Book 1: Chapter 16

Book 1: Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Milia Came To Visit Me At The Inn

Before arriving at Aunen, Iris and I had a brief conversation. We talked about trivial, ordinary things.

I asked her where her favorite restaurant was. Or whether to eat her favorite food first or leave it until the end.

It wasnt that I forgot about the Great Flood or the Black Dragon, but it was a nice change of pace.

As we entered Aunen through the south gate, most buildings were bright even though it was midnight.

They must be preparing for the evacuation.

Everyones going to be very busy tonight

We hurried off to the Adventurers Guild.

Naturally, the Adventurers Guild was in operation. The lobby was empty, but in the back, the staff was busy running around.

Where is the branch manager Zitan?

Hes probably upstairs in his office.

We walked up the stairs to the second floor. We found the branch managers office at the end of the long corridor.

I knocked on the door a few times and then called out loudly.

Its Kou. Ive just returned from the underground city.

Oh, Ive been waiting for you. Please come in.

Excuse me.

Sorry to bother you.

The office was quite spacious.

The front half of the room was a reception area with a map spread out on a table. There was a large desk in the back, flanked by bookshelves on either side.

Im sorry for the mess, but with the situation as it is, I hope you will forgive me.

Chief Zitan smiled apologetically, left his desk, and walked towards us.

Please sit down for now. How was the vault?

It was a pretty big haul. If there are any troubles along the way, we may be able to minimize the damage.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

By trouble, I mean the Great Flood and the Black Dragon, of course. I briefly explain Gram, the Destroyer Golem, and the Dragon Gods shield.

I see

Chief Zitan crossed his arms and nodded.

Id like to see how powerful they really are, but we dont have enough time. This would be quite the gamble, but you will have to use your own judgment when the time comes. You dont need to ask for my permission.

Are you sure?

You and Iris are both top-notch talents. I will trust you on that.

After that, we talked briefly about our future plans. The evacuation would begin before noon that day, prioritizing the children and women.

In the event of the Great Flood or the resurgence of the Black Dragon, Iris and I would go and intercept it while the other adventurers would focus on guarding the residents. Its called proper division of labor.

You guys are our trump card. I dont want you to be unable to exert yourselves due to a lack of sleep. Get a good nights rest tonight and come to the guild at nine in the morning.

Are you sure we should take it that easy?

I dont mind. In the first place, we are grateful to you for providing us with a refuge in the underground city. Since were about to impose even more work on you, you should at least take a break.

I understand. All right, then, Ill rest without reservation.

Chief Zitans idea made sense to me, and it would be tactless to argue with him at this point.

Iris and I thanked him and left the branch managers office. It was already around one oclock in the morning.

On the second floor of the Adventurers Guild, there are several dormitory rooms, from which sleepy staff have been coming and going They seem to be taking turns to nap and preparing for evacuation.

Speaking of which, I wonder where Milia is?

Is there something you need from her?

I thought Id at least say hello to her Id feel bad if she was asleep, though.

Its not an emergency that we need to wake her up. Well, it can wait until after dawn.

We returned to the first floor of the guild and went straight out of the building.

Kou, youre going back to the inn, right?

Yeah, Iris house is this way, right? Would you like me to accompany you back?

Yes. Well, since its such a hassle, I might ask you to walk with me.

So I decided to go to Iris house first.

I hope nothing will happen today

I hope so too. But the world is not so easy, is it?

Trouble can happen when you dont want it to. You should be prepared for the worst possibilities.

The Great Flood, the Black Dragon is there anything else I missed?

At that moment, something suddenly crossed my mind.

Iris, what is the Mercenary Guild doing?

I had forgotten about the guilds existence since I hadnt been involved with it at all recently, but come to think of it, the Adventurers Guild in this world had a business rival the Mercenaries Guild, which is famous for its bad behavior.

I wonder if theyll try to cause trouble or something in the confusion.

Thats okay. As soon as there were signs of the Great Flood, the mercenaries fled with the entire guild.

Are you sure about that?

Mercenaries are not obligated to protect the city. Well, those people keep causing problems, so it might be better if they werent around

Iriss opinion was certainly one that I could agree with. Its an emergency situation right now, and the fewer sparks of incidents we have, the better.

I would like to wish the mercenaries good luck in their future endeavors.

Fenrir Pelt: The pelt of the magical wolf Fenrir. The texture is superb, and it has excellent physical and magic resistance. If used as a material for clothing, it will be blessed with divine speed.

This is a very interesting explanation.

I wonder what the blessing of divine speed is. Im quite curious about it, and I think it will be useful in future battles. With a little more pelt, I wonder if a recipe for [Creation] will come to mind.

Um Kou-san?

Hmm? Oh, Im sorry.

When Milia spoke to me, I came to my senses.

Ive gotten carried away with my new skills.

Im sorry about that, Milia.

Kou-san, your sudden silence startled me. Are you okay? Is it possible that the ring is cursed?

Its not like that. Actually, my skills have increased.

Eh!

Milia rolled her eyes and screamed in surprise.

This was a natural reaction, I suppose. Skills are inborn. They are not acquired. Thats how its generally thought.

Err

Milia asked me with a puzzled expression on her face.

I guess that means it was a good decision to give the ring to Kou-san?

Probably.

I nodded and put the ring on the middle finger of my left hand. The size of the ring is perfect, and there is no weird pressure or uneasy feeling that it might fall off.

I felt as if it had been a part of my body from the beginning.

As I gaze at the ring, Milia calls out to me.

Do you like it?

Yes. Its a nice ring.

Fufu, Im glad you like it. Actually, half of the reason I joined the Adventurers Guild was for the ring. Im so relieved that I was able to give it to the right person.

You wont quit the Adventurers Guild now, will you?

Of course not. I am a rising star, after all.

Milia puffed up her chest proudly.

Im also looking forward to seeing what Kou-san will do in the future. My prediction is that you will be able to clear up the Great Flood and take care of the Black Dragon with a single swipe and leave your name in history.

I think thats an overestimation, indeed.

You can do it, Ko-san. It will be fine.

After saying that, Milia smiled with a gentle face.

Just looking at her smile, strangely enough, my tense feeling began to melt away.

Im getting a little sleepy.

Fuwah

I suddenly let out a yawn.

Right after that, Milia also let out a small yawn. We both looked at each other and smiled.

I think I just yawned.

It happens sometimes, doesnt it?

Time is essential now. I think Ill go home and have a little sleep.

Thanks for your work. Have a good rest.

Yes, thank you!

After Milia left the room, I fell deeply asleep in my bedroom bed.

When I woke up at 7 a.m. I felt my fatigue from yesterday disappear. My body felt light. The air was good and I felt refreshed.

I quickly got ready and set about the work I had left undone yesterday.

I wondered if I could use Fenrirs pelt to create a piece of equipment with [Creation].

First, I used [Material Refinement] to increase the number of pelts.

When I created over 20 pelts, a new recipe popped into my mind.

It seems that I can make an armor piece called Fenrir Coat.

Of course, I had to do it right away.

Fenrir Coat: A top-grade coat made of luxurious Fenrir pelt. It has top-class physical and magic resistance and has tremendous power.

Granted effects:Physical Defense Enhancement SMagic Defense Enhancement SGods Speed Blessing EX.

I took it out of the [Item Box] and found that it was a black long coat.

The size is a little large, so it can be worn over armor.

After some thought, I put on the Armored Bear Armor first.

I removed the bear head from my left shoulder and stored it in my [Item Box].

On top of that, I put on the Fenrir Coat, the Black Spider Gauntlets on both arms, and the Spirit Ring on my left middle finger.

Im all set.

Lets go.

I left the room.

From yesterday to today, it was as if I was being guided to ready my set of equipment for a decisive battle.

Now all I have to do is give it my all.