89 – Darville (5)
Although I declared that I would take on the request, Anton still stubbornly showed a negative attitude.
He even added that he would stop mediating the request altogether if I didn’t listen to him.
Of course, that didn’t mean we couldn’t make a contract.
‘The Night of the Forest’ is merely a mediator and cannot forcibly intervene in the contract of a request.
If you wish, the woman and I can make a contract without going through ‘The Night of the Forest’.
However, Anton could see it as the most negative expression he could show.
He then said that taking me alone wouldn’t look good on either side, and if he were to take me, he suggested hiring additional mercenaries.
In fact, Anton’s proposal was reasonable.
Both the woman and I, as mercenaries, do not know much about the forest.
Initially, the woman’s goal was to hire a guide to help explore the forest.
Yet she chose me, who doesn’t know much about the forest, which does not align with the initial purpose.
I had prepared myself with various information before entering the forest, but I had little practical experience, and even that was limited to just a few times near the edge of the forest.
I am confident in handling most situations with force, but the forest is an unpredictable place, so hiring mercenaries or adventurers who know the forest well as a precaution could be a very reasonable choice.
The only issue would be money.
The cost of a request that goes deep into the forest is quite expensive.
From the perspective of receiving the request, it is a fair amount considering that lives are at stake, but for many, it was an amount they couldn’t afford.
However.
“Alright. Let’s do that then.”
The woman nodded eagerly as if money was not an issue at all.
“Good. This part feels refreshing.”
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Anton, who had been scowling menacingly all along, finally relaxed his expression at the woman’s response and nodded.
“Let’s do that then,… What about the other mercenaries? Shall we look around ourselves? Or should I make some recommendations?”
“Please recommend. I’ve heard the innkeeper’s eye is trustworthy.”
“…Well, you were quite stubborn until just now, and now you’ve suddenly changed into a different person.”
Anton, who shook his head as if in disbelief, spoke again soon after.
“When will we depart?”
“It’s scheduled for three days from now. Will it be possible to hire enough within that time?”
“Three days… It seems possible enough.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“Alright. Let’s do that.”
As the conversation neared its end, the woman glanced at me one last time before leaving the room.
And Dorothy, with an expression of mixed feelings, followed her.
Thus, the client’s group left the room.
Anton’s gaze turned towards me.
His intense gaze flickered.
“And you… start studying from today. Cram as much knowledge as possible into your head within three days.”
“…Yes.”
It was undoubtedly for my benefit, but the intensity of his manner felt unavoidably intimidating.
***
Since then, Anton thoroughly imparted knowledge to me.
Despite being busy with inn duties, he made time to teach me even during his scarce free moments.
When he couldn’t spare time, he handed me books to memorize.
The brain screamed in protest against studying at the wrong time, but Anton was grateful, and it was knowledge that I needed as well, so I diligently absorbed it.
As time passed, the morning of the promised day finally dawned.
“Andel… Are you really okay? Even now…?”
“I’m fine. Thanks to Anton, I’ve learned everything I need to, and I’m not going alone either.”
“Still…”
As I was about to leave the inn, Nina, the innkeeper, grabbed me at the entrance, her face full of worry.
After observing her for nearly a month, I could tell she was a kind-hearted person.
She always greeted people with a smiling face, genuinely and sincerely.
I was no exception, and since meeting me, Nina had always treated me kindly.
Perhaps her worrying nature was just part of her personality.
Naturally, it’s not a bad feeling when someone worries about you.
But it seemed a bit difficult for her to cut off that concern decisively.
“Nina, stop. This is Andel’s own decision.”
Anton, who was looking displeased, stepped forward to stop Nina.
“Even so, Andel is a newcomer. It’s dangerous.”
Upon Anton’s words, Nina looked tearful and glanced at Anton.
Though Anton seemed momentarily taken aback by her gaze, he still shook his head firmly.
“He should know well enough. So stop.”
With that reply, Anton gave Nina a stern look, then turned to glare at me.
I felt a bit unjust, but given the circumstances, I just swallowed my words.
“Dad…”
Nina looked at Anton with pleading eyes, but Anton didn’t nod in agreement.
In the end, the conversation went in the direction of Nina giving in.
Anton may be a soft father to his daughter, but he never yielded in such matters.
“Andel… If things get dangerous, you must retreat immediately, okay?”
“Yes. I’ll be careful.”
Despite that, perhaps lingering doubts remained, and Nina entrusted me with several requests.
And as she did, Anton watched her with a fierce gaze from behind.
“Well then, I’ll be off.”
After the conversation ended, I bid farewell to Nina and Anton, then finally left the inn.
Although I unexpectedly faced some difficulties, I couldn’t help but think that Nina and Anton’s worrying about me wasn’t so strange.
To them, I was just a rookie mercenary who had been in the business for only a month, and I wasn’t exceptionally skilled.
Yet, even so, worrying about someone so sincerely is not an easy task.
Thinking that those two were good people, I made my way to the meeting place.
The meeting place was the west entrance of Darville.
Due to the forest located to the west of Darville, those entering the forest all gathered here.
With so many people around, there was always a risk of missing the person you were supposed to meet, but we had chosen a meeting spot slightly away from the entrance to avoid such mishaps.
Anyway, when I arrived at the meeting place, there was already someone waiting there.
It was a familiar face.
Truly a face known only.
“Hmm?”
As I silently gazed in that direction, the other person seemed to recognize me and raised their head.
“Oh, you’re here.”
The one pretending to be aloof was none other than another mercenary assigned to this mission.
“Charlie. You must have heard the name before, right?”
“…Yes.”
Though there was a slight delay in the expected response of knowing, in reality, he was quite a renowned mercenary in Devilville.
Or rather, should we say famous among mercenaries.
He was rapidly gaining popularity in recent years, building quite a reputation for himself.
“Good to know you’ve heard of me. Let me tell you in advance. Just follow behind and don’t do anything unnecessary. It’ll only be a hindrance.”
“…”
Indeed, his personality matched what I had heard.
There seemed to be a reason why other mercenaries who knew him all said, “That guy is not quite human.”
I had even considered adding another mercenary, but due to the lack of available mercenaries at the moment, I had no choice but to pick Charlie.
At that time, I found it amusing how insistent Anton was, but after experiencing it firsthand, I somewhat understood why he had said those words.
…Well, as long as it doesn’t bother me, it’s probably not a lie, so I decided to let it slide.
Without saying anything, I simply nodded my head in agreement.
“Ugh. I don’t know why I have to tail after this pathetic guy.”
Charlie grumbled, completely averting his gaze from me.
“…”
Watching Charlie’s reaction, I fell into thought.
A request that takes you further into the forest after the initial part.
While I may be better off than other mercenaries, it’s still a dangerous mission that requires caution.
So, the level and personality of the companion are important, and it seemed that the colleague accompanying me on this mission was not of a very amiable disposition.
“Sorry for the delay! Have we kept you waiting?”
With a lively voice, the sound of footsteps reached us.
Turning towards them, I saw the client in explorer’s attire, seemingly well-prepared to venture into the forest, and a guard named Dorothy following closely behind with a rather large bag.
Although the woman apologized, the time they arrived was exactly as agreed upon.
It’s just that Charlie and I had arrived earlier and were waiting.
Hence, I was about to say it was fine, but…
“No. It’s not appropriate. If anything, we arrived too early.”
Charlie was one step ahead of me.
“So, you’re Charlie?”
The woman finally recognized Charlie and asked.
“Yes. I’m Charlie, the one entrusted with this mission this time.”
Charlie greeted the lady with a courtesy one might see at a ball or social gathering, politely bowing.
Though out of place, his gestures carried a certain charm, making him not seem ridiculous.
“Please, allow me.”
“I am the one who should be asking for your favor.”
Alternating his gaze between the lady and Dorothy, Charlie smiled.
“In the forest, trust only me. I will handle any situation that arises.”
Charlie’s confident voice, accompanied by a smile that inspired trust, would naturally instill confidence in anyone who witnessed it.
I observed his demeanor with subtle eyes.
Hoping that no mishaps would occur on this journey.