Chapter 98
“An adventurer?”
“Something like that. Not affiliated with the Spirit Formation, though.”
“Ho, is that so?”
The gnome's eyes sparkled with even greater satisfaction at the fact that Adel wasn't a Spirit Formation shaman.
“I'm looking for work.... What do you have in mind?”
Adel rested his chin on his hand and asked.
“If you're an adventurer, that's even better. Most folks coming through here are mercenaries, you see. Looks like I have a good eye for people after all.”
“First time meeting you, and you're already bragging about your judgment?”
“Haha, you get a feeling about these things.”
The gnome stood on tiptoe, barely peeking his face over the terrace railing as he spoke.
“Anyway, there's something an adventurer like you might find interesting. Care to hear it?”
“If it's a fun commission.”
“Good, good. You'll like it for sure.”
Seeing his chance, the gnome swiftly grabbed the terrace railing and hoisted himself up to stand beside Adel.
“That's a pretty rare ring you've got. A spirit magic artifact?”
“Something like it. But I'm no spirit mage. I just know how to handle spirits a bit.”
“I-is that right?”
Adel, already knowing the gnome's thoughts, flatly denied it while subtly enjoying the exchange.
“Low-grade spirits, at best. I use them for finding paths. They're surprisingly useful, especially in places mana or divine power can't reach.”
“That's exactly it.”
The gnome's eyes flickered from beneath his robe—likely a spark of anticipation.
“Looks like the gods are on our side. The person we've been looking for was right here all along.”
“What's the commission?”
“I'm Pausa, vice-captain of Leviathan. You might've heard of me.”
He pulled a small guild badge from his pocket. The Leviathan emblem was crafted with the gnome's special forging technique, making it hard to counterfeit.
“A famous name.”
Adel pushed it back without even looking, as if he didn't need to verify it.
“Who in the adventurer world hasn't heard of Leviathan? My apologies for not recognizing you—the guide for all travelers.”
“Haha, no need for flattery.”
Pausa waved it off with a laugh, clearly pleased by the praise.
“So why would someone like you need a guy like me? Big guilds like yours have everyone you need already.”
“Ahem... well, the task I'm entrusting to you isn't difficult at all.”
“What is it?”
“Be our guide.”
Adel's lips twitched at the words.
“Haha, the great adventurer's guide saying that to me? Hilarious.”
“We're investigating a special place right now. We found an intriguing story in an ancient tome from a recent ruin excavation.”
“What kind?”
“Ever heard of the Arun-Asarins, the so-called ancient people?”
“Of course.”
“Their civilization was incredibly advanced, though it's gone now. The relic investigation group 'Hegenia' gave us the tip.”
Hegenia, the relic investigation group.
Scattered across the continent were not just Forbidden Zones but ruins bearing traces of the Arun-Asarins. Many artifacts still slumbered untouched within.
The tales tempted some, but the relics from those ruins weren't as popular as one might think.
“Hegenia, huh...”
The reason those legacies endured was that even breaching the guardians—gatekeepers within—and claiming an artifact left it uninterpretable. Only elves could decipher the ancient runes, and elves were rare in this era.
Guess I'll have to meet them eventually.
Some ancient items discovered by Hegenia's investigators had their uses figured out by chance. The Arun-Asarin relics held tremendous power—from summoning lightning from the heavens to shattering boulders with cannon-like blasts.
Of course, magic can do that too. But their legacies had the advantage of being usable by anyone, independent of mana.
Those awe-inspiring artifacts led people to view the ancient ones as godlike.
[They called it science. You have your magitech now, but it doesn't compare.]
Adel recalled Kalderet's words from when they'd examined an Arun-Asarin spellbook left behind at Gerald's tower.
[Airships without magic stones floated the skies, and iron horses traversed the continent without kargon or beasts.]
But the Arun-Asarins served as a stark warning: even an era of such miraculous science could vanish.
This was the age of magic and swords. Adel was confident that even if the ancients returned, they couldn't surpass his era.
Not that I need to compare myself to long-gone ancients.
Having struck a deal with Sennew Laren of the Black Magic Palace, Adel wondered if he could snag some useful Hegenia relics.
“Hegenia... not a name you hear every day in adventurer guilds.”
He shrugged and looked at Pausa.
“Already sounds intriguing, like you said.”
“Right? Haha, I knew I had the eye. Had a feeling you'd be interested.”
But Adel just smirked inwardly at the reaction.
Interested my ass. Leviathan surely has spirit mages, so hiring outsiders means the Forbidden Zone's barrier devours shamans.
Pretty words aside, they were scouting disposable guides—someone they wouldn't mind losing.
Never trust a gnome's silver tongue, one of the world's great pitfalls.
The tiny folk were as cold and faithless as their short tongues suggested.
“Alright, what are you looking for?”
“Heard of the Scales of Cove?”
“Cove... You mean the Forbidden Zone you're heading to? Oh, come on...”
Adel feigned surprise and waved it off.
“No wonder a big guild like Leviathan approached me. Pass.”
He emphasized big guild deliberately, piquing interest while making himself seem inadequate—just the sly old gnome's type.
“Haha, that's the problem. Everyone hears 'Forbidden Zone' and backs off. Hear me out—it's not dangerous at all.”
“Hmm...”
Adel paused deliberately. Pausa seized the moment.
“Fine, here's a secret. I have a feeling you'll join us, so I'll spill. Our guild's advance team is already in the Forbidden Zone.”
“...Really?”
“Absolutely! Why would I lie? They've secured a position and are waiting. But reports confirm it's a true Forbidden Zone.”
Pausa continued.
“The lake surrounding Cove Island is shrouded in thick fog—not ordinary fog, either. Even magic doesn't pierce it.”
“And?”
“Spirits can navigate through it, per the advance team's report. Solid intel.”
He pulled out a worn pocket watch from his pocket.
“This belonged to my brother. Use your spirits to find him with this, and you're done. You can leave after. Remember, the pay's generous.”
To Adel, who knew the full story, it was laughable.
Secured a position? They can't even locate it. Failed despite spirit mages, so the barrier's no joke...
He kept a straight face, but his lips twitched at Pausa's sales pitch.
“Just guide them there?”
“Of course! Do that, and 100,000 gold's yours. Tempting, right? You couldn't earn that mercenary-lifelong.”
“Impressive sum.”
“For just pathfinding? A steal.”
The gnome pressed on relentlessly.
“Adventurers thrive on risk for reward. But ours is low-risk, high-reward. Why? Because we're there. Heh heh.”
Pausa patted Adel's shoulder lightly.
“I see.”
Pausa seemed desperate—not even checking Adel's skills, just latching onto the spirit mage bit.
“Sounds tempting. But I don't take commissions for gold alone.”
“Th-then...?”
Pausa's face hardened.
[Oh ho, look at those eyes? Kidnapping vibes if it goes south. Should I rip that gnome's tongue out first?]
Unlike his friendly smile, the sharp glint in his eyes irked Kalderet.
“Nothing much. Leviathan's a famed sea guild, right?”
Adel smirked and stroked his mane.
“I happened to get a map. After this commission, could you interpret it for me?”
“Haha, fate brought us together—what's that to me? Of course!”
Pausa's stiffened expression melted into a grin.
“Thanks. Don't forget that promise.”
“Naturally. No map Leviathan can't read. Bring anything.”
Adel nodded contentedly at the gnome's confidence.
“So, when do we start? We're all set—just waiting on you.”
“Two days from now.”
“...Two days? Why? We're a perfect match—no need to delay.”
Unlike the urgent Pausa, Adel spoke leisurely.
“You know tomorrow's the kingdom's big event, right? Can't come this far and miss it.”
Seeing Pausa's 'oh crap' face, Adel added.
“Leran Market. Where mercenaries from kingdoms and cities trade continent-wide goods. You know it?”
“Sure... but goods there are ridiculously expensive.”
“I've got enough gold.”
Pausa couldn't fathom how this boyish-looking kid had serious money.
Enough gold? Naive brat... He'll faint at those prices.
Adel read his eyes.
“R-really? Must be loaded then. Heh, lucky me—met a top adventurer.”
“No. Not now.”
And that doubt would cost him.
“...Huh?”
“But soon.”
Adel spread his fingers toward Pausa.
“100,000 gold.”
“...Hm?”
“Upfront as contract deposit, and I'll do it.”
“H-haha. Full advance payment? Well, I could...”
“No.”
Pausa eyed him hesitantly.
“Tempting, but I didn't say the amount was right. This is just the deposit.”
“D-deposit?”
“Separate from the deposit—300,000 gold upon completion.”
“...Absurd!!”
“Is it? Then forget it.”
Pausa faltered at Adel's firm refusal, against expectations.
“Then... 150...”
“350,000.”
“W-wait. Look, at this rate, better call a Spirit Formation shaman.”
“Do that. You're commissioning a lowly adventurer like me because you can't go to them, right?”
Pausa's face stiffened.
“Obviously. Spirit Formation eyed Cove too. If you could, you'd ask them.”
“200,000...”
Stung, he upped the offer, realizing he couldn't haggle down easily.
“Deal.”
“Really?”
“Yes. 200,000 deposit. 300,000 after.”
“...”
Pausa shook his head, speechless.
“Raise it more?”
“N-no!! ...Here's my signed voucher. Redeem at the guild. Whew, never paid upfront before. Keep it quiet. And no funny ideas... or no mercy.”
“Wouldn't dream of it.”
Adel took the paper with satisfaction.
“Got money now. 200,000 gold—plenty for market shopping.”
“A-hem...”
That punk... After this job, he's done.
Pausa recalled dismissing Adel's ragged appearance earlier.
“Well then.”
This is nothing compared to what you did. Pausa.
Adel rose, sneering at the fuming face.
The punishment for blinding ambition and dooming your brother has barely begun.
Adel sneered coldly.