Since the messenger from the village had set out before noon, by the next evening, a transport team organized by the guild at the lord's request had arrived at the village. The departure for the capital was scheduled for the early morning of the following day.
All members of the transport team were hunters, and the command was led by a senior guild official. As befitting a former B-rank hunter, no hunter seemed to defy his command.
Thus, there was no appearance of a stereotypical lord's army commander who would complain, "You stole our credit!" The members of "Red Oath" were relieved.
Moreover, there were no hunters who had been killed, and it was impossible to accept a reckless request that would plunge not only themselves but also their companions and their families into the depths of misery. The hunters, who had been feeling frustrated, were grateful.
"...Several parties of lively but foolish fellows were disbanded due to this guy. I appreciate you capturing him."
The guild official in command bowed and signed the request completion certificate. Since they had handed him over to the guild in a state where he could be killed at any time, the request was now complete.
Indeed, they had intentionally captured him alive and offered, "If you want him alive, we can hand him over as is. What do you think?" to which the "Red Oath" had responded, "Of course!" and came to pick him up. Thus, the responsibility for him would now be on the guild's side. They had prioritized other benefits over the risk of him escaping or causing casualties, which was a natural decision.
Thus, "Red Oath" had completed the A-rated request of "delivering a live wyvern" without the hassle of transportation...
"So, who is this guy?"
The transport team commander, naturally, asked this question, looking at the bound man next to the wyvern. Indeed, they had to explain about the suspicious man.
"I am Boone Craft. I used to serve as a court magician in the royal palace."
"Wait, are you the Court Magician Chief Boone Craft?"
The guild official in command asked in a surprised tone.
"Indeed. I didn't think anyone still remembered my name..."
Though his words sounded modest, his expression betrayed a smug look, the so-called "proud face."
"In fact, I was researching a method to train wyverns in the mountains so that they wouldn't attack people and would obey human commands. Thanks to my research, no villagers in the wyvern's territory have been attacked. Unfortunately, those who tried to kill the wyvern received minimal retaliation...
I wanted to use my research for the benefit of this domain and the kingdom..."
In fact, Boone Craft had asked Mile and the others to let him explain the truth to the transport team and not to interfere. He promised not to lie and to point out any falsehoods after he spoke. He also asked them to testify only to the objective facts they had actually seen and heard, not their speculations.
Indeed, most of the information they had was from what the man had said. Speaking only the facts they had seen and heard was fair and reasonable.
So far, there was nothing they could point out as a lie.
"...And when the wyvern was about to be captured and killed by those girls, I tried to buy it with money, but they refused, saying they had to prioritize their request. So, I ended up trying to save it by force. I'm reflecting on my actions! That's why I'm going to go with this wyvern and beg for its life. I'm even willing to take it and use it for the lord..."
...Indeed, there were no lies. So far...
"That's all."
"......Huh?"
The four members of "Red Oath" were surprised by the simple explanation.
Indeed, it was true. There were no lies. But... they felt something was off.
"......"
The guild officials and hunters also had complex expressions. After all, the man made it sound like the wyvern was innocent and the hunters who were killed or injured were the villains. It was understandable why they felt this way.
"Is this the truth?"
When the guild official asked for confirmation, the four members of "Red Oath" could only answer...
"Well, technically, there are no lies... But something feels off..."
Reina answered reluctantly. The part about Mile's body was just what Boone Craft had said, and it was technically a "request." If it was said to be a time-buying tactic to save Robles and not serious, that would be the end of it. They admitted to the attack and apologized.
Of course, interfering with a hunter's request was illegal, but in such cases, the parties involved or the Hunter's Guild usually resolved the matter with compensation or punishment. However, since the perpetrator was not a hunter, the guild had no authority, and it had to be left to the authorities. Given that there were no victims, it was unlikely to result in serious punishment.
The main reason for capturing Boone Craft was to prevent him from interfering with the request, and the rest was to pursue his relationship with the wyvern and charge him with a crime.
After some discussion, the man, the former Court Magician Chief Boone Craft, was allowed to accompany the transport team as a third party, not as a captured criminal. He claimed that he had attacked to save Robles and had not intended to kill or injure anyone, which was true. Robles had clearly held back, and the magic Boone Craft had used was a water-based spell to blow the hunters away without causing serious injury.
...Perhaps he wasn't such a bad person, just a bit unconventional. Reina, Mavis, and Pauline were familiar with such characters, so they couldn't strongly deny it. Mile thought it might be because he didn't want to hurt her, but he didn't say it out loud.
After all, they were just a transport team with no real authority. Explaining the details to them would be pointless, and it was uncertain whether the information would be passed on. So, they decided not to explain the details, as it would only change the treatment during the transport. Most of the information they had was from Boone Craft, and if he denied it, that would be the end of it. They had honestly spoken about trying to save the wyvern by force. There was nothing else they needed to tell the transport team.
The report from "Red Oath" would be passed to the guild and then to the lord, who was the legal authority in the domain. They would include everything Boone Craft had said, and the information would reach the lord.
The four members of "Red Oath" didn't want to be further involved with Boone Craft and didn't want to take responsibility if something happened during the transport. Since the transport team was made up of active hunters and the commander was a former hunter, "Red Oath" didn't need to guard them.
The return trip with the wyvern on a large cart was slow, and they didn't feel like volunteering to accompany them.
The next morning, "Red Oath" left the village slightly earlier than the transport team, heading for the capital. If they left together, it would feel awkward to leave the transport team behind, and it would be uncomfortable to start later and overtake them. So, they had to leave first.
On the way to the capital, the four of them finally talked about the matter that had been bothering them.
"Demons... What was he up to? And what was he doing there in the first place?"
"That's true... Was he planning something?"
"It's concerning..."
Not just Mavis, who had some knowledge about demons, but Reina and Pauline also felt something was off.
"Well, we don't know if he was telling the truth, and it has nothing to do with the request. There's no way to confirm it, so there's no point in thinking about it."
The three were taken aback by Mile's casual words, but they realized she was right.
"That's true. We completed the request with an A rating and received additional rewards. It was a great success, so let's enjoy the journey!"
Reina agreed with Mile. They felt a bit uneasy about Boone Craft, but there was nothing they could do. Ultimately, they had no authority to decide anything. They would report everything to the guild, and the lord would make the final decision. There was no point in worrying about it. The man would be judged by the laws of the domain.
The laws, which could be flexibly applied according to the convenience of the authorities, were a fact of life.
By mid-morning, "Red Oath" had reached the capital, completed the request completion procedures at the guild branch, and reported the details to the guild master. They received their reward, including the additional reward the guild master had negotiated with the lord, who seemed to be in a good mood and generous.
The group left the guild, blessed by the guild officials and hunters, and had a hearty lunch at an inn. They were so tired that they fell asleep right after. The next day, they set off for the capital.
"Then, let's do a 'Japanese Joke' for a change!"
Mile said this to change the mood, but she couldn't think of a good joke.
"Hmm, hmm... What's a good association...
Robles, Urashima Taro, back, stripes? No, no...
Robles, Urashima Taro, Urami Mataro... No, no, no! Let's move away from Robles!
Sales girl... Comiket!
Unmarried wife... Hunter's wife!
Stiff old man... Are there soft old men? Mushy old men..."
"Still thinking?"
"Come on, start already!"
The pressure increased, and Mile became more anxious. She was in a slump. Poor Mile.
Five more days to the capital.
Is Lenny doing well with the bath?
Is the orphanage turning into a black company?
Aiming for a brief moment of peace in the capital, the four of them moved forward, leaving the vast mountains behind...