novelraw Chapter 118 : A Not Bad Offer
Chapter 118 : A Not Bad Offer
Chapter 118: A Not Bad Offer
The route Maria had told them about was truly a shortcut.
Thanks to it, they reduced the travel time to Narvik.
Two days after leaving the abandoned building.
Robin and Sigbard arrived in Narvik.
“You worked hard getting here.”
“You did too. But this is just the beginning now.”
“Let’s secure lodgings first.”
The city was more lively than expected.
Everywhere they went, it buzzed with people.
‘I didn’t expect this kind of atmosphere.’
After asking around, they found an inn where many adventurers stayed.
Oak Tree Inn.
It never failed to come up whenever they asked for a decent inn.
“There’s a reason people recommend it.”
“The inn is huge. I hope the rooms are big too.”
It was as wide as if three ordinary buildings had been joined together.
With five floors, it stood taller than the surrounding buildings and caught the eye.
Thanks to that, it was easy to spot even from afar.
Creeeak.
As they opened the door, a spacious dining hall welcomed them.
Perhaps because it was morning, there weren’t many people.
Those eating a late breakfast—or an early lunch—all turned their heads at once.
Their gazes fixed on Sigbard’s massive frame.
Since this had become a familiar occurrence, Robin walked straight up to the owner.
“Two people for lodging.”
“Is this your first time at our inn.”
“Yes. We arrived in Narvik today. Everyone recommended this place.”
The owner smiled faintly and took out a signboard.
He was a young proprietor who didn’t look over thirty.
“We have a total of five room types.”
He continued explaining while pointing at the board.
The cheapest room was 10 Cooper per night.
The most expensive room was a whopping 10 Silver per night.
“Usually, when two people stay, they choose the first room, but.”
The owner glanced at Sigbard and continued.
“Given the size of the person behind you, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
He then pointed to the second room on the board.
20 Cooper per night.
Not a bad price.
Compared to the inn they stayed at in Runeberg, it was actually cheaper.
“Most parties of five tend to stay in that one.”
“Sounds good. I’ll pay for three nights in advance.”
“You won’t regret it.”
He handed over 60 Cooper and received the key.
“Meals are served on the first floor from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.”
“Can we eat now.”
“Of course. Today’s menu is 3 Cooper per meal.”
They offered a different menu every day and kept meals under 5 Cooper.
‘This is nice.’
Robin held out 30 Cooper.
When the owner looked at him in confusion, Robin pointed at Sigbard.
“We eat quite a lot.”
“Ah. I’ll prepare ten servings of chicken stew.”
After ordering, they sat at a table close to the kitchen.
Even when Sigbard leaned his weight back into the chair, it didn’t break.
‘Looks like they use good furniture too.’
Just being able to withstand that huge body raised Robin’s evaluation.
Sigbard seemed satisfied as well, a smile forming on his lips.
“They say lots of adventurers come here, but it’s quiet.”
“Maybe they’re all resting.”
Most adventurers spent the majority of their time in uncharted regions.
Those who returned to the city did so to reorganize.
They would be busy disposing of loot or taking a break.
“When are you going to register at the guild.”
“There’s no reason to delay. Let’s unpack and go right away.”
While they exchanged words, the food arrived.
The owner himself set the dishes down and joined the conversation.
“Looks like you’re heading to the Adventurers’ Guild. Is it to register.”
“Yes. I heard it’s better to register if you’re going in and out of uncharted regions.”
“Unfortunately, even if you go now, it’ll be difficult to register. There’s been an issue recently.”
When Robin asked what had happened, the owner shrugged.
“I don’t know the details either.”
“That’s not good news.”
“For the time being, it’d be best not to head into uncharted regions.”
After placing down the ten bowls of stew, the owner left.
Sigbard shoveled stew into his mouth.
“Don’t just watch, you eat too, Robin. The stew tastes good.”
The chicken stew had a clear broth, which was rare.
After taking a spoonful, Robin said exactly what he thought.
“It’s delicious.”
The warm broth heated his empty stomach.
A kind owner and a tasty meal.
If the room was clean as well, there would be nothing more to ask for.
* * *
The room they were shown to was to his liking.
A guest room with two double beds.
It even had a bathroom and a small kitchen.
Robin had never seen an inn with such facilities at this price.
He later learned it was possible thanks to support from the Adventurers’ Guild.
“The bed is soft.”
“Stop rolling around and let’s go.”
The bed barely reached the tips of Sigbard’s feet.
As soon as he saw a bed that matched his height for the first time, he threw himself onto it.
“Can’t we go a bit later.”
“Then I’ll go by myself.”
Sigbard had already become one with the bed.
Seeing how purely happy he looked made Robin chuckle.
He packed the things he intended to sell into his backpack and left the inn.
As he looked at the people passing by on the streets, he recalled what he had overheard.
‘So unless they’re adventurers, most of them are just ordinary people.’
Narvik was bisected by a river dividing the east and west.
The Altaelv River, formed by snow melted from the Runeberg Mountains.
Thanks to this river, the land was fertile, and the city had flourished early through trade.
That was why there were so many people, despite it bordering uncharted regions.
‘Public security seems decent too.’
As he walked around the city, he encountered guards several times.
By his estimation, he saw one about every thirty minutes.
It didn’t match the image of adventurers who frequented uncharted regions.
‘No. Maybe that’s exactly why they focus more on security.’
Uncharted regions were, by definition, outside the Empire’s territory.
Naturally, they were lawless zones.
Which meant criminals would gather there to hide themselves.
In any case, Robin kept walking without rest.
Lost in various thoughts, he arrived at a blacksmith’s shop.
“Welcome. You’re here to sell steel ingots?”
“Yes. I’d also like you to service my swords.”
“Let me see.”
Robin placed two swords on the counter.
The blacksmith drew them from their scabbards and examined them closely, then frowned.
“He must’ve been handled roughly. The edge is badly damaged.”
“It came into contact with an acidic substance.”
“Hm… In that case, how about replacing the sword altogether.”
“It’s that bad?”
The blacksmith ran his hand along the blade.
Rust powder came off onto his fingertips.
“It’d be good for killing an opponent with tetanus.”
“I’ve used it without problems for ten years. It also means a lot to me. Can’t you do something about it?”
The blacksmith, alternating his gaze between Robin and the sword, let out a sigh.
“All right. I’ll do my best.”
“Thank you.”
“Still, the day will come when you’ll have to replace it before long.”
Robin received 5 Silver as payment for the ingots.
Ten kilograms of steel for 5 Silver.
‘Carrying it all that way for just 5 Silver, huh.’
If the purity had been higher, he could have gotten more, but he was satisfied enough.
“Come pick up your sword in two days.”
They decided to settle the maintenance fee later.
No matter how much it came to, it wouldn’t exceed 1 Silver.
“It feels empty.”
Being separated from the sword he always wore left a noticeable void.
Just in case, he hadn’t entrusted his dagger.
‘Should I start considering a new weapon.’
The blacksmith’s words kept bothering him.
It was something he had half expected.
No matter how well-made a sword was, its lifespan depended on how it was used.
Unless it was a famed blade forged by dwarves, periodic replacement was the norm.
“Welcome to Ernie’s General Store!”
“I’d like to sell these and buy potions with the remaining money.”
He sold the monster corpses he had hunted on the way and bought potions.
Three lowest-grade potions, three low-grade potions.
His wallet thinned out in no time.
“Ohoho! I really lucked out. Come again next time, handsome young master.”
The genial-looking shop owner waved cheerfully at Robin.
‘What is it. Why do I feel like I got swindled.’
One had to be wary of those who were overly kind.
The general store owner had been far too friendly to Robin.
Perhaps she was simply happy to see a customer after a long time.
Dismissing it as his imagination, he headed toward his final destination.
‘Is this really the right way?’
The place he reached after asking residents for directions was the Adventurers’ Guild branch.
It was slightly secluded, away from the main road.
The innkeeper had hinted that adventurer registration wouldn’t be possible for a while, but you never knew.
He sought out the guild at least to learn its location.
‘Why does it get emptier the closer I get to the guild.’
What unsettled Robin were the surrounding shops.
Every single one of them was closed.
General stores, restaurants, clothing shops. The signs showed a variety.
‘At this rate, is the Adventurers’ Guild closed too.’
What greeted Robin when he arrived in front of the guild was a closed sign.
There was no sign of life inside the large building.
‘I expected it, but seeing it directly makes it serious.’
If it was only temporarily closed, that would be fine.
Waiting a few days wasn’t a hardship.
Robin stared silently at the dust piled on the doorknob.
‘Looks like it’s been closed for at least a month.’
There was no way to know how much longer he would have to wait.
For a guild said to be established throughout the Empire, it was lacking.
“Do we have to go in with just the two of us, without registering.”
Entering uncharted regions itself wasn’t difficult.
There were guard units protecting the borderlands, but leaving required no special procedure.
The problem was coming back in.
Since all kinds of criminals gathered there, identity checks were conducted upon entry.
At that time, those without adventurer registration would be in trouble.
‘If you’re lucky, you might be released, but most end up in prison.’
In principle, they were supposed to investigate criminal records, but the chances of that were very low.
Because it was bothersome, a waste of manpower, or they didn’t want to spend the time.
Without an adventurer badge, you were treated as a criminal.
That was how essential adventurer registration was.
The Adventurers’ Guild was one of the few guilds that enjoyed public trust despite not being a state institution.
“So much for things going smoothly.”
He muttered lightly and turned his back.
At that moment, someone approached from far away.
Where had he come from, in such an empty street.
Robin felt curious about the man approaching the guild.
“Damn. Is it closed again today.”
A man who looked to be in his mid-thirties kicked the ground.
Robin guessed that he was in a similar situation to himself.
“Did you come to register as an adventurer too?”
“Me? No.”
The man pulled out a round bronze badge from his chest and showed it.
An adventurer badge issued to registered individuals.
The name John was engraved on the badge.
“I came to report a request I completed earlier, but it’s been closed for days now.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
John sighed and put the badge away.
Then he looked Robin up and down.
“You here to register anew?”
“Yes. Do you know how long the guild has been closed?”
“From what I’ve heard, it’s been two months now.”
It was more serious than expected.
If it had already been closed for over a month, no one knew how long this situation would last.
“I need to receive my completion payment by this month. This is troublesome.”
“It’d be a big problem if the guild doesn’t open soon.”
“Young man, are you in a hurry too?”
“Not exactly. It’s just a headache having to wait without any idea how long.”
Leaving words that he hoped things would work out for John, Robin started walking away.
Just as he was about to leave the street where the guild stood.
John’s voice caught him from behind.
“Hey, wait a moment!”
John came running toward Robin in a hurry.
Before Robin could even ask what was going on, John got straight to the point.
“You, if you’re all right with it, wouldn’t you like to go out with me.”
“Pardon? Go where.”
“Outside, I mean. The uncharted regions.”
“I’m not even registered yet.”
John caught his breath and grinned.
“You really don’t know anything, do you.”
When Robin asked what he meant, John smiled broadly.
“There’s always a way.”
John’s confident voice made Robin tempted as well.
“What is it, that way.”
“I’ll tell you. It’s an offer that won’t be bad for you.”
John said to hear him out first and then decide, and opened his mouth.
Even if he had some skill in swordsmanship, as an adventurer he was a complete novice.
Robin listened closely to what John had to say.