The next day, we visit the headquarters of Ale and Ironhammer. And Argo’s party comes along, so no one starts something with us in town.
I’m sure they’re worried because of the whole goblin incident, but their fears end up being unfounded.
It’s like there’s a turbulent and hurried atmosphere, and people don’t have the time to mind us.
And we learn why when we arrive.
“The dungeon can’t be used?”
“Apparently. What are they thinking… I guess I kinda know. We’ll have to wait for an announcement from the guild and figure out what to do then.”
Says Herc with a sigh.
“Anyway, come with me.”
We follow Herc into a workshop in their headquarters.
There are a lot of members of Ale and Ironhammer here. Is this all of them?
“Put that thing there please.”
I nod and take the mithril golem out of the Item Box. And I ask for a shield.
Their expressions change when they see it. One approaches it, and then the others start rushing it.
I hear gasps from people who touch it, and people yelling to let them make weapons with that mithril.
One asks to be allowed to make the shield, but I decline.
Herc tells him to stop spouting nonsense and hits him with his fist.
“Sorry. Everyone’s excited about it.”
Everyone except the ones who were in the dungeon at the time. Or are they just containing themselves?
I can see them peeking at it.
“Are you sure? You want to trade it for materials to go to the third floor, but that’s not gonna mean much with the dungeon closed.”
Someone yells for him to not say that, as many eyes point at Herc.
“It’s not like that will last forever, and I do want to go to the third floor, so it’s fine. Or do the conditions change?”
I’m looking for gods, so giving up on dungeons isn’t an option.
Even if it doesn’t really feel like we’re conquering this one.
“Nah, that doesn’t happen. At least it’s never happened ever since I started going there.”
Then it won’t go to waste.
But since we can’t go to the dungeon, we might be able to leave Avado temporarily to investigate. I don’t know if it will be possible, because we’re under suspicion.
As I think about that, I hear the footsteps of people running into the workshop.
“What’s the rush?”
“T-the guild made an announcement! Clans and high rank adventurers are to join the goblin hunt.”
“…Is that a mandatory quest?”
Unlike the person reporting it, Herc is quiet. It’s like he predicted this to a certain extent.
The other man nods.
“And the reward?”
“Depends on the rank… But to your class will be ten gold coins.”
The man hesitates to say it, and Herc sighs.
“We’re going to have to discuss this.”
“Discuss?”
“Yep. If we’re accepting this or not.”
“Isn’t it a mandatory quest?”
I heard not accepting those comes with a big penalty, the harsher of which being expulsion from the guild. There’s also not being able to work in this town, among other things. And rank demotion.
Of course, even if it’s mandatory, people can complain if the reward isn’t worth it.
Adventurers risk their lives for rewards, so that can’t be cheap.
The target is goblins, but they destroyed a village and attacked a unit the army was escorting, killing most of the escort. Not that there were that many of them.
No one in this country would pick a fight with the army.
That aside, considering what happened so far, I think not giving an immediate answer is the right call.
“That’s not all. The biggest problem is that they don’t know where the goblins are.”
Says Argo.
“What do you mean?”
“Normally when there’s a hunting quest, it has to at least narrow down the location to a certain extent, but not this time. Not only that, but it’s unclear how strong they are, so going with a small group is risky, and it might not be near here. They might have even moved somewhere else after attacking the transportation unit.”
Argo is right.
“That’s true, but we’re thinking about what comes next too.”
Interjects Herc.
“What comes next?”
“Yes, for blacksmith like us, this dungeon is a treasure. A treasure trove of materials. But there are problems too.”
Like the tax we talked about yesterday. If they’re collecting it, they should use it to strengthen the town’s defenses. Or even hire adventurers. But it doesn’t look like they’re doing that.
“The guild is the guild. I can’t imagine they don’t get that. That’s why the years long resentment is bubbling up. And I doubt it’s just us too, I’m sure other adventures are feeling that.
I’m sure the rulers and the guild think we blacksmith won’t leave, but it might be time to show ’em that’s not true.”
But Herc finishes that by saying he’s not good at hunting, while laughing.
When will the next chapter of Storage Old Man 【Asura】be released? It’s been a month already.
Thanks for the treat.