Chapter 19: Subjugation Requests, Alcohol, and a Change of Pace
[space_man][space_man]”So, what did the Branch Master want?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie asks Eld, trying to change the subject.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah. It was a nominated request. Dungeon investigation.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”A dungeon, huh? Come to think of it, those guys who were bothering us were talking about the dungeon too.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie says, recalling the incident at the reception desk.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Heh. The rumors are already spreading. Maybe there are some guys diving into the dungeon without even taking a request.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well, that’s their own responsibility, but I don’t want to go to a dungeon and have to deal with dead bodies.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie says, frowning.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah, that’s true. We can only hope there aren’t any reckless fools.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld shrugs.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Anyway, he said he’d prepare a carriage for tomorrow, so we can either take on a light request today or rest up for tomorrow.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie sighs.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I want to move my body a little more. Maybe a subjugation request would be good.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Alright. Let’s look for one at the reception desk. There might be a request that would let you get some exercise if you take it, Marie.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]When they went to the reception desk, Sophia was organizing documents at the counter.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”There’s no one else here. It seems like there really are few adventurers.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yeah. It’s quite sad to see this much emptiness in such a large space.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie stands in front of the counter.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’d like to see some requests. Preferably subjugation-type ones.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Yes. Please hold your record medium over here.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Sophia hands Marie a tablet crystal. Marie holds her right hand over it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Ah, you attached the medium to your right bracelet. When did you do that?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld, who was watching the exchange, interjects.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Over there, it’s been like this for about two years. I finally got tired of it and reattached it.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I should find a good bracelet soon too.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld says, touching the Guidance Stone hanging around his neck.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Seeing Eld like that, Sophia covers her mouth to suppress her laughter.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Wh-what’s wrong?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld asks, puzzled.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”No, it’s just that Eld-san, you initially spoke in a rough, adventurer-like tone, but recently your speech has become a bit more polite, or rather, different, and I found it amusing.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh. This guy comes from a high-class family, so his natural way of speaking is how he is now.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie says while choosing a request.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Oh, is that so? I don’t think your current way of speaking is a problem as an adventurer, though.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”In the central capital, I got into trouble when I spoke politely.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Heh. I had the impression that people in the central capital speak more politely.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”The city is too big. There’s a wide range of people, from the upper class to the lower class. And for the lower class to rise up, becoming an adventurer is the quickest way.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie says, looking into the distance. Eld looks at Marie with an exasperated expression.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Well then, I think I’ll take this one.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie chooses a request and signs the contract.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Subjugation of one Boar Monster in the West Forest, is it? Thank you very much.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Sophia stands up and bows to see them off.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The two head towards the West Forest. In the forest, Marie watches with an exasperated expression as Eld pokes around in the bushes as usual, looking for the Boar Monster.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”I’ve always told you that if you do it that way, you’ll have to deal with unnecessary monsters, so it’s better to train to be able to sense weak magic power.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Nah~. Magic power sensing training takes time, and the monsters around here aren’t that strong, so this way is more efficient for me.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As he says that, a Boar Monster appears from the bushes and charges towards Eld.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As soon as Marie recognizes the Boar Monster, she stands in front of Eld and pins it down with one hand.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is the size okay?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s about right. She wants the fur, so try not to damage it too much.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie pushes the Boar Monster away once, and when it charges again, she kicks it and subdues it.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Impressive.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Eld confirms that the Boar Monster is dead, opens his subspace, and puts it inside.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”It’s quite heavy. It’ll be in the way if we bring it out at the reception desk, so let’s take it to the back.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As Eld closes the entrance to the subspace, Marie concentrates and surveys the surroundings.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Is something there?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Three Boar Monsters and…… eight Rabbit Monsters…… The rabbits are scared and hiding, so I don’t think we need to worry about them. The boars……”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]As Marie directs her gaze, three Boar Monsters jump out from the bushes. Eld dodges the charging Boar Monsters and takes out his magic sword, Tempera.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You’re going to use Tempera on monsters?”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Just to stop them.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Saying that, he stabs Tempera into the ground. Then, the area where Tempera is stabbed begins to freeze, and the ice spreads in a straight line to the Boar Monsters’ feet, freezing their feet and immobilizing them.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]Marie goes towards the Boar Monsters and finishes each one off with a single blow.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]They bring the subjugated monsters back to the guild, have Sophia confirm them at the dismantling area in the back, and complete the request.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]The three Boar Monsters they handed over for purchase were bought for a higher price than expected. Eld invites Marie to the tavern attached to the guild.
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”You’re still irritated, aren’t you? Let’s have a drink.”
[space_man]
[space_man][space_man]”Hmm…… alright.”