Ch.12Chapter 12 – The White Reaper’s Invitation

“Oh, Kay? Got your equipment ready?”

“Wow, must have cost quite a bit. Not bad at all!”

When the adventurers, including Haven, said this, I felt somewhat embarrassed and turned my head away.

That’s when I noticed Eve in my field of vision, looking pleased as if she was the one being complimented, though I didn’t understand why.

“Well then, shall we go in?”

As Eve had suggested, we entered the inn, gathered in the dining area, and ordered food and drinks.

Everyone was present, including the injured adventurer, without exception.

“Is it okay for that person to drink alcohol?”

Thinking that patients usually shouldn’t drink, I asked, and Ravi answered.

“Well, the priest said not to drink for about a day.”

“Then shouldn’t he abstain?”

“Do you think any adventurer would listen to that?”

Probably not.

As grilled meat, sausages, cheese, vegetables, soup, and beer were served one after another, I removed my helmet and placed it beside the table.

I noticed the server looking surprised for a moment when they saw my face.

Must be because of the burn.

“Don’t mind it.”

Eve said as she began pouring drinks into her glass.

By the way, Eve ordered something like expensive wine instead of beer, but since all the food on this table came from her money, no one was going to complain about her drinking something different.

“Well then, shall we drink to our safe return?”

At her words, the other adventurers began eating as if they had been waiting for this cue and immediately started chatting.

The table quickly became lively.

I was honestly worried about whether we could discuss tomorrow’s schedule in this atmosphere.

“I’m thinking of preparing in the morning and departing tomorrow. What do you all think?”

After taking a sip of wine, Eve spoke quietly, and Haven, who had been chatting with a companion next to him, somehow heard and answered.

“I’m in favor. You?”

“Me too.”

“I’m against it since I’m injured.”

“Let’s not count the injured person’s vote. I’m in favor.”

“Why?”

“If you don’t like it, you shouldn’t have gotten injured.”

They’re quite quick to reach a consensus.

“For us, if we return quickly, we can either find new work or rest there, so most of us are in favor of going quickly. Kay, are you opposed?”

“No, that’s actually what I was hoping for.”

Eve nodded with satisfaction at the quick consensus.

“Then, let’s prepare tomorrow morning and depart before noon. Do you all have enough supplies for crossing the border?”

At Eve’s question, Haven put down his beer mug.

He answered with a smile.

“If we’re short on anything, we can stock up before departing. Ravi, are we missing any supplies?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll check before we go to bed.”

“I think we had enough whetstones. Oh, what about insect repellent? Do we have any left?”

“That’s expensive, so I wasn’t planning to restock if we’re out.”

Despite their casual tone, the way they determined what was needed, who would check, and how they would restock showed how long they had been working together.

That must be why someone with money like Eve trusted and hired them.

After that, light jokes and laughter spread across the table.

Feeling a warm atmosphere, I drank the beer like water.

The bitter taste spread through my mouth.

Still, the feeling of something warm rising inside wasn’t so bad—

“Huh?”

When I came to my senses, it was morning.

Something felt off.

I was still wearing the armor I had on yesterday, and my helmet was rolling beside the bed.

‘What’s going on?’

My memory was gone.

I sat up on the bed.

I tried to think about what had happened.

‘I was definitely at the table… drinking…’

I couldn’t remember anything after that.

While I was wondering what had happened, the door opened.

“Oh… you’re awake. That’s a relief.”

“Mr. Haven?”

For some reason, Haven was looking down at me with warm eyes.

“Um, when did I fall asleep?”

“Seems like you don’t remember.”

“What happened?”

Haven just smiled.

“Well, how are you feeling?”

“I slept well, so I feel light…”

“You’re saying you slept well even with your armor on.”

Now that he mentioned it, it was strange.

The equipment I bought with Eve yesterday protected my body well but was uncomfortable to sleep in.

Well, compared to the full plate armor that knight was wearing the other day, it might be more comfortable…

“Are you dizzy or having a headache or anything?”

“Ah, no.”

“Then let’s go. It’s time to depart.”

“Already?”

We were supposed to prepare in the morning and leave before noon.

Are the preparations already done?

“You were sleeping so soundly, so we prepared without you.”

A chill ran down my spine.

I must have made a big mistake.

Quickly putting on my helmet, I arrived in front of the group who were already prepared to depart and immediately bowed my head in apology.

“I’m sorry, everyone.”

In situations like this, you have to apologize immediately.

When everyone else should be preparing together, I was sprawled out sleeping?

It would be natural to receive a barrage of curses.

I needed to apologize properly.

No excuses, it was my fault.

But no one was cursing at me.

Feeling strange, I slightly raised my head.

Through my still unfamiliar view due to the helmet, I could see the group smiling.

It wasn’t the kind of smile that comes from anger reaching its peak.

But how should I describe this…

“Kay.”

Eve called me.

Looking at her face, I could immediately sense that something had gone terribly wrong.

Why? Because she was smiling brightly.

It was the face of someone who had seen something incredibly amusing.

“You were cute yesterday.”

Something unusual had definitely happened.

As we walked, I asked several times what had happened, but no one would answer.

Haven seemed to be trying his best to hold back his laughter, while Ravi eventually burst out laughing.

Finally, I decided to approach Eve, my last resort, to ask.

“Are you curious?”

“Yes, I’m a bit scared that I might have made a mistake…”

Tell me what you all saw.

I sent that message with my gaze, though it probably wasn’t visible through my helmet.

“It’s okay. You didn’t make any mistakes.”

Eve answered with a smile.

“But honestly, I’d like to see it again.”

She was serious.

Even if I had just met her, I could tell it was a genuine smile, bright enough to know she was truly amused.

Eve looked at me with a grin.

“Would you like to have another drink with me sometime?”

“Could you please tell me what happened?”

“Would you like to have another drink with me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Would you like to have another drink with me?”

If I accept that invitation, I’m dead.

My reputation and various other things would probably die.

I decided to flee from the invitation of the brightly smiling white reaper.

For about five more minutes, the white reaper continued to try to invite me for drinks, and in my attempt to escape, the truth of that day remained buried.

I made a vow.

Never to touch alcohol again.

It was after experiencing such events that we reached the border area.

“This is strange.”

That was what Haven said as we looked at the massive gate indicating the exit from the New Kingdom, the many guards protecting it, and the carriages lined up in front of it.

“What’s strange?”

“The atmosphere, the speed at which the line is moving…”

“Maybe they’re conducting thorough inspections because they’re trying to catch criminals?”

Of course, that criminal would probably be me.

I spoke nonchalantly, but Haven still seemed to find it odd.

“It’s not unusual for them to be thorough when trying to catch dangerous criminals, but the line is moving unusually slowly, and…”

It seemed he had finally noticed something strange while observing the people ahead.

“Look, there are people turning back.”

We could see people driving carts loaded with goods turning back.

Indeed, that would explain why the line was moving so slowly.

People going against the flow were blocking the way.

But this raised a new question.

‘Why are they turning back?’

Fortunately, I wasn’t the only one curious about this.

“Excuse me.”

Eve stopped a merchant.

He looked somewhat dejected.

“What is it?”

“I saw you talking with the guards earlier, and it seems you’re turning back.”

“Ah, you want to know what I heard?”

The merchant seemed to think for a moment, then held out his hand.

“You’ll hear it from the guards anyway, but if you want to save time, two silver coins.”

“Time is money. The teaching of the guild.”

Eve said as she took out two silver coins and flicked them accurately to the merchant.

The merchant caught them easily with one hand.

“Which country’s guild are you from?”

“The Kingdom of Mikea.”

“A neighbor country. I’m a merchant from the Kingdom of Firenchena.”

The merchant pulled his cart to the side to make way.

He didn’t get off the cart, suggesting he planned to leave as soon as he shared the information.

“What goods are you carrying?”

“Fabrics. They’re popular everywhere these days. You too?”

“That’s right.”

“I came hoping to make a profit, but alas, I’ve been thwarted.”

The merchant sighed deeply before looking at Eve again and continuing.

“The guards say there’s a large-scale monster migration happening right now.”

“Large-scale?”

When Eve asked, the merchant nodded and elaborated.

“Yes. There were no signs, but suddenly they’re on the move, and they can’t guarantee safety. Unfortunately, their path covers the entire ‘Emiris God’s Hunting Ground’ right in front of the New Kingdom.”

“That’s the forest owned by the Emiris Order. I heard they hold hunting events during religious ceremonies.”

“And it surrounds the New Kingdom. Monsters are running rampant throughout the forest, so they say the moment you pass through that gate, consider your life forfeit.”

The merchant sighed.

“I had plans to sell everything quickly and make various arrangements, but now I’m considering taking the sea route.”

“I see. Thank you for the information.”

The merchant drove away, and Eve fell into thought.

The adventurers also pondered before sharing their opinions.

“Hmm, for safety’s sake, I think it’s better to turn back and travel by ship…”

That was the opinion of Haven, the leader of the adventurer party.

For safety, it was certainly the right opinion.

“No, time is precious. And in this situation, won’t there be a huge crowd trying to get on ships? Won’t that drive up the prices significantly?”

That was the opinion of Ravi, the female adventurer.

This was also a practical opinion.

If they abandoned the land route for safety, naturally the only option left would be to travel by ship.

Demand would naturally increase, and so would prices.

“Our group has six people, plus animals and several carts. With this size, not only would it cost a fortune to take a ship, but there might not even be space available.”

Ravi added.

After that, another adventurer spoke up.

“Well, not all merchants are turning back. And it’s not like we lack skill…”

Looking carefully at the gate in the distance, there were people who trusted their escorts and were passing through.

Soon, Haven’s party was divided into two opinions.

“Safety should come first…”

“No, Emiris God’s Hunting Ground surrounds the New Kingdom, so it’s a large forest, but if we push through, it’s not a forest that takes long to cross. We can make it.”

“How long did it take us to enter here?”

“2 hours? Maybe 3? The road was well-maintained and flat.”

“But we have more luggage now. Wouldn’t it take twice as long? That’s enough time to be dangerous.”

“Other merchants and adventurers are also departing, so even if monsters do appear, we’ll be moving with many armed groups, so the number we actually encounter might be less than expected…”

I glanced at Eve.

And I flinched a little.

She appeared calm, but her eyes had become somewhat fierce.

I don’t know how I could tell, but it seemed like many calculations were going through her mind.

‘She said she would die originally.’

To avoid it, she said she needed to meet me.

So in what situation did she originally meet her death?

“Kay.”

Eve quietly called me.

There was a strange power in her voice that made all the other adventurers fall silent.

“You choose.”

“Me?”

“If I had to say…”

Eve opened her mouth.

“I prioritize safety. Nothing is more precious than life.”

It seemed that originally, she would have turned back.

“But I also think those who want to take the land route to save time and money aren’t wrong. It’s worth considering.”

Eve said this while looking straight at me.

For some reason, it felt like she was testing me.

“But you have your own circumstances. You have your own thoughts.”

Taking a breath, she continued.

“Choose. I will follow you.”

‘…For safety, the sea route would be better.’

If I had to say, I also prioritize safety.

Thinking this, I looked at Eve before answering.

According to her words, she would originally face a life-threatening situation if she left here.

She said she needed to meet me to survive, but now she’s leaving the choice to me.

Does this mean it doesn’t matter which way we go?

If so, this isn’t a simple decision, so I found myself pondering deeply.

Sea or land.

Perhaps because I was thinking so deeply, strangely enough, my burn scar started to sting slightly.

‘…Is it because of that holy knight?’

I remembered fighting the holy knight.

Come to think of it, we fought by the sea and ended up in the ocean.

Enduring the slight pain, I answered.

“Let’s take the land route.”

At least if we have to fight, it’s better to be on land.

Inwardly, I prayed I had drawn the winning lot.