Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: Newbie Adventurer Bern (24) - Two Connections
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The Lich's lair was located in what would be the northern region if the Birka Kingdom were divided into nine parts.
While adventurers from the northern branch acted as an advance party to scout the surroundings, carriages carrying adventurers departed from the western, northwestern, central, northeastern, and eastern branches.
The three southern branches sat this one out. The reason was that they were too far away; waiting for them to join would give the Lich too much time to prepare. Instead, they took on the role of filling the gaps left by the elite adventurers departing from the other branches.
The procession from the eastern branch included a total of five parties: two 4th-rank parties and three 3rd-rank parties.
And among them were faces familiar to Bern's group.
"Hahaha! Last time, we parted without even a proper goodbye. I was pretty bummed about that!"
Alserus Bertrera.
The rare 4th-rank adventurer whom he'd crossed paths with in Frensia approached Bern with a friendly grin.
"I'm sorry. Things were so urgent back then, with no time to even catch our breath, let alone exchange greetings."
At Bern's apology, Alserus shrugged.
"No need to apologize. Sure, it was frustrating to step up ready to help, only for it to wrap up before we could do anything... But the incident was resolved, and the victims came back safe. That's what matters."
"It's not fully over yet. We can only call it truly done once we've rescued the remaining victims."
"Hm, fair point."
Alserus stroked his goatee out of habit, then asked in a subtle tone.
"By the way, did that kidnapper spill any more details? Like the Lich's weaknesses or info on the magic it uses?"
Bern eyed Alserus steadily.
Whether sensing the look or glancing around at the others nearby, Alserus leaned in and whispered.
"I hate to say it myself, but your party wrapped things up so quickly that it put us in a tough spot. Everyone keeps comparing us now, and my team members are grumbling nonstop."
Bern turned to look at Alserus's party, resting by their campfire a short distance away from his own group.
At a glance, they seemed like comrades chatting casually, but a closer look revealed sharp glares flicking toward him.
Alserus practically begged, bowing his head.
"This request has the whole Guild's eyes on it—a massive one. If we shine here, it'll shut up anyone doubting or mocking us. I'll make it worth your while. Any chance?"
Bern paused in silence, then chuckled softly.
"How much are we talking?"
Alserus's eyes lit up.
"Sounds like you've got something useful after all?"
"That depends on the price."
"Heh, you're more money-minded than I thought."
"Do adventurers who hate money even exist?"
"Well, no... but you look the part and carry yourself like someone above it all."
"Misunderstanding. I love money."
"Hmph."
Alserus hesitated a moment, then pulled a money pouch from his belt and offered it whole.
Feeling its hefty weight and glimpsing the shiny gold within, Bern remarked.
"Generous."
"Fame brings money, but lose the fame and the money follows. That's adventuring for you. Call it an investment."
Bern pocketed the pouch and lowered his voice.
"If you encounter the Lich's disciples in the dungeon, watch out for the black orbs they carry."
"Orbs?"
"About this big," Bern gestured with his hands, "and pitch-black, like globs of oil clumped together."
As Bern described it in detail, Alserus's eyes gleamed.
"Go on."
"Right in the middle of interrogating the guy, that orb of his turned into a blade and pierced him clean through. I used healing magic to squeeze out a few words, but nothing complex. We might not have even learned about the Lich pulling the strings otherwise."
"So the guy died? Then who's the one executed in the territory?"
"Deal with the lord. Extra pay in exchange for claiming it was the culprit. Probably just executed some convenient prisoner instead."
"Makes sense. That's right up that lord's alley. Anything else?"
"Just the location of his hideout. Victims there are already rescued, so useless now."
Alserus nodded.
"Got it. We'll be careful with those orbs. Does anyone else know?"
"No one's been as generous as you yet."
"Hahaha! You're a full-on merchant, aren't you? Fine, I trust you."
Alserus laughed heartily as he headed back to his comrades.
Bern watched his retreating figure for a moment before returning to his own carriage.
The demon in the shadows asked.
Bern deflected.
'People fall for it best when they think they're the ones deceiving others. Gotta watch myself too.'
The same time.
Blanca thought.
This is seriously uncomfortable.
"Uh, um, sorry about last time. I... I think I went too far..."
At her former comrade's mumbling apology, trailing off to a near-whisper, Blanca replied in a voice chilled with frost.
"Karina. Stop doing things that don't suit you."
Karina flinched hard.
Yet she couldn't bring herself to leave, fidgeting and stealing glances. It was a far cry from the proud, haughty mage in Blanca's memories.
Blanca sighed.
She knew why Karina's attitude had flipped so suddenly.
'The situation's been rough all around lately, right?'
Karina's party was a five-man team: two warriors, one rogue, two mages.
But she'd heard those two warriors who'd ambushed Bern had been utterly crushed and quit adventuring altogether.
Adventurers invest serious time syncing with their party, so losing members tanks the team's power hard.
Especially since the remaining bearded warrior was the heavy-movement type focused on tanking over attacking, and the healer mage was a 3rd-rank pretender hired as Blanca's stand-in solely for her healing aptitude.
No matter how skilled Karina was, a party in that state functioning properly would be the real anomaly.
Just recruit new members, right? Problem was their reputation had plummeted.
A 3rd-rank party of five ganging up on one 2nd-ranker and getting overwhelmed without a scratch? Yeah.
Blanca knew it was because Bern was a monster, but to outsiders? "That party's not all that, huh?"
Fine for bottom-barrel 2nd-rankers, but to actual 3rd-rankers or prospects? Zero appeal.
Power down, glares everywhere, no bright future in sight.
And the one she'd picked a fight with had rocketed past her rank in the blink of an eye, thriving.
If in this mess, Blanca held a grudge and retaliated? Or even if she didn't, and strong folks just shunned them to avoid crossing her?
"Hmm."
Blanca crossed her arms, staring down Karina before shifting to the bearded warrior and healer mage lurking awkwardly behind her.
The healer startled and looked away; the warrior hung his head in shame.
Nearby, Renya exploded in outrage.
"Can you believe these shameless creeps? Sis! No need to hear them out!"
"W-We won't do it again! Back then, I really thought I was something... Just forgive us this once...!"
"If you meant to apologize, you should've done it ages ago! You ghosted until Sis succeeded and you're desperate, then come crawling? What's that about?!"
"That's..."
Under Renya's barrage, Karina flushed red, unable to retort properly.
Blanca let out a dry chuckle.
A 4th-circle mage could walk into any territory and demand knight-level treatment as an exclusive caster.
How common was it for such talent to end up this desperate?
Did she lack confidence to leave adventuring for stability elsewhere? No room to think that far with the pressure? Or... unlikely, but leader's duty keeping her from ditching the rest?
What would Bern say here?
Blanca pondered briefly, then smiled.
Do whatever you want, Ms. Blanca. Isn't that what being an adventurer's all about?
The words echoed vividly in her mind, unbidden, as she spoke.
"Karina. One question—answer honestly. No dodging or lying, or you won't know what happens. Got it?"
"W-What?"
"Why'd you see me as such a thorn in your side?"
Karina hesitated, reluctant, but Blanca's earlier pressure worked; she squeezed her eyes shut and muttered.
"...Jealous."
"Pardon?"
"I was jealous, okay?! Some people get sold by their parents for pocket change and nearly rot in a brothel till death, scraping by whoring to mage clients for one lousy beginner spell out of pity. And you? Taught properly by your mom! Wielding a staff no noble could easily snag, blasting spells left and right!"
Blanca glanced around discreetly, relieved no one else heard.
Even unintentional, her pressure making that story spread would've been a nightmare.
"No..."
She almost said, Then just tell me sooner, but held back.
It wasn't the sort of backstory spilled easily outside desperation—and honestly, Blanca had never cared about her old party's personal lives.
Back then, they were just firepower for rescuing her mom.
Blanca's expression softened briefly, then she addressed Karina.
"Fine."
"Huh?"
"Apology accepted. No grudges or revenge over the past. So stop cowering like that."
Karina's gloomy face brightened.
She flicked glances between Blanca and the others behind her, bowed repeatedly to Blanca, then hurried off.
"Sis, you're too magnanimous. They knew your plight pushing to save your mom, yet twisted out of jealousy?"
"Maybe."
Blanca couldn't imagine what Karina—who'd been sold by her parents for coins—thought upon hearing of Blanca's mom sacrificing to protect her child.
Honestly, didn't want to dwell on it. No contest of miseries.
"Anyway, better they relax and cut loose than huddle scared. More useful against the Lich that way. Good enough."
Party balance shaky or not, Karina's ice magic was gold in group fights.
Missing members? Collaboration on this request minimized the gaps.
It's all to boost our strength, Blanca muttered to herself defensively, unprompted.
And shortly after.
Lich dungeon entrance.
An elderly man radiating murderous intent spoke solemnly.
"─Looks like everyone's here. Time to launch the operation."