novelraw Chapter 144 : What, Did You Come to Sightsee?
Chapter 144 : What, Did You Come to Sightsee?
Chapter 144: What, Did You Come to Sightsee?
The period Raymond had given for the request was two months.
It was a simple request—so long as the errand was completed within two months.
When they arrived in Narvik, about twenty days remained.
As they traveled by carriage, whenever they encountered terrain Aelin had never seen before, she asked if they could rest briefly.
It felt like the travel time had grown longer, but even taking that into account, the deadline was generous.
And Narvik, which they visited after about forty days, had changed from before.
“It’s an incredibly bustling city. Aside from being cooler than Valoria, it’s similar.”
“This is our first time seeing it like this too.”
It wasn’t uncommon to spot people who were clearly adventurers at a glance.
There were broadly three types of people armed within a city.
Guards who had been formally trained and protected the city.
Mercenaries who roamed in search of battlefields.
Adventurers who traveled in and out of uncharted areas.
Among them, adventurers were similar to mercenaries, yet different.
“Their weapons are all enormous.”
Just as Sigbard said, the armaments of the adventurers were unusual even at a rough glance.
If mercenaries operated within the Empire, adventurers operated outside it.
Those who made a living hunting monsters in uncharted areas carried weapons far removed from anything ordinary.
Harpoons, hammers, whips…….
More vicious than standard military arms, they looked like a single blow would send someone straight to their grave.
“They look stronger than the ones we saw in Valoria.”
Aelin struck the core of it.
Robin and Sigbard agreed with her words.
Each person they passed exuded a rough atmosphere.
They weren’t riffraff.
‘I’ll just ask the Guild for details.’
For now, they headed to the Guild to complete the request.
Since they had come by carriage and hadn’t pushed themselves, the three of them had stamina to spare.
Every time Robin had come before, the Guild had been closed. Now it was bustling with people.
It was the first time he had seen it properly open, to the point he wondered if it was even the same building.
“Welcome. How may I help you?”
When he told the receptionist he had come to complete a request, she asked him to wait a moment and left her seat.
Soon, a familiar face appeared.
“Hmm? So you’ve finally returned.”
“You really were at the Guild, Raymond.”
“Manager! It’s been a while!”
Raymond smirked at Robin and Sigbard.
Then his gaze fell on Aelin.
“I don’t recognize this one. Is she a new companion you recruited?”
“You said it’d be good to hire a guide, didn’t you? She’s a capable guide.”
“Hello. I’m Aelineira.”
One might have found it strange to see a woman walking around in a crude helmet, but Raymond showed little interest.
He seemed eager to get down to business, so Robin set the chest down.
“This is the item we brought from Valoria.”
Before even checking the seal stamped on the request form.
Raymond lifted the chest and gave it a shake, then nodded.
“Good work. I’ll pay you right away.”
“This isn’t the end.”
Robin took out the herbs he had sorted in advance.
They amounted to about eighty percent of the materials listed on the additional request form.
Even the usually indifferent Raymond seemed slightly surprised.
“Where did you get all of this?”
“I told you, Aelin is a capable guide.”
Raymond stared intently at Aelin.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the face hidden within the helmet, and Aelin flinched.
“You’ve gained a good companion.”
“We were lucky. Anyway, when I calculated it, it should come close to 1 Gold.”
After examining each item carefully, Raymond nodded.
“First, 10 Silver for the errand.”
He pulled the chest toward himself and held out ten silver coins.
Robin quickly took them and put them into his purse.
“And this is for gathering the rare materials.”
A single gold coin gleamed as it was placed before Robin.
Robin was slightly surprised; he hadn’t expected to actually receive 1 Gold.
“If you collected rare materials, it’s understandable that it took longer than expected.”
“You’re quite generous.”
“I see you gathered only exactly what was needed. That fellow is lucky too.”
He didn’t know who that fellow referred to, but it didn’t matter.
‘Even if I asked who the client is, he wouldn’t tell me.’
1 Gold was a large sum.
For the time being, they wouldn’t be strapped for money because of exploration, and a smile spread across his face.
“By the way, seeing the Guild open again, I guess the issue’s been resolved?”
“That’s right. There won’t be any Silver-Ranked Adventurer mobilization for a while.”
“Those adventurers we saw on the street must have been Silver-Ranked or higher.”
“It was a large-scale operation. They need to rest as well.”
Certainly, starting from Silver Rank, they were different from Copper-Ranked Adventurers.
Perhaps even compared to veteran mercenaries, it would be difficult to easily judge superiority.
“Manager, if you’re here, then who’s in charge of the rest stop?”
“How would I know? The Guild must have assigned a suitable person.”
“When are you returning?”
“After a bit more rest. It won’t take long.”
Sigbard lifted the corner of his mouth, revealing his competitive spirit.
Raymond also smiled faintly, seemingly not displeased by it.
Just as they were about to leave after finishing their business.
“So you went to the Great Forest after all.”
Robin was momentarily confused by Raymond’s question.
The Great Forest that adventurers usually spoke of and the Great Forest the Elves spoke of were different.
If the Great Forest known to the public was a forest that spanned both safe and dangerous zones.
The Great Forest the Elves spoke of referred to Evendel.
Since the Elves still did not actively interact with humans, Robin pondered how he should answer.
‘If he’d ever been to Evendel, Aelin would’ve recognized it.’
There was no way Raymond knew about Evendel.
Even if he knew of the Elves’ dwelling place, he wouldn’t think Robin had gone there.
Having judged that, he answered.
“It was a forest with good air. It wasn’t as dangerous as I’d heard.”
“Is that so. They say a Demon Tribe member appeared—didn’t see one?”
‘What. He even knows that?’
Of course, for a Demon Tribe member to invade Evendel, they would have to cross the forest, so it was possible an adventurer had witnessed it.
But how many adventurers could encounter a Demon Tribe member and come back alive and unharmed?
Before Robin could answer, Raymond waved his hand.
“There’s no way you saw one. I was just saying it. If you’re done here, I’ll see you next time. I need to deliver these items.”
“It was good seeing you after so long. Call us again if something like this comes up.”
“I will.”
The three of them left the Guild.
Raymond carried the chest Robin had handed over along with the various herbs and entered the branch manager’s office.
Sitting in the chair in place of the absent branch manager, he was soon joined by a Guild member.
“Wow, where in the world did you get all these precious items?”
“A proper talent has come in.”
When he unlocked the chest and opened it, an ordinary tree branch appeared.
The Guild member picked up the branch and examined it from all angles.
“It doesn’t look special at all. Is this the World Tree?”
“I wouldn’t know. Whether this is real or fake.”
“To me, it just looks like a common branch.”
Raymond thought the same.
On the surface, it was indistinguishable from an ordinary branch.
“All I have to do is deliver it. The authenticity must have been judged long ago, so there’s no need to argue about it now.”
“That’s true.”
“Is Fletcher still playing nanny to the Butcher?”
“Not a nanny, a guide. They’re still moving around together.”
“I see.”
Raymond rolled his neck once to loosen it, then stood.
He closed the chest, placed the materials into a bundle, and gestured with his chin at the Guild member.
“Prepare.”
“Are you leaving right away?”
“No need to delay.”
“They say the elder is in critical condition. Can he really be treated?”
As he gathered his equipment, Raymond shrugged.
“If making an Elixir were easy, every rich man would have lived out his full natural lifespan.”
“The Butcher is impressive too. She completed all those directives with just a sliver of hope.”
“If the elder stays alive, it won’t be bad for us either. We should help as much as we can.”
As the two moved along, the streets grew increasingly empty.
Their destination was the gateway leading out to the uncharted area.
After greeting the guards they knew, they slipped out at ease.
As though they were simply taking a stroll.
The Oak Tree Inn was crowded with guests.
With adventurers returning after finishing their work, it was doubtful there were any empty rooms.
The first floor was noisy even though it wasn’t mealtime, and the open space outside the inn was filled with people sparring for fun or basking in the sun.
The clashing of weapons and heated arguments over trivial matters.
A stark contrast to when the guest rooms had been completely empty.
Thud.
Slamming his beer mug down on the table, one adventurer spoke bluntly.
“If I respond to another mobilization order, I’m not human.”
“When you were happy about getting a chance to strike it big, what was that?”
“No matter how good the money is. Is it worth more than your life?”
Adventurers gathered in small groups at each table with close companions.
The main topic from their lips was the mobilization order that had ended not long ago.
A murky fog had descended upon the rest stop built at the entrance to the dangerous area.
Originally, one had to advance 50km from the entrance before reaching the Fog Canyon.
For some unknown reason, the canyon’s fog had pushed outward by about 50km. Along with dangerous monsters.
The Guild had immediately scraped together every adventurer it could, and they had succeeded in defending the rest stop.
It had been such a grueling operation that there were casualties in the process.
“Still, we won’t have to worry about making a living for a while.”
“It’s more than that. Some guys are talking about retiring and going back home.”
“As tough as it was, the payout was certainly generous.”
Whatever the complaints, the reward that returned to those who survived was sweet.
An amount ordinary people would find difficult to touch in a lifetime.
Adventurers who had earned income in gold coin units were mostly satisfied.
Crash.
A man sitting in the corner shattered a plate.
His face was flushed red, his eyes unfocused.
Trying to grab his drink, he had lost control of his body and dropped the plate.
“Hic… Bessie… if it weren’t for that monster…….”
Anyone could tell he was someone who had lost a companion and barely returned with his life.
Sympathetic glances passed over the quietly sobbing man.
Only briefly.
Stories like that were as common as pebbles underfoot in the ecosystem of adventurers, and everyone returned to their conversations.
Creak.
The inn door opened and three people entered.
A black-haired swordsman, a burly giant of a man, and a woman wearing a helmet.
Among them, the swordsman and the giant swept their gaze across the first floor and exclaimed.
“So this place was always this busy.”
“I wonder if there are any empty rooms.”
Perhaps because of the boom.
Humphrey was nowhere to be seen, and unfamiliar staff bustled about.
Only when they approached the counter did a familiar face greet them.
“Sir Robin! Sir Sigbard! It’s been so long!”
Margaret greeted them with a delighted expression, then looked at Aelin.
“She’s a new companion we recruited.”
“I’m Aelineira.”
Margaret found it odd that she was wearing a helmet indoors, but Sigbard got straight to the point.
“Any empty rooms?”
“Unfortunately, the type of room you two used to stay in is all booked.”
“We don’t mind paying a bit more.”
At that, Margaret immediately took out a pamphlet.
She pointed to the third type among five.
“It’s similar in size to the room you stayed in before, but much more comfortable.”
“The price?”
“50 Copper per night. But, um… is it alright if Miss Aelineira shares the same room as you two?”
“Is there an alternative?”
“There are a few of the cheapest double rooms left. They’re 10 Copper per night.”
Glancing at Aelin’s reaction, Margaret continued.
“Even if you stick together while going around outside, I recommend resting comfortably in the city.”
“Then Aelin will use a separate room.”
“Mm… if that’s the case.”
When Aelin agreed as well, Margaret smiled and handed over two keys.
Robin gave 2 Silver and received 20 Copper in change.
“The two rooms are next to each other.”
“Thank you. We’ll unpack first and eat later.”
He wanted to greet Humphrey as well, but he was away from his post for the moment.
Robin made his way toward the stairs, parting through the adventurers.
Thud.
A drunken adventurer bumped into Robin’s shoulder.
The man, who could barely keep his balance, glared at Robin.
After briefly scanning him up and down, he spoke in a confrontational tone.
“Do you pity me too?”
The appearance of drowning in sorrow over a lost companion had vanished.
Robin politely stepped aside.
“I don’t know what happened, but please go ahead first.”
“Who are you to tell me to go first or not!”
Whoosh.
The man threw a punch.
Despite being drunk, it was quite a fierce attack.
An ordinary person would have been helplessly struck, but to Robin’s eyes it looked infinitely slow.
As he stepped aside and lightly evaded, the man crashed into a table with a clatter.
“A fight!”
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
Wasn’t it said that watching a fire and watching a fight were the most entertaining things?
The cheers of the drinking adventurers quickly spread.
Regardless of the story of losing a companion, the guests were crazy for entertainment.
Naturally, since no one knew Robin, they fanned the flames of the fight.
“Never seen that face before. A newbie?!”
“Looks like he’s carrying a sword—maybe a mercenary?”
“No way a mercenary would come to Narvik. He’s obviously an adventurer!”
Arguing among themselves, the first floor descended into chaos.
It even reached the point where they began placing bets on who would win.
Sigbard quietly joined in and placed money on Robin.
“Black hair. This isn’t a place where you can act cocky just because of your looks.”
“You seem drunk. Please calm down and go inside.”
“I’ve seen plenty like you. Acting innocent and then swindling people!”
The man spat on the floor and began swinging his fists in earnest.
Each time Robin dodged and deflected, cheers erupted from the guests.
“Hey, senior? How about calming down with a glass of water first…….”
Perhaps watching Robin avoid his attacks by a mere sheet of paper’s difference stirred his pride.
Now it was a matter of dignity.
Even drunk, he was still a Silver-Ranked Adventurer.
Even barehanded, he had the skill to subdue most grown men.
The more he moved his body, the more the haze of alcohol cleared, and he began to see the troubled expression on his opponent’s face.
“Waaaah! He’s good!”
“A big match for once! 10 Silver more on the black hair!”
Robin was reluctant to use violence against an undeserving man, but conversation was impossible.
‘I didn’t start this. With this many witnesses, I won’t get dragged off.’
Just as he decided to subdue him appropriately and moved to hook his leg.
“Gasp!”
“Crazy.”
The adventurers who had been radiating excitement all shut their mouths at once.
Even the man who had been charging at Robin froze mid-punch and widened his eyes.
His gaze was fixed behind Robin.
‘What’s going on. Why is everyone acting like this.’
“Found you.”
A languid voice, as though she had just woken up.
Light footsteps approached.
The man who had been attacking Robin faltered and bumped into the table beside him.
His fear was obvious.
The footsteps stopped right behind him.
Robin slowly turned around.
“Huh?”
“What were you doing that made you come so late. You’re late.”
“Serena?”
Shaking her tousled black hair, Serena looked up at Robin as if pleased to see him.
Seeing her blue eyes like a clear lake, Robin was deeply shocked.
“B-Beast Tamer!”
Meanwhile, the man trembled at the sight of Serena.
As if he had seen a monster he should never have encountered.
“Beast Tamer?”
The nickname, which did not suit a Spirit Master at all, left Robin bewildered.
“What are you talking about.”
Ignoring the man’s words, Serena pointed with her finger.
“There. My seat.”
When the man stammered and failed to move, she added two more words.
“Disturbance. Problem.”
Bang.
As if struck by something, the man’s head snapped to the side.
Boom!
He flew straight backward, slammed into the wall, convulsed, and then went limp.
“…….”
The first floor, which had been noisy just moments ago, fell into silence.
“What, did you come to sightsee? Get back to what you were doing.”
Only several seconds after Serena waved her hand and spoke did the adventurers rise from their seats.
Without even finishing their drinks and food, they quietly left the first floor.
Either going up to their rooms or stepping outside.
Serena sat at the table the man had bumped into and gestured to Robin.
“Sit. Let’s catch up.”
“Uh, uh…….”
“Humphrey! Bring something worth eating!”
Calming his pounding heart, Robin sat down.
It was a reunion with his former companion, the Spirit Master, after three years.