The content of the order that Shavin brought was really 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 delivered to the baron himself before he leaves the Gnome Tree.»
That was the reason why a whopping three million stones were linked to an order that consisted only of delivery. There were almost no explorers who could enter the Gnome Tree. In reality, apart from the workers who worked on the farms, it was a district that only nobles could enter.
«I understand the content of the assignment. I want you to tell me the details».
It already smelled of sweet commission, but I didn't go ahead and calmly checked the necessary points. What was this letter? He could mail it to the baron once he returned to the city, so why pay such a huge amount for this commission?
Shavin openly answered my questions. «I can't tell you the content of the letter. And the reason I make this request is because the baron surely does not read our letters, even if we send them to his house».
The administrative office had something that it had to transmit to the baron, but he ignored it. So the administrative office obtained information that the baron was on vacation in Gnome Tree and devised a way to get the letter directly into his hand.
«Gnome Tree» is like a spa for nobles. Furthermore, the number of escorts allowed is only three. You can approach him naturally and hand him the letter, so it will also be a minor burden for you».
Hmm, that was true. I nodded. Certainly, it was problematic for a noble to visit a noble's house in the city. You had to eat with them and greet their family. It was impossible to meet briefly to deliver the letter.
So, was the condition made for me to be delivered into the Gnome Tree?
The thought suddenly came to mind, but it probably wasn't the only reason. They wouldn't have done something considered a condition of mine.
«So what are you going to do?»
Shavin handed me the decision and I responded after pretending to think about it a little more. «I accept». That they pay you three million stones to deliver a letter at a time when you couldn't make money anywhere? There was no reason not to accept it.
I planned to visit the Gnome Tree once, anyway.
«Ah, I'm telling you in advance, but I'm going to deliver the letter regardless of whether you read it or not».
«Okay. As long as you comply with the content of the order there will be no problems with payment, so you don't have to worry about that».
Well, then the last concern was resolved. I signed the contract that Shavin brought and received the order letter. With that, the official matter was over. After an hour or so of private chat, the gathering of friends broke up and I returned home.
«Missha, empaca tus cosas».
«¿Eh?»
«Let's go on a trip.»
***
The duration was set at two nights and three days. Although it wasn't too far for a day trip, he needed time to find the baron there.
Not only that... There are also places I need to visit there.
If I could, I wanted to schedule a quiet trip of five nights and six days, but the maze would open soon.
Well, my team and I agreed to skip it this time, but it's better to see firsthand how many troops the palace puts in.
«G-gnome Tree! Oh! I never thought I'd go there!»
Although it was an unexpected travel suggestion, Missha enthusiastically packed her things as soon as she knew the destination was Gnome Tree. For reference, I was allowed to take three people, so I decided to take Ainar and Erwen on a family trip together as well.
«Is it okay for me to join that?»
«What are you talking about? Don't do it, if you don't want to».
«I want! I'll go pack my things! How long did you say we were leaving?» Although he pretended to refuse, Erwen quickly got up and went to pick up her things. His face lit up for the first time in a long time. Well, there was nothing to enjoy lately.
«Hey! Didn't I tell you to stop joking and pack well?»
«I wasn't kidding...»
«Just underwear and that's it? And the toothbrush? Towels? That? Are you going to borrow mine every time?» Soon, Missha even helped Ainar pack his things and the preparations went smoothly.
Early the next morning, we headed towards the Gnome Tree, receiving the warm hospitality of the escort knights. «We will take you to the entrance».
It was long after noon when we arrived.
«Baron Bjorn Yandel. Confirmed. Come this way».
We went through a simple identification process at the castle gate and set foot further. The escort knights did not follow us. This was because there was a rule in the Gnome Tree that only allowed up to three escorts.
A shame.
Actually, the knights wanted to fill the three squares with themselves, but I stubbornly refused and filled the squares with Missha, Erwen and Ainar. Having knights with me, it would be difficult to move freely, and this was a place where I didn't have to worry too much about assassins.
«Don't hesitate to use the whistle if there is a threat to your safety inside. The Gnome Tree civilian militia will come to help».
Since Gnome Tree was the second safest area in the city after the Royal Palace, the knights only expressed their regret and did not forcibly cancel this schedule.
«Wow...»
Thus passing through the double doors, the landscape within Gnome Tree even fascinated me. A path stretched straight. A wide green landscape stretched on both sides and the breeze that gently enveloped my body carried the aroma of unripe grains and fruits.
«Oh! Look there! They are fairies!»
As the carriage transported us, we continued looking around. The most common thing was to see fairies cultivating. That was because they were agricultural specialists. The fairies sent those learning magic from elemental spirits to the Gnome Tree and received huge amounts of support money.
So jealous...
The huge supply of goods from the Gnome Tree was also the reason why they could offer interest-free tax loans to their tribe members, unlike the barbarians.
«Erwen, how many years do they give you on loan?»
«For us it is three years».
«Wow, I envy you. They only gave us until the second year. We are not urged to return it, but then we have to decide on our own whether we live or die.»
For reference, these tax lending policies were established everywhere except for barbarians and humans. It wasn't just fairies who made money this way. The dwarves were recognized for their unique construction and metallurgy skills, and signed a formal contract with the palace. The windmills and Ferris wheels we saw in the distance were probably manufactured and managed by them. Oh, and for beast people...
« ¡Other-! »
«M-Missha! What is that strange looking monster?»
«Oh, I guess you've never seen one before. It's called a cow».
«¿Vaca?»
«That meat you said was the most delicious. Well, I've never eaten it in the wild either...»
Beast people were active in the livestock industry. Not only did they have a natural communion with animals, but there was a Spiritual Beast among the types of special abilities that increased the growth and reproduction of livestock.
But the ones who make real money are the dragons.
The other races were all working class, but the dragon people were a little different. It was safe to say that they were nobles who owned land. In fact, the agricultural area called the Gnome Tree was created on the sacred land of the dragon tribe.
...Why only barbarians have nothing?
The more he organized it, the more feeling of deprivation he felt, but what could he do? Fighting was the only characteristic of our race.
Rattle.
The carriage soon arrived near the mountain in the center of the Gnome Tree and began to circle the area and head east. After a long time had passed like this, the coachman assigned to us at the gates of the Gnome Tree informed us that we had reached our destination. «We have arrived».
It was a residential district called Kiarbis, a tourist complex for nobles with a long history that even existed in the game 150 years ago.
«Please come this way».
With the help of the man who acted as coachman and guide, we headed to the inn. It was a place reserved in advance by the administrative office.
Es bonito.
It was much better than I expected. First, it used an entire separate building, and five hired servants came with it. I wondered how much it cost to spend a night here.
«Please start with a meal. We have prepared it in advance».
Since we were hungry, we ate first.
«Is there a hot spring...?»
When the servant informed us of an outdoor hot spring, we immediately went there to relieve the fatigue of the trip.
Oh yes, it's here.
I should come back later, in winter, even if I had to spend my own money. After enjoying the hot springs for an hour, Ainar was waiting for me alone.
«Bjorn, how long does it take you to wash?»
«Where are Missha and Erwen?»
«They are both still inside. I don't understand it at all. It seems to me that it is just warm water...» Ainar did not seem to have understood the true taste of the hot springs. Oh, these barbarians.
«Anyway, get some rest and go play with the others as soon as they come out».
«? ¿Y that?»
«I should start doing my job. Why, do you want to come with me?»
«N-no... I'll rest here!» Ainar jumped away at the mention of the job and I chuckled before leaving the inn.
At first, I just walked.
It's a luxury, the word itself.
I assumed that since this place was originally designed as a tourist center for aristocrats, it was full of luxurious facilities everywhere: hot springs, riding areas, fishing areas, etc. In modern times I would have called it extravagant, but here it seemed different to me.
Don't they just eat wild meat, but play with it?
Almost 99% of this city ate meat and bread made from manna stones. As you could tell by just looking at Ainar, most had never even seen a real cow. But in this place there was even a field where pheasants and deer were released to be hunted.
Hmm, I think it's enough to look 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. There were no other nobles with titles in this city who stayed in rented accommodation like me. Most spent their holidays in the villas they had purchased.
«Can pass». When I arrived at the villa and announced myself, permission was soon granted. Thank goodness he didn't tell me to get lost.
«I also wanted to meet you once. Haha, nice to meet you, Baron Yandel. But why did you come to see me?».
«Oh, I have something to give you».
«Give me?» When I handed him the letter, the baron immediately opened it. Then he made a strange face. «These administrators are irritated, huh? To ask you for something like that».
«Well, I don't know the details».
«Hmm, and you still accepted the favor? Why would someone like you do that?», the baron murmured as if it were difficult to understand.
To be honest, I willingly accepted because they offered me three million stones as a commission... but since that didn't make me look too good, I made up an excuse. «I have a debt with them».
«Haha, you could have acted like that never happened».
Wow, was this the mind of a nobleman? It made me admire him in a bad way, but I couldn't say it to his face. «A warrior never forgets a favor».
«Hmm... is that true? Ha ha ha. How interesting. A nobleman whose loyalty is guaranteed? There may be many nobles who would like to be on friendly terms with you».
After delivering the letter, the baron invited me to eat with him, but I declined the invitation and left. In this aristocratic society, too small, he had to suffer the consequences of being friendly with anyone.
Anyway, the assignment ends like this.
It ended so easily that I wondered if I could receive three million stones from this alone.
So for the remaining days I'm free. I'll visit that place later in the evening.
Confirming my remaining schedule, I headed home. It was then that, among the knights following the young nobles, I saw a familiar pattern. As soon as I saw it, I got cold sweats.
House of Baron Ifreia.
It was the house that was part of that man whose identity the GM stole just to meet me.
It can not be. Wasn't he the youngest? It must be his older brother.
Even if my expectations were wrong, it was still the same. It was even demonstrated by quantum mechanics. Nothing could be known until the box was opened. Whether or not there was a cat inside the box could only be verified after observation. Luckily I hadn't checked the inside of the box yet.
I had to go quickly.
I fixed my eyes on the ground and increased my speed. That was the moment.
«It-wait! Aren't you Baron Yand...?» The man just had to recognize me and a familiar voice came from behind. «P-please wait! I heard he felt very hurt because that evil wizard disguised himself as me. I must apologize...»
It was (True) Hans I.