Chapter 15

#015 Episode

"You recognize it. It's the fee."

Ian replied calmly.

"No, what, this..."

Miguel gasped for breath.

It was only natural.

Even ordinary gold coins were a huge sum.

Imperial gold coins were worth twice as much.

They had a high gold content and were impossible to forge, essentially serving as a standard currency.

As Miguel stared intently at the gold coin, Ian added,

"Why? Does the gold coin not suit you?"

"No, no!"

Miguel hastily clenched his fist.

When Ian chuckled, Miguel awkwardly averted his gaze and added,

"Well, it's just too much money for a guide's fee."

"It's the price of a life. It should be that much."

Though his answer was casual, Miguel's expression turned pale.

"Does that mean it's that dangerous, or that we have to arrive on time at the risk of our lives?"

"Hmm…."

Ian trailed off.

While Miguel swallowed hard,

"Return it if you can't do it. I won't take it back if you give it to me now."

Ian clicked his tongue and said.

With a conflicted look, Miguel slightly opened his palm.

The golden gleam that caught his eye. Positive whispers continued in his mind.

Come on. It's only five days at most, right? The mercenaries and knights are incredibly skilled. It's an easy job to just take us to the forest, and it's imperial gold coins. Missing such an opportunity would be foolish, wouldn't it?

"…I'll do it. I'll definitely bring you there within five days."

Miguel finally tucked the gold coin deep into his pocket.

A smile formed on Ian's lips.

"A wise choice."

He had been confident from the start that Miguel would accept the job.

After all, it was an excessively large sum for a guide's fee.

Especially if he had lost all his comrades and could only receive the referral fee for the job.

It would be an irresistible temptation.

Of course, there was another reason Ian made such a good offer.

'I needed someone to handle the dirty work. This is perfect.'

He had always intended to accompany Meve only to the Grave Forest.

Miguel seemed just right as an insurance policy for that.

If he just hinted at the money, he wouldn't be able to resist, making it easy to pass the task to him.

Moreover, due to his superstitions, he had the responsibility to bury his dead comrades and complete a job without witnesses, which was a bonus.

'Rather than getting into a fight and seeing blood, this is a win-win for everyone.'

While thinking and smiling, Ian suddenly felt a gaze and turned his head.

Philip was looking at him with a strangely displeased expression.

"What's that look for?"

"…Nothing. I was just impressed by how you spend money so freely."

"Hmm…."

This brat can even mock me now.

While narrowing his brows in admiration,

"Right. Good point, Philip."

Ian's lips curled up again as he turned to Meve.

"Lady. You owe me a gold coin."

Philip's eyes widened at his words.

"Sir, you owe a gold coin?"

"Since I paid for you. Why else would I hire him?"

"Good heavens, Lu Solar…."

Philip, covering his forehead, sighed.

"Truly, you are the most remarkable—"

"Enough. You're right, Philip."

Meve cut him off. Looking at Ian, she added calmly,

"Ian. I'll pay the debt when the job is done."

Ian chuckled at the sight of Philip's tightly closed eyes and nodded.

"Understood."

Meve's gaze naturally turned to Miguel.

"Since you're officially hired, I trust you'll fulfill your role faithfully, Miguel."

"…Yes, of course, sir."

Miguel nodded involuntarily at her stern voice.

His face stiffened, realizing he was now in a position where he couldn't back out.

Rolling his eyes, he finally couldn't hold back and spoke.

"…But, why are you going to the Grave Forest? It's a cursed forest, and there's a rumor that you can't come out once you enter."

"Exactly because of that, we're going."

Ian said, biting into a piece of jerky.

Miguel muttered uneasily,

"Do you know what's inside…?"

"I hope there's a black mage."

Miguel's brows furrowed.

"Black mage? But this is a place where you hardly ever see a mage. I've never heard of such a notorious villain hiding here…."

"It's just that the rumors haven't spread, but they exist."

"How can you be so sure?"

This brat is so suspicious.

Ian clicked his tongue and looked at him.

"Because I met him."

"You… met him?"

"I killed one of his followers. I also killed the physical manifestation of his avatar. As a result, I earned his enmity."

Miguel's complexion finally turned pale, and Ian added,

"The headless knight was also his subordinate. You were just unlucky to get involved."

"…So, there will be more attacks like this in the future?"

Ian shrugged.

"It depends on how quickly you can guide us to the Grave Forest."

"…!"

Miguel's mouth finally opened.

"He's trying to plunge the kingdom into chaos."

Looking at the frozen Miguel, Meve continued calmly,

"Finding and punishing him is the purpose of our journey."

"Specifically, we need to arrive at the castle before the deadline. That's why your role is crucial, Miguel."

Philip concluded.

Miguel's pupils trembled as if in an earthquake as he looked at each member of the group.

Even if he didn't fully realize it,

He must have clearly understood that he had stepped into an incredibly dangerous and important mission.

"What a mess… I'm in deep trouble."

He finally sighed.

His appetite was gone, and he had already put down the skewer.

Ian chuckled.

"You're hired as a guide. Leave the fighting to us and just focus on your role."

Throwing the empty skewer into the fire, he lay down and added,

"Then there won't be any problems."

"…"

Though his tone was casual, Miguel froze.

It sounded like he would have problems if he didn't do his job properly.

But even if that were the case, it wouldn't change anything now that he was here.

He couldn't run away from them or cancel the contract.

"…Understood."

Miguel, answering reluctantly, picked up the skewer again.

Though his appetite was still gone, he needed to replenish his strength.

That way, he could guide them to the Grave Forest as quickly as possible.

In his mind, that was the only way to complete this job safely and survive.

Thus, from the next day, the hunter Miguel was reborn as a guide.

"Let's go. I'll lead the way!"

And he was very diligent.

***

Under the cloudy evening sky.

A group approached the edge of the village.

The residents of the farmland, who would usually just glance and move on, now stared at them for a long time.

Some even stopped their work to observe them.

It was because of the knight in the center.

His shining full-body armor was a rare and precious sight.

"Hey, isn't that…?"

Thanks to him, some recognized the bearded man leading the group.

Miguel, the mercenary who used to swagger around with his subordinates, showing off the scar on his face.

The same man who boasted to the village chief while drinking and eating.

But the current Miguel was far from the rough mercenary the residents remembered.

"We arrived before sunset. It's more than an hour earlier than expected."

He was just a chatty guide, grinning and talking.

Ian ignored his boasting and turned his gaze.

The village, surrounded by a sparse wooden fence, filled his field of vision.

"It's bigger than I expected."

Though not a walled city, it was a large village by Agel Ran standards.

"There are no other villages nearby unless you cross the valley. The soldiers from the fort also visit here often."

Miguel said, as if he had been waiting for the question.

"Doesn't seem like we'll be attacked by a wolf pack. Could it be that there are no permanent troops in such a village?"

Meve asked in a low voice.

She maintained a straight posture, undisturbed by the gazes.

Each time her horse moved, the head of Andolph, hanging from the saddle, swung.

"The soldiers from the fort do visit, but it's mostly for rest."

Miguel answered politely and in detail.

"Also, the village chief's son was killed at the pass we just crossed. He was a troublemaker who used to wander around with a knife."

He was a much better guide than anyone, including himself, had expected.

He led the group through the fastest route and knew almost everything about the local rumors and situations.

The peaceful night they spent was partly due to his efforts.

Of course, as a mercenary who had survived for a long time, he should have had these skills.

But even considering that, Miguel excelled in this field.

"Thanks to you, we'll have a good night's sleep. We can have a proper meal and take a bath."

Philip's voice brightened.

Miguel agreed.

"The inn here has good food. The beer is delicious. Maybe because they grow wheat, the taste is exceptional."

"Hmm…. I'm looking forward to the beer."

Philip's eyebrows twitched.

Anyway, they were only interested in the benefits.

"Finish the job properly first."

"Understood. Don't worry."

Miguel nodded as if he had never grinned before.

In just two days, he had become accustomed to following Ian's orders.

After entering the village, Ian turned to Philip.

"Check if he divides the money properly. If there's a problem, I'll hold you responsible."

"Leave it to me, sir."

Philip answered promptly.

So unreliable.

While Ian inwardly clicked his tongue,

"Sir, but…"

Philip muttered, gauging his reaction.

"Speak clearly. Don't beat around the bush."

"From what I heard, there's a proper stable here. We lost two horses, so I thought I'd get a couple of nags for now."

"Why are you asking me for that?"

"Well… I'm sorry, but…"

Hesitating, Philip finally bowed his head and said,

"…Could you lend me some money for the horses?"

"…!"

His eyebrows arched for a moment.

A smile formed on Ian's lips.

"I'm glad I'm a mercenary who spends money freely."

Philip's head snapped up at his sarcastic remark.

"T-That…!"

"It's a joke. No need to apologize."

Ian held out a few gold coins he took from his pocket.

"Bring back the change. And get a soft saddle for my horse."

"Of course, sir! I'll choose the best one!"

Philip shouted, taking them eagerly.

The power of money is great here too.

While Ian chuckled, Meve added,

"Again, I owe you, Ian."

"It's nothing."

Ian shrugged lightly.

After all, losing two horses was entirely his fault, but no one pointed that out.

"Do you have something else to do?"

Meve asked.

Ian nodded.

"I heard there's a temple of Lu Solar. I plan to visit there first."

"Temple? Will you come to the inn and then go together?"

Ian's brows furrowed slightly.

"Together…? Do you have a reason to go to the temple?"

"No, I just wanted to pray to Lu Solar before the expedition."

"In that case, it's better to move separately."

Ian quickly added, touching the scabbard at his waist.

"I need to visit the blacksmith after the temple. It will take some time, and who knows what these two will do while you're gone."

"Hmm…. Right. Understood."

Meve agreed with a regretful expression.

I almost got stuck with her.

Ian sighed in relief.

He didn't want to tell her what he planned to do at the temple.

Priests were the easiest targets for con artists, and knights, who valued faith and honor, were naturally weak against them.

If he moved with her, Ian would end up being conned too.

"Prepare your meal separately. Don't be too late."

"Understood."

"Which way is the inn, Miguel?"

"That way, sir."

Meve turned her horse in the direction Miguel pointed.

Philip quickly followed, and Miguel approached Ian.

"The temple is on the backside of the village. The blacksmith is at the end of the next alley. Remember that."

"Understood. Don't cause trouble while I'm gone."

"Trouble? What…."

Ian patted Miguel's shoulder, who looked startled, and turned around.

He strode confidently down the dirty, smelly street.

Despite being a large village, the hygiene was still a mess.

The appearance of the passing residents, to Ian's modern eyes, was no different from beggars.

'If I was going to fall into a game, I wish it was a shonen manga-like adventure fantasy.'

Ian clicked his tongue and shook off the thought.

It would be more constructive to think about the priest he would soon meet.

He could very well be a con artist.

Of course, even if he wasn't, it wouldn't make much difference.

'Unless he's worse than a con artist.'

Like other things in the Dark Ages, the church and priests who served the gods were also corrupt and decadent.

Of course, in a world where gods, the afterlife, and miracles truly existed, it was inevitable.

The important thing was that priests were all annoying people.

To the point where he didn't want to talk to them unless absolutely necessary.

'Still, the gods who lend their power are the real problem…'

While thinking, Ian suddenly stopped.

In front of a small, old house.

Despite its shabby appearance,

"Hmm…."

Ian's eyes sparkled.

"I found the right place."

He felt the holy power inside.

As clear as Meve's.

The faintly engraved sun symbol above the door indicated that this was the temple of Lu Solar.

Ian grabbed the doorknob.

A small prayer room, barely able to seat twenty people, was immediately revealed.

Ian's gaze, sweeping the interior, stopped at the statue at the end of the prayer room.

A sculpture of a woman in a robe, her face hidden, kneeling with her hands raised above her head.

The holy power was flowing from her hands.

With a faint light.

"There's a holy statue here…."

Ian stopped in front of it and looked down at the hands from which the light was flowing.

A real miracle, with no visible mana or light source.

Ian's lips curled up.

It meant he could finally purify the contaminated essence.

Swish.

"…?"

The light from the statue's hands began to intensify. The light that had been swirling in her hands overflowed.

The entire statue shimmered as if it held the morning sun.

…Why is this happening all of a sudden?

While Ian tilted his head in confusion,

"Prayer time is over, but…."

A cold voice echoed from behind.

Ian turned around.

A middle-aged man in a white priest's robe stood at the door, frowning.

His arrogant expression and the golden pendant in the shape of a sun around his neck.

As expected, it didn't deviate from my expectations.

Ian clicked his tongue inwardly and asked,

"Are you the priest of this temple?"

"Obviously. But it's not a time when entry is allowed. If you don't have a special reason—"

The priest's cold voice suddenly trailed off as he approached.

His gaze fixed on the glowing statue behind Ian's shoulder.

Stunned, he opened his mouth for a moment.

"Good heavens, Lu Solar…."

Exclaiming, the priest turned back to Ian.

His eyes shimmered uncomfortably.

His lips soon moved.

"Servant of the Radiant Goddess, what brings you to such a remote place?"

Ian's brows furrowed involuntarily.

"Servant…?"

What the hell is this nonsense?