Chapter 64: The City of Douras
Led by Knight Igri, our group consisting of me, Greon, and Spino set off from Triuma towards Douras.
Our first goal was to sell the magic stones and gold dust we obtained from the labyrinth conquest. Rather than going through the Trade and Craft Guild of Scutari, we planned to sell directly to the Adventurers' Guild in Douras, as they offer better prices.
I vaguely remember when I registered with the guild in Scutari, they told me to sell the magic stones to the guild. Well, this works out fine...
Additionally, for the new farmland development project led by Manjani and Leda-san, we needed estimates for necessary materials and an understanding of market prices for agricultural products in Douras. They tasked me with various smaller assignments as well.
Spino, who used to be a fellow slave, was brought along because he's knowledgeable about farming as he hails from a farming family. I can't really imagine Knight Igri being knowledgeable about agriculture.
The journey from Bardebarde to Douras took less than an hour on Triuma. It's the nearest city, only about 10 km away.
That's why Gensan, Viscount of Gents, who effectively controls Douras, reportedly has disagreements regarding trade interests.
The city walls of Douras were quite a sight to behold, unlike the makeshift walls of Scutari. They seemed to be almost 10 meters high, impressive stone walls. However, there were noticeable areas that were worn and lacking repairs.
Bardebarde, being newer, definitely feels more vibrant.
With Igri leading, we easily passed through the city gate after showing our identification.
The gate guards consisted of four individuals led by a level 7 warrior. Their levels were higher than those in Scutari, but they still couldn't match Bardebarde. It seems Gensan's territory is exceptionally high-leveled in the region.
The city itself... Oh, it truly looks like a medieval European town. This visit feels worthwhile. Well, not exactly tourism, but rather business.
Numerous shops lined the streets, and people bustled about. The overall color scheme is subdued, giving off an Eastern European vibe rather than the flair of France or Belgium. Nevertheless, the population seems quite substantial.
According to Greon, there are over 50,000 residents including the surrounding areas. That's more than ten times the population of Scutari. Indeed, it's fitting for the central city of this Shikiper region.
As today wasn't an official visit, Igri mentioned that there's no need to greet the viscount. But the truth is, the Urbania family hasn't officially recognized Baron Brel as the ruler of Douras, so there seems to be underlying tension.
With that in mind, we headed directly to the Adventurers' Guild.
The building was quite sizable, featuring a stone watchtower, and there was a place to tether horses at the back. I gave a tip to a poorly-dressed stable boy, and it seemed he would take care of them for us. Here, horses and Triumas were about evenly split.
The inside of the building was very much in line with what you'd expect from an Adventurers' Guild: weapons, armor, and large pelts on display, and before a quest bulletin board, a crowd of men and a few women gathered, creating an energetic atmosphere. Their levels ranged from 1 to almost 20. I spotted adventurers most commonly, followed by warriors and scouts, with occasional appearances of mages, priests, and hunters.
Other job titles I noticed were apothecaries, alchemists, blacksmiths, minstrels, and merchants. Gensan mentioned before that he used to be an adventurer, pursuing treasure and leveling up. But do blacksmiths and minstrels also level up by fighting monsters?
If this were a gaming world, there would still be many mysteries about the rules.
I didn't see any advanced jobs like magecrafters or ninjas.
While Igri took Greon to the purchasing counter and negotiated the price for the collected magic stones, Greon being from Douras and knowledgeable about weapons, I gazed at the quest bulletin board. I could hardly read them, but I figured the left side contained details of the requests, while the numbers on the right probably represented deadlines and rewards.
The words "silver" and "gold" were recognizable, probably from that picture book.
The leftmost number seemed to be the quest number. The process likely involved telling the counter staff the quest number that the adventurer wants to take.
Igri returned in a good mood, having apparently gotten more money than expected from the magic stones.
Afterwards, we exchanged the gold dust from the labyrinth's treasure chest and the weapons obtained from orcs for money at the money changer and weapon shop, respectively.
Remaining tasks included researching market prices for agricultural products and getting estimates for required seedlings and seeds.
At that moment, Greon uncharacteristically hesitated and brought up something to Igri.
"I have a place I'd like to visit..."
"Hmm? Ah, you're from around here, right? That's fine. The only thing left is the agricultural union, so as long as Spino's here, it's fine. Greon and Shiro can come back tonight."
He's really an understanding boss.
Well, for now, I'm considered a regular at Carrena's place, and Greon has become a soldier among the free folk, so there's no need for owners or guarantors to accompany us like in the days of slavery.
Apologies to Spino, but since we have the chance, I'll be allowed to move freely.
"If you want, you coming too?"
The invitation from Greon led me to his childhood home and former father's blacksmith workshop.
Former because, when Greon was 14, he hit a dead end in his business, and soon after, he fell into the hands of someone else. His father died shortly after being taken away to the army, his mother remarried, and his sister went to live with them. Greon, on the other hand, was sold as a slave to pay off his father's debt.
It was a casually told story, but that's quite a tragic tale, isn't it?
"Ah, it's a common story. If it were me, my sister would have ended up in a brothel, and thanks to being bought by the Earl's family as a combat slave, I wasn't beaten with whips all that much."
However, it seems Greon's father had acquired the debt due to being deceived by a fellow craftsman. That infamous fellow craftsman eventually took over the old workshop, subjecting the craftsmen of that time to harsh conditions.
"Most of the craftsmen from back then probably aren't around anymore, but I just want to take a quick peek while pretending to be passing through. I might stand out if I'm alone..."
Since there are people in Douglas' craftsman district who remember Greon, we decided to pass by in the guise of an adventurer duo searching for weapons.
"It brings back memories," Greon said aloud as we entered the street, where the distinctive sounds of hammers striking metal and wood being shaved echoed.
Although most buildings are just two stories tall, it's a truly commoner area. Various workshops and stores are on the ground floor, while people seem to live on the second floor.
Though they're called stores, there's no sight of eateries. Instead, there are woodworking shops, leatherworkers, cloth products, weapons, and armor.
Nothing too fancy-looking.
In one corner, there was a blacksmith's shop with a sign depicting crossed swords.
Greon's expression vanished, and his steps deliberately slowed.
I pretended to gaze alternately at the shops on both sides and said, "I wonder if I should get a new two-handed sword..."
(Acting skills, activate!)
"Quiet, I know!" Lina, who had been quiet in Bardabard, returned to her usual self.
Right when Greon's pace slowed even further, I too looked inside the shop. It appeared to be a weapons shop at the front with a forge at the back, but the atmosphere was oddly dark.
Several men were working towards the back. Though it's hard to see clearly, it's enough to use my discernment skill.
...
Huh?
Upon closer inspection, there was a man further back raising a whip. A small girl was being whipped!
Even such a young child is a blacksmith and a slave.
Except for Zdenko, the man wielding the whip and hurling insults, everyone in the shop was a slave.