An Ordinary Civil Servant’s Transfer to Another World A Gacha-Dependent Life Relying on Luck
Along the misty road in the early morning. After washing my face with the cold well water from the inn and packing my belongings, I headed toward the departure point for the shared carriage.
The cool air before sunrise completely wiped away my drowsiness.
Upon arriving at the designated spot, I saw that the coachman was already preparing the carriage. The wooden carriage had a simple design, covered with a canvas hood, and could supposedly accommodate up to six people.
Feeling a bit nervous, I called out to the coachman.
“Good morning. Is this the express carriage bound for Eastglad?”
The coachman turned around while gently stroking the horse’s mane and gave me a friendly smile.
“Yeah, it is. You’re the first passenger today.”
I nodded slightly and handed over the silver coin I’d been told about the previous day.
“Here. Is this okay?”
The coachman took the silver coin, glanced at it briefly, then grinned.
“It’s correct. Thanks much. There’s some time before we depart, so feel free to take any seat inside and relax.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
After expressing my gratitude, I boarded the carriage.
I secured a seat at the very end. Though simple, the wooden bench had a thin cushion, making it surprisingly comfortable to sit on.
As I absentmindedly gazed outside through the canvas, other passengers gradually arrived.
The first group consisted of three burly men who appeared to be adventurers, wearing light armor and carrying weapons. The leader, a middle-aged man, greeted me loudly.
“Hey there, young man! We’re heading to Eastglad too. Mind if we ride along?”
“Nice to meet you.”
I lightly bowed my head, and they claimed the seats across from me.
Next came a young couple dressed like merchants but with a somewhat traveler-like vibe. They quietly took their seats and began whispering to each other.
Once all the passengers were aboard, the coachman gave the horse a gentle tap, and the carriage slowly began to move.
The carriage proceeded smoothly along the road.
Though the kingdom’s roads weren’t paved with stone, they were exceptionally well-maintained, making the ride incredibly comfortable.
According to the coachman, this express carriage was designed to travel faster than regular ones.
“I see… The maintenance and development of this transportation network are impressive…”
Gazing out the window, I muttered to myself.
Farmland and pastures stretched alongside the road, with small streams flowing here and there. In the distance, mountains formed a beautiful contrast under the soft sunlight.
The carriage’s speed felt to be around 10-15 km/h. Judging from the appearance of the towns, the cultural level seemed medieval, yet the condition of the roads was remarkable. It was astonishing to be able to travel so steadily at this speed. What the clothing shop owner had said—about this country being the safest—didn’t seem entirely wrong.
Though the royal family did seem suspicious…
“Hey, young man, is this your first time traveling?”
The leader-like adventurer struck up a conversation. His face bore a friendly smile.
“Yes, it’s my first time using these roads. I’m surprised by how comfortable it is.”
“Right? This country’s roads radiate outward from the capital, ensuring smooth logistics and travel. Of course, part of that comfort comes from adventurers like us keeping the roads safe!”
His proud demeanor made his companions burst into laughter.
It seems they make a living hunting monsters along the roads.
Behind the safety and comfort of travel lies the hard work of people like them.
Around noon, we stopped for an extended break.
The carriage halted at a small settlement along the road, and we decided to have a quick lunch.
I nibbled on the bread and cheese I’d brought, silently thanking the innkeeper’s wife.
When we resumed our journey and I started feeling a bit sore from the carriage’s swaying, I decided to strike up another light conversation with the adventurers.
Sitting idle was boring, and this was a good opportunity. Though communication wasn’t my strong suit, information was crucial to surviving here.
“By the way, what happens if you head north from this country?”
At my question, the leader narrowed his eyes and replied.
“The north, huh… I wouldn’t recommend it. Right now, the Holy Sanctus Theocracy and the Zanavia Beastman Kingdom are in the middle of a conflict. Neither side is backing down.”
“So, it’s a war?”
“Kind of. While direct battles aren’t frequent, tensions are high. Villages near the border are plagued by raids and skirmishes.”
Another younger adventurer chimed in.
“The Zanavian beastmen are strongly united, and the Holy Sanctus Theocracy uses religion as an excuse to take hardline measures. Neither side compromises. It’s something we ordinary humans want no part of.”
I nodded thoughtfully, mentally crossing the north off my list. A war-torn border was no place for someone inexperienced like me.
“But Zanavia is a beastman nation, right? Why are they clashing with the Holy Sanctus Theocracy?”
At my naive question, the leader chuckled wryly.
“There are various reasons, but officially, it’s said that Zanavia seized territory that once belonged to the Sanctus Theocracy. That incident dates back decades, though. The bigger issue is the religious conflict.”
“When religion gets involved, things get complicated.”
The young adventurer shrugged as he continued.
“The Zanavian beastmen refuse to worship the Theocracy’s god, and the Theocracy, in turn, refuses to treat beastmen as equals to humans. To make matters worse—and it’s an ugly truth—they sell captured beastmen as slaves to the Arstia Kingdom. Most of the beastmen slaves sold nowadays are war-related.”
“I see… It seems profiting from slavery has become one of their objectives amid the war. Either way, avoiding the north seems wise.”
My honest remark earned nods from the adventurers.
“Also, in the northeast, skirmishes with demon clans are intensifying, which is another concern.”
At the mention of demons, I flinched involuntarily.
“For someone like you, heading east is the best choice. In the Free Cities Federation of Selvana, you can live without worrying about status or origin. Still, competition there is fierce.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
The carriage continued its smooth journey. By evening, the sky began to glow a reddish hue. The distant mountains bathed in the setting sun created a fantastical atmosphere.
“Not far now until we reach Eastglad. We should arrive before sunset.”
The coachman’s voice echoed. Everyone inside the carriage looked relieved.
The coachman checked on the horses, and the passengers stretched their bodies lightly.
I took a deep breath and let my thoughts wander to the new plans awaiting me tomorrow.
“Eastglad… At least I’ll arrive safely. For now, that’s a relief. Anyway, I really want to try my luck with the gacha.”
Murmuring to myself, I quietly gazed at the scenery unfolding outside the window.