Royal Capital Astaroth…
It was a city famous for its dangers.
All kinds of monsters would attack in all directions. Not only monsters but also villains such as bandits and thieves come also come without end.
Why was it targeted so much?
The secret lies behind the treasure enshrined in the royal capital.
The Orb of Light, an object that was necessary to defeat the Demon King, was enshrined in the royal capital, but it also attracted monsters and villains.
From the perspective of the Demon King, it cannot just let go of something that could destroy it. That was why it would use its entire force to take it.
From the perspective of the villains, if they could steal the Orb of Light, they could amass enormous wealth. They could also take advantage of the monster attacks on the royal capital to do evil things.
Because of that, the Royal Captial Astaroth was being attacked by foreign enemies every day. Since the attacks come one after the other, it was inevitable that there would be insufficient knights and soldiers. However, not everyone was suited to the job. If someone who lacked ability was hired, they would immediately be preyed on by monsters.
Guarding the royal capital was a very dangerous task. Moreover, those that had the ability to do so would rather become adventurers which could make a lot more money.
It was an unprofitable job for those without a sense of justice and mission. That was how the people in the Royal Capital Astaroth perceived this guarding job.
It was such a job, but I decided to accept it.
It was not that I had a sense of justice and mission, but I was just fired from the party. I have now lost the way of an adventurer. I am grateful that I could get a job.
I’m already in my mid-twenties. Rather than acquiring new skills, it would be better to have a job that made use of the skills that I have cultivated as an adventurer.
So, I received the letter of introduction from the guild receptionist and headed towards the Royal Capital Astaroth.
I was able to reach my destination after a week of travel.
The royal capital was surrounded by a circular stone wall on all sides.
Probably because of the monster’s repeated attacks, the stone walls were all battered and beaten.
I walked to the front gate.
Two gatekeeps were standing there and inspecting people coming and going.
“Why did you come to this city?”
“The adventurer guild introduced me to a job.”
I presented the letter of introduction and permit that I took out of my pocket.
“Mmm. This is… a letter of introduction and a permit.”
“Some people try to break into the city with a fake permit. Let me check if it’s genuine.”
“Okay”
They check it pretty carefully.
With so many people trying to enter the city with various means, this kind of vigilance was naturally necessary.
“This seal of approval is… There is no mistake. It’s genuine.”
“Since that’s the case, you can pass.”
First of all, it was a relief that I was not turned away.
If you’re here to apply for a job as a city guard, I’ll guide you to the chief. Follow me.”
“That saves me the trouble.”
One of the gatekeepers led the way.
I followed behind him and walked through the city.
“You’re the one introduced by Estor’s adventurer guild? I heard that there’s a famous party called [Crimson Fang] over there.”
“Eh? Oh, yeah. You know about it?”
“That’s because it’s famous. It’s said that they have a super-aggressive style with unbeatable firepower. Everyone recognizes them as talented.”
The gatekeeper murmured.
“It would be great if one of them became a guard in this city. The current situation should improve a little.”
“………”
For the record, I was part of that party,
Well, I got expelled.
“Is the situation in this city that terrible?”
“Yeah… people and resources are all exhausted due to repeated attacks from monsters. We are always short on supplies because the merchants can’t come.
The gatekeeper sighed.
“Well, it will be easier if we let go of the Orb of Light……this country unluckily got the short end of the stick.”
“……”
""
“Oops. I told you a dark story. You were going to work here. I’m sorry. Please forget the story.”
The gatekeeper said.
“But, you also seem to be great at picking up skills.
“……Eh?”
The letter of introduction…… You were praised. It said that you have a great talent that could be compared to the members of the [Crimson Lotus Fang].”
Was it written like that?
“If that’s true, it’s very encouraging for us. I definitely want to work together with you to protect this city.”
“I also have the same intentions.”
The gatekeeper brought me to the guard station.
The guards were on standby there.
I was brought to a room inside.
“Chief Bolton. This is an applicant for a guard. He had an introduction from Estor’s adventurer guild. Here it is.”
From the desk in the room, a large man named Bolton looked at me and smirked.
He had a wild all-back hairstyle.
Old cuts were carved on his forehead and cheeks.
There was a dignity that only those who had gone through many battles could possess.
“Hmmm. An introduction from Estor’s adventurer guild yeah. When it comes to introductions from them, they would only send people with doubtful origins or unknown small fries. Hmmm?”
Bolton’s line of sight remained on the letter of introduction.
“Sieg. You, you were a B-rank adventurer?”
“Yeah, For the time being.”
“You want to apply to be a guard…… Are you also driven by a sense of justice and mission? You should just let a dog eat that.”
Chief Bolton snorted.
“We have low salaries and face death every day. We can’t even afford to run away if things get dangerous like adventurers. This job has the worst working environment, and we are even looked down upon by the knights. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.”
""
I nodded.
“I don’t have any other options. I’m prepared to do this.”
“……Ha~. You, maybe you have a reason? Otherwise, B-rank adventurers wouldn’t come to such a place.”
Chief Bolton stroked his beard with his hand.
“I want an immediately useful guy, but I can’t just afford to hire anyone. If I hire someone with no skill, they would immediately die. This place is not a cemetery. Moreover, when a passionate person dies, the food becomes unpleasant. Therefore, I will give you a recruitment test to measure your ability. Even though you are a B-rank adventurer, there are some people who parasitize their party and do not have any ability at all. Let me see your true strength. I’ll hire you if you’re up to the task.”
“Yes. I understand. Please and thank you.”
This was how I decided to take the guard’s recruitment test.
Royal Capital Astaroth…
It was a city famous for its dangers.
All kinds of monsters would attack in all directions. Not only monsters but also villains such as bandits and thieves come also come without end.
Why was it targeted so much?
The secret lies behind the treasure enshrined in the royal capital.
The Orb of Light, an object that was necessary to defeat the Demon King, was enshrined in the royal capital, but it also attracted monsters and villains.
From the perspective of the Demon King, it cannot just let go of something that could destroy it. That was why it would use its entire force to take it.
From the perspective of the villains, if they could steal the Orb of Light, they could amass enormous wealth. They could also take advantage of the monster attacks on the royal capital to do evil things.
Because of that, the Royal Captial Astaroth was being attacked by foreign enemies every day. Since the attacks come one after the other, it was inevitable that there would be insufficient knights and soldiers. However, not everyone was suited to the job. If someone who lacked ability was hired, they would immediately be preyed on by monsters.
Guarding the royal capital was a very dangerous task. Moreover, those that had the ability to do so would rather become adventurers which could make a lot more money.
It was an unprofitable job for those without a sense of justice and mission. That was how the people in the Royal Capital Astaroth perceived this guarding job.
It was such a job, but I decided to accept it.
It was not that I had a sense of justice and mission, but I was just fired from the party. I have now lost the way of an adventurer. I am grateful that I could get a job.
I’m already in my mid-twenties. Rather than acquiring new skills, it would be better to have a job that made use of the skills that I have cultivated as an adventurer.
So, I received the letter of introduction from the guild receptionist and headed towards the Royal Capital Astaroth.
I was able to reach my destination after a week of travel.
The royal capital was surrounded by a circular stone wall on all sides.
Probably because of the monster’s repeated attacks, the stone walls were all battered and beaten.
I walked to the front gate.
Two gatekeeps were standing there and inspecting people coming and going.
“Why did you come to this city?”
“The adventurer guild introduced me to a job.”
I presented the letter of introduction and permit that I took out of my pocket.
“Mmm. This is… a letter of introduction and a permit.”
“Some people try to break into the city with a fake permit. Let me check if it’s genuine.”
“Okay”
They check it pretty carefully.
With so many people trying to enter the city with various means, this kind of vigilance was naturally necessary.
“This seal of approval is… There is no mistake. It’s genuine.”
“Since that’s the case, you can pass.”
First of all, it was a relief that I was not turned away.
If you’re here to apply for a job as a city guard, I’ll guide you to the chief. Follow me.”
“That saves me the trouble.”
One of the gatekeepers led the way.
I followed behind him and walked through the city.
“You’re the one introduced by Estor’s adventurer guild? I heard that there’s a famous party called [Crimson Fang] over there.”
“Eh? Oh, yeah. You know about it?”
“That’s because it’s famous. It’s said that they have a super-aggressive style with unbeatable firepower. Everyone recognizes them as talented.”
The gatekeeper murmured.
“It would be great if one of them became a guard in this city. The current situation should improve a little.”
“………”
For the record, I was part of that party,
Well, I got expelled.
“Is the situation in this city that terrible?”
“Yeah… people and resources are all exhausted due to repeated attacks from monsters. We are always short on supplies because the merchants can’t come.
The gatekeeper sighed.
“Well, it will be easier if we let go of the Orb of Light……this country unluckily got the short end of the stick.”
“……”
""
“Oops. I told you a dark story. You were going to work here. I’m sorry. Please forget the story.”
The gatekeeper said.
“But, you also seem to be great at picking up skills.
“……Eh?”
The letter of introduction…… You were praised. It said that you have a great talent that could be compared to the members of the [Crimson Lotus Fang].”
Was it written like that?
“If that’s true, it’s very encouraging for us. I definitely want to work together with you to protect this city.”
“I also have the same intentions.”
The gatekeeper brought me to the guard station.
The guards were on standby there.
I was brought to a room inside.
“Chief Bolton. This is an applicant for a guard. He had an introduction from Estor’s adventurer guild. Here it is.”
From the desk in the room, a large man named Bolton looked at me and smirked.
He had a wild all-back hairstyle.
Old cuts were carved on his forehead and cheeks.
There was a dignity that only those who had gone through many battles could possess.
“Hmmm. An introduction from Estor’s adventurer guild yeah. When it comes to introductions from them, they would only send people with doubtful origins or unknown small fries. Hmmm?”
Bolton’s line of sight remained on the letter of introduction.
“Sieg. You, you were a B-rank adventurer?”
“Yeah, For the time being.”
“You want to apply to be a guard…… Are you also driven by a sense of justice and mission? You should just let a dog eat that.”
Chief Bolton snorted.
“We have low salaries and face death every day. We can’t even afford to run away if things get dangerous like adventurers. This job has the worst working environment, and we are even looked down upon by the knights. Do you understand that?”
“Yes.”
""
I nodded.
“I don’t have any other options. I’m prepared to do this.”
“……Ha~. You, maybe you have a reason? Otherwise, B-rank adventurers wouldn’t come to such a place.”
Chief Bolton stroked his beard with his hand.
“I want an immediately useful guy, but I can’t just afford to hire anyone. If I hire someone with no skill, they would immediately die. This place is not a cemetery. Moreover, when a passionate person dies, the food becomes unpleasant. Therefore, I will give you a recruitment test to measure your ability. Even though you are a B-rank adventurer, there are some people who parasitize their party and do not have any ability at all. Let me see your true strength. I’ll hire you if you’re up to the task.”
“Yes. I understand. Please and thank you.”
This was how I decided to take the guard’s recruitment test.
