Volume 2 Chapter 59 Witness I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
They finished their dinner at the ‘Pumpkin Pie Inn’ and headed back to the Izerland Hills.
Serena, who had also packed her things, joined them.
They decided to stay at Christy’s house for the night, as they planned to seek permission from Waterman to have Serena assist them early the next morning.
It would be more efficient, and they could also take advantage of the timing of the drawbridge being raised to expedite the checkpoint procedures.
”But what if I’m not allowed to participate in the ceremony’s security detail?”
Serena suddenly asked while they stood in the much shorter line at the checkpoint compared to earlier in the day.
”In that case, I’ll pay you one gold coin and 50 silver coins as a cancellation fee. You can use that to buy good-quality weapons and armor inside the fortress.”
”I feel bad just taking your money. If I’m not allowed into the venue, I’ll patrol the outer area on the day of the event. I think communication won’t be an issue if you can use crows as messengers.”
”No, crows can’t deliver messages to me inside the venue. I have a more capable messenger──let me introduce you.”
As Kian finished speaking, the shadows at his feet seemed to come alive, writhing and rising.
The temperature dropped suddenly, and the Windsong Blade on Kian’s back emitted a whispering sound.
A small scream came from behind them.
Two servants appeared out of thin air, guarding Azrael’s warrior monk.
One wore an orange, flashy kimono with a Tengu mask.
The other, a fox mask with a red and white ceremonial kimono.
’──────’
’……’
The two creatures, disguised as humans, stood motionless, their heads bowed slightly.
”W-What…!?”
Serena’s eyes widened in surprise.
Her silver tail stood on end, and her dog-like ears perked up from her hair, alert.
”Night Wraiths!? No, that’s not it…! What kind of magic power is this? It’s pitch black and creepy!”
”They’re my familiars. Please don’t say they’re creepy.”
”Night Wraith? Familiar…? “
Serena asked suspiciously.
Christy, who had been quietly listening up until now, finally spoke up.
”I can understand your reaction. I was super freaked out at first too.”
”Kian, are these guys safe?”
”As you can see, they don’t attack humans. They won’t harm anyone unless I give the order. Well, unless I’m in danger, but… Never mind, go back.”
The Tengu and the Fox showed no particular reaction, their outlines fading into the night’s darkness, returning to the shadows on the ground.
The way they disappeared reminded Christy of teleportation, or even the mist-like transformation of a vampire.
”On the day of the meeting, if you can’t get in, you’ll have to rely on them to deliver a message. I’ll keep the Fox with Serena. They can’t handle complex tasks, but they can follow simple orders.”
”…!”
Serena seemed speechless.
Her light blue eyes glanced down at her waist, where her long sword was sheathed.
She hadn’t drawn her sword against the Tengu and Fox because the magic language inscribed on it was specifically for fighting the undead.
The Wraith was a spiritual being, so Serena’s physical attacks with her sword would be useless.
If someone like the Tengu wielded the Windsong Blade, its power could potentially inflict a fatal blow on Serena.
Recalling their previous agreement to duel, Serena realized that if they fought now, she would be no match for them.
She frowned and averted her gaze to the ground.
”Looks like there’s a huge gap in our strengths now.”
”I’ve been fortunate to have gained so much in just a week. It’s been quite the journey.”
”I need to step up my game too… Maybe choosing the Vengeful Corpse was a mistake.”
”Don’t say that. Thanks to you, people were saved, and the Death Sword User’s victims might have been reduced because of your night patrols.”
”…That’s right. Thank you.”
”I might have said this before, but let’s save the thanks until after you defeat the Death Sword User. Once you join the ‘Storm Herd,’ I’ll make sure you get a hefty reward.”
”Okay. Thanks.”
”Ah, it looks like it’s our turn now. Ms. Serena, let’s go.”
”Yeah.”
By the way, the toll for Serena will be covered as an expense by the party leader, Kian.
Three silver coins used to be a lot, about 30 quests worth, but now it’s becoming pocket change.
She looked tired, but when she saw Kian, a faint smile appeared on her face.
After introducing Serena and explaining the situation, he quickly let them through the checkpoint.
”If you don’t have to pay, that’s a win for you. I’ll talk to Baron Waterman on my end. Just come by the post tomorrow morning, just in case.”
”Understood.”
”A female warrior of the Wolfmen, huh… I’ve seen male warriors a few times, but never a female. This job has been going on for quite a while.”
”That’s because the Wolfmen only fight with men. The women stay home to protect the children.”
”Is that so?”
”But it’s okay.”
Serena said this calmly to the knight and pointed to the ground next to the checkpoint.
A tremendous amount of magic power surged from the silver-haired girl swordsman.
”────!?”
Multiple rock spears shot up from the ground, stabbing into the empty air.
The mass and speed of the spears surpassed that of an average magician.
”Wow. You can use magic?”
”Yeah. I learned it while working part-time with Ms. Aliona.”
”‘From the Thorn Magician!?”
”Yeah. I haven’t finished the basics yet, but I can at least do this much.”
”A swordsman who can use magic is rare. You’ve got a strong ally now.”
The knight nodded repeatedly, impressed.
When Serena lowered her hand, the rock spears shattered into pieces and returned to the ground.
(She has already surpassed Franciska’s level.)
Kian handed over 5 silver coins to the knight, thinking to himself, “Two extra coins as a tip for their cooperation.”
The only thing left was to coordinate their battle strategy as a party, but Kial was confident in his ability to adapt to others in combat, having spent over a decade jumping from one diverse party to another.
”Christy, do we have any ingredients for breakfast?”
”Not much, but we should still have some bread and wine.”
”Then I’ll go to a tavern to buy some now. I’ll also stop by the weapon shop.”
”The weapon shop?” “What are you buying?”
”I got a magic tool that creates mirrors, and I’m looking for a mace to attach it to. Once I craft it, I’ll be a full-fledged magician!”
”Perfect. In the meantime, let’s take a bath. Ms. Serena, can you take a bath?”
”You’re letting me use your bath?”
”Yes.”
”Thank you. The stench of Vengeful Corpses had been clinging to me after fighting them day after day. Spoon-Wings and Goblins were fine, but those Death Corpse were nasty.”
”It must have been unbearable, affecting your daily life.”
”Yeah, the innkeeper scolded me.”
”Where will you sleep, Serena?”
”Ms. Serena, would you like to sleep with me in my bed?”
”Really? Are you sure?”
”Yes!”
Christy nodded with an unusually excited breath.
”I’ve always dreamed of having a sleepover with a girl my age! During my student days, I had acquaintances but no one I could call a friend.”
(It’s heavy… I’m a similar person, so it feels even more heavy)
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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