Chapter 112, The Delivery

Translator: Barnnn

 

The trio hadn’t expected the storage unit to be particularly large. So when they rounded the back of the Guild and caught sight of the building in question, they stopped dead in their tracks.

 

“…It’s huge,” Ize murmured.

 

Hearing this, the receptionist accompanying them offered a smile and explained how it used to be the main Guild building.

 

“We’ve gathered everything on the first floor,” she added.

 

That clarified things — the entire building wasn’t being used for storage. The three let out a collective sigh of relief and stepped inside.

The room they were led into had likely been used for storing materials in the past. A side entrance allowed townspeople to deliver items directly, avoiding the main Guild entrance entirely. A practical touch.

 

“To the right, we’ve placed food supplies — this area holds the largest volume. We’d appreciate it if you could return the trays and boxes they come in, but if that’s not feasible, please feel free to take them as is.”

 

They looked over to the shelves along the right-hand wall, where stacked trays — much like the ones used for transporting bread in Japanese convenience stores — were piled high. Ize stood on her toes to peer into one of them.

 

Inside were rows upon rows of colorful steamed bread, neatly arranged.

 

Hal, who had done the same, muttered under his breath, “Steamed bread? Won’t they dry out?”

 

“They’ve sent steamers for reheating, too,” the receptionist replied, pointing to a pile of bamboo steamers nearby — exactly the kind used for meat buns or dumplings, in varying sizes. “To the left, we have dishware and cooking utensils. Next to that, bedding. In the center, you’ll find furniture. Items for bathing — towels, soap, that sort of thing — are toward the back. There aren’t many, but we’ve placed the books up on the shelves. Moving on, this section contains clothing and fabrics. As for precious metals, we can’t store those here, so they’re being kept in the Guild’s vault for now. We’ll have those delivered tomorrow.”

 

By Hal’s estimate, the storage unit was the size of fifty tatami mats. As the receptionist led them around, she outlined the general categories of the supplies. But with this much volume, the boundaries between categories had already begun to blur.

 

“…There are only three of us,” Fieda said dryly.

“I did try to make that clear,” the woman replied with an apologetic bow. “But… things got a little out of hand. I’m truly sorry.”

“Can the Guild take back some of this?” he asked.

“I believe that can be arranged.”

“In that case,” Volhelm spoke up at last. He had been silently following them until now. “Fieda, I have a request, if you don’t mind.”

Fieda turned to him. “You have an idea?”

“Not exactly. But if there are items here that you don’t plan to use… there’s somewhere I’d like them sent.”

“That depends on the place,” Fieda replied curtly.

 

Volhelm’s lips curled in satisfaction.

 

“Don’t worry, it’s along your travel route. There’s a city with a Rank 1 Dungeon with orphanages that need any help they can get. I’d like to deliver some supplies there.”

“A Rank 1 Dungeon?” Hal echoed.

“Orphanages?” Ize asked, surprised.

“There are several of them,” Volhelm continued. “Split the goods between them, and it’ll lighten your load too. Extra bedding, unused blankets — that sort of thing would come in handy. Picture books, too.”

 

At that, Ize glanced over to the bookshelf. More than half the volumes were clearly irrelevant to their party — picture books, handwriting practice sheets, early readers. Nothing she, Hal, or Fieda would need.

 

“…Did you plan this?” she asked quietly.

 

Volhelm lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

 

“When the townspeople asked what would be useful, I told them you wouldn’t need much with just three people. But they insisted. So I pointed them toward things that could be put to better use elsewhere.”

 

Fieda groaned and rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling loudly.

 

Hal muttered, “So it was deliberate…”

“A few years ago, during the Dungeon’s Deluge, we managed to contain it — but not without casualties,” Volhelm went on. “That’s why there are more children living in those orphanages than usual. I hesitated to ask foreigners like you guys… but given your travel plans, and considering you might want to stay near a Rank 1 Dungeons during winter, it seemed worth mentioning.”

 

It was early summer now. They hadn’t been thinking about winter yet. But once they passed the Capital, their path would take them north toward Sooryab’s Rank 2 Dungeon. And just like during their stay in Jasted, they’d likely need to settle down somewhere during the colder months.

The insight of a seasoned A-rank adventurer, well-versed in traveling the kingdom, was hard to argue with.

 

“…All right. We’ll do it,” Fieda said at last.

“Thank you,” Volhelm said, bowing his head slightly.

 

Hal, who had been watching the exchange with a crooked smile at the corner of his lips, was nudged in the ribs by Ize.

 

“Hal, go easy.”

“I’m always easy,” he said with feigned innocence. “But a favor’s a favor — and favors are meant to be cashed in. For Sato’s sake.”

“Ah, yes,” Ize nodded solemnly. “If it’s for Sato, then we should make the most of it… Mister Volhelm, you poor man. Such a tragic loss.”

“He’s not dead, you know,” Hal quipped.

 

◆

 

The gifts scheduled to arrive that afternoon would be stored in another room in the building. For now, the four of them began sorting through the supplies already on hand.

According to Volhelm, there were five orphanages in total. To ensure fairness, they first divided out anything that could be useful to the children.

 

“…Hal,” Volhelm said as they worked. “About earlier, I think the one most likely to help with this is the Lord of Speraniessa — oh, that’s the city’s name, by the way.”

Hal glanced up. “What’s he like?”

Volhelm’s hands didn’t stop moving as he answered, “Hmm… unlucky, I’d say.”

 

That drew everyone’s attention. The room fell silent.

 

“Now there’s this theory proposed by… which Sage was it, again? Might’ve been the Sage of Medicine. Anyway, I’ve heard the word ‘genetics’ exists in your world too, right?”

“It does,” Ize confirmed.

“Then that might explain it. The Lord was born with black hair. Both of his parents had different hair colors, though.”

“Does he have any black-haired ancestors?” Hal asked.

“They say a black-haired Hero married into the family during a previous Deluge. I don’t recall how many generations back that was. This current Lord… he inherited the land right around the time of the most recent Dungeon Deluge.”

 

Volhelm’s hands stilled. He held a plate between them and turned it absently, as if to visualize the rewinding of time.

 

“After the kingdom had decided not to call on Heroes anymore, nobles born with black hair aren’t allowed to wield power — it’s considered taboo. But when it comes to leading the defense during a Deluge, strength is expected. A lot of issues piled up. In the end, he gave up his claim, and his younger brother became Lord instead.”

 

Ize’s breath caught as she pieced the story together. If the man had stepped aside… but was now the Lord… there could be only one explanation.

 

“The damage during that Deluge was minimal, yes,” Volhelm said quietly. “But not zero.”

 

He stopped spinning the plate and set it gently atop one of the sorting piles. His gaze drifted toward the items meant for the orphanages — for the children left behind in the wake of disaster.

 

“Officially, he doesn’t hold much political influence as a noble. But while he stepped away from his position… he lived as an adventurer. Being a black-haired noble may prevent you from taking up arms — but as an adventurer, no such restrictions exist.”

 

Hal’s eyes lit up with fascination. A noble who’d been raised in relative luxury, yet also once lived the life of an adventurer — that sounded like something straight out of a fantasy novel.

 

“Was he high-ranked?” Hal asked.

“Of course. A-rank,” Volhelm replied with a small grin. “I’ve actually gone on hunting and investigation quests with him. He’s a good guy. A bit eccentric, maybe, but solid.”

 

The way he said it, with an exasperated smile and a casual shrug, made him seem like an older brother talking about a troublesome sibling.

Fieda stood upright, stretching his back with a soft groan, and asked the next question.

 

“So, are you planning to meet this Lord directly?”

“Yeah, that’s the plan,” said Volhelm. “I’ll stop by the capital to see my family first, but I should be there before summer’s over.”

“You have kids, don’t you?”

“Two of them. They’re ten and seven now. They grow bigger every time I see them — it’s wild.”

 

Volhelm’s face softened with a proud, almost boyish smile. He looked every bit the father who balanced the danger of adventuring with the warmth of family life.

 

“So,” he went on, turning to Ize and Hal, “how much can I say about those two? I won’t mention they’re Heroes, of course — but would it be all right to talk about their skills?”

“Hmm…” Fieda considered it for a moment. “It’d help us if you kept it vague. Just say you’re introducing some fellow adventurers. If we meet him ourselves, we’ll decide what to share.”

“Got it.”

 

While the two men talked, Ize and Hal continued sorting the last of the supplies. Finally finished, they stretched their backs with audible cracks and gave them a few satisfied taps.

 

“Guess that’s everything for today?” Hal said.

“For TODAY,” Ize replied.

“Don’t emphasize it like that.”

“Then… for now?”

“Por el momento.”

“Oh, c’mon…”

“So far.”

“Sofa?”

“No, not that.”

“Surfer?”

“Now that’s too much of a stretch.”

 

Their random wordplay spiraled downward, amusing only to themselves. Fieda gave them a frosty look that made his opinion clear.

Volhelm couldn’t help but laugh.

 

“You were right when you thought I was a dad,” he said. “Having two handfuls of kids myself, I feel Fieda’s pain all too well.”

“Frankly, this world’s teenagers are way less trouble than these two,” Fieda muttered.

Volhelm chuckled. “You’re not wrong.”

 

Hearing the older pair talk like seasoned parents, Ize and Hal exchanged a glance, silently agreeing that the troublesome one was the OTHER person.

 

“Well then, my dear Mister Hal,” Ize said with exaggerated formality. “They’re talking about us like we’re children. What shall we do about that?”

Hal chuckled darkly. “He may be an A-rank adventurer, but I’ve done him a few favors. I’ll make sure he pays me back — with interest.”

“Ah, the classic loan shark approach. Ten percent every ten days?”

“I could get away with fifty percent… Time to start plotting!”

“I’m in!”

 

◆

 

Three days later, with their sore backs recovered thanks to long soaks in the hot springs, the trio climbed aboard their horsebus. Fieda sat on the driver’s bench, and Volhelm came to see them off.

 

“So, we’ll meet again in Sooryab?” Fieda asked, reins in hand.

“That’s the idea,” Volhelm replied. “I won’t be in Speraniessa for more than a bit during the summer. Oh, and when will you be in the capital?”

“After the Mushroom Village. About three weeks from now.”

“Ah, just missed me, then. Shame. I’ll look forward to next spring.”

“Understood. Thanks for the support during the quest.”

“Hey, no, I should be thanking you guys. It’s been a blast. And those sweets you gave me — man, they were amazing!”

 

Volhelm’s eyes gleamed at the memory. A notorious sweet tooth, he had nearly wept when they’d handed him a bag of Earth’s confections along with some long-lasting pastries and potato sticks. It was payback for helping with the quest, and clearly a welcome one.

 

“See you next spring, Mister Volhelm!” Ize called brightly.

“Looking forward to clearing that Dungeon together!” Hal added.

“Absolutely! Let’s make it happen!” Volhelm beamed, waving as the horsebus began to roll.

 

At Fieda’s signal, their two draft horses, Hiro and Take, started forward with a steady clop of hooves. The wheels creaked faintly as the horsebus rolled toward the gate.

And then–

 

“Hey!”

“It’s up!”

“That’s the indicator!”

“Whoa — it’s still going!”

 

Shouts erupted from within the town. Fieda pulled the reins instinctively, halting the horsebus.

 

“What’s going on?” Hal asked, frowning.

“No idea,” said Ize, peering out the window.

 

And then–

 

WHOOSH! CRASHHH!

 

A colossal column of water surged into the air from somewhere across the town, roaring like a waterfall turned inside out. People spilled out into the streets, pointing and gasping in delight.

 

“That… that idiot Dragon!”

“A rainbow! I see a rainbow!”

“It’s so high! Awesome!”

“Haha! Bardveles, you showoff!”

 

Fieda let out a long, sour sigh.

Ize and Hal, meanwhile, were nearly bouncing in their seats.

 

Volhelm burst into laughter. “Quick! Get out of here before the townsfolk mob the horsebus!”

“Right. Thanks again — see you,” said Fieda.

“Later!” Hal called.

“See you next spring!” Ize waved.

 

The horsebus lurched forward with more force this time, picking up speed. From the window, Hal and Ize leaned out, grinning ear to ear as they waved toward the glowing column of water behind Volhelm.

 

“Bye-bye, Bardveles!”

“Take care, Bardveles!”

 

BOOOMMM!!!

 

Another thunderous splash shook the air.

 

“Whoaaa, that’s so high!”

“Aaahhh — ahaha! So pretty!”

 

Their excited shouts echoed as the horsebus raced through the town gates, the geyser still roaring behind them, crowned with a shimmering rainbow.

That day, the geyser of Fuyuya recorded the highest eruption in its history.

It was believed that it would never be surpassed again.