After leaving the forest, we hurried back to the town and headed for the guild.

　After killing the second Bind Viper, we were about to return when we found two Orcs, which threw us off schedule a bit.

　It wasn't difficult to avoid them, but considering that the period of expensive purchase of magic stones would end if I reported the destruction of the orc nest, I didn't want to miss it. I could also secure some meat.

I hope it's not too crowded. ......

We're still good, right?　The adventurers escorting the woodcutter won't be back for a while, right?

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

　If that's the case, it would be better to report it normally.

　The adventurer's guild I entered was rather quiet as usual. It seemed that they had managed to avoid the busy times.

　Diora, who was sitting at the counter, immediately noticed me, smiled, and called out to me.

Welcome back, everyone.
I'm back, Mr. Diora. Delivering the goods as usual.
Yes, in the back, then.

　Diora urged us to go to the back warehouse.

　Since I've been delivering only Orcs lately, I've had less and less chance to handle them at the counter, so I've always had to move here. As expected, the orc meat is too big to be placed on the front counter.

Haruka and his team have been delivering orcs consistently lately, haven't they? Isn't the orc nest about to be wiped out?　Mmm-hmm.

　Oh, good timing.
　I nodded to Diora, who laughed jokingly.

Yes, actually, the eradication is over.
"Hmmm ......?　What? Eradication?

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　We nodded again in response.

I'm not sure what to make of that.
"I can't say there weren't any that we didn't kill, but we also killed four orc leaders and destroyed their nests.
Four orc leaders?
Yeah. That's the magic stone.

　When we arrived at the warehouse, Haruka placed four orc leader demon stones on the counter, along with about ten normal orc demon stones. Next to them, we also laid out orc pelts. Of course we keep the meat.

Wait a minute. ...... Indeed, it looks like an orc leader.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

　But I'm more interested in the tool. .......

"Mr. Diora, what is that thing?

　Toya asked me.

It's a magic stone.　This is a magic tool to measure the magic power of magic stones. It doesn't know the name of the demon, but since there are only a few types of demons around here, it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

　It seems that there are more sophisticated devices that can even determine the name of the demon, but since the purchase price of the demon stone is determined by the amount of magic power, there is no practical problem. Incidentally, Toya's [Appraise] can also tell you the name of the demon, but I don't know if it's the same for demon stones that Toya doesn't know.

There are 4 orc leader magic stones and 12 orc magic stones. ....... It's true. It's not something that a rank 2 adventurer would normally be able to do.

　You'll be able to get a lot more than just a few.

It's not like we just attacked them out of the blue, we reduced them little by little. You've been bringing in orcs before, haven't you?

It is true that we have brought in about one orc nest. But I didn't expect them to be enough to kill an orc leader. ......

　If it's a normal orc, it's strong enough for a rank 2 party to kill it, but if it's an orc leader, the difficulty level goes way up. In the case of the guild's request to destroy the orcs, it is normal for people to be injured or even killed in the defeat of the orc leader.

"By the way, what about high rank adventurers?

"High rank adventurers are amazing. ....... I can cut down an orc with one hand while humming a song. As you can see, only a few orc leaders can do that, though.

　Oh, so there are people who can cut down an orc while humming to themselves? The level of the adventurers was much higher than I had imagined.

Of course, there are no such people in this town. But when we were late in eradicating a nest of orcs and an orc general broke out, we paid a lot of money to bring them in.

　The commission for such a high rank seems to be enormous, and as a result, the deputy was made to take responsibility and was removed by the lord.

　In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a few things you can do.

And then there's the orc pelts. I'm sure you can't bring back the meat.
".........

　Of course I have it, but I'm not going to talk about the capacity of the magic bag, so I keep silent. In terms of unit price per volume, fur is more expensive than meat, so I guess Mr. Diora did not think it suspicious.

...... Yes, your assessment is complete. I'll give you your reward, please go to the counter. Also, I'll be upgrading my rank, so could you please meet with the branch manager?

"Oh, you're moving up in rank?

Yes. It is indeed unwise to leave Haruka and the others who eradicated the orcs at rank 2. They have no behavioral problems. Please wait for a moment.

　In other words, if they have behavioral problems, their rank will not be raised even if they are strong.



　We waited for a few minutes for Diora to leave the warehouse. She came back and led us to the third floor of the guild, where we stood in front of the back room.

　It was a nondescript door, but since we were here, this must be the branch manager's room.

"Chief, are you coming in?
"Yes.

　Ms. Diora knocked on the door, and opened it just in time to hear or not hear the answer, and went inside.

　The room I followed her into was not particularly luxurious, just an ordinary room.

　The shelves on the left and right walls were filled with crates, and the floor underneath was also piled with crates, making the room rather chaotic.

　At the back of the room, there was a desk, and sitting there was a man who was well into his prime.

　His hairline has receded a bit, but his well-trained body suggests that he may have been an adventurer.

Are these the promising adventurers Diora is talking about?
Yes. They have the confidence and recklessness of youth, and they do their work well.

　The chief, who had been looking at us with a slightly cautious gaze, nodded and leaned back in his chair.

Hmm ...... Well, if that's what the Vice President decides, I'm not opposed to it. I'm Marks, the head of the adventurer's guild in the town of Raffan. I know this will be a short time, but I look forward to working with you.

　These words sounded a bit throwaway, but I guess that's what you get when you're dealing with low-ranked adventurers.
　Anyway, I didn't know that Diora-san was the vice leader.
　I've heard he's an officer. .......

"Branch Chief!　You should have greeted me better!　It's a rare adventurer who's willing to settle in this city!

"...... What?
He's already bought land and built a house in this city. Right?
Yes, it was completed the other day.

　You'll be able to get a lot more than just a house.

I'm sorry about this. There are many adventurers who leave the city when they reach rank 4 or so. There are no suitable jobs for their rank.

"No?

No. If you have a magic bag like you guys, you can make money from Orcs, but if you don't, it's hard to make money. ......

　You can get a job as a woodcutter's guard at rank 1 or 2.
　It seems that the next job after this is not available in this city.

　In terms of combat rank, Orcs are about right, but Orcs in this area usually don't come out near the streets, and you have to go deep into the forest to hunt them.

　So if you don't have a magic bag, you won't be able to bring back the materials and earn money.

That's why I'm counting on you, Haruka, Nao, Toya, Natsuki and Yuki.

　Mr. Marks shook our hands and patted us on the shoulder as he called our names.

　Even though it was the first time he had met us, he hadn't mispronounced any of our names, so he must have remembered our features and names, even though he didn't seem interested.

　He seems to be a bit of a brainiac, but he is quite capable.

However, as I reported earlier, Haruka and her team have already eradicated the orcs in the eastern forest. ......

That's right. As a guild, we're sorry that we can't introduce you to any suitable jobs, but ....... If you can go to the north woods and cut down some trees...

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a job in the guild that suits you.

"Chief!　I'm not sure what to say.

I know, I know, I know. It's just a hope. If you can at least make your way to the foot of the mountain range, I think you can get by with just an escort, even if you're rank 4 or 5.

　The branch chiefs are aware that the lack of jobs for those ranks is causing adventurers to leave the town, and they've been looking for a solution for some time now.

　The town's representative is also worried about the shortage of trees that can be harvested deep in the northern forest, and in addition to requesting guilds to purchase trees, he is also willing to subsidize the development of a logging-friendly environment.

　However, they don't have enough money to bring in high-ranked adventurers from the outside just to clear a path, and they don't have enough adventurers who meet the requirements to do so internally. In addition, the adventurers who grew up in the town would leave as their ranks increased because there was no work for them.

　Inevitably, the branch chief's plan has been stagnant for a long time.

"Well, I'm sorry, but it's impossible to build a road through the northern forest.

　When Natsuki said this hesitantly, Marks nodded, laughing.

Of course, I know that, and I'm not going to ask you. Diora will kill me.
"Branch Chief ......?

　Diora looked up at Marks with a smile on her face.
　Her eyes are not smiling at all.
　Ms. Marks shook her head in panic at that look.

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.　Yeah, I think that's great.
"Right, sir?　Isn't it disgusting that he's offering you a job you can't do?
Of course!

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, please do not hesitate to contact us.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　This is the first time I've ever seen such a thing.

You guys just stay in this town and move up the ranks if you can, that's all. If there are successful adventurers around, more adventurers will stay in town.

　Marks-san laughed, but Diora-san interrupted him.

I don't think it will work out that way. In the end, it's because of the lack of work. I'm sure Haruka and the others will get along just fine, but the rest of the adventurers are .......

"Don't be so sure, Diora. To be honest, I'm at a loss. We're in a bit of a pickle, don't you think?



　Mr. Marks sighed and sat back in his seat, looking a little tired.

You can expect all you want, but please don't put pressure on Haruka and the others.
I know, I know. But you know, ...... Diora, do you have any ideas?
It's your job to think about it.　Please don't complain to your subordinates.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.

　I'm not sure if it's okay for us to leave.

　But then Haruka called out to Diora.

"Um, are we ready to go?
Yes, of course. Yes, of course. You can all go downstairs to the counter.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Just do your best as long as you can.

　With a wry smile and encouragement from Mr. Marks, Diora led us out of the room.