SADGM 08

Chapter : 08

The Single Noble Doesn’t Team Up with Anyone

Today was a day off.

There were no urgent deliveries of magical tools to handle, nor any particular errands to run.

I could have stayed home and leisurely worked on the design plans for a new magic device. That wouldn’t have been bad, but today I felt like getting some light exercise and going outside.

“Maybe I’ll go out for a change.”

By “outside,” I didn’t mean just leaving the house—I meant going beyond the Royal Capital.

Even though the Royal Capital was bustling with people, outside the city walls there were vast plains and forests stretching as far as the eye could see.

The Royal Capital wasn’t as crowded as the cities in my previous life, but it still felt a little cramped. Regular trips to the quieter plains and forests to enjoy a relaxed pace of life had become part of my routine.

Of course, there were monsters outside that preyed on humans, but I had enough skill to handle them, so it wasn’t a problem.

“First stop: the Adventurers’ Guild.”

The Adventurers’ Guild was an organization where people who made a living by hunting monsters gathered.

Many adventurers belonged there, and a wide variety of requests were posted: monster hunts, gathering assignments, city errands, and more.

Whenever I went outside after a while, I made it a point to stop by and check the surrounding situation.

Although I could defeat most monsters now, I didn’t want to wander into areas with troublesome monsters.

Besides, bringing back proof of slain monsters or gathered materials allowed the guild to buy them, which meant money. It was never a place I’d regret visiting.

After changing from my usual casual clothes into proper adventurer gear, I left my house and headed to the Adventurers’ Guild in the Central District.

The guild was a two-story building with a green roof, located near the Central District plaza.

Walking through the always-open doors, I entered and saw many armed individuals.

Humans with swords at their hips, dwarves wielding massive war hammers, elves carrying longbows on their backs.

A wide variety of races and ages were either studying the bulletin board for requests or sitting at tables discussing their plans.

Some were even drinking, despite it being early morning. Adventurers were like freelancers or sole proprietors—they could work whenever they wanted, so no one stopped them.

Of course, if someone just drank all the time without taking on work, people would give them a sideways glance.

As I passed a table, a man standing up wobbled.

I reacted quickly and stepped back, but some of the liquid from his cup spilled, soaking my shoes.

I had expected to get a little dirty being outside, but I hadn’t expected to get splashed at the guild.

Judging by his expression, he hadn’t done it intentionally, but it was still annoying.

“Oops, sorry!”

“…Watch it.”

“Ah… yeah.”

My annoyed expression must have been obvious, because the man’s face turned pale as he sobered up instantly.

Ah, I just wanted to get outside, away from all these people.

I slipped past the dazed man and checked the bulletin board at the edge of the guild.

It displayed information about monsters appearing near the Royal Capital and requests for their defeat.

By reading this information, I could get a good sense of what was happening outside.

Most of the postings were for monster hunts or material gathering. There were also requests for chores, like cleaning or carrying items.

“…Nothing unusual.”

The main concerns were reports of monsters appearing where they normally didn’t, or goblins making nests. But there was nothing like that in the Eastern Forest, my intended destination.

While there was no absolute guarantee that the information was completely reliable, it was likely safe.

After confirming the situation in my destination, I accepted requests to gather Kilk Grass and Button Mushrooms.

I could gather those materials along the way anyway.

After taking the request papers from the bulletin board, I went to the reception desk at the back.

Beautifully-presented receptionists were handling the request procedures.

I joined the relatively short line.

“Next, please!”

When my turn came, I approached the receptionist.

“Mr. Jilk, what can I do for you today?”

Perhaps because I had been a member of the guild for years, they remembered my face and name.

I didn’t know this particular receptionist personally, but I only visited the guild privately from time to time, so there was no problem if they didn’t remember me.

“I’d like to process a gathering request.”

“Gathering Kilk Grass and Button Mushrooms in the Eastern Forest, correct?”

The receptionist glanced at me as if she wanted to say something.

“Um, Mr. Jilk, if you don’t mind, would you like to form a party? With your skill, having more people would let you earn even more!”

“No, thank you.”

“Why not? With your B-rank skill, teaming up could get you even higher ranks, right?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t aim to be a high-rank adventurer. So I don’t need a party. Now that you understand, please process the request quickly.”

“Y-yes, understood.”

I declined firmly. The receptionist looked disappointed but proceeded with the procedure.

She was right in her suggestion, but I didn’t want to become a powerful adventurer, nor make a living as one.

There was no need to risk my life on high-difficulty requests or fight high-rank monsters.

Sometimes, high-rank monster materials were needed for magical tools, but in such cases, it was better to pay high-rank adventurers to fetch them.

I wasn’t against stagnation, but risking my life or getting injured and affecting my main work made no sense.

Partly, I preferred working alone because it was simply easier and more convenient, but there were also other special reasons.

Even when I went outside, I probably would never join a party.

[Author’s Note]

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