Over there lays a splendid Azure Eagle, Sunibariooru (ăčăăăȘăȘăŒă«).
It was left in the associationâs cloakroom (Japanese style locker/storage room); the eye-catching eagle had gathered a crowd of hunters who happened to be on their lunch break.
It is firmly preserved in ice. There is a superstition among female hunters that claims the vivid blue color of the eagle can represent everlasting love.
Itâs considered a good omen to see an Azure Eagle (Sunibariooru) as it is said to bring a hunter good fortune.
That is why it is seen as something a child, a newcomer, or a talentless individual would bring to the hunterâs HQ. And thus, such a payment is seen as normal.
The other hunters saw Kurando as a person from an unknown race that seems to be in their mid-twenties who wears worn-out clothes, and has messy hair. They had thought Kurando to be a person without any talent.
Kurando hands over his dog tag and leaves the green stones on the counter. He turns to the direction of the person who rudely sneered at him.
He receives 4 Rodo for the green stones. Kurando wasnât bothered by the situation.
ăAlso, I was attacked by a magical beast while in the wilderness.ă (Kurando)
Was it fate? The receptionist is the same person who registered Kurando as a hunter yesterday.
ăIf the magical beast doesnât have a request, then whether or not it is purchase will depend on what it is?ă (staff member)
ăHmm, ah, okay. If I donât choose to sell it, would you mind looking after it for an hour?ă (Kurando)
ăI donât mind, but if a hunter does not return in half a dayâs time the ownership will be transferred to the hunter association, it that alright?ă (staff member)
ăAh, thatâs fine by me. No less than half a day, right?ă
Kurando drags the Azure Eagle (Sunibariooru) to the large open area, where goods are sold, to have a staff member evaluate it.
Although, he is strengthening his body Kurando is average in size and thus he had no other option but to drag it along.
The staff member is surprised to see the game Kurando had brought, an Azure Eagle (Sunibariooru).
The eagle is not powerful and it is not rare either. But, it is difficult for a 9th star, Rubinichia (ă«ăăăăą), to even hunt one of them.
However, it is extremely difficult to subjugate one without damaging its beautiful blue color; so much so, that it is said to be a 1st star rank level challenge.
If the eagle is killed with magic the color would fade and it would also have many wounds. And, for some reason when the eagle falls to its death it instantly becomes discolored. On the other hand, if one attacks half-heartedly it will simply fly away.
Upon examination, one of the eagleâs wing was damaged and thus it mustâve slowly descend to the ground. It wasnât finished off with a blunt attack but instead an artery was severed with a sharp weapon.
Wealthy upper class women adore that deep blue color; therefore, many hunters try to carefully hunt the eagle.
ăWell, can you put it in cold storage for me, and is there a deposit receipt?ă (Kurando)
ăEh, ah, yes. Write your name here.ă (staff member)
Kurando writes his name on both sections of the paper before handing it over to the other party.
ăUmm, what is a âSunibariooru (Azure Eagle)â?ă (Kurando)
Upon seeing the deposit receipt Kurando mutters these words. Having fulfilled his main objective Kurando goes shopping.
The staff member who was left behind stared at the Azure Eagle (Sunibariooru) in the cold storage for quite some time.
âââ
There are small shops lined-up one after another on the straight road through the village. As Kurando walks in the opposite direction of the association he thinks to himself.
He thought that the Azure Eagle would be a good enough souvenir for the cranky Yukishiro.
Next, Kurando thought about any daily necessities he might need.
Most of his daily needs can be resolved with magic; however, Kurando is more concerned about the kinds of items they have for sell in this worldâs shops.
Surely, half the time spirit magic is very convenient; however, it is really difficult to make spirit magic do complex actions. Furthermore, using spirit magic really drains Kurandoâs maryoku and it leaves him exhausted.
At some point in time the humans of this world incorporated the use of magic into their everyday life and thus that sort of lifestyle became normal.
Hatchet, knife, shovel, whetstone, large and small bags, needles, yarn, leather/hide clothingă»trousersă»boots, cotton and hemp shirtsă»under garmentsă»rope, and fur blanket. There were no recreational goods on sale in the shops.
Kurando still had the money that he received for sheltering Akari.
Although, Kurando felt that he cheated them when he accepted compensation for sheltering his fellow acquaintance from Japan. He feels regret.
This shop sells impure salt, cheap alcohol, a slightly expensive wheat flour, lumps of brown sugar, and peppers. A few red pepper are slightly expensive. There doesnât seem to be any other noteworthy spices.
The brown bread is darker in color and is harder, but it is inexpensive. The white bread is about double the price of the brown bread.
Kurando buys vegetables seeds that can be grown during the seasons. Of the vegetable seeds he brought one of them resembles a potato, another an onion and the last a tomato. Although they were inexpensive, he wondered if they would sprout while planted on the mountain.
As Kurando mutters to himself as he is walking. The villagers that saw him whispered something amongst themselves.
Those who encountered him saw Kurando as a dirty stranger with unkempt hair, worn-out clothes & shoes, carrying 3 weapon like item & a large amount of luggage.
Even in this frontier region where there are a large number of hunters, Kurandoâs appearance stood out.
Kurando returns to the hunter association in approximately an hour. In that time he was able to gather the stares of countless villagers.
He goes through the swing door and moves over to the counter. The staff member that had assisted Kurando rushes to him.
Kurando tilted his head in puzzlement at the possibility of that staff member having grown attached to him.
ăYouâve returned, yes?.ă (staff member)
The staff member says this in a condescending tone.
ăHas it been half a day?ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠyouââă (staff member)
ăââare you the bastard that hunted that Sunibariooru (Azure Eagle)ă (???)
The staff member was interrupted. Kurando is greeted by the voice of an arrogant and large man with blond hair.
While not yet knowing the circumstances Kurando nods.
ăHand it over.ă (???)
ăâŠâŠI refuse as Iâm taking it home with me.ă (Kurando)
So to not be misunderstood Kurando clearly declines the man.
The person before Kurando is shocked by the unexpected refusal. For a few moments they have a blank expression. Kurando understood what would happen next after he saw the personâs frown. They will try to coerce him.
ăDo you know who I am?ă (???)
Kurando has a blank expression.
ăWho are you?ă (Kurando)
The staff member who is standing nearby waves Kurando over. They whisper something into Kurandoâs ear.
Kurando recalls the name Zauru. He couldnât help but recognize the person who had screwed over Akari.
ăNow that you know, name your price.ă (Zauru)
ăI canât do that as I have my reasons.ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠwhere are your manner toward a 4th star such as myself?ă (Zauru)
Every part of Zauruâs fair skin flushes as he tries to coerce Kurando.
While questioning the staff member, Kurando avoid looking into Zauruâs eyes.
ăIs there such a rule in the hunter association?ă (Kurando)
ăâŠâŠthere is not.ă (staff member)
There is no rules that says a hunter must hand over their game to a higher rank hunter. Kurando glares while the staff member shakes their head no.
ăI see.ă (Kurando)
Kurando slightly bows before heading towards the location of the Azure Eagle. A bundle of banknotes are dropped at his feet.
Were they 100 Rodo, or 10 Rodo banknotes? The person didnât noticed that Kurando had went shopping today.
ăThat should be enough.ă (Zauru)
âââ
Upon receiving a notice that Makushiimu had left the mountain, Zauruă»Domitooruă»Buragoi leaves the brothel. Despite having waited all day for him, Makushiimu is no longer at the hunter association.
Zauru had heard that Makushiimu had just returned to the inn last night; however, Zauru could only clench his teeth in frustration upon discovering that Makushiimu had already left.
Although Zauru did learn that the hero, Akariâs, whereabouts are still unknown and that Makushiimu had recommended some guy named Kurando to be a hunter.
When Zauru went to inquire more about the man at the association, he saw a splendid Azure Eagle (Sunibariooru) in the storage site.
Zauru then learned that the eagle had been hunted by that same man, and that they will be returning soon.
Coincidentally, Zauruâs younger sisterâs wedding is closely approaching. He thought, it wasnât such a bad idea to decorate her dress in the eagleâs deep blue color as it is a symbol of well-being.
And thus, Zauru thought it would be a good idea to wait for that man.
âââ
ăI said, I wonât sell!ă (Kurando)
Kurando says this to Zauru who is standing in the way.
As he blocks the way, Zauru fiddles with his blond hair because he doesnât have a moustache. Zauru has a anglo-saxon appearance giving him very masculine features. He stands one-full-head or more taller than Kurando, and his muscles are properly toned. Zauru has on a superior quality silk shirt, trouser, and cloak; around his hip is a short sword. His attire gives him an elegant hunter like appearance.
However, to Kurando, Zauruâs eyes seemed cloud with an air of superiority; therefore, Kurando saw Zauru as a cluster of self-importance.
ăShould I raise the amount? Although, there is no way a 10th star (Ruterera) could have hunt it. You mustâve encountered the Azure Eagle after it died. It isnât good to bath in your own self-satisfaction.ă (Zauru)
Kurando wonders how that has anything to do with him not wanting to sell.
The eagle is rightfully Yukishiroâs souvenir. Without this present Kurando wonders how much will Yukishiro wag its tail in protest. (T/N: how does Kurando expect to get the eagle up a mountain.)
ăI donât plan on selling.ă (Kurando.)
Zauru draws closer to the obstinate Kurando.
ăListen here, Hunters would be losted without this village, no this country.ă (Zauru)
Coming from Zauru that is a threat.
ăDo as you like. This country isnât particularly needed, and a hunter isnât something that is necessary either.ă (Kurando)
This isnât Japan. Kurando has no obligations or duties here. And, words wonât solve problems here.
The power of words wonât reach his lordship, Zauru, as it seems that there isnât any misunderstandings in this conversation. This time isnât any different from the heart pounding moment Kurando first meet Makushiimu. It wonât be a problem no matter which country Kurando is in.
However, as the saying goes one shouldnât underestimate a cornered raccoon. Kurandoâs practically said that he doesnât have a problem leaving the country.
Zauru became more and more agitated; he places his hand on the short sword at his hip.
Kurando places down his baggage and prepares himself for anything.