Ch.63Chapter 63 – Bacon Hunting (2)

“I suppose having comrades is necessary after all.”

“I agree.”

At dawn, I headed to the guild early with Sera.

“Bicorn is a dangerous magical beast.”

“Do you know how dangerous it is?”

“It’s probably more dangerous than the centipede you caught before, Kei.”

More dangerous than that giant centipede, huh.

“Why is it so dangerous?”

“They say it’s because it’s a monster that can use magical power. Apparently, it can use something like magic.”

“…That sounds quite dangerous.”

I’m reminded of what happened at the magic tower.

I remember seeing something suddenly manipulate gravity.

If the Bicorn is at that level, honestly, there’s a higher chance I won’t be able to handle it alone.

“But in the end, it’s still a beast, so they say it’s not that impressive.”

“So it might be weaker than expected?”

“I’m not sure if ‘weak’ is the right word when it can use something like magic.”

Since I can’t use magic at all, I don’t really know what standard of “not impressive” we’re talking about.

“Then I’ll need to prepare well, keeping in mind that it uses magic.”

Of course, there’s very little someone who knows nothing about magic can prepare, but still.

“Since there are mages in the area, don’t you think they might accompany us or give us good advice?”

“I’m not exactly in the best standing with mages right now.”

What if we go there and meet someone crazy like Beatrice who’s on the verge of crossing the line?

I only know about four mages, and two of them were strange ones, so that worry comes first.

“We should prepare everything we can before going.”

“Do you know anything else about it?”

When I hear “Bicorn,” all I can think of is a horse with two horns, nothing more.

I know unicorns have one horn and are virgin-chasers, but that’s about it.

Soon, Sera began to answer.

“Well, I know that alchemists also seek its horns, and that it likes impure and corrupt things…”

If it’s material the magic tower wants, then alchemists want it too, I see.

“…Other than that, I don’t know much.”

“I see.”

It’s disappointing, but what can I do if she doesn’t know?

I’ll need to gather information from elsewhere.

And while I’m at it, gather some people too.

“Anyway, it would be better to have more people.”

“I agree.”

Having arrived at the guild, we looked at each other before opening the door.

Inside, as expected, Nina, the guild’s female employee, was working.

“Welcome, Kei.”

“It’s been a while.”

I greeted her with a smile as I approached.

+

“I’m sorry, but they’ve left on an escort mission and probably won’t be back for two weeks.”

Nina said apologetically.

“Talk about bad timing.”

After briefly explaining to Nina about the magic tower’s request and the Bicorn, I asked if the Haven party was around.

It had been quite a while since I’d seen them, but they were the first adventurers that came to mind.

I thought I might be able to get some information about the Bicorn from them, but no luck.

“Then, do you have any information about the Bicorn?”

“Well, I know it can use something like magic, and that mages and alchemists often seek its horns.”

Same as Sera.

Is it not a well-known monster?

‘Nothing to gain here.’

Thinking that, I was about to turn around when Sera came into view.

I should ask her now.

“By the way, Nina. I have a question.”

“What is it?”

“Are there cases where crimes are requested of adventurers?”

“I can’t say there aren’t.”

Nina answered firmly.

However, her expression was a bit stern.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Basically, the guild doesn’t accept requests related to crimes. They’re not even recognized as achievements. Only official guild requests are reflected in an adventurer’s record.”

Nina spoke without a hint of humor.

“But since people who become adventurers are primarily motivated by money, there are quite a few cases where someone offers a huge sum behind the scenes to request a crime.”

“I see.”

“As a guild receptionist, let me give you a small warning, Kei.”

Nina’s expression changed to one of slight concern.

“No matter how much money someone offers, please don’t commit crimes. If there’s evidence that a guild-affiliated adventurer committed a crime on request, the guild immediately puts out a bounty across the entire kingdom.”

Nina paused briefly before continuing.

“And if there’s suspicion that you, Kei, have committed a crime, I would personally be very sad. So please don’t accept any requests related to crimes.”

Judging by Nina’s expression, she seemed worried that I might have received a criminal request.

Her tone and expression were calm, but her eyes were trembling slightly.

“Thank you for your concern.”

It might be impolite, but her going out of her way to advise me on something I could have ignored must be her own way of showing concern.

“Can’t be helped. Then to Christina… What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it’s nothing.”

I asked Sera because she was glaring slightly at Nina, but she strongly denied it.

Meanwhile, Nina was looking our way, smiling and gesturing for us to go.

Just as I was about to wave goodbye to Nina.

Sera pulled me away.

“Let’s go to Chris quickly.”

“Oh, okay.”

Usually we leave slowly, but for some reason she’s pulling me and trying to leave quickly.

Her expression was also a bit dark.

I wonder why she’s acting like this.

+

“I’m so sorry!”

Christina also informed us of her inability to participate.

“Actually, there’s something being prepared at the church, so I think I need to help.”

“Preparation?”

“Yes, winter is approaching soon.”

Christina explained apologetically.

“The churches are gathering for a prayer festival.”

“Prayer festival?”

“It’s an event where we pray to get through winter well.”

Sera explained, and Christina nodded.

I see.

“Sounds like a big event.”

“It’s big in size, but it’s more of an event just for the churches.”

“Anyway, since our order is participating, I need to prepare various things like flyers… there’s a lot to do, so skipping it is a bit…”

It seemed she was feeling conscious about being away for an extended period while traveling with us.

I don’t think those church people would mind that much, but it seemed Christina herself was feeling self-conscious and wanted to stay.

“I’m sorry, my benefactor.”

“No, it’s okay. Can’t be helped.”

Christina kept bowing her head, saying she was sorry.

“Then, do you know anything about the Bicorn?”

“It’s an impure magical beast. Unlike unicorns, I’ve heard that if a pure virgin approaches it, it will try to impale and kill them with its horn.”

Finally, some new information, different from what we’ve heard so far.

Whether it’s useful or not is another matter.

“Anything else? Like weaknesses?”

“I mentioned it’s an impure magical beast, right? It strongly dislikes holy power.”

“Holy power, huh.”

So having Christina would be perfect.

But Christina can’t participate.

What should I do?

“Benefactor, when are you planning to depart?”

“I was thinking of using a warp scroll tomorrow morning.”

“Then I have a good idea.”

Christina smiled.

“Could you lend me your arrows for a while? About 30 or fewer?”

“I don’t mind, but why?”

“I’ll bless the arrows for you.”

Christina smiled, clasping her hands together.

“Arrows imbued with holy power might not be as effective as against undead or ghosts, but they should still deal significant damage.”

“Have you ever caught one before?”

“I’ve seen one when I was younger.”

As I handed over my quiver, she took it and said:

“I’ll bring it to your inn by tonight.”

“No, I can just come tomorrow morning…”

“No. I should be going with you, but I’m not participating due to personal circumstances. I’ll bring it to you.”

Christina insisted firmly, with her hands in prayer.

“Then can you come before dinner? So we can eat together.”

“Ah, that’s…”

Christina looked around awkwardly for a moment.

“…It will probably be after dinner before they’re all done. Let’s eat together next time.”

“Can’t be helped.”

I nodded and turned around.

“Sera?”

Somehow, Sera was holding both of Christina’s hands.

“…Thank you, Chris.”

“It’s nothing. See you next time, Sera.”

They seem to have something only they know about, as they’re even shaking hands.

“Well, let’s go.”

“Um, Sera?”

Just like at the guild earlier, Sera grabbed me and forcibly pulled me out.

Leaving Christina waving and saying goodbye, we left the church.

And Sera pulled me into some alley.

“Now what do we do.”

Since even old man Ludger was far away now, there was no one left to go with us.

“I didn’t realize I had so little influence.”

“It’s just bad timing.”

Sera said gently.

“I suppose Eve is out of the question?”

“Eve is a merchant, not an adventurer.”

“That’s true.”

Sera smiled slightly.

So it seems this request will be just the two of us.

The only preparation we have now is the arrows Christina will bless.

‘Well, there wasn’t much information to prepare properly anyway.’

I don’t know if it’s because of its high danger level or rarity, but there’s not much information.

Only after meeting Christina, who’s from the church, did we learn that it dislikes holy power.

“I wonder if there’s anything else we should bring…”

“Would you like to come to my workshop?”

“Workshop?”

“Yes. To gather some tools as well.”

It was Sera’s workshop that she got through her contract with Eve.

I had never been there before.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Sera smiled and led the way.

We walked quietly through the alleyways.

It seemed quite far from Christina’s church, as we walked for quite a while before arriving at a small building.

“Here it is. My workshop.”

Sera smiled and opened the door with a key she took out.

“Oh…”

The first thing that caught my eye was the huge cauldron Sera used to carry around, followed by firewood and orange stones in boxes.

Sera smiles and explains:

“Those are ignition stones. After a certain process, they become stones that can make fire stronger.”

“Really?”

Curious, I picked up an orange stone, and Sera smiled and said:

“By the way, they can also be bomb materials.”

“Bombs?”

Thinking it might be dangerous, I quickly put it down, and Sera smiled slightly.

‘Are they really bomb materials?’

I wanted to think Sera was just teasing me, but as if reading my mind, she brought out some black spheres from inside.

“These are bombs made by mixing ignition stone powder and gunpowder.”

“…So you really had bombs.”

Sera threw one to me, which I caught in panic.

Fortunately, it didn’t explode.

“Is it okay to handle them like this?”

“They only explode when lit.”

So she threw it knowing it wouldn’t explode.

Looking closely, there’s something like a string sticking out slightly.

The black coating makes it look exactly like a bomb.

And Sera brought out a box full of these bombs.

“…You made a lot.”

“Yes. I sometimes get requests from the Alchemist Association.”

Sera said with a smile.

“They’re mainly used in places like mines. I’ve had a lot of requests recently, so I made quite a few.”

So this workshop is currently overflowing with explosives.

As she holds bombs in both hands and starts explaining each one proudly, this girl starts to look less like an alchemist and more like a bomb specialist.

“This should work on the Bicorn too, right?”

“…Let’s put those down and gather some medicine first.”

When I cautiously suggested that, Sera put down the bombs with slight disappointment.

Soon after, Sera brought out boxes from one corner of her workshop.

As she laid them out on the floor one by one, I could see what looked like potions, powders in small leather pouches, and what appeared to be minerals.

There were also a few of those bead-like things containing medicine that I had asked for before.

“I’ll take this and that… and bombs too…”

“The bombs, well…”

“Just in case.”

I tried to dissuade her subtly, but failed.

I’ll just have to trust that Sera knows how to handle them.

“Besides bombs, have you made anything else recently?”

“Yes. I’ve made many things Eve asked for.”

Sera smiled and showed me a potion.

As she opened the lid, she said:

“For example, perfumes like this.”

“Really?”

“She requested it as a product. She asked if I could make something like water with a nice fragrance.”

Sera smiled slightly, saying she hadn’t delivered it yet.

Beyond that, I thought Eve must be making quite a profit selling these kinds of products she commissions from Sera.

“Is this enough to take with us? Mainly medicines and such? We might get hurt.”

“That’s right.”

Though the risk of injury increased significantly the moment we decided to bring bombs.

Anyway, since we’re fighting an unknown monster, we could get seriously hurt.

It’s not a bad idea to bring mostly medicines and various other supplies.

Given the rumors that it can use magic, anything could happen.

‘Magic, huh.’

“By the way, Sera. Can you make something that interferes with magic?”

“That would be quite difficult…”

Sera said with a troubled expression.

“Honestly, I have no idea how to block magic.”

“I see.”

“I’ve heard there are stones with properties that absorb magical power. They’re occasionally distributed to the magic tower for experiments, I think?”

I thought if we had something like that, it might help against the Bicorn’s magic.

But if we don’t have it, we don’t have it.

We continued chatting as we gathered our supplies.

“I think we’ve gathered as much as we can.”

“It seems so. We should be able to treat even serious injuries.”

Sera said with a smile.

“Still, try not to get hurt. Scars might remain.”

Sera quietly reached out her hand.

It touched my helmet.

I think I understand what she was thinking when she said that.

“I’ll apply ointment when we get back.”

“No, I can apply it myself…”

“You don’t apply it thoroughly.”

Sera said with a wry smile.

It’s true that sometimes I get lazy and apply it carelessly, but I didn’t realize she’d noticed.

Feeling awkward, I changed the subject.

“Did your grandmother teach you about all these things here?”

“I’ve modified some things or come up with ideas myself, but most of the basics, yes.”

Sera took something out from her chest.

Her grandmother’s journal, was it?

“Grandmother was truly an excellent alchemist.”

She said quietly, staring at the journal for a long time.

+

The next day arrived.

Having prepared everything from the previous day, Sera and I took our positions in an open space.

“They said to tear it.”

“Um, just to be safe, is it okay if I stick close to you?”

Sera said, looking slightly anxious.

“If I don’t hold onto you the moment you tear it, and we can’t go together, that would be troublesome, right?”

“That’s true.”

I was mainly carrying weapons, while Sera had my halberd, her staff, and our luggage.

It would be problematic if one of us got left behind or if we got separated.

“Then hold on tight.”

“Yes.”

After I said that, Sera wrapped both her hands around my arm.

It was a similar position to what Eve had done before.

As a result, I felt a heavy and soft sensation on my arm.

Trying to divert my consciousness from my arm, I looked at Sera.

“Ready to tear it?”

“Yes.”

Mental preparations were complete.

After nodding to each other, I carefully tore the scroll.