The Exiled Knight Takes Up Life as an Adventurer — A Former Captain's Secret Power and His Carefree Days in a Distant Land - Chapter 11

Back at the Adventurers’ Guild, I pulled out the herbs at the reception counter.

“Palma, delivery complete.”

“Oh, these are some quality herbs. Nice work, Mardin.”

“Also, I ran into a Clawfang Bear Berua in the forest. Pretty sure it’s the same one from the quest request. I took it down, so I want to retrieve the body. Can you arrange a dismantler and a transporter?”

“…Huh? What did you just say? You took down a Clawfang Berua?”

“Yeah. It was either kill or be killed.”

“O-Okay, I’ll call in a dismantler and a transporter.”

Palma quickly made the arrangements.

I headed back into the forest with one of the guild’s dismantlers and a transporter. The three of us returned to where I’d left the suspended Clawfang Bear.

Once we arrived, the dismantler immediately began checking the body.

“How’s it look?”

“It’s in great condition. The only damage is to the neck, so the materials are all usable. It’s been properly bled too—perfect for cooking.”

“Knew it. I was scared stiff when I saw it, but all I could think was ‘that’s going in a stew.’ Haha!”

“Still, I’m impressed you managed to restrain it with just a Raphil thread. That was a clever trap.”

“Eh, I got lucky.”

“And that slash on its throat—it’s incredibly clean.”

“Huh? Yeah… that too was just luck. Pure luck. Haha.”

We untied the Raphil and lowered the Clawfang Bear to the ground. The dismantler immediately got to work, expertly removing the hide, separating the parts, and extracting the organs.

The transporter began preserving the materials and loading them into the wagon.

“What should we do with the materials? Sell them to the guild?”

“Yeah. I’ll keep just enough meat for the stew. You can sell the rest.”

“Understood. I’ll carve out the best parts for you.”

“Thanks. You two can take some meat too—you probably want some, right?”

“Eh? Really? Is that okay?”

“Of course it is. Besides, a bear like this should sell for four or five gold coins. I’ll pay each of you one gold coin.”

“W-Wait, that much?! That’s way too generous!”

“It’s fine. As long as I can get by, I’m good. And I want to stay on good terms with our dismantlers and transporters. Haha!”

Not too long ago, dismantlers and transporters were treated unfairly.

Some people said it was unfair that they got paid just for cutting up monsters that others risked their lives to hunt.

But without them, adventurers couldn’t do anything.

The dismantler extracts the materials, the transporter hauls them quickly—and that’s how adventurers get paid.

As the story goes, it was a single adventurer who ended the discrimination and changed the culture.

Thanks to that, most hunting quests today involve a team of adventurers, a dismantler, and a transporter.

The skilled ones are always in high demand.

Back at the guild, we settled all the accounts.

“Mardin. Your reward’s no joke today. That Clawfang Bear really made a difference. You complain about those quests, and then go and take one down.”

Palma gave me a sarcastic smirk as he placed the payment on the counter.

“I didn’t take the quest—I ran into it. Not like I had a choice.”

“Even so, most people wouldn’t be able to take it down.”

“Just got lucky.”

“Seriously… Well, I hope you’ll keep up the good work.”

“My back’s killing me. I’m only taking easy quests from now on!”

The reward breakdown:
– 1 silver coin for the herb gathering
– 3 gold coins for the Berua subjugation
– 5 gold coins for selling Berua’s materials

I gave 1 gold coin each to the dismantler and transporter, leaving me with 6 gold coins and 1 silver coin.

In this town, even just 1 or 2 gold coins could cover a whole month’s living expenses.

“Maaardin!”

“Ferleat, huh.”

Ferleat came bouncing out of the cafeteria, landing lightly beside me with both feet together.

Her golden hair swayed with her movement, and her bright smile lit up her face.

She really was the face of this guild.

“Here. For the tab.”

I handed her a silver coin for the food I owed.

“Thank yooou!”

“Well, I should get going. I’m wiped out.”

“Hey, Mardin. What about dinner?”

“Oh, it’s gonna be great tonight. I’ve got Clawfang Bear meat—we’re having bear stew!”

“What?! Lucky! I want some too!”

“Huh? You want in? Then come over. But you’re the one cooking.”

“Really?! I’m in! I’ll make it!”

“That’d actually help. Your cooking’s the best.”

“Yay! I’ll get ready right away—wait for me!”

Ferleat dashed off to the staff room.

“Hey! You guys come too!”

“Eh? Us too? A-Are you sure?”

I called out to the dismantler and the transporter as well.

“Of course! Let’s celebrate tonight!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s stop by the market on the way and pick up some ingredients and drinks! I’ve got the cash! It’s bear stew party time!”

Even with this group, we wouldn’t burn through half a silver coin.

And besides, money’s something I can always earn again.

What matters more… is enjoying life right now.

“Let’s go!”

And with that, we headed off to the marketplace.