Ch.62Chapter 62 – Bacon Hunting (1)

“I must be crazy.”

I knew that whenever I drank, I’d immediately black out.

Yet, I went ahead and drank in that situation because of the atmosphere.

It would be nice if it ended there, but there was always something that followed after I drank.

“So, why are you laughing anyway?”

“Who knows?”

Sera was looking at me and laughing.

“Nothing happened. Really.”

Lies.

It was obvious she was trying to hold back her laughter, yet she was still denying it.

Naturally, Eve, who was driving the cart while laughing in front of me, was also quietly chuckling.

“Um, Benefactor. What exactly happened?”

“I don’t know. I really don’t know. I’m telling you, I don’t know.”

I quickly answered Christina, the only one who didn’t know what had happened.

If there’s any silver lining, it’s that Christina had passed out after just one drink, so she didn’t witness whatever embarrassing thing I did.

However, I have a feeling that at this rate, she’ll eventually find out too.

‘I wish they’d just tell me already.’

I was grumbling as I watched Eve and Sera giggling together in front of me.

Show me what you saw.

Please.

“Let me give you a hint.”

Perhaps feeling sorry for me, Sera looked at me and spoke, so I quickly turned my head.

She was still trying to hold back her laughter.

“You were incredibly cute. Really.”

“Cute?”

“Enough that I’d like to see it again?”

What useless things to say.

She was just piquing Christina’s interest without giving any actual important information.

‘That’s too much…’

That was my thought as I watched Sera laughing together with Eve, as if they had absolutely no intention of telling me anything more.

+

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the Lavencha Trading Company.

Looking at the store where employees were busily moving about as usual, Eve smiled with satisfaction and said,

“Fortunately, it seems the situation has been resolved.”

“You can tell just from this?”

“When that person comes, they cause a scene for days demanding to see me, so the employees can’t work with peace of mind.”

“Really?”

If she can tell just from seeing the employees working normally, I wonder just how much of a nuisance that person makes.

Or maybe Eve is speaking harshly because she feels burdened by her family coming to find her?

“It would have been less burdensome if I had just left my post.”

Eve said that, but looking closely, I could see that the employees were full of fatigue.

I seriously doubt that this woman’s absence would have helped the employees.

Whether she knew my thoughts or not, Eve drove the cart toward the trading company.

“Ah, Madam Guild Master.”

An employee who happened to be passing in front of us recognized Eve and greeted her.

He looked really tired.

“Has everyone been well?”

“Yes. We’ve been fine. Just fine, absolutely fine.”

Looking into the employee’s eyes, they were full of resentment.

Eve was just smiling brightly.

“Is Rachel here? I’d like to get a report on what happened while I was away.”

“The Deputy Guild Master said she couldn’t take it anymore and took a vacation.”

“She ran away, I see.”

Eve clicked her tongue slightly.

“Then I’ll have to leave it for next time. Please move these goods to the warehouse and organize them later.”

Eve got off the cart and looked at us.

“Now, let’s go settle accounts for this job.”

“Will that be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

When I asked as I got off the cart, Eve questioned back.

“The employees and such. Don’t you need to take care of them?”

“Shall we go inside?”

Eve cut off my words sharply and went inside.

“She ran away.”

I looked at the employee who was staring resentfully at where Eve had been.

“What is it?”

“…You have it tough.”

“…Thank you.”

I entered the store, leaving behind the employee who was normally grumbling about not bringing family drama to work.

+

“This is your payment for this job.”

It’s important not to forget that although we said we were going for a rest, it was officially work.

At the beginning when we set out, we were able to relax and enjoy the festival, but from then until our return, we were on edge due to the attackers, so it would be fair to say it was half rest and half work.

Anyway, since it was an official request through the guild, Eve had an obligation to pay me, and I had the right to receive the money.

“It’s quite heavy. Is it really okay for me to take this much?”

“That statement is underestimating me too much. And just selling the wines we brought back would earn several times this amount.”

What’s that?

That’s a scam.

Reading my expression, Eve smiled and said,

“So don’t feel burdened and accept it. It’s the fair reward for your labor.”

“If you say so.”

After all, she’s giving me money, so why should I refuse?

I’ll gratefully accept it.

While I was talking with Eve, I could see Sera and Christina looking at each other in surprise as they stared at the money pouch.

“By the way, aren’t you going to count the contents?”

“It’s you. I’m sure it’s not wrong.”

“I appreciate your trust.”

In truth, it would be better to count it carefully, but I didn’t feel the need to.

I didn’t think Eve would mishandle this or try to deceive me.

“Well then, until next time.”

“Yes, see you next time.”

After saying that, Eve glanced briefly at Sera and Christina, then moved a little closer to me.

Then she placed one hand on each of my shoulders and came in close.

“Come visit often, okay?”

“I will.”

Eve smiled and moved away from me.

+

Christina muttered in disbelief as she looked at the money pouch.

“I didn’t know we could earn this much.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. With this much, we could have a feast with plenty of meat for at least one meal…”

I could see Christina wiping her mouth as if she was already drooling.

“What are you going to do now, Christina?”

“Since I’ve been away from the church for a while, I need to catch up on my work and make donations.”

“Donations? From this job’s payment?”

In response to my question, Christina smiled and said,

“Even with just a quarter of this amount, I can live comfortably for several days.”

Of course, unlike us who have to pay for lodging, Christina already had a place to stay.

“Then I’ll head back first. I’ll probably have to take my turn with meal duty.”

“Take care, Chris.”

“See you next time, Sera.”

After saying that, Christina turned toward the market.

She probably planned to do some shopping before going back.

“What should we do now?”

“First, we should go to the inn and let them know we’re back.”

“That sounds good. By the way, should we eat out tonight?”

“Sure. We did receive a decent payment for the job.”

I headed toward the inn while chatting with Sera.

I thought that at least for today, there wouldn’t be any more troublesome matters.

And when I stepped into the inn, I realized that thought had been naive.

“Long time no see.”

One of that crazy duo, Asam, was leisurely drinking tea at the inn.

+

“What’s your purpose?”

I said this while moving my hand to my sword hilt, with the intention of cutting her down if necessary.

The opponent was a mage from the Magic Tower.

If she tried anything, I needed to subdue her first.

And I could see Sera slightly extending her staff, focusing as well.

Asam smiled slightly at this.

“Hmm, that young lady seems quite skilled with magic.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re preparing Magic Missile, right? The completion is quite good.”

Asam said this as she put down her teacup.

Then she raised both hands.

“I surrender. I surrender.”

“What?”

“I didn’t come here to fight you. I’m against violence. Peace is the best.”

Asam said this and then lowered her hands again.

She’s already surrendering without me accepting it. Should I just cut her down?

“I’m just here to deliver a message from the Master.”

“Is it about the compensation?”

“Regarding that, we have something we’ve investigated.”

Asam smiled slightly and said,

“Didn’t you have a separate purpose for coming to our Magic Tower anyway? It was about analyzing the jewel found in the ossuary recently, wasn’t it?”

“So you knew.”

“The news itself was delivered to the Magic Tower.”

Asam waved her hand once.

Then, a piece of paper appeared in the air.

“I saw your name and a few others listed on the Zeolei Order’s roster.”

Snatching the paper to look at it, I could indeed see my name along with Sera, Eve, and Christina’s names written in Ludger’s handwriting.

When I asked to be taken to the Magic Tower last time, he had agreed, and it seems that was recorded on a list that was passed to them.

“…So?”

“Since the Magic Tower itself isn’t very fond of outsiders, the Master said we should discuss the compensation issue together at that time.”

Asam said this and waved her hand again.

This time a letter appeared and flew toward me, which I caught.

‘…Is this handwritten?’

There were two types of letters, each enclosed in green and purple envelopes.

Following Asam’s cue to read them, I handed one to Sera temporarily and read mine.

Inside, as Asam had said, there was a message about discussing compensation when the jewel was transferred from the Order to the Magic Tower, along with an apology.

“…I don’t mind as long as there’s a guarantee of payment.”

“That’s good. Our Master is quite strict and would never withhold compensation.”

“Is that all you came for? If you’re done, I’d like you to leave now.”

Asam shook her head at my words.

“I’m sorry, but I have one more purpose.”

“What purpose is that?”

In response to Sera’s question, Asam smiled slightly.

“Our Magic Tower has decided to entrust you with a request.”

“A request?”

“Of course, we’ll pay you. Provided you complete it successfully.”

As Asam waved her hand, this time a white letter with decorations appeared.

Sera caught it and opened it slightly.

“…It’s real.”

I read the request that Sera handed to me.

It was a request to hunt a monster, nothing special.

“It’s a request to hunt a Bycon. They need its horn.”

Asam said with a smile.

“A mage will be waiting there to help you, so please make sure to go.”

“What if I refuse?”

“The Master said they’ll keep sending me until you accept, and if that doesn’t work, they’ll send Beatrice too.”

“Damn it.”

In a way, that’s an excellent threat.

I certainly don’t want to see that crazy duo again, nor do I want to sour relations with the Magic Tower itself.

There’s a saying about having to swallow a bitter pill.

I may dislike Beatrice and Asam, but I can’t afford to ruin my relationship with the Magic Tower.

Reluctantly, I had to accept the request that Asam was offering.

“By the way, this place seems quite far, so just traveling there and back will take quite some time.”

“Don’t worry about transportation.”

Asam said with a smile.

“Here, the Master told me to give you this.”

“What is this?”

“A rolled-up paper.”

It was what people commonly call a scroll.

“Should I explain how to activate it?”

“I’m asking what this is.”

“So we’re starting from there.”

She sighed and smiled slightly. No, she was probably smirking.

“It’s a Warp Scroll. Quite a powerful one. When you tear it, it will connect you to the mage at the location.”

“A warp, huh.”

“One for going, one for returning. They’re damn expensive, so don’t lose them. Try to depart within two days if possible.”

Asam said this and tidied up her things.

“How do I receive the payment?”

“Submit it at the contact point and receive it.”

After saying that, Asam stood up.

“Well, I’ll be going now. Honestly, we don’t have the best relationship, do we?”

“You know that well.”

Smiling slightly, Asam rose from her seat.

“Then, take care.”

And then she gracefully opened the door and disappeared.

Looking at the place where she had vanished, I grumbled quietly.

“Never a dull moment.”

“By the way, if it’s a Bycon, you’ll need to make some preparations.”

Sera said.

“We should prepare the necessary items first.”

“Indeed.”

I have all my weapons, and we probably won’t need food.

But we’ll need to gather people.

‘Let’s take care of the important thing first.’

I quietly looked at Sera.

“Sera.”

“Yes?”

Sera looked at me.

I quietly pointed to the kitchen.

“Go get some salt from in there.”

+

“It seems we’ve failed.”

Somnus said this and then brushed his hair back once.

Perhaps due to fatigue, his hair was starting to fall out a bit.

“No, perhaps it’s just my age.”

He muttered this and went outside.

Passing through a corridor full of experimental equipment, he headed toward the training ground.

More precisely, he was heading toward a balcony overlooking the training ground.

When he arrived there, a platinum-haired man was looking down below.

“I’ve kept you waiting.”

“The operation?”

“Unfortunately, it seems to have failed.”

Somnus spoke casually.

“I don’t care about the other materials, but we need to get that particular material from that girl.”

“Why did it fail this time?”

“Between Hudson’s incident and everything else, in my opinion…”

Somnus smiled slightly and said,

“It seems that No. 13 is with that girl.”

“Is the girl commanding No. 13?”

“I doubt it. No. 13 has its own will, after all. Perhaps it’s protecting her of its own volition? Or if not that, maybe it’s simply luck that she met No. 13, who has a grudge against us.”

Somnus took a breath and then spoke again.

“That girl has such good luck that we should factor in such coincidences.”

“Is the tracking still ongoing?”

“Yes.”

The man remained silent for a moment.

“Continue tracking, and let’s observe the situation for now.”

“That would be better.”

“How about the other side?”

At his question, as if it were good news, Somnus smiled broadly.

“Rejoice. It seems they’ve taken the bait we’ve laid.”

“That’s good news.”

“Though the timing isn’t certain.”

“Mikea Kingdom is on their path anyway.”

The man spoke in a voice devoid of emotion.

“They’ll come up destroying everything in their path, so I don’t think I’ll be late.”

“Indeed.”

Somnus said with a smile.

“You plan to go yourself then, Lord Idea?”

“Yes.”

The man called Idea briefly put his hand in his chest.

“If I miss this too, people around me will complain.”

From his perspective, it wasn’t a big deal, but he didn’t particularly enjoy being bothered.

It’s better to keep things quiet in advance than to deal with the noise later.

“I suppose so.”

Somnus bowed politely.

“Then, I’ll go ahead and prepare.”

“Where are you going?”

“As it happens, our young Saint needs to go to the Mikea Kingdom.”

Somnus said with a smile.

“That means she’s going abroad.”

“I heard she’s going to give a blessing.”

“Is that so.”

Idea briefly looked at the sky.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s not particularly useful anyway.”

Snow began to fall slowly.

“Are you cold?”

“Not at all.”

Idea turned his expressionless eyes to Somnus.

Somnus bowed politely.

“I’ll contact you when I think it’s an appropriate time for you to depart.”

“Very well.”

Like melting into the scenery, Somnus disappeared.