Seeker 343

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Chapter 343. To Northwest

After defeating the Yamata no Orochi, we left the far eastern capital of Oedo the next morning, heading northwest.

Our mid-term destination is the United Nations of Northaria, located northwest of Yamatai, specifically its northern cold region.

There is said to be a castle made of ice, known as the Ice Castle.

Our current goal is the mission "Reach the Ice Castle" (Experience Points: 100,000).

Although the reward is substantial, considering it takes over a week of travel, it’s not an exceptionally rewarding mission.

But since we didn't have any other promising missions, we decided to make it our interim goal.

Traveling around might also lead us to other missions.

After leaving Oedo, we embarked on a day and a half’s journey on foot.

We followed the highway northwest and arrived at the southernmost city of the Northaria Union, Relutuk.

Relutuk is a city of about 8,000 people, a decently sized city.

The overall atmosphere, including the buildings, seemed closer to those of Western countries than to the neighboring far eastern Yamatai or the desert country Narija.

It evoked a landscape reminiscent of medieval Europe.

The Northaria Union is geographically divided from the central and western parts of the continent by desert and mountainous regions.

However, Northaria, which extends into a peninsula to the northwest, has developed a thriving shipping industry in its southern regions.

Trade with the holy kingdom’s port town of Balen is also active, spreading culture from there as well.

Anyway.

We arrived in Relutuk just as night was falling and decided to spend the night at an inn.

We registered at the Adventurers' Guild on that same day.

It's a bit troublesome to re-register as adventurers every time we cross a country.

But since quest difficulty is judged by level, it’s helpful that it doesn't reset to zero.

As usual, the staff were astonished by our levels.

Now, my level and Kazane's are 54, and Yuzuki's is 55.

The receptionist here, unlike the one in the holy kingdom's capital, managed not to voice her surprise, though she was clearly stunned.

Of course, information is likely shared within the guild.

The next morning.

There are 59 days left until our return to the original world.

Kazane, Yuzuki, and I, along with our pet-sized Griff, headed to the Adventurers' Guild early in the morning.

The early morning scene at the guild is similar in any country.

Many adventurers wait for the guild to open, rushing inside as soon as it does.

Their goal is, of course, the quest bulletin board.

Adventurers flock to the board, seeking fresh and rewarding quests.

We joined this crowd of adventurers.

It’s been a while since we last did this.

However, our true goal is slightly different from the others.

We seek quests that contribute to our mission completion, hence gaining experience points.

Here is our current list of incomplete missions:

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▼ Mission List

・Reach a city with a population of over 100,000 …… Experience Points: 20,000

・Reach the Ice Castle …… Experience Points: 100,000

・Reach the Sky City …… Experience Points: 100,000

・Defeat 1 Dullahan (0/1) …… Experience Points: 15,000

・Defeat 1 Dragon Zombie (0/1) …… Experience Points: 30,000

・Defeat 10 Giants (5/10) …… Experience Points: 100,000

・Defeat 1 Frost Giant (0/1) …… Experience Points: 50,000

・Defeat 1 Roc (0/1) …… Experience Points: 50,000

・Defeat 3 Lesser Demons (0/3) …… Experience Points: 50,000

・Defeat 1 Vampire (0/1) …… Experience Points: 70,000

・Defeat 4 Dragons (3/4) …… Experience Points: 100,000

・Defeat 1 Elder Dragon (0/1) …… Experience Points: 100,000

・Defeat 1 Fenrir …… Experience Points: 300,000

・Defeat 1 Behemoth …… Experience Points: 350,000

・Complete 6 A-rank quests (3/6) …… Experience Points: 60,000

・Complete 3 Raid quests (2/3) …… Experience Points: 70,000

・Complete 3 S-rank quests (1/3) …… Experience Points: 80,000

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Ideally, we find quests that fulfill one or more of these missions.

We carefully scrutinize the quests posted on the bulletin board.

As other adventurers rapidly pull down quest sheets, I feel a slight sense of urgency.

"Senpai, how about this one?" 

Yuzuki pointed to a sheet.

I quickly shifted my gaze from the quest I was eyeing to the one my junior indicated.

Here’s what was written:

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Quest Overview…… Raid Quest / Escort Request to the City of Lahti

Quest Rank…… A / Raid (Recommended Level: 25)

Client…… Merchant Marcus

Quest Description…… Requesting escort to the city of Lahti. During this period, the notorious Owlbear Carnival is ongoing, and numerous encounters with Owlbears are expected along the way. Hence, this is a three-party raid quest. Protect me, my employees, and the cargo.

Other…… The journey to Lahti from Relutuk is expected to take about a day and a half by road. At least one night of camping will be required. All parties must prepare adequately.

Reward…… 150 gold coins (per party)

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I see, a raid quest.

Completing this would fulfill "Complete 3 Raid quests" and earn us 70,000 experience points.

What’s even better is that this quest heads toward Lahti, a city to the north.

It moves us closer to the Ice Castle, killing two birds with one stone.

Quite favorable conditions.

The term Owlbear Carnival caught my attention, but we don't have the luxury to delve into that now.

Should we go for this, or is there a better quest—

Just as I was contemplating, one of the two remaining sheets was taken by another adventurer.

Only one left.

Thinking there was no time to hesitate, I quickly grabbed the sheet.

"Good job, Yuzuki. Well spotted."

"Heheh. Feel free to pat me as a reward, senpai♪"

"Good girl."

Taking off her hat and waiting, Yuzuki looked pleased as I patted her head for a job well done.

"Hehe, got senpai's pat today too."

"Darn… I lost to Hotaru-chan again… so frustrating…"

Next to us, Kazane looked envious, biting her finger.

Same as ever, this strange dynamic.

As we were enjoying our usual banter, a voice called out from above.

"Hey, you kids also taking that raid quest? We're in too. Let's work together."

A robust, deep voice.

I looked up to find the speaker.

It was a towering giant, nearly two meters tall, muscular, and imposing.

He seemed about thirty years old in human terms.

He had animal ears on his head.

His body was covered in tribal-like tiger stripes—no, these might be natural markings.

He also had a tiger-striped tail extending from his rear.

This giant was a beastman—a male tiger tribesman.