Volume 3 Chapter 15 Owl’s Tale I
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”‘Night Crier’?”
”Well, for about 3 weeks now, there have been incidents where villagers along the coast of 13 fishing villages near Fort Châtillon have been attacked. All the victims have had their life force drained due to a ‘ghostly contact’ unique to the wraith species, causing them to collapse. I had requested 3 parties of Rank 4 Adventurers from Châtillon to handle it, but they failed to subdue it and were instead killed by the ghost.”
Guy continued.
”When it comes to Rank 4, it falls under the category of advanced-rank Adventurers. Considering the cumulative contribution points required, it’s the highest rank you can achieve through normal accomplishments. The 3 parties I discussed with the Guildmaster had the skills to back it up… but against the ‘Night Crier’, they were completely outmatched. Their weapons were taken, and they were slaughtered with their own gear. Judging by how the bodies fell, it appears they didn’t even have a chance to fight back.”
”Why would such a powerful wraith appear in a fishing village? Is this a common occurrence in Châtillon?”
”Although wraiths can often be seen near the sea, this is the first time we’ve encountered such a strong one. Moreover, its appearance and timing are random, making encounters exceedingly difficult. The only fortunate aspect is that the ‘Night Crier’ is usually quite passive about most things. If you don’t poke it, it won’t attack. It’s either crying with its feet in the seawater or staring vacantly at Azrael from atop the coastal rocks.”
”If it poses no harm if left alone, is there an option to just ignore it? Perhaps the magician could set up a barrier to keep people away from where the ‘Night Crier’ appears?”
When Kian suggested this, Guy shook his head.
”Already regarding the area where the ‘Night Crier’ has appeared, the magistrates have issued a night-only entry ban. However, dissatisfaction from the residents is growing by the day. For fishermen, not being able to work along the coast in the evening or early morning seems to lead to a decrease in income, and they are shouting that if nothing is done about it, the tax rate should be lowered this year. It’s a hassle, but as the acting lord, I must at least show a willingness to address the situation.”
”I see.”
”In addition, we’ve also been petitioned directly by the Adventurer Guild leader from Châtillon to take on the extermination ourselves. They’ve asked us to avenge the 13 members from 3 adventurer parties that were killed. …Annoyingly, the Guild leader has also said that they can’t spare any more personnel. That scoundrel must think I abandoned those advanced-rank adventurers.”
”So, that’s where I come in?”
”That’s it. If you feel that you lack strength after tracking the enemy, send a bird. I and my brothers may be tied up with meetings and duties with the merchants, but Priscilla, who’s holed up in the eternal library, will likely be free. I’ll tell her to go provide support.”
”Understood.”
Even if that ‘Night Crier’ were an enemy too strong to handle, by the time she sent a letter to Guy, it would have likely disappeared somewhere (the wraith type can shift into spirit form and vanish), so rescue can’t be relied upon.
However, since it’s still a wraith, there are countless weaknesses, so if adequately prepared, it should be possible to eliminate it without issue.
Homolka, listening from the side, looked at Guy with pitying eyes.
”Being the lord of Châtillon must be tough, governing a country like that. In my small territory, at least, we don’t have to deal with such monstrous foes like that terrifying wraith or Wind-Eating Varglips, super Rank 1 creatures. The most we encounter are the giant earth bugs that lurk underground in the vineyard or the Arachne that preys upon them.”
”I’ve heard through the grapevine that the Archbishop is about to inherit the position of Cardinal. Once your father-in-law passes away, won’t the Archbishopric of Izerland be handed over to your son, allowing him to govern the vast holy lands around the royal capital? With an expanded territory, you’ll likely have more headaches dealing with troublesome monsters.”
”Haha, well, if anything troublesome comes up, I might just put in a personal request to Lord Kian.”
Jokes aside, he should respond with politeness here.
If he goes to the center, he would normally request help from advanced-rank or top-tier Adventurers, but perhaps they might offer him a job with a hefty contract.
Kian placed his hand on his chest.
”Leave it to me. No matter what kind of monster trouble it is, I will resolve it swiftly.”
”Thank you, Lord Kian. It’s truly reassuring to have a hero who can take down Oswald as a friend. If anything comes up, I’ll be counting on you. ──Well then, I think it’s about time I head back to bed. Sorry for interrupting your work talk.”
Homolka said this and was supported by his Knight, Balondor, as he left the training space.
As he watched his back, the sounds of wooden swords clashing and the strange cries of the trainees echoed loudly.
Eventually, as the Archbishop’s figure disappeared beyond the southern Botanical Garden, Guy turned back to Kian and began to continue the conversation.
”──While the ‘Night Crier’ Quest is important, personally, I want you to focus more on another Quest. Even if ‘Night Crier’ fails, we can just send in the next Adventurer, but this other Quest is over if we fail once. That’s why I want to rely on a skilled person like you.”
”Was it the underground arena Quest? You’re not suggesting that I participate in the fight as a gladiator, are you?”
”That’s exactly it. Kian, I want you to participate as my champion in the coliseum held regularly at the Châtillon fortress casino in the sewers under town and win.”
”Let me make this clear: I’m a monster hunter, not a hired killer.”
”There’s no need to kill them. Just knock them unconscious, or make them beg for mercy, and the judge will stop the fight. The other 3 teammates are all ex-slaves from the training academy, so they’ll probably come at you swinging. As long as you take down your opponents in the semi-finals and finals, I won’t complain. I’ll give you 50 gold coins as a reward.”
”Fifty gold coins!? Are you serious? I’m only a low-ranking adventurer…”
”Rank doesn’t matter sometimes. If someone has the skills of an advanced-rank adventurer or higher, they deserve to be paid accordingly. Fair trading and proper contracts are essential skills for a businessman like me.”
”But 50 gold coins… I’m afraid I might be mistaken, but it seems Sir Guy is trying to trick me into selling my soul, and then sell me as a slave to someone in Azrael.”
”I’ll have the adventurer’s guild verify the magic contract later. They’ll see that I have no intention of setting you up.”
”May I decide whether to accept or not when the time comes? I’d be happy to take on the Night Crier quest.”
”Can you have the contract checked immediately? The gladiatorial matches are in a week. If you go off on some quest and leave for 5 days, then decide to back out, it will be too late to find a replacement.”
”For the next week, I’ll either be at the fortress or in East End. Any requests I take in East End will be day jobs only, and if you send anything to the Adventurers’ Guild in Izerland Fortress or East End, I can check it the same day.”
”Understood. Once I send the contract, I’ll ask you to process it as quickly as possible. Also, could you tell me where you’re staying in the East End? I’ll send a free witch over to help you.”
”Of course. Here is a simple map.”
”‘The Boar’s Trot Inn’…. I see, it’s down Central Street, right? Yes, that’s for sure. Just to be clear, I don’t intend to lead you into any cowardly traps. When it comes to the gladiatorial matches, I genuinely want you to win.”
”You seem really desperate…”
As Kian looked puzzled, Guy sighed gloomily.
There couldn’t be a more unsuitable gesture for someone with Renaud’s rough appearance.
After a moment, he lowered his gaze and spoke in a tone as if something was stuck in his teeth.
”…The prize for the winning gladiator’s master is a rare magic relic. They say it’s the decayed seed of a monster known as the ‘Thorn Demon,’ which rampaged around here 80 years ago. ——And my wife, well… she’s told me she wants to add it to her collection.”
”‘Thorn Demon’…? Isn’t that dangerous?”
”The seed is decayed. Even if you drop it on the ground, it won’t sprout into some thorny monster. It’s merely a luxury item.”
”I see. Oh, could it be that your wife is a vampire researcher like Sir Oswald?”
”No. My wife is──rather, she is quite the opposite. She is the daughter of a cardinal from the Western Church.”
Guy’s expression was filled with anguish as he said that.
Could it be that things weren’t going well with his wife?
’Speaking of cardinals, they must be the top brass of the Western Church, right? The Pope is at the very top, and then there are 20 of them below.’
(Ah. A genuine upper-class person among the nobles living in the royal capital.)
’So she married into Châtillon? There must be some circumstances behind that.’
(There probably isn’t such a thing as an upper-class marriage without some sort of agenda.)
Whether Renaud pleaded with the cardinal or the cardinal had some reason to offer his daughter, it was clear that something other than pure affection was at play.
It seemed that discussing his wife was a topic best avoided.
”I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pried into that.”
”No problem. More importantly, I’m looking forward to a favorable response regarding the Quest. I’m planning to offer a generous reward to ‘Night Crier’, so please check the contract details on that front as well.”
”Yes.”
”Are you planning to duel the old man once the magic sword is repaired?”
”No. I’d prefer to avoid dueling for all eternity if possible.”
”I see. That’s a pity. I thought it would make for a good business opportunity.”
”…Are you not opposed to your father fighting for his life?”
Guy glanced at his father, who was standing with his arms crossed in the training ground.
”Father is searching for the thrill of the battlefield. He was quite disappointed that he arrived late to the previous Oswald incident. I suppose when one lives a long and healthy life, there is a need for a sense of purpose. I don’t quite understand that yet, as I am overwhelmed with daily duties.”
”The thrill of the battlefield is indeed like a drug.”
”No doubt about it. I know that taste as well. It must be something mentally abnormal. ──I’m going to greet Lady Eleonora now. What will you do?”
”I’m seeking an audience with Her Excellency Maribel. ──Ah, it looks like Liam is coming this way.”
”I see. Let me say this once more, I will send a witch who can connect a gate to East End to ‘The Boar’s Trot Inn’ on a later date. Please inform the innkeeper not to dismiss them easily. I’m expecting a good response.”
”Yes.”
”Then take care.”
Guy said that and swiftly moved through the crowd towards the red-haired lady in the depths of the training ground.
Renaud, who should have been accompanying him, had started to deal with a tiger Beastman boy named Gao right in front of him.
In contrast to his overly free-spirited father, the son appeared quite composed for his looks.
Perhaps it was because Renaud was this way that Guy grew up to be a proper lord (technically, a regent).
Kian turned on his heels, passed through the mosquito net, and joined Liam, who had come to pick him up.
* * *
The meeting with Maribel is set to take place in the salon of the west wing.
The outer perimeter of the West Wing features a cool area with an artificial river that was part of the old Oswald estate, and during the summer, he would have a desk and chair brought to this veranda to handle bank operations and paperwork from the magistrate of the estate.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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