Guild commission

When they left the weapons shop, the sun hung high overhead. The weather was warm and clear, and the steady stream of pedestrians and carriages testified to the city's prosperity.

Thinking of Princess Kaguya, whom he had left in their room at the inn, Ye Uchiha hurried straight back. He was afraid some fool might provoke her in his absence and cause irreversible destruction if she took offense.

As soon as he reached the inn, he spotted that familiar figure standing alone at the entrance. She radiated a cool, distant aura, her luminous white eyes surveying the passersby. Many were stunned by her beauty and bearing, but the pressure she exuded kept them from approaching her.

Seeing Princess Kaguya standing there unharmed, with no idiot trying to harass her, Ye Uchiha finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sorry for the wait."

Ye Uchiha looked at Princess Kaguya standing outside the inn. He had assumed she would be resting in their room, not waiting at the entrance specifically for him, and felt a little embarrassed.

Princess Kaguya gave a soft huff. "Where are we going today?"

Ever since he had summoned Princess Kaguya, they had been wandering around the outskirts of the Capital, admiring the scenery of this other world and completing a few monster-slaying missions posted by the Adventurers' Guild along the way. Princess Kaguya never tired of exploring the sights of this other world.

"I accepted a monster-slaying commission yesterday," Ye Uchiha replied. "It's in a small town to the west. We've only been exploring around the Capital these past few days, so seeing the scenery and local flavor somewhere else would be nice."

Princess Kaguya inclined her head slightly without a word, retaining her air of an aloof goddess. That counted as her agreement to Ye Uchiha's suggestion.

After leaving the Capital, they followed the map he had bought yesterday and traveled along a level road in a traveling merchant's Philo Bird-drawn carriage. They arrived at a small town to the west. The town felt somewhat desolate, and many residents wore troubled expressions, as though something terrible had happened.

Dressed in a black Akatsuki cloak patterned with red clouds, with the Uchiha Gunbai on his back and the Blackscale Great Sword at his waist, Ye Uchiha paid the fare. Then, following the townspeople's directions, he led Princess Kaguya toward the mayor's house.

"Who might you be?"

The door opened. The white-haired, stooped Old Town Chief adjusted the reading glasses on his nose and regarded the two strangers with a puzzled expression.

Ye Uchiha took out the commission notice he had taken from the guild and handed it to the mayor. "I'm Ye Uchiha, an adventurer. I accepted the guild's monster-slaying commission. What happened here that you need adventurers' help?"

"Oh, so you're the two adventurers. Forgive my discourtesy." He invited them into his clean, modest home. A plump, middle-aged maid brought three cups of tea, set them on the coffee table, and withdrew.

"Thank you for coming all this way. I am deeply grateful. The truth is, Rhode Town is facing a grave crisis..."

After expressing his thanks, the Old Town Chief got straight to the point and explained the commission:

A group of monsters had appeared from who knew where and occupied Rhode Town's mine. Because of the town's terrain and surroundings, most of its income came from mining ore and magic crystals, processing them, and selling them to merchants to sustain the residents' livelihoods.

With monsters occupying the mine, however, the town's residents and workers no longer dared enter. Rhode Town's economy deteriorated by the day. If this continued, the town would likely fall into ruin.

As Rhode Town's mayor, he had already rallied the town's soldiers and residents to fight the monsters in the mine. Yet their repeated attempts had only resulted in heavy casualties, leaving the townspeople terrified of the creatures. With no other choice, he had posted a monster-slaying commission with the guild, leading to their arrival.

"What kind of monsters are they?"

"Ogres. There are several dozen of them, roughly. They're huge, immensely strong, and have very keen senses. Anyone who approaches recklessly gets attacked. Several of our soldiers and residents were badly injured by these monsters, and they still haven't recovered."

Seemingly recalling those unpleasant events, the Old Town Chief patiently explained things to them, his face clouded with sorrow.

"And where are they?"

"Deep in the forest to the south. I'll send someone to guide you there shortly. But it's already noon. If you don't mind, please have lunch here before you go."

At the Old Town Chief's warm invitation, Ye Uchiha did not refuse. He and Princess Kaguya enjoyed a hearty lunch at the Old Town Chief's home.

After they finished eating and rested for a while, the Old Town Chief summoned a young man and instructed him to guide them to the mine.

Before they left, the Old Town Chief bowed solemnly to Ye Uchiha. "Then Rhode Town's future is in your hands!"

Ye Uchiha gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of the Old Town Chief's plea.

The mine lay in the middle of the southern forest. It had not always existed. Rhode Town's first mayor had happened to pass through the area and discovered valuable mineral deposits beneath the forest. He had led a group of people to establish Rhode Town nearby and organized workers to excavate the deposits. Gradually, the area had become Rhode Town's dedicated mining grounds and remained so to this day.

They passed through the dense forest and reached the deserted, eerily quiet mine. The young man refused to take another step, no matter what. As he looked into the empty mining grounds, fear appeared on his face. He had clearly witnessed how terrifying the monsters here were.

"That's the mine," the young man told Ye Uchiha. "This is as far as I can take you. The ogres are hiding inside the tunnels. Getting close usually alerts them. The rest is up to you. Please be careful."

With that, the young man ran off without looking back.

Ye Uchiha did not mind. He turned his gaze toward the deserted mine, its deathly silence almost frightening. Dark red bloodstains and scattered footprints remained in the dirt, as though the place had suffered chaos and destruction. Among them were several enormous, deep footprints that clearly belonged to the monsters.

"Are you going to help?"

Ye Uchiha looked at the taciturn Princess Kaguya and asked.

Princess Kaguya glanced at Ye Uchiha with her luminous white eyes and replied coolly, "As long as they do not provoke me, they are no concern of mine. Besides, you are my servant, yet you expect your master to act? What utter nonsense."

Ye Uchiha nearly choked. He wanted to argue, but considering the gulf between their strength and Princess Kaguya's cold, domineering personality, he thought better of it.

Keep your head down and build up. Don't get reckless.

Once I'm stronger, I can reason with Princess Kaguya. For now, I'd better focus on getting stronger.

Ye Uchiha and Princess Kaguya entered the mining grounds and approached the crude tunnel carved into the rock. It stretched underground, dark and damp, without a trace of light. The foul smell of moss and mold filled the air, and the faint roars and growls of beasts reached their ears.

"This is it. Let's go in."

He lit the kerosene lamp he had received from the Old Town Chief. Its bright flame illuminated several meters around them.

Holding the kerosene lamp, Ye Uchiha led the way inside. Their figures disappeared into the mine tunnel.