SGB: Episode 119

Episode 119: Dark Cloud (3)

In the end, the expedition was put on hold after the troll battle.

It was because Dwarkey's condition wasn't improving.

[Even if he drinks more potions, it won't heal any faster. Not everyone's body is as sturdy as yours.]

Even after the wounds are healed, it takes time for the muscles and bones to properly realign if there’s no natural regeneration.

Therefore, we had to rush to the temple as soon as we returned to the city, passing through the checkpoint.

Unlike Rotmiller, Dwarkey wasn't at a level where time would heal his injuries.

"Phew, now I feel a bit better..."

Dwarkey, who couldn't even stand up for a week, finally succeeded in standing on his own after receiving 'High-Grade Healing'.

"No aftereffects? I was worried because the treatment was delayed..."

"Haha, don't worry. I'm in good enough condition to enter the labyrinth right now."

"That's a relief."

Thanks to the initial treatment with a top-grade potion, Dwarkey was back to normal with just one dose of divine power.

It's a relief.

If he had any lingering effects, it would have hindered the next expedition.

"Then let's meet again in two days, and for today, let's each go back and rest."

Since we didn't earn much from the magic stones we acquired after the whole team assembled, we decided to postpone the distribution until after receiving the request reward and disbanded.

'Hmm, is it about 400,000 stones per person?'

I don't know for sure until we divide it, but it should be around that much if we sell all the byproducts of the Frogman Shaman and split it five ways.

We agreed to deduct 200,000 stones per person for potion expenses.

'Damn troll bastard.'

Because of that bastard, my financial loss is significant.

I'll have to pay a lot to fix the bent equipment.

If it caused me this much trouble, it should have at least dropped an essence.

It's fortunate that I earned a lot beforehand, otherwise, we would have actually returned at a loss.

"Bjorn, what are you going to do now?"

"First, I'm going to go back to the inn, wash up, and then go organize the items. Of course, you're coming with me."

"Huh? Me too...?"

"Didn't you just relax in the labyrinth? Don't think about running away."

"I wasn't! Anyway, it's annoying to go back to my place, can I wash up at your inn?"

"Of course."

We head to my accommodation to avoid unnecessary travel.

And I finish washing up quickly.

I need to move fast if I want to visit the commercial district before the carriages stop running.

"Eek? You're already done?"

"You can take your time. It's going to take a while to organize everything anyway."

"Oh, really?"

After sending Misha to the bathroom, I laid out the loot I acquired this time and started organizing them.

Equipment and consumables obtained from defeating the three guys who were targeting Jensia and the baby barbarian.

'I'll sell this, and we can use this... '

I even wrote down a list and was diligently organizing when someone knocked on the door.

"Excuse me, are you in there?"

It was a man's voice I'd never heard before.

When I opened the door, I saw a man wearing an Explorer's Guild staff badge.

"Are you Mr. Bjorn Yandel?"

"...Yes."

"Would it be possible for you to accompany me to the guild?"

Damn it, suddenly?

I felt annoyed as memories of being taken to prison after hearing similar words came back...

...but judging by the employee's tone and expression, the situation is clearly different this time.

And I don't see any guards.

First, let's calmly assess the situation.

"Tell me what it's about first. I'll decide whether to go or not after that."

"Ah, you're right, I should have explained first."

The employee realized his mistake and then cautiously explained the situation.

"...Witness?"

"Yes, they said you would prove that he's not a marauder..."

The baby barbarian is in trouble.

_____________________

"Although such requests are usually not accepted, as you know, after 'that incident', all related regulations have become stricter... I apologize for the inconvenience, but we're just here to confirm. If you're not related to him, you can just refuse—"

"I'll go."

"Yes?"

"Wait here while I change."

I close the door and put on my coat.

And I inform Misha, who's in the shower, that I'm going out.

"Misha, today's plans are canceled."

"What? Why all of a sudden?"

"It seems like something happened to Karon. I'm going to the Explorer's Guild for a bit, so go home or whatever after you're done washing up."

"What? What are you... ! No, explain in more det—!"

"You've been waiting, huh? Let's go."

"Is it that annoying for you to do that, you barbarian!!"

Anyway, regardless of Misha's pointed cry...

...I head to the guild with the employee who was waiting outside.

Coincidentally, the place we arrive at is the same branch where I broke out of prison.

"It's been a while."

"Yes? Ah, yes... Please come in. The branch manager is waiting."

"The branch manager...?"

As I'm reminiscing about old times while looking around...

...I follow the employee to the third floor and see Karon dozing off on the sofa.

The mustached branch manager is sitting across from him.

With a very displeased expression.

"Oh, been well?"

"...Thanks to you."

Geez, he's so curt.

Still, it doesn't seem like a serious situation. If Karon was really accused of being a marauder, he wouldn't be sleeping here, but locked up in the underground prison.

Snore, snore-!

First, I wake up Karon.

Well, is it even right to say I woke him up?

"Karon, stop pretending to sleep and wake up. There's no need to do that even here."

The branch manager and the employee both tilt their heads in confusion at my words, and then Karon slowly opens his eyes.

"...How did you know?"

How did I know?

You left with those meaningful words.

"I thought... you might do that."

"You mean you acknowledge me as a fellow warrior?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Karon smiles genuinely as I nod roughly, and bumps his shoulder against mine.

"Anyway, thanks for coming. Bjorn, son of Yandel."

"It was the natural thing to do. Did these guys do anything bad to you?"

"Don't worry, nothing like that happened. If it did, would this guy be here?"

Hmm, that's true.

But I wasn't asking you.

"Karon, answer me."

"Nothing like that happened."

"I see."

I nod and chuckle.

This is why precedents are important.

Would they have treated us this well if I hadn't caused that ruckus before?

Thud.

I comfortably sit down on the sofa without asking permission. Just in case the branch manager forgot what kind of person I am.

"I'll have rum."

"Don't tell me you're discriminating against me because I'm a barbarian?"

The branch manager lets out a long sigh.

"Whew... We don't have any alcohol. I can offer you some tea—"

"Cold water. With ice."

"Alright..."

Is it because he's a creature that learns?

The branch manager doesn't point out my unreasonable tone or behavior and just gives me what I want.

He's learned firsthand how to deal with an unreasonable barbarian.

'Barbarians really are OP.'

Karon looks at me with sparkling eyes as I put my dusty feet on the expensive-looking desk.

"As expected, you're... an amazing warrior..."

He seems quite impressed that I'm acting so carefree in front of the branch manager of the Explorer's Guild.

Well, I guess the branch manager feels the same way.

Judging by how his mustache is twitching in disbelief.

"You guys really are..."

"What? Do you have something to say?"

"...No."

The branch manager shrinks back as soon as I ask back gruffly, as if I might pick on him if he complains.

Smirk.

It was the reaction I expected.

A lot has changed since I saw him before.

I'm not the powerless 9th-grade barbarian I was back then.

"I've heard about you. They say you're called Little Balkan?"

I became a 6th-grade explorer in just a few months.

And I even have a title, and rumors are circulating that I'm friends with Baron Martoan and that the Count is keeping an eye on me.

And if he investigated me, he would also know that I've been going in and out of the Magic Tower every week because of Raven's research.

Of course, the important thing is something else.

"Here's your ice water..."

I've become stronger.

Strong enough to turn this branch manager's head into a smashed tomato in one second.

Well, it's the city where law comes before violence, but whatever, at least the branch manager will think that I'm not the type to care about that kind of thing.

"Enough with the small talk and let's get to the point. So what are you planning to do about Karon?"

As I push aside the ice water and ask, the branch manager shrugs.

"...Nothing. He can leave now if he wants to. The mage confirmed that it was self-defense."

"...What?"

I'm momentarily stunned by his unexpectedly cool answer.

'He already confirmed it with the mage?'

It's not a strange story.

He's not as high in Magic Resistance as I am.

He could have confirmed whether Karon's story was true or not with just one spell, without needing to call me.

But that means...

'He had a purpose in calling me, not Karon.'

I quickly grasp the situation.

Yeah, that's more like the Explorer's Guild.

Now my heart is starting to race a little.

"Karon, you can leave now."

"Is that okay? I was kind of hungry..."

"You won't grow taller if you skip meals. Go."

"Alright! See you later, Bjorn, son of Yandel!"

I send Karon out first.

It seems like the branch manager also wants to keep the listeners to a minimum.

"Good work, Odrian. You can leave too."

"Yes, Branch Manager."

As soon as the employee who guided me and even brought me ice water leaves, we're the only ones left in the branch manager's office.

"......"

Neither of us speaks, and a natural silence follows.

I wait patiently for him to speak first.

"The reason?"

"Lady Urbans wants to meet you."

"Lady Urbans? Who's that?"

The branch manager asks incredulously,

"Are you serious? You really don't remember the one you held hostage?"

Ah, the regional manager's daughter.

Damn it, why didn't he just say that?

"...You haven't completely forgotten, huh?"

"Ahem, anyway, why does that woman want to see me?"

"Well, you'll find out once you meet—"

What the, is he trying to bait me?

"Then I refuse."

"What?"

"I'm hungry, I don't have time to waste."

I get up as if ending the conversation, and the branch manager hurriedly continues,

"...I can't say much, but it's not something that would harm you. It's more likely to be beneficial."

Hmm, seeing him go this far, it doesn't seem like he'll give me any more information even if I push further.

'The woman I held hostage wants to meet me...'

There was nothing to think about.

"Tell her no!"

Geez, I'm already busy, I don't have time for this.

I'll pass on the troublesome stuff.

______________________

In the middle of the street in broad daylight.

"Ha, ha, ha..."

Erwen is running through the crowd.

Her body, which she just washed clean, and even the skirt she put on after a long time, are already soaked in sweat, but...

'...I hope it doesn't smell...'

Hmm, it should be fine.

They've already seen each other in much worse states, haven't they?

Meeting him is more important to her.

'...As expected, you were alive!'

She's overjoyed, but she also feels a sense of self-deprecation.

Bjorn, son of Yandel.

The first companion she ever had, the barbarian who saved her when she was wandering alone in the labyrinth.

He disappeared before she could repay her debt, and she had thought he was dead.

She feels stupid for locking herself up in her room, lost in her own delusions.

'...I can't believe he became so famous...'

She didn't even have to ask around.

She just asked a few people after returning to the city, and most of them knew his name.

One of them even knew the address of the inn he was staying at.

'Uh, wait a minute... then why didn't my sister tell me anything?'

That thought suddenly crosses her mind, but Erwen doesn't delve any further.

She must not have heard.

There's no way her sister would have intentionally kept it from her.

And it's not an important fact right now.

'Ugh, what should I say to him when I meet him? Come to think of it, I disappeared without a word...'

Her heart can't stop pounding.

It's a pleasant sensation she hasn't felt in a long time.

Although she always kept the curtains drawn because she didn't want to see the sun rise and set, the sunlight on her skin feels warm and comfortable today.

'First, I'll apologize. He must have looked for me too. He probably couldn't find me because he didn't remember where our accommodation was.'

Erwen reaches her destination and organizes her thoughts one last time, preparing for the imminent reunion.

And she smooths out her clothes.

Then she knocks on the door.

Thump, thump.

She hears footsteps approaching from inside.

And they quickly get closer.

Thump, thump!

It feels like her heart is about to burst.

She wants to see him and talk to him like they used to. Like those times when they talked about their daily lives, laughed, and had fun together.

'He'll be surprised when he finds out I can control all four spirits. Uh, no… he's much stronger than me, so maybe he won't even be impressed?'

Although she's a bit worried, he'll definitely praise her in the end.

He'll tell her that she did well, that he's proud of her.

It's mister, so he'll definitely do that.

"Heehee..."

The corners of her lips curl up at the thought.

Slam.

The door finally opens.

But what's this?

"Huh? Who are you?"

The person who opens the door is a beastman.

A cat-person with triangular ears on top of her head.

Erwen checks the room number on the door.

201.

She didn't come to the wrong place.

She asked several times to make sure, so there's no way she misheard. Then could it be that the person who told her the address got it wrong?

Hmm, it seems like that's the case.

Still, she should at least ask in case it's the room next door. He's a famous person, so the people in the same accommodation should know him.

"Um, excuse me... do you know which room Bjorn Yandel is staying in?"

"Huh? You're looking for Bjorn?"

"Yes? What do you mean..."

"Bjorn went out after washing up a while ago, would you like to come in and wait?"

He went out after washing up a while ago...?

No, wait a minute… if she’s saying that, then it means this is mister’s room, isn’t it?

She’s confused.

What’s going on?

“Or, just tell me who you are. When Bjorn comes back, I’ll tell him someone came to see him.”

She’s saying that as if they live together… Erwen raises her head, dazed, and takes another look at the beastman’s face.

She’s beautiful.

It’s to the point where even she, a fairy, can’t deny it.

And…

Drip, drip.

…water is dripping from her red hair.

As if she just finished washing up.

“You said that Bjorn left after washing up a while ago, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

The beastwoman’s answer seems to say, ‘is there a problem?’ and the corners of Erwen’s lips twist into a smirk.

Of course, it doesn’t last long.

“No, it’s nothing. Can I come in and wait?”

“Uh, su, sure…?”

She then enters the room.

It’s messy, with loot scattered across the floor.

“It’s a bit messy, right…? It’s not usually like this…”

“I know what these are. I did them with mister too.”

“Huh? You did them? Ah… you’re an explorer too?”

“Yes.”

“Th, that doesn’t mean anything strange, right? This is all from defeating marauders—”

“Don’t worry, I’m not misunderstanding anything.”

Erwen cuts her off and focuses on the feeling in her chest.

And she smiles sweetly and continues,

“If you coveted what belonged to someone else, you deserve to be punished, wouldn’t you say?”

Her heart, which had been beating passionately just a moment ago, has now turned ice-cold.

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