Chapter 119: Dark Clouds (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 119: Dark Clouds (3)
In the end, this quest came to a complete standstill after our battle with the Troll. Dwalkie's condition was not improving like it did earlier.
"Even if he takes more potions, he won't get better. Not everyone has a body as sturdy as yours."
Without a boost from his body's natural healing processes, it would take time for his muscles and bones to return to their proper places even after his wounds healed. So, upon returning to the city, we had to skip the checkpoint and head straight to the temple. Unlike Rotmiller's, Dwalkie's injury was something that couldn't be solved with time.
"Whew, I feel much better now..." Dwalkie, who hadn't been able to stand for a whole week, was finally able to walk on his own after receiving some high-level healing.
"Are there any repercussions? I was worried since the treatment was so delayed..."
"Haha, don't worry. I feel so much better I could enter the labyrinth right now."
"That's a relief."
Thanks to us reducing the severity of the injury with an advanced potion at the beginning, Dwalkie was back to normal after a shot of divine power. That took a weight off. If there had been any side effects, they would have interfered with our next quest.
"Then let's meet up again in two days. We should head home and rest for now."
The mana stones we managed to get after the team reunited in the labyrinth were not very many, so we decided to postpone the loot distribution until after we completed the commission.
Hmm, would it be around four hundred thousand stones per person?
We'd have to divvy it up later to be sure, but selling the Frogman Sorcerer's remains should roughly net us that amount, since we promised to give up two hundred thousand stones each for the price of the potion.
Jeez, that goddamn Troll.
The losses we'd taken from that son of a bitch were no joke. Repairing our dented gear was sure to cost quite a bit.
If you were going to make me go through all that hardship, you should have at least spat out an essence.
If I hadn't already gotten my hands on some stuff beforehand, the trip would have been a total loss.
"Bjorrrn, what are you going to do now?"
"I plan to go to the inn and wash up, then go sort through my things. Oh, with you too, of course."
"Huh? Me too...?"
"Didn't you get a good break in the labyrinth? Don't even think about ditching."
"I wasn't! Anyway, I can't be botherrred to go all the way to my inn. Can I just wash up at yours?"
"Of course."
We headed to my inn because I didn't want to waste time on unnecessary travel. I washed up first. We needed to move quickly to get to the commercial district before the carriages stopped running for the day.
"Eh? You're done all rrready?"
"It's okay if you take longer. It will take a while for me to sort through everything, anyway."
"Oh, rrreally?"
After pushing Missha into the bathroom, I laid out the loot from this quest and organized it: the equipment and consumables we obtained after defeating the three men who were after the baby barbarian, as well as Jencia's things.
I can sell this, and keep this for us to use later...
As I was organizing everything by jotting down a list, someone knocked on the door. "Is anyone here?" It was a male voice I'd never heard before. When I opened the door, I saw a man wearing the badge of an Adventurers' Guild employee. "Are you Bjorn Yandel?"
"...Yes."
"Could you please accompany me to the guild?"
Fuck, just out of the blue? This reminded me of the time I got imprisoned after being asked something similar, but judging by the worker's tone of voice and expression, it didn't seem like this was the same kind of situation. There were no guards around, either.
I decided to calm down and figure out what was going on. "Tell me what for. I'll decide whether to go or not after that."
"Ah, I didn't tell you." The employee carefully explained the situation. "A barbarian named Kharon Tarson has asked you to testify for him."
"...Testify?"
"Yes. He said you would be able to prove that he is not a plunderer..."
The baby barbarian was in danger.
"Originally, this kind of request wouldn't have been accepted, but as you know, regulations in regard to these things have become stricter ever since that incident. I realize I'm bothering you, but I've just come to check it out. If you have nothing to do with him, you can just say no—"
"Let's go."
"Sorry?"
"I'll just change my clothes. Wait here." Closing the door, I put my coat on and informed Missha, who was in the shower, that I was heading out. "Missha, today's plans are canceled."
"What? That's so sudden—why?"
"Something seems to have happened to Kharon. I'll be dropping by the Adventurers' Guild, so after washing up, go home."
"What? What do you m—! No, wait, give me more details!"
"I'm here. Let's go."
"Is that really so hard, you blockheaded barrrbarian?!"
Ignoring Missha's justified yelling, I headed to the guild with the staff member who was waiting outside. Coincidentally, the place I was led to was the same branch I had escaped from. "Long time no see."
"Pardon? Oh, yes... Let's go in. The branch manager is waiting for you."
"The branch manager?"
After taking a moment to glance around and reminisce, I followed the employee to the third floor and spotted Kharon dozing off on the sofa. Opposite him was the mustachioed branch manager, who had a very displeased expression on his face.
"Oh, how are you?"
"...Fine."
How blunt. Still, the situation didn't seem to be as troubling as I thought. If Kharon had really been accused of being a plunderer, he wouldn't be dozing up here but instead locked up in the underground prison.
Honkkk!
I first woke Kharon up. Well, I guess I couldn't say I woke him up. "Kharon, stop pretending to be asleep and get up. You don't have to do that here."
At my words, the branch manager and my guide cocked their heads simultaneously. Then Kharon slowly opened his eyes. "...How did you know?"
What do you think? Last I saw you, you disappeared with some very ominous parting words.
"I figured... you might do something like that."
"Does this mean that you acknowledge me as a warrior?"
"Yeah, something like that."
When I gave him a half-hearted nod, Kharon gave me a genuine smile and bumped me with his shoulder in greeting. "Anyway, thank you for coming, Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"...Yes."
"Could you please accompany me to the guild?"
Fuck, just out of the blue? This reminded me of the time I got imprisoned after being asked something similar, but judging by the worker's tone of voice and expression, it didn't seem like this was the same kind of situation. There were no guards around, either.
I decided to calm down and figure out what was going on. "Tell me what for. I'll decide whether to go or not after that."
"Ah, I didn't tell you." The employee carefully explained the situation. "A barbarian named Kharon Tarson has asked you to testify for him."
"...Testify?"
"Yes. He said you would be able to prove that he is not a plunderer..."
The baby barbarian was in danger.
"Originally, this kind of request wouldn't have been accepted, but as you know, regulations in regard to these things have become stricter ever since that incident. I realize I'm bothering you, but I've just come to check it out. If you have nothing to do with him, you can just say no—"
"Let's go."
"Sorry?"
"I'll just change my clothes. Wait here." Closing the door, I put my coat on and informed Missha, who was in the shower, that I was heading out. "Missha, today's plans are canceled."
"What? That's so sudden—why?"
"Something seems to have happened to Kharon. I'll be dropping by the Adventurers' Guild, so after washing up, go home."
"What? What do you m—! No, wait, give me more details!"
"I'm here. Let's go."
"Is that really so hard, you blockheaded barrrbarian?!"
Ignoring Missha's justified yelling, I headed to the guild with the staff member who was waiting outside. Coincidentally, the place I was led to was the same branch I had escaped from. "Long time no see."
"Pardon? Oh, yes... Let's go in. The branch manager is waiting for you."
"The branch manager?"
After taking a moment to glance around and reminisce, I followed the employee to the third floor and spotted Kharon dozing off on the sofa. Opposite him was the mustachioed branch manager, who had a very displeased expression on his face.
"Oh, how are you?"
"...Fine."
How blunt. Still, the situation didn't seem to be as troubling as I thought. If Kharon had really been accused of being a plunderer, he wouldn't be dozing up here but instead locked up in the underground prison.
Honkkk!
I first woke Kharon up. Well, I guess I couldn't say I woke him up. "Kharon, stop pretending to be asleep and get up. You don't have to do that here."
At my words, the branch manager and my guide cocked their heads simultaneously. Then Kharon slowly opened his eyes. "...How did you know?"
What do you think? Last I saw you, you disappeared with some very ominous parting words.
"I figured... you might do something like that."
"Does this mean that you acknowledge me as a warrior?"
"Yeah, something like that."
When I gave him a half-hearted nod, Kharon gave me a genuine smile and bumped me with his shoulder in greeting. "Anyway, thank you for coming, Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"Of course. Did they do anything to you?"
"They didn't do anything, don't worry," said the manager. "If they did, would this fellow even be here?"
That's true, but I didn't ask you.
"Kharon, answer me."
"Nothing happened."
"I see." I nodded and chuckled. This was why precedent was important. Would they have treated me this well if I hadn't stirred up all that shit first?
Slump.
In that spirit, I did not ask permission to sit comfortably on the sofa, just in case the branch manager had forgotten what kind of barbarian I was. "I'll take rum."
"...I don't recall offering you anything to drink."
"Are you discriminating against me for being a barbarian?"
The branch manager let out a long sigh. "Hah... we don't have alcohol. I can give you tea—"
"Cold water. Float the ice."
"...All right."
Humans were definitely learning creatures. Instead of pointing out my argumentative tone or attitude, the branch manager gave me what I wanted. He had whole-heartedly learned how to deal with rude barbarians.
Again, barbarians are such OP characters.
When I put my dusty feet up on the expensive-looking table, Kharon stared at me with shining eyes. "You... are a true warrior..."
Apparently, acting so nonchalantly in front of a branch manager of the Adventurers' Guild left quite an impression. Well, the branch manager seemed to feel the same way, seeing as his mustache was trembling in horror. "You guys are really..."
"What, do you have something to say?"
"...No." As soon as I growled back, the branch manager dropped his tail between his legs for fear of getting bitten.
Smirk.
That was the reaction I had expected. A lot had changed since we'd last met. I was not the same rank-nine barbarian I was back then.
"I heard the rumors about you. They call you Little Balkan?"
I had become a rank-six adventurer in a matter of a few months, and a renowned adventurer with an epithet at that. Along with being acquainted with Baron Martoin, there were even rumors that the count had his eyes on me. Plus, if the branch manager had been watching me, he would also know that I'd been going in and out of the Magic Tower for Raven's research. And that was just a few of the highlights on my reel.
"Here is your ice water..."
I was stronger, strong enough to squash the branch manager's head like a tomato in a second. We may have been in the middle of a city where law transcended violence, but what do you know? The branch manager of all people knew I wasn't the kind of guy to worry about stuff like that.
"Quit the chitchat and let's get to the point. What do you plan to do with Kharon?"
I pushed aside my requested ice water and asked the question on my mind, but the branch manager just shrugged. "...Nothing. This fellow can leave now if he wishes. We confirmed through a wizard that it was self-defense."
"...What?" I was momentarily caught off guard by the unexpectedly cool reply.
They already confirmed it with a wizard?
That certainly wasn't out of the realm of possibility, since Kharon didn't have high mana resistance like I did. Even without calling me here, they were able to determine whether Kharon's words were true or not with a single spell.
"Of course. Did they do anything to you?"
"They didn't do anything, don't worry," said the manager. "If they did, would this fellow even be here?"
That's true, but I didn't ask you.
"Kharon, answer me."
"Nothing happened."
"I see." I nodded and chuckled. This was why precedent was important. Would they have treated me this well if I hadn't stirred up all that shit first?
Slump.
In that spirit, I did not ask permission to sit comfortably on the sofa, just in case the branch manager had forgotten what kind of barbarian I was. "I'll take rum."
"...I don't recall offering you anything to drink."
"Are you discriminating against me for being a barbarian?"
The branch manager let out a long sigh. "Hah... we don't have alcohol. I can give you tea—"
"Cold water. Float the ice."
"...All right."
Humans were definitely learning creatures. Instead of pointing out my argumentative tone or attitude, the branch manager gave me what I wanted. He had whole-heartedly learned how to deal with rude barbarians.
Again, barbarians are such OP characters.
When I put my dusty feet up on the expensive-looking table, Kharon stared at me with shining eyes. "You... are a true warrior..."
Apparently, acting so nonchalantly in front of a branch manager of the Adventurers' Guild left quite an impression. Well, the branch manager seemed to feel the same way, seeing as his mustache was trembling in horror. "You guys are really..."
"What, do you have something to say?"
"...No." As soon as I growled back, the branch manager dropped his tail between his legs for fear of getting bitten.
Smirk.
That was the reaction I had expected. A lot had changed since we'd last met. I was not the same rank-nine barbarian I was back then.
"I heard the rumors about you. They call you Little Balkan?"
I had become a rank-six adventurer in a matter of a few months, and a renowned adventurer with an epithet at that. Along with being acquainted with Baron Martoin, there were even rumors that the count had his eyes on me. Plus, if the branch manager had been watching me, he would also know that I'd been going in and out of the Magic Tower for Raven's research. And that was just a few of the highlights on my reel.
"Here is your ice water..."
I was stronger, strong enough to squash the branch manager's head like a tomato in a second. We may have been in the middle of a city where law transcended violence, but what do you know? The branch manager of all people knew I wasn't the kind of guy to worry about stuff like that.
"Quit the chitchat and let's get to the point. What do you plan to do with Kharon?"
I pushed aside my requested ice water and asked the question on my mind, but the branch manager just shrugged. "...Nothing. This fellow can leave now if he wishes. We confirmed through a wizard that it was self-defense."
"...What?" I was momentarily caught off guard by the unexpectedly cool reply.
They already confirmed it with a wizard?
That certainly wasn't out of the realm of possibility, since Kharon didn't have high mana resistance like I did. Even without calling me here, they were able to determine whether Kharon's words were true or not with a single spell.
That means they weren't after Kharon, but me.
I quickly figured out what was going on. Yeah, that was the Adventurers' Guild for you. Only now did my heart start to squeeze.
"Kharon, you can leave now," I said.
"Can I? I was getting hungry..."
"If you skip meals, you won't grow taller. Go ahead."
"Okay! See you later, Bjorn, son of Yandel!"
I sent Kharon away first. It seemed the branch manager likewise wanted fewer people around to listen in. "Audrian, you did a good job. You may go downstairs as well."
"Yes sir."
Soon after, the employee who guided me here and gave me ice water headed out, and the two of us were the only ones left in the branch manager's office. No one said a word, and silence naturally ensued. But I didn't rush and waited for him to speak first.
"Actually, I was thinking of calling you here sometime soon, even if it wasn't today."
"Your reason?"
"Lord Urbans' daughter wishes to meet with you."
I shot him a questioning look. "Urbans? Who's that?"
"Are you serious?" the branch manager replied, dumbfounded. "You really don't remember the person you held hostage?"
Ah, the daughter of the district chief. Well, fuck, you should've just said that from the start.
"...I guess you haven't completely forgotten."
"Ahem, anyway, so why is she trying to meet with me?"
"Well, you'll know once you meet—"
Who did he think he was baiting? "Then I refuse."
"What?"
"I'm busy being hungry every day, so what time do I have to waste?"
When I stood up as if to say this conversation was over, the branch manager urgently spoke up. "I can't say much, but it won't cause you any harm. Rather, it would be helpful for you."
Well, seeing as he was going this far, I didn't think he would offer up any more information.
The woman I held hostage wants to see me, huh?
It wasn't even worth considering. "Tell her no!"
I'm busy enough as it is. I refuse to get involved in something troublesome.
***
In the middle of a bright city street, Erwen was running through the crowd.
Huff, huff, huff.
Sweat had already soaked not only her body, which she had washed clean just a while ago, but also the skirt she had taken out for the first time in a while.
Uh... it won't smell, right?
It should be fine. They'd seen each other in worse states. For now, seeing him again was more important.
...He really is alive!
While she was extremely happy about that fact, she also felt a sense of shame. Bjorn, son of Yandel—her first-ever teammate, and the barbarian who saved her when she had been wandering alone in the labyrinth. The person she had thought dead and who had disappeared before she could repay the favor he'd done her. She felt like an idiot for being so misguided and locking herself in her room.
That means they weren't after Kharon, but me.
I quickly figured out what was going on. Yeah, that was the Adventurers' Guild for you. Only now did my heart start to squeeze.
"Kharon, you can leave now," I said.
"Can I? I was getting hungry..."
"If you skip meals, you won't grow taller. Go ahead."
"Okay! See you later, Bjorn, son of Yandel!"
I sent Kharon away first. It seemed the branch manager likewise wanted fewer people around to listen in. "Audrian, you did a good job. You may go downstairs as well."
"Yes sir."
Soon after, the employee who guided me here and gave me ice water headed out, and the two of us were the only ones left in the branch manager's office. No one said a word, and silence naturally ensued. But I didn't rush and waited for him to speak first.
"Actually, I was thinking of calling you here sometime soon, even if it wasn't today."
"Your reason?"
"Lord Urbans' daughter wishes to meet with you."
I shot him a questioning look. "Urbans? Who's that?"
"Are you serious?" the branch manager replied, dumbfounded. "You really don't remember the person you held hostage?"
Ah, the daughter of the district chief. Well, fuck, you should've just said that from the start.
"...I guess you haven't completely forgotten."
"Ahem, anyway, so why is she trying to meet with me?"
"Well, you'll know once you meet—"
Who did he think he was baiting? "Then I refuse."
"What?"
"I'm busy being hungry every day, so what time do I have to waste?"
When I stood up as if to say this conversation was over, the branch manager urgently spoke up. "I can't say much, but it won't cause you any harm. Rather, it would be helpful for you."
Well, seeing as he was going this far, I didn't think he would offer up any more information.
The woman I held hostage wants to see me, huh?
It wasn't even worth considering. "Tell her no!"
I'm busy enough as it is. I refuse to get involved in something troublesome.
***
In the middle of a bright city street, Erwen was running through the crowd.
Huff, huff, huff.
Sweat had already soaked not only her body, which she had washed clean just a while ago, but also the skirt she had taken out for the first time in a while.
Uh... it won't smell, right?
It should be fine. They'd seen each other in worse states. For now, seeing him again was more important.
...He really is alive!
While she was extremely happy about that fact, she also felt a sense of shame. Bjorn, son of Yandel—her first-ever teammate, and the barbarian who saved her when she had been wandering alone in the labyrinth. The person she had thought dead and who had disappeared before she could repay the favor he'd done her. She felt like an idiot for being so misguided and locking herself in her room.
To think he became so famous...
She didn't even have to ask around. She just asked a few people after returning to the city, and most of them knew his name. One of them even knew the location of the inn he was staying at.
Oh, wait... Then why didn't Daria say anything?
The question suddenly popped into her head but Erwen didn't dig into it.
I'm sure she misheard the rumors.
There was no way her sister would intentionally hide this from her. And that wasn't even important right now.
Ugh, what should I say when I see him? Now that I'm thinking about it, I just disappeared.
Her heart pounded nonstop. It was the first pleasant vibration she'd felt from it in a long time. Until now, she had been living with the curtains closed because she didn't want to see the sun rise and set, but today, the sunlight that touched her skin was warm and cozy.
Let's apologize first. He must've been looking for me too. He probably couldn't remember where our lodgings were.
Arriving at her destination, Erwen prepared for the upcoming reunion and got her thoughts in order one last time. After smoothing out her rumpled clothes, she knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
Step, step.
She heard someone walking around inside. They were quickly approaching.
Thump, thump!
It felt like her heart was going to explode. She wanted to hurry up and talk to Mister like they used to, like when they would tell each other about what was going on in their lives and laugh.
Will he be surprised to know I've commanded all four Great Elementals? Uh, wait... now that he's much stronger than me, I guess I can't brag about that.
She was a little worried, but she was sure he would praise her, tell her she did well. Unlike other people, Mister definitely would.
"Hehe..." Just when she was smiling at that particular fantasy, the door finally opened.
Rattle.
But what was this?
"Huh? Who are you?"
The person who opened the door was a single beastwoman, someone from the cat tribe with triangular ears on her head. Erwen checked the number on the door: 201. She was at the right place. She couldn't have misheard, either, since she had asked her informant to repeat the address several times to confirm. Could it be that they had been wrong?
Hmm, it seemed so. Still, it could be the room next door, so she should ask. Since he was so famous now, someone from the same inn might know. "Um... do you know Mis—no, what room Bjorn Yandel is staying in?"
"Hmm? Are you here to visit Bjorrrn?"
"Pardon? I'm not sure what you mean..."
"Bjorn just left after washing up. Do you want to wait inside?"
He just washed up and left? No, wait a minute... does that mean that this is his room?
Erwen was confused. What was going on?
"Or tell me who you are. When Bjorn comes back laterrr, I'll tell him you dropped by."
It was almost like they lived together. Erwen numbly raised her head to look at the beastwoman's face again. She was pretty, to the extent that even she as an elf couldn't deny it.
Drip.
Water dripped from her red hair, as if she just took a bath.
"You said he just left, right?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
Erwen's lips contorted when the woman replied in a way that seemed to ask what was wrong with that. Of course, it didn't last long. "No. Nothing. Can I come inside and wait?"
"Oh, sure...?" Soon, she entered the room. Loot was scattered on the floor. "It's a bit messy... It's not usually like this..."
"I know. What this is. I've done it with him before too."
"Hmm? You have? Oh... are you an adventurerrr too?"
"Yes."
"B-But don't misunderstand, this is all from a plunderer—"
"Don't worry. I won't." Erwen interrupted the beastwoman's words and focused on the thrum in her heart. Then she spoke with a smile. "Someone who steals something that belongs to someone else deserves to be punished, no?"
Her hot, pounding heart was cold all of a sudden.
To think he became so famous...
She didn't even have to ask around. She just asked a few people after returning to the city, and most of them knew his name. One of them even knew the location of the inn he was staying at.
Oh, wait... Then why didn't Daria say anything?
The question suddenly popped into her head but Erwen didn't dig into it.
I'm sure she misheard the rumors.
There was no way her sister would intentionally hide this from her. And that wasn't even important right now.
Ugh, what should I say when I see him? Now that I'm thinking about it, I just disappeared.
Her heart pounded nonstop. It was the first pleasant vibration she'd felt from it in a long time. Until now, she had been living with the curtains closed because she didn't want to see the sun rise and set, but today, the sunlight that touched her skin was warm and cozy.
Let's apologize first. He must've been looking for me too. He probably couldn't remember where our lodgings were.
Arriving at her destination, Erwen prepared for the upcoming reunion and got her thoughts in order one last time. After smoothing out her rumpled clothes, she knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
Step, step.
She heard someone walking around inside. They were quickly approaching.
Thump, thump!
It felt like her heart was going to explode. She wanted to hurry up and talk to Mister like they used to, like when they would tell each other about what was going on in their lives and laugh.
Will he be surprised to know I've commanded all four Great Elementals? Uh, wait... now that he's much stronger than me, I guess I can't brag about that.
She was a little worried, but she was sure he would praise her, tell her she did well. Unlike other people, Mister definitely would.
"Hehe..." Just when she was smiling at that particular fantasy, the door finally opened.
Rattle.
But what was this?
"Huh? Who are you?"
The person who opened the door was a single beastwoman, someone from the cat tribe with triangular ears on her head. Erwen checked the number on the door: 201. She was at the right place. She couldn't have misheard, either, since she had asked her informant to repeat the address several times to confirm. Could it be that they had been wrong?
Hmm, it seemed so. Still, it could be the room next door, so she should ask. Since he was so famous now, someone from the same inn might know. "Um... do you know Mis—no, what room Bjorn Yandel is staying in?"
"Hmm? Are you here to visit Bjorrrn?"
"Pardon? I'm not sure what you mean..."
"Bjorn just left after washing up. Do you want to wait inside?"
He just washed up and left? No, wait a minute... does that mean that this is his room?
Erwen was confused. What was going on?
"Or tell me who you are. When Bjorn comes back laterrr, I'll tell him you dropped by."
It was almost like they lived together. Erwen numbly raised her head to look at the beastwoman's face again. She was pretty, to the extent that even she as an elf couldn't deny it.
Drip.
Water dripped from her red hair, as if she just took a bath.
"You said he just left, right?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
Erwen's lips contorted when the woman replied in a way that seemed to ask what was wrong with that. Of course, it didn't last long. "No. Nothing. Can I come inside and wait?"
"Oh, sure...?" Soon, she entered the room. Loot was scattered on the floor. "It's a bit messy... It's not usually like this..."
"I know. What this is. I've done it with him before too."
"Hmm? You have? Oh... are you an adventurerrr too?"
"Yes."
"B-But don't misunderstand, this is all from a plunderer—"
"Don't worry. I won't." Erwen interrupted the beastwoman's words and focused on the thrum in her heart. Then she spoke with a smile. "Someone who steals something that belongs to someone else deserves to be punished, no?"
Her hot, pounding heart was cold all of a sudden.