abcnovels
Chapter 109.3
Chapter 109.3
Chapter 109.3
When I look over my shoulder, I see a warrior signaling to his comrades and a man who appears to be a mage focusing intensely.
Are they serious?
I grab the letter opener from the reception desk and cast [Wind Fang Slash] backwards.
For a moment, the air in the hall ripples, and the adventurers murmur softly.
By the time it subsides, the mage is paralyzed.
I wonder how many understood what just happened.
But one definitely did. After all, his spell was obliterated.
Unaware of the mage’s paralysis, the warrior is still urging him with his eyes.
When I hand the letter opener back, the receptionist takes it, dumbfounded.
“Who knows? Did something happen?”
What I intercepted was a [Wind Bolt].
I held back the power, but it should’ve felt like a punch.
Casting attack spells here means the guild is being underestimated.
Regardless, this isn’t going to end peacefully.
The mage snaps out of it as the warrior starts cursing.
He whispers something to his comrades, but the warrior’s anger flares.
“Enough!”
Shoving the mage aside, the warrior approaches me, glaring.
Everyone’s attention shifts to the tense atmosphere.
Even those on the verge of fighting earlier are now watching, one of them whispering, “C-rank adventurer…”
C-rank… these guys?
Now that I think about it, they are quite strong.
Better than the Serfs of Haleighst… but if I had to hire, I’d choose the latter.
Their behavior is terrible.
As I ponder, the door suddenly opens.
In walks Brent, whom I had just parted with.
The arrival of the guard halts the warriors, and a different tension fills the hall.
Scanning the room, Brent spots me.
Then abruptly,
“The road is open!”
he shouts.
Silence falls, then the hall erupts in cheers.
Adventurers swarm Brent to hear it again.
“Leader, we have to report!”
Amidst this, the mage pulls the warrior’s arm.
The warrior, still glaring at me, clicks his tongue, says “Let’s go,” and leaves the guild.
Looks like Brent saved me.
It wouldn’t have turned into a killing, but I didn’t want to show off more strength.
Brent, now freed, approaches as I place a leather pouch on the counter.
“I’m Tenko, a D-rank adventurer. I found a comrade’s belongings at the landslide site.”
The receptionist, initially beaming about the road’s reopening, sobers up at the news.
She bows and inspects the pouch.
“Any adventurer’s ID? Identifying one will help find the others.”
“What about those who accepted a quest and haven’t returned?”
“We’ve shared information with Selen through adventurers crossing the mountains, but no one has gone missing on a quest recently. With just these belongings, finding them will be difficult.”
She hands the pouch back.
“Found items belong to the finder. These are yours.”
“I don’t need them. Is there a place to bury adventurers without kin?”
“We have guild facilities, but without an ID, we can’t confirm they’re adventurers.”
“The knife is well-used. Mercenaries wouldn’t travel alone. They were adventurers.”
I place a gold coin on the counter.
“Use this for their burial. Is it enough?”
The receptionist widens her eyes, glancing at the coin.
“Why go to such lengths?”
“Who knows? Maybe because we’re fellow adventurers.”
In my response, she gently pushes the coin back.
“The Adventurers’ Guild will handle their burial.”
“I see. Thank you.”
As I retrieve the coin, Brent approaches, finally free.
“Tenko, I found us a place to stay.”
“That was fast.”
“I asked a friend to vacate a room. It’s a shared space, but will that do?”
“As long as there’s a roof. Thanks.”
As we talk, laughter and cheers echo from the adjacent tavern.
The adventurers’ tension has lifted, and Brent seems relieved, smiling their way.
Oh right, I need to find a caravan too.
Not just those guys, many adventurers are running to their clients.
But I wonder.
The prolonged rain might have affected other areas.
The caravan might be stuck elsewhere and not have reached Keril Village.
I’ve been told not to push myself to find them, but…
I have a bad feeling about this.
“Brent, is there a Lalsen Trading Company caravan in the village?”
“Lalsen Trading Company?”
After a moment’s thought, he snaps his fingers.
“Yeah, the big shop from Selen. Not sure if they’re here, but I know some inns.”
“Tell me. I have a letter for their head, Lauri, from the Commerce Guild.”
“I’ll take care of the lodging. Inns where a caravan might stay are—”
“Wait.”
The receptionist interrupts.
“Tenko, are you meeting Lalsen Trading?”
“Yeah. So those guys are their escorts?”
She nods, looking serious.
I knew it.
C-rankers are rare, and Lalsen wouldn’t hire below D-rank.
Given their frustration, they’ve been stuck here for a while.
I explain briefly to Brent, who is puzzled.
“So those guys. No wonder they were weird. Want me to deliver the letter?”
“No, it’s part of my job. Lauri’s subordinates will follow orders. Probably.”
With a light laugh, I get the names and locations of two inns.
Leaving the anxious Brent and the receptionist, I head to where the caravan is staying.