Ch.33Chapter 33 – An Offer You Can’t Refuse

It was the day after I had somehow managed to convince Sera.

I woke her up and headed to the guild at the crack of dawn.

As I opened the door to the tavern-like building, Nina greeted me right at the entrance.

“Welcome. I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Is something the matter?”

“Yes, it’s about that matter from before.”

When she mentioned “that matter from before,” I suspected she was referring to the undead request near the western gate cemetery that she had told me about previously.

Nina began searching through some request forms.

“I’ll go get my request.”

“Sure.”

While Sera went to find her own request, Nina seemed to have found what she was looking for.

And as I expected, she handed me a request form related to that matter.

“…Identify the types and numbers of undead and locate their likely source…”

“To be precise, someone else will be doing that. You should consider yourself as that person’s escort.”

It seems I won’t have to count the numbers myself.

“The departure date is in three days.”

“Yes, I was planning to contact you today or tomorrow to set up an appointment time.”

Nina said with a smile.

“But that won’t be necessary now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If you wait a moment, they’ll be here.”

It seems the person being dispatched from the church that she mentioned before will be arriving shortly.

“I understand.”

After responding to Nina, I turned my head to see Sera approaching.

“Oh, are you finished?”

“Yeah. She asked me to wait a bit.”

“Then I’ll go on my own today.”

Sera said that and left with her request.

Meanwhile, I was guided to a reception room.

‘What should I do?’

With nothing particular to do, I sat blankly killing time for a few minutes.

Then the reception room door opened.

“Oh my?!”

I heard a voice that would be troublesome to get involved with.

I tensed my muscles and turned my head.

“Why is my benefactor here?!”

Christina, a nun of the Evgenia faith, entered the waiting room with Nina.

Nina questioned our reactions.

“You two aren’t meeting for the first time, are you?”

“No. He saved me and our priest when we were in danger.”

Christina smiled as she recounted that incident.

Nina nodded as she listened to the story, while I endured a boring passage of time.

“You’re amazing, Kay.”

“Indeed! That’s why my benefactor is such a remarkable person! I must give thanks to God again for that meeting…”

Just as Christina was about to put her hands together in prayer,

Nina held out the request form.

“Since you two need to handle this job first, why don’t you catch up afterward?”

“Oh, right.”

That handling ability is quite impressive.

I began to wonder if Christina’s reputation had spread throughout the guild.

Honestly, my first thought was that I’m lucky to be alive.

Christina checked the request form and nodded.

“I’ll be responsible for the main objectives like identifying the types and numbers of undead, and locating their likely source.”

Christina spoke with a serious expression.

“In particular, it would be difficult for Kay to identify the source.”

“So the source isn’t simply where the largest number of undead are gathered?”

“Correct. If a necromancer is involved, they might be hiding somewhere safe.”

Christina closed her eyes and briefly put her hands together in prayer before speaking again.

“Undead beings are naturally opposed to holy power. Clergy who wield holy power can sense the force controlling the undead, so identifying the source is faster when done by clergy like myself.”

“Useful, right?” Christina said, opening her eyes slightly.

“Oh yes, let me tell you a bit about what the churches of different religions discussed. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

Christina bowed at Nina’s response.

“The common opinion from churches of other religions is that this is definitely an unusual situation.”

I wanted to ask if there were normal situations where undead appeared, but decided to stay quiet to avoid prolonging the conversation.

“In what way?”

“The western gate cemetery is a place that clergy visit regularly.”

As soon as I heard Christina’s words, I realized what was strange.

I remained silent, and Christina explained on her own.

“It’s strange that there are reports of undead in a place where clergy regularly purify the graves.”

“Don’t you think the response has been a bit slow for something like this?”

“The acknowledgment was quick, but there was some delay in verifying whether it was a lie or not… questioning how this could even happen.”

Christina closed her eyes and put her hands together.

I had the feeling that people are similar wherever you go.

‘An incident occurring where there should be no reason for one.’

Suddenly, I remembered something similar.

The mass migration of monsters that occurred despite good nutritional conditions and with no other apparent cause.

Emiris God’s hunting ground.

“What is the Emiris Church’s position on this?”

I asked out of suspicion.

I’d like to say it’s not prejudice, but they’re a church that turns people into experimental subjects.

I should be suspicious of anything related to them.

“As expected, their church members also seemed quite bewildered when they attended the meeting.”

Christina answered my question and immediately continued.

“By the way, regarding what happened to us, the head of the Emiris Church’s Mikea Kingdom branch personally apologized and promised to prevent it from happening again.”

She must think I’m suspicious because of what happened before.

“…Can they be trusted?”

I still can’t bring myself to trust that church.

But Christina seems to feel differently.

“I’ve known the Mikea Kingdom branch head since I was young, so I do trust him.”

Christina spoke with a slightly bitter smile.

“But recently, there have been sudden deaths among Emiris Church members, and he said that those dispatched from the New Kingdom don’t listen to him, so he’s getting more wrinkles and losing more hair.”

What happens to that church’s branch head is none of my business.

Still, I can sympathize a bit with the hair loss.

“Oh, each church has requested that if the investigation can be conducted quickly, please start as soon as possible. Would that be possible?”

“If Kay is okay with it. The original schedule was set to allow for your smooth joining, but that’s no longer necessary.”

Nina said with a smile.

When Christina looked at me, I nodded.

“Anytime is fine with me.”

“Then, would today be possible?”

Isn’t that too rushed?

Therefore, we decided to depart tomorrow morning.

Today, we would make whatever preparations we could.

“Oh, make sure to bring holy water! Since I made it, it will be useful!”

Christina energetically left.

Though the conversation was over, I didn’t expect her to dash out like that.

“She must be quite looking forward to tomorrow.”

“The Evgenia Church is a religion that not many people know about. Perhaps she wants to make a name for it through this opportunity?”

Nina’s explanation made sense.

She was a young woman who went out preaching almost every day.

I thought she might even go out preaching in her spare time today.

‘I should avoid going to the market area today.’

That nun seemed to usually preach around the market area.

A wise person avoids unnecessary danger.

“By the way, Christina is also registered as an adventurer. She’s E-rank, the same as you.”

“Yes, I heard she was registered as an adventurer.”

“Also, the guild says that if this job is handled satisfactorily, it could lead to a promotion, so do your best.”

That’s welcome news.

To think they’re already talking about raising my rank.

It seems a bit too fast, but there’s nothing wrong with being fast.

Nina smiled and opened the door for me, so I left with her.

‘What items might I need for tomorrow?’

I thought I should also ask Eve about this.

First, I left the room while seeking Nina’s advice.

+

When I arrived at the Lavencha Trading Company, I was immediately guided to Eve’s office.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Kay.”

“Did you expect me to come?”

“Not really.”

I sat down as Eve directed.

When I took off my helmet and set it down, Eve suddenly stared at my face.

“…Your face has recovered a lot, hasn’t it?”

“Has it?”

“Yes.”

Eve said with a smile.

“Did you perhaps visit a church?”

“No. Sera made an ointment and applied it for me, so I think that’s why.”

After I answered, Eve’s expression briefly darkened.

But she quickly smiled again and said:

“It seems Seraphina is taking good care of you.”

“Does it seem that way?”

“Yes.”

Eve took out a bottle from inside her office.

It was the fatigue recovery potion that Sera had shared at the restaurant before.

“This fatigue recovery potion, have you tried it yet?”

“No.”

Come to think of it, I haven’t drunk it yet.

Eve nodded and took out another bottle.

“Then would you like to try this one first?”

Eve tossed me a bottle, which I caught easily with one hand.

I drank it as she suggested.

As soon as I drank it, I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

“…What’s the difference between this and plain water?”

No taste, no smell.

Eve seemed amused by my reaction and laughed.

“That, despite appearances, was made by an alchemist who’s considered mid-tier by the association.”

“Huh.”

‘This is… mid-tier?’

I feel like I’ve been tricked into drinking water labeled as a fatigue recovery potion.

Eve smiled and brought over the bottle Sera had shared.

She poured a very small amount, about half of what was left, into a cup.

“Just try a taste of this.”

“Thank you.”

I took a small sip of the drink in the cup.

As soon as I drank it, I opened my eyes wide in surprise.

‘This…’

It was a taste I had experienced before.

I also felt my mind becoming slightly clearer.

‘It’s definitely pak…’

I couldn’t remember exactly.

But it was definitely the taste of some drink that started with “pak.”

The taste and effect were completely different from the tasteless, odorless water I had drunk earlier.

“So, you can experience the difference in taste and effect, right?”

“The difference is stark.”

Eve took the cup I had drunk from and poured the remaining fatigue recovery potion into it and drank it.

Then she smiled and said:

“Seraphina seems to be quite an extraordinary gem.”

Eve spoke with satisfaction.

“I just learned that she also makes ointments and applies them for you… Your burns, though still far from fully healed, have recovered significantly.”

“I see.”

“At this rate, you’ll soon return to your original face.”

Eve smiled.

“I hope that day comes quickly.”

If Eve says so, it must have improved considerably.

‘I thought it was too scarred for any effect.’

Sera’s diligently made medicine was more impressive than I thought.

I can’t help but feel proud.

“They say you should seize opportunities when they come… but I also feel a bit regretful…”

Eve muttered quietly.

Is she dissatisfied with something?

“Anyway, what I’m saying is that Seraphina is no ordinary alchemist.”

That’s what Eve said.

“Come to think of it, I heard she learned the recipe from her grandmother.”

“Hmm… then Seraphina’s grandmother must have been an amazing alchemist.”

Eve looked slightly pleased.

Her eyes were like someone who had discovered an unknown gem.

Unfortunately, I should tell her before things get awkward.

“When I asked before, Sera said her grandmother passed away a long time ago.”

“Ah…”

Eve showed a slightly surprised expression at my words.

She seemed to have become interested in Sera’s grandmother after hearing about the recipe, but it’s better than letting things get more awkward than they were at the restaurant.

After being lost in thought for a moment, she spoke:

“Then Seraphina is essentially the last disciple of that alchemist.”

“I suppose so.”

Soon, Eve appeared to be thinking about various things.

She sat quietly, lost in thought.

“Sigh…”

Eve sighed softly and lowered her head.

The work seems more difficult than I thought.

“…Take breaks from work when you can.”

“Thank you. Do you happen to know any good massages for fatigue recovery?”

When Eve asked with a smile, I shook my head.

“If I knew such things, I’d be a masseur, not an adventurer.”

“Masseur Kay… I’d like to experience that sometime.”

Eve said with a smile.

Then she cleared her throat and spoke:

“We’ll send a letter to your inn in the near future, so could you make some time for us?”

“You mean for Sera and me?”

“Specifically for Seraphina, but yes.”

“For what purpose?”

Eve smiled and said:

“It’s a secret.”

This woman.

“But I can promise you with certainty that it will be good news for her. I give you my word of honor.”

I nodded since she spoke that way.

If Eve was willing to say that much, it was trustworthy enough.

When I nodded, Eve smiled and said:

“Well, let’s set aside the matter concerning Seraphina for now…”

“Is there something else?”

Eve took a sip of tea.

“Yes.”

-Thud

The teacup was set down quite forcefully.

“Quite, no, very important.”

“What is it?”

I tensed up at Eve’s serious expression.

This was the first time she had spoken so seriously.

“We’ve known each other for quite some time, haven’t we?”

“Yes.”

Eve was one of the people I had known the longest in this world since my arrival, among those who weren’t hostile to me.

In fact, I’ve known her for almost the entire time since coming to this world.

“But I think being so formal and keeping distance isn’t right anymore.”

“Pardon?”

What is this woman talking about?

‘Did she eat something bad recently?’

I was too surprised to say anything, and Eve got up from her seat and sat next to me.

“Don’t you think it’s about time we spoke more comfortably with each other?”

Eve began to bring her face closer to mine.

“What do you think?”

An offer I couldn’t refuse was presented to me.

+

The platinum-haired man was reading a book.

He kept his gaze fixed on it as if determined not to miss a single word.

-Creak

The sound of a door opening came from behind.

“Is that you, Somnus?”

“Yes.”

A man in priestly robes stood behind the platinum-haired man.

“What is it?”

“The attendants we sent to the Mikea Kingdom are dying one after another.”

“That’s nothing new.”

The man spoke without taking his eyes off the book.

“People die anyway.”

The man briefly glanced at his left hand, then returned his gaze to the book.

“I suspect that the escaped test subject might be there.”

“Oh?”

“Even if not, we should investigate why they’re dying.”

The man kept his eyes on the book as he spoke.

“How many test subjects do you think we should dispatch?”

“I was thinking of sending three for reconnaissance.”

“Will you assign a decent administrator from among the priests we spared from the island?”

“Yes.”

“Have you prepared a pretext?”

The priest smiled at the platinum-haired man’s words.

“It’s always ready.”

Looking at the platinum-haired man reading the book, he continued:

“Without chaos, there can be no hero, no story.”

“Indeed.”

The man finally closed the book and closed his eyes.

Seeing him taking a brief rest, the man called Somnus left the room.

After walking for a while, Somnus arrived at a certain knight order headquarters.

It was the headquarters of the recently established Red Holy Knight Order.

Opening the door, one could see that unlike other knight order headquarters, this one was filled with experimental equipment.

Somnus walked straight through without even glancing at the research facilities and sat down in a room labeled “Commander’s Office.”

There, he looked at a roster with names and extended his hand to create a magic circle.

“It’s troublesome to go find them.”

Light emanated from the magic circle and disappeared somewhere.

He then sat comfortably in the chair, passing time.

After a while, the door opened and a priest entered.

“I’ve been waiting, Hudson.”

The man called Somnus smiled brightly.

With a friendly smile, he said:

“The mask you wear to hide your injuries suits you well.”

“Haha…”

The man called Hudson nodded while averting his gaze.

His eyes kept darting toward the door, as if he wanted to escape immediately.

“Wearing only half a mask is surprisingly good. It’s like a unique fashion of the priests belonging to the Red Holy Knight Order. It looks nice.”

Somnus spoke cheerfully.

Hudson began to tremble while clutching his mask.

If anyone had seen other priests in this facility besides Hudson, they would have noticed that all of them wore half masks like him.

“I have an urgent task for you, Hudson.”

“What… kind…”

“You won’t refuse, will you?”

There is no right to refuse.

Hudson lowered his head.

“What… is it?”

“Nothing major.”

Somnus spoke with a smile.

“Just a simple errand.”

With those words, he added as if just remembering:

“Oh yes, it’s a place where a test subject closely related to the face under your mask is believed to be.”

At those words, Hudson became alert.

There was only one such test subject.

“Number 13?”

“I’ll give you the detailed mission later. You’ll be assigned three test subjects.”

“Is that enough?” Somnus asked as he moved his hand to remove Hudson’s mask.

The face beneath the mask was burned and scarred.

“You’ll go, won’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“Please don’t disappoint me.”

Somnus said with a smile.

“It would be difficult for me to skillfully burn the remaining half as well.”

“I will absolutely not disappoint you.”

Hudson answered through gritted teeth.