MTL: uniquegasuki
Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)
A cup of strong alcohol.
It is a customary practice among hunters for the leader to offer a cup to the newcomer they are in charge of.
This custom is out of style; nowadays, not many of the traditions are continued. At best the leader will merely give the newcomer a knife.
Kurando watches Iraida (イライダ) intently as she gulps down a cup of Vuogira (ヴォギラ, alcohol).
The farmers around these parts like to drink strong alcohol.
Kurando had certainly seen the dwarf and his companions effortlessly drink the alcohol. The giant race seem to be heavy drinkers. The amount of alcohol that the other races (elves, beastmen, and humans) can handle seems to vary.
Although tolerance may vary, before they can drink the alcohol in a different manner they must first gulp it down. As a newcomer it is a show of restraint to their fellow senior hunter.
Kurando drunk it because he didn’t want to be seen as a downer.
At any rate, without a leader’s guidance he would not have a connection to the village.
To begin with Kurando’s physical features are different from the villagers.
Although he is a misplaced foreigner, Kurando doesn’t appear downhearted.
From the start, one should consider Kurando’s age.
His accurate age is difficult to read. The fine details aren’t known, but he looks to be in his twenties.
An Aromeri blade (アロメリ, 三剣角鹿の角); he has an unknown small shield equipped, but he is not wearing enough other protective armor. Kurando isn’t from the giant race; so, why is he dressed like a hunter from the wrong era?
She had overheard that the small shield was obtained from an ice warrior type monster.
If that were true the matter should be investigated; however, the branch chief had judged that the newcomer’s story wasn’t credible enough.
It is a leader’s role to guide and to watch over troublesome newcomer hunters.
For that reason, it is their duty to groom newcomers.
Although, Kurando doesn’t seem to be the type to be lead around by others.
◆◆◆
「Uh, do you want to take a request today?」 (Iraida)
It is still early in the day.
「Today is impossible. How about tomorrow? The alcohol has upset my stomach.」 (Kurando)
Kurando’s complexion looks somewhat bad.
「Why? You’re quite pathetic…… your race should be able to handle at least that much alcohol.」 (Iraida)
She takes another gulp before giving a hearty laugh.
「Is there anything you want to know about before we get to work? There are some things that can’t be verbally explained, but I’ll walk you through it. Did you want to know about non-rank requests and other, private request, similar things such as no-time-limit request (unaccepted request)?」 (Iraida)
It seems that rules can differ between the association and countries.
「Is it true that no-time-limit request can only be accepted by hunters of equal rank or two less than the posted rank?」 (Kurando)
「That’s right, although it isn’t a very good rule now is it.」 (Iraida)
「The request that I had took on a few days ago clearly said it was acceptable, but the request was still invalid.」 (Kurando)
「Although it was okay by the associates rules, sometimes a country’s rules may state otherwise. I don’t often hear of requests being invalid, though.」 (Iraida)
Iraida crossed her arms together; she shows a thoughtful expression.
This action caused the gap in between her breast to deepen. (T/N: boobies)
「Well, it’s already over. There is no helping the matter now. So, what’s next?」 (Kurando)
Iraida looks over Kurando, from his head to his toes.
「Is that all you have on?」 (Iraida)
「Uh, yea.」 (Kurando)
「Do you plan to do hunter related work dressed like that? Is it because you don’t have money?」 (Iraida)
「About that, I came to this village to earn money.」 (Kurando)
「Did you bring anything else?」 (Iraida)
「Ahaha, this――」 (Kurando)
Kurando sets down the luggage from his back.
The association’s swing door opens with a bang.
And, with the same force it swings shut.
It springed back like a spring board.
The association’s lobby became silent.
This time the door slowly opens.
Something is standing there.
「Eh, Orc?」 (Kurando)
Although it isn’t certain, it does look like an Orc.
Nope, it’s more like a pig beastman.
A person from one of the beastman race.
An Orc, person, who has on fine cloth.
「I want to get in contact with the person who had accepted the Toramora herb gathering request.」 (???)
That person has a pleasant voice; a Baritonboisu (バリトンボイス) like voice.
「Why if it isn’t Baron Potapenko (ポタペンコ男爵). What can I do for you today――」 (staff member)
It is the arrogant staff member; he is shamelessly rubbing hands together.
Baron is the person’s honorary title. In this country the aristocrat system had been abolished a long time ago, but the heads of aristocratic families were allowed to kept their title.
「I’m sorry to inform you, but the acceptance of the request was a newcomers mistake. (staff member)
The staff member shamelessly bows his head.
The person called Baron Potapenko has a troubled expression on his face.
From somewhere in the surrounding,
「Hey there, pig Baron」 (voice A)
「Is his hobby playing dress-up as a noble?」 (voice B)
「I heard he ate his fortune away.」 (voice C)
「Nowadays, I hear Toramora herb is quite a first-class spice.」 (voice D)
The voices heard are fairly faint.
Although the aristocrat system has been long abolished, even now, no one would insult an aristocrat to their face.
「Hmm, but, I can smell the scent of Toramora herb?」 (Potapenko)
The nose of Baron Potapenko is twitching.
Although no one said it out loud everyone in the lobby is think, “are you a pig or something”.
Baron Potapenko ignores the staff member; the Baron’s nose twitches even more.
And then, the Baron turns to Kurando’s direction. The Baron walks in large strides and approaches Kurando.
Despite Iraida drawing the lustful gazes of people, when she exited the branch chief’s room, the Baron doesn’t take notice of the neighboring beautiful woman, Iraida. Not once did he glance over at her.
「Good sir, do you have Toramora herb? You do, do you not. I do not know the association’s circumstances, but do you mind handing it over to me?」 (Potapenko)
Contrary to his appearance the person is quite humble.
Close, the Baron has bend over very closely to Kurando. The Baron approaches the bar counter with an overpowering demeanor.
「W-wait, are you the client of the no-time-limit (unaccepted) request?」 (Kurando)
「That is correct. I have been waiting for half a year now.」 (Potapenko)
Kurando looks toward Iraida.
「……what should I do in this case?」 (Kurando)
「Well, there is no problem with making it a private transaction; however, do you have Toramora herbs with you.」 (Iraida)
The Baron looks at Kurando with a pleading expression that seems to be urging Kurando to hurry and hand it over.
Twinkling eyes, a plump face, a bulky but graceful body despite being a pig. The Baron has a charm that is difficult to dislike.
「O-okay, calm down.」 (Kurando)
After Kurando tells him so, Baron Potapenko’s nose relaxes. However; he remains excited similar to a sitting dog would.
Kurando takes 3 lumps of Toramora herbs from his rucksack.
「Here――」 (Kurando)
Chomp
Similar to how a certain someone would sink their teeth into food, the Baron puts one lump of the Toramora herb into his mouth.
「Hey.」 (Kurando)
Munch, munch, crunch
Like a philosopher at the top of their field, Baron Potapenko ate the herb with an earnest expression as he savors the flavor.
He chews it many times over.
And then, the Baron sallows while showing feelings of regret――
The Baron sheds a tear.
「This is it, I can recall the flavor from my distant childhood; I had received a single slice from grandfather. Oh, this is that flavor. Surely, this is Toramora herb!」 (Potapenko)
Although this is the self-indulgence of an aristocrat, everyone in the lobby hangs on Baron Potapenko’s every word.
「Thank you, thank you.」 (Potapenko)
「Ah-haha, what about the reward for the request?」 (Kurando)
The Baron, who had approached ever so closer to Kurando, while giving his thanks he suddenly stops.
Baron Potapenko’s face turns blue.
「W-well you see, last month’s food payment, how to put this, short on funds.」 (Potapenko)
Baron Potapenko’s body begins to shrink after being exposed to Kurando’s eyes.
「……s-so, another form of payment will have to do. Do you have any suggestions?」 (Kurando)
In other words, a shake down.
Kurando has no other options. Iraida tries to hold down her laughter.
「Will anything do, you see money is impossible. But even so I’m an aristocratic…… ya an aristocratic?」 (Potapenko)
「Oh. Baron Potapenko, are you not the head of your family?」 (Kurando)
Kurando’s gamble. Baron Potapenko is an aristocratic, but he has no power only an honorific title. At best, he can offer favor with his political authority (from the parliament), or trade off a magic secret.
In reality, the Baron has trouble paying for food; he is a aristocratic living in poverty.
Kurando whispers something into the Baron’s ear.
Baron Potapenko made a surprised expression.
Because Kurando had filled the request and brought back the Toramora herb, at first he thought Kurando was angry. The Baron thought there was no possible way to settle the debt.
「That‘s all, however, it’s not like, oh I see.」 (Potapenko)
Baron Potapenko is looking downwards and is mutters something to himself. After a while, he looks up towards Kurando.
「……it won’t be of much use to a hunter; are you sure?」 (Potapenko)
「Anything will be fine. I just happen to be a curious person.」 (Kurando)
「Hmm, I may be from a poor Baron family, but it is still an heirloom…」 (Potapenko)
The remaining Toramora herbs are placed on top of the bar counter.
「Not even if it is for this much?」 (Kurando)
「Ahhh, but, but. Argh, alright but ――in the future if you have anything yummy, please bring it to me. You’re a resident hunter here right, you’ll bring it to me right?」 (Baron)
「……that sounds good to me.」 (Kurando)
「――okay, okay it’s a deal. Now then.」 (Baron)
While appearing restless, Baron Potapenko goes over to the association’s counter. A while later, he returns and then whispers something into Kurando’s ear.
Kurando grasps a piece of paper in his hand.
「Here is my family’s heirloom. Okay now, I should return home before it gets dark.」 (Potapenko)
Kurando gives his consents by nodding. The remaining Toramora herbs are handed over to the Baron.
「Hmm, if I recall, my family will be staying in Tanksaku for the time being. Feel free to visit me when you have time.」 (Potapenko)
Tansaku (タンスク) is where the Dorugan parliament is located. It is Dorugan’s capital city.
The Baron puts the Toramora herbs he received into his personal cloth bag. Baron Potapenko left after giving an elegant aristocrat like gesture; the Baron acted completely different compared to his behavior upon his arrive.
Although, when seen from behind, the Baron is still an Orc.
◆◆◆
Baron Potapenko suddenly appeared like a hurricane, after his departure there was a strange calmness.
By chance, Kurando saw the arrogant staff member in the lobby. The staff member has a sour expression.
Kurando had a thought, and mockingly laughed in the face of the arrogant staff member.
The staff member turned around and when back to the reception desk.
However, Kurando could see the person’s irritation from the manner in which they were walking.
The staff member being the over-calculating raccoon that his is, had expected Kurando to sell the Toramora herbs to the hunter association.
Iraida who knows of the arrogant staff member’s true nature, tries to suppress her laughter as she begin a conversation with Kurando.
「Who would have guessed, you really did have Toramora herbs with you. So, what did you plunder? But, you certainly did lead that blue blood by the nose.」 (Iraida)
Kurando suddenly smiles, he whispers something into Iraida’s ear.
“The Baron Potapenko’s family one and only autonomous magic secret.”
Kurando whispers this in quiet voice.
Iraida made a blank expression before she began giggling.
「Kukuku, good for you, I guess?」 (Iraida)
With a pleasant expression on his face, Kurando nods.
Was there any demerits? Was what he gain worthwhile? Kurando had no regrets about the transaction.
He fully well understood the meaning behind Iraida’s words.
It is possible that the autonomous magic Baron Potapenko gave Kurando could be fake. Kurando has yet check its authenticity.
But, he has faith.
Kurando has no reason to trust Baron Potapenko.
It not like, handing over the Toramora herbs caused Kurando a direct loss. Gathering the herbs caused him no trouble.
The transaction between Kurando and Baron Potapenko was a mutual/ verbal agreement.
Kurando took a risky gamble; he traded Toramora herbs for Baron Potapenko family’s autonomous magic secret. But, it’s not like Kurando loss anything in the exchange.
For Kurando, obtaining Toramora herbs is like buying bread downtown. It is incomparable to obtaining an original autonomous magic formula. The worst thing that could happen is that the formula turns out to be counterfeit, but Kurando isn’t concerned about that.
This was a rare chance for a regular person to obtain an original magic from an aristocratic, magic that would normally be concealed from the public. It was worth the risk.
Why would Baron Potapenko make a promise to an unknown hunter such as Kurando. Kurando doesn’t know the answer.
Maybe he is crazy, but the Baron didn’t seem to be the type of person who would give someone a counterfeit and then laugh behind the other person’s back.
It is a possibility that Kurando and the Baron will never meet one another again.
However, Kurando doesn’t see it that way.
To Kurando, the worst thing that could happen from that transaction is being cheated.
Beside, Kurando didn’t want to sell the Toramora herbs to the hunter association. Sure enough, Kurando is pleased with having completed the transaction with Baron Potapenko.
「Well, for here onwards what do you plan to do about protective armor?」 (Iraida)
Iraida returns to the conversation from before.
Leaving the matter of whether or not the magic formula Kurando acquired is real aside, they move onto the next topic.
Whatever the magic is, Kurando plans to accept it.
Kurando then searches through this luggage.
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