87. The Castle in the Mountains and the Unrefusable Quest
Two days after the goblin attack, the caravan was making its way along a mountain path.
The grasslands had ended, and now steep mountains rose around them on all sides. The road snaked along the ridges, with constant ups and downs in gradient. There were spots where rocks had tumbled onto the path from landslides, so their progress was leisurely at best.
Morning training had resumed, and I was getting whipped into shape by Aver again. I still felt like she had it out for me. Fang had joined us too. Fatigue lingered in my body.
I was riding in the Mateo Merchant Company's wagon. The company folks were pressuring me to chat with Claire, so I couldn't relax at all. What I really wanted was to focus every nerve on catching glimpses of Mizuki's panties when she let her guard down in the wagon at the rear.
I wanted to bring Fam along, but that would weaken the rear guard, so no dice. If it were just me and Claire alone, we could talk more freely, I thought.
"The castle should come into view soon,"
Claire peered out from inside the wagon. I did the same, gazing at the scenery. We were surrounded by mountains, but the slope had gentled, and now we were in a forest. It wasn't the dim, dense sea of trees that encircled Rishel from afar. Tall trees like cedars grew here, and through the gaps, white mountain faces peeked out. It wasn't high enough for winter snow to linger. The rocks were pale. I could hear the sound of running water, so there must be a river nearby.
"Are we stopping at the castle?"
"We're just passing by. We can't enter the grounds. The lord rules over this area, including Fulft City. It'd be great if we could become royal suppliers..."
"The royals live in a remote place like this?"
"Not always. They have several residences in the territory and rotate between them. Intel says they're staying at this nearby castle right now."
As I kept chatting with Claire, a sharp tower—one corner of the fortress—came into view. It was built from heavy, brownish stone. Then the massive main building appeared, enclosed by sturdy walls. It was a stronghold built on a steep mountainside, blending beautifully with the surrounding nature.
It was exactly the medieval European castle I'd imagined. The blue roofs gleamed, reflecting the sunlight.
As we advanced, it grew larger and larger.
Even Claire, who knew about it from reports, was seeing it for the first time. She stared, breathless.
"Would you wanna live in a place like that, Claire?"
"If I said yes, you'd probably storm the castle and take it for me, huh, Mash?"
"...Yeah, no way. You're overestimating me."
Claire laughed. If it were a love hotel modeled after a castle from my old world, I could maybe swing that someday. A rotating bed, a fancy bath... I'd assault her there.
Lost in silly fantasies, the wagon suddenly stopped.
Beers came from the lead wagon.
"The castle knights stopped us. Aver's calling for Mercedes."
The man next to Claire stood. Claire and I hopped out too, following Beers's back.
At the front, five knights faced off against Aver and the others.
"What business brings you here?"
Mercedes bowed politely.
"Our king seeks skilled adventurers."
"As you see, we're just a humble caravan."
"That warrior, priestess, beastkin over there—they can fight. Leave the combatants behind."
"That would leave us without guards."
"Then we invite you to our lord's castle. Stay awhile. Consider it an honor."
The conversation between Mercedes and the knights dragged on. I stood next to Aver.
"This smells like trouble. Can't we just force our way through?"
I whispered to Aver, knowing it was reckless.
"We're entering their territory. They'd hound us nonstop."
"What if we take 'em out?"
I wasn't serious, but I asked anyway.
"Two paladins there. At high levels, they buff nearby allies' bodies with enhancements. If it turns to combat, we'd take casualties too."
Aver replied. I took it to mean we'd win but with losses. Complicated business with paladins—they were both a title from the hero Uta a century ago and a class. She meant the latter. Come to think of it, Momoka and Chihiro were paladins too. Perfect synergy for their beastkin frontliners. Good thing we weren't fighting them.
Tension hung over the negotiations between the knights and the merchants. But the caravan had no choice—they were being strong-armed into one decision. Under the fancy guise of an "invitation," we'd be escorted to the castle.
We were invited to the castle but didn't get an audience with the king.
Inside the walls was spacious enough for a small town, though no shops or residents. Neatly paved with cobblestones, a massive central building dominated the view. The royals were probably holed up somewhere in there. Other structures dotted the area: kitchens, barracks, stables, a church-like building.
For us from Levante, they assigned a room in the central building. Luxurious. The furnishings and decor were all ornate. Aver's group, Claire's folks, and other caravan members got similar digs.
Mizuki flopped onto the huge bed.
"So fluffy~"
She hugged a pillow, sinking contentedly into the mattress.
"Panties in full view."
I whipped out my smartphone and snapped a quick shot of her upskirt. If I had to keep riding with the Mateo wagon, I'd endure Mercedes's pressure by staring at this photo.
"Muu!"
She sat up, yanking her skirt down.
"You already have tons of my nude pics and vids! Isn't that enough?!"
"Nah, not even close. I want more. Someday I'll hold an exhibit."
Mizuki puffed her cheeks.
Myra picked up a silver pitcher, admiring its intricate patterns before pouring water into a glass and sipping.
"Not tasty. Rainwater mixed in, maybe? Mash or Cecily's magic water tastes better."
There was a river nearby, so springs too. But poisoning or enemy entry made that risky in a fight.
From the window, we saw the courtyard. A pond and well for water storage in the center.
"Isn't that the herbs Master and I picked?"
Fam peered out beside me. The room was on the second floor, but the high first-floor ceiling made it feel like the third. I couldn't tell what plants were growing down there.
Cecily and Ira nibbled fruits from a central table.
We lounged around with nothing to do. Then the door opened.
"Kyaa, perv!"
I yelled preemptively.
"...The knight commander summons you."
It was Aver. My joke got nothing but a cold glare. C'mon, react or something.
"Got it. Let's go."
I led my crew after Aver.
Gathered in the first-floor hall were Levante and Altail members, plus Claire and Mercedes.
At the far end hung a banner with what looked like the royal crest.
Three knights stood before it. Shockingly, the center one was a woman. Young, maybe twenties, with long golden hair and sharp eyes, a dignified face. Her surcoat strained at the chest—not Myra or Ira level, but rivaling Mizuki's massive tits.
Flanking her were the paladins who'd blocked the road earlier.
"Thank you for coming. I'm Zofia, commander of the Royal Guard."
Her voice was clear and resonant.
"To the point: I want you to destroy the Crystal Core in the dungeon that appeared under this castle."
"If I may ask—'appeared' how?"
Mercedes inquired.
"A few days ago, the Crystal Core in the castle basement rampaged. This fortress is key to northern defense. Can't leave it."
"Why hire drifters like us? Use your knights."
Zofia gave a wry smile.
"Sent six elites. Couldn't beat the 10th-floor Area Guarder."
"...I see."
Mercedes looked grim. Area Guarder rooms are no-return—you can't retreat. Failure meant wipeout.
"Dungeon's fresh, probably 10 floors max. Stay here—no worries about food or horse feed. Reward's generous. Slay the boss."
"...We accept, but may we discuss among ourselves?"
"I'll be in my office. Call me. I'll guide you to the entrance."
Zofia and crew left the hall.
Mercedes sighed, scanning us.
"Negotiations are my job, sorry. No choice."
She bowed deeply. Couldn't blame her. That was an order.
"But why invite unknown adventurers into the castle?"
Myra said.
"Because Aver's an A-rank adventurer."
Mercedes stated flatly. We gawked at her. Same caliber as Aidan. She'd probably shown her status sheet to prove identity when stopped.
"Shoulda led with mine. F-rank, they'd let us slide..."
"What?!"
Fang and Doris stared. I flashed my status sheet, the gleaming F.
"See? I'm F-rank adventurer, so you losers who lost to my party should be more embarrassed!"
"...That's gotta be fake. Can't take paying guild quests without higher class. How'd you survive?"
Fam and I exchanged looks.
"Picked herbs. Plenty for basics. Living frugal till Cecily and Ira picked a fight. Snowballed from there."
"Level 20+ picking herbs, huh..."
Now Fang and Doris swapped glances.
"Enough chit-chat. We're clearing the dungeon. Pick party for Area Guarder room."
Aver said.
"No new party. Me, Fam, Mizuki, Myra, Cecily, Ira."
No retreat means push on. Got Goddess Summon too. I glanced at Levante—they nodded stoically.
"Hold up. Mash, pair with me. You pick the rest. Or stay behind."
Absurd. Wanted my six. I shook my head at Aver.
Logically, Aver was strong, frontliner. Swap her out? Fam or Mizuki. Sure, Aver outleveled and outskilled them. But for a boss one-shot, their Special Skills matched or beat her.
Still, A-rank like Aidan. If she had a Special Skill, maybe. But familiar teamwork wins.
"Truth: My Mateo job's deliver you and Claire to Migurutt, come hell or high water. Skipped Big Hoppers at Niren thinking you'd win, but can't send you to a knight-wiping deathtrap."
"Aver, gotta be them," I said.
"Obsessed with girls? Rethink, and I'll let you hit this."
"Wha—! For real? Say that first!"
Fam's gaze went from heated to trash-stare icy.
"J-joking! Levante it is."
Aver clicked her tongue, sighing in resignation.
"Fine. Scout 10th floor all together first. Monsters there'll clue us on the Guarder."
Thank you for reading.
Thanks to everyone who hit like, bookmark, or rated.
It motivates me. I'll keep pushing.
Thanks for typo reports. Super helpful.