第３６０堀：伝手を手に入れる (Part1)

### Chapter 360: Acquiring Connections

**Side: Curse**

"Cheers!"

The banquet began with those shouts. Everyone was drinking, genuinely celebrating their victory in the battle just moments ago.

...However, it stank.

Having dealt with those zombies, the stench of rot had clung to us. A simple wipe-down wasn't enough to get rid of that smell.

...Bringing that deodorizing spray was the right call. The three of us smelled fresh. I should thank Yuki for introducing that technology to us.

"They're a good bunch, aren't they?"

"Yeah."

"Indeed."

In the direction Mauve-san was looking, the members of the Rosetta Mercenary Corps were drinking happily. Rosetta had already sold off the loot—the gemstones—and was using the proceeds to fund the party. It seemed they had sold for a higher price than expected, and she was in high spirits.

"Hey!! Are you guys drinking too, Mauve!?"

Rosetta shouted, laughing as she headed toward us. Perhaps because she had short-cropped brown hair, her appearance—clad in armor with a war hammer slung over her shoulder—made her indistinguishable from a man. Right now, she wasn't wearing her armor, so the curves of her body were visible, making it clear she was a woman. She was thinner and more delicate than I had imagined. It was hard to believe she could swing that war hammer with such a frame.

"Oh, we're drinking."

"We're grateful for the hospitality."

"Yes, we are."

"Good, good!! Don't hold back!! It would have been bad for us if you guys hadn't whittled down more than half of them. Actually, in my case, I was even saved by you!! Drink up!"

With that, Mauve-san was whisked away by Rosetta into the center of the mercenary group, where he began matching the rhythm of Rosetta’s animated storytelling.

"Brings back memories."

"Yeah. We used to do that too, didn't we?"

When we achieved a major victory as adventurers, Mauve-san would gather the guild members for a drinking party just like Rosetta was doing now. And then, we’d end up in trouble because all our earnings would be blown on the tab.

Now, he’s completely shifted into a support role within the Adventurer Guild and is so deeply involved with Yuki and the others that being an "adventurer" is really just a formality.

"Still, looking around, there are a lot of women here."

"Yeah. I wonder if that has to do with Rosetta being the leader?"

As Raiya-san said, the gender ratio of the Rosetta Mercenary Corps was about 70% women and 30% men. Moreover, the women were young, while the men looked to be our age or older.

"That’s simple. It’s because Rosetta-chan built this mercenary corps for the sake of women. As for the men, only experienced, gentlemanly types like us who don't do anything untoward are allowed in."

"What are you talking about? You were just picked up by Rosetta-san after being kicked out of another mercenary group, old man."

"Shut up! It’s also a fact that I’m the one looking after you lot. I’m increasing the training tomorrow!"

"Eeeek!!"

I see.

It’s true for adventurers as well: if you look delicate, are middle-aged, or are a woman, you tend to look unreliable. Since you’re literally betting your life, it’s only natural to want companions who look the part. Because of that, there are always outcasts. It seems this Rosetta Mercenary Corps is where those people gathered.

Indeed, if they went to a foreign country where they weren't known, they’d likely be looked down upon, which would lead to trouble. In that sense, Yuki and the others are the same, but their specs are just too different. It’s a waste of time to worry about them.

Actually, they’re the type to wait for the opponent to make a move, then bite down and drag them under.

"Still, you guys have skills that are second to none, even compared to Mauve-dono. The support you provided back there was incredible."

"Well, I've been in a party with Mauve for a long time. That much is expected."

"Indeed."

"Hmph. 'That much,' he says. As expected. You guys are among the best I’ve ever seen."

The man said this and downed his drink in one go.

"Phew. My name is Nodon. If I may be so bold, I have a request for you."

"A request for us, whom you’ve only just met? Is it about training the mercenary corps?"

"That’s about the only thing it could be."

"Heh, I appreciate how quick you are. Today’s battle would have been dangerous if you hadn't whittled down more than half of them. Actually, even Rosetta was on the verge of being taken out. In other words, we would have been wiped out if not for you."

Indeed, dealing with that Orc King zombie must have been a heavy burden.

"I’m sure you’ve heard, but in this Royal Capital, there’s also the Blood Battle Mercenary Corps, who use goblins and orcs as disposable pawns. One side hunts monsters, the other uses them as vanguards. We’re as incompatible as can be. Or rather, to them, women are just tools to breed more monsters. That’s why the relationship with our corps is so hostile."

"Well, that’s to be expected. It would be strange if the relationship were good."

While Raiya-san was responding, I was wondering why the Blood Battle Mercenary Corps was even here. If I recall, the initial information placed them deep within Enaria, on the Roday side. Why are they in Ex, which is on the opposite side?

No, perhaps they moved, but it’s strange that it didn't show up on our intelligence network.

"That Blood Battle Mercenary Corps has been keeping a low profile lately. And then, there were those goblins and that powerful Orc zombie today. It’s bothering me. But the risk is too high to investigate as things stand. Before that, I was hoping to make the Rosetta Mercenary Corps stronger. Of course, I’m not asking for free. I’ll provide as much reward as I can... To me, they are like family. In this profession, I don't expect to live forever. But even so, I want them to live a long life."

Nodon-san said this and lowered his head, almost slamming it against the table. I exchanged glances with Raiya-san and nodded.

"We’re just here for sightseeing anyway, and we don't have a deadline. Right, Curse?"

"Yes. If we can save on lodging, we can stay longer, and I don't mind providing some training in return. Oh, could you also help us with some sightseeing information?"

"Yeah!! Thank you!! Leave the lodging and the guide to the Royal Capital to me!"

Good. Now we have a connection that allows us to dig into the Royal Capital’s affairs without it seeming suspicious. But before that...

"Actually, there is something I’d like to ask right away."

"What is it? Ask away."

"It’s related to the training we discussed. We’re getting on in years, and while I wouldn't call them successors, we’re looking for someone to pass our techniques on to. That’s why we’ve been visiting slave merchants. If we take in a slave, well, it’s a small thing, but we thought we could show a path to that child."

"I see. That’s a noble thought. However, I wouldn't know who has talent, but if you’d like, I can guide you to a slave merchant I know."

"Yes, that would be fine. Would you be able to guide us tomorrow? If we’re going to instruct them, I think it’s better to do it alongside the others."

"That’s true. That way, they’ll be more motivated to train, too. They can’t afford to be surpassed by newcomers. Understood. I’ll guide you tomorrow."

"Thank you."

"Well then, enough of the difficult talk. Nodon, are you drinking?"

"Yeah. Raiya, Curse, cheers to this meeting."

"Cheers."