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Episode 83
Into the dungeon (6)
Rattling, rattling!
A bumpy forest path.
Several carriages carrying mercenaries were slowly moving along the forest path.
It’s already been five hours since we left the gates of Grotesque.
Now, there wasn’t much distance left until the dungeon.
“Euuuuugh… … .”
A groan was heard from the side, breaking the regular sound of horseshoes.
I turned my gaze towards the direction from which the groaning sound had come.
Philip was sticking his head out of the carriage and retching.
“I’m sorry Raoul. I can’t take any more classes because of motion sickness.”
Philip looks visibly tired.
The guy’s face was pale from motion sickness.
Riley nodded after seeing the sight and answered.
“Okay. Then I’ll review what I’ve learned so far.”
“Uh, uh. Thank you… … .”
Thank you.
Actually, we were the ones who should be thanking them.
Thanks to Philip, this trip was a lot easier.
Normally, other mercenaries would leave chores for Riley to do while they were on the move.
Or order them to sharpen the sword.
Or oiling leather armor, etc… … .
But today was different.
Is it because I found out that Riley is a wizard?
The mercenaries no longer touched her.
Instead, they simply left Riley free to take magic lessons from Phillip.
“… … .”
dump.
Riley, leaning back comfortably on the carriage seat, let out a relieved sigh and spoke to me.
‘If I had known it would be this easy, I would have revealed the fact that I was a wizard a long time ago.’
[That won’t work.]
The reason the Blood Wolf Mercenaries accepted Riley was because she volunteered to be their porter.
If Riley had revealed from the beginning that she was a wizard, the mercenary group would have obviously opposed our joining.
[As you know, it is impossible for ordinary magicians to reach a higher level than the lower level before reaching adulthood.]
“… … .”
[There is no reason for a mercenary group that has been hiring magicians belonging to the “Pamela’s Familia” for 5 years to accept such magicians.]
What if Riley lifts her “magic concealment” and reveals her true abilities?
Well, I might be able to join the mercenary group right now.
But later on, problems will definitely arise.
Even Martha Pargerich, who is considered the greatest archmage in history, rose to the rank of secondary wizard at the age of 21.
But if a little kid had reached the middle ranks, then naturally rumors about him would spread far and wide.
Of course, that story would reach the ears of the Inquisitor Ermin.
‘Then it’s only a matter of time before my identity is revealed.’
[huh.]
I continued to answer, affirming Riley’s statement.
[Besides, wizards have a bad perception.]
“… … .”
[Let’s think back to what the hairy captain told us this morning.]
-By the way, Philip has a pretty good personality for a wizard.
-Unlike other magicians who are self-righteous and stubborn, he is very easy to communicate with.
okay.
A self-righteous and stubborn sorcerer.
That was exactly the public’s preconception about wizards.
In a situation where such negative stereotypes are ingrained, the mercenary group will not take in a strange magician.
[That’s why it was the most reasonable plan to volunteer as a porter from the beginning.]
Start off as the most trustworthy porter and slowly build up trust.
So when a positive perception is formed, it is convenient to reveal the fact that you are a wizard.
Isabella’s plan was perfect.
It’s not for nothing that she was chosen as the Grand Elder of the Irantes Tower.
Although she was a person who gave off a slightly creepy vibe, there was no denying that she was a wise person.
‘aha…….’
Nod─.
After hearing my explanation, Riley nodded as if she understood.
“Hey, Raoul.”
Right then.
A thick voice came from the other side of the carriage.
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“Are you feeling better?”
The hairy captain was looking at us with a smirk.
Riley nodded in response.
“It’s a little shaky, but I think it’s bearable.”
“Hahaha!”
He burst into hearty laughter.
“Yeah. Keep holding on like that. Mercenaries always have to get used to this rattling.”
The hairy captain continued speaking, laughing.
“By the way, that’s really fortunate.”
“… … What is it?”
“It’s good that you have a true wizard like Philip as your teacher.”
The hairy captain let out a deep sigh, as if he had recalled some bad memories.
“There are so many wizards with strange personalities in the world. There are few wizards with such a kind personality as Philip. You are so lucky to have such a gentle wizard teaching you.”
“It seems there have been a lot of strange people among the wizards you’ve met so far, Commander.”
The captain nodded, confirming Riley’s words.
“After 11 years of being a mercenary, I’ve met all kinds of people.”
“… … .”
“There was even a Pathfinder who led us through a rough patch just because he was in a bad mood. He told our mercenary band to go fuck themselves.”
Riley frowned slightly when she heard that.
“A wizard like that should be beaten until he comes to his senses.”
“Well, I agree with that opinion. But there was no need for it that day.”
The captain chuckled and burst into laughter.
“That stupid wizard died during his mission. The front line, exhausted from the constant traps, couldn’t protect him from the monsters. Well, it was your own fault.”
“… … ”
“But that kid is a weakling. There are so many wizards in the world who are worse than him.”
The hairy captain continued to tell anecdotes about the wizards he had met so far.
Stories that made me laugh out loud just by listening to them continued.
How much time has passed like that?
After finishing his story, the captain smiled faintly and kept his mouth shut.
One by one─.
He began to rummage around in his bosom without saying a word.
Soon a small, shiny object was pulled out of his pocket.
‘It’s a necklace.’
[huh.]
It was a heart-shaped necklace that fit perfectly in one hand.
Click─.
The captain opened the cover of the necklace with a familiar motion.
Swish.
He said, handing the necklace to Riley.
“Okay, handle it carefully.”
“… … .”
“Because it’s my treasure that I don’t show to just anyone.”
Riley took the necklace carefully.
Inside the lid was a small picture the size of a palm.
In the photo, a woman and a child were smiling, centered around a man who looked much younger than he is now.
“These people… … .”
“My family. My lovely wife and daughter.”
The captain continued speaking, stroking the photo with his fingertips.
“Once this mission is over, I’ll go back to my family.”
“… … .”
“I worked as a mercenary for 11 years and saved all the money I needed.”
Mercenaries make a lot of money.
The more dangerous the assignment, the higher their salary becomes.
However, not many people are quick to jump into this mercenary career.
Because in this job there is always the risk of death.
Therefore, those who did this mercenary work were usually divided into two groups.
Those who value money more than life.
Or those who have no choice but to risk their lives for money.
Chief Furbo was one of the latter.
“My daughter is sick.”
“… … .”
“It’s a rare disease. The cost of the medicine to treat it is enormous. I roughly calculated that it would take at least 50 years to earn that amount of money by working as a woodcutter.”
He looked at the photo with a lonely expression.
“So I became a mercenary.”
“… … .”
“I wanted to see my daughter running around the fields happily again, not lying helplessly on the sickbed.”
Mercenaries live ignorantly, enjoying each day.
Because I earn my living day by day, risking my life.
And because every day we stand at the crossroads of life and death.
If they do not live ignorantly, their spirit will not remain.
11 years passed like that.
Before he knew it, the ordinary lumberjack had grown into an experienced veteran mercenary.
His axe, which had cut down countless trees, was now stained with the blood of beasts and people.
The reason he was able to endure life so tenaciously was because of two goals.
For my daughter’s health.
And for the happiness of the family.
“… … You must have had a hard time.”
Riley muttered quietly.
Hearing that, the hairy captain smiled and nodded.
“I’d be lying if I said otherwise.”
The captain put the lid on the necklace.
He carefully kept the necklace in his bosom and continued talking while staring blankly at the scenery outside the carriage.
“I miss my daughter more today.”
“… … .”
“But, well, I’ll be seeing you every day once this mission is over. I’ll just have to hold on a little longer.”
Riley immediately responded after hearing that.
“Don’t say that.”
“why?”
“When you read heroic novels, the people who say things like that always end up dying.”
“Hahahahaha!”
The hairy captain burst into hearty laughter as usual.
“Yeah. In heroic novels, the person who says such sentimental things always ends up dying.”
“… … .”
“But that’s only true in novels. Reality is different. You need to have a goal like this to keep your wits about you even when you’re on the brink of death.”
The hairy captain clenched his fist and pounded his chest.
“Look! As proof, I’ve been alive and well for 11 years!”
“… … .”
[… … .]
okay.
Reality and fiction are different.
Sometimes, a cliche death sentence can be the motivation that saves someone’s life.
“I hope the captain completes this mission safely.”
Riley said in a quiet voice.
Through the power of bonding, I could feel that her words were truly sincere.
Sigh─.
Did the captain also sense Riley’s sincerity?
He answered with a warm smile.
“Thank you, Raoul. Even though we only spent a week together, I really like you… … .”
Wedge──!
Sigh.
The captain’s words were cut off.
An arrow that flew out of nowhere.
The captain fell over and under the carriage.
Boom─!
His figure, unable to keep up with the speed of the carriage, rolled along the ground and soon disappeared into the dust.
“… … .”
“… … .”
What happened in the blink of an eye.
A terrible silence fell.
The mercenaries, who had not yet figured out the situation, just stared at each other with dumbfounded expressions.
Rattling, rattling!
The carriage hit a rock and shook violently.
“S, s, sup… … .”
Only then did one of the mercenaries, who had belatedly realized the reality, scream in a voice full of shock.
“Raid!!! It’s an attack!!! Aaaah!!! It’s an attack!!!”
It was at that moment that similar cries began to be heard from other carriages.
