Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World
Chapter 173

Chapter 173. The Ruler of Vanity

We took a short rest on the eastern side of the forest and set off before sunrise.

There were no main roads in this area.

We advanced through untamed grasslands and sparse woodlands, staying alert for adventurers and monsters.

Heading to Wolbar had nothing to do with reviving my family or the safety of the labyrinth—it was purely personal.

Among my subordinates, Hymes bore the heaviest crimes, and he was the only one who had clearly been a criminal slave, regardless of the truth. When Rapzell's responsibility was forced onto him, his family might have been punished too. I couldn't turn a blind eye to Hymes' family while trying to revive my own.

But Hymes wasn't keen on the idea.

From what he'd heard in prison, the incident had occurred in distant Rapzell, so his family hadn't been explicitly charged.

Still, the truth was unclear.

After some prodding, he revealed that his parents lived in Wolbar and added that his younger brother worked in the imperial capital, so they could rely on him if life became too difficult.

If nothing was wrong, that would be fine. But I insisted on at least confirming their safety and unilaterally decided to go to Wolbar.

Incidentally, Sarhas was against it too.

In Wolbar, I'd be acting alone, and if something had happened to Hymes' parents, I'd need to protect them or investigate further. Since my resolve was firm, he didn't oppose me strongly, but he clearly wasn't convinced.

To distract myself from such thoughts, I brought up a topic I'd been considering for a while.

"Actually, I'm thinking of registering as an adventurer. Getting stopped at the gate every time is a hassle. At the rock salt mine, I went by Alan, but next time, I'll use Smith or Smithy. Does that sound like a beastman's name?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Sarhas pondered for a moment.

"Hmm… it might not sound very fitting. But among beastmen living in the empire, human-like names aren't uncommon. It shouldn't cause any major issues—but you're registering in Wolbar?"

"That's the plan. It's probably better than Silveck."

Honestly, I had no positive feelings toward Wolbar—in fact, I found it even more unpleasant than Silveck.

They abandoned Ted's village, sicced Sword Flash Klaus on Luciana, indirectly caused Klaus' death, and pinned all the blame on Hymes. There wasn't a single redeeming quality.

But with Fasden near the Deep Forest, the perpetually troublesome Silveck, and my desire to avoid Seren, my options were limited. Plus, larger towns issued more adventurer cards, making it easier to blend in. Regardless of my feelings, Wolbar was the ideal location.

Still, was Smithy not beastman-like enough?

"When I introduced myself as Alan, Ulk said I sounded human too. What kind of name would suit a beastman?"

"Naming conventions aren't much different from humans'. Many are named after parents, ancestors, or heroes. I was named after the Beast King and my grandfather."

Grandfather aside—the Beast King?

Tilting my head at the unfamiliar term, Sarhas nodded as if it were obvious.

"The Beast King Särverg. Since he never left the Mez Ries region, he's hardly known in the empire. A thousand years ago, he slaughtered many dragonkin and brought stability to Mez Ries. His blood-soaked appearance earned him the name 'Dragonblood Wolfhound.'"

"So there was a hero like that. A thousand years ago… around the same time as the War God Sleyas?"

"Baromatt was already a major kingdom by then. It must've been shortly after."

I nodded at Sarhas' words.

Though the War God Sleyas was worshipped even in the empire, his largest following was in the Kingdom of Baromatt.

After the collapse of Veriates, the current imperial territories were overrun by powerful monsters. The one who slaughtered them all was the SS-rank adventurer—later deified as the War God—Sleyas.

Baromatt rode the coattails of his achievements to rise as a major power.

Had Sleyas not existed, unification would've failed or been significantly delayed, or so it was said.

"Then I'll borrow from the Beast King Sarverg too. And for [Beast Transformation], I'll take from Yuneck. Combining a character from his name, I'll go by Verc when operating outside."

"Verc… a fine name."

Sarhas replied as if savoring the words.

Hearing the name of the Beast King—his own origin—and Yuneck, he seemed quietly pleased.

We continued our journey with idle chatter until Wolbar's skyline came into view around noon.

We entered a nearby grove and scouted the area.

There were hardly any monsters, nor any notable materials. Few adventurers would have reason to come here.

Sarhas would wait here. If spotted, he'd move east, and if we failed to regroup by dawn the next day, we'd return to the labyrinth separately.

"Then, take care… Lord Verc."

"You too. Soldiers might be patrolling the outskirts."

After wishing each other safety, we parted ways for now.

◇◇◇◇

Wolbar's surroundings were dotted with groves like the one we'd just left, but most of the land was open grassland.

Perhaps due to the relative safety, winter wheat fields stretched beyond the walls, their golden stalks swaying in the wind.

Harvesting had begun in some areas, with pairs of soldiers patrolling the perimeter. As I approached the fields, one noticed and walked over.

His gaze was suspicious but not wary.

My clothes were ragged, and I'd deliberately dirtied the scabbard of my Simitar of the Gale. I should've looked like a low-rank adventurer at best.

"Halt, beastman."

I obediently stopped and glanced toward the outer wall.

"I'm delivering a letter. Is this Wolbar?"

"It is. Where're you from?"

"Ilkenek."

The soldier seemed satisfied and relaxed further.

Though there were no connecting highways, Ilkenek lay in the direction I'd come from. An adventurer cutting through the woods wasn't unusual.

"Don't get in the way of the harvest."

With that warning, the soldier left, and I headed for the gate, surveying the wheat fields.

As the stronghold of a count's domain, Wolbar was bustling with activity. The harvest season only added to the crowd, and the gate was packed.

Perhaps luckily, repeating the same story as before made the gatekeeper wave me through impatiently.

I'd brought the letter just in case, but not being delayed was a relief.

The letter, supposedly from an old friend in Ilkenek, expressed concern for Hymes' parents. Hymes had written it, and the sender was fictional. Since it couldn't be traced, there was no issue, and I never expected it to be inspected.

In this world, letters were the only means of communication. Important documents were handled by C-rank or higher adventurers, while lower ranks handled the rest. Delivery requests were routine, and inspecting every one would've been endless.

Upon arriving in Wolbar, I had to admit the place was thriving.

Countless wagons and people filled the wide streets, leading to the towering estate of Count Wolbar.

The last time I'd seen a high noble's castle was when I'd first awakened in Brassrad. Though it paled next to a marquis' residence, Wolbar's castle was still impressively large and ornate.

As I studied the castle, I recalled Hymes' words.

After deciding to visit Wolbar, I'd asked about its ruler, Count Wolbar.

I'd wondered how men like Hymes and Klaus could've served him.

With a bitter smile, Hymes had replied that the count had one exceptional trait:

A natural-born deceiver—that was Count Wolbar.

As a result, he was wildly popular among the townsfolk.

Hymes, born and raised here, had been thoroughly charmed into serving him. Sword Flash Klaus, too, had the misfortune of meeting the count during his travels and mistaking him for a lifelong lord.

Still, compared to historical figures with the same epithet, the count seemed far inferior.

He lacked talent beyond deception and was emotionally shallow.

Hymes and Klaus had likely suppressed their grievances out of loyalty. Even if they'd avoided their grim fate, I doubted their story would've ended well.

The gaudy castle now seemed like a hollow facade, and I averted my gaze.

Turning off the main road, I soon entered a middle-class residential district.

Hymes' father had managed warehouses for the merchants' guild, but it was unclear if he still worked there. Would they employ the parent of someone who'd fallen out of the lord's favor?

As if confirming my doubts, Hymes' childhood home was eerily silent.

Weeds choked even the areas around the entrance where people should've passed.

It was too early to conclude, but—[Presence Detection] picked up nothing.

If they were asleep or weakened, it'd be harder to sense them. Clinging to faint hope, I knocked, but still felt no movement.

Fine. Maybe the merchants' guild would have answers.

As I stepped away, movement came from the neighboring house.

An elderly woman, drawn by the knocking, called out to me.

"It's empty."

"Is that so? That's troubling… I have a letter to deliver."

"You didn't hear?"

She beckoned me closer and explained.

Though I'd braced for the worst, relief washed over me as she spoke. Shortly after Hymes' sentencing, his parents had left for the imperial capital, where his brother lived.

Still, while relieved, I found their swift departure odd.

This wasn't like moving in my past life. Abandoning work and home took serious resolve. If they'd left immediately, they must've prepared in advance.

When I probed indirectly, she mentioned the merchants' guild had sent them off.

Makes sense—they'd have had accurate information.

Though his parents weren't charged, the count had pinned everything on one man. With embers of blame liable to fly at any moment, the guild had likely sent them away to protect both the family and itself.

I briefly considered darker possibilities but dismissed them.

The count could've fabricated charges against the parents. Assassination would've been pointless.

Regardless, there was no way to investigate further. I'd have to send a letter to the brother to confirm their safety.

After thanking the woman, I left Hymes' home.

With that, my primary goal was complete. All that remained was the adventurer card and trading magic stones.

Asking a passerby for directions, I headed to the adventurers' guild.

Fortunately, it was large enough to spot from a distance, facing a main street.

Seren's guild had been impressive, but this one surpassed it in size and decor.

Its lordly exterior gave me a bad feeling, but I pushed open the double doors.

Inside was the usual scene.

A reception desk, a quest board, a small lounge. A hallway led to the attached inn and dining area.

The only oddity was how unnaturally tidy it was for a place frequented by rough adventurers.

Perhaps due to the awkward midday timing, the place was sparsely populated.

As I lingered at the entrance, the few adventurers chatting in the lounge and the man at reception eyed me suspiciously.

Well, a shabby beastman boy would stand out.

While scanning the room, I casually activated [Appraisal].

Most seemed low-rank at first glance, but a few were surprisingly capable.

Lower to mid-tier C-rank, depending on their gear. Larger towns naturally attracted better adventurers. Wolbar would have its share.

Mid-sized towns sometimes lacked even C-ranks.

Weak monsters and few escort requests were to blame. Adventurers specializing in subjugation, like Battle Axe of Destruction, headed to dangerous areas, while escort-focused strongholds gravitated toward major cities with better markets.

The quest board reflected this trend.

Most were escort requests, with subjugation limited to staples like goblins, orcs, nudoroks, and wolves. Low-ranks could manage these, but high living costs made such towns poor bases.

Turning back, I addressed the man at the counter.

"I'd like to register as an adventurer."

The receptionist stared me up and down without a word.

His expression was blank, but his eyes held disdain.

My clothes were deliberately ragged for infiltrating the Torpus rock salt mine—enough to pass as a slave. It had been convenient then, but this was excessive. I'd have to repair the outfit Nord gave me later.

"Five large copper coins."

When he stated the fee, I lined up the coins on the counter.

He clicked his tongue softly.

Ah, he'd assumed I couldn't pay. This cliché was tiresome. Judging solely by my race and attire, he'd ignored my equipment. Despite the dirt, I had a simitar and an adventurer's backpack. Even if not silver, large coppers were trivial. Rebecca had been far more challenging, though for entirely different reasons.

As I reminisced, he slammed the registration form onto the counter.

"Die on your own time. Don't embarrass the guild or drag down adventurers' dignity."

"Di—dignity? Right. I'll keep that in mind."

Barely suppressing a laugh, I nodded earnestly.

The form only asked for name, age, hometown, specialties, and notes. False or blank entries were allowed.

While handy for identity purposes, carelessness would backfire on the adventurer. Those deemed detrimental to the guild could lose their license or even be bounty-listed. This was uniquely troublesome—unlike nations or nobles with borders, the adventurers' and merchants' guilds spanned all human territories. With nowhere to flee, most bounty targets turned to banditry.

I filled out the form with a quill.

Midway, I noticed the receptionist's glare intensifying.

Had I offended him somehow? I couldn't think of anything.

As I puzzled over it, a C-rank-looking man from the lounge approached.

He stopped behind me and peered at the form.

"Oh? You can write. And neatly, too."

Ah, that explained it.

Like Markant, many were illiterate. Receptionists usually explained scribing services, but this one had deliberately omitted it. Petty spite, I supposed. This guy was unfit for the job.

I nodded to the C-rank—Teneos, with [One-Handed Sword 5]—and returned to the form.

He lingered behind me, flanked by his companions. Why?

Sandwiched, I finished the form.

"I'll prepare your card. Wait here."

The receptionist grabbed the coins and form and disappeared into the back.

And thus, the adventurer Verc was born.

Still—what did this guy want?

Glancing back, I found Teneos smiling calmly.

"No party?"

"Not yet."

His companions reacted before I could.

"Beastman! Watch your tone!"

As jeers flew, Teneos waved them off.

Ah, good cop, bad cop. A farce was underway.

Playing along, I feigned unease. Teneos seized the moment.

"The local monsters aren't strong, but soloing quests as a rookie's suicide."

I switched to a startled expression.

His grin widened.

"If you're willing, we'll take you in."

Before I could respond, he raised a hand.

"But the gap between us C-ranks and a rookie's too vast. You'll start as an apprentice. The pay's modest, but you'll earn more than solo."

He seemed genuine about recruitment.

On paper, it wasn't a bad offer. Learning from veterans and sparring could be valuable. Many rookies would jump at the chance—if the apprenticeship were real.

Beastmen's physical traits, especially hearing, made them ideal scouts.

This could've been an investment in potential, but I'd have observed and talked more before inviting someone. Fighting alongside amateurs was risky, let alone an unknown rookie.

Unless they were expendable.

Teneos likely wanted a slave-like errand boy.

A slim chance existed he meant well, but I had no time to linger or anything to learn from them.

As Teneos lectured on adventuring's harshness, my card arrived.

A brass plate engraved with my name, issuance location, and date. Other details were guild-managed, shared across branches via trusted couriers.

For Verc: a beastman boy, black hair, wields a simitar. Literacy suggests decent education.

For Tenco: second son of House Leadvalt, Cartilal Academy student, skilled in sword and magic, knows intermediate spells.

Rebecca had let slip the courier system.

With my business concluded, I faced Teneos.

"I appreciate the offer. But I'd like to try solo for now."

His smile vanished.

His lackeys erupted.

"You're refusing a C-rank's invite!?"

Well, I was a former C-rank.

Bowing, I adopted a humble tone.

"I'm new to this. I need to test my limits."

My deference eased Teneos' tension.

He gazed into the distance and sighed wistfully.

"Takes me back. I pushed myself too hard as a rookie. Nearly died countless times—almost quit. If I had, I wouldn't be here today."

After a bashful chuckle, he donned a mentorly expression.

"Do things your way. If you hit a wall, come find me."

"Thanks. I will."

We exchanged fabricated smiles and shook hands.

Amidst this cheap drama, I left the guild under their watchful eyes.

Once sufficiently distant, I paused under the open sky and stretched.

Definitely the count's influence. Without natural charm, you end up like that.

For a moment, I considered being cautious—then dismissed the thought entirely.