115
My Villains Chapter 115
29. Hunting Festival (3)
After the battle, we skinned the firebears. The one that was severely burned and mangled was only skinned of its head, while the ones killed by me and Utequais were fully skinned.
With the assistance of the mercenaries, Utequais personally skinned the bears. Even to my untrained eye, his skill was master-level.
Using a dagger as long as his forearm, he would cut between the flesh and skin, then pull it off smoothly, and the fur would peel away neatly.
It took him only 20 minutes to skin one bear. I thought he was almost like a skinning machine.
Meanwhile, just as Utequais had detected traces of a troll, Ellen also discovered a suspicious atmosphere.
"...This is taking a while."
"Right. The sun will be setting soon."
Mira with her freckles and lanky Boonie, who were resting after skinning the hides, whispered quietly among themselves.
I quietly surveyed the surroundings.
It was long past noon, but the summer sun was still scorching the ground. Thankfully the bushes provided shade, otherwise I would have thrown off my armor immediately.
We were on a low mountain ridge. To the left, there seemed to be a valley with quite a strong water sound, and to the right, a winding path along the ridge and a cliff were visible. Beyond the cliff, slopes and ridges softly undulated far into the distance.
The distant river and gentle grassland scenery were beautiful, but enjoying it was another matter.
Consequently, when Ellen, who had been sitting on the ground, opened her eyes, I felt even more relieved.
"It's over?"
"Yes."
Ellen smoothly flew from her seated position and perched on my arm, speaking.
"Magic is flowing in one direction."
"...Meaning something strange?"
"Yes. Magic is a substance that constantly circulates and mixes. Flowing only in one direction like this is clearly unusual."
"So, why is it doing that?"
Ellen pointed to the mountain ridge above and the distant mountain peak.
"Something is pushing the magic away from there."
"...From Graduel Mountain?"
"Yes."
So, some unusual phenomenon is occurring, and its source happens to be where the chapter's boss is guarding?
Hmm, I don't know what's happening, but it doesn't feel good at all.
"And there's an herb field nearby."
"You can tell that too?"
"In special cases, yes."
A gentle breeze blew across her serious face. Ellen smiled slightly and pointed towards the valley.
"Right below here. Let's go quickly."
"Sure. Well, we have plenty of time."
We followed Ellen's guidance and collected various herbs like cogongrass, nettle, silver magnolia, and chrysanthemum.
Ellen said she was knowledgeable about herbology but had rarely actually picked herbs. This time, she easily found a large batch of herbs, thanks to a plant called the ‘Mountain Rising Flower’.
The Mountain Rising Flower with its white petals exuded a mysterious energy even to me with my low magical power. No wonder Ellen could detect this flower from far away.
"I'll experiment with a new recipe."
"A new recipe?"
"Remember I mentioned a magic recovery potion from a batch of potions obtained recently?"
"Ah, the one confirmed in the laboratory?"
"They seem to have used Mountain Rising Flower or similar herbs. I'll try to create a new potion using this, broadgrass, orange moss, and dogwood flower petals. I might be able to make a magic recovery potion without using monster horns or blood."
"...I hope it works well."
I felt slightly annoyed that she made the mercenaries pull the herbs without getting her hands dirty... But seeing her enjoying herself like this, what was the problem?
After collecting herbs, we returned to Longville.
Fortunately or unfortunately, we didn't encounter any monsters on the way back. Though I sensed some suspicious presence, they seemed to just observe our group and then flee.
Boonie, Jenesa, and Cole had to part ways at the gate.
"Pullhammers and long spears cannot be brought into the residential area. They must be maintained outside the wooden fence and then handed over at the gate before entering."
Meanwhile, Utequais wiped Mual's head a few times with a bar of soap, treating it as weapon maintenance before handing it over at the gate.
"...Even if it's a rare item, it should be maintained properly. Well, I'm sure they'll do fine."
The next destination was the bulletin board. The bulletin board was installed in an open area near the gate. A steward and a scribe were sitting at a desk, and a middle-aged non-commissioned officer was controlling the mercenaries with six soldiers.
The mercenaries would submit their achievements, which the non-commissioned officer and soldiers would verify, and the scribes would record these on parchment and the bulletin board. The steward would then pay out the bounty.
Our submitted achievements were 21 right ears of Anupad, two full bear skins, and one bear head. The points were 3 points per Anupad head and 5 points per bear, totaling 78 points.
"Wow, as expected, Lord Phoenix. You're truly remarkable."
A young scribe approached and spoke familiarly.
"Hmm, when did we meet?"
"No, not at all. I've just heard some rumors about you..."
A rumor. I'm curious what kind of rumor he might have heard.
"Randall, who commands over twenty subordinates, earned only 470 points in a week. Earning 78 points in just one day with nine people is truly an impressive achievement."
"470 points... How much of the hunting season is left?"
"Once the number of monsters is sufficiently reduced, the territorial troops will break through the Anupad army blocking the path. Once the path is cleared, the hunting season will end."
"When will the territorial troops move?"
"Well, the lord would know, wouldn't he?"
Well, it seems uncertain. I can only hurry as much as possible.
"Unfortunately, it's not yet at the level to be posted on the board. The 5th place is 280 points, but Lord Phoenix could easily put his name on the board."
Next, I received the bounty, which was somewhat surprising. In addition to the silver coins corresponding to the points, they also paid quite generously for the bear skin.
Utequais skinned hide had almost no scratches, so it could fetch the best price. Nine silver coins per sheet.
The total amount earned was ninety-six silver coins. Every single coin was received on the spot...
"Excuse me, I'm curious about something."
"What is it, Lord Phoenix?"
As the scribe's eyes sparkled, I asked in a small voice, "What's the total points of the mercenaries so far?"
"Total points? Why..."
"Well, I'm curious how many monsters have been eliminated. I thought I could roughly estimate it by looking at the total points."
"Oh, just a moment."
The scribe looked through the parchment and muttered, "Let's see, let's see. The average is about 120 points. There are twenty names on the board."
"2,400 points?"
"Yes, that would be about right."
2,400 points would mean 2,400 silver coins spent on bounties.
Is this possible? Not in a wealthy city like South Harbor, but in this rural territory, 2,400 silver coins?
Are they planning to recover it through inns, taverns, and brothels? No, the local prices are too cheap for that.
After receiving the bounty, I immediately distributed shares to the Amias group.
"Here's your share."
"...Thanks."
While I turned around to look at the bulletin board, Amias, freckled Mira, and bald Steedman huddled together. And they let out a small cheer.
"Wow, four silver coins per person."
"I'm going to change my room. The communal room is terrible."
"Room? You should buy your chain mail first."
"Chain mail is heavy..."
Four silver coins and they're so happy.
Well, considering it as a daily wage, it's quite a good earning.
If we compare, the veteran mercenary Grania's weekly wage was five silver coins. Earning four coins in a day is incredible.
Hmm, no matter how I think about it, the bounty seems too generous... Ah, never mind. It's not my concern.
Next, I checked the bulletin board. Only five names were listed on the board.
"Atillia?"
The Phantom Hunter is here?
Although the place we met was a mountain lodge, I thought she might be heading to Longville, but...
"If she's able to put their name on the bulletin board, she must be hunting quite diligently. That means we might meet again in Longville?"
"Hmm, if we meet again, what should I do? Should I try to persuade her to join our group? Or just pass by?"
"I'll have to think about this carefully."
"What are you thinking about?"
"Huh?"
When I turned my head, Ellen was staring at me intently.
"Nothing. Shall we head back?"
"...Okay."
Just as we were about to return to the pub, I spotted a familiar woman.
"Oh, Ellen, look."
"It's the Baroness?"
We saw the Baroness walking, accompanied by her maid and soldiers. She was holding a child and conversing with some peasant women.
"I saw that the Besne family's garden has already grown Kail quite nicely."
"You saw that too, my lady? Oh, that family's wife, she's so quick-tempered."
"She's wise. When the rainy season approaches, she'll be busy preparing. Kail can be ruined for all she cares."
"Wise indeed, my lady. Her husband only goes in and out of the mill while leaving the outdoor work to her daughters!"
The women burst into laughter, and the Baroness simply smiled softly.
It was a peaceful scene. A tranquil landscape that momentarily made one forget the monsters swarming outside the wooden fence.
I silently watched them and then said to Ellen, "Ellen, wait a moment."
"Why?"
"Let's greet them."
"What greeting?"
"We owe her a favor. Quickly."
Prompted by my urging, Ellen floated up. In the midst of the peaceful scene, the women's gazes gathered on this unusual appearance.
I removed my helmet and approached the Baroness to greet her.
"We meet again, my lady."
"Lord Phoenix?"
The Baroness looked surprised for a moment, then handed the baby she was holding to one of the women.
As the women stepped back, the Baroness subtly lifted her skirt.
"Welcome. Yesterday... Oh, I didn't properly say goodbye." I suddenly noticed the wound on her delicate lips and her slightly swollen cheek.
I deliberately averted my gaze and gave a faint smile.
"I understand, my lady."
"You're armed. Have you been outside?"
"Yes, I'm working on something requested by your husband."
As I spoke playfully, the Baroness smiled softly.
"I'll apologize on his behalf. He was originally quite gentle, but after being a prisoner for so long, well, he's not very relaxed."
She told me she married the Baron just before the Thousand Day War. She probably didn't get to see much of his gentle side. Poor woman.
"I didn't properly thank you for helping me in that difficult situation yesterday. Thank you, my lady."
"Oh, was it a difficult situation?"
"As a guest, I was arguing with the gatekeeper. How could it not be a difficult situation?"
The Baroness covered her mouth and laughed quietly. What was so funny?
Then, glancing at Ellen floating behind me, she asked, "The person behind you is Ellen, isn't it?"
Ellen, who had been standing with her arms crossed, was startled when addressed and showed her respects.
"It's an honor to meet you, my lady."
"The honor is mine. They call you the 'Witch of Fire', right? I've heard rumors and wanted to meet you. I was too preoccupied yesterday to talk, so we're meeting today."
Ellen made a somewhat uncomfortable expression at the Baroness's cordial voice.
"Our territory's Mage is also very interested in Ellen. Master Caslight, a remarkable combat Mage, seems intrigued by the rumor of a young woman. He's very interested in combat magic, though he's small and afraid of fighting. But he's exceptionally skilled in alchemy."
A barrage of chatty words poured out, and Elren slightly frowned, but at the last part, she perked up her ears.
"......Alchemy?"
"Yes. Of course, for an outstanding combat Mage like Miss Ellen, alchemy might seem trivial, but in actual life,"
"It's not trivial."
"In what way, then?"
"Alchemy is absolutely not trivial, madam."
"......Oh."
As the Baroness opened her eyes wide, Ellen spoke to her in a very polite manner.
"You mentioned Master Caslight? I would like to meet him. If it's not rude to you, would you help me pass on a message?"
"Of course. The lady, no, Master Caslight will be very welcoming."
The Baroness clapped her hands silently and asked me,
"Oh my. By the way, where are you staying?"
"I'm staying at the Golden Knife Inn."
"Ah, the best inn in our territory. I'll send a letter soon."
"Thank you, madam."
"Oh, the sun has already set. Lord Phoenix, Miss Ellen, it was a pleasant conversation. I hope you both have a peaceful night."
"Yes, I hope you have a peaceful night as well, madam."
After finishing her greetings, the Baroness led her group and quickly walked away.
As they say, you shouldn't judge people by their appearance. Despite looking melancholic, she's quite, well, vibrant.
"By the way, Ellen."
"Yes?"
"I've never seen you talk with someone else for so long without any issues."
"......What do you mean?"
"What do I mean? It's just, well, fascinating."
At my response, Ellen narrowed her brows.
"Does it sound like there's a problem with my interpersonal relationships?"
"......You're just like a ghost."
"You, you fool-"
Leaving Ellen behind as she was about to throw a tantrum, I quickly ran towards the inn.
Of course, it was impossible to shake off Ellen, who summoned the Dance Spirit to follow me.