Ch.45Chapter 45: Vampire (1)

The tanned, chubby merchant Lamrpo.

“It’s been a while. Have you been well?”

Lamrpo’s face, though tanned, has grown even plumper than before.

For some reason, Valt was reminded of Jeju black pork.

“Oh my, indeed!! It’s all thanks to you, Prince!!”

It seems his dealings with Gerungtu went well.

Valt smiles and asks Lamrpo about how he’s been.

“So, tell me about it. How did things go?”

“Of course, Prince! After that, what happened was!!”

After receiving Valt’s greatsword, Lamrpo headed straight to Gerungtu, thinking there was no reason to delay.

He even used teleport to get there.

After that, everything went smoothly.

While there were certainly merchants who quickly heard about the opening of trade, few acted as swiftly as Lamrpo.

With Valt’s greatsword in hand, Lamrpo was even able to meet Kwan.

“So, my son was indebted to you?”

“Oh no, it’s the opposite. Lord Kwan, I am the one who received great favor from the Prince.”

After hearing Lamrpo’s story, Kwan asked with satisfaction.

“So you provided him with magic-related items? And that Valt fellow even used magic?”

“Y-yes, that’s correct, Lord Kwan!”

“Hahahahaha!!! You shall get what you desire.”

And so, Lamrpo became the first merchant to establish a trade route with Gerungtu, guaranteed by Kwan.

“Hmm, that’s good. So what brings you here today?”

Lamrpo smiles and holds something out.

“Here’s an Imperial Bank account and the trading profits! We’ve already completed two transactions! I wanted to come sooner after the first deal, but Lord Kwan had some requests, so I apologize for the delay!”

“Don’t worry about it. I appreciate it.”

When Valt checks the account, the amount is no joke.

“Is this amount correct?”

Startled, Lamrpo begins to explain in detail.

“Y-yes, it is! It’s absolutely not a small amount! If I, Lamrpo, were to play tricks with Your Highness’s profits, my family would be cursed for five generations!! Prince, I am not that kind of unscrupulous merchant!”

Valt had asked because it was too much, but Lamrpo misunderstood and started making excuses.

It seems Valt won’t have to worry much about money anymore.

Something occurs to Valt, and he asks Lamrpo a question.

“Lamrpo, do you happen to know what vampires like? I want to give a gift.”

Surprised by the mention of vampires, Lamrpo asks back.

“Vampires, you say? Prince, are you planning to go to Brasov?”

“Yes, I have business there. I need to get friendly with a vampire.”

Lamrpo, with a merchant’s blood flowing through his veins, says to Valt with gleaming eyes.

“I’ve heard some rumors!! Just a moment! Please wait a moment, Prince Valt!”

Then Lamrpo waddles off somewhere in a hurry.

***

Finally, the day of departure.

Friends have gathered to report on the completion of the request.

Lisa notices Valt and looks surprised.

“Huh? Valt, you don’t have any luggage?”

“I do.”

Tap-tap-

Where Valt tapped, there was a ring-shaped spatial pouch. It seems to be a gift from Lamrpo.

‘I got an inventory. Very nice.’

Naturally, spatial pouches are extremely expensive and rare items.

But good materials for making them come from the south.

Further south in the south. There’s a bug monster called a Trap Swarm that lives in the desert. It’s a strange monster that can swallow prey larger than its own body.

They can be made with other materials too, but spatial pouches made with the Trap Swarm’s magic stone as a base have a larger capacity.

It’s because spatial magic applies better to them.

Anyway, besides spatial pouches, the Trap Swarm’s carcass has many uses and will keep Gerungtu’s coffers full for a while.

Of course, there are many other things to sell from the south.

“Wow~ You bought a spatial pouch! I bought one too, but mine doesn’t have such a large capacity.”

That means the budget version has limited space.

Lamrpo must be quite capable. Even with the materials, it’s not something that can be made so quickly.

“Well, everyone seems to be here. Let’s depart.”

At Valt’s declaration, Lisa excitedly shouts.

“Let’s gooo!!”

The group follows Valt, who leads the way.

Their first destination is Westnor. They plan to find lodging there, and then Valt will travel to Brasov.

The Grade 4 request Valt chose is monster subjugation.

The Great Forest is home to an enormous number of terrifying monsters.

Although elves, beastkin, and vampires are said to live in the Great Forest, they only inhabit the outskirts.

Even though it’s just the outskirts, the Neldores Great Forest makes even decent adventurers and mercenaries wary.

That’s why monsters appear very, very frequently. As a result, Harkback and Westmore, which are close to the Great Forest, are always overflowing with monster subjugation requests.

Valt accepted a monster subjugation request between Westmore and the Great Forest.

Yuria nods as she checks the request.

“Hmm, we need to hunt various creatures? Let’s see, Javelin Wasps, One-Horned Beasts, Stamp Boars.”

Robin shows a pleased expression at Yuria’s words.

“It’s been a while since I’ve hunted. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Robin, have you been to the Great Forest before?”

“No, it’s my first time.”

Yuria smirks and perks up her ears.

“Those are all danger level 4 beasts, but don’t underestimate the Great Forest, okay? They’re not the only things living there.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Yuria.”

The group arrives at the teleport station and instantly moves to Westmore.

***

Since the distance is quite far, they can’t move in one go and arrive quickly at Westmore after three transfers.

Lisa is the most excited, as usual.

“Wooow!! It feels so different from the Empire!”

This place is not the Empire. Nor is it another kingdom.

More precisely, it’s a territory jointly managed by the Western Kingdom Alliance.

Due to its proximity to the Great Forest and frequent monster appearances, it was deemed difficult to place all responsibility on a single country.

Rather, it would be burdensome for one nation to hold the territory.

Therefore, Westmore is managed by a representative elected by the Western Kingdom Alliance. And they’ve revitalized the territory through numerous requests.

Many people, whether adventurers or mercenaries, seek work in Westmore or Harkback.

It’s common sense that when there are many people, a territory naturally develops.

While it’s not the imperial capital, this is an incredibly populous and vibrant city.

Valt grabs Lisa by the scruff of her neck as she darts around in all directions.

“No time to play. Lisa, unpack first, then you can have fun.”

“Oh, okay.”

Since they teleported, it’s early morning. Valt had no intention of wasting time.

“Our party will check the request at the Adventurer’s Guild and move out immediately.”

Robin and Yuria show their agreement.

“Understood, Valt.”

“Sounds good~!”

Valt instructs Victor.

“Victor, take good care of the kids. Meet the client first and start with finding the cat. That way you can join us later.”

“Yes, brother!”

***

After unpacking at a suitable inn, Valt, Robin, and Yuria headed to the Adventurer’s Guild.

However, the receptionist makes a troubled expression.

“Hmm… there are some strange rumors going around. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Strange rumors?”

The receptionist speaks quietly.

“It’s not confirmed… but there are reports that the number of monsters has increased. It’s not a huge difference, but it could be a bit dangerous, so I thought I should mention it.”

Robin smiles reassuringly at the receptionist.

“It’s alright, lady. We’re quite strong.”

“Oh my.”

Valt nods and urges the group.

“Then let’s depart.”

They quickly run along the road leading from Westmore territory to the Great Forest.

“Yuria, can I leave the forest guidance to you?”

“Of course~! Just trust me!”

Even while running quickly, the three aren’t out of breath at all. Robin manipulates his armlet and explains to Valt.

“There’s a medium-sized village between the Great Forest and the road. Since Valt’s goal involves vampires, it might be good to visit this village. There are rumors that the villagers have connections with vampires.”

“Where did you get this information?”

Robin answers with an embarrassed smile.

“Haha, the receptionist was quite friendly.”

She must have a thing for muscular handsome men.

“Good, let’s check out the village first.”

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud-

The sound of Valt’s heavy footsteps resonates across the land.

***

“Is this the place?”

While it’s certainly a medium-sized village, there are no people in sight.

“This is strange. I was told over 300 people live here… This is…”

“It’s too quiet. Did everyone go on a trip or something?”

Valt looks around and waves his hands to spread mana.

Woong-

Woong-

Hwoong-

Then he quietly chants.

“Detect Mana.”

Though it’s just a 1st circle spell that detects mana at a distance, his enormous magical power spreads instantly, extending beyond the normal range of a 1st circle spell.

Valt realized two days ago that waving his hands helps spread mana quickly.

And his sharp barbarian senses could achieve decent detection with just the 1st circle Detect Mana, without needing 3rd or 4th circle spells like View Mana Force.

Just then, Valt’s mana catches something. It was a very faint reaction that would be difficult to notice without senses as keen as Valt’s.

“Hmm?”

Valt quickly moves to where he felt something.

It’s a well.

“There’s something in here. Light.”

Flash!!

An incredibly bright light emanates from Valt’s hand, almost blinding.

“Ugh! V-Valt, could you please lower the brightness!”

“Hmm, sorry.”

But even with that strong light, they can’t properly see into the deep well.

Just as he decides to go down and check…

He realizes the well is too narrow.

Neither Valt nor Robin can fit inside.

Yuria is also 2 meters tall. Though slender, a 2-meter frame can’t fit into a well.

The three look flustered at this unexpected obstacle.

“Wh-what do we do? I never thought we’d need Lisa or Lati!”

After pondering for a moment, Valt says.

“There’s a way.”

‘Please, Noum. Pull the ground up.’

‘Under…stood. I’ll…go.’

Plop-plop-plop.

Noum floats down into the well, and soon Valt can feel Noum lifting the ground with a grinding sound.

Rumble-rumble-rumble-

“Kya, kyaaaah!”

A scream that sounds like a young girl comes from inside the well.

Finally, a girl emerges from the well and lands on her bottom.

Thump-

“Eek!”

Hair as black as ebony, eyes like red jewels, and sharp fangs visible when she screams.

Meeting one so quickly.

Valt reveals his white teeth in a wide grin.

“You’re a vampire, aren’t you.”