Chapter One: the Adventurers

At the Gilgamesh Tavern

We come now to Llylgamyn Kingdom, which kept peace and security and prospers quietly. Many travelers from other lands have come there even though little by little as the years rolled by. And now, a new traveler has come there. Gilgamesh Tavern brings together adventurers, who received confidential commission from the kingdom or heard rumors about it. There are also encounters and infrequently farewells.

Among of them was a young man who wore a red bandanna on his head and wouldn't have a drink together, for that matter, he looked like rather a boy than the young. His name is Shota and is a samurai making ascetic training with Wizard Chris, who is one of the four braves saving this kingdom. Even though Chris is a diabolic fellow, Shota has a fervent soul and strong sense of justice. He is 18 years old, though he looks like a boy. It must be due to his hair spreading as if it exploded that makes him look too young. In additon, he wears black coat, blue shirt and white pants, and it makes us know that he has good sense of fashion. Furthermore, we can find him to be a swordman at a glance because he wears swords on his belt.

"Hum, my master told me that it's good for me to practice here... but, is that ture? Though I believe what he told... no, I have to find some requests now..."

He began to search for requests for adveturers, and found something.

"What is that? Hum... 'Advertise for Explorers'..."

It told the following:

Advertise for Explorers

Revelators tell about the Dark Shadow. As the ruler, I absolutely avoid such a sistuation that frightens people. We need explorers who can go into the enchanted places and expose the identity of the Dark Shadow which revelators tell. I will give 10,000,000 G.P. as the reward. If you have the will, ask Tammo-Nomi, who is the agent of king.

"10,000,000 G.P.! How great it is..."

Shota was so astonished that he sighed. This is no wonder, since the past rewards for such quests were thoudsands of E.P. and the proof of achiever at the best. It makes them heros while staying here, but is no use in other places. But, this time the reward is so large amount of cash as 10,000,000 G.P. that we can do without jobs in other lands for some months even though we pay much exchange fee. However, it should be no surprise that the amount of reward is too much for a quest that a kingdom pays. He felt some danger in this request.

"It's no use to think of danger."

It was not at all difficult to understanding that Shota has been inspired by the phrases that the poster told and not inspired by the calculating thought, because he naturally has strong sense of justice. That's why Shota decided to go to the castle.

"Excuse me but, will you take that requst, sir?"

A man looking like typical of priest has spoken to Shota. Though the man seemed to be still under 20 years old, it was somthing that he cultivated such huge virtue for his age (at least, Shota thought so). The reason why Shota found he was a priest at a glance was the rosary on his chest. Furthermore, his clothes were all white and full and the cloak which reached to his knee was also white. He seemed to be a speller, but the rod in his hand was so long that he must fight with it.

"Uh? Ah, yes, I will," said Shota.

"I have thought the same thing as you may do. My name is Ebaist. Shall we go together to Castle of Llylgamyn, sir?"

"Yes, of course. Let's go together! My name is Shota. Nice to meet you."

Shota had nothing to say about going with Ebaist, because he felt to go along well with him and Ebaist would be encouraging Shota in the matter of spells. As talking with Ebaist, Shota found one more astonishing thing, the fact that Ebaist was younger than he!

Now, as soon as they were going to leave the tavern, people bagan to buzz behind of them. Shota thought that was a common scuffle over drinks. However, the word "common" also inplecated what occured recently. Travelers from other countries increased as the kingdom became open. But it was deplorable that such scuffles were also incresing.

When Shota looked at the next to him, Ebaist was not there. And when Shota looked at the crowd, he found Ebaist, who were going ahead through the crowd. At the goal Ebaist attempted to go, there were two persons, a raging lizardman and a beaten halfelven girl.

"Halt!" shouted Ebaist.

"Who are you? Clear off!" said the lizardman.

"I don't know the context, but it's not good to hit someone so often," insisted Ebaist.

"You, fellow! Don't fool me! Or..."

The lizardman attempted to hit Ebaist as soon as he said something. It often happens that Ebaist parries and hit him or Ebaist is beaten by hitting strongly. But, Ebaist didn't do either of them, but receives the lizardman's punch directly on his face, keeps standing, and stares at the lizardman.

"Are you satisfied?"

"...You!"

"If you are not, I will do things in my way."

"...Shit!"

The lizardman left with tchicking because he must feel awkward. The people returned into usual scene except Shota, Ebaist and the beaten girl.

"Ouch... I always get into trouble for man of that type..."

Ebaist did seem to feel pain, so he cared where the lizardman hit and complained. Shota tried to speak to the girl who was pale and lay consciouslessly, for recognizing her concious, with thinking that the lizardman might hit too strongly. Fortunately, she has waken up after Shota spoke once. Shota and Ebaist get relieved, and they left the Gilgamesh Tavern to go to the castle.

"By the way, how much money do you have now, Ebaist?" Shota asked Ebaist for a question when they entered the castle.

"Money? Let me see... I have a little money as well as I can buy one P of Dios, because I have donated most of them to the Temple of Kanto," answered Ebaist.

"I figured as much. I also have a little as well as I can by just one P of Latumofis..."

Obviously, both of them never waste money. In fact, Ebaist always keeps minimum amounts of money and donate the extra money to the nearest temple. In the case of Shota, he often takes requests even the rewards are not worth the candle.

"Hey, wait!"

A halfelven girl ran after them with calling, while they walked with talking with the money. Her silver hair glowed brilliantly for reflecting the sunlight.

"What...? Oh, it's you!" said Shota.

"Thank you... very much... for what happened... a while ago..." She thanks them with flushing her face and moving her shoulder up and down, and said, "I suppose you are going to explore the enchanted places."

"Exactly. What's matter?" asked Shota.

"Nothing, but I just want to return the favor," said the girl.

"Do not mention it. I have just only done my duty as the manservant of the god," said Ebaist.

"No, it has nothing to do with my favor. I beg you to let me join your exploring," said the girl.

Shota and Ebaist looked at each other, accurately couldn't find how to answer. She looked quitely a normal girl, and they knew she was poor at fighting. She didn't also seem to be good at spells.

"Ah... we are very glad to get your offer. But...," said Shota with confused face.

It was not difficult to understand that Shota has gotten confused. Though Shota can't tell her what he thinks directly as well as he can't ignore the her offer. It is the same for Ebaist. However, she began to speak them to see the men.

"Some people in the tavern told me that the white-clothed man saved me from the danger. It's far from enough that I only thank you. I think what I should do is to help you!"

"I have done that since I am a meddler. So, you do not have to mind it," said Ebaist so with smiling. But he soon changed his face into that of confused and said, "But, how should we do? I think the enchanted places are too dangerous for you."

"I also know that. But I just want to help you," said the girl.

"Hum, what should we do...?" mumbled Shota.

After some time of silence passed, Shota began to speak, "What would you say about learning some skills at the training gound? If you want to come with us, we would like you to be a encouraging company."

"Oh, that is a good idea! How about you, sir?" asked Ebaist her.

"Me, too. Thank you very much!" she said and, suddenly, embraces Shota around the neck.

Shota flushes his face, and says, "W...Wow!? What are you doing? Stop, stop it!"

Thus, a pretty girl joined the adventure of two guys.

At the Training Ground

The three persons have come to the training ground. Shota spoke some words after looking around himself: "I hear blistering noise though there are not many people. What is that?"

"Look! That man swings his huge swords," the girl began to speak in Shota's train because she found someone swings so huge two swords at the end of her look.

"Ah, yeah. He gives a dangerous impression." Shota became overcome with him, but he took her along to learn some skills, as originally intended. He thought that there are so many kind of skills, and that he has her not learn half skills. Skills of fighting will be ineffective for her. Shota can fight with his swords and Ebaist can cast priests' spells. So they need skills of...

"Oh, sorry." Shota hit someone accidentially while walking around. He seems to be in training, but began to gaze at Shota. He is Kimpei. His clothes were just ordinal and his face had no feature. Those who have no feature such as him, may be fairy unusual. But his eyes have glowed darkly.

"Hey, What skill do you want to learn, ah... no, I've not had your name."

Shota found he did't know her name yet when he asked her for her view. She also found it, and gave out her name.

"Ah, yes, my name is Tina."

"Tina... yeah, it sound good. My name is Shota."

"My name is Ebaist. Nice to meet you."

While they gave their name each other, Shota found a young man who trained at that time passed by him. But Strangely, he doesn' have that two huge swords. He have only a backpack and a long sword on his belt as his weapon.

"What's matter?" It was tens seconds later from they stared at him that he stopped to speak to them.

"Ah... we have seen you swing two huge swords. We wonder where you put them away," said Shota.

"Huge swords...? Yes, you mean about this, don't you?" said the man and drew his sword.

"What? This is a quite normal long sword! It is unlikely that what we have seen is an illusion. Would you please tell me the fact, sir?"

Ebaist asked him, but he refused to answer: "Um... no, I won't. But I think you intend to challange the enchanted places, don't I?"

"Yes, we do," said Shota.

"I see. Perhaps, you may make something with me someday, but now is not the time." said the man.

"What does it mean?" Three persons got interested in his words.

"I have already prepared for exploring, but not got good companies. If you meet me while in the enchanted places, don't hasitate to speak to me. I will welcome you. My name is Max," he said so and left the training ground.

The three have still wondered what he is.

"I am interested in that man. He told us that now is not the time. Does it mean that he will encounter us in some places in the enchanted places?" said Ebaist.

"I think so. He must be so experienced fighter that we drag on him. But, it's not problem just now. We have come here to have Tina have some skills!" Shota insisted so.

They began to walk to the registration center.

"Hum, you've come here for the girl accompanying you to learn skills, haven't you?" said the receptionist at the counter.

"Yes, we have," answered Shota.

"I got it. Then, you, Tina, please come with me," he said.

Tina has gone into the back of the room with the receptionist. After some time has passed, the receptionist came back with Tina and speak to Shota.

"Um... I think Tina has no standout features, excepting IQ," he said so and showed a sheet of paper, which tells the following:

"You mean, there are not many alternatives, don't you?" Shota asked the receptionist.

"Yes. But she will take up one of other classes soon after having some training. You look samurai and the man behind you looks priest. I think these alternatives are enough for you," said the receptionist.

"Tina, what would you like to take up, sir?" Ebaist asked Tina for her view.

It is Tina herself that determine her own class whatever companies say. She finally took up a bard, which has mage's skills and thief's skills, for she has Shota dedicate himself to fight.

(To be contunued to the next chapter...)

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