The River Town of Donsama (South Side)

After crossing the river and heading back into Donsama proper, I headed straight the the inn since Id tired myself out. I slept soundly, falling asleep as soon as my head hit my pillow, and kept at it until just before we left the next morning.

Maaan can I get some nice sleep after tuckering myself out.

I dont see anything different between the north and south sides, are they really different?

The adventurer guilds arent a part of the conflict at least, so thats all that matters for us.

The whole things inconsequential for travelers like us though.

At most we just had to plaster smiles on ourselves while listening to people say stuff like [Oh, you were in the north side yesterday? My goodness! It was so much more warm and comfortable down here, cant you tell?]. Like heck we can!

Alright, so well be leaving Donsama todayis there anything were forgetting?

I ate fish from the carts and some more for dinner. Im greeeeat, plus I can just get some more on the way back if I think of somethin!

Id expect nothing less, Ichika-san. What about you, Kehma-san?

Im good. Now were just going to accept a commission from the adventurer guild yeah?

What about solving the inn parent-child duos discord?

Pass.

With that out of the way, we went to South Donsamas adventurer guild. Wataru had delivered the luggage he got from North Donsamas adventurer guild some time beforehand, so we just accepted a delivery commission heading for the capital without much happening.

Just as we were all about to head back outside, someone called out Watarus name.

Wataru-sama. Someone asked for you specifically for an escort commission to Corky. Would you like to accept it? The person you would be escorting is a merchant.

Hmm? What do you think, Kehma-san?

Wait, youre asking me?is what I first though, but then I remembered that Id already hired Wataru to be my escort.

In that case, Ithe clienthad the power to make the decision. By the way, Corky was the name of the next big town on the way to the capital at around three days away by coach.

The coachs already too cramped to bring another person.

They have their own.

Wataru spoke while looking at the commission ticket he received from the receptionist.

By the way, the reason the receptionist already knew that Corky was our next destination was because Wataru came here saying [Were planning on heading to Corky next on our way to the capital, are there any delivery commissions we could take?]. Nothing about it seemed suspicious, but

Whyd they nominate Wataru directly? Wouldnt it be a good bit more expensive to request a hero directly?

It happens occasionally. They could have something that requires a hero, or perhaps their very goal is to be escorted by a hero.

So some people just want to get closer to a hero? I see. Hes a bit off, but he is a hero Still though, it just feels like one gold for a three-day escort by Wataru is expensive.

Well, it says that it will be switched into an ordinary escort commission asking for an appropriate adventurer if it isnt accepted, so Kehma-san, let me know whatever you decide.

I guess its fine. If you get onto the merchants coach, that just means well have one less person on ours.

Aww alright, fine.

Saying that, Wataru went back to the receptionist to accept the commission. The merchant was delighted and asked to shake Watarus hands, to which Wataru responded.

So I guess theres these kinds of commissions too.

With that, Wataru finished greeting the merchant and came back as the merchant looked as if they were in a rush to head outside.

He asked for us to wait a little longer so he can fetch more goods to bring.

Alright. I guess it makes sense for him to want to bring more now that he knows a heros going to escort him, not to mention that hed want to bring more to recoup his losses from the nomination fee.

Well, Corkys public security isnt too bad in the first place But I heard there was an eyewitness report about a band of thieves stalking the area, so I figured that it was a great chance since it said the merchant has four wagons.

Oh, so he wants to fish out some thieves. Which means that him accepting the escort this time is for the sake of fighting people?

Kehma-san, have you killed anyone before? If not, dont feel like you have to push yourself.

I have as a Dungeon Master, but thats indirectly

If I was attacked by a thief I could probably do it? Hmm. Lets not worry about it.

By the way, its common for C-Ranks to be escorts that is, theyre at a level that are able to fight thieves, robbers and the like. Kehma-san, I know youre D-Rank, but do you think youll manage?

As long as no big shot comes out, probably. Id be able to stall if I get surrounded, so make sure you save me if it looks dangerous, yeah?

Got it, leave it to me.

I didnt just have to rely on the clothes golem, I had magic too. I figured I could manage one way or another.

Gozoh and Roppu were C-Rank, and Ichika was formerly one, so they should be fine and Meats even stronger than Ichika so she should be fine. The problems actually whether or not shed be able to hold back enough to not kill them.

By the way, it also seems like our coachman has the strength of a C-Rank adventurer, too. As expected of an aristocrats coachman.

I guess the only problems Rokuko? She has a clothes golem, but I cant picture her actually fighting. Shes wearing a rapier, but its just a decoration right?

Is Rokuko, a non-human, the most typical person among us?

Lets have Ichika guard her.

Alright, shall we wait at the meeting area, the south gate?

Yeah.

*

And thats why we decided to wait at the south gate out of Donsama toward the capital.

Ichika headed out with Meat for some nearby stalls to procure food I thought she said she didnt forget to eat?

Still though, getting a nomination commission Wataru really is famous, isnt he?

He is a hero, after all.

Its kind of strange since we see him all the time at our inn though.

Hearing Rokuko and I chat with each other about him, Wataru hopped into our conversation.

Were you talking about me just now?

We were, we were. About how totally different people treat you in and out of our village.

Golens special. Because the village chief is Kehma-san.

Wataru spoke as if it was my fault. Rokuko even nodded in agreement. Why tho.

Me being the village chief has nothing to do with it I mean, Im just a figurehead. Heck, Village Sub-Chief Wozuma, Receptionist-san from the adventurer guild, even Gozoh as the adventurer representative had more authority than me.

While were on the topic of the village, hows it going with you and Nerune?

Oh, its going great! Nerune-san said shed go on a date with me to Tsuia next time she has an opening in her schedule. So, Rokuko-san, please give Nerune a vacation. Actually, she needs money, so please raise her pay too.

Oh well I guess Ill just have to give Nerune a holiday the next time you come by, Wataru! Ill lend you her.

Thank you very much!

Huh? Nerunes always on holiday whenever Wataru comes. She should be able to do whatever she wants with him.

And its not like thered be any issue with her going on a date with him to Tsuia eh, whatever.

A while later, the merchant wed be escorting arrived.

He had four covered wagons. They looked like they were loaded with a lot of goods. From what I heard, his [Storage] is filled up too But wouldnt the wagons get stuck from being so weighed down?

Lets stop there. I get the feeling Ill raise some flag if I keep up that train of thought.

Alright, Mr. Hero-sama, my safety is in your hands.

Yeah, leave it to me. Wed even be able to deal with a dragon, so dont worry about it.

That is very reassuring.

The merchant then bowed his head toward us as well. We look forward to working with you for the next three days.

We took the merchant and exited the gate, leaving for the next town.

Although Wataru predicted that wed be attacked even if we were, he would probably go so hard that hed take them all out himself.