第８９１堀：竜の町 (Part2)
It seems there is no shortage of hardship anywhere.
"But, enough of my complaining. I apologize for testing you like that. Let’s head to the room upstairs to discuss the details."
With that, we moved to the Guild Master’s office on the second floor to continue our talk.
"Now, once again, welcome to the town of Ryuzan. I imagine you were quite surprised by the state of this town."
"Yeah, I didn't expect you to build such a business model around the mountain itself."
"It is our primary industry, after all. You could say this town literally lives under the grace and protection of the dragon."
With those words, Guild Master Sevaia opened the window, revealing the distant but clearly visible silhouette of Ryuzan.
"The townspeople believe that because that mountain exists and a dragon dwells there, we are spared from attacks by monsters."
"‘Believe,’ you say? So, that’s not your personal take on it, Guild Master?"
"Indeed. I came here from elsewhere, so I am well aware that the local mindset is... peculiar. But to openly deny it would only invite the town's hostility."
That much was certainly true. These kinds of deeply rooted local faiths are incredibly persistent. If you were to dismiss them carelessly, it could even lead to bloodshed.
"I understand the situation. Let’s put the small talk aside and get to the main point. I assume you’ve received word from the Grand Master; we are planning to head out to investigate Ryuzan. We need any information we can get. Do you have anything?"
Mauve cut through the pleasantries to get to the heart of the matter. I watched the Guild Master, wondering what kind of information would come to light. After a brief silence, she finally spoke.
"I will be honest with you. The Adventurer’s Guild has almost no information at all."
"Surely it can't be *nothing*."
"What we have is only what is generally known. To begin with, this guild doesn't handle the kind of quests adventurers usually take. The very purpose of this guild’s establishment is to monitor adventurers so they don't venture any further. We give them trivial delivery tasks to send them elsewhere, specifically to keep them from heading toward Ryuzan."
"Come to think of it, you mentioned there aren't even any large wild animals in the forest, let alone monsters."
"Correct. Therefore, the monster subjugation that forms the bulk of an adventurer's work simply doesn't exist here. All we have are minor pest control tasks for the town and villages, or cargo transport—mere busywork."
"I see. But I’ve heard that there are various medicinal items to be found on and around Ryuzan?"
As Mauve pointed out, there were rumors that Ryuzan wasn't just home to dragons and powerful monsters, but also held secret treasures worth the risk. There was no way the Adventurer’s Guild would be unaware of that, given that adventurers came here specifically seeking them.
"It is true that there are those who ignore our warnings and the warnings of the townspeople and head for Ryuzan. However, most never return. And those who do only bring back slightly higher-quality medicinal herbs or ores. It is likely that the rumors of treasure are just exaggerated tales."
"Surely the Adventurer’s Guild has sent search parties to look for those who went missing?"
"We have. But ever since the search party—composed of high-level adventurers—was attacked by extremely powerful, unseen monsters and returned in tatters, we adopted a policy of staying away from Ryuzan. The survivors were so traumatized that they couldn't even describe the monsters they saw; they were in a state of mental collapse..."
I see. So, truly powerful monsters really do exist there. But this doesn't give us much to go on. Just as I was thinking that, Zargis spoke up.
"Pardon me. May I ask a question as well?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Based on what you’ve said, it’s clearly a very dangerous place. Is it really wise for us—and even for heroes like Mauve—to step foot in there?"
"I am personally worried, but this is under the instructions of the Grand Master, and we have Princess Lowel with us as well. I am hopeful that even if something happens, you will be able to return. I am hoping that this might finally shed some light on the mysteries of Ryuzan and its surroundings."
At the very least, the Guild Master was cooperative with the investigation. Well, since she’s in charge here, she probably wants information on the threats as much as we do.
"I understand. Then, the local Adventurer’s Guild will cooperate with this investigation?"
"Yes. However, I don't think the residents will feel the same. I cannot openly send you off to Ryuzan, so it would be best if you departed secretly at night."
And so, we finished gathering information at the Adventurer’s Guild and headed to rendezvous with Tori and the others who had gone ahead.
As a tourist town, it seemed normal enough. But beneath the surface, it was a place painted over with dragon worship. If I had to describe it in Japanese terms, it was like one of those secluded, insular towns that harbors a special mountain deity. A place where, if you made one wrong move, the entire town would turn against you.
Wait a minute... is this turning into a horror story?