Chapter 26 – Guild Request (1)
About a month had passed since they arrived in Marceau.
Verden was outside the city with Iris. In their line of sight, they spotted a lone Orc wandering around.
"A Mage is going to take that down? Without elemental magic?"
Verden nodded.
Even after reading dozens of books, it wasn't enough—he had even learned 2nd-tier Imbue Magic directly from Iris in exchange for lecturing her on theory. Now, it was time to assess how far he had come overall.
Imbue-type magic, the higher the tier, the less strain the caster feels.
It means that even if one's physical strength suddenly increases, or vision becomes enhanced, one can adapt quickly. The sense of loss when the magic ends also diminishes noticeably.
Verden gripped his staff tightly.
Although it still felt awkward as it was only 2nd-tier, there was no issue when facing an Orc. He kicked off the ground and charged toward the creature.
Crack! With a single strike, he shattered its knee.
"Graaaaah!"
He dodged the Orc's hand by ducking low, then swung his staff upward with force. Its lower jaw split open, and its mouth hung a gape.
He then pushed the Orc's body back with his staff, and with a full swing, smashed the back of its head.
Thud.
A Mage killed an Orc in hand-to-hand combat in just 13 seconds.
At this level, even without using magic, his skills were equivalent to a Gold-rank adventurer.
Iris clapped softly in admiration.
'How is there nothing this man can't do?'
Even though Imbue Magic is quite difficult, he could cast everything exactly as taught. Not only that, but he used it in real combat without even practicing for days. He's a Mage, yet he excels at close combat.
He's practically a monster.
And then, there's the theory of magic.
He not only organized everything she had learned over a lifetime in less than a month, but also offered a clear direction for what to study next.
Not even the most popular professors at the Academy had done that for her.
'On top of that, he's handsome too...'
What would have happened if he had entered the Academy? Surely, he would have received offers from multiple nations, and risen to become the most legendary Genius Mage in the Academy's history.
Girls would've lined up to follow him.
'No, maybe not?'
Even though Iris had confidence in her looks, Verden was so indifferent it left her feeling embarrassed.
Maybe he's naturally uninterested in women, or maybe there's another reason...
"Don't tell me he has… issues on that side?"
"I don't."
Verden left her with those words and walked past her.
With the live combat over, it was time to return to Marceau. Iris, who had been standing there with a dumbfounded expression, suddenly blushed furiously.
"Wait, senior! That's not what I meant!"
Her excuses continued until they passed through the city gates.
***
Verden's daily routine was always the same.
Wake up early, warm up his body, finish breakfast, then concentrate on magic circles.
After noon, he would activate circuits and accumulate magic proficiency.
When it was time for lectures, he taught theory to Iris, and on days without appointments, he would head into the forest alone to practice magic on demi-humans.
Verden's life—dedicated entirely to self-improvement from dawn till night—was enough to wear out anyone watching.
But today was different.
When he returned to his room, a man was waiting in front of the door.
"It's been a while. Do you have a moment?"
It was Oscar, the Guild Master of the Adventurers' Guild.
He had come to see Verden.
***
Verden served Oscar some tea.
After taking a sip, Oscar widened his eyes. While the basic flavor was the same, the depth of the aroma was completely different.
Well, of course it was. Making tea had once been part of the daily routine in the magic tower.
Even the Mages of the magic tower, who used to look down on Verden, had praised his tea without holding back.
'Though that Mage died when I blew his head off.'
Thinking that, Verden sat down across from Oscar.
"The tea is excellent. Did you work at a café before becoming a Mage?"
"Well, something like that. Anyway, what brings you here?"
"Ah, well. You see..."
Oscar, hesitant, scratched his forehead.
"Do you know anything about the undead?"
Undead, the profane beings that defy death.
The death energy that leaks from them invokes indescribable fear in the living and serves as the cause of new undead spawning.
To humans, they are uncompromising evil. They must be subjugated as a top priority before their numbers grow.
In the public sphere, creatures like undead, vampires, slimes, and demons—those who don't die on their own—are collectively referred to as abnormal species.
But why bring up the undead now?
At Verden's question, Oscar let out a deep sigh.
"They've appeared in a tunnel near the viron territory. A miner barely escaped and reported it quickly, but there are so many of them that the soldiers are barely managing to hold the front line."
Undead in skeletal form aren't easily affected by arrows or swords.
Blunt weapons, like hammers, are more effective, but since they aren't part of the standard soldier's gear, they're hard to come by.
"There aren't any adventurers available?"
"It's true there are adventurers in that territory too, but not many of them are competent. It's not exactly a place with lucrative demi-humans or magical beasts, after all. They've been barely holding on thanks to a few Gold-rank adventurers and the territory's knight order... Actually, the next thing I want to say is the reason I came to see you."
Adventurers frequently gamble with their lives, but because of that, they're extremely sensitive to rumors and superstitions.
Dying foolishly without showing real skill is the kind of death they avoid at all costs.
Undead are ominous beings. That much is certain.
But the problem lies in baseless rumors—like how touching an undead will make you ill and waste away, or how a dead man's grudge will follow you for life and curse you—which make adventurers hesitant.
That was why they couldn't stop the undead in the viron territory.
Someone needed to enter the mines, the source, and wipe out the undead spreading death energy, but no one wanted to go, and they simply backed away.
Even if the lord wanted to send the knight order, he hesitated, fearing they might all perish.
So requests for support were sent to neighboring territories.
They promised to pay whatever it took, begging for someone to eliminate those undead.
"But the Marceau adventurers refused to go?"
"That's right. To be exact, there were a few willing, but the number was pathetically low. I mean, sending just four people as support? It wouldn't look good for Marceau's reputation..."
"Even if I went, that'd make just five people."
"But you're different. You're the Genius Mage who saved Marceau."
At the old man's flattery, Verden furrowed his brow.
'Should I accept this?'
No matter how urgent the situation, the Guild Master personally coming to an outsider was no small thing.
Since he had no reason to refuse outright, Verden took a moment to think.
He held no fear of undead.
To be honest, he was curious. Undead weren't something one encountered often. Even in the magic tower, creating an environment soaked in death energy was extremely difficult.
And even if one succeeded, it would bring worldwide condemnation—especially from the Church of Luas, who worship the god of light.
Researching death was never a simple matter.
Verden's gaze turned to the Guild Master.
Oscar swallowed nervously, waiting for his reply.
"Since the undead have appeared, the Church of Luas will surely move. Has there been no contact from them?"
"I was just about to mention that. The church said they'll send a few official priest."
The divine power of priest is deadly to undead.
Unless the wound is instantly fatal, they can heal even grave injuries.
'Well, it's about time they started moving.'
If he succeeded in this undead subjugation, Verden's reputation would finally begin to spread in earnest.
That meant more chances to work as a Mage, just like now, when the Guild Master himself had come.
'And I'll make some money too.'
Verden made his decision.
"Alright."
"Y-you'll take it?"
"Yes. When should we depart?"
"In two—no, three days would be perfect. You could fly there using flight, but I can't ask you to go to that trouble. I'll arrange a luxury carriage for a comfortable journey."
Oscar, smiling, led Verden into the streets.
The meal the Guild Master treated him to was quite satisfying.
***
Time passed, and it was the day of departure.
Verden headed toward the city gates at the promised time. Since he was traveling to another territory, he brought along Mahbat's leather and a rusted ring.
He hadn't had time to process them before, and this was a good chance to have it all handled at once.
'Before I knew it, I ended up bringing everything.'
It wasn't like he had much luggage, and he couldn't part with the treasures he'd brought from the magic tower anyway.
Verden looked ahead.
Unlike the freight wagon driven by merchant Conrad, two carriages stood that were meant solely for transporting people. A crowd had gathered in front of them.
'That must be the adventurer team the Guild Master mentioned.'
He couldn't see their faces behind the carriage.
As he approached, he finally recognized them.
"Ah! Senior!"
"...Why are you here?"
"What do you mean? We accepted the request too. Technically, we're just porters and support."
Iris, the leader of the adventurer team.
Though he hadn't spoken much with them, their faces were familiar.
Once outside the city, once to thank him, and now made it the third time they'd met.
Verden looked around at them.
Locke and Mild stood stiff with nervous tension, while Mirna hid behind Iris. Having seen Verden's power firsthand, they couldn't help but be intimidated—even if they knew he wouldn't hurt them.
"You do know what kind of request this is, right?"
"Of course we do."
"You're not afraid of undead?"
"I may not look it, but I graduated from the Academy. We all know most of those undead rumors are just superstition. Sure, it's unsettling… but realistically speaking, with our combined strength, we can take down a few undead."
That much was true.
From Verden's perspective, even if they were young, they had solid fundamentals. A few skeletons, weaker than orcs, wouldn't be a problem.
"Besides, our role is just to assist the other adventurers. We don't know how deep the tunnels go. And even for just that, we're getting paid and getting bonus points for promotion—how could we say no? Personally, I believe real adventurers need the courage to not be swayed by useless rumors."
"And not reckless bravado?"
"...I'm well past the age where I'd mix those two up."
Iris climbed into the carriage in a smooth motion. The other three followed her inside.
The other adventurer team, who briefly made eye contact with Verden, gave a small nod before boarding the front carriage. Iris reached out her hand toward Verden.
"Aren't you coming, senior?"
"...I'm coming."
Letting out a soft sigh, Verden took her hand.
He didn't know how this request would end, but he had a feeling—it certainly wouldn't be a boring one.