24 Chapter24: At The Village's Gate

[ Is this the village Alice? ] I asked Alice who's sitting on top of my shoulder.

[ I think so. ] Replied Alice.

We're in front of what seems to be a small gate with a large sign on top of it, and beside the gate were wooden fences sticking on the ground. behind us was a small cobblestone bridge on top of a clear small river. The road is dried and yellowish but beside them are pure green grass with few small rocks scattered everywhere.

I tried to look inside the gate. I can see a few number of houses and some people walking.

We went inside and was immediately greeted by a guard.

The guard was inside the gate so he didn't notice us when we were at the front.

The guard is wearing leather armor with a sword in his waist. His hair is blonde and messy, and his face is also full of freckles, He also looks young but tall, tall that my head is aligned with his shoulder.

[ who are you people? ] asked the guard.

[ we're adventurers. We're here for a mission to hunt Iron Golems that seems to be near this village. ] I explained to him.

He looked shocked at first but then he suddenly looked at me with suspicious eyes after.

Maybe he's doubting if I'm really an adventurer. Almost everyone I meet is suspicious of me at first, maybe it's because I have different features than them.

[ ...is that so? and you're here for the Iron Golems huh? I will take you to the elder. We are actually expecting adventurers to come that's why we already prepared a small house you can rest into. ]

[ oh? that will really help. I thought we're going to camp outside if we can't find anyone who will let us rest in their house. ]

[ ...I will take you to the elder, but can you show me your Adventurer Card first. ]

I took out my Adventurer card from my pocket and gave it to the guard. He looked at my card then soon after, he turns a gaze at me.

[ why did they send a Rank-F!? hey! are you sure you can do this? where's the paper!? ] After looking at my Adventurer Card he started shouting at me. His attitude suddenly became arrogant and rude.

[ what paper? ] I asked.

[ you don't even know what I meant!? are you serious you're an adventurer? By paper, I mean the paper that was signed by the Guild to prove that you are qualified for this task! ]

[ Ohh... I remember Diana-san giving me one... wait a minute. ] I searched my own bag then took out the paper Diana-dan gave me and gave it to the guard.

[ what...!? is this for real? ] The guard showed a shocked expression. He took glances between me and the paper.

[ why would they send a rank-f!? are they serious? and just looking at you, you are clearly weak. ] He looked at me intently.

[ you! where did you get this? ] he closes the distance between us then started to question me about the paper.

[ ...Diana-san, the receptionist of the Guild gave it to me... ] I'm actually getting scared by the attitude he's giving to me. It feels like he's going to punch me any minute.

I wonder why he looks so angry at me.

[ you...! are you lying to me!? ] he raised his hands that were holding the paper and he was about to throw it on the ground.

[ stop! ] An old looking guy suddenly came out of nowhere and stopped him.

[ stop this nonsense Robert! ] another man shouted.

There are three people in total that was with the old man. A rough looking guy, A normal guy maybe in his 20's and an old woman with wrinkles all over her face.

[ I'm really sorry for this youngster's rudeness. you're the adventurer the guild sent right? ] The old woman turned his eyes to me and asked me.

[ yes... ]

[ can I look at this Paper of Approval? ] the old guy holds the guard's arm tight then he took the paper he was holding.

[ sure... ] I can't say no if he's already holding it.

[ hmm... it says here that you're recommended by the Guild Master himself. Well, I guess that's enough proof and reason to let you inside our village. ]

[ what!? you're seriously going to believe that? he's clearly a fraud! that paper is fake! ] uwahh... why is he being like this?

[ take him away for a while. ] the old guy said to the rough looking guy that was just staring blankly into space.

[ no! no! don't do it Goro-san! ] the guard shouted.

Suddenly the rough looking guy put the guard on top of his shoulder then walked away.

[ please forgive us for showing you such rudeness... that youngster just really has a past, and he has a bit of a problem right now... that's why he acts that way towards low ranked adventurers. ]

[ is that so...? ] I guess that explains his attitude...

[ I'm the elder of this village. My name is Hector. I will take you now to my house, I'll let you rest in there... ] The old guy, Hector-ojii-san introduced himself.

[ And I actually want to ask you to do a favor for us... but let's just talk about it in my house. ] a favor? does the village has a problem or something?

[ hmm...? okay... ]

[ okay, then please follow me. ] The old guy said and then he started to walk.

I followed him together with his companions. I can't see the young guard anywhere anymore.

I looked at my surroundings. The houses are either made of bricks or cobblestones, there are also some plants, and vegetables planted besides some houses. I noticed that some people are peeking at me from their windows looking afraid. Sometimes they took some glances on Alice too, who's still sitting on top of my shoulders. But one thing that stands out the most is the village's dark and poor atmosphere.

[ here we are. ]

After just a minute of walking, we finally arrived at our destination.

[ this is my house. let's get inside and talk about my request of you Adventurer-dono. ] He's not going to ask me about my task but a request?

Well, he looks really troubled so I guess I will go listen to him.

[ okay... I will listen to your request. You're also going to let us stay at your house so why not? ] I'm not a bad person who will refuse peoples who are in need.

[ ...thank you very much! ] The old guy, Hector made a small bow as he said his thanks.