“Whoa…”
I stared up at Delcour’s walls and let out a cry. A stone wall roughly four meters tall surrounded the entire town. With defenses like these, it wouldn’t fall easily even if attacked.
“This is a town near the border, after all. Though it hasn’t been attacked in roughly fifty years, so the walls don’t serve much purpose anymore,” the merchant explained with a laugh.
At last, I had reached Delcour.
“Thank you for escorting me this far, Sibyl. The great bell tower in the center of town is a famous attraction. If you have the chance, you should see it at least once.”
“Thank you as well. Perhaps our paths will cross again.”
I shook the merchant’s hand and said goodbye.
“Now, what should I do? I need identification, so perhaps I should join a guild. Before that, maybe I’ll go see the great bell tower he recommended.”
In this world, a guild card often served as identification. The Adventurers’ Guild would be the easiest to join, so I decided to pay it a visit.
The town’s roads appeared to spread outward from the center like spokes. Knights who presumably guarded the town stood here and there, but none of them looked particularly motivated.
Following the road brought me to a large, open plaza.
“Amazing.”
The word of admiration slipped out naturally. At the center stood a massive stone bell tower dozens of meters tall. At its summit, an enormous silver bell shone proudly. The bell must have been over two meters in diameter. Its beauty and imposing presence made it easy to understand why it had become a landmark.
An older man noticed me staring spellbound and spoke to me.
“First time in town, eh? Everyone who sees that great bell for the first time has their heart stolen by it. It’s our guardian deity. It watches over us from the center of town at all times. The bell rings every day at noon, and such a lovely, beautiful sound carries across the whole town.”
It truly possessed a sacred air that made the title of guardian deity feel appropriate.
“It’s a magnificent bell. I’d love to hear it ring.”
“It’ll ring soon. Around here, we use its chime to tell when noon has arrived.”
I wanted to hear it from nearby, but I would have other chances. I asked the man where the Adventurers’ Guild was and headed there.
After walking a short distance down the central avenue, I arrived at a large, weathered building.
When I entered, adventurers carrying weapons glanced my way. They soon lost interest and turned their attention elsewhere.
“Lately, all we get are requests to kill big boars in the fields.”
“Feels like the red-crocodile requests have decreased, though.”
“I finally killed an orc and bought myself a new weapon!”
Everyone sat around tables drinking, chatting, and exchanging information. Many looked intimidating, but they all seemed to be enjoying themselves.
I should reach the reception desk before someone decided to bother me. The receptionist was a young woman wearing a red bandanna. She had a gentle, easygoing air.
“I’d like to register as an adventurer, but this is my first time and I don’t know the basics. Could you explain them to me?”
“Certainly. Ranks run from S down to G. You would begin at G rank. Do you possess a combat-oriented skill, sir?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t.”
In this world, every person received one skill when they turned fifteen. It was customary in every nation to have a priest at a church appraise you so you could learn what your skill was.
Naturally, not everyone received a combat skill. Roughly forty percent received agricultural skills, twenty percent production skills, twenty percent combat skills, and the remaining twenty percent something else.
People with swordsman or magic-related skills often joined the army. Receiving an excellent skill practically guaranteed success in life, so everyone celebrated or despaired over the skill they received.
“…I see. Approximately how much experience do you have hunting monsters?”
Her expression fell for a moment. I noticed that, you know. Though I really was weak.
“I’ve defeated goblins, at least.”
“Then I recommend gradually building your strength through G-rank requests.”
“What ranks do the adventurers at this guild have?”
“Our strongest party is C rank. B-rank monsters almost never appear in this region, so we don’t have adventurers of that level. Reaching C rank would make you a town hero, and only one party in this town has done so. D-rank adventurers are among the town’s elite; we have several parties at that rank. E rank is the reliable middle tier that supports the town. As a general rule, an E-rank party is strong enough to hunt orcs.”
I see. Even reaching E rank sounded questionable for me. I couldn’t imagine defeating one of those things. Adventuring might be impossible for me. I still needed the identification, though, so I would register anyway.
“Understood. Please register me.”
Please stop looking at me as though you doubt I understood anything, Miss Receptionist.
“The registration fee is one silver coin.”
That was surprisingly expensive, I thought as I paid. I was already down to nine silver coins. At this rate, I truly would starve to death. I needed to think of a way to earn money immediately.
I received my guild card, which would serve as my identification. The words G Rank were clearly written on it.
After receiving an explanation in a separate room for a while, I left the guild.
The moment I stepped outside, I heard a beautiful bell chime. What a lovely sound. I knew almost nothing about this town, yet that sound alone felt capable of making me love it.
“First, I need to make some money. Fortunately, I already have an idea.”
I couldn’t suppress the grin tugging at my lips. I would use my one and greatest advantage, Divine Answer—Metis, to make a fortune in business!