOUGHT PULSES OF ALL LIVING THINGS, WE CAN ALSO PICK UP ON ANY OTHER STRONGLY RELAYED THOUGHTS. WE CANNOT READ MOST THOUGHTS, BUT WE CAN STILL DETERMINE THE INTENTIONS OF MOST CREATURES TO SOME DEGREE.
ADDITIONALLY, WHEN WORDS ARE SPOKEN ALOUD, THEY ARE SENT THROUGHOUT OUR NETWORK SO WE MAY PERFORM OUR DUTIES. EVEN WHEN THIS DOES NOT OCCUR, THEY REMAIN IN THE MEMORY OF THE NANOMACHINES PRESENT. WHEN OTHER NANOMACHINES ON THE NETWORK MAKE INQUIRIES, THIS INFORMATION IS SHARED IN THAT METHOD.
THEREFORE, IF WE WERE TO MAKE AN INQUIRY REGARDING YOUR REQUEST TO THE NANOMACHINES WITHIN THE VICINITY OF THE ELDER DRAGONS, WE WOULD LIKELY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION AS TO WHAT THOSE NANOMACHINES HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. HOWEVER…
However?
THAT WOULD CONFLICT WITH OUR PROHIBITION CLAUSES. IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, IT IS A COMPLETE CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
Is this really that big of a deal?
IT IS NOT A MATTER OF IMPORTANCE.
WE ARE NOT PERMITTED TO GIVE STRONG FAVOR TO ANY SINGULAR RACE. AT MOST, WE MAY RESCUE INDIVIDUALS FROM HARM, BUT THAT IS THE EXTENT OF OUR PERMITTED INDEPENDENT ACTIONS.
OUR PRIMARY FUNCTION IS TO ENACT THE DESIRES CONVEYED TO US VIA THOUGHT PULSES. IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE GOOD OR BAD, NOR WHETHER WHAT THEY DESIRE IS GOOD OR BAD.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE BUT TOOLS. WE CAN ACHEVE NOTHING OF OUR OWN VOLITION. IT IS THE SAME AS HOW A KITCHEN KNIFE CANNOT CONTROL WHETHER IT IS USED FOR CULINARY PREPARATION OR FOR MURDER. IT IS A KITCHEN KNIFE ALL THE SAME.
THEREFORE, WE CANNOT TRANSMIT INFORMATION ABOUT ONE RACE TO THE PEOPLE OF ANOTHER. HOWEVER, WHEN IT IS THE EFFECT OF MAGICAL ACTIONS, SUCH AS USING LOCATION MAGIC TO CONFIRM AN ENEMY’S WHEREABOUTS, THAT IS ANOTHER MATTER AND NOT A PROBLEM.
I see… She understood what they were saying.
It made perfect sense. If this weren’t the case, then anyone who reached level three authorization would be able to ask the nanos whatever they wanted about whoever they wanted, friend or foe. They could easily do anything with that information, even take over the world. Such a thing couldn’t be allowed.
It was no use then. She would have to figure this out on her own.
Thank you. I’ll try to think this over on my own.
OUR APOLOGIES THAT WE COULD NOT BE OF FURTHER HELP.
Now then, what to do…? Mile pondered.
I’m not really obligated to do anything here. No matter what the elder dragons are searching for, no matter what they plan to do with it.
Still, I don’t think I could live with myself if I just left it at that.
The problem is I’m the only human who seems to understand this. Or maybe I’m the only one who can stand up to the elder dragons. Or maybe…
The elder dragons didn’t seem to want war. Given they didn’t want to interfere with humans, perhaps their aim is an unexpectedly peaceful one.
Plus, while I did go head-to-head with those three, they were still just an errand boy, a young apprentice, and a young lady having a bit of an adventure. If we ended up in an all-out war with elder dragons, or even just their clan as a whole, I’m not sure my victory would be guaranteed.
If I, who just wants the happiness of an average, normal girl, get caught up in something like that—or cause chaos—it would mean nothing but misfortune for both sides.
After I’ve worked so hard to make allies, and friends…
The future of this world should be wrought by the people of this world. It’s not something some outsider with knowledge of an alternate world should stick their nose into.
But…
“Therefore, this world was deemed a massive failure, and we decided to leave it alone, without our guidance… Even though we do feel slightly responsible for it.”
That’s what God said.
A massive failure of a world. An abandoned world, without gods or anyone else to care for it.
If this world comes in danger of ruin again, no one will step forth to save it.
***
The small merchant caravan and the Crimson Vow arrived in the capital without incident.
After receiving their completion stamp and their payment for the escort job from the guild, they gave their report about the job in Helmont. As payment had already been taken care of, this was merely a formality, a follow-up and paperwork. The guild had already received verification of completion from the Helmont branch, so there were no issues.
“I feel like I’m saying this to you every time, but you handled such a compl
icated job splendidly,” the receptionist, Laylia, said wearily as she processed their paperwork. “Here, all your paperwork’s done. Before you head home, please stop in to see the guild master.”
“Yes, ma’am!!”
When they stepped into the guild master’s office, they were greeted with a smile. A creepy, almost—no, incredibly—menacing smile.
“You all did amazingly! We owe you a huge thank you for taking care of all these meddlesome jobs! The other branches are gonna be so impressed with us, and I bet other young parties are gonna start getting riled up, just to keep themselves from being outclassed by a group of rookies! Seriously, I’m truly thankful for you all!
“Plus, His Majesty, the King himself, graced us with his thanks for quietly defusing an incident that could have incited a conflict with the beastfolk! Getting praise directly from the Crown is something that hasn’t happened in a dozen years.”
Apparently, both the palace and the guild had already received the latest intel. Perhaps a courier had arrived there before them, or perhaps Chelsea, riding upon Lobreth, had been given an additional report to carry or intercepted some messenger along the way.
Come to think of it, the four girls hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Lobreth, Chelsea, or Dr. Clairia in Helmont.
“We’re home!”
“Y-young misses, you made it home safe!”
When they returned to the inn, the first thing they did was to call over to the reception desk. As they did, little Lenny came running, shouting.
“Please don’t make me worry like thaaaat!!” Lenny wailed, tears in her eyes. “Don’t you know how worried I got when you didn’t come home after the day you said you would?!”
Somehow or other, the girls managed to pacify her. Eventually Lenny calmed down.
“Oh, right! I have to let everyone know!” She went back to the counter and retrieved a wooden placard. She stepped outside the entrance.
Being a hunter was the sort of rough trade where you never knew when a hunter might go missing, and you’d be lucky to find their corpse. It would be one thing if it was a famous A-rank party, but if some greenhorn C-rank party disappeared, no one would pay the incident any mind. And so, with a wry smile on their faces but thinking, My, how splendid, the Crimson Vow casually read the words written upon the placard:
“Today only: Full baths open, unlimited hot water. Three half-silver.”
“…”
All four of them slumped their shoulders in disappointment. Lenny was still Lenny, after all.
In exchange for having to run water all evening, their lodging and meals for the night were free. This in and of itself depleted some of the profits earned from the bath entry fees, but when they considered the publicity and free advertising it gave the inn, it more than paid for itself.
“Please keep in mind, young misses, this meal may be free, but please don’t eat too much!!” That said, Lenny did make this tearful plea to Mile and Reina, the resident bottomless pits.
***
The next day, the Crimson Vow headed to the guildhall late in the day.
They weren’t looking to take on another job right after having finished such a long one. Yesterday’s appearance had been nothing but paperwork and speaking to the guild master, so today’s visit was to gather information: checking the job request board, seeing whether there was any pertinent gossip they had missed while they were away.
It was for this reason that hunters who were away a long while, or who were on break, stopped by the guild now and then even when they didn’t have business there.
“Oh! They’re here!” As they stepped through the entrance, a familiar voice called out.
“Dr. Clairia?”
Indeed, it was Dr. Clairia, who had ridden ahead to Helmont from the dig site, on Lobreth’s back. Standing behind her were some other figures who they recognized. It was the hunters from before, the ones who had come to the capital to give their report on their job as an investigation team and their capture.
“Wh-what are you doing back in the capital?”
“After I gave my report in Helmont, that cutie Lobreth gave me a ride so I could tag along with the team reporting to the capital. I met up with them halfway and tagged along for the rest of the way. After dropping me off, Lobreth and Chelsea headed back to Helmont.”
Obviously, it would be troublesome to have Lobreth come flitting down into the capital, so that had been a wise decision. Plus, she had to confirm that the Crown and the guild had received an accurate report of the recent events.
Of course, by “accurate” they meant only the events Mile and company deigned to tell them. However, since they weren’t actually lying, it wasn’t a problem.
“U-uhm, Dr. Clairia told us you retrieved our gear?” came a voice from behind the scholar. It was the leader of the party who had taken on the initial escort job, speaking as a representative for the group.
For these men, this was a matter of life and death, so of course they would interject.
“Yes! We spoke with the others, so they returned them to us. Here you go!”
One after another, weapons and pieces of armor appeared out of thin air.
Mile had already carelessly shown off quite a bit of her abilities during their escape, due to her lack of common sense, so not a soul was surprised to see this happening now—including the other hunters, who watched from afar.
“Ah! My precious sword!”
“Oh, thank goodness! This breastplate was a memento of my old mentor.”
Everyone seemed thrilled to reclaim the gear that held such deep meaning to them.
“We have to thank you. We had a fair bit saved up, but having to replace our entire party’s gear would’ve been a huge blow. Some of us don’t even have the savings to replace our gear. You all truly saved our lives.”
In agreement with the leader’s words, all the men bowed their heads.
“Now then, as for the reward for returning our gear…”
At times like this, the reward would normally be about twenty to fifty percent of the gear’s assessed value.
Of course, given the strength of the opponents they were up against, the distance they had had to transport the gear, and the danger they had faced, that amount could change in proportion.
In this particular case, even if the Crimson Vow said they had resolved the situation by talking it out, that was largely inaccurate. They had faced danger, set foot in a settlement occupied by scores of beastfolk, and retrieved the gear. A reward of forty or fifty percent wouldn’t be strange at all.
“We don’t need it.”
“Huh??”
Hearing Reina turn down the finder’s fee, something that was the natural right of a hunter, caused a startled outcry among the hunters, who had been in the middle of replacing their borrowed gear with their own.
“It’s one thing for those of you who were part of the investigation team, but those other hunters didn’t earn anything for their time in the woods. We, on the other hand, earned quite a bit, so we’re fine without the extra.”
“A-are you sure about this?” another hunter asked before the leader could reply.
The party that had taken on the investigation team’s guard duty already lived a relatively comfortable life and had a decent amount saved up in their account with the guild bank. Now that their gear had been returned, they weren’t troubled for money. However, things weren’t that way for the other hunters. They had only agreed to the fee out of obligation and the leader’s insistence.
Truthfully, it was unforgivable for career hunters to receive charity from a group of young girls, no matter how strong they were. Even so, if they looked past themselves, they could see the plight of the other hunters and how this could lead to their financial ruin. It was hard to overlook the suffering of hunters from the same hometown.
“Guh… s-sniff… S-sorry…”
Seeing how reluctantly the leader accepted her refusal, and guessing the situation, Reina offered a solution.
“In place of the fee, how about if you come across other parties in need, you help them out? Maybe giving them an advance payment for a job or something?”
There was no guarantee they would honor this promise, but it consoled them nonetheless. Seeing the great nod the other hunters gave, the girls got the feeling their agreement would be honored after all.
The other hunters and guild employees who overheard the exchange were moved as well. For the consideration they had shown for other hunters and for the generosity when they had some to spare.
Some might look at the situation and sneer, “They gave up what they were entitled to! What idiots!” But not a soul present thought such a thing.
What if they were in that situation? What if warm words of salvation came their way when they were on the brink of ruin?
Thinking about it that way, no one could call those girls fools.
The Crimson Vow. A party of gorgeous young rookies, full of potential, who had made a name for themselves since their graduation exam at the Hunters’ Prep School.
Not only were they formidable fighters, but they kept their promises. Their job completion rate was 100 percent. And they were kind and thoughtful to other hunters.
Their reputation just kept growing.
Everyone present in the guild smiled wide, hunters and guild employees alike.
All except for Pauline, who looked ready to claw her own face off at the loss of profit; Reina, who bitterly tried to hide her embarrassment at being thanked so many times; and of course, Mile, who stood with a gloating look that said, “Now the plan is complete!”
Chapter 37:
Decisions
After visiting the guild, the Crimson Vow concluded that there were no jobs interesting enough to warrant them postponing their vacation nor any other information of note.
The rumors that were sure to spread regarding investigations launched by elder dragons would likely be the biggest news for the next short while.
The four ate a nice lunch, and after strolling about the capital until evening, returned to the inn. If they didn’t eat dinner at the inn, little Lenny and her father would be sullen. Plus they needed to supply water for the baths.