Can They Be Trusted?

“Adventurers’ Route” had more people coming and going than Kikori had ever seen before.

The adventurers moving along while chatting noisily among themselves showed no sign of tension, and Kikori found himself feeling that if there were some “something” that could not be dealt with in this situation, then no matter what happened, nobody would survive it….

“It’s awfully lively, isn’t it?”

“Probably because exploration makes money.”

Yes, right now, the more you explored ahead of everyone else, the more money you could make.

Even if you could not get ahead of others, making a more detailed map than anyone else would still raise your evaluation from the Adventurers’ Guild.

On top of that, the labyrinthization had completely changed the situation from before.

If so, then things that had never been found before might now be discovered.

And those things usually turned into money.

“…That’s probably how it is.”

“Money means that stuff, right? Those shiny things you exchanged today.”

“Yeah, that.”

“So is it that thing after all? Like, it has value because it’s gold and silver?”

“That’s a hard question….”

There should have been things like the gold standard system and managed currency systems, but Kikori did not know the details of what kind of system this world—or rather, this country—used.

The currency unit in this world was the ien, and on gold coins, silver coins, and copper coins alike, each one was stamped with how much it was worth.

There had to be a mint somewhere, no doubt….

“To be honest, I don’t really know either.”

“Huh.”

Orphe seemed to lose interest at that, but… Kikori could tell she quickly began growing irritated.

Well, that was only natural. For some time now, he had been feeling stares prickling at them.

And most of those stares were directed at Orphe.

The whispered words muttered under people’s breath sounded as though they were sizing her up.

“Let’s hurry a little, Orphe.”

“Yeah.”

Kikori and Orphe jogged through the crowd, and so reached the distortion in space… the place that had been named the “Transfer Gate” due to the dungeonization.

Perhaps because it was already night, they could see a fair number of adventurers camping there.

“Should we rest here for tonight too?”

“I don’t mind. Can the other humans be trusted?”

“Hmm…”

To be honest, he could not answer at once.

Thinking of the commotion back at that cheap inn, there were certainly at least some adventurers who would lay hands on other people’s belongings.

And thinking of the “fairy user” uproar that morning, he could not say for certain that nobody would try anything with Orphe either.

“To be honest, I think it’s about half and half. If we keep watch through the night, we can probably manage.”

“Are you an idiot?”

“Even if you say that…”

“Territory, set.”

When Orphe chanted something, a semicircular glow spread out centered around Kikori and the others.

That seemed to make the surroundings stir with unease, but Kikori felt the same way.

“Orphe, what… is this?”

“It’s like something to keep beasts away. I suppose you could call it a weak barrier that repels those with ill intent.”

“Huh…”

“Now you can feel safe, right?”

“Yeah. You’re amazing, Orphe.”

“Hmph! As long as you understand. Now food. Hand over those black dried fruits!”

“Raisins. Don’t eat too many of them.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Watching Orphe open the bag Kikori handed over and grab out a handful of raisins, Kikori let out a small laugh.

“Do you have a problem with that?”

“No problem.”

And he immediately averted his gaze.