Chapter 7: Novice Adventurer — Part 4: An Unexpected Reencounter
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Warning: This content may contain explicit or mature themes and is intended for viewers 18 and older. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
Volume 1: Witch Carly Arc
Chapter 7: Novice Adventurer
— Part 4: An Unexpected Reencounter
When Aurelius and Magnolia, having wrapped up their sweet time, entered the inn's tavern, only about half of the seats were occupied.
There should have been more patrons. It seemed that the busy period had passed and the crowd was thinning out.
"Old man, bring us two ales and something to snack on."
"Right away."
The innkeeper's voice echoed from the kitchen.
Soon, two cups of ale and skewers of grilled meat were served at their table.
Glug, glug, glug—
PHEWw,
Magnolia enjoyed her ale with evident pleasure.
"Normally, it would taste better, but when you're not feeling well, it affects the flavor."
"No, it looks plenty good."
Aurelius took small sips of his ale, careful not to drink too much and risk affecting their journey the next day.
"It's unfortunate. After all the preparation you did, Aurelius, and my own readiness, it seems to have been for nothing. If I see that guy tomorrow, I might just challenge him to a duel."
Magnolia still seemed unsatisfied.
"Forget about it. We were mistaken. If it doesn't work out tomorrow, I'll use the medicine."
"I don't want to put too much strain on you, Aurelius. I wish I could just endure it."
"You don't need to force yourself, Magnolia. It'll be alright—we'll find a way."
It was purely a reassurance. Knowing this, Magnolia chose not to pursue the topic further.
The two continued drinking ale and chatting.
Aurelius's first cup was nearly finished, and Magnolia had emptied her second.
With the number of patrons continuing to dwindle, closing time must have been approaching.
"Um, you're here. I'm glad we met at a convenient moment."
A middle-aged man who peeked into the tavern came over, and Aurelius recognized him. Although he had seen the man before, he couldn't immediately recall who he was. It was unusual for Aurelius, who rarely forgets after meeting someone once, to have forgotten this person.
Even so, as he approached their seats, they finally remembered.
"Thank you for your assistance earlier today."
He was the mediator to the duel.
During the day, he appeared elderly, but now at night, he seemed middle-aged. It appeared that the darkness made his gray hair less noticeable.
"No, no, it was just part of my job. After all, I'm a guild staff.
I needed to report the outcome and the reward calculation, so I'm glad we met.
"Eh, you've been working this whole time? That must be tough."
"No, my work ended during the day.
I heard you were staying at this inn, so I stopped by after work, but you weren't here at the time. So, I had dinner and a drink.
I was about to head home, but I decided to check once more just in case, and I found you both here.
I could have waited until tomorrow, but I thought it would be better to settle things today, so I stopped by."
It seemed the guild staff had found the two of them by chance and decided to take care of business.
"As for the reward, it was discovered that the distribution in that party was not done fairly. So, we'll pay the three of you the difference, along with the penalty for them losing the duel."
The amount mentioned by the middle-aged guild staff was quite substantial. Although Magnolia had more than that, it was not an easily obtainable sum.
"Shall we split it three ways?"
"What do you think, Magnolia? I have more than enough, so I don't need it."
"I didn't accept the duel for the reward."
"In that case, we'll both decline our shares, and please give the entire reward to that young man.
Although, there was a bit of trouble, so we're not sure where he is."
"If he's an adventurer, he'll definitely show up at the guild, so we'll find him soon enough.
I'll hand it over the next time I see him at the guild.
That's one task off my list."
"Guild staffs have it rough too.
It must be hard if you're keeping your wife waiting this late."
The guild staff must have a tough time working late.
"In this town, the Adventurer's Guild and the Merchant's Guild are combined, so the guild staffs are busy.
Well, the merchants here primarily deal with adventurers. Most of the requests for adventurers are either gathering materials from monsters or providing merchant escorts.
So, at some point, the two guilds merged.
It would be better if we had twice as many guild staffs, but that's not possible, so it's quite hectic.
And unfortunately, I'm not married. Somehow, I never found the right person, and before I knew it, I reached this age.
I envy Aurelius-san, having such a beautiful woman like Magnolia-san as his partner."
Aurelius felt a slight unease in the guild staff's gaze towards the two of them.
In other towns, it's unusual, but he was a guild staff of both the Adventurers' Guild and the Merchants' Guild. In that case, he might also know information about the Merchants' Guild.
"He seems lonely and single. Also, he says Magnolia is beautiful."
Aurelius signaled Magnolia with a glance.
"Aurelius, that's…"
Magnolia noticed the meaning but didn't immediately agree.
"Tomorrow might be the limit. Don't you think it would be alright to accept it here?
Of course, if Magnolia doesn't want to, I won't force it."
"If Aurelius is okay with it, I don't mind."
"Then, I'd like for you to use that cloak."
"I'd prefer to do it somewhere else, but if Aurelius prefers it here, I suppose it can't be helped."
Magnolia's face turned red, but it didn't seem to be from drinking.
It seems Magnolia is okay with having sex with this guild staff. Moreover, it will be in the same room as the young man who had to stop midway, with only one piece of cloth to cover her.
However, it's important to verify whether the guild staff truly has the information or is he even interested in it. It would be easy to ask directly, but the guild staff might rush off to obtain the information as soon as he finds out.
Additionally, there are a few other customers in the tavern, and information might leak to them. That's not desirable.
Proceed cautiously as always.
"Are you just going home to sleep now?"
"Being a lonely middle-aged man, that's how it is.
Besides, I don't have earnings like the adventurers do.
Still, I understand that you get rewards because you risk your life. I've seen many adventurers who don't come back, who get depressed as their companions decrease, or who can't live a normal life due to severe injuries.
Even with low earnings, it's better to be alive—it's appropriate."
"Adventurers also have many expenses, so their earnings quickly vanish. Daily food, essentials, medicine for injuries, weapon maintenance—neglecting any of these can be life-threatening."
In reality, Aurelius earns enough just from selling medicine, so he doesn't struggle with money. Magnolia also has a substantial amount of money earned as an adventurer.
However, they are exceptions, and other adventurers never have an easy life.
"Actually, there are perks to being a guild staff.
Occasionally, we receive tips from adventurers who make a lot of money. It's almost like working just for that.
It's hard to admit, but I was excited to hear that I'd receive tips for overseeing today's duel. However, since the participant lost, that plan is off the table."
"Then I should make sure to be generous with tips on the days I earn, right?"
"I would be very grateful if you could do that."
When Aurelius said this jokingly, the guild staff pretended to be flustered.
"Also, we can earn tips by providing various pieces of information to adventurers. Although it's usually just harmless general knowledge, adventurers seem to appreciate it greatly.
We don't share truly valuable information for mere tips. Since I work for both the Adventurers' Guild and the Merchants' Guild, I gather useful information as well.
Of course, I don't pass on information for personal gain. If that were discovered, it would be disastrous."
"Hoh, so you collect that much information? I'd like to know what kind of information you have, within what you're allowed to share.
As a mage, knowledge is my weapon."
"Indeed. Your strengths are also a piece of information. I've informed the Adventurers' Guild that you could eliminate anyone with fewer than twenty-five skilled fighters. So, I think you'll be treated favorably in the town you're heading to."
"That could be problematic. If such information reaches the nobility, they might try to recruit us. Magnolia and I prefer a more relaxed lifestyle."
"I understand. In that case, I'll adjust the information by tomorrow. I'll say that you can't win against fewer than ten. This way, it's not a lie and still shows you're quite strong."
"I'm sorry for the trouble."
"Well, the guild always benefits from having more skilled adventurers. If they are recruited by the nobility, the guild's earnings will decrease.
And, shall I share another piece of information? This is extremely valuable—so valuable that even the guild staff can't obtain it without paying a gold coin. I won't reveal it to anyone else."
"Hoh, are you going to share that with me?"
Aurelius narrowed his eyes and stared at the guild staff. The next words would decide their actions for tonight and tomorrow.
"No, since it costs a gold coin, I won't share it.
I can only say that there is information about a beautiful swordswoman, a male mage, and a curse."
"Did you obtain that information?"
"Yes, I'm willing to lose a gold coin.
And now, I want to verify if the information is accurate."
The guild staff's expression grew serious.
Aurelius changed the subject abruptly.
"By the way, don't you have any charms or the like?
Magnolia often prays to shrines and emblems. Today, she was going to pray to the young man's embroidered emblem, but we had a dispute before she could do that.
Now that you're here, I was wondering if you could let her pray with it if anything comes up."
"People like me don't need battle emblems. The only thing I carry is a Koushi charm, the messenger of the god of wealth." [TLN: Koushi = Year of the Rat]
The guild staff pulled out a small rat ornament from his bag, small enough to fit in the palm of his hand.
This confirmed that the guild staff obtained information and wanted to embrace Magnolia.
"Magnolia, shall we use this koushi charm for your prayers? It might be inconvenient here, so let's do it in our room."
Magnolia's face turned red, but she nodded decisively.
"If Aurelius is fine with it, I don't mind."
"I'm sorry, but could you let her pray with this koushi in the room?
It will take some time to prepare. About ten minutes, I'd say. Will you wait?"
"Yes, I can wait that long.
It seems I'm having good luck tonight. Also, it looks like the gold coin won't be wasted."
"That's reassuring."
Aurelius set up the hourglass and explained how to use it.
The two of them returned to the room alone. Magnolia was once again left with only her naked body covered by a cloth cloak. Aurelius, on the other hand, changed into thin room wear—a light shirt and knee-length trousers.
Knock-knock-knock,
There was a sound of someone knocking on the door.
"Please come in."
Aurelius opened the door.
"Excuse me."
The guild staff entered the room. He was surprised to see Magnolia in just a cloth cloak, but he maintained a composed demeanor.
"I need you to place the Koushi charm at the head of the bed for a prayer. Magnolia will join in the prayer as well. However, if she shows any signs of reluctance, I will use force to stop you. While I will not take your life, be prepared for some injury.
Know this, kissing Magnolia is absolutely forbidden. If you attempt to do so, be prepared to face death.
Additionally, do not remove the cloth cloak she is wearing. She does not want her appearance underneath to be seen.
If Magnolia refuses, please stop immediately.
No matter what."
Aurelius's last words were delivered with a threatening edge.
"Understood."
The guild staff nodded seriously.
"And I will observe both you and Magnolia while you pray in this room. Consider it a way to ensure you don't do anything unnecessary."
"Eh, you will be here? That—"
The guild staff looked at Aurelius with surprise and then glanced at Magnolia, who was turning her face away from him, perhaps not wanting to be seen.
"This is something Magnolia must comply with, even if she is reluctant. If you cannot agree to this, then we can disregard this matter."
"I—I understand.
It's the first time I'll be doing this with others present in the same room, but I will try not to worry about it."
"As it is only a prayer, there should be no issues."
"Yes, just a prayer."
"You don't need to worry, but please make sure Magnolia feels self-conscious. She will probably appreciate that more."
"Such a thing—"
Magnolia gasped in surprise and looked at Aurelius.
"Is it something you don't want to do, Magnolia?"
"If Aurelius desires it, I do not mind."
Magnolia's face was clearly red with embarrassment. However, it did not look like anger but rather a shy smile.
"I'll sit on this bed, so please go ahead and pray."
"Do you want to know or see?"
"If it's just knowing, being close is sufficient."
"Understood. I will make it happen as you wish."
Having seemingly made up his mind, the guild staff placed a small metal ornament on the bed's headboard. It was a tin or lead ornament shaped like a rat, which seemed to be a charm for Koushi.
"So, we pray to that?"
Magnolia also stood by the bed next to it. Aurelius sat leaning against the headrest of the adjacent bed. There was enough space to walk between the beds, and the distance was only that of a semi-double bed.
"Then, I'll pray."
Magnolia stood in the middle of the foot of the bed and tried to bow towards the headboard.
"No, not from there.
Pray from this side, facing Koushi's face."
The staff directed Magnolia to stand by the side of the headboard. It appeared there was some sort of plan in place.
"I see, from this side."
Magnolia might have found it strange, but she obediently moved to stand by the headboard. Then she looked at the Koushi ornament.
As a result, she ended up facing Aurelius.
She accidentally made eye contact and felt a bit embarrassed.
"I will also join in the prayer."
The staff stood behind and slightly to the left of Magnolia. From Aurelius's perspective, his right shoulder and arm were obscured by Magnolia's shadow.
Magnolia closed her eyes and lowered her head.
The guild staff, too, bowed his head at a position that was close to Magnolia's left shoulder.
For a while, the two remained silent and motionless.
Aurelius wondered if they were truly just praying.