Chapter 45

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 45

Chapter Title: Tracking Mission - 3

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"Something happen?"

Kain approached and asked.

"Nothing at all."

As long as nothing was lost, that was fine.

She'd gotten somewhat used to reckless physical contact.

Trisha was comparing the map with the surrounding terrain to figure out the path.

"Just two more hours of walking, and we should see the fortress.

Be careful at night—monsters might show up."

"Even with a fortress there?"

"They can't block every single monster that sneaks in.

Lucky ones that make it down to the village? Adventurers will handle them."

It was as expected—the imperial army couldn't cover everything, so vigilantes or adventurers stepped in for the rest.

The first thing that caught the eye was a shabby castle wall that could pass for a tourist spot attraction, making the name 'fortress' feel laughable.

Deeper in, there were more impressive structures, but they seemed designed just for holding out in a siege—nothing suggested serious defensive power or magical protections, not even a speck.

"Adventurers? First-timers head this way."

They followed a weary soldier's guidance to a supply depot in one corner of the inner keep.

"Hello?"

A pretty young woman was minding the supply depot.

Her bright smile—one she hadn't seen much since arriving in this world—melted her heart away.

"Hello."

"Wow, you're beautiful."

Ugh!!

It felt like a punch to the solar plexus.

This was something she'd never get used to.

"Take up to two of any supplies you need per person!"

"Better grab the limited potions first."

"Si-hyeon, come here. They've got underwear too."

"Why come to me if they have underwear?"

"This one's about your size, right?"

Trisha held a breast cover up to her chest, nodding and humming in admiration.

"No good. Si-hyeon's tits are huge."

"Let's look for something else. I already bought some."

"Someone bought them for you?"

"I bought them myself with my own money."

After freely stocking up on supplies, they got a brief rundown from a soldier guarding the outskirts.

"Welcome to the northern fortress of <Lepel>. The lord of the keep is Commander Imar."

"Know what he looks like?"

The soldier blinked at Trisha's bold question.

"He has a fancy mustache.

The commander wears a cloak with the imperial emblem, so you'll spot him easily."

"Got it."

"Why ask that?"

When she whispered, Trisha whispered back.

"Good to know.

He's nobility too. And we'll be soon..."

"May I continue?"

"Yes."

Kain nodded.

"Everything that happens ahead is your own responsibility."

Right as the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠soldier ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠said that, shouts erupted from adventurers outside.

"That includes infighting among adventurers."

"Meaning if it gets dangerous, we're on our own?"

"Yes."

The soldier met her eyes, then quickly looked away.

Was he embarrassed?

"Also, failing to actively hunt monsters could be an issue.

Hostility or interference with the imperial army will be punished.

Rewards based on proofs are paid here in the keep—cut off orc ears and bring them in."

Ears. Noted.

Seemed they just paid based on kill counts here.

"Any questions?"

"How's the situation?"

"Well..."

Seeing the soldier hesitate, she and Trisha synced up.

"You're so young, guiding adventurers alone? Impressive."

"We're leaving minimal troops here to fight outside."

"Nothing else? Like someone siding with the monsters?"

She slipped in a subtle probe about their target.

"N-not that I know of."

The closer she got, the more flustered the soldier became.

An innocent reaction.

Didn't seem like he was lying, at least.

"If it happens, field judgment takes priority.

Humans siding with monsters are considered monsters themselves—no issue with killing them."

His Highness wanted them to handle it smoothly without escalating.

Linking up with soldiers would make searching easier, but it'd spread rumors about the monster-controlling woman.

Probably not what the Western Prince wanted either.

They'd have to search on their own.

Plus, with imperial troops out fighting, things didn't seem too bad.

"The soldiers here are battling orcs—going well?"

"Honestly, not great.

Adventurers are balancing it out, though."

She'd have to see for herself.

They headed straight into the forest.

"Let's move slow from here."

"Got it."

"Okay."

Opening the portal, Vir appeared with a majestic strut.

Two swords crossed in an X on Vir's lower back—the ones she'd given him.

Dual-wielding? Cool.

"Vir, take good care of this."

"Mama. Leave it to Vir."

She had to.

Without Vir, she couldn't do a thing.

...Especially in a battlefield.

So when she learned familiars' levels could be raised via spirits, she'd focused on boosting Vir's vitality.

Partly to maximize the rare 'Tenacious Blood' trait,

but mostly to prevent accidents.

"Kekeke."

"Eek!"

Vir playfully groped Trisha's ass.

Trisha covered her rear toward Vir while glancing at her.

"Hey, feels like this guy's targeting my ass. Imagination?"

"Can't hurt to be careful."

"Kekekeke."

She said that, but Vir ignoring her and pouncing on Trisha was unlikely.

Unless Trisha tempted him with her ass.

"Don't worry.

He's got a pretty wife—what would he want with that?"

"Right? He's probably doing pregnancy sex with Yupi every day."

Said to reassure Trisha, but Kain's face darkened.

"Cheer up, man."

"If Si-hyeon hugs me, I'll feel better."

"Cut the crap."

"Yupi..."

He was really about to cry.

"Sigh. C'mere."

She hugged Kain.

His face rubbing against her tits like a pillow was pathetic.

"Si-hyeon..."

"What now? Like last time, we hang back?"

"Don't know how strong these orcs are—better advance cautiously together."

"Probably like the ones we fought before."

"Those dogs looked pathetic just standing there."

"Hm, true. What was their name? Buok or something."

She didn't want to remember, but the fact that guy had been born crying 'Buok' stuck in her head.

Made her chuckle for no reason.

"Calmed down?"

"Thanks to Si-hyeon's breasts."

"Just say thanks to me. Skip the breasts part."

"Thanks to Si-hyeon. Your belly's bigger now—feels like deep maternal love."

"It's gotten even longer!"

She uppercut Kain's solar plexus.

Chin was too high to reach.

Men's real weak spot was lower, but she couldn't castrate a soon-to-be dad, so mercy.

"Don't make your soon-born kid think dad's a loser."

"It was mine?!"

"Yeah. At the inn..."

Argh. Annoying!!

She clawed at her hair in rising irritation mid-explanation.

"Let's go!"

They advanced with Vir.

Battle sounds echoed everywhere, but one stood out—a red-haired mage.

Immense heat gathered around her.

"I'll kill you all!"

Her bold declaration compressed flames into a head-sized sun in midair.

Amazing!

"I am the apostle of Beleira. Noble Goddess of Fire, grant me the power to annihilate my foes! Fireball!"

The swollen fireball slammed into the ground.

Eardrum-shattering explosion and blinding flash later, orc remnants rolled as charred lumps.

"Ha!"

She scoffed mockingly, puffing out her chest.

Like invisible spotlights shone on her.

"Incredible."

"Whoa! That's mid-tier attack magic."

Kain and Trisha seemed purely awed by the redhead's skill,

but she felt unease over satisfaction.

A mentally immature girl wielding anti-tank firepower was iffy.

She had mismatched power herself,

but wasn't dumb enough to blast magic in a forest.

"Hmph."

Spotting them as spectators, her haughty pout was kinda cute.

Pretty girls got a pass on most things.

Usually at others' expense.

"Fire! Fire! Gotta put it out quick!"

Like now.

A blue-haired girl—likely her companion—desperately doused flames with puny water magic compared to the attack.

"Clora, don't panic. It looks bad, but no fuel left, so it won't spread big."

"But... Hena. Embers might ride the wind..."

Perfectly matched magic affinities, clashing personalities.

Clora and Hena finally turned to them.

"What're you lot? Done gawking? I cleared all the trash mobs here—go elsewhere."

Offering to help extinguish would probably piss her off.

No basis, just a hunch.

"Never seen magic that awesome before!"

Kain beamed like a kid.

She didn't hate it—Hena's cheeks flushed.

"You've got an eye."

"But no ears left—can't claim rewards, right?"

Oof.

Delayed strike?

"...Forget it! Take that back. No eye at all.

A great mage like me doesn't care about pocket change?

Gonna kill Dumerne and become the empire's top archmage. Nothing else matters. Nada!"

"Hena, no ears means we starve today..."

"Shut it! Put out the fire!"

Helpless duo.

Trisha sensed it too and chuckled.

"Great skills, crap earnings. Tough break.

Happens to adventurers ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sometimes."

"Moving on."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Staying longer might break her, so they passed the pair.

Right then.

"Fire Bolt."

Chantless instant-cast fiery arrows rained to block their path.

Warning shots—no hits, but surging heat startled her, transmitting to Vir...

"Kaaak."

Vir let out a ferocious cry she'd never heard.

"Mama. Touched. Touched Mama!"

"Mama?"

Hena's face twisted too.

"Wondered why the goblin.

Losers' club, huh?"

"What the hell—dangerous stunt."

She locked eyes with Hena for the first time.

Trouble. She was pissed too, but Hena more so. Might not avoid a fight.