Chapter 625

Chapter 625: Stampede in Mellian

The show in Mellian was done well. There was no obstacle at all. Mellian is at peace without any visible cult members, or any spies at all.

The only thing bothering me was Hill. I need to make up various reason why I have to avoid him. Though he believed it when I said that I haven’t finished taking a look a the city yet. I’m a man on a mission after all.

Though Victoria is spending a lot of her time hanging out with Hill. That is actually terrifying. I don’t want to know what they are discussing about. Victoria then told me without having me asked her that she was actually asking for new materials for her popular novel. That is scary.

There is no one acting suspicious in Mellian. Even though there were two master level mages on the way, the city is safe. At least even though I’m showing myself and didn’t intentionally hide myself, there were no one who can sense me. Not only this city is safe from master level mages, there were also no expert level mages here.

Hill said that there are some people in his squad who almost reached expert level including himself. But there were no expert level mages at all.

After we finished our show and we are making our preparation to leave Mellian, we have no choice but to delay our journey for a few more days because of a stampede.

I’m still a hunter after all, so Victoria and I got summoned by the guild who informed us that there will be another monsters stampede coming. Though the guild master told us in a very casual manner. Showing us how often this city experience monsters stampede.

.....

Mellian is known to be a city that experienced monsters stampede too often. It’s because the city is located in a place close to where many monsters are nesting. And it became a paradise for hunters who want to gain experience in fighting. Especially after the tournament.

After watching the tournament from the big screen, many hunters were motivated to become even stronger. They watched the interview with the participants including Kayla and Shirley, those I missed because I was busy, and they learned that just cultivating alone won’t be enough to get stronger. So, many hunters then moved to Mellian because this city was well known for having a stampede more often than other city.

Though I think that is not a good choice.

Mellian has experienced many stampede every year from possibly, the overpopulation of the monsters. They breed like crazy. And even then, even though there were no expert level mages, the city is still standing. That means just advanced level mages are enough to stop the stampede.

If those hunters want to get stronger, they should go outside and fight stronger opponents instead of waiting for the stampede and participate in the defense of the city. There are many stronger monsters than those that appeared here.

In any case, the circus can’t move because of the stampede. Those who are also a hunter were asked to help with the defense of the city. Though only the advanced level mages would go.

Those who are expert level mages got permission from Hill to not participate unless the monsters are too strong for the people.

It has to be said that this is not Melk. This is Mellian. And unlike Oleg, Hill shouldn’t have that much influence to the people in this city. But he has enough power to tell the lord of the city what to do.

...Should I say that the lord was pressing his back to the wall when he met Hill?

In any case, I don’t have anything to do except to watch how the monsters stampede is going.

“Roy! You should be fighting as well!”

While I was inside a closed restaurant eating some meal after I forced the restaurant owner to stay open by saying that I will pay thrice the original price, Hill entered the restaurant and shouted at me. the waitress was so shocked that she dropped the meal I ordered.

“Ah, you can cook it again. I’ll pay for the dropped one as well,” I said to the waitress who then left to the kitchen.

“Forget about the meal! You should be fighting as well!” Hill shouted.

“Wasn’t it you who said that expert level mages should only watch?” I complained.

“Yeah, but you are an Aura user!”

“I’m an Aura Master now. Though I’m also an advanced level in my air element, and expert level in my summoning. I don’t need to participate, right?” I said.

“Really? Does that mean you can summon four familiars? I already know Victoria, the werewolf, and the angel. What’s the other one? A vampire?” Hill asked curiously. He’s not angry anymore for me not participating in the defense.

“A horse. Anyway, I have told you that I will be spreading the fame of the living armor, right? Victoria will do it instead of me. She’s riding the horse and will fight the monsters when we are pushed back. Though seeing that this city has a lot of experience dealing with monsters stampede, I don’t think there will be a need for her to come out,” I said.

“Maybe you’re right. But as someone who have been living in this city since I was born, and the guard of this city, I know that the strength of the monsters during monsters stampede has increased lately. That’s why I want you to participate,” Hill said.

Since he’s not playing around like usual, I know that he’s being serious about it.

I see. The strength of the monsters have increased, huh? That might be a problem for other hunters. But other than me, there are some expert level mages from the circus. I think I don’t need to worry much about it.

“Don’t worry. There are other expert level mages in the circus. They are watching different side of the city. They should be able to move quickly in case we are getting pushed back. And I will also make a move if that happens,” I said.

“...Not convincing since you’re saying it here with a table full of dishes. But I know I can trust you. I’ll take my leave then. I will be busy even after the stampede, so I might not be able to send you off when you’re leaving.”

Hill then leave the restaurant as the waitress brought me my newly cooked meal. I guess this will be my last meal before leaving.

Since Hill is worried that much and asked me to join, I guess shouldn’t be the only one relaxing.

After finishing my meal, I paid the bill and left the restaurant to look around.

The hunters and many of the guards are outside the city defending the wall from the approaching monsters. But there are still some evil people who tried to make use of the situation to steal from the empty houses.

Many of the citizens were evacuated even though the stampede were always stopped before the monsters could break the wall. They prefer to go to the shelter instead of staying home.

In fact, the shelter looks like a place for picnic now. I think they don’t think of it as evacuating. The citizens are thinking of it as a place to socialize. I guess the people of Mellian have strong mentality.

Even in the empty houses, they know what will happen so there were no valuables there. The thieves can only stole what? Table? Chair? Maybe a pillow?

That’s why there are so few guards patrolling the city. Those thieves won’t be able to steal anything precious.

And even if they do, they won’t be able to sell them in this city. They need to go to another city to sell them or they will be found out.

It will be hilarious if the thief is selling a stolen pillow, only for the customer nearby said that it was his missing pillow. I’d like to see that happen. I have heard such thing actually happened from one of the guards who were training.

For now, there’s no need for me to do anything. Victoria can be the one appearing as the living armor and protect the city if it’s too much for the others. At least she can appear once or twice defeating powerful monsters so the rumor will be spread.

I looked at the north gate and see that the battle is finally happening. Over there, the hunters, the guards, and members of the circus have started fighting.

“Well, seems like there’s no need for me to participate at all,” I said all of a sudden when I stand next to Hill.

“Whoa! You surprise me there! It’s good to see you here, but are you sure we’re doing fine?” Hill asked.

“So far, you’re doing well. I’ll go check the other places after this. By the way have you ever given a quest to eradicate the source of the stampede?” I asked Hill.

“There was one in the past. But it ended with failure and only brought bigger disaster to the city as they brought more monsters back to the city. So we stopped making the quest. What? You want to participate?” Hill asked.

“How about you send the quest directly to my clan. I think Kayla and the others will be interested in it. I’m busy doing shows so I can’t join. But they should be able to handle it. Though it might result in no more stampede. And there will be less hunters in the city. If you’re okay with it, you can send a formal quest later,” I said to Hill before leaving another location.

I can tell that Hill is pondering if it’s a good idea to make a quest or not. Well, he will discuss it with the lords and important people in this city.

And since I’m busy with the circus, I don’t have to do anything with the clan for now. They can decide for themselves if they want to come or not.