Chapter 45
The next morning.
After a leisurely breakfast, we headed to the Guild.
When I looked at the request board, I saw the escort request Glen had mentioned yesterday.
Escort to Millheim—50 silver coins per day. Success fee. Penalty for breach.
There was an additional note.
――Acceptance requirements: A deposit of at least 10 gold coins.
I took the request and headed straight for the counter without hesitation.
"Could you tell me the details of the contract?"
The clerk glanced at us, nodded silently, and headed toward a shelf in the back.
After making us wait for a little while, the clerk returned, checking the ledger.
"Your deposit is sufficient. The reward is as stated, and it's paid per party. No advance payment."
He continued matter-of-factly, his eyes on the documents.
"If you fail the request, a penalty will be deducted from your deposit."
I nodded slightly at that.
"Also, if any act of betrayal comes to light—desertion, absconding with the cargo, or aiding bandits, for example—your entire deposit will be forfeited, and the Guild will send pursuers after you."
His words carried a cold edge.
――I see.
The deposit served as collateral to prevent betrayal.
It was far more efficient than checking the creditworthiness of every unknown adventurer and building trust one person at a time.
Even if the request failed, the client would be compensated with the penalty or the forfeited deposit.
That way, the Guild's reputation wouldn't be shaken.
A system that minimized the risk of failure and satisfied the client—well designed.
"What counts as failure, and how much is the penalty?"
"It depends on the loss of cargo and the status of any victims. The maximum is five gold coins."
So we could end up in the red, depending on the circumstances.
That said, if we ran away midway, the losses would only grow.
"What happens if the request fails because one of the parties betrays us?"
I continued asking, choosing my words carefully.
We had to account for the risk of one of the parties turning traitor.
The clerk answered that question without hesitation, too.
"The deposits of any parties that flee or are killed will be forfeited. If that's not enough, the remaining parties will split the shortfall equally."
They made no effort to investigate who was at fault or why the request had failed.
The system simply ran on, coldly following the terms of the contract.
I couldn't help admiring how efficient it was.
"Understood. We'll take it."
When I said that, the clerk silently stamped the request form and handed it to me.
His movements were smooth and utterly efficient.
"Meet tomorrow morning at the first bell, at the north gate. Don't be late."
We took the request form and left the Guild.
"Man, escort requests are complicated."
Lyle said with a shrug.
His tone was light, but there was a trace of tension in his eyes.
"But we're okay with the penalty, right?"
Elena asked, furrowing her brows worriedly.
She looked at me with a slightly anxious expression.
Kai said nothing, simply looking at me.
"It should be fine. The caravan made it all the way here safely, after all."
I said it firmly.
In reality, there was no telling what might happen.
But there was no point in making everyone anxious.
Whatever happened, we'd be able to get through it.
"Besides, we're all jointly liable. Adventurers keep an eye on one another, so no one can pull anything reckless."
At my words, the three of them relaxed.
A hint of relief appeared on Elena's face, and Lyle gave a small smile.
"All right, let's go shopping for the trip."
Lyle took the lead, and the four of us headed for the market.
At the foot of the bridge spanning the river that ran through town, colorful awnings stretched in a row.
Ennsburg was a key hub for trade crossing the Aldia Mountains.
Wine, silk, and spices brought from the Navar Kingdom and the Papal States crossed the Aldia Mountains on the backs of mules.
Then they were transferred to carriages in this town and sent farther north to the Empire.
As we neared the bridge, the crowd grew visibly denser. Shoulders brushed, and the rustle of clothes never ceased. The warm air was a blend of pungent spices, the smell of grease from roasted meat, and the animal odor of livestock.
"Bargains, bargains! Fresh in this morning!"
"Look over here instead, young man!"
The calls flying at us from every direction nearly stopped us in our tracks.
Beneath the awnings, vivid spices were piled high, red and yellow powders glittering in the sunlight.
Cheese and bacon were laid out haphazardly on straw mats, their cut surfaces giving off a rich aroma.
In between, wool and bundles of hay brought in from nearby villages were stacked in a jumble.
"Don't get separated."
Lyle said.
The four of us naturally drew close together and gathered supplies, weaving through the gaps.
Millheim was four days away.
We bought enough hard-baked bread for seven days, just to be safe, along with cheese and bacon.
In a quieter corner, Lyle suddenly stopped.
"Oh, this looks good."
He pointed to a small shop selling cloth in muted colors.
It wasn't as eye-catching as the flashy spices and ornaments, but thick woven fabrics hung neatly beneath the awning.
Among them, dark green and gray cloaks caught our eyes.
"That's Valden weave."
The old shopkeeper said in a gravelly voice.
"Just the thing for traveling. It blocks the wind, and repels a bit of rain, too."
Lyle picked one up and pinched the fabric between his fingers to test its feel.
"...Not bad, actually."
I tried one on over my shoulders, too.
Its substantial weight settled comfortably against my body. It wasn't so heavy as to impede movement, but it seemed like it would keep the cold air out.
"You lot look like you're headed somewhere cold. You won't regret having one."
The old man grinned.
"How much?"
"That's a fine piece. But, well... if you're buying them all together, I'll give you a little discount."
At that, Lyle looked at me.
――The drake's reward is still untouched.
On a long journey, staying warm and keeping out the wind were important. Cloaks were a necessity. Their quality was good, and the price fair.
I nodded immediately.
"Let us see one for each of us."
At Lyle's words, the old man nodded with satisfaction and pulled out another cloak.
We bought cloaks for everyone and continued through the market.
"Hey, look at that."
Elena abruptly stopped and tugged on my hand.
Ahead of us was a street vendor's stall displaying brooches in every color.
What caught my eye was a brass brooch shaped like a set of scales.
――A scales brooch representing our party name.
Sharing a symbol in a visible form was an excellent way to strengthen our sense of belonging.
"It's perfect for us."
Without hesitation, I bought four of the brooches.
We each happily fastened our newly purchased cloaks with one.
The same scales design lined up across them.
At that moment, we looked at one another and nodded without a word.
The determination on their faces showed that we were truly united in our hearts.
They weren't just ornaments, but symbols of our resolve to walk together.
Wrapped in our matching, warm cloaks, we set off once more.