Chapter 80
Lake Eria.
It was a na given because the water's surface shone in turquoise.
The content of the request was to eliminate a certain zombie there.
Several groups had challenged it until now.
And they failed.
When nearly twenty people went missing.
Gunter ordered his subordinates to scrap the request.
“How do you know about this request?”
“I happened to hear the rcenaries talking in the hall. They said so requests were scrapped due to circumstances.”
“Why are you specifically interested in a scrapped request?”
“Because it’s the request that suits best right now.”
“Suits you?”
Joshua nodded.
He knew about the dangers of Lake Eria.
It was when he first reached that place.
He had died.
And after that first challenge, he’d decided to forget about Lake Eria.
It was impossible to clear using ordinary thods.
Specific conditions were required.
“I can resist the fog drifting there.”
[Holy] attribute magic.
The magic he’d learned was the key to overcoming the environnt there.
Only Joshua could do it.
The conquest of Lake Eria, which had been considered impossible, was possible for him.
“……You even know about the fog huh.”
Gunter glanced at the boy with a suspicious gaze.
The boy already knew even the information needed to help with the conquest.
“You’re soone related to the guild, right, Elder?”
“Yes.”
Gunter didn't reveal his rank, but he disclosed his affiliation.
“Then I think solving this request would be beneficial in many ways.”
“What do you an?”
“Because the person who asked for this request is the Norton family, central nobles.”
Central nobles.
It was one of the nobles who oversaw the Royal Academy under the King's command.
One could imagine the Glover family of Saint Stalia.
They could exercise direct influence over the academy.
As he recalled, the guild’s biggest backer was the Norton family.
“Just how far does your knowledge go?”
It was a voice full of wariness.
From Gunter’s perspective, it was a natural attitude.
The information he possessed went beyond the level of being impressive to him.
“I can't tell you. But one thing is clear. I’m not your enemy, Elder.”
“Not an enemy you say?”
“Yes.”
“Then what is our relationship?”
“It’s a relationship where each side has sothing to gain from the other.”
“Like employer and rcenary?”
“I want an equal relationship rather than that. I don't intend to be the underdog.”
Gunter looked at the boy for a long ti.
He just stared.
The atmosphere grew restless as the silence lengthened.
But Joshua’s expression was no different from when they first t.
Soon, Gunter broke the silence by bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha.”
It was a frivolous laugh that seed to have forgotten about dignity.
Gunter held his belly and laughed like that for a long while.
“Sorry. I haven't laughed like this lately.”
“It’s fine.”
“You’re so serious.”
Gunter took back the request forms scattered on the table.
“To think the day would co when I’d look for a torn up request form again. It’s a first in my life. Fine, when do you plan to depart?”
“I’ll go in a week.”
“Good luck. If you can complete Count Norton’s request, it’ll be helpful for you too.”
* * *
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
I told the female students to wait in front of the village.
anwhile, I visited the shop again.
“You’re here.”
Donatorre gave a nod of greeting.
“The items you asked for have arrived.”
“Yes, I’ll take out the mana stones as well.”
Each other's items were placed on the table.
And each took what they wanted.
I unpacked my backpack on the spot and checked the contents inside.
[Ring of ntal Derangent]
-Digs into the opponent's mind and places a strong suggestion.
[Pill of Purity]
-When consud, resistance to ntal attribute attacks grows stronger.
I confird they were all genuine through [Analyze].
“Pill of Purity is expensive because it’s dicine, but enchanted items with brainwashing magic are truly rare. I heard only two were left at the headquarters. Other rchants seed to oppose it, but it looks like Martel put in so effort.”
“I see. Give my thanks to Martel for .”
“And take this.”
Donatorre handed a note.
I untied the knot and checked the content.
[The survival of the Starlight Knights led by Rodwell has been confird. I can inform him that you’re in Vilne if you want.]
As expected of the rchant Association.
They were a group whose information power made one's tongue wag.
I smiled.
It was good news that Rodwell was safe.
He’d probably have reached the vicinity of Saint Stalia by now.
“I’ll have to trouble you once more. Please send a reply to this note.”
“Understood, since it isn't a difficult task. More than that, I have one point of curiosity, may I ask?”
“Go ahead.”
“Where do you plan to use brainwashing magic?”
Donatorre asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
It was a principle for rchants not to ask about the use of sold goods.
“Are you curious?”
“Yes!”
“I’ll use it to complete a request.”
Donatorre tilted his head as if he didn't understand.
It wasn't a made up story.
I had no intention of using this ring to satisfy lust or greed like his imagination.
The value of the ring was too precious for that.
“I’ll be going, since my companions are waiting at the entrance.”
“T-Thanks for your work.”
After leaving the shop, I moved my steps toward the village entrance.
As I approached, Tania waved her hand.
“You’re here?”
“Yes, is the preparation all finished?”
“Of course. I’ve checked several tis.”
I also cast a glance at the three people behind her.
Adela and Serena didn't have bad complexions either.
Luna is fine.
As her contractor, I could tell her condition imdiately.
“It doesn't matter whenever.”
[I’m fine too.]
“ too!”
I lingered in front of the gate for a short while even after joining them.
I was waiting for soone.
“I’m a bit late.”
Gunter revealed himself.
He stepped forward to explain personally rather than another guild mber.
“You likely know the content of the request, but there’s a condition the client specifically demanded.”
Gunter handed a small bundle.
“Just defeat the target and bury them on the spot. And use what’s in the bundle. There’s no need to bring evidence. According to the client, there’s a way to confirm it.”
“Got it.”
“As you know, this request took the lives of over twenty survivors. There were veterans among them. You’ll beco like those bastards if you let your guard down.”
“Are you worrying about ?”
“It isn't worry, it’s regret. Since you're a bastard who made laugh for the first ti in a while.”
What an insincere old man.
I snorted and led the group as I turned around.
When Vilne was no longer visible behind us.
As the forest's silence filled the air, Tania opened her mouth softly.
“It’s a peculiar request.”
“Why do you think so?”
“When I looked at the bulletin board, there were no requests asking to kill a zombie.”
“Is it a zombie that incurred a grudge?”
Adela chid in and said.
“A zombie at the lake murdered family or friends. So, a noble put a bounty on the zombie’s head. Wouldn't it be a story like that?”
“What do you think?”
The two of them seed to be waiting for my answer.
They likely wanted to compare it with their own thoughts.
“It’s a possible story.”
“That’s all?”
“It seems it isn't the answer you want to hear?”
“Because I feel like you’d know the right answer.”
“I also have many things to guess about for this request.”
Adela caught her breath as if she couldn't believe it.
“You an there are things even you don't know?”
“I don't know how you see , but I have plenty I don't know.”
“The boys in the knight unit call you the ssiah, though.”
The people she was talking about were Talleon and Gavinu.
Perhaps because they’d accompanied since the dormitory.
The way the two boys looked at was unusual.
It was an attitude as if they’d witnessed a god beyond an idol.
“It’s just talk from kids, so don't take it too seriously.”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“Think whatever you want.”
Adela giggled, finding it fun to tease .
“You’re being mischievous, Sister.”
“Ah, was I too much?”
A friendly atmosphere unfolded.
It was important to relieve tension through conversation.
Of course, we shouldn't be loud.
They also kept their voices to a minimum while being conscious of that point.
“By the way, what would Brother Leo be doing around now?”
Tania spoke.
“That bastard would be doing a request just like us.”
“Really?”
“Yes, he visited a week ago and said he wanted to start requests. So I told him to start with the small ones.”
“Wasn't he disappointed?”
“He was, since that bastard has a bit of a hasty side. But I persuaded him well, and he seed satisfied now.”
When five days had passed after sending the sewer request.
The knight unit that visited the inn were in a truly terrible state.
From what I heard, they’d fallen into the underground waterway.
The stench that clung to their bodies just wouldn't go away.
[Clever] chuckled to itself as it recalled that ti.
“Hey, Joshua.”
While we were sharing stories related to the knight unit.
Adela looked this way with a serious expression.
She called and then hesitated, choosing her words carefully.
“What is it?”
“S-So why is Leo an officer?”
I thought it was a serious concern since she was stalling, but it was a deflating question.
[Clever] worked hard to grasp her intention.
Jealousy and envy.
[Clever] chattered that there was nothing but those.
“Since Leo is a knight, I thought he was the material to lead knight apprentices.”
“Then do you not plan to pick separately from among the mages?”
Even though I possess [Cool], I almost burst into laughter.
The intention was obvious.
She was throwing a straight pitch asking to pick her.
“The more people to rely on, the better, since I often act personally as well.”
“B-By any chance then,”
Adela’s face turned bright red as she whispered softly.
“Is there anyone you have in mind?”
What should I do?
To answer honestly, I would choose Adela.
She possessed leadership.
On the other hand, the other two suited being good team mbers.
I’d need to create a unit of mages as well, in case of ergencies.
“I’m still grading. You as well as the other two.”
“I-I see. Haha.”
She tried to hide her feelings, but it was pointless.
Every ti she did, she displayed clumsy acting and was caught imdiately.
I lightly curled the corners of my mouth.
She’d beco brighter than when we faced each other in the mine.
It seed the rest at the inn had been helpful.
“You’ll have to put in effort in various ways if you want to lead others.”
“I just asked! I really don't have any interest in being an officer or anything!”
She's really bad at lying.
* * *
Adela let out a sigh.
A few hours had passed since leaving Vilne.
During that ti, we’d run into a few zombies, but they weren't a threat.
It was just a bit stifling.
“Sister, do you want to beco like Brother Leo?”
Adela was flustered at Tania’s question.
“N-Not particularly. Do you think I’d envy that bastard?”
“But you seem interested.”
Adela fumbled around and then gave a dry cough.
“Tania, haven't you thought about what to do in the future?”
“The future?”
“Yes.”
“I think I haven't been able to think about it because I’ve been too busy.”
“I have.”
Adela suddenly recalled the events with the Moonlight Knights.
She saw it there.
What kind of end powerless humans walk toward.
They endured each day with difficulty, exhausted by fatigue and hunger.
To avoid becoming like them, she had to build strength.
Under Joshua.
'If I beco an officer, I’ll be able to build various experiences like Leonard. I’ll start from there first.'
She didn't consider the far future.
It was day by day.
The situation changed in just a few hours or minutes.
The current world was like that.
That’s why she found things she could do starting from nearby.
'That bastard must be the most exhausted right now, yet he doesn't complain once.'
Turning her head slightly, she looked at Joshua.
He cleared away the bushes at the very front of the formation.
He didn't shy away from hard work.
She thought it was the textbook example of a leader.
He was different from Derek.
As the leader of the Moonlight Knights, he liked to give orders and had a stubborn personality.
“I want to learn many things from that bastard.”
Adela whispered almost to the point of talking to herself.
Tania, who was talking with her, tilted her head.
“Sister, I didn't hear you.”
“Ah, don't worry about it. I was just spacing out.”
Whoosh!
Just then, a wind swept over as if blocking the group’s movent.
Luna reacted faster than anyone.
“……Brother.”
Luna grabbed Joshua’s arm.
A wind blew from the opposite side.
The scent of trees and grass.
And the sll of blood mixed between them.
A chill was felt.
“Serena.”
Her golden eyes sparkled as she turned toward Joshua.
“Please use your detection magic.”
[Got it.]
“You don't need to make the range too wide. It’s fine even if it’s just the minimum.”
The mana starting from Serena spread out in a circle.
[Can I be the guide from here on?]
“Yes.”
[Where is the lake ntioned in the request?]
“It’s inside this jungle. Ask whenever you find it hard to catch the direction. You just focus on avoiding the zombies.”
Serena nodded and began to move forward.
The sound of zombie breathing was heard.
Their forms suddenly pass between the bushes.
There are many obstacles in the line of sight.
The breathing of the three people grew increasingly ragged.
I quickly used [Serenity].
A magic that calms excitent and helps regain composure.
“……Senior, it isn't just bushes or vines. I can't see ahead more and more.”
Just as Tania said, a new obstacle intervened in the field of vision.
“Yes.”
Fog was unfolding.
It wasn't a natural phenonon.
A faint pink hue drifted in the color of the fog.
Mana was seeping in.
“It’s evidence that we’re getting closer to the lake.”
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