Read Novel Full Vol 24 Chapter 4
Vol 24 Chapter 4
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Chapter 4 – In Times Like These, Military Power Is More Important Than Financial Resources
We arrived in Gothenburg, but as soon as we reached the port, we were at a loss. We gathered information from the soldiers in charge, but the situation in Gothenburg was so dire that the word “dire” seemed like a cliché. I consulted Donatella-san about what we could do. Charity work was out of the question, but she came up with the brilliant idea of dismantling the sea monster. Would this help things a little?
“It wasn’t safe…”
I asked Dorothea-san and Ilma-san to stay behind and guard the Japanese-style boat. Finally, I set foot in Gothenburg.
I was speechless at the town’s dilapidated state and realized how little information I had gathered.
I hadn’t thought there would be large organizations, such as commercial and adventurers’ guilds, so I forgot to ask the soldiers at the port about them. I had heard that the country had been destroyed several times, so I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Feeling uneasy about the state of the town, I decided to visit the commercial guild. However, it only confirmed how naive I had been.
“This… This is definitely being plundered.”
Marina-san said something alarming, and upon looking at the scene before us, I couldn’t deny it.
The once-imposing commercial guild was now a shadow of its former self, with holes in the doors, windows, and stone walls.
“It’s not normal to attack a commercial guild, is it?”
In this world, the commercial and adventurers’ guilds, as well as royalty and nobility, are widely recognized as enemies that must not be made.
Due to their extensive networks, provoking them is said to be worse than declaring war on a country. Is this a war-torn era where commercial guild buildings are reduced to ruins and looted?
Ah, this continent was in a war-torn era not too long ago. I’m even more worried about Mear-san, whom I’ve secretly been concerned about.
“Well, it’s not a normal situation, so I guess these things happen. But it’s still surprising that the commercial guild was attacked. War is really scary.”
Alessia-san responds to my muttering, but she also seems surprised. Everyone except the familiar group is surprised.
The fact that the commercial guild was attacked must be quite shocking.
“What should we do now? Should we go back to the port and ask the soldiers for more details?”
If our initial information gathering was insufficient, we can always gather more.
“It’ll be quicker to see for ourselves. First, let’s go to the adventurers’ guild. If that doesn’t work, we’ll visit other guilds or the lord’s castle. Our top priority is Wataru’s safety, so be sure to keep an eye on your surroundings.”
If my safety is the top priority, shouldn’t we gather more information first? However, the war is over, and it would be quicker to see for ourselves if Alessia-san and the others are around.
I nodded in agreement with Alessia-san, deciding to visit the adventurers’ guild.
“Is it just my imagination, or does it feel lively here?”
The town was still in ruins, but the closer we got to the guild, the livelier it seemed.
“It’s not your imagination. It’s good; the guild is probably safe.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If the guild wasn’t safe, it would be hopeless. But this way, we might still be able to manage.”
“What do you mean?”
Alessia-san and the others answered my question.
There are several places designated as evacuation sites in case of an emergency. The best of these is the adventurers’ guild.
Needless to say, the adventurers who belong to the guild are combat professionals. Many of the staff also have combat experience, so the physical security is top-notch.
Even D- and C-rank adventurers have some combat experience and possess combat power far beyond that of ordinary people. While Paris and Alessia-san are beyond comprehension, seasoned adventurers are generally monsters compared to ordinary people.
While the commercial guild protects itself with wealth, the adventurers’ guild protects itself with force. In times of war, it seems that simple force prevails.
If the commercial guild had lost its wealth and the adventurer guild had lost its strength, despair would have set in, as the effort required to rebuild would have been unimaginable.
Since the adventurer’s guild is intact, Alessia-san believes there is still hope.
Thank goodness there’s still hope.
“But it looks like there was a battle.”
As Alessia-san said, the adventurer guild building and the surrounding area are in disarray. However, the damage seems to be less than that of the commercial guild, and it looks like emergency repairs have already been made.
There are many people coming and going, so the area is quite lively.
“It looks safe, so let’s go in.”
After checking the surroundings, Marina-san nodded that it was safe, so we entered the adventurers’ guild as well.
It doesn’t feel like an adventurers’ guild.
“Let’s ask at the reception desk first.”
“Yes, Wataru, good luck.”
“…Yes.”
Right, I’m the interpreter, so I have to do my best.
“Excuse me, may I ask you something?”
“Yes, of course. How may I help you?”
The man I approached seemed a little nervous. There were only men sitting at the reception counter.
If this is the result of the war, then I hate war. It’s not right that there aren’t any beautiful women working at the reception desk of the adventurers’ guild.
“Actually…”
I told him that we were merchants from the Northern Continent, seeking information about the current situation in the town.
“I see. You’ve come at a difficult time. I understand. I’ll explain as best I can. First…”
I asked him a difficult question, but he answered without looking upset. I felt sorry for getting angry just because he was a man.
Then, a shocking truth was revealed.
The man in front of me was actually an employee of the commercial guild.
The town of Gothenburg had suffered devastating damage; even the lord’s castle was in ruins. The adventurers’ guild was now serving as the headquarters for various administrative and guild activities.
When I asked if the guild, despite being a fairly large building, had enough space for administrative offices and various guilds, he smiled wryly and explained that the administrative official stationed there was just a figurehead. Since most guilds had little work, a small staff was sufficient.
This is the real deal. If things continue to deteriorate, it could easily turn into a post-apocalyptic world rather than a fantasy one.
“Um, what about the reconstruction plans?”
“We’re doing our best, but we’ve run out of resources and funds…”
Yeah, I could tell from the staff’s expressions that there was nothing they could do. This is no joke.
“Um, is Mear-san okay? She was very kind to me when I visited before…”
It took courage to ask that question. Since coming to this world, I have been living a relatively peaceful life, away from war. Checking on the safety of someone I knew made my heart skip a beat.
“Mear…?”
Don’t look so gloomy, Staff-san.
“She’s alive, but she was injured in the attack on the commercial guild. She’s currently recovering at the church.”
Really? I should be glad she’s alive, right?
“How is her treatment going?”
“Well, everything is in short supply, and there are a lot of injured and sick people.”
“Are there any doctors or people who can use healing magic?”
“It’s not so much that there are few, but rather that the skilled healers have been transferred to their home country. We are managing with those who have some experience in healing.”
Did the priests and those who serve the gods abandon Gothenburg? No. With chaos reigning across the continent, even the victorious countries are barely surviving. It’s only natural that they would take the best people they can get.
Priests are people, too. They can’t disobey orders from their organization. Besides, I’m sure every place is overflowing with wounded and sick people.
“Claretta, could you take Rimu and Donatella-san, who is an interpreter, to help with the treatment? Alessia, please escort Claretta.”
I want to visit them too, but the situation is dire. If we delay even a day, it could mean more deaths.
This isn’t my style, but we should do everything we can as quickly as possible.
The pressure is intense. I want to go home.
“Understood. I’ll do my best.”
Donatella-san seems to have translated the staff’s words for everyone. Claretta-san nods in agreement.
“Yes, Claretta can fight, but Donatella is with her. Carla, please go with them. Also, before going to the church, go to the Japanese-style boat and bring Dorothea with you. Is that okay, Wataru?”
“Isn’t there a need to leave someone at the Japanese-style boat at a time like this?”
It’s worse than I imagined. I don’t think we can leave it unattended. Even if we leave it empty, there’s little chance of it being stolen. It would be better to ask Ilma to help me with this.
Then, Ilma-san can go to the church, and Donatella-san can cover for me.
“If no one is watching, the commotion will likely get out of hand.”
There will be a fight over the boat. Even when someone is watching, people still attack, so if it’s empty, more people will try to steal it, and a fight could break out.
“I understand.”
Next time, we’ll land somewhere else and repatriate the Japanese-style boat.
When I told the male staff member that I would send a medic, he jumped up with joy and started showing them the way.
No, we’re not done talking yet, so please leave the tour to someone else.
I calmed the staff member down, sat him back down, and told him that we still had things to discuss. While I was doing so, Claretta-san and the others caught another staff member and headed for the church.
“Excuse me. I got so excited that I lost control.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Someone close to this man is probably also being treated at the church. His joy is overwhelming. But I’m sorry; I need you to prioritize me right now. Even a slight delay could mean more deaths, and that’s scary.
Honestly, I regret not taking action yesterday.
Claretta-san is clearly a top-notch healer. Although Rimu is inexperienced, he has abundant magical power, and he’s willing to do what he’s told. I believe he can handle most situations.
“Then let’s continue with the story.”
Now, here comes the real challenge. Donatella-san’s absence is unsettling, but I’ll try to finish things as quickly as possible and distribute the work and food.
Donatella-san said that as long as there is a foundation, people will manage to survive somehow. My role is to distribute the work and lay the foundation, even if it’s temporary. Then, the locals will somehow reinforce the fragile foundation. Probably.
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