Looking at the seemingly endless recruitment notices before me, and the people of varying sizes and armaments standing in front of them, I couldn't help but sigh.
But Hikari directly denied my words: "No, these are actually recruitment requests from large and small merchants, as well as some scattered individual applications and monster extermination requests issued by the city defense. Most people who are aiming to participate in the competition wouldn't post information here."
"The reason is...?"
“Mr. Yumi, think about it. Since they’re going to participate in the competition, they must be extremely confident in their abilities, right? Even if they’re setting off from the transit hub, they would usually prefer to go alone under normal circumstances. Of course, given that this place is indeed too close to the Dark Zone, scattered monsters must have already wandered into the vicinity, posing a great threat to travelers. The probability of encountering danger when traveling alone is very high—which is one of the reasons why monster extermination quests appear every year at this time. Unless you are really sure that you are highly skilled, or have a skilled person of the same level by your side, you can’t pass through here safely.”
After thinking for a few seconds, recalling that winding route that was almost like repeatedly hopping and testing the edge of a gray area, I agreed with what she said.
"So, we can't find the recruitment information we need here, and we need to use other methods to confirm it?" I asked.
Hikari nodded energetically: "Yes! For example, find a caravan that has previously been commissioned and is about to leave, and suggest that they join us. Or, we could simply post a message looking for travel companions and see if there are any independent travelers with the same idea who are eager to set off... In short, there are many ways!"
"Then I'll choose the first one, at least there's a place to rest."
I made my choice without hesitation, and was met with a regretful look from the girl: "It's not impossible, but most of those rest areas are reserved for goods, not for people, let alone for people traveling together."
"The roof or the edge of the flatbed cart will do; I can make do."
"In short, no means no! Mr. Yumi, you shouldn't even think about slacking off for now!" Hikari firmly rejected my suggestion. "Following the convoy has its advantages, but the disadvantages are even greater! Not only will we be used as free labor, but the area and number of people we need to protect will also increase accordingly. Moreover, the convoy will slow down our progress, and we might even encounter danger!"
“…I understand everything you’re saying, but…damn it!”
"In any case, let's choose another method."
As the girl spoke, she stepped out of the crowd, looked around, and suddenly her eyes lit up. She then quickly jogged towards a spot not far away.
I was a little confused, so I followed beside her and pressed her for an answer: "You mean, we need to post a commission? But whether the quality and character of the freelancers can be guaranteed is another matter. Just gathering enough people will take some time, won't it?"
“We just need to find two more exceptionally skilled individuals and we can set off! A four-person team is the best combination for traveling, and besides, it might not just be four people in the end…” Hikari glanced at me, her lovely face showing a joyful expression, “Anyway, as long as we gather enough manpower, I happen to have a way.”
Are four people enough?
I looked at the girl's back with a puzzled expression.
Moreover, what do you mean by "not necessarily only four people"? It sounds like there might be a hidden fifth person or something... It sounds like a ghost story.
However, since Hikari had already climbed onto a slightly higher seat nearby and seemed to be taking something out of her pocket, I decided to hold off on asking questions and observe her actions first.
"Mr. Yumi, can you give me a megaphone?" the girl waved.
Basic magic application, this is simple.
Seeing that a few scattered people around me had noticed us and seemed to be gathered together discussing something, I didn't delay. I snapped my fingers and directed the message to Hikari.
[Ahem, a voice test.]
As the girl spoke, an endless clamor suddenly spread, suppressing most of the noise in the hall.
[Huh? Huh? What's going on?]
This idiot, you've already used magic amplification, so don't use magic to make your voice heard anymore, it will cause a conflict!
However, perhaps thanks to this misunderstanding, although everyone could only try to cover their ears to prevent the noise of the conflict from getting in, it also indirectly attracted the attention of almost everyone.
Countless people were waiting for Hikari to speak, or rather, for her to stop speaking.
[Forget it! Anyway, I'm posting a recruitment notice now!] Seemingly giving up on figuring out what was going on, Hikari resignedly raised her right hand, displaying what she had just taken out, and raised her voice, [Seeking two skilled individuals who are both highly capable and of good character, with the objective of safely escorting this scholar beside me to the Sacred Tree Fortress. In the name of 'Dawn'.]
The hall, which had just begun to regain its noise, was now completely silent, with only the lingering echo of the girl's voice still reverberating.
In her hand, a white-gold badge, shimmering like the color of dawn, sparkled under the perfectly filtered sunlight streaming through the dome, dazzling the eyes of countless people.
I could only stare in astonishment at everything before me, speechless for a moment.
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