Childhood memories are no longer clear; the face of my long-deceased grandmother has become blurred.
Alone in the countryside lives my grandfather, his current condition unknown.
The Hero felt somewhat uneasy, but was still determined to move forward.
"In the countryside, there should be many Goblins. Let me turn them into very few... into none."
After all, whether or not she kills Goblins, her father and brother would not allow her to return.
Naturally, there is no reason not to kill them.
The Hero, pulling her luggage, searched for the coachman at the station.
[The transportation is—]
[The Hero's next action—]
9. Please rent me a bird
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Hero's etiquette education (Noble+30, Wu family-10)]
[Etiquette meets standards (50+), negotiation without depreciation]
[Hero's negotiation (Charm+30, 50-Failure)]
Displaying her modestly passable noble etiquette, the Hero greeted the leader of the Merchant Caravan.
"Are you still hiring Guards?"
She had eavesdropped earlier on the caravan's route and found that it was passing through her destination, a village in the countryside.
A caravan transporting a large quantity of goods naturally needs a force to defend itself; even if not guarding against Magic Creatures in the wild, they must beware of malicious Humans.
Whether it's their own Guards or hired Adventurers, the merchant group could not possibly leave without defenses.
The Hero had never done this kind of work, yet she was a daughter of the Wu family, and her Viscount's family was among the leading Great Nobles in the city.
But now, she could only rely on herself to survive.
The pocket money she had saved was not much, and she wished to save the traveling expenses her mother gave her for as long as possible, if possible.
Thus, she needed employment.
"I would like to apply for a job."
The Hero looked up, her expression serious.
Though she was still an unmarried young girl who hardly attended tea parties among Noble Ladies and only had a slight understanding of elaborate noble language and social dances,
Being born in a Wu family girl, with noble grace ingrained in her every movement.
However, after the Hero seriously made her request and emphasized her experience in several adventures, there was little enthusiasm in the caravan leader's look.
[Hero's negotiation failed, the caravan leader's attitude is—]
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
Note: 1-4 Hero will be refused, 5-8 caravan leader will practice deceit.
"Oh? Coming to apply as a Guard?"
Seeing the Hero's fair face, the caravan leader initially perked up, a hint of ambiguity in his eyes, then his gaze slightly wandered downward—
[Hero's physique (adolescence+15)]
—then he burst into laughter.
"Heh, haha, a little girl like you, to be a Guard—hahaha."
Although she didn't know why he was laughing, the Hero, feeling particularly disrespected, involuntarily clenched her fist.
"If you've come to apply for another 'position', um, although I don't have such tastes, some teams might very well welcome you."
The Hero's eyes widened, her fists ready to launch.
Not far away, a Guard stationed at the station emitted a light cough, causing her and the caravan leader to simultaneously restrain their expressions.
The Hero relaxed her fist, and the caravan leader gave up sizing up the Hero, waving his hand impatiently.
"Anyway, Adventurers playing house should go back and play with your parents; we are here to make a living, no room to take care of an empty-headed miss like you."
"I, I'm not—" the Hero tried to argue, but the caravan leader had already turned away, swishing his sleeve.
Surrounding eyes cast glances of ridicule, confusion, along with sympathy and pity.
But clearly, no one really believed such a young girl could serve as a qualified Guard.
Watching the caravan leader's departing figure, the Hero felt somewhat dejected and lowered her head.
...Was it really necessary to laugh?
Feeling like she understood something, the girl stomped her foot in frustration.
[Hero's physique Extreme Failure!]
1. Below average height
9. Hero's nutrition goes to her hair
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
[Hero's next action—]
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure
After being mocked by the caravan leader, the Hero realized that without even a Weapon and an unreliable appearance, she really couldn't possibly secure a job as a Guard.
She had to choose another cost-saving method.
"I would like to carpool with others."
She approached the station's Receptionist and made her request.
"Are there any rides passing this location, preferably with several people to share the fare?"
The Receptionist flipped through the Notebook and nodded.
"Of course, there are."
The Receptionist handed over the ride schedule to the Hero, looking at her with curiosity and concern.
"However, miss, are you sure you want to carpool with strangers?
"Although our station's coachmen are professionally registered, not only do they follow the rules, but they also possess certain skills, they do not interfere with passengers' interactions nor guarantee the passengers' safety."