novelraw Chapter 131 : Errand
Chapter 131 : Errand
Chapter 131: Errand
A guard on dawn watch battled against drowsiness.
The gate outpost that separated the Uncharted Area from the city was exceedingly quiet.
Until a few months ago, there had been quite a number of adventurers, but not anymore.
“It's nice that there’s less work, but it’s boring.”
The senior guard had long since sprawled out and fallen asleep.
He would have had no excuse even if disciplined, but everyone tacitly let it slide.
An hour passed in a daze as he suppressed the yawns that kept slipping out.
Not long before sunrise, the sound of footsteps approached.
Trudge, trudge.
“Everyone, get up.”
The guards staggered to their feet and came out of the outpost with half-open eyes.
“I was sleeping so well.”
“Yaaawn. Still, work is work.”
One guard straightened his posture and held up a torch to light the way ahead.
Three men were walking side by side.
“Uh… what’s that?”
A pig was following beside the three men.
It had not yet reached full size.
And it was no ordinary pig.
“A black pig? It’s my first time seeing one too.”
“Could it be a Monster?”
“It doesn’t look particularly dangerous.”
While they whispered among themselves, the three men finished presenting their identification.
Two Copper-Ranked Adventurers and one Silver-Ranked Adventurer.
A veteran guard stepped forward and asked on behalf of the group.
“Hey, what’s that pig?”
“It’s a pig, as you can see.”
“Its whole body’s pitch black. Isn’t it a Monster?”
If it were a dangerous specimen, they could not let it pass.
Even the experienced guard was seeing a black pig for the first time, so he found it difficult to judge.
Robin smiled gently and stroked the pig’s head.
“It’s one I raise.”
“You bring a pig you’re raising all the way into the Uncharted Area?”
It was a story hard to believe.
Who would drag a precious livestock animal out there?
But adventurers were the sort who did outrageous things.
“It must have eaten something wrong and suddenly changed.”
“May I take a look?”
“Of course.”
The guard placed a hand on the pig’s body.
The pig rubbed against him docilely without any resistance.
“It’s just a pig with a different color.”
“If you’re done checking, may we go?”
“Go on through.”
The three men and one pig passed leisurely through the gate.
The pig’s rear, swaying as it walked, looked truly adorable.
“It’s so plump, it’d probably taste good roasted.”
“What on earth did they feed it for it to turn black?”
“How would I know? How many people actually know what’s beyond that place?”
A land of the unknown where nothing would be strange no matter what happened.
The black pig was fascinating, but right before them lay mysteries far surpassing it.
That was the Uncharted Area.
“Start getting ready for the shift change.”
At the squad leader’s order, the guards shook off their drowsiness.
The Oak Tree Inn, which they had returned to the previous night, was peaceful without any particular incident.
“Humphrey, it would be better to keep today’s matter a secret.”
“I agree. Don’t worry too much about Michael. I’ll take care of it properly.”
‘Is he going to file a missing person report?’
In Narvik, filing a missing person report usually meant death.
It was an indirect way of saying that a dispute between adventurers had been resolved in the Uncharted Area.
That “resolution” meant one side had died, but on the surface it was processed as a disappearance.
Humphrey was as steady as ever.
Robin had thought him merely a gentle innkeeper, but he had not expected this side of him.
And that fighting spirit that had shattered the Magic Stone Golem.
He was no ordinary adventurer.
“You must both be tired. Please get some good rest.”
“You worked hard too.”
“And as for this pig…….”
Humphrey glanced at the pig before continuing.
“I trust the two of you will raise it well.”
“It won’t cause any trouble.”
Although raising livestock at the inn was prohibited, he allowed it for Robin.
Leaving Humphrey behind, the two went up to their room with the pig.
Thud.
Only after the door closed and only Sigbard and the pig remained did Robin finally let out a breath.
“Sleep well, Robin. I’ll tie up the pig.”
Sigbard lifted the pig with one hand and laid it on the bed.
He lay down as well, placed an arm over the pig’s body, and closed his eyes.
“Grrrrrrrr.”
“Squeeeek.”
The pig writhed as if in discomfort, but it could not escape Sigbard’s arm.
“Squeek…….”
It was a clever pig.
It gave up trying to break free and fell asleep alongside Sigbard.
Watching the two fall into a deep sleep in less than a minute, Robin sank into thought.
‘What the Rainbow Pig excreted wasn’t feces.’
A stone tinged with blue light.
Robin recalled the indigo stone he had found in the staff storage room.
‘It’s similar.’
The aura emanating from the two stones was alike.
Completely different from Demonic Energy.
Robin was confused about how he should interpret it.
‘To devour that many Magic Stones.’
Not only that, the Rainbow Pig had consumed all the remains of the Magic Stone Golem.
It had not touched what was buried underground, but even so, the amount was enormous.
Watching it consume a volume far greater than its own body was difficult to accept.
It had been closer to absorption than a meal.
“Squee… squee…….”
Like someone sleeping content after a full meal, the pig’s face was peaceful.
There was no trace of malice in the sight of it breathing rhythmically with a smiling expression.
Robin took out the bundle of papers he had brought from Michael’s house.
The more pages he read, the stiffer his expression became.
‘Brandok, what in the world are you?’
The writing, both diary and notes about Magic Stones, also mentioned Brandok’s movements.
Michael had regarded Brandok as the greatest benefactor of his life.
His obsession with Brandok had been so great that he even went to the west himself.
Though he had not met him, admiration for Brandok lay at the foundation of it all.
‘Is Brandok really collecting Magic Stones? Why?’
He read it over and over again, picturing Brandok.
I was planning to leave the mercenary band soon. I have achieved my personal goal, so there’s no need to remain any longer.
A personal goal.
What was Brandok’s goal?
Unfortunately, Robin did not know much about him.
Even after the sun rose and the day began, Robin did not take his eyes off the papers.
Sigbard woke and suggested they eat, but Robin refused.
He lay on the bed all day, reading the writings Michael had left behind again and again.
‘I don’t know.’
Robin forcibly closed his eyes.
It seemed that if he slept, things might feel better.
A large-built man entered the inn.
A look of delight spread across Humphrey’s face as he was preparing lunch.
“Raymond! It’s been a while.”
“Humphrey, have you been well.”
Raymond waved his hand as if greeting an old acquaintance.
“Have you eaten? If not, I’ll treat you.”
“Let’s see your skills.”
“Please wait just a moment.”
Humphrey went into the kitchen and soon brought out a dish.
Risotto served with smoked pork and vegetables.
Raymond savored it slowly, then lifted the corners of his mouth.
“It’s delicious every time. I think your skills have improved.”
“It’s rewarding to hear you enjoy it.”
“You must be busy. Go tend to your work.”
“Then I’ll return shortly.”
Humphrey went back to the kitchen.
Margaret served and took orders.
Quite a few guests ordered meals.
Raymond ate leisurely and waited at ease.
After the storm-like lunch hour passed, Humphrey sat down in front of Raymond.
“Is the rest stop closed?”
“For the time being.”
“Wasn’t the guild supposed to return to normal soon?”
Raymond let out a faint chuckle.
“Whether the guild works or not has nothing to do with me.”
“That’s irresponsible.”
“Responsibility comes from money.”
Raymond showed his empty pocket.
Humphrey snorted softly and brought up the main point.
“Are you looking for someone?”
“As expected, you’re quick-witted. I like that.”
“Please, go on.”
Raymond took out a rolled-up sheet of paper from his chest.
As Humphrey read through it slowly, his eyes narrowed.
“Whose request is this?”
“An old friend asked me.”
“…If they really pay the amount written here, they’re no ordinary person.”
“It’s absurd. The client doesn’t have high expectations to begin with.”
The request form stated that compensation would be given for procuring various materials.
Every single one was difficult to obtain.
“There’s no one at our inn who could take on a request of this level.”
“That part doesn’t matter much. The real thing’s on the back page.”
Just as Humphrey turned the page—
“You made the right choice, Robin. Lying still won’t solve your worries.”
“That’s right. Even if you don’t see the answer, you have to do something to move forward.”
“I’m taking good care of the pig.”
Robin came down to the first floor with Sigbard.
Raymond raised a hand in greeting.
“You look deeply troubled, Robin.”
“Manager! What brings you here!”
Sigbard pointed at him with a wary expression.
“The ones I was looking for have come down.”
At those words, Humphrey immediately understood.
Raymond intended to entrust the request to those two.
He quietly stood and yielded his seat to them.
“I’ll bring the usual ten servings.”
“What are you doing. Sit.”
Raymond invited them to join, but Robin hesitated.
His mind was already complicated enough; he had no desire to talk.
“At least hear him out.”
If not for Humphrey, he would have sat at another table.
Robin sat across from Raymond and folded his arms.
“What’s got you so sulky?”
“I have something to think about. What’s your business?”
Raymond tapped the table lightly.
Robin picked up the request form Humphrey had left behind.
“It’s full of materials I’ve never even heard of.”
“Look at the back.”
Only then did Robin’s interest spark.
He had not been certain what he should do, but it was as if someone had given him a push; his eyes gleamed.
“It’s a simple errand. Aside from the distance, it’s a decent request.”
“What is it? Let me see too.”
Robin handed the request form to Sigbard.
“Why did you choose me?”
“No special reason. I just thought you’d do well.”
“What if I refuse?”
“I’ll find someone else.”
Robin stared straight into Raymond’s eyes.
“Have you ever been to the west?”
“No.”
“Go this time.”
“What’s the success reward?”
“10 silver. I’ll also provide a carriage and guards.”
Compared to what they had earned by selling the bandits’ equipment they encountered in the Uncharted Area, it was a small sum.
Still, it wasn’t a bad condition.
To begin with, stripping and selling items used by others was not common.
“What kind of item is it that pays 10 silver?”
“I don’t know. I’m just passing it along.”
“Aren’t you the client, Raymond?”
“That’s right.”
“Who am I delivering it to?”
“What would you do knowing? You wouldn’t recognize the name even if I told you.”
It was true, but strangely suspicious.
Transport an unidentified item to deliver to a third party.
‘Hush money.’
He realized why they were offering 10 silver for a simple delivery request.
It meant that even if he learned the item’s identity along the way, he was not to speak of it.
“I’d like you to decide here and now. I’m a busy man.”
‘What should I do.’
His deliberation was not long.
He had decided the moment he saw the request form.
“I’ll do it.”
“And you, Barbarian?”
Sigbard, who had been reading slowly, lifted his head.
“If Robin goes, I go too.”
“I like that decisiveness. There’s no fixed departure date. Just bring it within two months.”
“It doesn’t seem urgent?”
“No, it is.”
Raymond stood and took silver coins from his purse.
He paid the 10 silver on the spot.
“A life is at stake.”
“Advance payment! Manager, thank you!”
Sigbard eagerly gathered up the silver coins.
Raymond did not stop there and handed over a small rectangular iron token.
“If you go to a fairly reputable merchant company, they’ll lend you a carriage. Lose it and it’s 10 gold, so be careful.”
Sigbard’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
Robin tucked it into his chest and asked one final question.
“If we return and can’t find you, where should we go?”
“Come to the guild.”
“There’s no telling when it’ll open.”
“It’ll open soon.”
After bidding Humphrey farewell, Raymond turned and left.
By the time the food for Robin and Sigbard was served,
Raymond was already gone.