bullyxtreme Chapter 23: Moen's First Long Trip
Chapter 23: Moen's First Long Trip
After settling things with Laki, Moen didn't stay at the guild any longer. He went to Magnolia train station to take the train to the neighboring town to do a quest.
Trains and even cars exist in the world of Esland, but they are all products related to magic and powered by magic. The existence of magic may indeed be too convenient, causing the technology in this world to become distorted.
"Magical cars" are very expensive magical items and cannot be widely used, so people often have to rely on trains or horse-drawn carriages for transportation, which creates a strange sense of separation.
Other items, such as the "Wind-Swept Glasses" and the "Sound Pot Player," are magical items, and none of them are cheap.
The trains in the world of Esland are similar to the old-fashioned green trains that Moen remembers, only slightly more refined, with a table in the middle and seats facing each other.
"It's fairly comfortable."
Moen sat by the window, turning his head to look at the scenery outside. This was actually his first time riding a train in the world of Eslandon, and also his first time truly leaving Magnolia City.
Going to the suburbs or the East Forest before doesn't count, because strictly speaking, those areas are also within the "Fairy Tail" radiation range.
Because Moen's twelfth birthday was approaching and his strength was already quite good, Grandpa Makarov agreed to let him take on this mission. Before this, Grandpa Makarov did not allow them to take on missions that required them to leave the guild too far away.
This rule isn't just for Moen; all the other children are subject to it as well. It's to protect their safety, and they'll be given more tasks when they turn twelve.
Of course, this is also to protect Fairy Tail's reputation. People entrusted Fairy Tail with the mission because they trusted Fairy Tail's strength. Sending a seven or eight-year-old child, even if the child is capable, would indeed be difficult to gain their trust.
To keep the children occupied and familiarize them with the task assignment process, everyone in the guild would leave the easier, simpler tasks for them to practice on.
Moen arrived in Onibas by train. The only thing Moen knew about the city was that it had a large theater, and many famous theater companies were said to perform there, so the train station was quite bustling.
After getting off the car, Moen followed the address on the commission and found a villa, or rather an estate.
The large courtyard is filled with various exquisitely manicured garden trees. A long stone path connects to the luxurious main building, which is milky white in color and inlaid with gold everywhere. The materials used are very exquisite, and the main feature is luxury.
Moen followed the waiter who came to greet him and was led into the main building of the villa, where he met the person who had commissioned the mission.
"Hello, I'm Moen, a mage from Fairy Tail. Are you Mr. Denno, the person who commissioned this mission?"
In the spacious reception room, Moen politely greeted the other party.
This reception room also gives off a lavish and opulent feel. How to put it? It's a bit tacky, but you can definitely tell that they're very wealthy.
This Mr. Denor was also very handsome, with a large and stout build, dressed in luxurious clothes like an aristocrat, and looked very wealthy. Of course, he was indeed very wealthy, as could be seen from his residence. Moreover, the commission fee for this mission was not low, and most people could not afford it.
"Huh? Why is he so young? He's probably just a kid. What's going on with Fairy Tail? Why did they send a child? Are they looking down on me?! Didn't I set a high price?!"
Upon seeing Moen, Mr. Denor, who was holding a glass of red wine, frowned. He looked at Moen with disdain and some annoyance, because Moen looked far too young and did not resemble a powerful mage at all.
"Mr. Denno, please rest assured, Fairy Tail is very professional and trustworthy. Now that I'm here, I'm sure I can solve your problem. We won't joke around with the guild's reputation."
Moen remained calm in the face of Denor's doubts. He spoke calmly, and although he looked young, he exuded a strong aura, and his confidence in his strength was very obvious.
"...I'll trust you for now."
After listening to Moen's words, Mr. Denor muttered a few words under his breath, and then chose to believe Moen.
Or rather, they believed in "Fairy Tail".
Just as Moen said, Fairy Tail has a very prestigious reputation and a very high completion rate for quests, making it the undisputed No. 1 guild in the Kingdom of Fiore.
Although some unexpected troubles always arise, that only happens after the task has been completed. Don't ask how much loss was caused; just tell me that the task wasn't completed.
"The quest description says the monster to hunt is a Demon Horned Lizard, right?"
Seeing that the other party had accepted him as the mage to carry out this mission, Moen began to check the specific mission details with the other party.
This meeting is actually just a way for both parties to settle accounts. The person who commissioned the mission has paid money and has the right to refuse to accept the mission from a mage they deem unreliable. The mage who accepts the mission naturally needs to confirm the detailed mission objectives with the person who commissioned it to avoid disputes later.
"That's right, I need at least twenty horns from the Demon Horned Lizard. If you can bring more, I can pay more."
Moen's serious and professional attitude dispelled much of Denor's doubts. He thought to himself that Fairy Tail wouldn't send a child to his death. This wasn't some errand or errand-running task; this was a mission to slay a monster!
"Okay, I have no more questions."
Moen nodded, thus completing the work handover with Deno.
This is quite a long trip. The Demon Horned Lizard is a magical beast that can only be found in the Vas Tree Sea, which is not very close to here.
After checking how much Denor would pay for each additional "demon horn," Moen left the villa and went to the train station, this time traveling all the way from Onibas to the final stop, Croba.
Moen also remembered Croba; the guild leader held his "routine meeting" in this city.
The Vas Sea is located north of Kroba, and there are no trains available for the rest of the journey. Moen had to rent a horse-drawn carriage to get to the Vas Sea, but the carriage only took him halfway there. He absolutely refused to go any further into the forest.
After all, the Vas Tree Sea is a relatively primitive forest, and there may be all kinds of wild beasts and magical beasts inside. Ordinary people will not enter easily, and it is difficult to come out alive without some strength.