A Highly Suspicious Merchant Clerk (3)
"A request?" Leana plucked the letter from my hand, read it over, and tilted her head quizzically.
"Dremont Trading Company? What's that?"
"Beats me. First I've heard of it." I rummaged through my mental database, but nothing came up. Probably not big enough to warrant a mention in the setting lore or during gameplay.
"Hmm, they want an escort across the border. But why us? Oh, destination's Schlessi."
Leana muttered as she scrutinized the request form.
"Escort target is a branch manager-level exec from the trading company. They're setting up a branch in Schlessi this time. Hmm."
Leana's eyes kept drifting downward.
"Official format checks out, approval signature and company seal at the bottom. And they're fronting Pallion coins as advance payment. So what's the balance gonna be? Eek?!"
Leana's eyes went wide as she stared at me.
"We have to take this!!"
"Was planning to anyway."
This request's payout was generous. Must be splashing cash for the investment needed to establish a branch in a duchy border city. Aggressive expansion means burning money, and skimping on that just leads to a slow decline—same in the real world or here.
"But why our guild over others? Honestly, anyone local would just hand it to beefier Montfeu Guild."
"Who knows? Maybe word of the demon hunt spread that far."
Leana nodded, agreeing it made sense.
"Then we gotta prep now. Takes a full half-day from here to the empire border zone."
"Yeah."
"Taking Celestine, right?"
I thought for a moment. The empire border was a rough spot crawling with all sorts of thugs—I'd sliced through a few myself on the way here. The client wouldn't show up solo on horseback for a branch setup; they'd have a carriage for sure. Perfect target for lowlifes. Combat was inevitable, so maybe bring Celestine. I could dance with my sword solo, but guarding a client meant an extra pair of hands was smart. Yeah, better take her. She could at least protect the client while I fought, and guild work meant building real combat experience. A saintess with a halo who'd blocked a mid-tier demon's shield? She'd be useful.
But could Leana handle the guild solo for minor requests? Plus, we only had the one horse I'd ridden in on.
Escorting on shared horseback? No way.
"That'll be fine. I'll manage the guild alone. Been doing it for years. And Carla can lend us horses for a few days."
Leana had a simple fix.
"Cool. Then Celestine and I will head out. Gotta borrow that horse now."
"Safe travels! I'll pack your bags ahead."
To reach Carla's ranch, I had to cut through the winding paths between Schlessi's vast outer vineyards. Riding slow, I took in the endless fields. Folks scurried everywhere, picking grapes; over there, they dumped them into huge oak vats where pretty girls barefoot-stomped the juice.
Bet that's the secret to the duchy's killer wine. Imagine Leana or Celestine hiking up their skirts to thigh-level and stomping? Slurp—mouth's watering already.
Lost in dumb fantasies, I arrived at the ranch. Explained the situation to Carla and asked to borrow a horse. Having slain that demon last time, she'd fully warmed to me—sent a worker out with a glossy-coated steed, plus fancy saddle and tack to boot.
"Use as long as you need and return later."
"Thanks, Carla."
"De nada."
Carla flashed a white-toothed grin. Cute.
Back at the guild with two horses, Celestine was already there. Slumped in a chair, arms and legs rolled up, stroking her golden-glowing hands over them. Holy healing? Out of nowhere?
Leana approached and asked.
"Welcome back, boss. Horses?"
"Got 'em borrowed. But what's Celestine doing?"
"Got banged up on a request."
"Banged up? What kind?"
"Find a lost cat."
Now I saw the scratches clawing her limbs.
"You okay?"
"Ah, boss. I'm fine."
As I neared, Celestine looked up.
"Found the cat, but man, it was feral—gave me a beating."
"Least you made it back alive."
She smiled at my joke.
"Once holy heal's done, come with me. We got somewhere to go."
"Heard from guild master already. Escort request, right?"
"Yeah. Need a healer. If combat pops, you guard the client while I fight."
"Ah, got it. No worries then."
A halo suddenly flared above her head, beaming confidently. Yeah, she's got this.
"No dawdling, guys. Gotta roll now to hit the border post before dark."
Leana huffed over, lugging two huge bags.
"Spare clothes, simple lunch, water skins, camping gear, map and compass. And this for Celestine."
Leana stuffed a tightly-tied cloth pouch into Celestine's bag.
"What's that?"
"This?"
Leana whispered in Celestine's ear—her face went beet red.
"N-no way!?"
"What no way? Still think you're some noble saintess? You'll thank me later."
"Won't need to."
"You will. Even if not this request. Keep it safe."
Leana firmly shoved the bag into Celestine's arms. Meanwhile, I geared up in the guild master's office—potions, Nightrend, even a sack for a demon head just in case. Cloak on, and out. Celestine and Leana were already outside, loading saddles.
Leana eyed Celestine worriedly once packed.
"You can ride, right?"
"Yup."
Celestine boldly slipped her foot in the stirrup and hopped up—only to spin sideways, nearly tumbling off. I grabbed her ankle in time; otherwise, face-plant city.
"Th-thanks…."
"Take it slow."
I mounted up; Leana waved.
"Safe trip, everyone."
"Hold down the guild."
"We'll be back."
Celestine and I galloped off under Leana's send-off.
After a long ride, we finally cleared the vineyards. Heading east toward the empire. Shadows stretched ahead as we rode, growing longer.
Our destination: a small village at the empire border zone, home to the imperial border guard outpost. We'd link up with the client there.
Glancing back, Celestine hugged low, chasing hard. Overdid the mount earlier, but she could ride decently. Man, relearning to ride after possessing this body had been hell.
By red sunset, we paused for rest. Into thick brush for cover, tied the horses, unpacked Leana's lunches: basic sandwiches and apples. But the visuals… off.
Leana nailed everything but cooking—one fatal flaw. Guild duties since childhood, plus a guild cook back then—no need to learn. Lingered to this mutant sandwich.
"Boss, eat up and stay strong."
Celestine slid her sandwich to my lunch.
"Apple's enough for me."
"Nah, I'm good. You eat plenty. Gotta fuel up for holy power."
"It's fine. Holy power's not mine—it's borrowing the goddess's."
"What? No, eat anyway. Don't whine hungry later."
"Really fine. More and I'll puke riding."
She tugged her apple lunch back.
"C'mon. You take sandwich, give me apples. I'll buy something tasty on arrival."
"Nope."
Ugh, stubborn one.