Chapter 77

Summary of the previous chapter ------------------------------------------------------

They discussed what kind of house to build and decided on a rough floor plan.

While the women went to consult and order from the carpenter, Naoto and Toya headed to the Adventurer's Guild.

They arrived at the guild, which was quiet, while keeping an eye on the weather.

Well, the guild in this town is usually crowded only in the early morning and evening.

Diora-san, who looked idle at the counter, smiled and nodded slightly when she noticed us.

"Good morning, Diora-san. Thank you for your help yesterday."

"No, no. Supporting adventurers is our job. ... Personally, it was a bit of a bargain too."

"It was a good deal for both of us, then."

"Yes, exactly. So, what about today? Since Haruka and the others are not here, are they taking a break?"

"Yes, the weather isn't good."

"When it rains, even veterans can make mistakes, so it's a good idea. Since you bring in orcs frequently, you should have some extra money. By the way, there's been talk that there might be a large nest because you bring in orcs so often. Do you have any idea where it might be?"

When Diora-san said that, Naoto and Toya exchanged glances.

We weren't sure if it was a large nest, but we had a lead on a nest.

We had been finding and defeating small groups of orcs by relying on scouting and Toya's senses, and based on their appearance range, we had speculated and scouted where the nest might be.

When we went to that location, which only Natsumi and I could go to due to skill issues, we detected over 40 reactions within the scouting range.

We didn't visually confirm, but I had some experience, and it was clear that there were many monsters at least as strong as orcs, so we immediately retreated from the area.

Since we've been defeating many orcs since then, if the supply source was only that nest, the number should have decreased, but...

"Diora-san, what counts as a large nest?"

"Well, the standard is if there are any higher-level orcs, but there's no set number. As a rule of thumb, it's said that a higher-level orc is born when there are more than 30 orcs."

"Thirty... So, there probably is a large nest."

"Indeed... I thought so, given how often you bring them in. We'll need to put out a request for their extermination."

Diora-san sighed as if troubled.

"Is a large nest a bad thing? We can defeat orcs, and they don't seem to be much of a threat."

"If left alone, the nest will expand, and orcs will start appearing in the shallower parts of the forest and on the roads. They would be tough opponents for ordinary travelers and rookies, right?"

If they start appearing on the roads, it would be dangerous.

We can defeat orcs without much trouble now, but if they had appeared when we were heading to Saarstadt to find Natsumi and the others, something could have gone wrong.

Thinking calmly, orcs are a tougher opponent than the Viper Bear we struggled with at first.

"If adventurers hunt orcs regularly, it wouldn't be a problem..."

"Do orcs not have much popularity? We're making quite a profit."

"Yes, if you have a certain level of skill and a Magic Bag, it's profitable, but otherwise, it's a bit awkward. You see, meat is heavy. No matter how many you defeat, you can only bring back one at a time."

The meat from one orc is about 300 kilograms. Even if a six-person party shares the load, it's about 50 kilograms per person.

We were able to bring back the meat from two orcs before we had a full Magic Bag, thanks to a backpack and a 'Lightening' Magic Bag.

"One orc's worth of meat is about 5 to 6 gold coins per person, so it's not a very good deal. Also, orcs don't usually act alone, so if you defeat several, you have to discard the rest, which is quite frustrating for adventurers."

"Ah, that's true..."

Even if you know it's a waste, it's mentally tough to discard something that's worth over 300,000 yen.

"Recently, thanks to the backpacks Haruka made, it's a bit better, but two is still the limit."

If everyone has a backpack, they can bring back one and a half orcs, and with some effort, two. This has slightly increased the popularity of orcs.

However, the profit is still less than 10 gold coins, but for parties that can handle orcs, it's a decent amount.

But, two is pushing it. For a six-person party, they would have to carry 100 kilograms.

...No, if you don't consider combat, it's not impossible. I've heard that porters in Tase can carry over 100 kilograms, and people in this world have higher physical abilities.

"Will there be adventurers who will go to exterminate the nest if a request is put out?"

"To be honest, not in this town. Even if the reward is increased, it's not worth it."

For low-rank adventurers, exterminating a nest is impossible, and for high-rank adventurers, it's not very profitable.

As a result, the request will likely remain unfulfilled.

"Then, what will you do? Just leave it until there's damage?"

"No, if there's damage, the country incurs a loss, so the guild will receive a subsidy and organize an extermination mission at the last possible moment."

A guild-organized extermination mission means the guild directly recruits adventurers and conducts the mission with a large number of people.

It's not mandatory, but to gather enough people, the risk is low, and during the extermination of an orc nest, a carrying team is provided, so the guild handles transportation to the town for a small fee. Therefore, there is sufficient profit, and it's not difficult to gather the necessary number of adventurers.

"Actually, it would be better to act sooner, but the guild can't afford to do it without a subsidy. It's quite a challenge."

Diora-san sighed.

The country doesn't respond unless there's damage to people on the road, so a subsidy won't be provided if only rookie adventurers are harmed in the forest.

The guild wants to protect rookie adventurers, but it's difficult to conduct an extermination mission with the guild's own funds. As a result, they can only issue warnings.

"I see. It would be good if our party could exterminate it..."

"No, no, don't take unnecessary risks. If something happens to Toya and the others, it would be counterproductive."

"We can lure them out in small groups, so orcs themselves aren't difficult opponents. Are higher-level orcs really that strong?"

"Yes, an Orc Leader can be defeated by a few adventurers who can handle orcs alone, but an Orc King, the highest-level individual, can easily scatter adventurers who can handle regular orcs. I've only heard about it, but it hasn't appeared in this area."

An Orc King is said to be in a different league of strength compared to an Orc Leader.

Of course, we would be among the adventurers who would be scattered. Diora-san's words, "It hasn't appeared in this area," are a relief.

"By the way, does an Orc Leader sell for a high price?"

When I asked, Diora-san smiled wryly and hesitated before speaking.

"Ah, no, not really. The magic stone and hide are more than twice as valuable as a regular orc, but the meat is about the same... If you only consider profit, it's safer and better to defeat 2 or 3 regular orcs."

She added, "That's why we can't get people to take the request."

Over half of the profit from orcs comes from the sale of meat.

Even if they get stronger, orcs are still orcs, and their meat doesn't dramatically improve in taste. In fact, it might become tougher and less tasty.

Incidentally, the hide sells for a high price because it is harder and more durable than a regular orc's. Conversely, it means that attacks are less likely to penetrate.

"An Orc King, on the other hand, apparently sells for a very high price for its magic stone and hide. However, it's unclear if the price justifies its strength."

But, apparently, the taste of the meat doesn't change much. However, if you're lucky, a curious noble might buy it at a high price, so there's some hope.

"By the way, during a nest extermination request, the magic stones of orcs are bought at double the price. So, an Orc Leader would be 14,000 rea."

"Double? It's expensive, but... the meat and hide are more profitable, right?"

"Yes, the meat of a regular orc is more expensive."

"What about the price of the hide and meat?"

"...It doesn't change."

I see. That's why the request remains unfulfilled.

There's no point in aiming for the nest extermination. If we have to give a reason, it would be for our experience. Haruka, who is cautious, probably wouldn't agree.

"By the way, Diora-san, changing the subject, do you know any way for someone like me, who can't use magic, to use magic power?"

"Um, you mean not a magic item, but something like physical enhancement using magic power?"

So, there is a way to enhance the body!?

Toya nodded happily at Diora-san's words.

"---! Yes! That's what I mean. Since Diora-san is a guild staff member, I thought you might know."

"I'm not very knowledgeable, but is it okay if I tell you what I know?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Understood. Well, first of all... You know that killing monsters can increase your defense to an unimaginable level, right?"

"Yes, a knife can't even pierce it, right?"

Toya, that's a metaphor from Haruka.

Look, Diora-san is also looking puzzled.

"Why a knife...? Well, in short, that's the case. There are currently two theories about why this happens."

"Two? Just two?"

"Yes. Simply put, one theory is that there is a principle, and the other is that there isn't."

That's too vague!

"The theory that there isn't a principle suggests that it's a reward from the gods for killing monsters or that we absorb some mysterious power from them, but the point is that it's not well understood."

Hmm, it sounds like the character level principle in our world. The explanation Haruka gave us is from this school of thought.

"The theory that there is a principle suggests that 'by killing monsters, we become better at handling magic and unconsciously enhance our bodies with magic.' However, this theory is not widely supported."

"Is that so? In a way, it makes sense."

"If that were the case, wouldn't elves like Naoto be much stronger than humans from the start?"

"Ah, yes. So, does that mean physical enhancement through magic is denied?"

"Not necessarily. Apart from the theory about killing monsters, there are people who clearly exhibit abilities beyond the norm, and some of them use magic for it. It's not something everyone can do, but it might not be impossible."

"I see... In other words, there's no one who can easily teach it."

"Yes, it's difficult."

It seems hopeful but also uncertain.

We might be able to teach Toya basic magic manipulation, but he will have to experiment and try things out on his own.

"Also, this is just hearsay, but there are experts who can break rocks with their bare hands or cut through walls with a sword. I think magic might be involved in these cases. A sword can 'break' but not 'cut' through a wall, after all."

"I see. So, there is a possibility. Thank you."

"I'm sorry I couldn't be of much help..."

"No, no, it was very helpful. Also, can we sell the orcs we brought today?"

"Oh, yes. Please follow me to the back."

Following Diora-san, we moved to the back and took out four orcs from the Magic Bag and placed them on the table.

Seeing this, Diora-san smiled wryly and said,

"That Magic Bag can hold quite a lot, can't it?"

"I'm not sure what's typical, but it's decent? Please keep it confidential."

"Of course. I am a guild staff member, after all."

Recently, we've been putting all the orcs we've hunted into this old bag, but it hasn't been full yet. Incidentally, the Magic Bag is not the bag itself but a cloth bag attached inside it.

Initially, we planned to "embroider the magic array on the leather of the bag," but then we thought, "Why not just put a cloth bag inside?" and remade a burlap bag to fit the inside of the bag and attached it.

"But I don't think you need to worry much in this town, but be careful when you go to other towns. If it's known, there might be people who try to take it by force."

"Thank you for the warning. What should we do in such a case? Is it okay to fight back?"

"Well, to be blunt, if it's outside the town, you can kill them without any problems. They would just be bandits, and there would be no witnesses. ...But it also means that the risk of being attacked is high."

The guild can't track the life and death of people outside the town, and there's no record of 'murder' in the status penalty section.

Unless you become a wanted criminal with a wanted poster, you won't be restricted from entering or leaving the town—no, it's impossible to restrict you.

If there were a magic item that could reveal a criminal record through a crystal ball, it would be convenient, but it doesn't exist in this world.

"In the town, it's a bit more complicated. Basically, it's okay to fight back, but if there are casualties around you, you will be punished. Also, if it's unclear who attacked first, the person who was attacked might be charged with a crime. If possible, it's safer to run away."

"Hmm, it's quite complicated."

"Unless you get close to the slums, you won't be attacked in the town."

This town doesn't have a slum as bad as that, but in other towns, there are places where you might be stripped and left on the side of the road if you step in carelessly.

In such places, the treatment is almost the same as outside the town, so you can fight back without hesitation. It's scary.

"Here is the payment for the meat. I'll return the magic stones for now. If you store them until a nest extermination request is issued, you can get double the price."

"Is that okay?"

When Diora-san returned the magic stones, I couldn't help but ask.

It's appreciated for us, but it's a loss for the guild. Since we're defeating the orcs before the request is issued, it wouldn't be strange to be told that we're not eligible...

"You frequently bring in orc meat, which contributes to our profit. Just selling the meat and hide of orcs is quite profitable."

"Selling the meat is quite a hassle for us too."

At first, when we started hunting Task Boars, we used to sell the meat to butchers, but recently, we've been selling everything to the guild.

Selling to butchers is slightly more profitable, but it requires negotiation, and sometimes one shop can't buy all the meat from an orc. The guild, which buys everything at a fixed price without the need for detailed negotiations, is a great help to us.

"I think the request will be issued in a few days, so please check. I don't recommend taking the request as a single party, but the profit from the magic stones will increase."

"Thank you."

We thanked Diora-san, who smiled, and headed to the guild's archive.