Chapter 56
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 056
Chapter Title: Cunning Town, Party Quest #2
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Interrogator Captain Jeremiah handed a scroll to Hammer.
Hammer's demeanor grew extremely serious as he read it for a long time.
“Classified operation?”
“Hammer, no divulging the operation details to anyone.”
Grade 0 classified operation.
What the hell could that be.
‘Whatever it is, the timing's perfect.’
He needed to meet a blacksmith in Cunning Town anyway.
To process the 'snake scales' material I had.
‘Lord Cheperi's adopted daughter was kidnapped to Cunning Town, too.’
No reason for me to turn down this mission.
But Hammer still had a lot of questions.
“Captain, why was our party chosen for such an important mission?”
“I'm curious about that myself. With all the talent in this empire.”
Jeremiah smirked like a sly fox and turned to leave.
Felix, who had kept silent throughout the conversation, approached Hammer.
He glanced at the scroll in Hammer's hand and asked.
“What the hell does it say in there to make you like this?”
“Sorry, but the operation details are classified. I can't tell you.”
─Ding.
It felt like a spring popped in my head.
“Classified even from us?”
Like a special menu the head chef doesn't even know about.
Thinking about it rationally, it wasn't that hard to understand.
“It's because of Felix, right?”
“Hah? Me?”
Felix scowled.
I eyed him suspiciously.
“In these times, you never know who might betray you.”
The world was a brutal place.
Knights who swore fealty sold out their comrades to the Erdar, and knights who guarded mansions betrayed their lords and poisoned them.
“Knights especially can't be trusted. That's why they can't share the mission details.”
Hermit, clutching her familiar egg, nodded in agreement.
“Knights who act loyal to your face often pull shady shit like thieves behind your backs!”
Maybe he didn't like being cornered.
Felix snorted.
“When did you two get so chummy?”
“Yor's got a point.”
“─What? Even you, Hammer?”
“I trust you all completely. But I think the operation's success rate will be higher if you don't know what's in this scroll.”
Come to think of it, that was why Sister Germain hadn't told me the truth about Debora.
“Hehehe, sometimes ignorance is bliss!”
“Then we rest today and head out tomorrow! It'll take a few days to Cunning Town, so pack plenty of supplies!”
Smack smack.
Hammer patted my back.
“Now that I think about it, this'll be your first night camp beyond the Great Wall, Yor.”
Normal explorer parties sortied to sunlit areas in the Night Land and returned before nightfall.
That was the standard strategy.
The 'night' beyond the Great Wall devoured people like bugs.
But sometimes, they had no choice but to camp and continue exploring even after sunset.
‘Is it really okay?’
I'd spent nights beyond the Great Wall before, for various reasons.
Like the time I was left alone at Miscaenic Magic University.
So I knew exactly how terrifying that 'night' was.
Camping in a place like that.
It was like pitching a tent next to a swamp crawling with crocodiles.
Flutter.
Hammer unfolded the map.
“This is the map beyond the Great Wall.”
The old empire's territory was vast.
Our destination was pretty far.
“This is roughly Cunning Town's location. Even taking the shortest route from the Rising Sun Plains today, it'll take at least four days.”
Meaning we'd have to spend a maximum of three nights beyond the Great Wall.
The good news was the military provided 'Ether Torches.'
If we had to use our own money for million-ether consumables, we'd be shitting blood.
“Be extra careful than usual and stick to your roles.”
Hammer finished his explanation.
Hermit raised her hand like she had a question.
“What about once we reach Cunning Town? What's the plan?”
Plan of action.
Sounds pretty sophisticated.
I'll tuck that away in my head for later.
“We infiltrate Cunning Town and steal 'a certain item.' We'll also scout and search on the side.”
“Then we need to be as quiet as possible, pure infiltration.”
Shing.
Felix drew his sword to check the blade.
For some reason, I got uneasy and had to warn him.
“Felix, try not to cause any trouble.”
“Why're you saying what I should be saying?”
Felix seemed annoyed at the warning, but oh well.
The guy had a habit of chopping thieves' heads off at the drop of a hat.
Cunning Town would be crawling with thieves—what if he beheaded one every time?
Blood might flow like a river.
“Then Hammer Party, entering the Night Land!”
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
It felt like my body brushed through black mist.
Soon, we opened our eyes in the great plains beyond the Great Wall.
─Kweeek…!
─Kweeek…!
A place teeming with hopping, flaming deer.
Hammer bashed charging deer with his hammer and issued orders smoothly.
“We'll be in this land for three days, so conserve spells as much as possible, Hermit. Felix, manage your stamina well.”
“What about me?”
“Yor, preserve your stamina if you can. Your role will probably be the most important once we reach Cunning Town.”
“Why?”
“To blend into a lawless thief-infested city, our party thief—you—needs to talk the talk, right?”
People who deserted from the Great Wall as a party—.
That's our role.
And so, we advanced, slaying charging wild beasts.
But seeing the endless waves of animals, I got curious.
“Why are the animals here so vicious?”
And these ones were on fire.
“How do they even stay alive while burning?”
Everyone looked to Hermit at my question.
She cleared her throat like she'd been waiting and explained.
“It's the demon's curse. See that tall mountain far off? Rumor has it a massive demon lives there.”
“Hammer, got any jerky? I'm getting sleepy already from this lecture—need something to chew.”
“Hey! You asked!”
“Hehe, kidding.”
It was more interesting than I expected.
A demon, huh.
“Like Demon Lord Baldruk?”
If something like that nested in those mountains, it'd be impressive.
Hammer chimed in like he knew something.
“I heard it's a dragon. One that fled here to those plains mountains after a fatal wound in a power struggle with the Dragon King.”
“Hammer, it's a demon, not a dragon.”
Hermit frowned.
Hammer didn't back down.
“It's a dragon. There are reports of dragonkin found at the mountain base. Those are minions only seen in dragon territories.”
“Dragons making plains creatures burn? Only demons can use magic that advanced.”
A debate broke out between Hammer and Hermit.
Finally, the sparks flew to me.
“Yor, what do you think?”
“Newbie, whose side are you on!”
What nested in those plains mountains—.
How the hell should I know.
I had one personal hope.
“Hehehe, demon or dragon, as long as it's loaded with ether and treasure.”
“Kraha! Now that's a point!”
Hammer laughed heartily.
That's when Felix shushed everyone.
“Quiet, all. We've reached the entrance to the 'Wandering Forest.'”
After trekking the plains awhile, a forest of sharp thorny trees appeared.
It was dim even with the sun still up.
If I strained my ears—.
─Haaaahk—.
─Kuh-euk—.
Something like horrific screams echoed.
Like wailing ghosts or beasts howling.
“Hammer, do we really have to go through here?”
Gulp.
I asked, tension rising for no reason.
Hammer checked the map and answered coolly.
“Detouring would add half a month. This is the shortest route.”
In the end, we decided to cross the forest.
But these forest paths drove people mad if you walked long enough.
“Hermit, isn't this the way we came?”
“Probably not.”
All the paths looked the same.
Felt like we were circling the same spot.
“Even my map doesn't work here.”
Not even Hammer's magic map was reliable.
No wonder they called this thorny forest the 'Wandering Forest.'
The real problem was separate.
Being a forest, the sun set early.
First night of the journey already.
─Kihihi—.
─Kihihihi—.
And hyena-like creepy laughter echoed from all sides nonstop.
“We're surrounded.”
Hammer judged calmly, lighting the torch.
Beast stench wafted thick to my nose.
“Hammer, there's a lot of 'em.”
“Just kill 'em all.”
Felix gripped his drawn sword.
Totally confident.
But veteran Hammer clicked his tongue like it was trouble.
“Beasts that outnumber us but don't charge right in. Gives me a bad feeling.”
That was when.
Rustle.
Something burst from the forest.
It waddled toward us, branches tied at its waist, tree bark strapped across its chest—a freakish beast.
Basically a hairless monkey.
Shark-sharp teeth, a snout long like a horse's head.
“Me. We. Forest owners. You. Friends. Request.”
It even spoke.
Approaching with words.
Hermit was shocked.
“That beast is speaking human!”
“Humans. Strong. Night. Drove away. Big wall. Built. We. Learn from. Humans.”
What the hell.
Hammer gripped his hammer tight, tension high.
“What happens if we become friends?”
“This forest. Safely. Escape. Help. In return. Gift. Receive.”
Its halting speech was utterly repulsive.
The blinking red eyes flashing everywhere were eerie.
“What do we do?”
Felix asked Hammer.
Hammer pondered seriously.
“We've got a long way to go, so I'd rather avoid fights if possible. Communication seems halfway decent, so let's talk and decide.”
Our supplies were limited.
Avoiding attrition battles was Hammer's policy.
“What's this gift you want? We can share food.”
Honestly, even food was precious as hell.
The freak shook its head side to side.
It raised two of its six deformed fingers.
“Males. Two.”