Chapter 148
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Rest 9. Ilia Who Overcame the Crisis
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[Rest has begun.]
[Base camp rest has begun.]
[Rest 9. Ilia Who Overcame the Crisis]
Rest 9. ‘Ilia Who Overcame the Crisis’
Ilia, one of the great cities, had recently been plagued by a single murderer.
Every time a murder occurred in a neighboring city, Ilia’s commerce took a massive hit, and its tax revenue suffered accordingly.
The citizens, disillusioned with the idea that hiding behind the city walls didn’t guarantee safety, began to doubt the competence of Viscount Brispin, the city’s de facto ruler.
However, Viscount Brispin’s wise and decisive actions cornered the killer, and the exploits of one sharp-witted adventurer finally brought the murderer down.
A crisis turned into opportunity.
People now praised Viscount Brispin’s achievements and hailed the hero of Ilia who emerged alongside him.
The city was currently in festival mode.
In festival mode, fatigue recovery in inns rises during the event period, prices drop, and it’s easier to gain favor with citizens.
Adventurers should rest and train sufficiently here or in other rest areas before preparing for their next adventure.
Objective: Rest and resupply.
Failure: You’ll be exhausted.
Remaining time: 「About 30 days」
“Hahaha! You really went all out on this one!”
“What about materials?”
“The lord’s providing support, so that should be fine.”
“Gonna have to work our asses off for the next two weeks.”
The whole city buzzed with energy.
To the reincarnators, it was an unfamiliar sight that such a grand festival would erupt just because the dark cloud over the city had lifted, but the citizens reveled in it without a second thought.
True to the lively city atmosphere, the guild community boards were even more hectic than usual.
[Posted: Just now]
Title: The Most Pitiful Guy Right Now
The idiot who got hyped by his first sudden adventure message, charged beyond the walls, and got his head chopped off lololol
— For real, can’t you tell shit from miso just by looking?
— Died eating it lolol
— Ugh, it was shit?
[Posted: Just now]
Title: But if you have any conscience,
Don’t mock the guys shivering beyond the walls lolol it was legit terrifying
— They were even stopping people who wanted to help lol “What if they see us?”
— People like that exist? Lol;;
— Yeah, right? Lol;;
[Posted: Just now]
Title: Also sorry but to the folks huddled beyond the walls...
The cleanup crew said that spot stinks like sweat. Did you guys piss yourselves?
— Saw it myself, someone in armor with stuff running down.
— Honestly fair if you pissed there.
— Scarier than a solo horror flick; gotta admit if you did lololol I kinda did a little.
— Admit what lolol just piss pants.
— You’d shit yourself immediately if you were there lol didn’t see it yourself so talking big lol
— For real, on here they act like ascetics. In reality they’d bulge pants and become fart pants.
— Rap in that state and Grammy nom instant.
— Everyone calm down! Think rationally!
— That guy called me piss pants!
— I can’t wrap my head around it—are we really arguing who shat or pissed?
— Peak intellectual discourse of our era.
— Show someone Pandea’s future? Bury their head in guild boards.
— Before them... only darkness.
[Posted: Just now]
Title: Know what Ilia folks are calling the ascetic now?
Hero of the Clock Tower lolololololol
Lmaoooo
— Holy shit I heard “Man Who Carries Bell Tolls” lolololololol
— Lmao belly hurting stop laughing lolol
— Ascetic would’ve jumped from clock tower hearing that lolol
— Lolol... why tears? Too funny?
— Honestly... Hero of the Clock Tower kinda cool, tried it in inn mirror with my nick lolol
— I’m “Bell-Tolling XXX” lolol
— Wanna call you that among us?
— Sure, what’s your nick?
— Genghis Hotteok.
— Mine’s No Cucumbers Please.
— ...Pissed long. Let’s not.
— Sigh... hiss... world’s bitter, fuck.
[Posted: Just now]
Title: Damn city full of ascetic talk. Jealous of the popularity... bet he’s got a gf?
Dating that pilgrim he was with?
— Nah saw him closer with the archer lately.
— Archer looked badass too...
— Honestly what’s so great about the ascetic...
— Yo lol look at these guys, he took down Black Knight dummies. Could you beat Black Knight?
— I’d last 5 secs lol
— Strong guy? 5 whole secs;;
— What’s that skill? Saw him boomerang with his summon
— Pitching was insane fr
[Posted: Just now]
Title: What rewards’d you guys get?
I got 1 silver lol
— 1 potion lol
— Wow lol everyone’s rewards suck.
— Ascetic getting direct from viscount? What’s he giving?
— Viscount: Reward’s me...
— That’s an eyesore, got eyesore as reward.
— So what’s ascetic’s nick?
— Dunno.
— Dunno’s the nick?
— Nah really don’t know.
— Not like 2008 idol, why hide nick lol mystic af.
— That’s why folks just call him ascetic.
— Better than Hero of the Clock Tower. Ugh tried saying it, caller wants to suicide lolol
Chameli, Kang Seol, and now Philia too. They were at Viscount Brispin’s elegant villa.
Before them sat a tea they’d never heard of.
Chameli sipped first, then spoke.
“The aroma’s subtle. From the north?”
“That subtlety’s the north’s charm. Bursting through frozen wastes to bloom—that vitality forgives a faint scent.”
“As expected... rare tea. You overdo the hospitality.”
“Just washed grass water, what’s grand? To the uninitiated, it’s mere spring water. But...”
Viscount Brispin stared piercingly at Kang Seol.
“You’re not touching it? Last time, fair enough for poor hosting, but this I pondered deeply... Something wrong?”
Refusing noble fare was bad etiquette from the start, but Kang Seol politely declined.
“No palate for tea.”
“Haha... Nobles’ stuffy hobby anyway. Glad to host esteemed guests here.”
The viscount eyed Chameli.
She demurred humbly.
Such courtesies usually fell to her.
“Esteemed? Hardly...”
“No, you did Ilia a great service.”
“...Just our duty. Black Knight harms Pandea; Baranoa stands ready to draw steel for justice anytime.”
“Holy nation’s grace reaches Nevenia; I repay with praise. Let’s settle potential issues here.”
“Of course.”
Brispin glanced at Chameli and Kang Seol.
“Start with blockade damages.”
“Yes. Our parish...”
“Choose words wisely. Can’t take back loose lips.”
“......Severe?”
“Total losses alone are hefty. Citizens volunteered labor, but materials and issues pile up...”
Chameli looked glum.
The Black Knight wrecked buildings, yet her parish footed the bill—unfair, it seemed.
“But I won’t charge for that.”
“R-Really?”
Her eyes widened like saucers; she shot up.
“I know shame, know favors. Such aid dishonors me.”
“...Deepest thanks on Baranoa’s behalf for such grace.”
“Still, damages happened; my aid might irk citizens.”
The group exchanged looks.
Chameli swallowed, asked.
“You have terms.”
“Sharp.”
“What...”
“Haha... Tied to this matter first.”
“Tied how?”
Brispin shifted, eyed Kang Seol.
“Snowman, was it?”
“Yes.”
“Promised reward matching the deed for slaying Black Knight. Recall?”
“Yes.”
“Want something specific?”
[Viscount Brispin asks what you desire as reward for repelling the Black Knight. Choose your response carefully.]
1. How could I seek personal gain for a rightful deed? Just see it as aiding your wise rule.
2. How could aiding citizens lead to my greed?
3. Whatever you give.
4. Return my sword.
...
‘Full of hypocritical options.’
Such choices popped up dealing with nobles.
Beating around the bush or picking 2/3 led to stating wants—easiest way to gain favor.
Kang Seol had zero interest.
‘Leaving Ilia soon anyway.’
No compelling quests to stay. Finish Black Knight, depart.
Like a quitting employee going rogue, he stated bluntly.
“Introduce a skilled craftsman.”
“Oh? Into that? Ilia has plenty.”
“Not the kind you think.”
“...Really? Tell me difference; I’ll help.”
Thud.
A sizable vial hit the table. Black mass inside screamed.
【Think you’ll get away with this? I’ll grind your mind to dust...】
Kang Seol smacked the vial.
Smack.
【Don’t! Stop soothing!】
Chameli, Philia, Brispin’s faces darkened instantly.
“This is...”
“My god...”
“Could this be...”
Kang Seol nodded.
“Yes. The evil spirit controlling Black Knight—Bitan.”
“Burn this now...”
“I’ll prep purification!”
【I’ll be quiet! Stay still! I’m still now!】
Brispin asked.
“Seeking artisan to fully erase Bitan?”
Kang Seol shook head.
“One to make this usable.”
“Hah... Absurd. Making another Black Knight?”
“Too dangerous!”
Kang Seol showed two rings.
“These... Labyrinth badges?”
“Knew I’m ascetic?”
“Reincarnators blab; odd if I hadn’t heard. These...”
“Nullify abomination power.”
“Incredible... So targeting Bitan with that.”
Brispin pondered, answered.
“Not sure if fits, but know one craftsman who can handle it.”
“Really?”
Kang Seol hadn’t expected this quick.
If no luck, he’d settle other reward—but exceeded.
Brispin tapped temple.
“Hm... Old coot might not budge easy.”
“Fine. Worth a try.”
“Good. Introduce him. But... terms. Accept, no rebuild bill, and recommendation letter.”
Kang Seol sensed Brispin dragging to force acceptance.
‘Shouldn’t be big deal...’
Brispin smiled, set cup down.
“I wish to be your patron.”
“Pardon?”
Pfft!
Chameli spat her sip.