Ch. 65 Temporary Alliance
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 65 – Temporary Alliance
Sheepcloud Village was small.
Unlike sprawling cities like Foxtail, its compact size meant you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing or hearing about other players.
The Returner Guild and our party kept crossing paths in town.
Though we didn’t particularly like each other, we weren’t outright enemies either.
So whenever we saw them returning to town, I’d cast healing spells or remove status ailments for them.
Isolin clearly disapproved, but I had my reasons.
By slowly building goodwill, I wanted to firmly establish my image as a kind, harmless girl in their minds.
After all, no one suspects the cute little priestess.
Two days after we first considered leaving Sheepcloud Village, the Returner Guild leader White Lion came to see me late at night.
“Good evening, Supreme.”
I happened to be outside enjoying the night breeze after dinner, with no one else around. Looking up at him, I patted the spot next to me.
He sat down without hesitation.
“What brings you here?”
Though he made me uncomfortable, I kept my smile in place.
The Supreme he remembered had to remain that soft, caring, adorable girl priest.
“I was wondering if you might help us with something.”
“Help?”
Even though their average level was higher than ours, they needed assistance. This suggested two possibilities – either they were hunting monsters beyond their capabilities, or targeting a field boss.
It turned out to be the latter.
“We recently discovered a field boss we want to take down…”
I tilted my head in confusion. If they wanted to hunt a field boss, wouldn’t it make more sense to call other guild members from the surface rather than ask us?
I was curious about his real motives.
“Are you sure you need our help? Wouldn’t it be easier to gather more guild members?”
“Well…our guild has shrunk considerably, as you know. Plus there’s no way to contact distant members in this world, and we haven’t secured transportation back down from the sky islands yet.”
“Ah…”
“Hence my request.”
His explanation sounded plausible enough.
But I remained suspicious. Hunting a field boss with another guild inevitably led to loot distribution issues.
My years of RPG experience had taught me that much.
I’d seen plenty of friendships destroyed over loot disputes – people who got along perfectly one minute screaming at each other the next.
“If we help, how will loot distribution work? And what about party safety? I’d also like to know more about the boss’s strength.”
As party leader, I had to prioritize my team’s safety and interests above all else.
White Lion seemed prepared for my questions.
“Loot will be distributed fairly by dice roll, of course.”
“I see…”
“The boss we’re targeting is called Greentail – a level 45 wyvern that can’t fly. Without aerial patterns, its ranged attacks are slower and easier to dodge. The tank will have the hardest time.”
His detailed explanation suggested the Returners had spent considerable time studying the boss’s patterns since arriving on the sky islands.
They’d probably tried and failed several times before coming to us.
“What do you think?”
“Hmm…”
Field bosses dropped incredible loot. The greatsword Nyongmom currently wielded had come from one.
With luck, we could significantly upgrade our party’s equipment.
“You’re certain it’s safe?”
“Absolutely. We’ve engaged it multiple times and always escaped safely.”
Despite his confidence, I couldn’t give an immediate answer. I needed to consult my party first.
“I’ll need to discuss this with my team.”
“I’ll await your answer.”
After parting with White Lion, I went upstairs and knocked on my party members’ doors.
When they emerged, all three were in sleepwear so loose their shoulders and thighs were exposed.
Staring blankly at them, I shook my head.
“Everyone, I need to talk to you. Come to my room.”
After so many life-and-death battles together, we’d grown comfortable around each other quickly.
The girls sprawled across my bed in various relaxed poses as I recounted my conversation with White Lion.
[Excitement]
Ignoring the voice only I could hear, I focused on explaining the situation. All three listened attentively.
Sitting on a small chair addressing them, I felt like a kindergarten teacher telling a story.
“So…what does everyone think?”
“Hmm…”
“I don’t like it. That White Lion guy rubs me the wrong way.”
“If it’s truly safe, I don’t see why not. The gear from a field boss could accelerate our growth. Assuming there are no phase changes that make it suddenly dangerous.”
Gladie, Isolin and Nyongmom responded in turn.
Gladie seemed willing to go along with majority opinion, while Nyongmom considered the party’s overall benefit rather than personal feelings.
Isolin was the problem.
She refused without giving concrete reasons beyond disliking White Lion. Still, I respected her choice.
“What do you think, Supreme?”
Caught staring at Isolin’s pale feet, I hurriedly averted my eyes.
“I agree with Nyongmom. If it’s truly safe, there’s no reason not to participate.”
“Hmm…”
Isolin nodded at my answer, her small feet swinging back and forth.
As I absentmindedly watched her pink hair splayed across the bed, she suddenly sat up.
“Okay! Then let’s tell White Lion to prove it’s safe first!”
“Prove it?”
“Yeah! He said it’s safe, right? We’ll watch from a distance to confirm before joining.”
Gladie clapped at Isolin’s suggestion, making Isolin’s shoulders lift proudly.
I nodded. That made sense. If it really was safe, he wouldn’t refuse.
The next morning, while my party ate breakfast, I went to find White Lion practicing sword swings behind the inn.
“Good morning, White Lion.”
“Ah, Supreme.”
He greeted me warmly, sheathing his greatsword as he approached.
“Well? Can I expect good news?”
“First, you’ll need to prove it’s safe.”
“Prove it’s safe…?”
At his puzzled expression, I briefly explained our discussion from last night.
“Hmm…”
His mouth twisted slightly, eyebrows twitching. Clearly unhappy with my request. But I stood firm – without proof of safety, we wouldn’t participate.
After considerable hesitation, White Lion finally shrugged and nodded.
“Fine. A prudent request. I’d likely do the same in your position.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
After breakfast, our temporary alliance with the Returners began. They took the lead while we trailed behind.
Their long strides forced us to practically jog to keep up.
Greentail’s habitat was a canyon not far from the Booming Tail Lizards’ territory, hidden by dense foliage and vines.
We spotted the wyvern drinking water, its massive body supported by disproportionately small wings.
The Returners prepared for battle, checking weapons and activating buffs before advancing.
White Lion turned to us.
“Hide here and observe. After about twenty minutes of combat when we start retreating, you can slip away quietly.”
“Got it!”
The four of us huddled together, lying flat on the ground.
The battle began.
White Lion struck first, swinging his greatsword with a mighty roar.
“Haaaah!”
Vrslop_translator
0 Comments