Without saying it directly, we’d both conveyed what we wanted to do and what we wanted from the other party. At least, I hope so. He couldn’t have been sure that I’d go out of my way to follow after Surena, but he must’ve had an inkling that I would—he wouldn’t have leaked the information to Allucia otherwise.
Nonetheless, we couldn’t speak openly about it. As the guild master, he wasn’t able to hand out information on Surena, and if I brought it up, he would have to ask where I’d heard it from. To be blunt, all this doublespeak was a pain in the ass. However, this was necessary to keep up appearances and avoid being a bother to all sorts of people. I was starting to understand why nobles liked to talk in such roundabout ways. I’m never going to do it for fun, though.
“So? Why talk to me about this?” Nidus asked.
I felt like I was just one push away from getting his assistance. I could only pray I wasn’t wrong.
“Well, despite the recommendation, I’m ashamed to say that I have no familiarity with the land,” I explained. “I’m not even sure how to get to Vesparta—I only know that it’s somewhere to the west. I was wondering what to do about this and decided to come to you for advice.”
“Hmmm...”
This was the official stance I’d prepared beforehand. At best, I would get some amount of information. If that wasn’t going to fly, I was hoping to at least get a guide. I didn’t mind paying money for it and making an official request to the guild. The important part was keeping up the pretense that my trip was entirely for personal reasons.
This had to seem like no more than a vacation where I just happened to come across Surena in her time of need, and I just happened to save her. If we’d had more time, none of this would have been necessary, but we couldn’t wait.
While the situation was different, the basic idea was the same as when Curuni and Ficelle had come to reinforce me during Bishop Reveos’s arrest. Publicly, they’d pretended to be simply passing by, hiding their association with their organizations. I didn’t know how effective that had ultimately been, but at the very least, it hadn’t created any international issues. I hoped things could go similarly this time around.
“I understand the situation,” Nidus said after a moment’s consideration. “Let’s have someone who is accustomed to traveling accompany you. However, it will have to take the form of an official request, so you’ll need to pay for our services.”
“Of course. Thank you very much.”
This wasn’t the best-case scenario I’d been hoping for, but the outcome was still enough for a passing grade and was within my expectations. I didn’t know exactly what the market price was for these things, but I doubted it would be anything outrageous.
“Now then, when do you plan on departing?” Nidus asked. “I get the impression sooner would be better...”
“Ha ha ha, it’s just as you say. If possible, I’d like to leave tomorrow. If that won’t work, I’m thinking in two days.”
“Understood. We will need some time to gather the right people, so how about the day after tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. Thank you.”
Despite this being a “casual vacation,” we wanted everything to be arranged as quickly as possible. From a logical perspective, that didn’t make any sense—trips like this were usually planned early, with plenty of time to prepare.
Even though both of us were well aware that my main objective wasn’t to take a vacation, we couldn’t afford to throw out the pretense. Nobles talk their way around things in a different way, but the gist is similar to what Nidus and I are doing—I wonder if higher-ups find it as tedious as I do? I suppose “tedious” isn’t necessarily bad, though... These rules are in place to protect the organization, after all. The emergency with Surena is just an irregularity straining that system.
“Anyway, Vesparta, huh?” Nidus said, taking on a more casual tone. “I’ve been there several times in the past. It’s quite a nice place.”
“That so? I’m looking forward to it.”
I wasn’t uninterested in Vesparta, but my goal wasn’t to have fun. I doubted I would have the time to enjoy any sightseeing. If I did, it would only be after safely reuniting with Surena.
“However, it does have a flaw,” Nidus added, making me well aware that there was nothing casual about this segue. “The town is in close proximity to the Aflatta Mountain Range. You should be particularly cautious of the mountainside to the northeast. Well, that’s only an issue if you decide to go marching into the mountains, though.”
“I see... Thank you for the warning.”
“Think nothing of it. I pray your journey goes safely.”
Surena’s destination really had been in the Aflatta Mountain Range. And I now knew that she’d gone to the mountainside northeast of the city. There was no guarantee she was still there, but it was definitely good intel.
Incidentally, my plan was to brave the mountains on my own. I couldn’t drag along the adventurers who would be accompanying me as guides. It wouldn’t be part of their job, after all. Publicly, this would be no more than a carefree old man hiring some escorts and guides for a sightseeing trip to Vesparta. Nobody would agree to charge into the Aflatta Mountain Range at my request.
“I know this was sudden, so allow me to thank you once more for agreeing,” I said.
“Heh heh, think nothing of it. The adventurer’s guild is here to listen to the people’s demands and resolve them by offering our members jobs.”
I had new information and was going to have guides to show me the way. This was pretty much the best outcome I could’ve wished for. Nidus acted like it was no big deal. After all, this was supposed to be no more than a request to make my vacation easier.
I never want to negotiate like that again. It’s bad for my mental health.
I nodded to Nidus. “Well, I have preparations to make, so if you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course. In two days, I’ll have people waiting for you in front of the guild—bright and early. As for the fee...about this much will do. You can pay the day of.”
“Understood. Thank you once more.”
It wasn’t exactly cheap, but it was still well within what I could afford. I didn’t know whether this was a friendly discount or the standard price. But I certainly don’t want to be stuck with some nasty adventurers because I haggled when it wasn’t necessary. I decided to just pay what he asked for.
Now I just needed to explain things to Mewi and exchange information with Lucy. I’d be leaving Baltrain in only two days, so I had to get things done quickly. Ideally, Surena makes contact in the meantime and wastes all of my effort, though...
“See you later,” I said.
“Indeed. Be careful.”
I really hope that ideal scenario comes to pass. And with that wish in mind, I left the adventurer’s guild behind.