It only takes a few seconds before no one is watching us anymore.
"So, do we go to the adventurer guild first?" Myrna asks.
"Yes. Shopping would be nice of course, but we are completely out of money. Also, we need to report the ambush."
"Then let's go!"
It is her first time in a human city if I remember correctly. Understandable that she is overthrown by the amount of people and stalls here in the streets. Even I am somewhat surprised to see so many people in a medieval world like this.
"Don't run too fast."
I let my gaze wander around, looking for the several type of stalls. From material to worked on products there is everything in almost every field. Herbalism, weapons, potions, amor. With enough money you can cet everything here. Unfortunately it is really everything.
"Move faster!"
On broad daylight in this busy city several man with wips are escorting a batch of slaves. Their slave status is clearly shown by their collars and also a branding on their arms. With no more than a few lumps as clothes they get whipped and yelled at without pause.
Myrna pauses and I stay at her side.
"This could be me..." she griefs. "If Ryuu, if you haven't saved me, I would be among them now."
"But you are here at my side and not there." I response and place a hand on her head. "And as long as I can prevent it, you never will be."
Suddenly she hugs me and tries to suppress her tears. It's a feeling I am not used to, but if it helps her overcoming her fear it is okay. Slowly I lay my arm around her and give her a hug as well.
"I'm by your side."
Only after several minutes the slaves, the slave trader and his guards are finally out of our sight. Myrna calms down a bit and we continue our walk to the adventurer guild.
It's a huge building and even in this big city with its great wall, the adventurer guild is outstanding.
On a sign it reads 'Adventurer guild of Tovol'. Since there is only this one guild a name shouldn't be needed anyway.
"Astonishing, right?" I say to Myrna in awe.
"Yes," she responds with a nod. "I never imagined a human town this way."
"Oh, that's right. Since demi-humans are careful when it comes to human towns, how do you expect them to be? Is there something like tales or so?"
I'm quite interested in how the different species view each other. For humans I know that they don't view demi-humans and other races equally. It's mostly the same was what I already know from my old world. But in this world there's more than one intelligent human-like species.
"How should I put it," Myrna says and looks up into the sky a moment, before looking straight at me. "Our parents and grandparents tell us stories every night of human cities where bad demi-humans get sent to and eaten, I guess."
Gross! So such horror stories to frightened children and make them obey also exist in this world. The extent of those stories is no less than on earth.
Not knowing how I should respond to such a thing I just clear my throat.
"Well, let's go inside Myrna."
"Uh-huh."
The guild's inside isn't less astonishing. It's almost as lively as outside on the streets and to my biggest surprise, there are even demi-humans here. Upon entering, many people turn their heads toward us and inspect us thoroughly for a moment. But as fast as they turned to us, they turn away again.
'Seems like we are no threat and also not remarkable.'
"Good morning you two. How can I help you?"
A young, good looking man appears right next to us and I haven't even seen him coming. He is quite formally dressed with a suit
"Good morning, Sir. We are new in this town and came here to report an ambush last night as well as registering as adventurers if it's possible."
He tilts has head a bit and supports it on his hand.
"Follow me to the reception, please."
His attitude is giving me a feeling of being unwanted but that also could be my imagination. Without saying a thing, we follow him to the counter.
"Let's begin with the important thing: the ambush. Please report what you've experienced."
At the same moment he takes pen and paper and stares at us, ready to write.
"Well to summarize it, we were camping outside of Tovol last evening and the sun was not completely set when three bandits tried to ambush us".
"Tried?" he repeats and looks up. "What do you mean by tried?"
'He is quite attentive...'
"We surprised them and escaped." I reply.
It's not a direct lie, but of course I left some information out of the report.
"Got it. You guys are the 9th ambush this week even though this week is only two days old."
He puts the pen aside and the paper on a staple of other papers.
"Regarding your second objective.... I fear we have to deny."
I'm dumbfounded. I never played games too much, but never have I seen a rejected guild entry.
"Uhm...excuse me but is there a reason for it?"
At least I want to know why they can't is accept. Maybe there's something I can do. If not I have to work out a new plan for our surviving.
"The young lady could pass, but we don't need more stinky man in this guild," he replies. "Mylady, why don't you think about leaving this man behind and join our guild? I can make sure to give you the best suitable quests and hints to solve th..."
"Aren!" a woman shouts.
The young man in front of us winces and turns to the side, where the call came from. Myrna and I also look to the side and see a young, stunning woman with golden hair and blue eyes.
"Don't you dare to scare away the rookies, you cocky womanizer."
With every step the woman takes, Aren moves away farther, leaving us alone.
"I'm very sorry," she says and bows slightly. "He's a womanizer and idiot but works hard and is useful to us. Please just ignore what happened. I heard you want to register? I will help you with that. Please follow me."
As the woman ordered, Myrna and I follow her steps into a room next to the reception counter. The room is sparse but owns a table with a crystal on it and I guess it is some kind of appraisal crystal again.
"My name is Irene and I will guide you through your ability measuring. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. My name is Ryuu," I response.
"And I am Myrna. Nice to meet you, too."