Chapter 249: Gnometree (3)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 249: Gnometree (3)

The commission Shavin brought me was very simple. "You just have to deliver this letter to Baron Nertovin."

The task was to deliver a letter. The reward was three million stones. But it came with one condition.

"Oh, for reference, this letter must be handed to the baron himself before he leaves Gnometree."

That was the reason why a whopping three million stones were attached to a commission that otherwise only involved delivering something. There were almost no adventurers who could enter Gnometree. Actually, aside from the workers who worked on its farms, it was a district only nobles could enter.

"I understand the contents of the commission. I want you to tell me the details."

It already smelled like a sweet commission, but I didn't get ahead of myself and calmly went down my list of necessary questions. What was this letter? Why pay such a huge amount for this commission when you could just wait to send it to the baron by mail once he returned to the city?

Shavin answered my questions openly. "I cannot tell you the contents of the letter. And the reason I am making this request is because the baron definitely won't read our letters even if we send them to his home."

The administrative office had something they had to relay to the baron, but the baron was ignoring them. And so the administrative office had gotten word that the baron was on vacation in Gnometree and devised a way to get the letter directly into his hand.

"Gnometree is like a resort for nobles. On top of that, each noble is only permitted three escorts. You can just approach him casually and not have to worry about his knights while you deliver the letter, which will be easier for you too."

Hmm, that was true. I nodded in understanding. It was definitely troublesome for a noble to visit another nobleman's house in the city. You had to have a meal with them and say hello to their family. It would be impossible to keep the meeting brief and just hand over the letter.

Then was the condition that it had to be delivered in Gnometree added specifically for me?

The thought suddenly came to mind, but it probably wasn't the only reason. They wouldn't have made it a condition if they were just being considerate.

"So, what will you do?"

Shavin tossed the ball in my court and I replied only after pretending to think about it some more. "I accept." Getting paid three million stones for delivering one letter at a moment in time when it was impossible to earn money anywhere? There was no reason not to take the job.

I planned to visit Gnometree at some point, anyway.

"Ah, I'm just letting you know in advance, but I'm going to deliver the letter regardless of whether he reads it or not."

"Okay. As long as you fulfill the commission, you will have no issues getting paid, so you don't have to worry about that."

Okay, then that resolved my last concern. I signed the contract Shavin brought and took the letter I was meant to deliver. With that, our official business was over. After an hour or so of informal chitchat, the friendly gathering parted ways and I returned home.

"Missha, pack your things."

"Huh?"

"Let's go on a trip."

***

We decided on two nights and three days. Although Gnometree wasn't so far away that this couldn't be a one-day trip, I needed time to find the baron there.

Not only that... There are places I need to visit there too.

If I could have, I would have scheduled a leisurely trip of five nights and six days, but the labyrinth would open again soon.

Well, my team and I agreed not to go in this time, but it's best to see firsthand how many troops the palace is sending in.

"G-Gnometree! Wow! I never thought I would get to go therrre!"

Although I had sprung the trip on her, Missha packed her things excitedly once she found out that the destination was Gnometree. For reference, I was permitted to bring three people, so I decided to take Ainar and Erwen as well to make it a family trip.

"I-Is it really okay for me to come?"

"What are you talking about? You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I want to! I'll go and pack my things! How long did you say we're going for?" Though she momentarily pretended she was going to decline the invitation, Erwen quickly got up and headed off to pack her things. Her face was bright for the first time in a while. Well, there wasn't much to be happy about lately.

"Hey! Didn't I tell you to stop messing arrround and pack properly?"

"I wasn't messing around..."

"Just underwearrr and that's it? What about your toothbrush? Towels? Huh? Are you going to ask to borrow mine every night?" Before long, Missha gave in and helped Ainar pack her things, and our preparations progressed smoothly.

Early the next morning, we traveled toward Gnometree under the warm hospitality of our convoy of knights. "We will take you to the entrance."

It was well after noon when we arrived.

"Baronet Bjorn Yandel. Confirmed. Come this way."

We went through a simple identification process at the castle gates and then stepped foot beyond them. The knights didn't follow. This was because there was a rule in Gnometree that stated you could only bring three companions.

That's unfortunate.

In truth, the knights wanted to fill all three slots themselves, but I stubbornly refused and filled the spots with Missha, Erwen, and Ainar instead. Having knights with me would make it hard for me to move around freely, and this was a place where I didn't have to worry too much about assassins.

"Do not hesitate ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to use the whistle if there is a threat to your safety inside. Gnometree's militia will come to help."

Since Gnometree was the second most secure area in the city after the royal palace, the knights only expressed their concerns rather than try to forcefully cancel the trip.

"Wow..."

As we stepped through the double gates, even I was dazzled by Gnometree's scenery. A long road stretched straight out into the horizon, a wide-open green landscape sprawling out on both sides of it. The breeze that gently blanketed my skin carried the scent of unripe grains and fruits.

"Oh! Look over there! There are elves!"

As we were transported by the carriage, we continued to sightsee. Mostly what we saw was elves farming. That was because they were farming specialists. The elves sent those who knew elemental magic to Gnometree and received huge amounts of money from the palace in return.

So jealous...

The huge supply of goods from Gnometree was also the reason why elves could offer interest-free tax loans to their tribe members, unlike barbarians.

Not only that... There are places I need to visit there too.

If I could have, I would have scheduled a leisurely trip of five nights and six days, but the labyrinth would open again soon.

Well, my team and I agreed not to go in this time, but it's best to see firsthand how many troops the palace is sending in.

"G-Gnometree! Wow! I never thought I would get to go therrre!"

Although I had sprung the trip on her, Missha packed her things excitedly once she found out that the destination was Gnometree. For reference, I was permitted to bring three people, so I decided to take Ainar and Erwen as well to make it a family trip.

"I-Is it really okay for me to come?"

"What are you talking about? You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I want to! I'll go and pack my things! How long did you say we're going for?" Though she momentarily pretended she was going to decline the invitation, Erwen quickly got up and headed off to pack her things. Her face was bright for the first time in a while. Well, there wasn't much to be happy about lately.

"Hey! Didn't I tell you to stop messing arrround and pack properly?"

"I wasn't messing around..."

"Just underwearrr and that's it? What about your toothbrush? Towels? Huh? Are you going to ask to borrow mine every night?" Before long, Missha gave in and helped Ainar pack her things, and our preparations progressed smoothly.

Early the next morning, we traveled toward Gnometree under the warm hospitality of our convoy of knights. "We will take you to the entrance."

It was well after noon when we arrived.

"Baronet Bjorn Yandel. Confirmed. Come this way."

We went through a simple identification process at the castle gates and then stepped foot beyond them. The knights didn't follow. This was because there was a rule in Gnometree that stated you could only bring three companions.

That's unfortunate.

In truth, the knights wanted to fill all three slots themselves, but I stubbornly refused and filled the spots with Missha, Erwen, and Ainar instead. Having knights with me would make it hard for me to move around freely, and this was a place where I didn't have to worry too much about assassins.

"Do not hesitate to use the whistle if there is a threat to your safety inside. Gnometree's militia will come to help."

Since Gnometree was the second most secure area in the city after the royal palace, the knights only expressed their concerns rather than try to forcefully cancel the trip.

"Wow..."

As we stepped through the double gates, even I was dazzled by Gnometree's scenery. A long road stretched straight out into the horizon, a wide-open green landscape sprawling out on both sides of it. The breeze that gently blanketed my skin carried the scent of unripe grains and fruits.

"Oh! Look over there! There are elves!"

As we were transported by the carriage, we continued to sightsee. Mostly what we saw was elves farming. That was because they were farming specialists. The elves sent those who knew elemental magic to Gnometree and received huge amounts of money from the palace in return.

So jealous...

The huge supply of goods from Gnometree was also the reason why elves could offer interest-free tax loans to their tribe members, unlike barbarians.

"Erwen, how many years do you guys get loans?"

"For us, it's three years."

"Wow, I envy you. We only get loans until the second year. They don't force us to pay it back, but after that, we have to figure things out on our own, whether we live or die."

For reference, these tax loan policies were commonplace for everyone except barbarians and humans. It wasn't just elves making money this way. The dwarves were recognized for their unique construction skills and metallurgy, and had signed a formal contract with the palace. The windmills and waterwheels we saw in the distance were all probably made and managed by them. Oh, and as for beastpeople...

"Moo—!"

"M-Missha! What is that strange-looking monster!?"

"Oh, I guess you've never seen one beforrre. It's called a cow."

"Cow?"

"Remember that meat you said was the most delicious? Well, I've neverrr eaten it from the wild, either..."

Beastpeople were active in the livestock industry. Not only did they have a natural rapport with animals, but there was a special ability-type Soul Beast that increased the growth and reproduction of livestock.

But the ones who make the real money are the dragonians.

The other races were all working class, but the dragonians were a little different. It was safe to say that they were landed gentry. In fact, the farming region commonly referred to as Gnometree was located in the holy land of the dragon tribe.

...Why are barbarians the only ones with nothing?

The more I thought about it the more unfair it felt, but what could I do? Fighting was our race's only talent.

Rattle.

The carriage soon arrived near the mountain in the center of Gnometree and began to circle it and head east. A long while later, the coachman assigned to us at the gates of Gnometree informed us that we had reached our destination. "We have arrived."

Said destination was a residential district named Kiarbis, a resort for nobles with such a long history that it had even existed in the game's setting 150 years ago.

"Please come this way."

With the help of the man who was serving as both our coachman and guide, we headed into our inn. The administrative office had booked it for us in advance.

It's nice.

The place was much better than I expected. First, we had our own separate building, and five hired servants came with it. I wondered how much it cost to spend one night here.

"Please start off your stay here with a meal. We have already prepared it."

Since we were hungry anyway, we ate first.

"There's a hot spring...?"

When the servant informed us of an outdoor hot spring, we immediately went there to alleviate our travel fatigue.

Oh, yes, this is it.

I should come back later in the winter, even if I had to spend my own money to do it. After I enjoyed the hot springs for about an hour, I found Ainar waiting for me inside alone.

"Bjorn, how long does it take you to wash!?"

"Where are Missha and Erwen?"

"They are both still outside. I don't understand it at all. It seems like plain old warm water to me..." Ainar didn't seem to have understood the true purpose of hot springs. Oh, these barbarians.

"Erwen, how many years do you guys get loans?"

"For us, it's three years."

"Wow, I envy you. We only get loans until the second year. They don't force us to pay it back, but after that, we have to figure things out on our own, whether we live or die."

For reference, these tax loan policies were commonplace for everyone except ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠barbarians and humans. It wasn't just elves making money this way. The dwarves were recognized for their unique construction skills and metallurgy, and had signed a formal contract with the palace. The windmills and waterwheels we saw in the distance were all probably made and managed by them. Oh, and as for beastpeople...

"Moo—!"

"M-Missha! What is that strange-looking monster!?"

"Oh, I guess you've never seen one beforrre. It's called a cow."

"Cow?"

"Remember that meat you said was the most delicious? Well, I've neverrr eaten it from the wild, either..."

Beastpeople were active in the livestock industry. Not only did they have a natural rapport with animals, but there was a special ability-type Soul Beast that increased the growth and reproduction of livestock.

But the ones who make the real money are the dragonians.

The other races were all working class, but the dragonians were a little different. It was safe to say that they were landed gentry. In fact, the farming region commonly referred to as Gnometree was located in the holy land of the dragon tribe.

...Why are barbarians the only ones with nothing?

The more I thought about it the more unfair it felt, but what could I do? Fighting was our race's only talent.

Rattle.

The carriage soon arrived near the mountain in the center of Gnometree and began to circle it and head east. A long while later, the coachman assigned to us at the gates of Gnometree informed us that we had reached our destination. "We have arrived."

Said destination was a residential district named Kiarbis, a resort for nobles with such a long history that it had even existed in the game's setting 150 years ago.

"Please come this way."

With the help of the man who was serving as both our coachman and guide, we headed into our inn. The administrative office had booked it for us in advance.

It's nice.

The place was much better than I expected. First, we had our own separate building, and five hired servants came with it. I wondered how much it cost to spend one night here.

"Please start off your stay here with a meal. We have already prepared it."

Since we were hungry anyway, we ate first.

"There's a hot spring...?"

When the servant informed us of an outdoor hot spring, we immediately went there to alleviate our travel fatigue.

Oh, yes, this is it.

I should come back later in the winter, even if I had to spend my own money to do it. After I enjoyed the hot springs for about an hour, I found Ainar waiting for me inside alone.

"Bjorn, how long does it take you to wash!?"

"Where are Missha and Erwen?"

"They are both still outside. I don't understand it at all. It seems like plain old warm water to me..." Ainar didn't seem to have understood the true purpose of hot springs. Oh, these barbarians.

"Anyway, get some rest, and then you can play with the others once they come out."

"Huh? What about you?"

"I should start doing my work. Why, do you want to come with me?"

"N-No... I will rest here!" Ainar jumped away at the mention of work and I chuckled before exiting the inn.

At first, I just walked around.

This is the definition of luxury.

I guessed because this place was originally designed as a resort for aristocrats, it was filled to the brim with high-end facilities: hot springs, riding arenas, fishing grounds, etcetera. If this were the modern world, I would've called this extravagant, but here it was on a whole other level.

They don't just eat wild meat, but also use it for recreation?

Almost 99 percent of this city ate meat and bread made with mana stones. As you could tell just by looking at Ainar, most had never even seen a real cow. But this place even had a field where pheasants and deer were released for hunting purposes.

Hmm, I think that's enough looking around...

I took the letter and headed to my destination. There was no need to go to great lengths to find out which inn the baron was staying at. No other titled noble in this city would be staying in rented lodgings like I was. Most spent their vacations in the villas they owned.

"You can come in." When I arrived at the villa and announced myself, I was soon granted permission to enter. Whew, thankfully he didn't tell me to get lost.

"I've been wanting to meet you myself. Haha, pleased to make your acquaintance, Baronet Yandel. But why have you come to see me?"

"Oh, I have something to give you."

"Give me?" When I delivered the letter, the baron opened it right away. Then a strange look crossed his features. "These administrators sure are riled up, huh? To ask something like this from you..."

"Well, I don't know what this is all about."

"Hmm, and you still accepted the request? Why would someone like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠you do that?" the baron muttered like he couldn't understand my logic at all.

To be honest, I'd readily agreed to it because they'd offered me three million stones as payment... but because that wouldn't make me look too good, I made up an excuse. "I owe them a debt."

"Haha, you could have just pretended whatever it was never happened."

Wow, was this the mind of a nobleman? It made me kind of admire him in a bad way, but I couldn't say that to his face. "A warrior never forgets a favor."

"Hmm... that's true. Haha! How interesting. A nobleman who's guaranteed to be loyal? There'll probably be many nobles who will want to be on friendly terms with you."

After the delivery was complete, the baron invited me to have a meal with him, but I declined and left. In this much-too-small aristocratic society, you were bound to face repercussions if you were friendly with just anyone.

Anyway, with that, the commission's over.

I completed it so easily that I wondered to myself whether I could actually get three million stones just for this.

That means I'm free for the rest of the trip. I'll visit that place later in the evening.

After deciding on my schedule, I headed home. It was then that, among the knights following around their young noble masters, I noticed a familiar symbol. As soon as I spotted it, I broke out in a cold sweat.

The House of Baron Ifreia.

It was the same house that the man whose identity the GM had stolen just to meet me belonged to.

It can't be. Wasn't he the youngest? It must be his older brother.

And even if I was wrong about that, that didn't change anything. Quantum mechanics itself said so. You couldn't know anything for sure until you opened the box. Whether or not the cat inside was alive or dead could only be verified with observation. And luckily for me, I hadn't checked inside the box yet.

I should get out of here fast.

I fixed my eyes on the ground and increased my speed. But at that moment...

"W-Wait! Aren't you Baronet Yand—" The man just had to recognize me, his familiar voice ringing out behind me. "P-Please wait! I-I heard you were terribly hurt because that wicked wizard disguised himself as me. I must apologize—"

It was (True) Hans I.

"Anyway, get some rest, and then you can play with the others once they come out."

"Huh? What about you?"

"I should start doing my work. Why, do you want to come with me?"

"N-No... I will rest here!" Ainar jumped away at the mention of work and I chuckled before exiting the inn.

At first, I just walked around.

This is the definition of luxury.

I guessed because this place was originally designed as a resort for aristocrats, it was filled to the brim with high-end facilities: hot springs, riding arenas, fishing grounds, etcetera. If this were the modern world, I would've called this extravagant, but here it was on a whole other level.

They don't just eat wild meat, but also use it for recreation?

Almost 99 percent of this city ate meat and bread made with mana stones. As you could tell just by looking at Ainar, most had never even seen a real cow. But this place even had a field where pheasants and deer were released for hunting purposes.

Hmm, I think that's enough looking around...

I took the letter and headed to my destination. There was no need to go to great lengths to find out which inn the baron was staying at. No other titled noble in this city would be staying in rented lodgings like I was. Most spent their vacations in the villas they owned.

"You can come in." When I arrived at the villa and announced myself, I was soon granted permission to enter. Whew, thankfully he didn't tell me to get lost.

"I've been wanting to meet you myself. Haha, pleased to make your acquaintance, Baronet Yandel. But why have you come to see me?"

"Oh, I have something to give you."

"Give me?" When I delivered the letter, the baron opened it right away. Then a strange look crossed his features. "These administrators sure are riled up, huh? To ask something like this from you..."

"Well, I don't know what this is all about."

"Hmm, and you still accepted the request? Why would someone like you do that?" the baron muttered like he couldn't understand my logic at all.

To be honest, I'd readily agreed to it because they'd offered me three million stones as payment... but because that wouldn't make me look too good, I made up an excuse. "I owe them a debt."

"Haha, you could have just pretended whatever it was never happened."

Wow, was this the mind of a nobleman? It made me kind of admire him in a bad way, but I couldn't say that to his face. "A warrior never forgets a favor."

"Hmm... that's true. Haha! How interesting. A nobleman who's guaranteed to be loyal? There'll probably be many nobles who will want to be on friendly terms with you."

After the delivery was complete, the baron invited me to have a meal with him, but I declined and left. In this much-too-small aristocratic society, you were bound to face repercussions if you were friendly with just anyone.

Anyway, with that, the commission's over.

I completed it so easily that I wondered to myself whether I could actually get three million stones just for this.

That means I'm free for the rest of the trip. I'll visit that place later in the evening.

After deciding on my schedule, I headed home. It was then that, among the knights following around their young noble masters, I noticed a familiar symbol. As soon as I spotted it, I broke out in a cold sweat.

The House of Baron Ifreia.

It was the same house that the man whose identity the GM had stolen just to meet me belonged to.

It can't be. Wasn't he the youngest? It must be his older brother.

And even if I was wrong about that, that didn't change anything. Quantum mechanics itself said so. You couldn't know anything for sure until you opened the box. Whether or not the cat inside was alive or dead could only be verified with observation. And luckily for me, I hadn't checked inside ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the box yet.

I should get out of here fast.

I fixed my eyes on the ground and increased my speed. But at that moment...

"W-Wait! Aren't you Baronet Yand—" The man just had to recognize me, his familiar voice ringing out behind me. "P-Please wait! I-I heard you were terribly hurt because that wicked wizard disguised himself as me. I must apologize—"

It was (True) Hans I.