Ossan Boukensha – 127

Negotiation

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“Are you the village chief? We are Suhido and Aomaze. We accepted the request at the guild.”

Three whole weeks after Ajifu’s disappearance, two Adventurers finally visited Nanaze village after accepting the cave investigation quest. The Adventurers plates they showed gleamed with blue and silver.

“Thank you for coming. I am Chief Lozon. It is very reassuring to have the aid of B-Rank Adventurers.”

I guided them to the living room and we sat down on opposite sides of the table.

“Ajifu was very skilled himself. And so it scared off the C-Rankers. No one wanted to do it until we returned to Suelbur.”

So it was just as I had worried. The people of the village were also scared about what could be lurking in that cave. None of the children would leave the houses recently, and people were sure to lock their doors at night. The atmosphere in the village was very tense. This problem must be dealt with at once.

“You may have already heard, but some time has passed since the goblins of the cave were killed. And since some of them managed to escape, it is possible that they have returned.”

“Huh, I see. Well, in any case, if they got Ajifu, then we cannot lower our guard.”

“Chief, there are some things we wish to confirm about the request.”

After Ajifu was mentioned, the large man, who had been silent, raised his voice.

“Mmm. About Ajifu’s rescue, I assume.”

“I’m sure that you already understand, but if someone has gone missing for nearly three weeks, then any rescue attempt is hopeless. While we will search for him, I would not expect any good news.”

He was very blunt. But that was something that the whole village was aware of. Ajifu had done a lot for the village since his arrival. We had come to depend on him for many things, and saw him as a member of the community.

I also spent a lot of time with him. And wished that he would return safely somehow.

“I understand. But we cannot rest easy until we know what happened to him.”

“We know now!”

The door suddenly opened, and Mezerir stormed in.

“Mezerir! What is this, all of a sudden? I am talking with these Adventurers. Surely this can wait?”

Mezerir was panting as she waved a letter in the air.

“I came as fast as I could! Ajifu contacted me!”

“What!? How is he then?”

I asked while taking the letter from her. She held a hand to her chest as she caught her breath. Then she opened her mouth.

“He’s…in Amernisus now.”

“WHAT!?”
“WHAT!?”
“WHAT!?”

The three of us said in unison. But he went underground. How did he end up all of the way over there?

“How did that happen!?”

“Allow me to explain.”

I turned to the door, which was still open, and saw that an elf in armor was standing there.

“Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I am Finze, of the Amernisus guardians. I came to deliver Ajifu’s letter, as well as to discuss a serious matter with you.”

The elf greeted us while holding one hand to his shoulder. These guardians were a type of city guard. However, elves lived long, and so you could not compare them to human guards. This man must be quite capable as well.

“I understand. Thank you for coming. I am chief Lozon. Does this mean that Ajifu is safe?”

“He is well. However, as is written in the letter, his prosthetic leg was destroyed by monsters. And he cannot move.”

So Ajifu was stranded. Well, at least he was alive. Regardless, I then invited them to sit at the table.

“Hmm. So was he attacked by monsters while investigating the cave?”

“Indeed. And it relates to the matter we must discuss.”

Finze sat up straight as he continued.

“The cave that Mr. Ajifu was searching, it was connected to a place that is very close to the lost forest. That in itself is quite a problem for us.”

I had suspected as much, when I heard that Ajifu was in Amernisus. So it really did lead to the northern forest. I see.

“Of course, we…”

“Wait a minute!”

One of the Adventurers interrupted Finze.

“What is the matter?”

“Should we be listening to this?”

“From the sounds of things, Ajifu is safe, and the investigation of the cave is completed. We do not want to get involved in any trouble.”

“I don’t mind if you listen…”

I glanced towards Finze. They were right. While it did not matter to this village, perhaps Amernisus would not want such news to spread.

“Chief, who are these people?”

“They are the Adventurers I hired to investigate the cave.”

“Hmm. I see… Yes, it could complicate things if the Adventurers Guild gets involved. If it is fine with you, Chief, then I think it would be best if this matter is settled between Amernisus and Nanaze village.”

“We have no objection, as long as this issue with the cave is dealt with.”

“While we aren’t exactly guild people, we aren’t errand boys either. We will not be sent away so easily, just because there is no need to investigate now. Chief, what about the reward?”

“As is guild convention, a cancellation due to the client’s situation results in half of the reward being paid.”

The Adventurers looked at each other and nodded.

“We can accept that. If you could sign your name on the request sheet and write down the reason.”

And so I wrote, ‘As Ajifu returned safely, there is no need to investigate the cave.’ And then I signed it.

“Now, we’ll stay here one night and leave tomorrow morning.”

They took the request sheet and left.

“Please wait. There is no inn in the village. But there is a small house for guests. Mezerir, can you take them to it?”

“Yes, yes. Fine.”

Mezerir said with a wave of her hand, and the three of them left the room.

Once the door was closed, Mr. Finze took a sip of water and began to talk.

“Chief. I have heard that you have acted as a go-between for Amernisus for many years. And so I will be blunt with you.”

He spoke in Amerata. That suggested he really did not want anyone else to know about it.

“You are awfully cautious.”

I answered in Amerata.

“The truth is, there is something that was not written in Mr. Ajifu’s letter. The cave is filled with crystals. And an earth dragon also lives there.”

“Wh-what!?”

I stood up in astonishment. The crystals were surprising enough, but a dragon? If something like that came out, a small village like this could be destroyed in the blink of an eye.

“Please calm down. According to Mr. Ajifu, the entrance on this side is narrow, and there were no traces of the earth dragon going near it. It should be safe once the entrance is sealed.”

Upon hearing this, I relaxed and slumped into my chair.

“However, Mr. Ajifu also felt that you should be more wary of humans than the dragon.”

I raised my face. Ajifu was right. While dragons were ferocious monsters, they were also seen as a mass of rare materials. If it was known that there was a dragon here, Adventurers might gather in hopes of making a fortune.
Though, if a famous A-Rank Adventurer came, and succeeded in slaying the dragon…we would be able to mine the crystals. The advantages for this village were beyond my imagination…

“As for Amernisus, we do not welcome the idea of humans becoming active in the area.”

Mr. Finze said flatly. And so banished the thoughts in my mind. Yes, there would be no point in the village becoming rich, if it ruined relations with Amernisus.

The country and nobles would likely get involved if this became a crystal mining town, and it would be the place that Amernisus was the most cautious of.

But I am the chief. I have always put the lives of my villagers first. Would jumping onto this treasure in front of me really improve things for them? Was it worth threatening the peace of the elves who lived in the forest?
I closed my eyes and pondered this before opening my mouth again.

“Nanaze village has always coexisted with the people of Amernisus. I shall keep this knowledge locked away in my heart.”

Mr. Finze’s expression softened.

“I am grateful for your wise decision. Amernisus will be ready to help, when the entrance is to be sealed.”

“Thank you. It will be a great job. I expected it to require every adult in the village.”

And so from across the table, we shook hands.

Some might laugh at me. Say that I am an old coward who is afraid of change. They may curse me as a traitor who cared not for the profits of the country and humans.

Still, as their chief, I chose what I thought would ensure the happiness of the villagers. That was all.

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