An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 72

Living Fossils – Chapters

Chapter 72   Wedding anniversary

“Isn’t our first wedding anniversary coming up soon?”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Saran replied casually.

Elves do have a significantly longer lifespan, so the tradition of celebrating birthdays isn’t common among them. With a lifespan extending to several hundred years, you might wonder why bother celebrating birthdays each time, right?

That’s why neither have I ever asked Saran about their birthday, nor do I know how old Saran actually is. Well, I guess it’s not really important either way.

However, since we’re newlyweds and have successfully spent a year getting along well, I feel like we should mark this occasion with some kind of celebration.

“Do elves do something to celebrate such occasions?”

“Not really. Elves have long lives, you know.”

“Hmm… oh yeah!”

I took out a Hunter Card.

“Isn’t it time to update this already?”

“Huh, really?”

We got married and immediately went to Saaplast to register as hunters, so the timing coincides. You see, we hunters are sensitive to the concept of ‘forgetting to renew.’ We have permits for firearm possession, and the renewal process involves gathering all eleven documents (*1) and submitting them one month before our birthday every three years. If even a single day is missed, the permit gets revoked, all firearms are confiscated with no exceptions or exemptions. The best-case scenario is to retake the entire permit process, including the exams, and during that time, the firearms are entrusted to a gun store.

This is a different world, and though firearm permits are no longer relevant, we need to take care of matters like this. The renewal process for hunters here is annual.

“What rank are we at now?”

“We’re both at Rank 2.”

“When did we move up to Rank 2?”

“Remember when we took down that Hydra?”

“Oh, right. But we’ve mostly been bagging pigeons, so it doesn’t really feel like we’re Rank 2.”

“Yeah, doesn’t feel like it. Ahahaha.”

We spend most of our time dealing with pest control jobs for the farmers.

“Even if the hunter qualification disappears, you can just get it again. Even if we start from Rank 6, it’s not a big deal. So, if Saran finds it troublesome, it’s fine.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

“But how about making the most of it and heading to the city? We could stay at a nice inn, indulge in delicious food. It could be a celebration for our first wedding anniversary as well.”

“That sounds great!”

Unusually, Saran seems enthusiastic. Well, every time we go to the city, we invariably get caught up in some sort of trouble, so the idea of going has become a bit tiresome.

“Do you have any place you’d like to go, Saran?”

“Well… now that you mention it, not really.”

“I’d love to soak in a hot spring. If possible, I’d also like to have some rice.”

“Rice? What’s that?”

“It’s a staple food where I come from, made from grains. I’d like to go look for it.”

“Really…”

Alright then, hot springs and rice it is!

After a while, we headed to the city of Saaplast.

We reported to the village chief, and this time, we were granted leave without any shopping duties. We were free to take it easy.

“Let’s go!”

With a swift motion, the reins were in Saran’s hands.

The river dolphin, started pulling the canoe early in the morning.

“Welcome. How can I assist you?”

Behind the Eastern Gate Hunter’s Guild, in the guild’s office.

The receptionist had changed from Bal to a young man.

Bal used to handle this, right? I heard the receptionist lady went on maternity leave.

“It’s your first time here, isn’t it? Are you the new hire?”

“Yes. I’ve been here for just a week, so please pardon any shortcomings. For now, I’m in charge of this counter. My name is Toul. Nice to meet you, and thank you in advance.”

“I’m Shin and this is Saran from Raccoon Head. Nice to meet you. We’ve been hunters for a year now, and we’re here for our renewal…”

“Raccoon head!!”

Toul rushed to the wall and pulled a string, making a rattling sound! What’s going on?!

Footsteps approached, rapidly echoing.

“They’re here! Took you long enough!”

…Guild Master Buffalo Bal came thundering down the stairs with an incredible force. I couldn’t help but feel a bad premonition.

“Head upstairs!”

“Before that, we need to renew our cards.”

“Later!”

“We don’t know what you’re here for, but we’ve come to renew our cards. We’re just here for a trip to celebrate our first wedding anniversary, so we absolutely won’t take on any jobs.”

“…This is why hunter husbands are a pain. Just listen to what I have to say, at least. Otherwise, I won’t renew your cards.”

“Alright, forget the renewal then. We’ll start over from Rank 6 next time we come. Let’s go, Saran.”

“You, I tell you––––”

“…Fine, fine.”

Upstairs, we were served tea. There were more people here, and women were the ones serving.

“It’s a joint request from the lords of Topurus and Saaplast. They want you to come as soon as you arrive.”

“From Mr. Faal and Mr. Kyrif, is it? What’s going on?”

“There’s a Wyvern causing trouble at Topurus farm. We just can’t get rid of it.”

“A Wyvern?…”

“As usual, Shin, you’re clueless. A Wyvern is a winged dragon.”

“I can’t possibly catch something like that.”

“That’s why I said just listen to the details. It’s a request from the Count, you know.”

“…Guess we have no choice.”

In other words, Lord Faal from the neighboring domain of Topurus had a request for us, which he conveyed to Lord Kyrif, the ruler of Saaplast. Both of them are our friends, so it became difficult to decline…

“You guys are due for renewal soon, so we’ve been waiting for you to show up.”

“Just go ahead and renew our cards, please. Otherwise, we won’t be able to take on any jobs.”

“Why is that?”

“Because we can’t accept hunter jobs with expired cards, right?”

“Ugh… Right, I guess. Hey, Sally. Get it done.”

Indeed, responding to a pushy demand with a valid argument is the best approach.

Yes, Sally here had brought us tea earlier. She’s a middle-aged female office worker, and this is our first time meeting.

“Yes, um, you’re Tanuki Head, right? Um, well…”

“It’s not Tanuki Head, it’s ‘Raccoon Head.'”

“Huh? Why is it Raccon Head?”

“We used to wear raccoon hats, you see. So, we ended up being called Tanuki Head.”

“You’re not wearing the hat today?”

“We don’t plan on doing any hunter work apart from the renewal this time.”

“Hey!”

Bal is quite insistent.

“Um, as for your achievements over the past year, it includes pigeon extermination, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, crows, prairie dogs, deer, bears, lava lizard, thieves, goblins, hydras… Hydra!? Werewolves!! Zombie pigeons… In just your first year of registration, you’ve managed to accomplish so much…”

Flipping through the records, Sally is visibly astonished.

“Well, even so, they’ve had plenty of significant accomplishments that can’t even be included in the records.”

“Recommendation letters from Viscount Kyrif La Altars and Count Faal La Hawksburg  of Topurus… and, and, a letter of gratitude from His Majesty the King!? Who on earth are these people!?”

“Did we receive something like that too?”

“Yeah, I put them up there.”

The king’s letter of gratitude is framed and displayed on the counter of the guild office.

“…Why didn’t they give us one?”

“Because your names aren’t listed. It’s technically addressed to our guild.”

The omission of our names is likely due to the king’s consideration. If it were known that we had solved the problems, the church might target us.

“Why are individuals like these only Rank 2? They should be at least Rank 1! Do you realize how understaffed we are?”

“I get it! But when I mentioned promoting them, they gave me this incredibly displeased look!”

“Why?!”

“It’s because they don’t want to be burdened with more troublesome jobs.”

With that explanation, Sally was clearly exasperated.

“…If you reach Rank 1, just that achievement alone guarantees a fee of no less than a hundred gold coins.”

“But if we charge that much, the farmers won’t be able to afford pest control requests. What are you talking about?”

“Do you get it? That’s the kind of people they are.”

“…It’s a shame.”

“Um, Sally, where are you originally from?”

“Oh, Sally was dispatched by the Hunter’s Guild in the capital city. We’ve been doing well lately too. It’s also part of an audit. She’s here to keep an eye on things.”

Sparkle. The light in Sally’s eyes behind her glasses glimmers.

Ah, I see. She’s probably here to scout promising hunters.

“Wouldn’t you consider coming to the capital city?”

Straight to the point, isn’t it? A bit too early.

“We decline.”

“There’s even better work available, you know?”

“We live in an elf village and only come here occasionally.”

“…Yet you’ve managed to take on so many jobs. I want you even more now.”

“Come on, Sally, cut it out.”

Bal grimaces.

“If they were willing to do that, they would have moved to Saaplast long ago.”

“I won’t give up.”

“Not everything is achievable just by not giving up.”

“How about at the request of His Majesty the King? With a recommendation from the Royal Hunter’s Guild?”

“That might work for citizens of this country, but we aren’t citizens here.”

“May I take that as disrespect towards His Majesty the King?”

“Feel free to interpret it as you like.”

“It should be well known that we thwarted the king’s assassination plot. If they wanted to exploit us, they would have done so by now.”

“Sally, seriously… Just randomly mentioning His Majesty’s name like that could get the Royal Hunter’s Guild charged with disrespect.”

“…. I was just joking. I wanted to see if they’d react like puppets moving at His Majesty’s command.”

“They’re the ones who saved His Majesty’s life, you know? If you mess with them, you’ll get burned. Just drop it, drop it.”

…We’ve never even met His Majesty the King.

Well, maybe they’re still observing us over there.

I hope things don’t get weird at some point.

“…We’d like to proceed with the renewal.”

“Oh, sure, sure.”

“We’re at Rank 2, right? Could we even lower it to Rank 6 if you’d prefer. We’ll still get by just fine.”

“Tsk.”

Please refrain from clicking your tongue, Sally. It would be troublesome if you issued us a Rank 1 card without reason.

“Here you go, new cards. Valid for a year. The fee is four gold coins for both of you. You can renew at any Hunter’s Guild, but if you don’t contribute to the guild over the year, your membership will be revoked. Also, if you’re not taking on jobs appropriate for your rank, you may be demoted during the next renewal. It’s advisable to accept at least one request equivalent to your Rank 2.”

We’ve received new cards. The old ones, covered in various stamps and smudges, are now pristine and new. It feels better this way, after all.

Technically, we’re still Rank 2. It’s good that there weren’t any unwarranted changes.

“Thank you very much. Well then…”

“Hey!”

“Why don’t you go talk to Lord Kyrif?”

“…Fine. Dealing with a Wyvern should suffice for a solid Rank 2 task. You better take care of it.”

“Sure thing.”

――――Author’s Note――――

※1. Documents Required for Firearm Possession Permit Renewal

・ Application for Firearm Possession Permit Renewal ・ Resume ・ Co-resident Family Record ・ Usage Performance Report ・ Physician’s Diagnosis Certificate ・ Identification Document (Issued by Local Government) ・ Experienced User Training Completion Certificate ・ Two Photos Taken Within the Last Three Months ・ Firearm/Air Gun Possession Permit ・ Personal Background Investigation Form (Regarding Friends who Possess Firearms, Work-related Friends, Other Friends, Acquaintances, etc.) ・ Skill Training Completion Certificate (Except for cases exempted by Air Gun or Pest Control Training) ・ Pest Control Operator Certificate (In cases exempted from Skill Training by Pest Control)

That concludes the list.