novelraw Chapter 132 : Long Time No See
Chapter 132 : Long Time No See
Chapter 132: Long Time No See
The day after accepting Raymond’s request.
Robin returned the room key of the Oak Tree Inn.
A trip to the West might take up to two months.
He did not know how long he would be away, so he could not very well keep paying for lodging.
Humphrey took the key and greeted him.
“Travel safely.”
“When I come back, the well will be completely fixed, right?”
“Of course.”
Margaret, who had been standing beside him, chimed in.
“I’ll take good care of the pig, so don’t worry!”
“It’ll be a hassle, but thank you for agreeing to it.”
“Oh no. I’m the one who’s grateful.”
Margaret agreed to look after the Rainbow Pig, which had turned black.
Raising a Monster came with risks, but Margaret willingly accepted.
Humphrey also promised to keep an eye on it every day, which eased his mind.
“If it becomes too difficult, you can sell it or get rid of it, so don’t feel burdened.”
“Get rid of it?! If our Kkulkkul hears that, it’ll be upset!”
‘She’s already given it a name.’
Though it had not been a long period, quite a lot had happened.
With Sigbard seeing him off, he left the inn.
“I’ll probably feel restless for a while.”
“If we head south, you’ll like it too, Sigbard.”
Near the southern gate of Narvik, at the Moonstel Merchant Company.
Robin showed his Iron Token to an employee of the merchant company.
The employee glanced over Robin and Sigbard, then brought out a carriage without a word.
It was large enough to easily accommodate the massive Sigbard.
“Please return it to the Valoria branch.”
“It seems Raymond informed you in advance?”
The taciturn employee answered with a nod.
Since Robin had experience driving a carriage, he had nothing more to ask.
‘It would’ve been nice if they’d even provided a coachman.’
Raymond had not gone that far.
He had no major complaints.
This much was already sufficient.
Renting a carriage would cost 1 Silver per day.
“Sigbard, get on.”
As Sigbard climbed aboard, the added weight of the carriage became instantly noticeable.
Robin skillfully grasped the reins from the driver’s seat.
The three horses began to move slowly.
“We’ll head straight to Valoria.”
“I’m counting on you, Robin.”
They passed through the southern gate and left Narvik.
The horses, which had been walking lightly, picked up speed, and the sound of hooves filled the surroundings.
* * *
Under the now blazing sun, a man drew his bowstring.
The bow curved smoothly under tension, and the arrowhead flashed as it reflected sunlight.
After holding his breath for a moment and aiming at his target—
Piiing!
An arrow shot forth.
The arrow flew in a straight line and pierced the back of a deer’s neck.
The man walked toward the deer, which had collapsed without even letting out a cry.
He hoisted the deer—larger than his own body—onto his back and returned to his dwelling.
A solitary cabin stood there.
As the man set the deer down, the cabin door opened.
A slender woman, hands on her hips, looked down at the deer.
“Master, you went alone again.”
The man cast a glance at her and answered with a faint smile.
He pulled out the arrow and began draining the deer’s blood.
“The elders won’t listen to me. Master, are you really fine with things staying like this?”
As he sliced through the deer’s hide with a knife, the man replied.
“I’ll speak to them separately.”
“Don’t lie. It’s already been ten years since you were banned from entering Evendel. There’s no way they’ll easily let you back in now.”
The woman frowned.
In contrast, the man remained calm.
“Then all the more reason not to be angry. Has anything changed from before?”
“How long are you going to live like a drifter!”
The woman shouted angrily and grabbed the man’s arm.
Only then did he look at her properly.
“It’s only natural that the clan finds it difficult to accept my proposal.”
“That doesn’t mean you should give up! You were the one who told me that.”
“I have never given up.”
The man gently removed her hand.
He still had not lost his smile.
However, at her next words, his expression hardened.
“They’ve appeared. Do you know that Evendel is in an uproar over it right now?”
“…Where?”
“The fortunate thing is that they’re quite far away.”
The woman sighed and asked,
“Are you going again?”
“Of course. They’re not ones we can let our guard down against.”
“This time, I’m coming with you. Don’t even think about sneaking off alone.”
She pointed to the bow slung across her back.
The dagger at her waist and her flexible clothing showed that she had battle in mind.
“Aelin.”
“Yes.”
“Wait just a little longer.”
“That means……?”
The man relaxed his expression and nodded.
“I’ll see how much you’ve mastered what I’ve taught you.”
“Really? I won’t disappoint you!”
“This isn’t a trip for fun. Do not lose your composure.”
The man entered the cabin and gathered his equipment.
He fastened a belt fitted with various pockets and put on light armor.
In an instant, he finished preparing for battle and walked into the forest.
“I’ll rely on you to guide us, Aelin.”
“Leave it to me!”
The two who cut across the dense forest soon vanished from sight.
Valoria, a western city of the Empire.
He drove the carriage while even cutting down on sleep.
Fortunately, traveling alone with Sigbard caused no major trouble.
Thanks to Robin’s stamina holding out, they arrived in Valoria in ten days.
A milder climate than Narvik.
At midday, the temperature rose enough to make sweat seep out.
“As you said, people dress differently.”
“Let’s change too once we get lodging.”
More short sleeves and clothes made of thin fabric were visible than long sleeves.
Sigbard opened the carriage window and looked around the streets.
Robin also took in Valoria.
Though they were not soldiers, armed individuals stood out.
‘There’s no war nearby, so they’re not mercenaries. Adventurers, perhaps.’
After returning the carriage, they headed to the Adventurers’ Guild.
The Adventurers’ Guild of Valoria was crowded with people.
“Are all these people adventurers? How fascinating.”
“Indeed. I didn’t expect there to be this many.”
There was more than one receptionist.
At each counter, several were attending to adventurers.
Thanks to that, despite the crowd, they did not have to wait very long.
“I’m Matilda, a servant of the adventurers! How may I assist you?”
The receptionist who introduced herself as Matilda asked energetically.
Robin showed her the request letter he had received from Raymond.
“I’ve come to receive the item being kept at the Valoria branch.”
After carefully reading the request letter, Matilda nodded.
“I was wondering who would come to pick up that item, but I didn’t expect him to be this handsome!”
“Thank you.”
When Sigbard answered instead, Matilda flinched for a moment.
But only briefly. Exercising her professional spirit, she continued.
“Since you’ve come to Valoria, have you no plans to look around outside? Even near the outskirts, if you do well, the earnings are quite decent.”
Low crime rate, high average income for adventurers.
Like a vendor selling medicine at a marketplace, her sales pitch went on.
A quick glance to the side showed the other counters were no different.
‘So this is how the guild makes money.’
The more adventurers there were, the greater the guild’s influence.
Even just taking commissions from the sale of Monster byproducts would amount to no small sum.
He listened to Matilda’s earnest explanation.
“Is there a book that compiles the Monsters appearing in the Uncharted Area?”
“You’re looking for information! Please wait a moment.”
Matilda disappeared behind the counter and quickly returned.
She brought out several thin booklets and a chest.
Thud.
Though it looked quite heavy, she set it down as if accustomed to it.
“First, this is the item to be delivered to Raymond. It’s an assignment requiring security, so it’s locked tightly.”
The chest seemed to boast its sturdiness with its massive presence.
“And these booklets contain information, in order, about Monsters, dungeons, and rare gatherable items.”
“Something like this exists?”
“Of course, limited to safe areas. From dangerous regions onward, there’s not much information, and its value is quite high.”
‘Even so, this is already something.’
Robin felt he had done well to come to Valoria.
He knew there were large differences between guild branches, but he had not expected this much.
“Thank you.”
The moment he reached for the booklets.
Matilda swiftly pulled them back.
“A beginner’s guide set! I’ll give it to you at a special discounted price of just 1 Silver!”
“…You’re selling them?”
“There’s no such thing as free in this world. Because you’re handsome, I’m giving you a discount. Originally, it’s 3 Silver.”
Books were generally expensive.
But the ones Matilda brought were far thinner than ordinary books.
Robin held his tongue to judge whether this deal was reasonable.
“Ah, fine! I’m being generous! 50 Copper for all three!”
“What?”
With a brief silence, the price was cut in half.
Since the three combined amounted to about the thickness of a single book, 50 Copper was not a bad price.
‘Is there no fixed price?’
Without answering, Robin stared at the book covers.
[Written by Aelineira, the Erudite Guardian of the Forest]
All three were written by the same person.
He did not know who Aelineira was, but the handwriting was elegant.
Since he had come this far anyway, he intended to visit a place called the Great Forest.
Raymond’s request had a generous deadline, so there was no reason not to seek out Brandok.
“Alright…….”
“30 Copper!”
Robin, who had been about to pay 50 Copper, stopped mid-sentence.
Matilda realized she had been hasty.
Before she could even try to smooth it over—
Clink.
Thirty Copper spun across the counter, and Robin’s hand picked up the booklets.
It happened before Matilda could stop him.
“I’ll trust you this once.”
“Hmm… Now that I think about it, I feel like I should’ve charged 50 Copper….”
Pretending not to hear, Robin pushed the chest forward.
“You can hold onto this a little longer, right? I’ll come retrieve it within a month.”
“Y-Yes……! Of course. But the price of the books…….”
“You talk too much, receptionist.”
At just the right moment, Sigbard stepped in.
His towering build and low, thick voice subdued Matilda’s complaints.
‘Well done, Sigbard.’
Sigbard looked down at Matilda expressionlessly.
Matilda returned to her usual smiling face.
“…Is there anything else you need?”
“Anything else…….”
Trailing off, Robin asked bluntly.
“I’m looking for someone named Brandok. Do you know anything?”
It was a question asked without much expectation.
Matilda furrowed her brow for a moment before replying.
“You’re looking for Brandok?”
“Yes. Do you know him?”
“May I ask what your relationship is?”
Robin’s eyes sharpened.
Matilda’s smiling face remained unchanged.
He took a breath and spoke.
“I once received a favor. I’m looking for him to repay it.”
“I see! Try going to the Dying Land Inn. He should still be there.”
The whereabouts came far too easily.
‘Really? Brandok is somewhere nearby?’
Robin stood up with complicated feelings.
“…Thank you.”
“This has been your ever-kind Matilda! Please visit again!”
After leaving the guild, Robin leaned his back against a wall for a moment.
The streets were full of vitality, but nothing reached his ears.
What should he do when he met him?
Was Brandok a Demon Tribe Worshipper?
If so, would he have to draw his sword?
“Robin, the inn the receptionist mentioned is that way.”
“Ah, yes… We should go.”
“Are you alright?”
To Sigbard’s eyes, Robin seemed contradictory.
He had searched so desperately, yet he was afraid to face him.
He wanted to meet him, yet did not want to meet him.
He did not know if he could handle the truth that would come from his mouth.
He asked himself. Was he alright?
“I’m not.”
“Hmm?”
“But we have to go. Just because I’m not alright, I can’t linger here, can I?”
Sigbard firmly grasped Robin’s shoulder.
This time, Sigbard found the way on Robin’s behalf.
The Dying Land Inn was nearby.
Judging by the many guests going in and out, business was good.
Creeeak.
When they opened the door, numerous people seated on the first floor looked at Sigbard.
Robin opened the eyes he had tightly shut and looked around.
“Welcome. First time at our inn?”
“Brandok. Is he here?”
“There might be someone by that name.”
Though it might have been bewildering to be asked for someone so abruptly, the owner casually raised his hand.
“Sir! Someone’s here looking for you!”
A man seated at the end table stood up.
Robin’s eyes trembled.
He could not take his gaze off the man slowly approaching.
“You’re looking for me?”
As the owner tactfully stepped aside, the distance between them grew shorter.
‘We’ve finally met.’
He swallowed dryly and chose his words.
Countless questions rose and sank.
After his lips moved soundlessly for a while, he barely managed to utter a single sentence.
“It’s been a long time.”