Chapter 98

The novel "I Decided to Become a Magic Swordsman Since I Was Transferred to Another World 2" will be released on April 28th! It's a completely new work!

The town of Kazanik was quite bustling.

However, most of the vehicles on the road were wagons, and there didn't seem to be many adventurers.

Perhaps the trade was thriving, but adventurers didn't move around much.

"First... the guild, I guess."

From the stack of boards given to me in Photoren, I took out the one that mentioned leaving the country.

According to it, I should go to the adventurer guild's Kazanik branch, not the merchant window.

It seems the guild handles the departure procedures for adventurers on behalf of the country, and an introduction letter is required.

That might be why I don't see many adventurers going to other countries.

I received the introduction letter in Photoren, so that's not a problem.

The guild branch I went to was a small building.

There were few request boards, and only one type of counter that you'd usually find in a guild.

Instead, there was a counter labeled "Border Affairs," indicating that the procedures were handled there.

...It seemed that not many adventurers used this counter, as the receptionist looked quite idle.

"Going to Noirel? Unfortunately, you need the branch manager's introduction letter to get permission..."

The receptionist noticed me approaching the counter and assumed I was there to leave the country, telling me I needed an introduction letter even before I said anything.

From the way she was talking as if I didn't have the introduction letter, it seemed many adventurers tried to leave without one.

Or perhaps, adventurers with introduction letters were rare.

"I have the introduction letter. Is this okay?"

"Introduction letter! ...I'm sorry, that was quite rude. May I have your guild card and introduction letter?"

I handed over the card and introduction letter, and the receptionist placed both on some device, comparing them.

"Name: Kaede, home base: Photoren... it matches. Rank: ...S!? Are you the Kaede!?"

"Um, if you ask me that..."

I don't know any other Kaede.

There might be one or two other "Kaede" in this country, but...

"Well, anyway, it seems the permission is already granted, so I'll give you the necessary items. First, this and... then this."

The receptionist handed me an introduction letter (with a different design from the one given in Photoren) and a container that looked like an enlarged potion bottle with decorations.

"...What is this?"

"The introduction letter is for creating a guild card at the Noirel guild. Submit it to any guild branch in Noirel. While you might not get an S-rank immediately... if an A-rank adventurer leaves the country, they get a B-rank upon registration, so you should get something similar."

I see.

Even without this, I might be able to register, but starting from the lowest rank would be troublesome.

This is probably to avoid such inconvenience.

"This is to show that the Kingdom of Basis is backing you. In other words, it means 'If you do anything funny to this person, Basis won't stay quiet.'"

Looking closely, I saw the Kingdom of Basis's emblem prominently carved on the side.

It's like the crest used in period dramas to say, "Can't you see this crest!?"

...Actually using it might involve the country and cause trouble, so I'd rather not.

"However, the recognition of this is not very high, so many people might not know what it is. In such cases, remove the cap from the tube and use the documents inside."

...It has low recognition.

Well, I didn't even know such a thing existed until now.

It's probably not something you see often in Orseon or Noirel.

For nobles, it might be common knowledge, though.

However, receiving this when going to a foreign country makes me a bit worried.

Is this something that comes up frequently?

I should ask just in case.

"Does this kind of situation happen frequently?"

"Not frequently, but... more often than in the Kingdom of Basis. ...The identity verification system in Noirel is not as advanced as in Basis."

Identity verification system...

Ah, the ultimate guild card that exposes even unreported crimes.

"So, be careful in the city. Unlike Basis, where criminals can't enter the town. In cheap inns, be careful with your belongings... but that's not a concern for you, Kaede."

The innkeeper might be a criminal who can continue operating without being caught.

Well, unless they have a skill to reach into someone else's item box, there's no need to worry about theft.

"Also, don't trust important people too much. Unlike Basis, the central authority is weak here."

If there are corrupt politicians, can they be removed?

"Is it corrupt?"

A place full of people like Radmcos would be terrible.

I'd rather camp outside than stay in such a place.

"Most are fine. However, for example, a high-ranking official from Noirel tried to enter Basis last year..."

Did they do something in Basis?

"When they tried to create an identity card upon entry, they were flagged as a thief. They were sent back to their country without leaving Kazanik."

...That was a different issue.

The guild card covers crimes committed abroad, too.

"So, what happened to them?"

They can't be left unchecked in Noirel, right?

"An investigation found embezzlement, and they were executed immediately. If there's a pretext for investigation, they act quickly."

In other words, without a pretext, they can't investigate at all.

A country without a dominant authority has its own challenges.

Well, embezzlement doesn't concern me much. If they challenge me, it won't even be worth a ter.

"Best to avoid getting involved."

Using [Information Manipulation Analysis], I might be able to discover criminals, but it would definitely be troublesome.

If I don't get involved, the chances of being drawn into problems are low. Practically non-existent.

"That's about it. ...Be careful with these things."

"Thank you for the advice."

With the necessary items in hand, I headed to the border.

The border wasn't a grand checkpoint. It was larger than Photoren's gate, with two gates for wagons and people, but each structure was similar to a town gate.

Well, that makes sense. The border outside the town isn't even guarded, so there's no need to secure this town's border.

The gate is more procedural and symbolic.

I don't know what the guild card or the country would determine if someone broke through the border from outside.

"Identity card."

I handed over my guild card, and the guard let me through without any trouble.

I was prepared for a complicated process like at an airport, so it was quite a surprise.

Well, I've entered Noirel...

But there's one problem.

I don't have a specific destination.

True, I know my final destination: a town called "Soiel."

However, the outbreak is about a week away.

Traveling doesn't take much time, and even if I arrive the day before, I still have six days.

I should have researched popular tourist spots.

Well, I can ask the locals.

As I started walking, I noticed a sign.

"About ten kilometers to Dilmia"

The text itself is a simple road sign.

However, the fruit-like image next to it caught my attention.

I don't know why, but my intuition whispered that this fruit is good.

I decided on my destination.

I stopped looking for someone to ask and ran in the direction the sign pointed.

Ten kilometers is practically nothing.

In less than five minutes, I arrived at Dilmia's gate.

As usual, I presented my guild card to the gatekeeper, but he didn't take it and smiled wryly.

"You're from Basis. You can pass through here without any trouble. They only stop suspicious people and check their belongings, but you don't look like one."

...Right. This isn't Basis, where criminals are identified by identity cards alone.

I'll have to get a new guild card at the Dilmia guild.

But first...

"Can I have one of these?"

At a store by the road, the fruit I noticed was on display.

I didn't hesitate to buy it.

"That's a Seuuyu. It's 300 rials."

...Rials?

I have ter in my hand.

I forgot to exchange them.

"Oh!"

Seeing my "Oops" expression, the vendor peeked at my hand and nodded in understanding.

"Ah, you're from Basis. Don't worry, ter is accepted in Dilmia. How about 50 ter?"

...Ter is accepted.

No wonder, this is a border town.

"Thanks!"

I handed the money to the vendor and took the fruit.

The fruit looked like a darker version of an apple and seemed quite delicious.

I took a bite while walking.

"Blow!?"

And I spat it out.