Chapter 38: Natural Change #4

Chapter 38: Natural Change #4

“Oh, what’s that?”

Flora pointed to a corner of the gambling den.

A large wall was densely covered with small folded notes.

The number of notes exceeded thousands, making it impossible to count them all.

Next to it, a crow was barely suppressing its yawn, enduring its boredom.

“It’s a prize draw, just ignore it. You only get duds anyway.”

Mitchell waved her hand dismissively.

It’s known as the ‘Garden Lottery’.

It’s a simple gamble where you draw one note out of 9999 to aim for the first prize.

And, as Mitchell said, most of them are duds.

Even second or third prizes are rarely awarded.

The probability of getting anything other than a dud is only about 0.002%.

It’s a scheme to extract even the loose change from the pockets of customers who have been fleeced by gambling.

However, I was aiming for precisely this.

The reason I came to the gambling den.

The first prize, the 「Necklace of Reflection」.

It’s an artifact boasting the highest defensive performance in “Nine Stars”.

A treasure of immeasurable value lay hidden in a corner of a shabby gambling den on the continent’s frontier.

“Mitchell.”

“Yeah, what is it, kid?”

I whispered quietly into Mitchell’s ear.

“If you could see inside the notes, couldn’t we just pick out the first prize?”

“Hey- if that were possible, everyone would do it… Ah?”

Mitchell’s expression changed drastically.

The advanced rune, 「Thousand-Mile Sight」, imbued in my glove.

Mitchell herself had personally experienced the power of that foresight, which penetrates all things.

As if sensing what I was about to say, Mitchell narrowed her eyes.

“⋯Come to think of it, you had that kind of trick. If it works, it might be possible. No, it’s bound to work.”

“But I need your help. I have to scan all those notes with Thousand-Mile Sight. If we take too long, we might arouse suspicion.”

“Leave that to me.”

We quickly devised a plan and approached the crow.

“How much is it to draw once?”

“One hundred gold.”

“It’s cheaper than I thought. Shall we each draw ten?”

Mitchell and I exchanged a subtle glance and stood before the notes.

I didn’t give Flora specific instructions and let her draw as she pleased.

It’s more natural to let her do as she pleases.

If I force her to act, she’ll only become more awkward.

“I wonder if anything good will come out.”

Mitchell feigned nonchalance.

Thanks to Mitchell buying time, I had the opportunity to examine the notes.

‘No time to be complacent.’

I immediately focused my Thousand-Mile Sight power into my eyes.

I looked into the sea of paper densely plastered on the wall.

Dud, dud, dud⋯.

A feast of hundreds, thousands of duds continued.

The word ‘dud’ was practically etched into my retina.

I quickly scanned the papers, saving even the time it took to blink.

‘One for now.’

I drew one note.

Second prize, 「Empire’s Greaves of Swift Assault」.

It’s a superior leg armor imbued with the intermediate rune 「Gale Kick」.

It greatly increases the power of kicking attacks, making it a core item for Mitchell.

‘Now I need to find the first prize.’

There’s no need to collect all the prizes.

The other prizes aren’t that valuable, and more importantly, it would arouse too much suspicion.

Drawing one first prize and one second prize is already suspicious enough.

Greed is not good.

“Ahem, ahem. How is it, kid?”

Mitchell cleared her throat and looked at me.

She meant, ‘Did you find the first prize?’

I subtly shook my head.

“Well, there’s no need to rush, right? Let’s pick carefully.”

Mitchell once again drew the crow’s attention.

However, if we take too long, the crow will also find it suspicious.

My mana for maintaining Thousand-Mile Sight was also gradually depleting.

I maintained my concentration and carefully examined the notes again.

And finally.

‘Found it.’

I discovered the first prize note stuck in a corner.

It was cunningly hidden behind other notes, making it difficult to draw.

“I’ve chosen mine.”

I filled the rest with random duds and discreetly signaled Mitchell.

“Shall we open them then?”

We opened the notes one by one in front of the crow.

“Wow! That’s amazing, it’s the second prize! ⋯Huh? Huh? Wait, what is this?”

The crow’s voice trembled.

The gambling establishment would have been shocked even with just the second prize, but now they’ve drawn the first prize too.

“No⋯ what is this⋯.”

“First prize? Then what do they give? A travel voucher or something?”

“They say they give a necklace. That’s great- we’re lucky, aren’t we?”

Mitchell and I chuckled and played along.

The crow, with a dazed expression, brought out the prizes.

But in the midst of that.

“Wow! I won too! Third prize- Yay-“

Flora, who had won the third prize, the 「Elixir of Recovery」, purely by luck.

As expected, her luck is extraordinary.

***

「Necklace of Reflection

-Accessory Item

-Increases magic defense when equipped

-A beautiful necklace imbued with the blessing of light. When used at the precise moment, it can reflect the opponent’s attack back at them.

-Additional Option: 「Power of the Mirror」」

「Power of the Mirror

-Once a day, you can unleash a mirror flash that reflects attacks.」

After fully enjoying the pre-arranged luck, we left the gambling den.

I took the Necklace of Reflection, and Mitchell took the Empire’s Greaves of Swift Assault.

“Kid, is that really all you need? You basically got both with your power.”

“It’s fine. I can’t use those greaves anyway because they’re too heavy for me.”

“Then I’ll use them well. Thank you.”

Mitchell patted my shoulder with a wide smile.

It’s understandable that she’s happy to have acquired equipment that any fighter would envy.

‘I only came here aiming for this artifact from the start.’

I’m happy too.

Because I obtained the Necklace of Reflection, which can deflect any attack.

To use it properly, you need to accurately read the opponent’s attack timing, which is quite difficult, but the performance of this necklace is immense.

It’s an item that makes the impossible possible.

As far as I know, this necklace alone can counter more than twenty bosses.

“By the way, she’s completely passed out.”

Mitchell said, looking back at Flora, whom she was carrying on her back.

Flora, who had been sipping fruit wine continuously at the gambling den, had finally fallen asleep soundly.

The sun began to set.

We walked silently through the deserted back alleys of Garden.

“Thanks.”

Mitchell suddenly spoke.

“Again? You already said that earlier.”

“No, not about the greaves. It’s about… the sewer, back then.”

Mitchell avoided my gaze and continued speaking.

She seemed to be talking about the incident where she was tricked by the mutated monster and fell into a panic.

“I had lost my mind then. I couldn’t see anything, hear anything… Even looking back now, I feel so pathetic. If it weren’t for you, it would have been a disaster.”

“We help each other in times of crisis.”

“Yes. You really are the best fit for party leader.”

It felt special that the proud Mitchell acknowledged me first.

I felt a sense of pride swell in my shoulders.

“Mitchell, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Who was that little child?”

“Hmm…”

At that time, the mutated monster had transformed into a young elf child.

Mitchell had lost her mind upon seeing that child.

It had been bothering me, so I wanted to ask at least once.

“…”

Mitchell walked on silently without answering.

A period of silence followed.

Just as I started regretting asking, perhaps unnecessarily.

“⋯My sister.”

Mitchell opened her mouth heavily.

“She passed away a few years ago. She was always sickly since she was young, a poor thing.”

“That must have been tough.”

“I thought I was getting better after so much time had passed, but that wasn’t the case. I guess I still have a long way to go.”

Mitchell smiled bitterly.

Not knowing how to comfort her, I silently took Mitchell’s hand.

Her hand was calloused, but still warm.

“Maybe I was reminded of her when I saw you. I teased and bothered her a lot. You could say she was ‘Kid Unit 1,’ and you are Unit 2.”

“I can imagine what kind of relationship you two had without even seeing it.”

“Right. Hehe… Ah, talking about the past is making me tear up again. Kid, you’ll hear this story and forget it right here today, okay? I feel a bit awkward in this kind of atmosphere.”

“Okay.”

Mitchell turned her head and looked at the distant sky.

A faint glimmer of dew sparkled on her side profile.

Mitchell rubbed her eyes a few times with one hand, then adjusted her posture to prevent Flora, whom she was carrying on her back, from falling.

“Kid, live a long, long life. Earn a lot of money, retire early from dangerous jobs like adventuring.”

“You too.”

“Of course. That’s why I’m always aiming for that one big score. If I win big, I’m quitting this life immediately, so you know.”

The beautiful elf smiled wryly.

There was a hint of melancholy in her smile, so I couldn’t just smile back.

***

Wagner’s lodging was modest.

Even if it wasn’t precarious enough to collapse in the wind, the thin wooden walls and roof didn’t convey a sense of stability.

“Do I really have to go in?”

Mitchell said, showing clear displeasure.

“If we leave him alone, he’ll find his way to the bar anyway. Do we really need to call him?”

“Then wait outside.”

“Hah, saying it like that makes me sound like a cold-hearted bitch.”

Mitchell grumbled and followed me into the lodging.

When I mentioned Wagner’s name, the lodging owner seemed pleased, as if it were fortunate.

“Are you that gentleman’s companion? Something seems to have happened to him. He’s upstairs. Hurry and go up.”

“What happened?”

“I don’t know the details, but the guards came. Did he kill someone somewhere? He looked rough and seemed like he’d cause trouble someday-“

Mitchell and I exchanged glances.

“⋯Nah, the big guy isn’t that kind of person, even if he looks suspicious.”

“Hmm. Let’s go up first.”

We quickened our pace and went up the stairs.

As we reached the floor where Wagner’s room was, loud voices could be heard.

“Don’t resist and come along quietly.”

“I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Judging by your appearance, you’re clearly one of them. Are you still going to deny it?”

The voice sounded familiar.

‘This voice is…’

A group of men gathered in front of the room caught my eye.

Wagner, wearing a bearskin coat.

And the guards.

I saw a familiar face.

The adjutant of the Garden Guard Captain.

I remembered having met him while going in and out of the guard barracks.

“Estel, Mitchell!”

Wagner, recognizing us, raised his hand high.

His deeply furrowed brow instantly brightened.

“What are you doing there?”

Mitchell said, looking bewildered.

“What? Are you his companions? ⋯Oh, Estel?”

The adjutant narrowed his brows.

“Yes. We are companions. Is something wrong?”

“We received a report that a Vigilante was causing trouble. But, are your companions Vigilantes?”

The adjutant looked back and forth between Wagner and me, as if he couldn’t understand.

There seems to be some misunderstanding.

Suddenly, I remembered the armor Wagner obtained during the last expedition.

The armor obtained after killing a Vigilante.

“Ah.”

The Vigilante’s emblem was clearly engraved on the shoulder of that armor.