Esteban found it unexpected that Ian answered calmly without showing any irritation.
Having worked in this field for many years, he had encountered numerous people who relied upon their family backgrounds and asserted their authority whenever matters did not go their way.
The children of nobles were particularly prone to such behavior, and he had assumed Ian would be no different.
‘He is nothing like the rumors.’
Esteban had heard that Ian was a ruined man with little patience.
Rumors were usually like that. They became exaggerated, and falsehoods were added to them.
Yet now that Esteban had met him in person, even Ian’s appearance seemed completely at odds with what he had heard.
Such stories could not have arisen without any basis whatsoever, but it appeared that Esteban had misunderstood him nonetheless.
His gaze toward Ian softened slightly.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. It is nothing. I will explain immediately. The first condition is to become a Champion chosen by the Twelve Lords.”
“…That is absurd.”
Esteban chuckled and continued.
“Second, you may raise your reputation by contributing to humanity. The field does not matter. Once you have done so, the Foundation will contact you first.”
“……”
“Third, you may collect Golden Insignias awarded by temples serving the Twelve Lords or bestowed by Champions. Once you obtain an insignia, you will earn the right to visit this floor and purchase some of the weapons and armor displayed here.”
“Some of them? I assume those are the enchanted items. What about the relics?”
“Relics may, of course, be purchased as well. Moreover, the more insignias you collect, the more powerful the relics you will be permitted to purchase.”
Ian nodded.
Considering the rarity and abilities of relics, it made sense that they would not hand them over easily.
“Obtaining an insignia will not be easy. They cannot be purchased with money, and merely meeting a Champion is difficult. Furthermore, Champions understand the value of the insignias and rarely give them away. Therefore, this may be the most difficult condition of the three.”
Before his regression, Ian had received a Golden Insignia from the Champion.
He had been told that possessing it would prove useful in many ways, but he had never known it granted such privileges.
Ian closed his eyes.
Esteban had generously presented him with several possible conditions, but there was nothing Ian could do to satisfy any of them immediately.
“I am asking merely in case there is another option, but can I purchase the items here with money?”
He was willing to pay several times their usual value.
Unlike when he had lived as a mercenary, he now possessed a Black Card.
Ian did not know its exact spending limit, but it would surely be sufficient to purchase a single relic.
Esteban, however, answered firmly.
“I am afraid that will be impossible. You would have better luck visiting an auction house. Had our objective been to earn money, we would not sell relics secretly in this manner.”
“Then what is your objective?”
“You may already know this, but the Inoria Foundation was established to ensure humanity’s survival and advancement. For the sake of a better future, we operate numerous enterprises intended to discover and support capable individuals, including Champions. The Demium workshops are one such enterprise. Therefore, if you wish to purchase the relics and other equipment displayed here, you must first earn the Foundation’s recognition.”
Since Esteban had explained matters so clearly, Ian had no choice but to accept it.
Relics were not available exclusively through this establishment, so there was no need to insist upon obtaining one here.
Nevertheless, Ian remained reluctant to abandon the place for several reasons. The most important was that an artisan capable of repairing relics was permanently stationed here.
“There is no longer any reason for me to remain here, so let us return upstairs.”
After returning to the first floor, Ian carefully selected a longsword, a set of daggers, and leather armor.
The weapons had been given simple enchantments, such as increased durability, to prevent them from breaking easily.
Ian did not know how long he would be able to use the armor, but because he was still growing, it had been made somewhat large.
The slight looseness could be adjusted with the straps.
“Would you prefer to carry the clothes you arrived in yourself, or shall we send them to the residence?”
They would be cumbersome to carry, so Ian chose the latter option and handed over his card.
After completing the payment, he left the workshop behind, along with Esteban’s words that he hoped to see him again soon, and searched for the Mercenary Guild.
The guild was crowded as well.
Several people looked at him with interest, but perhaps because he was dressed like a mercenary, they soon turned their attention elsewhere.
When Ian approached the reception desk, the employee examining a document noticed his presence and raised his head.
“What do you need?”
“I came to register as a new mercenary.”
“Register?”
The employee narrowed his eyes at Ian’s response.
“Your equipment looks rather professional for a newcomer… Well, it does not matter. The process is simple.”
The employee opened a drawer, took out a document, and picked up a pen.
“Name?”
“Ian.”
He had no intention of using an alias.
He was not becoming a mercenary to conceal his identity. It was merely so that, when he later traveled to places where relics lay buried, his movements would not arouse suspicion.
Ian was uncertain whether it would truly be necessary, but there was no harm in preparing in advance.
“Surname?”
“Leave it blank.”
“…Very well. Age?”
“Twenty.”
The employee stamped the completed document with a heavy thud and handed it over.
“Take this. It is a temporary mercenary license, so be careful not to lose it. Complete at least one commission within two weeks and have the blank section at the bottom signed, along with the commission number. Once you bring it back, we will issue your official mercenary license. The fee is five silver coins, so remember to prepare it. Choose a suitable commission from the board over there. You may go.”
Ian took the document and examined the board.
The commissions had been roughly categorized by level.
Gathering, hunting, exploration, escorting—the types were remarkably diverse.
The most common among them were escort commissions.
That was only natural.
The eastern region of the El Karda Empire had once lost a considerable amount of territory when the forces of the Outer Sea that had destroyed the Zyle Empire surged forward like a tidal wave.
Only after several decades had the empire finally reclaimed the lost lands and constructed several fortresses, including Lampas, thereby establishing and stabilizing a defensive line.
However, thoroughly monitoring and protecting such an expansive territory was effectively impossible.
Furthermore, Outer Gates continued to open frequently, so Monsters remained as common as they had been in the past.
No one knew when or where their life might be threatened, so naturally, many people sought escorts.
That was also why someone could become a full mercenary merely by completing a single commission involving an errand or some other menial task.
The guild needed a constant supply of new mercenaries to replace those who regularly died.
“……”
After scanning the board while recalling old memories, Ian left the guild without hesitation.
The commission he would perform had already been decided, so there was no reason to choose one here.
***
Warp Gates were remarkably convenient.
No matter how distant the destination, they allowed a person to travel there in an instant.
Compared to the time they saved, the price of using them was insignificant.
Ian had only one complaint.
His stomach churned every time he used one.
Still, perhaps he had finally grown accustomed to it. He could now overcome the nausea merely by breathing slowly and deeply.
As Ian stepped away from the gate, a bespectacled man approached him.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Young Master Ian. I am Elliot Roy, the botanist assigned to investigate the logging site. It is an honor to accompany you.”
Despite his words, his tone was exceedingly formal and businesslike.
Then again, upon consideration, that was only natural.
Ian’s reputation had never been favorable.
Although the recent sparring matches had improved the knights’ opinion of him, to the outside world, he remained little more than a ruined and disgraceful wastrel.
This was also the first time he had fulfilled his obligations as a noble.
The moment Elliot finished introducing himself, he presented Ian with a small box he appeared to have prepared in advance.
“This is an insignia signifying your affiliation with House Berger. Lord Berdan instructed me to deliver it to you. Since you are dressed as a mercenary, he was concerned that people who failed to recognize you might behave disrespectfully.”
Inside the open box was an insignia bearing a flame design.
It was an ordinary object without any enchantment, but for anyone who knew and feared House Berger, it was useful enough to summon manners they had never possessed before.
Having already experienced the influence of his family’s name, Ian obediently picked up the insignia and attached it to his collar.
“Did you bring any luggage?”
“No.”
“Then a carriage is waiting outside. We should depart immediately. This way, please.”
When they left the building, several carriages were parked along the road.
Elliot headed toward the most ornate one. A Red Spear Knight was waiting in front of it.
Berdan had promised to provide an escort, but Ian had not expected him to assign an actual knight.
The knight’s face was concealed beneath his helmet, but his build seemed strangely familiar.
As they approached, the Red Spear Knight lowered his head slightly and addressed Ian.
“Young Master.”
It was a familiar voice.
Ian recognized him immediately.
“Well, look who it is. Mael? Were you not away on a mission?”
“I was. I returned yesterday and received a new assignment to escort you.”
“Alone? What about Marie?”
“She suffered a minor injury to her leg during the previous mission, so I was assigned this one alone. I have also visited the logging site once before, so I know the route.”
“…You could not have rested properly either. Are you certain you are all right?”
Mael had only recently shed his probationary status and become a full Red Spear Knight, yet he was already being worked so relentlessly that Ian almost pitied him.
Was the order truly so short-handed, or was Mael too capable to be allowed any leisure?
Perhaps sensing Ian’s concern, a faint puff of air escaped from inside Mael’s helmet.
“There is no problem. I heard this mission would not be particularly difficult. The vice-captain also said that once I return, I will be allowed to rest properly for some time.”
“You believe him?”
“He did not exactly promise, so I admit that I am somewhat uneasy. However, if I cannot trust my direct superior, whom can I trust? More importantly, he has never disappointed my expectations so far. Not yet, at least. Now, please climb aboard. I will guide you to the logging site. If we leave now… we should arrive before sunset.”
The schedule was remarkably tight, so Ian climbed into the carriage without complaint.
After Elliot boarded as well, they immediately departed.
“Elliot.”
“Yes, Young Master?”
“Is there anything I need to do at the logging site?”
“This may sound disrespectful, but you only need to remain beside me. I will take responsibility for examining the trees and attending to the guests from the Magic Tower.”
Ian possessed no relevant knowledge, so interfering would only invite others to dismiss him.
He decided to follow Elliot’s instructions.
Ian briefly dozed while watching the scenery pass beyond the window. When he raised his head at the sound of commotion, they had already reached their destination.
Elliot opened the door and stepped out first. Ian followed him.
The moment Ian placed his feet upon the ground, raised his head, and looked to the left, his field of vision opened dramatically, revealing an enormous forest.
Each individual tree was colossal.
The scene resembled countless towers standing densely packed together. Merely standing before them made Ian feel infinitely small.
This must have been what it meant to be overwhelmed by an atmosphere.
However, the people moving frantically around them made it difficult to admire the forest at leisure.
Ian frowned and murmured.
“It is chaotic here.”
“I do not see the person who was supposed to receive us either.”
Elliot looked around as he answered.
The sun had not even begun to set, yet people were running in every direction with torches in both hands.
Something had clearly happened.
Ian looked behind him.
Opposite the forest stood a village surrounded by a wooden palisade.
Just then, a man who appeared to be a lumberjack came running out through the palisade.
As he attempted to pass directly beside them, Ian reached out and caught him.
“What!?”
The man spun around and shouted roughly.
“Can you not see that I am bus—”
He wore a fierce expression, but the moment he noticed the Red Spear Knight standing beside Ian, he stopped.
His eyes shifted nervously. Once his excitement subsided and reason returned, he swallowed, relaxed his stiff expression, and smiled.
“Is there something you need from me, my lord?”