Chapter 382
Gato was a former adventurer.
To be more precise, he was a true adventurer who traveled the world without a fixed base.
What we FBO players admired about him was his style: if he lacked knowledge, he would actively move on his own two feet, see the world with his own eyes, and learn.
If he didn't know, he would learn.Few can take that for granted.
And even fewer can naturally teach what they know to people troubled by that lack of knowledge.
"Thank you for the fine tea leaves. I've already brewed some.""Not at all. I'm grateful you made time for us despite this sudden visit."
Even in his old age, his posture was straight, and his muscles showed no signs of weakening—evidence of a life spent walking the world etched into his body.
Gato is a character with high aptitude for the scout class. His inquisitive nature honed his observational skills, and he independently developed his own skill build based on that.
"Ho ho ho, I welcome anyone who comes to see this old man. I was quite mischievous in my youth and wasn't blessed with many good people."
While only one of the conditions for Class 3, he discovered how to earn EXBP entirely on his own.
Thanks to that, when he first joined, his level was slightly higher than other NPCs.It's no exaggeration to say that his case provided clues for the discovery of EXBP's existence and the elucidation of its acquisition conditions.
Thus, we FBO players, in honor of his lifelong journey of exploration, call him 'Grandpa Teacher.'
That he welcomes our obviously unusual group with a smile now is likely due to his extensive travels and experiences around the world.
His casual joke about being single is one of his staple gags.
In truth, listening to his past stories, there were romantic tales with women who seemed like good matches, but the young Gato prioritized adventure over love.By the time he decided to retire from adventuring, he was 59 years old.
That made him the oldest active adventurer by a significant margin.
"That painting...""Oh, young lady. That one... let's see, I was about thirty-two. It's from when I first crossed the desert in the western continent."He had a particular hobby: painting.
Wanting to preserve the landscapes from his adventurous travels in his later years, he returned to his hometown of Dure to paint.
Many children would gather to see his paintings, and using his old skills as an adventurer, he would also help people. Thus, he was welcomed back into the hometown he once left.
Nell, hearing Gato's background for the first time, shares his dream of wanting to travel the world.
"This one is from the eastern continent port I first visited at twenty-nine, and next to it is a painting from the northern continent when I was thirty-eight.""You've been to so many different places!""Yes, I wanted to see various worlds. I did quite reckless things to fulfill that wish."That's why Nell listens to Gato's stories with sparkling eyes while looking at his paintings.Pleased by this, Gato fondly recalls and gently shares his old tales. He's told these stories to the children many times. He's accustomed to this kind of storytelling.
Listening to him, Esmeralda was also impressed.
Given her status as a noble, traveling the world so freely is unattainable.Stories of the outside world usually come secondhand.
That's why hearing the genuine, firsthand accounts of someone who has traveled the world is truly fascinating.
With the two of them reacting so well, Gato's expression softens.I thought they'd get along, and it seems I was right.
"Ah, I've been going on about my old stories. So, Liberta-kun. You had business with me?""Yes."The atmosphere has warmed and become conducive to conversation.Although I'm slightly anxious about proposing recruitment without following the usual procedures...
"I've come to invite you to join me.""Invite? This old man?""Your experience and knowledge are invaluable, rare enough that finding someone comparable even by searching the entire world would be difficult. And I know of no one who has interacted with and helped more people than you."Even so, there's no reason to hesitate.Sitting up straight and composing myself, I state my purpose directly. Upon hearing my proposal, Gato's eyes widen in surprise.
"Hahaha, it's childish of me to be so pleased by flattery at my age, but there's little this old man, who was at best a second-rate adventurer oscillating between ranks A and B, can do."However, he soon shakes his head and declines with an apology.
"I've decided to spend my remaining years in this town. So, I'm sorry you came all this way, but..."Seeing his gentle, apologetic smile makes it impossible to press further.This isn't a game. Gato, as a person, has the rest of his life to consider.
"I see. That's a shame."Thinking it simply wasn't meant to be, I was about to rise when my gaze fell on a canvas in the corner of the room.
"That is...?""Ah, that's what you might call a regret."It's covered with cloth, as it's unfinished.But hearing the word "regret," a thought occurs to me.
"Pheaphair Valley.""!? How do you know that?""Oh, no, I have some connections..."It just slipped out.
"Liberta, Pheaphair Valley?""It's a place in a valley accessible by two to three weeks on foot from a port in the northern part of the central continent. There's a monster there called Pheaphair..."Originally a location mentioned in Gato's quest, Pheaphair.An area inhabited by Pheaphair, ostrich-sized peacock-type monsters. Venturing there means dealing with monsters of at least Class 6.
"Ordinary Pheaphair have feathers of a sky-blue hue, but among them, extremely rarely, an individual with rare feather colors, shining like the sun, appears. I learned of its existence from the notes and drawings of a certain adventurer. There are legends that various kings in the past sent troops to obtain those Pheaphair feathers."Just entering is a life-risking endeavor for people in this world.However, its beauty has lured many adventurers.
"And among those who tried to confirm the legend...""Is my grandfather."Whether seeking romance or fame because the king of the time desired it, the connection in this story lies in Gato's bloodline.His grandfather embarked on that adventure, reached Pheaphair Valley, and "safely" returned.
"It was when I was still small. My grandfather, who retired from adventuring due to injury, proudly told the story of that valley with beautiful birds over and over. Every single day, holding an unfamiliar brush, he painted that bird, saying 'not like this, not like that.'"I thought he might ask how I knew, but Gato, unconcerned, simply walked toward the unfinished canvas.
"I too was looking forward to my grandfather finishing that painting, but he passed away before it was ever completed.""That's what made you become an adventurer?""Yes, that's right. Everyone tried to stop me back then. Some even said my grandfather was delusional. But to me, my grandfather didn't seem like he was lying."Then, he removes the covering cloth to reveal the contents.
"Pure white...""That's why I vowed to prove it. To show everyone the scenery my grandfather described with a smile. But... I couldn't reach that place. I couldn't reach the scenery my grandfather saw."However, what lay beneath the cloth was a pristine, pure white canvas, untouched by a single drop of paint.Gato offers a wry smile at Nell's wide-eyed exclamation.
"...That is my only regret."His fingertips, gently stroking the edge, were filled with resignation.
"Liberta."But deep in his eyes, a lingering regret of not wanting to give up remained.Nell likely sensed this emotion from Gato.Meeting my questioning glance with a nod...
"Gato-san, what would you do if you could reach that place on your own two feet?""Thank you for your concern. But my body is nearing its limit. My current self can't match my prime, and I can't push myself like I used to. It's an impossible dream."I ask if he still wants to fulfill that dream.To Gato, shaking his head, saying it's realistically impossible, I silently display my status window.
"!? Class... 8?"Seeing the level displayed there, Gato's eyes widen.While it's confidential information, I felt it was okay to show Gato.
"Your dream... it can still be fulfilled."I know it's a somewhat forceful method. But if there's even the slightest possibility, I want to take that chance.
"I will make it happen."I'm fully aware it sounds like a devil's bargain.
"Not by me taking you there. You will reach that place through your own efforts. I will make that dream a reality."Yet, I believe I am the only one here now who can resolve this regret.That's why I state it with conviction.
"Strange."His response wasn't a clear answer but rather a nostalgic look in his eyes.
"I've met many people. Many who made grand boasts. Boasts meant to deceive others, boasts to encourage themselves, boasts that were merely dreaming aloud."Right now, Gato is probably recalling all the people from his past who spoke words like mine.
"Even though we've just met, there is certainty in your words. Not just confidence. You truly believe it can be done."Even recognizing me as an otherworldly existence unlike anyone else, Gato's demeanor doesn't change.
"Liberta-kun, would you shake hands with me?""Of course."As if to sense that otherness even a little, he extends a wrinkled hand that still retains strength unbecoming of his age. I grasp it firmly in return.
"A good hand, one that hasn't neglected training.""Thank you."Slowly, strength flows into his grip, and I match it with my own.Sensing that strength, he nods 'Hmm' and slowly releases my hand.
"Can I... still go?""You can."To this final question, meant to cut through hesitation, I nod without a moment's doubt.
"I see... I can still go."Hearing that answer, a happy smile spreads across Gato's face, and a fire ignites in his eyes.He turns his gaze back to the pure white canvas he had just covered.
"..."For a few seconds, he stares intently at that canvas.
"If there's no one to carry on the legacy, then who will fulfill it if not me?"I witnessed the moment this old soldier resolved to bloom one final flower.
"Liberta-kun, about the offer I declined earlier... May I accept it?""I was the one who asked. Please, by all means.""In exchange...""Yes. I understand."To achieve that resolve, we'll need to hit that one-in-ten-thousand chance in Pheaphair Valley, but we'll rely on Nell's incredible luck for that.
All I need to do is ensure Gato's leveling to extend his life and secure transportation to the central continent.If that's enough for Gato to become an ally, it's a small price.
"I will definitely show it to you.""Ho ho ho! To still dream at this age...""You'll achieve it, so it won't end as just a dream.""Yes, you're right."He nods with satisfaction. Glancing at him, I realize our business in this town is done.All that's left is to take Gato and return to the frontier village. But...
"Hm?""It's quite noisy outside.""It seems something has happened."As if bound by a jinx that we can't leave without trouble, voices arguing—Genjirou and someone else—can be heard from outside.
"Now, that voice..."Recognizing the voice, Gato quietly approaches the window to look outside.
"It's the mayor, as I thought. I wonder what he wants?""...""..."Realizing who the visitor is, Esmeralda and I exchange a simultaneous glance.
"It's because of me, isn't it?""The possibility exists for me as well.""*Sigh*"We both let out a simultaneous sigh.