Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Newbie Adventurer Bern (9) - Gift Preparation
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Bern and Blanca had just submitted their request completion report to the guild when the staff's first reaction was this.
"Goblins kidnapped humans, coerced them into sharing their knowledge? Their numbers exceeded two hundred in total, and every single one was armed with armor and weapons? And their leader possessed intelligence surpassing that of an average human, scheming to absorb human civilization? And you two adventurers wiped them all out? Blanca, have you secretly switched careers to playwright?"
In truth, the guild's position was understandable. Adventurers often spiced their tales with a bit of exaggeration as part of daily life, but this was beyond excessive.
Blanca insisted vehemently that if they doubted her, they should go verify it themselves. Tempted by her bold claim that she'd work as a receptionist for life if it turned out to be fake, the guild manager dispatched investigators, figuring he had nothing to lose.
"...Damn. Never seen goblin corpses piled up like this before. If we'd been even a few days later, they'd have rotted and caused a real mess."
"There's a massive burn mark inside. Looks like at least a hundred went down in one go."
"Traces of people living there captive too."
The investigators started off half-bemused, half-astonished, but as their probe deepened, their faces grew grim.
It was rare enough for nearly five hundred goblins to form a unified force without splintering, but for that entire force to be equipped—even crudely—with gear, and some even sporting custom-fitted armor? That was no small matter.
These seasoned investigators realized this could have escalated into a disaster ravaging the entire kingdom if left unchecked.
Exceptional for a Rank 2 request, the investigators' report reached the Eastern Branch Chief, who let loose a string of curses.
"They let it fester to this point, then handed it off to us as a simple goblin extermination?"
The branch chief pressured the Atra Barony, which initially claimed ignorance. But as the guild kept pushing, they countered shamelessly, "If you'd handled it faster, it wouldn't have blown up like this."
Another page was added to the long, storied history of animosity between the Adventurer's Guild and the nobility.
Of course, this was a pride contest among the higher-ups.
For the underlings, immediate pay mattered more than such squabbles.
"We can't offer extra pay, at least not right now."
Seeing Blanca's face sour instantly, the manager hurriedly added,
"If you'd reported the situation to the guild first, let us renegotiate with the client, and then completed the request, you'd naturally get compensated accordingly. But you resolved it before negotiations even finished. The pay has to stick to the original terms."
"Save the official excuses. What's the real reason?"
"...Baron Atra dragged other nobles into it. They're digging in their heels—no extra rewards, even on their deathbeds. Might as well slit their bellies open since they're offering them up. Even the external affairs officer was grinding his teeth."
If comparing raw military might, the Eastern Branch outmatched the Atra Barony.
What kind of force could a barony that couldn't even manage its own lands properly muster?
But if the guild resorted to armed "collection" from the barony, it'd make enemies of the entire kingdom's nobility, not just one.
Virka's nobles were undoubtedly ruthless and corrupt, but they reacted fiercely to any threat to their authority or the status quo.
"Anyway, they'll be in a bind too if they can't outsource to us anymore. Soon enough, they'll sacrifice some underling, claim ignorance, and compromise. Just hold out until then."
"No thanks. How long should we wait blindly?"
"...You aren't expecting the guild to foot the bill from its own coffers, are you? We could waive your debt to the guild in lieu of cash, though."
"Not that. Just credit us officially."
Blanca held up three fingers.
"Promote Bern to Rank 3. That's merit enough, right?"
"Hey, what you asked for before the request was permission to take Rank 3 jobs. And that required completing three of them."
"The request's scope changed, so the rewards should too. This one's plenty for public records."
"He only hit Rank 2 less than a week ago."
"The guild promotes on merit, not seniority. Your words, repeated ad nauseam."
"Tch."
The manager scowled deeply but eventually slumped his shoulders in defeat.
"No cash reward in exchange. Even if Atra caves later, nothing extra comes your way."
"Deal."
"Hah. Go, shoo. Dealing with you wears me out."
The manager waved them off like flies. Blanca left the office without a hint of offense.
A man waiting in the guild lobby spotted her and bowed at a perfect right angle.
"Welcome back, sis!"
Onlookers murmured at the sight. Blanca flushed and snapped irritably,
"I told you to just call me Blanca! What's with this 'sis' crap!?"
"Bro's a bro, and sis is sis. How could I casually address my lifesaver who even healed my ankle?!"
Renya—the man in question—was one of the slaves Bern and Blanca had rescued.
Quick-witted and adaptable even in the caves, he'd been a visiting adventurer when the goblins raided the village. Unlike the other slaves who used the goblins' stockpiles to seek new homes, he begged to serve the duo in any capacity, porter or otherwise.
Blanca saw through his sycophantic nature and tried to ditch him, but Bern suggested keeping him.
And his reasoning? Utterly absurd.
'Like getting a canary for the mines!' Who could argue with that?
"Did everything go well? Bro said he'd pre-order food at the tavern and have me guide you there once done."
If only he'd drop the damn 'sis' bit. You're older than me anyway.
With a heavy sigh, she followed Renya's lead for a short walk.
They arrived at a respectable—if not top-tier—tavern. Joining Bern, who had secured a table ahead, they dove into conversation.
"Negotiation successful. The manager's efficient, so Rank 3 certification should come tomorrow."
"Well done. Renya, how'd yours go?"
"Yessir, bro! Affiliation change complete! I'm now with the Eastern Branch, not Southeast! Please take care of me—I'll serve with my life!"
"Wow."
"Sure, looking forward to it."
Blanca cringed as if her limbs were curling up, but Bern remained unfazed.
Having endured flattery as Crown Prince, this overt fawning felt almost endearing compared to subtle manipulations.
"Any word on the goblins' stockpiles?"
"Nothing notable. Byproducts were ours from the start anyway—no loose ends."
Seemingly focused solely on guild merit with scant coin to show, the pair had actually profited handsomely.
The Goblin Lord's vast hoards, amassed by ravaging the region for his "kingdom."
Meat and oil were tricky to transport or sell, but hides? Different story.
Woven into massive bundles, even Bern could haul vast quantities alone.
Sold piecemeal across vendors, the haul wasn't life-changing but a tidy sum nonetheless.
"Heard you owe the guild. Repay that first? I can cover your share if short."
Blanca shook her head firmly at Bern's offer.
"No. That's a no-go. Allocating a fixed party fund percentage upfront is one thing—money dealings between comrades must stay clean. Plenty of top parties crumble over that."
To Blanca, Bern was a lifeline she couldn't afford to lose.
Chipping away at it for short-term gain was fool's play.
"The guild won't hound you if you pay steadily. With interest, they prefer drawn-out repayments anyway."
She omitted how her own failure to meet even that minimum had demoted her to receptionist.
She wanted no pity.
And for that, bolstering their strength was key.
"Proper requests start after Rank 3 tomorrow. Eat up, rest, meet at the guild tomorrow morning. Sound good?"
"Got it."
"Yup! Dig in before it gets cold!"
Even as they ate, Blanca's mind wandered not to the food, but future plans.
'Proper magic tools are out of reach with this. Spell scrolls are iffy too... Mana potions? Practical, but consumables. Gotta save more.'
Blanca didn't notice.
Bern watching her lost in thought, a peculiar expression on his face.
After parting with the group.
Back in his inn room, Bern pondered silently.
Then, a whisper slithered from the shadows.
'...Quiet for ages, and your first words are that?'
Undeterred by Bern's sarcasm, Lucidra pressed on.
'Oh, that's a good idea. Mages need more than spells—physical training too. Helpful suggestion for once. Keep it up.'
Invisible, Lucidra's expression was easy to imagine.
Probably like she'd bitten a bug.
'More importantly, care for a deal?'
Even after teaching Clone Magic, she'd pitched various contracts to the Crown Prince, only for Alondre to rebuff her steadfastly.
Now he was initiating? Curiosity piqued over interest.
'Know any spells or techniques useful for a mage?'
'My techniques are all Eisen originals—leaking them spells big trouble. Could endanger Blanca too.'
'Mana and souls from monsters felled as Adventurer Bern. Yours to devour. Ratio depends on utility and blowback risk.'
'What are you saying? Without my Clone Magic channels, you're tethered to my main body—can't leave the palace. Or should I start charging tolls now?'
Lucidra grumbled, but realizing her words bounced off him, she sighed.
And spoke.