A Rather Suspicious Client (5)
"And who's this lovely lady with you?"
"Our healer, Celestine."
"Ah, I see. She looks very reliable."
Patrick flashed a gentle smile. His tone, expression, and posture all made him seem less like a commoner and more like a noble.
"You've probably already seen the request letter I sent by mail, but all I need is for you to escort me safely to Schlessi."
"Is Patrick the only one we need to protect? What's the mode of transport?"
"Just me. I drove the wagon myself."
"Lots of luggage?"
"Plenty. Setting up a branch in a foreign city means I have a lot to bring."
A wagon full of cargo driven by the client himself. It wouldn't be able to go very fast, so I figured we'd get ambushed at least once along the way.
"Understood. Then let me explain our plan for the request."
Me and Celestine would flank the wagon front and back, moving as fast as possible. If attacked, I'd handle the enemies while Celestine prioritized protecting the client. If we had to choose between the wagon and the client, the wagon came second. In an emergency, Celestine and Patrick would ride off together on one horse while I stayed behind to mop up any stragglers.
"A very clean plan. Let's do it that way."
"When would you like to depart?"
"It's too late today, so we'll stay here overnight and leave early tomorrow. Better that way."
"Got it."
"I'll cover your lodging costs. But..."
Patrick glanced back and forth between me and Celestine.
"Naturally, I'll get you separate rooms, right?"
"Ah, yes. If possible."
Patrick raised a hand to summon the waiter. The server arrived at our table with the same dissatisfied scowl.
"Three rooms, please."
"None left."
"Do you mean you can't spare three empty rooms, or there are no rooms at all?"
"You'd have to share with others."
"Only dorms left? Does that mean no single rooms whatsoever? We have a lady here."
"Haa..."
The waiter sighed irritably, and Patrick stood from his chair with a serene smile. Without warning, he grabbed the waiter by the collar.
"Gurk!"
The waiter's face flushed red instantly. Startled by Patrick's sudden move, Celestine clutched my arm.
"Your customer service is abysmal. Is it so wrong to ask if there are empty rooms?"
The waiter frantically shook his head in fear.
"I'll let go, so answer my question properly. If you don't know, go check and then answer."
The waiter nodded, and Patrick released his grip.
"Cough, cough!"
As the waiter hacked and coughed, Patrick asked softly,
"Are there three empty rooms?"
"I-I'll go check..."
The waiter scurried up the stairs to the upper floor. Patrick calmly sat back down and smiled at us.
"My apologies for the unsightly display."
"No, it's fine. That waiter was getting on our nerves too."
"In a remote village like this, they can slack off on customers and still make a living. But that's no excuse."
Celestine was still clinging to my arm. It was starting to hurt, so I tapped her fingers. She jumped and let go.
"Sorry, Guild Master. I was just so startled."
The waiter didn't come back down right away, so I decided to ask Patrick something I'd been wondering.
"By the way, what made you choose Lucas Guild for this request?"
"I heard from an acquaintance in Schlessi that your guild took down two demons. That's why."
"Ah, yes. We'll do our utmost not to disappoint."
"Haha, good. I look forward to working with you."
Hmm, he seems like such a refined guy.
Soon the waiter returned, saying there were three rooms available. Patrick pulled a silver coin from his pocket.
"How kind."
The waiter snatched the coin, his face lighting up as he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, sir!"
His attitude flipped completely. He grabbed our bags in both hands and led us to the rooms personally.
It was cramped, barely fitting a single bed, but a private room was a private room. Good enough.
"See you all at dawn tomorrow, then."
Patrick entered his room first. Celestine turned to me.
"What do you think of him?"
"What do you mean? He's our client."
"I guess... But why did he grab the waiter's collar earlier?"
"He got pissed. Now get some rest. We've got a full day of travel tomorrow."
"Good night, Guild Master."
"Oh, right. Hold on."
I stopped Celestine as she was about to enter her room.
"What's up?"
"Help me out with something. Come in for a sec."
"Y-Yes...? W-What do you need help with...?"
Celestine started stammering, so I chuckled.
"Nothing weird. Just help untie my armor straps. Hard to do alone."
"Ahhh, got it! Right away!"
She looked relieved. What does she think I am?
With Celestine's help, I undid the knots along the sides and back of my leather armor. I tossed it haphazardly on the floor and asked,
"Hey, can you do holy purification?"
"Yes, I can."
"Perfect. Do me, then. We've killed three demons already, but I haven't made it to a temple yet."
Demon hunters need regular holy purification. Fighting demons splashes their energy on you, and it builds up, eventually hampering your combat ability. That's where those stupid rumors come from—that demon hunters turn into demons themselves.
Why do they need purification? Oh, to slow down turning into a demon.
Stuff like that.
I yanked off my shirt, and Celestine shrieked, backing away.
"Nooo!"
"What's no? Temples always tell you to do it like this."
"R-Really...? It's my first time, actually... Then sit on the bed, facing the wall..."
I sat cross-legged on the bed, staring at the wall. Celestine stood behind me and let out a groan.
"How do you have so many scars...?"
"Demon hunter."
"How are you still alive...?"
"Demon hunter. Enough sightseeing. Hurry up with the purification."
"Y-Yes!"
Golden light bloomed from Celestine's hands, her holy power spreading gently from my back to envelop my whole body. A comfortable, warm sensation. That's what I always felt during purification.
I'm not religious, but in moments like this, it really feels like the goddess exists. She probably does. That's why priests can use holy power. And in the game lore, there is one.
One thing I've wondered: Am I the only soul possessor? Is the game still running normally after I possessed this body? If so, what about my real-world self? Did just my soul come here, leaving my body behind, or did some unknown physics wipe me out completely?
Usually in possessions, you get quests to complete to return home. But here? Nothing. No way to know.
Sometimes I think: Maybe this world isn't a game—it's real, and I'm the real Leonar. But then how do I explain the memories and game knowledge in my head?
What I know for sure: I possessed a game character, and there's no way back.
"All done."
Celestine extinguished her holy power.
"Thanks. Now go sleep. Full day tomorrow."
"Good night."
Even after Celestine left and closed the door, her thick perfume lingered in the room. Nice scent.
Last time it annoyed me during Blind Vision, but now? Different vibe.
She joined the guild empty-handed, no way she had perfume. Is it her natural body scent? Gotta check later.
The next dawn, we met client Patrick downstairs for a simple breakfast. The menu? Eternal stew, as expected. This inn doesn't serve anything else.
Celestine barely touched hers, so Patrick chuckled and pulled two loaves from his bag. Light-colored, soft texture—high-end refined wheat flour, not coarse whole grain.
"Thank you."
Me and Celestine devoured the bread, unable to hide our delight.
"Delicious, isn't it?"
"Eat up. I have more."
We filled up on Patrick's fancy bread instead of the garbage stew and left the inn in high spirits.
Patrick's wagon was huge, packed to the brim, but luckily pulled by four sturdy horses. Not top speed, but decent pace.
Me in front, Patrick in the middle, Celestine in the rear.
"Let's head out. Celestine, keep an eye on the back."
"Yes, Guild Master!"
We left the village, galloping west toward the duchy.
About two hours later.
"Guild Master! Guild Master!"
Celestine called urgently from behind.
"Something's chasing us!"
I turned to see eight riders in black cloaks charging fiercely after us.