Book 3: Chapter 19

Book 3: Chapter 19

New Request

The lunatic Grave had disappeared to somewhere. Even though he had heavy wound of losing one arm, for human of this world who could strengthen themselves with mana, he would definitely be able to survive, just like how I would.

To be honest, I wanted to kill that guy here. But, after actually facing him, I realized that we too was lacking in our preparation.

If it was the previous Grave, Viro and Samantha would be able to defeat him by themselves. But, Grave had continued training himself without getting conceited, grew even stronger, and made preparation in case he got targeted by multiple enemies like us.

Grave got away. But, that was only for now. I wonder how long it would take him to recover from his wound and get back into action?

If he could use Cure to regenerate his flesh, even the arm he lost could possibly be regained. To regenerate a whole arm, the treatment would have to be done bit by bit, at least half a year. And if he wanted to be able to use that arm just like before, it would take him one more year on top of that.

I too would become even stronger before that. No matter how strong Grave got, the next time I would definitely surpass him.

Gururuu

Coeurl.

As I renewed my determination, the Coeurl that was prowling at some distance let out a dissatisfied growl because Grave got away.

What are you going to do? Chase after him? Or

Are you going to settle thing with me?

I circulated mana throughout my body as though to ask it that. With that Viro and Samantha who was warily observing this way also radiated tension.

Most likely the two of them also planned to fight together with me but, even if they didnt, I was going to accept if the Coeurl said that it would fight.

Coeurl stared at me quietly with its crimson eyes, then the two whiskers that grew from its ears sparked with electricity a little.

<ask>

<thou>

<name>

My nameyou want to know that?

Aria.

Guruu

The Coeurl growled after I told it my name as though to murmur it.

<seek>

<I>

<name>

The Coeurls name? It was asking for a name? What came next from the Coeurl wasnt a signal with meaning, but actual image.

Deep inside a dark forest.

The black powerful beast, living aloofly inside the darkness without even any companion.

Was thisthe Coeurls memory?

The Coeurl had been alone the whole time in its existence. There wasnt any being that stayed together with it. For the Coeurl, other beings were either enemy or the weak who feared it.

In that moment, inside the memory that the Coeurl showed me, my figure that was staring at the Coeurl with a cold gaze flowed just for an instant before vanishing.

The black destroyer. The jet black beast howling alone as it looked up to the moon that climbed up at the black sky.

Seeing that aloof figure

Nero?

<truth>

That word spilled out from my mouth. The Coeurl understood the words meaning and recognized it as its name. Then it turned its back toward me before vanishing into the forest while leaving behind word.

<meet>Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

<moon>

The Coeurl vanished into the forest. I stared at that direction as I muttered its name.

Nero

By moon, did it mean me?

The reward that Viro offered me was about keeping the assassin guild and thief guild in check so they would stop attacking me too oftenin other words, the reward was my safety. It bothered me a little because this current situation was making it troublesome for me to get involved with ordinary people, but my objective was also Grave himself, so I had forgotten about this reward until now.

Besides if I was seriously bothered by it, I think that crushing the belligerent assassin guild branch of central west district would be the more effective way to keep them in check.

Perhaps Id be able to crush them when my Short Sword Skill reached level 4?

You, are thinking about something dangerous arent you? No, about your reward, even without the request this time, I still plan to talk with you about it if I judge that you are strong enough.

Strong enough?

How did strength got related to the reward?

Hyahhahhah!! Theres no problem at all with this little girl if its about her strength! After all her combat strength almost catch up with her useless teacher already-!

What did you say-!!

Viro was shocked by Samanthas words and he looked at me.

Ha?

Viros eyes widened after using Appraisal on me. He took out appraisal crystal from his pocket and appraised me once more. Then he held his head with his hands while looking to the sky. He looked more exasperated rather than lamenting.

Rank 4 huhjust how did you do that in this short time?

In my case its just because I focused on sorcery. I still havent caught up with Viro in close quarter combat.

Thanks

There was no lie in what I said but, it seemed that it sounded like a consolation in Viros ears. His shoulders dropped in dejection. But, it seemed he was able to switch his mood right away and lifted up his face energetically. He grinned refreshinglyno it was a fishy smile that was far from looking refreshing.

Yosh, learn all of my adventurer skills in several years. For now just do your best to be at least useful in one year. First you gotta learn skills that youre still lacking and how to explore a dungeons lower level.

Whatre you saying?

Viro suddenly started talking about adventurer and dungeon. I looked at him with distrust, but he continued talking while still smirking at me.

Now now, this is also related to your reward, and its also a request for a new job. According to the newest information that I got before bumping into you, our party got approached with an offer to protect some nobles who will enter into a dungeon. The nobles are also going to bring their own guards, but there wont be many. For this, it will be best to have a lot of scout joining the exploration, and you can arent just a scout but you can also use light sorcery, so we will be happy to have you with us, what do you think?

Go there by yourself and die on your own for all I care.

I instantly answered like that the moment Viro mentioned the word noble.

We were called adventureronly because we had the strength to enter a dangerous place like dungeon. I got no intention of protecting some nobles who would enter into such dangerous place just for fun.

Even Viro became spontaneously turned speechless with how flatly I refused.

Is that all? Then, see you later.

wait wait wait, wait a second, Aria-! Listen until I finished first!

I didnt need both the new job and the reward, so I tried to leave right away, but Viro came back to his senses and hurriedly stopped me.

You always decide too fast in everything! Just how manly you can be-! Listen Aria. Im telling you this only because its you but, the first princess is involved with this matter. Do you understand? Its that princess youre acquainted with.

Tell me more.

Viro said that it was an extremely secret information, was it alright for him to tell me this easily.

According to Viro, young members of the royal family and their fiances would secretly enter a dungeon, so high ranked adventurers were required to act as their vanguard.

Why was someone with bad health like Elena had to enter into a dungeon? Viro wouldnt teach me what they were planning inside a dungeon but, in order to guarantee their safety, the black ops recommended Viros party to the royal family and the royal family made the request.

You want to protect the princess right? After reporting this matter about Grave to the black ops, I think that the country will also sound you out about this request but, are you going to refuse getting involved with the princess?

This man brought me another troublesome matter that I couldnt refuse.

Understood. Ill protect Elena. But, hows that related to my reward this time?

Was he telling me that the country and the black ops would make some arrangement for me?

I might not be the right person to say this but, the black ops organization was feared by the underworld but, they were also being seen as enemy who obeyed the nobility as their hunting dog. I was doubtful whether getting protected by an enemy organization would serve as deterrence against them.

I stared at Viro doubtfully with half-lidded eyes. It seemed Viro finally guessed what I was doubting and spoke of words that I never expected.

Whatre you saying? Youre going to enter our Rainbow Sword party to replace this retiring granny.

.

I sighed again after hearing that unexpected words. Troublesome things just kept coming.