Chapter 55

Chapter 55

Investing Through the Status Window.

Episode 55: The Festival Of Dark Mages (1).

-Ding, ding, ding.

The city of the Holy Kingdom, yet to regain its color, was gradually fading away, just like the sound of the bell echoing softly.

The Blind Saintess clasped her hands tightly, feeling the city’s outline slowly disappearing. Having never left the territory of the Holy Kingdom in her life, she found it difficult to control this strange emotion mixed with anticipation and anxiety. …It was more because of her youth than it being the first time.

She placed her clasped hands on her modest chest and prayed to the Holy Spirit.

Please, may the Holy Spirit bless this journey and….

[Attributes]

Strength: 60

Agility: 47

Stamina: 58

Intelligence: 28

Magic: 20

[Traits]

♦ Genius

♦ Aesthetic Sense

♦ Firm Belief

♦ Curiosity

♦ Passionate

♦ Desire

♦ Sound Sleeper

Allen, sitting opposite the Blind Saintess, couldn’t help but marvel at her status window. Truly, like master, like disciple—!

‘…Certainly, perverts would love this…!’

The sum of her strength, agility, and stamina is 165. Although it hasn’t surpassed the A-grade standard of 180 yet, considering she was just in her early 20s, it was a truly tremendous stat.

Moreover, having the top talent trait [Genius] attached, it was impossible not to look forward to her growth. If she grew well like this, she could easily reach A-rank within 2 or 3 years.

Not only that, but the other traits were almost perfect, making her a character that wouldn’t be a burden to take to the late game. The only minor issue was her role itself being slightly disappointing, but that was a story for the very late game, so it was nonsensical to argue about it now.

‘…It’s really a shame.’

It was quite regrettable that he would have to send her off after Chapter 1 ended, but even the master of time couldn’t do anything about it. After all, she was like an event helper for newbies. The entry barrier was so damn high that many absolute newbies died off without even finishing Chapter 1, so it was necessary to generously support them with at least one good character to keep the game alive. …Of course, the difficulty would still be insanely tough.

“You seem very nervous?”

The Blind Saintess, who had been praying with her head slightly bowed, lifted her head. Even though she was blindfolded, she acted and spoke as if she could see him.

It was certainly a very strange occurrence, but the mercenaries, who had experienced all sorts of bizarre events in the world, easily accepted it, thinking, ‘Well, it’s possible—.’ In a world where magic goes poof, what’s so big about seeing with their eyes closed—!

“…Yes, a bit.”

“It’s always like that at first. Of course, having a lot of experience doesn’t mean you don’t get nervous. Every time you leave for a job, you always feel tense. It’s just that such feelings fade a bit over time.”

“I see.”

Then, Captain Aiden, who had been quietly listening, chuckled, and his eyes became somewhat distant as if reminiscing.

“And that makes me think of the old days too… It’s been over ten years now, probably….”

At his words, everyone seemed to fall into nostalgia, and the atmosphere felt as if it was filled with an aged scent. …Allen also quietly recalled the memory of when he first started the game.

Devout Believer Christopher was respectfully asking the Blind Saintess, expressing his infinite admiration.

“By any chance, can you bless us for this mission, Saintess?”

“Ah—. Of course.”

To think he would ask for a blessing—! The Blind Saintess was immensely moved. Thus, she acted like a noble and dignified personage, devoid of any personal greed. After all, being publicly known as a saintess carries the perception of being pure, mystical, and pristine.

‘…Yes, this is the chance to become a figure truly worthy of a saintess. Master…, I will prove that a saintess can reform others not with fists but with mercy—!’

With such grand dreams, Ordnung lavishly bestowed blessings on her comrades with all sorts of grandiose words.

………And her true nature was exposed just a week later.

After leaving the holy kingdom, the group passed through a medium-sized city, a big city, and crossed the Vollemang Cliff road; it took a whole month and a half to finally reach the Western Region.

From the moment they crossed into the Western Region, the surrounding landscape began to change markedly from the central region. The lush grass on the ground gradually disappeared, and the proportion of sand mixed with the soil increased.

And not far from the cliff road they emerged from, the first city of the Western Region finally came into view.

‘Ah—.’

Unlike those in other regions, the city walls here had a slightly rosy hue. Notably, the cities in the Western Region had an unusually high number of spires attached to their walls.

The big city, Nolton—. The city was bordered by a wide and thick river, and the landscapes on both sides of the river were truly polar opposites. The land attached to the city side was a sandy wasteland, while the opposite side boasted endlessly sprawling fertile lands of yellow grain.

Indeed, the West exuded a certain aura of leisure. If the South was a languid and tedious peace, the West was a free-spirited and vibrant peace.

Anyway.

Upon arriving in the big city, Nolton, the mercenary group led by Allen spent two days there, then continued to move along the river. They passed through the mid-sized city of Odersa and finally reached their destination, the mid-sized city of Hegel.

It took another fortnight to reach this part of the Western Region after arriving.

As soon as the Allen-Mercenary Group arrived in the mid-sized city of Hegel, they collected their escort mission’s payment and headed straight for the inn. The members plopped down in front of the tables on the first floor, tossing their bags aside and groaning as if they were about to die.

“Damn, who knew there’d come a day when I’d actually want to work…”

Apart from cracking a few skulls of some clumsy thieves, the mercenaries hadn’t had a proper chance to exert themselves, and now they were itching for action.

“Don’t worry. I’ll give you plenty of work to tire you out soon enough.”

“…It’s scary when the group leader says that, you know.”

Given the impressive track record of their previous missions, there was an ominous feeling that the group leader’s words were not an exaggeration.

“Then what do you think a dark mage is? A pet dog’s name? …Seriously, be prepared to be exhausted, mentally and physically.”

As the heat of the West ripened her, the northern-born warrior, Zunisha, as if triggered by [Reckless] and [Narcissism], began to pound the table with her fists as she spouted out heatedly,

“I’m here—! I, uh, will show the fucking West how terrifying the North is, that’s what I’m saying—!”

“Please do, you bitch. And drink water moderately, damn it. Do we have to stop the carriage every time you need to piss?”

“This fucker, then what am I supposed to do if it’s so hot I could die.”

The bald, illiterate Billy and the warrior Zunisha bickered as usual. As soon as the meal was served, they glared at each other and began to stuff their mouths with food as if competing to see who could eat faster.

The food in the West was mostly either hard-dried or boiling hot. Honestly, it didn’t suit Allen’s taste, but still, he had to eat if he wanted to live.

“Everyone, rest up until we find work.”

The room setup was three triple rooms and one single room. Naturally, the single room was for the group leader.

Allen threw his luggage into the room and went back down to the innkeeper on the first floor. The innkeeper, a middle-aged man with a robust physique, had that laid-back demeanor common in the West.

“A glass of grain liquor.”

The innkeeper plunked down a lukewarm glass filled with grain liquor in front of Allen.

“I have something to ask…”

“What is it?”

Fortunately, like a friendly and easygoing Westerner, he didn’t seem to be hinting at wanting money.

“Have you heard any rumors about dark mages recently? I heard there was quite a commotion around here.”

“Ah—”

The innkeeper nodded as if it was obvious he knew.

“It’s said that the lower territories are in complete chaos right now. A few villages in our territory have been turned into fields of ruins. …It seems the lord has submitted a request to the mage tower for a solution, but those bastards aren’t the type to move easily.”

“That’s right. They aren’t.”

“Since we have to put out the fire that’s fallen on our feet first, I heard the lord is gathering mercenaries these days. Did you guys come after hearing that rumor?”

“Well, for now.”

Then, the owner leaned slightly toward Allen and whispered quietly in an advising tone.

“If I may be so bold to say, they say those bastards use corpses—. It would be wise to be cautious. Honestly, I would look for other work if I were you… As if dark mages were ordinary folks?”

“A mercenary bastard needs work for money to spend.”

As Allen laughed heartily and remarked, the owner laughed along as if he had expected his response.

“Well, it’s a pity for such a person. I hope you don’t die. Well then, try your best.”

After hearing everything, Allen downed the remaining glass of liquor. Slightly tipsy from just a glass of a strong drink, he returned to his lodging room and flopped down onto the soft bed for the first time in a while. Then, a cloud of dust rose briefly before settling down again.

“Fffu,uuck….”

His head, cluttered with work, soon sank into the darkness.

‘Mercenary group, dark mage, merchant group, goods, deal, money, money, money…’

Words twisted and turned without order, gradually fading until they disappeared like silence.

He quickly fell into a deep sleep.