“Are you saying that everyone who went to investigate the request has disappeared?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
The news shared by the guild leader of the Explorer Guild, who came to Yeomyeong-gwan personally, was quite shocking.
Disappeared.
Renny’s hometown isn’t even a big city; it’s just a somewhat sizable village. But disappearing from a place like that? Has it become some kind of cult village that belongs in a horror game or something?
Well, I’ll find out when I go there… but first things first. I took an empty pouch from the vault, popped in 20 gold coins, and placed it on the table.
“I understand. I’ll make sure to distribute this properly to the families of the missing explorers.”
“Thank you.”
The guild leader gratefully accepted the pouch with teary eyes.
He wouldn’t try to sneak a peek, would he?
“I just want to say, it’s best if you don’t think about embezzling. I’ll check later.”
“Of course! Absolutely! I’ll deliver it with my life on the line.”
See, you need power to get respect! Look at him bowing down to a mere word.
I think I finally understand why those in power are reluctant to give it up.
“Anyway, the Explorer Guild should stay out of this. The situation might be way more dangerous than we think, so I’ll go solve it myself.”
“If Sir Quartz is stepping in, we will comply! If you need any help, just call!”
The guild leader’s eyes were filled with trust as he answered with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Well, considering I’ve taken down two demons and a dragon, if he thought I couldn’t handle this, he would have been better off as a beggar.
“Then I’ll be on my way. Take care.”
After the guild leader left, I sighed and gazed out the window.
The world outside seemed so peaceful, but unseen dangers were still lurking. I just wish those outsiders would disappear.
I mean, I’ve fought dragons, and now I’m stuck worrying about them?
I should break those outsiders’ heads fast and live off what I’ve built till now. Maybe even get married and settle down… though I guess I’ve kind of already done that.
…This isn’t the time for such thoughts.
First, I should talk to Renny and Karina and prepare to leave tomorrow.
Taking others with me would be too risky, so I thought about going with just the three of us. Wait, would it be better to not take Karina with me?
Since I couldn’t predict what variables would arise in a fight with the outsiders, I hesitated about bringing her along.
If a powerful mind-control freak like Rue got attached to Karina…
No, even if they clung to Renny, that would be a problem.
But since this was about Renny’s hometown, I couldn’t exclude her.
In the end, I decided to head to the troubled village with just Renny.
…Convincing the others might be quite a hassle.
“Sir Quartz! The guild leader of the Mage Guild is here.”
“Let him in.”
First, I should hear what the Mage Guild leader has to say before heading out.
I carefully stepped into the room as the Mage Guild leader entered with a cautious gait.
“Let’s get straight to the point.”
———————
“You mean just the two of us are going?”
“Yeah.”
Renny glanced awkwardly at Karina and the other kids. She seemed uneasy about going to her hometown alone with me.
It looked like a work trip, but it felt like I was going on a trip with someone else’s lover.
“Johann, what do you mean by that?”
“Yeah, yeah! We need an explanation!”
“That’s right…”
“Uncle, I think I need an explanation too.”
“I don’t really get why this is happening all of a sudden.”
“Everyone, calm down.”
The sparks in their eyes were getting wild! This is why it feels like I’m cheating. I calmed everyone down and began to explain.
I talked about the letter from Renny, the request made to the Explorer Guild and the Mage Guild, and how the explorers and mages who took the request have gone missing.
It seems like something is going on, so I’d like to investigate with Renny. However, since we don’t know what dangers might exist, I plan to go with a small group for safety, and the kids reluctantly accepted my reasoning.
“Then there’s nothing we can do…”
“So you’re saying we’re too weak to join?”
“You’re saying it’s unavoidable, huh?”
“Johann, I…”
“Karina, please stay back. It’s actually uncomfortable for both of us to go, but there’s something we absolutely have to check.”
The identity of whoever sent that strange letter and whether Paradise is related to the outsiders, as well as whether I can handle the situation. Maybe Karina sensed my desperation, as she didn’t insist on joining anymore.
Huff.
“If Johann says so, it must be a really dangerous place…?”
“I can’t say for sure. However… based on what I heard from the Quartz family’s mansion, in the worst-case scenario, we might have to fight a ‘God.’”
“A God…?”
The kids’ eyes widened at the mention of the word ‘God.’ It must have seemed too monumental for them. I waited for them to calm down before continuing.
“Yes. A God. An enemy so powerful it might make even the dragon look like a mere infant.”
Just judging from what I’ve experienced so far, the danger level was surely higher than that of the dragon. If I had no means to resist mental corruption, a fight wouldn’t even be possible.
Thinking back to the elites being culled in Yggdrasil, sadly, the kids I’ve trained so hard might not get the chance to shine.
No, before they could shine, they’d be cut down helplessly.
Especially in a situation where we’d have to fight against a complete unknown.
“So, I’d like you all to wait at Yeomyeong-gwan.”
“There’s no helping it. It’s the safest course, as Uncle said…”
“Johann, promise you’ll come back in one piece, okay?”
“You have to come back!”
“Don’t worry. I have a pretty tough life ahead of me.”
I didn’t survive in that cursed land for no reason.
And… if my survival skills get pushed to the limit, I’ll surely find a way out. Just like I always have. I spoke with a sense of confidence that I built up over time.
“I’ll be back soon, so just carry on as usual.”
“But it’s sad to be without Johann as part of that usual!”
“Yeah, who’s going to play with me without Johann?”
“I need help with research too.”
“And my magic training too!”
“If the final decision-maker vanishes, it’ll be tough.”
Everyone sent me their words of encouragement in their own ways. After giving the kids a quick smile, I goofed around a bit.
“Guess I’ll need to wrap this up quickly and get back.”
—————
“Ugh, going through the portal always feels weird. Can’t they fix this?”
“It’s a bodily issue, so it’s unlikely.”
“Ugh, that’s a shame…”
“Anyway, we’ll spend the night here first.”
While we could potentially leave right now, I planned to gather some intel in this city, which wasn’t far from the village where Renny lived.
“Where are we crashing?”
“You choose: a tavern or the market mayor’s house?”
“What’s that about?”
“I’m saying I’ll use some influence.”
If we’re going to get help, we might as well go big. After all, valuable info is typically in the hands of the powerful, so meeting the mayor to seek information would be efficient.
“Wow, it’s great having a noble with us. Makes things easy! Then I’ll leave it to you, My Lord.”
“Leave it to me.”
We headed straight to the city hall. The moment we opened the doors, numerous gazes from the crowd zoned in on me and Renny.
“Who are they?”
“Wait, is that…?”
“Isn’t that Sir Quartz?”
I can hear everything. They think they’re being quiet, but my enhanced hearing gets it all. Of course, I don’t plan to cause any trouble over it.
There wouldn’t be anyone daring to badmouth me up close.
“Wow, so popular!”
“Guess this comes with the territory.”
As I chatted, I stepped up to the counter. The employee scribbling something at the front desk looked up in shock when I made eye contact. Then, with trembling eyes, they asked.
“W-What can I help you with, Sir?”
“I’d like to speak with the mayor.”
“W-Wait, but to meet the mayor, you need an appointment…”
“Just tell him that Sir Quartz has come for something important.”
“S-Sir Quartz?!”
Why is he shouting? It’s such ear torture. I squinted at the receptionists who shouted right in front of me.
“Sorry! Sorry!”
“Forget the apologies; just contact the mayor directly.”
Let’s get moving quickly. Thankfully, the receptionist stumbled out quickly without tripping over themselves.
“Is he okay?”
“How could he not be?”
It’s just a matter of saying a few words and leaving.
I crossed my arms and waited for the employee to return.
It took about 15 minutes for the employee to come back. They were drenched in sweat and gasping for air.
“The mayor would like to see you both.”
As expected, I walked forward with a wry smile at the unfolding event.
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