episode_0089

Although I declared that I would accept the request, Anton still remained stubbornly negative.

In the end, he even added that he would stop brokering requests if they did not listen to what he said.

Of course, that didn’t mean a contract couldn’t be concluded.

‘Night in the Forest’ only acts as a mediator and cannot forcibly intervene in a request’s contract.

Even if you don’t have to go through ‘Night in the Forest’, you and the woman can make a contract if you want.

However, it could be seen as the most negative expression Anton could make.

He then said that it would not be good for either side if they only took me, and suggested that if they wanted to take me with them, they should hire additional mercenaries.

In fact, Anton’s suggestion was reasonable.

Neither the woman nor I, a mercenary, know much about the forest.

In the first place, the woman’s purpose was to hire a guide to help her explore the forest.

However, they chose me because I don’t know much about the forest, so it doesn’t fit the original purpose.

Although I had learned various information in preparation for entering the forest, I had very little practical experience, and even that amounted to only having been to the forest a few times.

I am confident that I can resolve most situations with force, but the forest is also a place where you never know what might happen, so hiring additional mercenaries or adventurers who know the forest well just in case is a very reasonable choice. there was.

But if there’s one problem, it’s money.

For requests that go deep into the forest, the cost is quite high.

It was a reasonable amount since the life of the person receiving the request was at stake, but for that reason, it was an amount that most people could not afford.

However.

“Good. Then let’s do that.”

The woman willingly nodded her head vertically.

As if money is no problem.

“Good. It’s nice that this part is cool.”

Anton, who had been frowning the whole time, finally relaxed his frown and nodded at the woman’s reaction.

“Then let’s do it that way… What will the rest of the mercenaries do? Would you like to take a look yourself? Or should I make a recommendation?”

“Please recommend. I heard that the owner’s eyes are trustworthy.”

“… Oh, by the way, you were so stubborn a while ago, but you suddenly became a different person.”

Anton shook his head in astonishment and then spoke again.

“When is the departure?”

“I plan to do it in three days. Will there be enough employment there?”

“Three days… I think it’s quite possible.”

“Then I’ll ask you a favor.”

“Good. Let’s do it that way.”

The conversation ended roughly, and the woman glanced at me one last time and then left the room.

And Dorothy, an escort with a very puzzled look on her face, followed behind.

And just like that, the client and his party left the room.

Anton’s head turned towards me.

His heavily sunken eyes flashed.

“And you… Study starting today. I will cram as much knowledge as I can into his head within three days.”

“… Yes.”

It was definitely for my own good, but I couldn’t help but feel that the momentum was scary.

***

Anton thoroughly instilled knowledge in me from then on.

Even though he was busy with work at the inn, he found time to teach me.

When he couldn’t find the time, he gave me a book and told me to memorize it.

My brain screamed from studying at the wrong time, but I was grateful for Anton’s heart and it was knowledge I needed, so I worked hard to learn it.

And time passed, and the morning of the promised day finally dawned.

“Mr. Andel… Are you sure you don’t mind? Even now… … .”

“It’s okay. Thanks to Anton, I learned everything I needed to know, and I’m not the only one going.”

“Still… … .”

As I was about to leave the inn, the clerk, Nina, caught me at the inn’s entrance.

With a face full of worry.

After observing her for nearly a month, I found out that she is a very affectionate person.

He always treated people with a smile and treated them with sincerity.

I was no exception, and Nina had always treated me kindly ever since I met her.

The reason he worries like this is probably because of his personality.

Of course, I can’t feel bad when someone cares about me.

However, I’m having a hard time because it’s a bit difficult to firmly break it off.

“Nina, stop it. Because that guy decided to do it himself.”

Anton, who was looking at me as if he was disapproving, came forward and stopped Nina.

“No matter what, Mr. Andel is a newcomer. It’s dangerous.”

Immediately after Anton’s words, Nina looked at Anton with tears in her eyes.

Anton flinched for a moment at that look in his eyes, but still shook his head resolutely.

“He probably knows it well. So stop it.”

After answering that, Anton opened his eyes and glared at me.

I felt a little bit unfair, but I just swallowed it as it was the situation.

“Dad… … .”

Nina looked at Anton with earnest eyes, but Anton’s head did not nod vertically.

In the end, the conversation progressed in a direction where Nina gave up.

Anton is a soft father to his daughter, but he never compromises in this regard.

“Mr. Andel… If it becomes dangerous, should you get out immediately?”

“Yes. I’ll be careful.”

Still, Nina seemed to still have some regrets, and made several requests to me.

And Anton was watching that scene with terrifying eyes from behind.

“Then I will come back.”

After the conversation, I said hello to Nina and Anton and finally left the inn.

Although I had experienced such unexpected difficulties, I thought it was no wonder that Nina and Anton were so worried about me.

To them, I’m just a rookie mercenary who’s only been a mercenary for a month, and I’m not that skilled.

However, even so, it is not easy to truly care about others that much.

Thinking that the father and daughter were good people, I walked towards the meeting place.

The meeting place was the western entrance to Darbil.

Because there was a forest to the west of Darbil, all who entered the forest flocked here.

Because there are so many people, if you make a mistake, you may end up missing the person you promised, but we didn’t have to worry about that because we chose a place a little away from the entrance to avoid that.

Anyway, when I arrived at the meeting place, there was someone already there and waiting.

“… … .”

It was a familiar face.

Although it was truly a ‘just-known’ face.

“Hmm?”

As I was looking at that side, the other side also seemed to recognize me and raised its head.

“Ah, you’re here.”

The person who made such a fuss was none other than another mercenary who was also on this mission.

My name is “Charlie. Have you ever heard the name?”

“… Yes.”

Of course, there was a bit of a reaction to the fact that he knew, but in reality, he was a fairly famous mercenary in Darbil.

To be precise, should I say that he is famous among mercenaries?

Although they are making a name for themselves, they are not famous enough to be recognized by the public.

Charlie was a mercenary whose stock price had begun to rise rapidly in recent years, and he was a man with quite a reputation.

“I’m glad you know. I’ll tell you in advance. Just don’t do anything and just follow behind. Even if you do something pointless, it will only be a distraction.”

“… … .”

Indeed, his personality was just as I heard.

There seems to be a reason why all the mercenaries who know him say, ‘He has become less of a human being.’

Even Anton had already added something as if he was concerned.

He wanted to add another mercenary if possible, but Charlie was the only mercenary he had time for due to his schedule, so he had no choice but to choose him.

At the time, I could only think that it was amazing that Anton could say that, but after tasting it myself, I began to understand a little why he said that.

… Well, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me, but I decided to just skip it here.

There is no need to scratch and make crumbs.

I nodded quietly without saying anything.

“Chet. I don’t know why I have to deal with this stupid guy.”

Charlie, seeing my reaction, muttered a complaint and took his eyes off me completely.

“… … .”

I was lost in thought while looking at Charlie like that.

A quest that goes beyond the beginning of the forest.

Although I am better off than other mercenaries, it is still a dangerous request that requires me to be nervous.

So, the level and personality of the person accompanying me is also important, but the colleague who would be working on this request did not seem to have a very round personality.

“I’m sorry! A little late, right?”

Footsteps were heard along with a lively voice.

When I turned my gaze in that direction, I saw the client wearing an expedition outfit that seemed to have been put on with care, perhaps because he was going out into the forest, and his escort, Dorothy, who was following behind him carrying a fairly large bag.

The woman apologized, but in fact, the time they arrived was exactly the appointed time.

It’s just that Charlie and I came sooner and waited.

That’s why I tried to say it was okay.

“No. What an absurd thing to say. Rather, we came too early.”

Charlie was a step faster than me.

“You are Charlie?”

Only then did the woman recognize Charlie and ask.

“Yes. This is Charlie, who is in charge of this request.”

Charlie bowed politely to the woman, bowing as one might see at a ball or social gathering.

It didn’t suit the situation, but the gesture was quite lively and didn’t seem funny.

“Please take care of me.”

“Please take care of me.”

Charlie smiled, looking back and forth between the woman and Dorothy.

“Just trust me in the forest. No matter what situation comes, I will handle it all.”

If a stranger saw Charlie speaking in a trustworthy voice with a smile on his face, they would naturally feel trustworthy.

I looked at that figure with subtle eyes.

I hope that no accidents occur on this journey.