The Water Magician

Four days later, in the town of Boago.

"The ship has been unloaded..."

"Well, it’s not just us; all the adventurers were unloaded. It can't be helped."

"We only signed a contract to go to the imperial capital! Our easy plan to the imperial capital has fallen apart. I'll sue them!"

"What kind of plan is that...? We received quite a hefty sum in contract cancellation fees, so it can’t be helped, right?"

"Abel has been saying 'it can’t be helped' non-stop. You’re lacking in fighting spirit!"

"Yeah, there’s no such thing."

Ryo and Abel were unloaded from the ship in the town of Boago, together with other adventurers.

For Ryo, who had envisioned a smooth journey to the imperial capital by ship, this was hard to accept.

"The captain and crew looked quite sad. It must be because of their duties with the pure water barrels and deck shower rights."

"The captain and crew are generally very good people. It’s not all just because of bribes."

In response to Abel's remark, Ryo countered with a benevolent view of human nature.

People are essentially good!

"Those upper-ups who expelled us will have to deal with the backlash from the crew!"

"I can’t believe you think Ryo is essentially good..."

After venting his frustrations, they had to face reality.

They had to find a way to reach the imperial capital and then return to the Central Nations.

"Is there no carriage to the imperial capital?"

"There might be... but it would cost a lot."

"We are rich! We have money in the bank."

"You don’t even know how rich that money makes us. If we end up saying, 'I wish I hadn’t spent it back then,' it would be a huge problem. This country of Darwei is vast, and it would cost quite a bit to escape from here."

Abel spoke very practically.

"Even though you’re a king, you’re quite a miser. I wish you would say something like, 'I’ll spend freely to stimulate the economy!'"

"I don’t have such money."

"The adventurers' mutual aid association you told me about is here."

"When adventurers are in trouble, go to the Guild."

Abel and Ryo arrived at the guild and mutual aid association in the Eastern Nations.

Once they entered...

"Wow? There are so many people!"

"The morning's job scramble has probably ended by now."

It was currently just before eleven in the morning.

Having nearly a hundred adventurers gathered was unusual...

"Hey? I think I recognize some of those people."

"Oh... they are probably the same group as us, the adventurers who were unloaded from the ship."

"I see. Everyone is thinking the same thing."

Indeed, the adventurers crowding the mutual aid association were those whose contracts for the princess's escort had been canceled.

"Let’s wait a bit until they are processed."

"Uh, I’m a bit curious about that place over there."

Abel was looking at another room to the left of the entrance.

"Is that sign saying 'Equipment Shop'?"

"It seems so. Let’s check it out."

Abel took the lead and walked ahead.

Ryo followed him.

As the name suggested, the equipment shop had an impressive array of weapons, armor, and potions.

"There’s quite a variety here."

"Yeah. Even if we’re not buying anything, just looking is enjoyable."

It seemed Abel, being a swordsman, enjoyed looking at weapons and armor.

Ryo had only just learned this recently.

Abel picked up various items and looked around.

However, he didn’t seem to intend to make any purchases.

In fact, Ryo was looking for something specific.

He wanted to buy something if he found it.

That was...

"I found it!"

"Huh? Oh, a map."

When Ryo exclaimed, Abel glanced over.

It wasn’t particularly detailed.

It only showed the locations and names of towns, major highways, and ports, but having it made a big difference.

"There's a chance we might have to go overland to the imperial capital. If not, we’ll definitely have to take land routes to reach the Central Nations, right? I thought it would be good to have it."

"That’s true. Ryo, you’re sharp."

"Nah, it’s nothing special."

Ryo blushed at the compliment.

The two had just secured a bright future.

However, not everyone in the world had secured such a bright future.