The Goddess Granted Me the [Hatching] Skill and Somehow I Became the Strongest Tamer, Commanding Mythical and Divine Beasts - 11

“Oh, I see. Your name’s Carol?”

Walking down the street, we exchanged introductions. Since then, we found out she also had business at the adventurer’s guild, so we decided to go there together.

Carol, with her petite figure, walked ahead of me, constantly alert to her surroundings. Her ears on top of her head twitched from time to time, a sight that amused me.

“Klaus, I want that.”

She pointed expressionlessly at a food stall.

It seemed she was asking for payment to guide me. With a glance and a round-eyed look, I bought some skewers for myself and handed them to her.

“Nom nom.”

“Sauce on your face.”

As Carol enthusiastically chewed, I pointed out the sauce on her cheek and wiped it away with a handkerchief.

It reminded me of something I did for Celia long ago, bringing back nostalgic feelings.

Carol closed her eyes and leaned forward, allowing me to wipe her face. After confirming it was clean, I stepped back from her.

“So, Klaus, do you want to become an adventurer?”

Maybe because she finished her skewers, Carol lost interest in the nearby shops and started talking to me.

“I’ve been an adventurer in the local town…”

I informed her that I was currently an adventurer.

“Oh, really? What kind of quests have you taken?”

Whether out of genuine interest or to keep the conversation going until we arrived, Carol continued to ask questions.

“Mainly herb collecting.”

“Just that? Any combat experience?”

Her ears twitched slightly as she tilted her head.

“I’ve dealt with goblins alone.”

I put my hand on my chin, recalling the monsters I fought.

That was before deciding to come to the capital, so now I feel more confident about defeating them.

“But there aren’t many herb requests in the capital, right?”

“Huh!? Why not?”

Surprised by this unexpected information, I asked Carol.

“Because alchemists grow and sell them, so they offer lower rewards than what local adventurer guilds pay.”

She pointed out a shop front.

I hurriedly looked over and saw herbs being sold at a lower price than what the local adventurer guild buys them for.

“Um… Wasn’t herb cultivation difficult?”

That’s why the local guilds paid high prices for herb collection, so what was going on here?

When I asked, she shook her head.

“It’s not difficult, just requires equipment and costs.”

It seems that in the capital, they can replicate environments using expensive magical tools, allowing indoor herb cultivation facilities to exist.

Maintaining these comes with significant costs, but considering the current purchase prices for herbs, this method seems cheaper.

As a result, herb prices have dropped, and fewer adventurers seem interested in taking on those quests…

“Well, you can’t rely on herbs forever…”

Honestly, some expectations have been off.

Here, too, I was thinking about collecting herbs to make money and preparing to become a national adventurer when I had the chance.

“Huh, do you have some purpose?”

Carol lifted her face, peering into mine. From my attitude, she seemed to sense something was up.

“My goal… is to become a national adventurer.”

To gain recognition from my parents and Celia, becoming a national adventurer is my current goal. Of course, there are things I want to do afterward, but if I can’t become a national adventurer, I’ll return to the town and help my father with his work. There’s no need to tell Carol that.

“Becoming a national adventurer is quite difficult. About one in a thousand regular adventurers…”

I heard this from the receptionist at the guild in town, but Carol’s blunt reminder made me gasp again.

“Ah, the Adventurer’s Guild. We’re here.”

Ignoring my state, Carol pointed to the sign.

It looked like we had arrived at the Adventurer’s Guild just then.

In front of us was a large building with many adventurers coming and going.

Truly fitting for the capital’s Adventurer’s Guild, its facilities dwarfed those in town.

Presumably, they receive a large number of requests daily, and many adventurers take on those tasks.

I have to start from here.

“Thanks, you’ve been a big help.”

I thanked Carol, and she silently nodded, raising her right hand.

Then, she slipped her hand into her collar, pulling out a decorative piece that hung from a chain underneath her clothes.

“For those who obtain the qualification of a national adventurer, a special necklace with decorations like swords and wands is given as proof. Just wearing it attracts envy, it’s quite magnificent and beautiful.”

The golden ornament sparkled, resembling both a sword and a staff.

“Good luck, Klaus.”

Finally, Carol smiled a little and briskly disappeared into the Adventurer’s Guild.

She was the national adventurer I aspired to become.