The next day, a violent tremor runs through Avid. Or at least it feels like it.
As Herc said the day before, Ale and Ironhammer rejected the mandatory quest.
I’m not certain what their talks were like after that, but the idea of Ale and Ironhammer leaving town has been brought up.
And it’s not just them, other clans are joining them.
“Should we leave before things get really turbulent? Maybe it won’t be so easy because of the goblins.”
Argo peeks at me. We can move safely if it’s just us. We’d just have to use Transfer to leave the empire.
Even Chris, who is usually one to worry about people left behind, isn’t saying anything.
I know the common people aren’t to blame, but I’m sure she still harbors anger for the empire. And Rurika and Sera are the same. They know not everyone is bad, but it just doesn’t work like that.
There’s also the fact that the guild arrested us.
Argo’s party is from the empire, and they say that the job of protecting people who live here falls on the ones who govern this town, and the army and the garrison.
If they’re asking adventurers to do it, they must provide a good sum of funds.
Things differ depending on the towns and adventurers. If they feel an attachment to the place, they’ll protect it, if not, they’ll abandon it.
For better or worse, adventurers don’t like to feel shackled.
And because of this, and neglect from the rulers, clans like Ale and Ironhammer are abandoning them.
Herc and the others were mad yesterday. If the guild tries to force adventurers, they’ll push back even more.
If they give them heavy punishments and they feel it’s unfair, they can complain in another town’s guild. And the employees of this guild might be pressured by other guilds.
“I’m wondering what the guild will do after seeing this, but I don’t expect much. But Herc and the others must have a lot of resolve if they’re moving. They’re thinking about the risks when the goblins attack rather than money.”
They can fight, but their fighting abilities probably fall short compared to adventurers of the same rank.
They’re mainly blacksmiths, and they mostly fight golems, so I think they don’t have much combat experience.
“And let’s see what the rulers do when they see the state of the town.”
“If they’re stingy with money, I don’t think we can expect much.”
I whisper.
“Normally, yes. But if adventurers leave, the supply of ore stops. And higher ups in the empire might send inspectors to find out why. It’s one thing if they don’t feel they’re guilty of anything, but if they do, and they handle this badly, they might receive harsh penalties. And if this town asks for help from others, they will want to know why.”
Says Argo.
I see. Normally it’s the garrison and knights who protect the town… And as far as the empire goes, it’s the job of the army assigned to the town.
It’s different in dungeon towns, but everywhere else we’ve been to in the empire, the army throws its weight around. And manages it.
I remember when they put together a force to take down the demon king, there weren’t many adventurers in towns.
“Herc and the others will need to prepare to leave. They’ll need to bring tools to continue smiting, and food for the journey.”
Argo says it will take them at least a couple of weeks.
And if transport units and merchants are being attacked, food might become a problem.
In other dungeons, people can hunt monsters for food, but only golems appear on the first two floors here. There are edible monsters on the third, but few who can hunt them. I hear they’re that strong.
Still, I’m not that certain, because even the people who go to the third floor prioritize ore, not monsters. And apparently there’s a low chance of encountering monsters there if you don’t approach water.
That’s what I heard from Guilford. Did he gather information for our sake? He seems pretty knowledgeable.
“Well, in the end, we’ll have to wait and see how the rulers and the guild handle it. And who the guild will side with.
Normally it would make sense for them to side with adventurers, but considering how they treated Sora’s party and everything else that happened, I’m not so sure.”
Says Argo, and the rest of his party nods.
◇ ◇ ◇
Avid is shrouded in an uneasy air, and the next day, people start disappearing. Or rather, townspeople and adventurers stop walking around, and instead the garrison starts patrolling.
I can see it from the window, and I’m sure those heavily armored people look intimidating to civilians. They usually wear light armor.
Maybe that’s what they’re going for. But would people of the empire feel pressured by just that? I feel like they’d be used to it.
“How’s the town, Sora?”
“I don’t see any overt moves.”
“And covert?”
“Well, apparently people are going to Herc’s place, and to other big clans. And inns with a lot of adventurers.”
I say to Rurika while seeing the reactions on Map.
They appear to be guild employees, so I’m guessing there are talks going on.
I feel like those talks will decide the fate of this town. Unless the rulers and the guild ask other towns for help.
Says argo, and the rest of his party nods. -> Says Argo, and the rest of his party nods.
Thanks.