The Count Cardinal’s Territory—a frigid region situated in the northern reaches of the Imuris Kingdom, bordering a portion of the mighty Empire.
However, a range of jagged mountains served as a military buffer zone between the earldom and the Empire, making official travel between the two a grueling endeavor.
While half the inhabitants were Human, the other half were reportedly Beastmen. Originally, the mountain ranges had been home to indigenous Beastman settlements with their own distinct cultures; over time, they had integrated to form the Cardinal Territory as it existed today.
This was the extent of the information I had managed to gather before departing the Royal Capital.
I still didn't understand why the Empire coveted this land. Of course, if the answer could be found through public channels, the Dark Guild would never have received the request in the first place.
The reason for the substantial advance payment had been to cover the anticipated travel expenses to the Cardinal Territory. Ultimately, I had no choice but to gather intel on the ground and bring it back myself.
I was currently sitting in the passenger cabin of a public carriage bound for the Northern Region.
To call it a "cabin" was generous; it was little more than a cargo bed with a canvas hood. While it offered some protection from the elements, it did nothing to ward off the northern chill. It had been about ten days since I left the Capital. The temperature was dropping steadily; my breath came out in white puffs, and a thin layer of frost had begun to glaze the inside of the hood.
Most passengers on these public carriages traveled only short distances, so the faces around me were constantly changing. I was the only one who had been on board since the Royal Capital.
Everyone else boarded at one stop and disembarked a few towns later. That was simply how far the Cardinal Territory was from the Capital.
Eventually, we arrived at a roadside station in a certain town.
"Pardon me."
Just as the Cardinal Territory was finally coming into range, a young man boarded the carriage. He was a Wolf-type Beastman, and his attire marked him as an adventurer.
"Are you an adventurer?" I asked quietly.
The Beastman gave a sharp snort through his nose.
"Yeah."
With a curt reply, he fished a pendant shaped like a fang out from his collar and held it out for me to see. Though rugged, the piece gave off a powerful luster.
He looked incredibly smug, practically radiating an aura that said, Look at what I am.
Unfortunately, I hadn't the faintest idea what the pendant was supposed to signify.
Should I tell him it looked cool?
He seemed to be waiting for a reaction, keeping the pendant thrust toward me. I figured I had better say something soon.
"That pendant is—"
"Oh! So you recognized it!"
I hadn't recognized a thing. However, it wasn't wise to sour his mood here. I decided to play along.
"Well, obviously..."
"Exactly! Only members of the A-rank Guild 'Steel Fang' are permitted to wear this. In other words, I'm an adventurer with the Steel Fang. The name's Balan—ever heard of me?"
Steel Fang? I’d never heard of such a guild in the Capital. If it was A-rank, it was likely famous in the north. As for the man being "Balan"... naturally, I didn't have a clue.
"My apologies. I've come from the south, so the name Balan hasn't reached my ears yet."
"...I see. So my fame hasn't made it to the southern reaches of the Kingdom yet..."
Balan slumped, looking visibly dejected. After a long silence, he finally spoke again.
"...Are you an adventurer too?"
He had likely reached that conclusion based on my appearance.
"No, I'm not."
"Is that so? I could have sworn..."
Well, it made sense. Anyone wearing leather armor with a dagger at their hip looked like an adventurer. However, since I didn't belong to any Regular Guild, explaining myself would be a hassle.
"I'm Walt. I'm a [Herbalist]. I'm heading to the Cardinal Territory in search of rare herbs."
Balan’s eyes went wide.
"Ooooh?! A [Herbalist]? For real?"
Wait. Was being a [Herbalist] a problem?
"...Yes, for real."
I reached into the bag I was holding against my chest and pulled out a small vial containing a high-quality, amber-glowing potion to show him.
"Can you make all kinds of medicine, Walt?"
"Yeah. I may not look like much, but I've mastered every skill a [Herbalist] is supposed to be able to learn."
A light of hope flickered in Balan’s eyes.
"Walt! Please! You have to come to my house!"
He suddenly lunged to his feet, grabbing my shoulders in a desperate plea. What on earth was going on?
"Balan, calm down. What happened at your house?"
"My sister's been bedridden for a month with some mystery illness! Potions don't work, and even the Recovery Magic from my guildmates hasn't done a thing! But if it's a medicine that doesn't circulate around here, it might actually help her! Walt, I'm begging you!"
The man who had been so full of himself as an A-rank adventurer just moments ago now looked at me with absolute desperation. I was in the middle of a Dark Guild mission, but our destination was the same.
Getting an A-rank adventurer in my debt might make my movements easier later. Besides, traveling under the guise of a [Herbalist] would keep people from getting suspicious.
"I understand. I can't promise I can help, but I'll take a look at your sister."
"That helps!! Hey, pops!! Step on it!!"
Driven by his devotion to his sister, Balan bellowed at the driver's seat. The coachman glanced back, looking thoroughly annoyed.