Chapter 25

"Y-ya, good morning everyone. I'm sorry for being late."

The next morning.

After having an early breakfast at our usual inn, I headed towards the carriage stop in the central district.

Sarena, Porta, Nidori, and Saricatz, the four people I was supposed to meet, had already arrived, and it seemed I was the last one to show up.

Oh no, this is an awkward start.

Maybe it was a bad idea to stick to my usual routine for breakfast.

"Good morning, Gardant-san!"

"Good m-morning..."

Porta and Nidori greeted me, one with enthusiasm and the other with a tense stiffness.

Saricatz, who seemed nervous, only gave a slight bow. I made a mental note that he's the type who's more reserved.

I have a lot of experience dealing with kids, you know.

"Let's go then. Everyone, get in the carriage."

"Okay, let's go."

Following Sarena's voice, we all climbed into the carriage that had been prepared in advance.

When we traveled to and from Bident Village, the Reberio Knights provided the carriage, but this one was apparently arranged by the Adventurers' Guild.

Dungeons are usually not within easy reach of a city, so the guild usually covers the costs for such training and quests.

Impressive, the knights and the adventurers' guild have a lot of funding.

This kind of treatment is something I could never have imagined in Bident Village.

After everyone was aboard, Saricatz, who was driving, signaled the horses.

The scenery began to move slowly, and the carriage glided smoothly over the cobblestones.

"Wow, the adventurer is driving the carriage?"

"Adventurers often travel long distances. Handling horses is a basic skill."

Sarena picked up on my muttered comment.

Of course, not all quests are within the city limits. It would be a problem if an adventurer couldn't handle a horse when it came time for a long expedition.

"Are we going to Azaramia Forest in this carriage?"

"Yes. We can't go into the forest itself by carriage, so we'll go as close as we can. From there, we'll have to walk."

Sarena, as expected, answered the next question.

She's definitely experienced. This probably isn't her first time accompanying new recruits.

That raises a question.

Do they really need me here?

I had this doubt from the beginning. Sarena alone should be more than capable of taking care of three new recruits.

It's also a mystery why the guild recommended me. Even if I concede that the recommendation was made, I still don't understand why they needed two supervisors.

"By the way, is there a rule that multiple people have to accompany such training sessions?"

So, I decided to ask.

Sarena, who received my question, showed a moment of hesitation, unlike before.

She then answered in a low voice, just loud enough for me to hear.

"According to the rules, it's fine as long as there are two Platinum-ranked adventurers or one Ocean-ranked adventurer or higher."

"Hmm. I still don't see why I'm needed..."

Do they really need me?

As the carriage continued to rattle over the cobblestones, we continued our conversation.

"Have you heard? The movements of the monsters have been a bit strange recently."

"Really? How so?"

I haven't heard anything about that.

And isn't that the kind of issue that adventurers or knights should handle? They shouldn't be dragging in a washed-up old man like me.

"There have been multiple sightings of large species in areas where they shouldn't normally be. The guild has sent investigators, but they haven't identified the cause yet."

"Interesting... That doesn't sound peaceful."

What? That sounds dangerous.

I'm not an expert on monsters or animals, but I've lived in a village long enough to know a few things.

Animals, including humans and monsters, have established territories.

You could call them territories.

While there aren't specific lines drawn like borders, these territories generally don't change unless something significant happens.

Because they don't change, we can define their distribution using the term "habitat."

If these territories are changing, it means something abnormal is happening in the area or with specific individuals or groups.

That's the usual conclusion.

And the adventurers' guild hasn't identified the cause yet.

Hmm, unsettling. I hope nothing bad happens.

"That's why we're increasing the number of personnel for such training sessions to prepare for unexpected situations. This naturally leads to a shortage of high-ranking adventurers, which is why I thought your assistance would be helpful this time."

"I see... I understand the situation, thank you."

I understand the situation, but I still don't understand why they chose me.

Shouldn't this be a matter for the Reberio Knights or the Mages' Guild?

I was puzzled.

"Is the Reberio Knights aware of this situation?"

If the movements of the monsters are concerning, it's not just a local issue. The information should have reached the knights and the mages.

"I believe the information has been passed on. Citrus should know, but..."

"Hmm..."

Well, if Alusia is aware, it shouldn't be a problem.

I think they didn't inform me because they don't consider me a direct combatant. I'm just a guide, not a frontline fighter.

I don't want to fight either. I don't want to be a burden to everyone.

The carriage continued to rattle out of the capital.

The capital, Baltrane, is a fortress city surrounded by high walls.

It's impossible to completely eliminate monsters, so cities are surrounded by walls everywhere. The scale of the capital is, of course, different. In rural villages, the walls might be just fences.

Once you step outside the walls, the scenery isn't much different from what you'd see in Bident Village.

The only difference is the extent of human activity. Otherwise, the inside and outside are quite similar.

The carriage traveled on a well-trodden road, different from the cobblestones of the capital.

While the land is officially part of the country, the area where humans can live safely is surprisingly limited.

Of course, humans are making efforts, but not everyone can fight.

Managing an area and dominating it are different. In that sense, the Adventurers' Guild manages Azaramia Forest but doesn't dominate it.

Villages, towns, and countries have developed from areas that have been fully dominated.

Ironically, it's because the dominated areas are still developing that people like me can make a living.

"Still, peace is the best thing in the world."

"Being able to travel the world without danger is the ideal, indeed."

Sarena nodded in agreement with my mutter.

The time until we reached Azaramia Forest passed in a very peaceful manner.