The Exiled Knight Takes Up Life as an Adventurer — A Former Captain's Secret Power and His Carefree Days in a Distant Land - Chapter 12

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In the far southeastern part of the continent lies the Emarepa Empire.

One of the Four Great Nations, it’s known as the world’s top producer of spices, with a warm climate and frequent typhoons.

Roughly 1,000 Kidelts west of the capital city Taluska, where prosperity knows no bounds, is the coastal port town of Tirkoa, facing the Marsole Inland Sea.

Once a dying rural town known only for its salt production and minor fishing trade, everything changed a few years ago when Lucius, a sea dragon dwelling in the Marsole, was defeated. With the waters safe again, the fishing industry boomed.

Now, Tirkoa ranks among the top in the Empire for its catch of Silver-Marked Mackerel Marel and Bigtooth Jack Fuurel.

The development of airships also helped boost the fishing industry.

Fresh fish could now be shipped out the same day and arrive in the capital by the next morning.

Because of that, fishing in Tirkoa happens around the clock.

It’s so busy that the Fishermen’s Guild often sends quest requests directly to the Adventurers’ Guild for assistance.

In fact, in the Empire, there’s a saying:
“If you want to get rich, fish in the Marsole.”

Fishing has become one of the most profitable professions.

Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s safe.

Despite things being far safer than before, deaths at sea are still not uncommon.

And in this bustling port town of Tirkoa, lives Mardin Lutréze, a C-rank adventurer, age thirty-three.

Exiled from his homeland a year ago, he wandered through several regions and finally arrived here six months back.

He was looking for a place to settle down—and Tirkoa turned out to be a perfect fit.

He ended up staying.

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“Alright then! Let’s find a quest for today!”

I opened the window to let in the fresh morning air.

Unlike my icy homeland by the Northern Sea, this Emarepa Empire was unbelievably warm.

“No snow is the best part of living here.”

I brewed a cup of coffee and looked out the window.

A Red-Crested Parrot, Cadena, native to warm climates, sat on a branch outside, squawking obnoxiously with its massive voice.

“You noisy little thing… Still, you’re pretty funny.”

I finished my coffee, got dressed, and headed out toward the Adventurers’ Guild.

On the way, I passed by the port for a quick stroll—and spotted a familiar face.

“Mardin! Morning!”

“Yo, Grek! Morning!”

It was Grek, a local fisherman.

He was about the same age as me—still counted as one of the younger ones in Tirkoa’s fishing community.

Unlike adventurers, most fishermen were older.

His tanned skin and lean, muscular frame were clear signs of a life at sea. His white teeth gleamed as he smiled with the kind of energy that was unfairly cheerful for this early hour.

…Then again, for a fisherman, this wasn’t early—it was practically midday.

“You out fishing again today, Grek?”

“Nah, not today. We’ve got a salvage job.”

“Salvage?”

“Yeah. A sunken merchant ship’s been located. The Fishermen’s Guild is heading out to recover it. They say it’s loaded with barrels of wine.”

“You serious?!”

“Apparently, they’ve already sent a request for help to the Adventurers’ Guild.”

“Salvage, huh… but that means I’d have to get on a boat, right?”

“Well yeah, it’s a salvage operation. And we’ll be diving too.”

“Ah—then count me out. I can’t swim.”

“Haha! Guess the sea’s a tough match for a northerner.”

“Exactly. I’ll just wait and drink the wine when it’s back on land. Haha!”

“Well, about that…”

Grek’s expression suddenly turned serious.

He looked around, lowering his voice.

“Just between us… word is, it’s high-end stuff. From the Grand Duchy of Estièry.”

“What?! Wine from Estièry? That stuff’s worth several gold coins a bottle!”

“I heard merchants with good intel are already negotiating to buy it up.”

“Damn. Hey, sneak me one, will yah?”

“Haha, no way. We rank-and-file fishermen don’t have that kind of pull. And if we get caught, we’re in deep trouble.”

“Man, that’s too bad. Well, good luck out there—don’t overdo it.”

“You too.”

After parting ways with Grek, I continued on to the Adventurers’ Guild.