I’m seeing it for the first time too (1)
my rotten
I wrinkled my nose at the terrible smell wafting from the sewer entrance, and the others who came with me also frowned.
“It smells awful. It’s not your average sewer smell.”
“Anyway, are you really going to go in with senior?”
“why? Is it a little awkward to go with you?”
“No, it’s not like that, but I didn’t know you would come all the way to a place like this.”
Originally, I had planned to look around the sewer by myself, but Douglas, who thought he would take a break, offered to accompany me.
The mercenary king is going to investigate the case himself, so how can the Maiden branch manager stay still? They brought one spare mercenary and one guild employee to join them, and they became five.
It wouldn’t be dangerous from the inside, but I felt like I was hanging a load for no reason.
When I went into the sewer entrance where the crazy rats had popped out, I saw that there were so many of them that traces of their movement remained intact.
As I followed the path, old memories of the first time I entered this sewer slowly came to my mind.
Other than the number of rats, there was no big difference in their moving routes, so the variables… … It seemed to be those mercenaries.
And it wasn’t long before the conclusive cause of the rats being released from the sewer came into view.
“Huh… … .”
“Kuhm… … .”
Those who saw the scene narrowed their eyes and groaned.
There were remnants of equipment such as weapons and armor that appeared to be recent. Even that, covered in torn flesh and blood.
I immediately turned my gaze to see the solid iron bars in front of me. Originally, it would have blocked the passage leading to the depths, but now it was just rolling around on the floor.
The cause of the swarm of rats being released in the previous life is the deterioration of the cage lock. However, when I saw it now, it was a little worn, but not in a state of breaking.
Originally, a group of crazy rats, whose numbers had increased, would have started to eat their own people, unable to withstand the hunger while trapped in the sewer.
The bigger ones would have been easy to target, and that’s how their numbers would gradually decrease.
However, this time, due to the arrival of mercenaries who had been asked to investigate sewer noise, they were released from here before the number decreased.
And those mercenaries… … It was a group of four that I met on my way to Maiden.
“sh*t.”
After inadvertently spitting out the profanity that came out of his mouth, he turned around.
I didn’t need to see the inside anymore, so I was going to stop going back.
The branch manager and the others had no choice but to stay because they had to deal with and investigate this place, but Douglas quietly followed me.
“Ever since we met on the street, something bothered me, and it ended up like that.”
“Tsk, even if you run away, you’ll do well. Seeing something like that makes me sick all day. So why did you come here to check?”
“I want to find out exactly what caused it. Then we will be more careful next time.”
“hahahaha, anyone who hears it will know that this kind of incident will surely happen wherever they go.”
At the teasing remark, I just smiled faintly.
It was because there were times when I thought I might be driving the case, if not to that extent. Later, after realizing that the world was such a mess, I gave up and continued to learn countermeasures.
But this situation had to be taken seriously.
That their paths and ours overlapped. That they don’t remain in my memory. That they were the decisive cause of this situation.
They became one flow and were drawing an unbelievable picture.
if original.
They would not have reached Maiden.
‘An accident caused by a bird lizard’.
Because Rize found a bird lizard next to the road and I exterminated it, they survived and received a request to investigate the sewer here, and because of that, a group of crazy rats were released early.
This was my conclusion.
Otherwise, it could not explain why this variable occurred.
and… … It was clear evidence that what I was worried about was happening in reality.
Proof that the existence of Lizee, the biggest variable in this life, is bringing about futures I didn’t know about.
He is a child born with the destiny of a hero. With so much talent, of course, the people around him will be affected by his actions.
However, even if they did good deeds like this time, there could have been an incident that caused more damage.
no, maybe
Perhaps this was the hero’s destiny. Especially in this world that is on the brink of ruin, each and every act of Rize will uncover secrets and bring the evil group out of the water.
But what he did with good intentions… … If bad incidents are called and the victims who were born as a result start to resent Rize… … .
From noble mtl dot com
Will Rize be able to endure it without getting hurt when she finds out?
Moreover, it was something that might endanger Rize’s life. If something unexpected happens like today… … .
“Irvine.”
At that moment, I felt a strong hand on my shoulder.
I turned my head and saw Douglas staring at me with a serious expression.
In addition, as if he had escaped from the sewer before he knew it, the streets filled with people’s fear were still filling his field of vision.
Douglas shook his head slightly in disapproval and dragged me and forced me to sit on a bench to the side.
“Get some rest. You can’t look at Rize with that face, can you?”
When I touched his face, I felt that it was hardened.
Without looking in the mirror… … It will be a very formidable impression. To the point where I couldn’t even show it to Rize.
After I calmed down for a while, covering my face with both hands, Douglas spoke quietly.
“Do you have any concerns? Young’s expression didn’t look good from the time he headed to the sewer. Do you have anything to do with them?”
It was to the point of tears coming out of her sincere concern.
I’ve never been so worried about it when I was a disciple.
He laughed bitterly inside, but chose his words calmly. I couldn’t carelessly say what I had just guessed.
Douglas would surely pass it off as speculation.
But the answer to what I’m thinking about… … Douglas might be able to tell you.
“If, if, you know.”
Barely in a hurry, I removed my hand from my face and turned my head to meet Douglas’s eyes.
“If someone is hurt because of what my daughter did… … What should I do if the things I tried to help people turn into a problem and hurt Rize?”
In the end, that was it.
I still couldn’t see Rize hurt in any way.
In particular, I thought that being hurt by people would come more seriously as much as Lizenny who actively tries to help people in need.
To my serious distress, Douglas… … He gave me a look as if he was concerned about something.
“Are you just thinking about that?”
“No, barely. It’s better than you think… … .”
“Oh, okay, okay. I know what you mean. I’ve had similar thoughts.”
I believed that Douglas would recognize that I was in a similar position.
Still, the reaction I just received almost offended me, but I calmly waited for the next words without revealing it.
“But I didn’t take it as seriously as you did.”
“Did you have any sharp tips?”
“It’s something you and I can do, of course.”
After saying that with a chuckle, Douglas pointed at my chest with a thick finger.
“Isn’t that the father? Of course we have to take care of what our daughter did. As long as the daughter doesn’t stray… … As a father, you have to be strong behind him. huh? Isn’t it?”
“… … Yes… … .”
Well, it was natural.
Anyway, I was determined to pave the way for Rize. Then it meant that looking after Rize was also my job.
Even if Rize’s actions caused the wrong problems, it was all I had to do to solve them.
It was really simple, and I didn’t have to worry about it too much.
“Well, didn’t Lize help you this time? He will do just fine without your help.”
“That is also true. Yes, on the contrary, I get a lot of help from Rize.”
It was never an empty word.
I received help this time, but if it weren’t for Rize in the first place… … I would have lost even the will to live by repeating the regression.
With a clearer face, I lightly bowed my head to Douglas.
“thank you. If it wasn’t for seniors, I would have been worrying needlessly.”
“No. I also understand the difficulties of raising a child alone. It’s a pleasure to talk about things like this. I’m just worried right now, but when I grow up, they tell me not to interfere. Now is a good time, a really good time.”
It started with good words, but I couldn’t help but smile bitterly at the words that gradually became lamentable.
Wouldn’t our Rize resemble Scarlett or something?
* * *
After leaving Maiden.
The journey was so peaceful that it was strange that there were no problems.
Rize, who received intensive horseback riding training from Irina, soon became a good horseman. The horses also liked Rize, so it was natural for her to be in charge of feeding during the trip.
In the meantime, I also taught them camping skills, such as how to make a fire, how to choose a good campsite, and how to find drinking water.
In fact, most things are possible with magic, so I wondered what to do if Rize was bored, but Rize actively wanted to learn, so she excitedly taught me.
Yeah, maybe there will be times when you can’t use magic, so it would be right to teach you.
After going through that process, another three days from Maiden.
The forest where Arandura, an urgent quest target, is in front of you.
But a little… … .
“Does the forest look quite large?”
“yes?”
The staff dispatched from the mercenary guild headquarters for guidance asked back as if he didn’t know what it meant.
“You can’t see any trace of Arandura here. I thought it was either the forest or its nest far away from here.”
“Uh, as you can see from the map here, it’s not that big a forest, and Arandura’s location is also around here, so it’s not too far away.”
“… … When did you say you discovered Arandura?”
“Ten days ago. The hunters went into the forest and encountered them and reported them to the guild.”
As I looked over the report the employee was holding, my doubts grew even more intense.
Hunters have found Arandura with the naked eye, but no one is dead or even injured?
In addition, if it built a nest, it had to be covered with cobwebs up to the range visible from here.
Something was definitely strange.
“Come on, Irvine. once you get in You have to actually go into the woods to find out about this.”
“all right. You just need to be a little more careful.”
After saying that while glaring deep into the dark forest, I turned around and saw Rize, who was waiting patiently.
Lizé, who wrapped her whole body in leather clothes, couldn’t hide her excitement with her cheeks slightly flushed. He seemed to be thrilled at the thought of seeing him properly fight against monsters.
I smiled and carefully applied monster repellent, deodorant, insect repellent, etc. to Rize and then tried to pass it on to Irina.
“I will take care of you!”
“As much as you like!”
Leaving behind Irina, who was willing to accept Rize’s hand, she spoke to Douglas.
“Do you have any special instructions?”
“Is there anything there? Just go in and beat the spider.”
“Then I will suit you appropriately. Can I be your guide?”
Douglas nodded as if he was happy, and I exchanged glances with Rize for the last time before moving toward the forest.
Still, I walked along the forest path that people came and went and cleaned up the surroundings and trimmed the road a little more.
I don’t want Rize to get hurt by something like a tree branch.
The comfortable road soon disappeared, but still, the road was open enough for Rize to pass through, and she continued to guide the party inside.
And soon after, I was able to confirm the pure white lines that were strung between the trees.
It was proof that they had entered the realm of Arandura.
“Just in case, don’t touch it carelessly, Rize. If it accidentally sticks to your body, be sure to use the remover your dad gave you.”
“Yeah, I’ll be careful. If you ever get caught, I’ll be sure to rescue you.”
He smiled at the way he talked with his fists clenched, then looked forward again and moved on.
And not long after, the figure of Arandura was caught in sight.
“… … Hey, where do you think he’s in bad shape?”