It's a good thing I'm not the only one.

　I washed my face in the quiet bar while listening to the voice of Richard's grandfather in my ear. The customers have left, and the only ones left are those staying in private rooms and those lying on the floor or at tables.

　I'm the latter, of course.

"Not really. You didn't win after all.

　While enduring a small stabbing pain, I remove the pieces of the blade that pierced my face one by one. If you fight with a blade against a blade, you will always have a scar like this. I think it's called a nick. And this time it's even more so because the knife broke so close to me.

A draw is good. Even as an apprentice, she's a knight. And I've heard that even though Vardonick's family name isn't great, he's pretty good. Not bad.

　The game was a draw. The game was a draw, because the signal to stop was given just before my knife hit Kalia Vardnick in the throat and her long sword hit me in the shoulder. I don't know what would have happened if I'd kept going.

　She could have torn my skin off, or she could have twisted my shoulder before that. It could have gone either way, I suppose. But Kalia Vadnick seemed to be satisfied with the outcome, smiled strangely, and walked out of the tavern with a dignified "I'll leave it to you. In her own way, she may have accepted the result of the draw. If so, the result was too good for me.

　But rather than the elation of victory, I felt a sense of weirdness and strangeness welling up in my heart.

"Well, that's wonderful. A child can grow up without a parent. Children grow up without knowing it.

　I turned my gaze to Richard's old man, who was strangely praising me.

　It's hard to believe that this vicious old man would praise someone without any reason. So there's something behind it. Definitely. In fact, there is a sense that he is trying to make me realize it. If this old man is really trying to trick me, I'm sure I'm stepping into a pit without realizing it.

"......, you're still working. I don't think it's a good idea to overuse people.

　After washing his face, he preemptively replies. The old man's body has aged, and his beard and hair have turned white. His body may not be as good as those of the front line workers. However, his muscular frame and raptor-like eyes, which are still intact despite his old age, give his body an indescribable power. I don't know much about him, but I heard that he used to be famous as an adventurer and was involved in national affairs. Well, I've only heard about him in the taverns.

　Hearing my words, the old man laughed deliberately, showing his teeth, and slapped his back.

You're starting to get the idea, Lugis ......, but don't worry, it's not a weird job. And I don't even know if you're really up to it yet.

　The old man's words made my eyebrows twitch.

"Does that mean they'll give you a good job if they think you'll be useful, old man?

"You're really starting to get it, you're like a different brat from the last time I saw you.

　The way he narrowed his eyes cunningly and showed his teeth in a smile is exactly what I would call vicious. He doesn't look like a good person. It's not a race I would normally want to believe in.

　But if you want to be better, this is the man you need to learn from. I believe Richard's grandfather is the best.

So what am I supposed to do? I'm determined to be a great adventurer. I'm willing to go out on a limb for your approval.

　Richard's eyes twisted for a moment as he lightly stroked his beard. His eyes twisted for a moment as he stroked his beard lightly, as if he were assessing us, or perhaps thinking about us. After a moment's pause, he said in a voice that, despite its age, still retained a certain fearlessness.

It's an easy job. If you succeed, I'll tell the guild leader about it. Let's start with an overview...

　I left King's Landing.

　When I left King's Landing, I immediately began to wonder if I could really trust that old man.

"Hey, not yet. I'm free. Tell me something interesting.

"Do you want to talk about how the woman next to you is arrogant?

　He ducked his head to avoid the back fist that flew at him. It seems that this woman's pattern of behavior is the same now as it will be in the future. You can hear the low voice of the boss saying, "Don't be violent, customer.

　The job itself is simple enough, to be sure. You are to deliver a sealed letter and supplies to Fort Coriden on the western frontier. You must never look inside. Don't even look inside. Just deliver.

　Well, that's certainly a good job of assessing trust. To be honest, I've never had the chance to touch a sealed wax letter before, so I'm strangely elated. The conditions are also good. The guild would pay for the carriage. In other words, you can accomplish your work just by riding around. I have my misgivings, but I can't remember ever having a job that was so easy.

　I have only one complaint. Why is this woman, Kalia Vadnick, accompanying me? She's a knight in the making. Why is she involved in the guild's business?



There's a reason. I just can't tell you why. The Order has the right to intervene in the Guild's business, and I have no right to complain... well, it's a boring business, but I'm under house arrest, so consider me a scout at best. If you're at fault, I'll be happy to report it.

　I'll be sure to report any faults to you," he said, looking at Kalia Vadnick with a smile on his face as he looked down at the waxed letter.

　In this country, only noblemen or those of similar status are allowed to seal wax. In other words, this sealed letter is an order from a higher level, conveying some kind of message or instruction to Fort Coryden. Certainly, such a job could have been done by one or two orderlies. The choice of personnel is very difficult to respond to, though.

　However, this kind of work is usually carried out by official messengers and fast horses. There must be a good reason why this is not done. It's all speculation, but it may have something to do with her existence.

　Squinting and sighing lightly, I take a piece of fruit from the cart. The fruit is red, juicy, and good. If you bought it in the market, it would be worth a good price. When you bite your teeth, the red juice spreads in your mouth.

　But while I suspect that there is something to this request, I also suspect that there is no real reason for it. After all, the request was made by a novice adventurer, and the man in charge was an apprentice knight under house arrest.

　I don't think it's very likely that anything important will be entrusted to a letter. At best, it would be a regular notice.

　As the letter fluttered in his hands, he gazed at the wax seal tirelessly, as if trying to guess the true meaning of the request.