Chapter 50

< 049. Assassin & Greed (2) >

1-4 Eastern Forest Treasure Map Episode.

I'm not sure why Nefte has this map, but in the main story, Kelthers picks it up in the common dormitory hall. Then, he chooses four of his friends to go on an adventure.

This episode is quite symbolic.

Before explaining why it's symbolic, we need to understand the significance of Act 1 in this game.

From Kelthers' perspective, the development of D/Z SAGA Act 1 is as follows:

A country boy is born with the potential to be a hero and enrolls in the Jefrin Common Department with overwhelming grades.

During the tutorial, he gets a taste of the third-year vice-captain, who is far beyond his reach in terms of skill.

1-1 He liberates the spirits of freshmen in the common dormitory who wish to graduate.

1-2 In the middle of the night, he and his friends sneak out of the dormitory to buy snacks and return.

In the meantime, in a mini-test, a minor character named Milmyu is expelled after losing to Kelthers.

1-3 He fights a major battle with his friends who were jealous of him being the top student, but as a result, a new friendship is born.

1-4 He and his friends head to the Eastern Forest with the treasure map they obtained.

If you look closely, Act 1 sends a clear message to the player and Kelthers.

This academy is not a place filled only with friendship and love.

You might lose friends, make enemies, and someone might be expelled as you rise.

From the beginning, it throws a rather spicy theme, which makes the weight of choosing companions and routes from Act 2 onwards significantly heavier.

Because in 1-4, a companion who dies in this episode disappears from D/Z.

It's a truly deadly episode. Because of this, you can't pick the heroine Eve as a companion at this time.

It was that strong of a boss, and a terrifying one at that.

Yes, the boss 'was.'

Why past tense?

"It's been a while since a walk. On the premise that we'll clear the secret mission together, um... "

Unfortunately, I'm not the type to be intimidated by that guy.

***

We decided to go on the adventure during the weekend, so I need to prepare steadily during the week.

First, I made buff-type snacks at the magical pastry shop.

However, potion making is the most important skill for this mission.

【Activating Potion Making Skill.】

【Checking the materials to be used.】

【Mana Water + Lightning Powder】

【Potion Making Success!】

【Paralysis Potion is created.】

"Phew. Next, I need to make a garbage potion."

I mixed mana water and mud. The system window chimed, and the result appeared.

【Lowest Grade Poison Potion is created.】

After making several types of potions, I finally straightened my aching back and wiped the sweat. It was really exhausting.

"What are you doing?"

"Preparing."

"Preparing for the treasure?"

Without answering, I carried the potions I had made and went to the front yard of the convenience store.

Then, after calming my throbbing arm, I threw the potion at the target board.

The distance was about ten meters.

With a ting! the potion bottle hit the target board and splattered with a swish!

"···You went through all the trouble to make it just to throw it. Or throw it away? ···No, that's not it. Is there any meaning in the act of hitting it?"

Patrashu muttered, and the sharpness of his words made me laugh involuntarily.

After about a hundred throws, I clutched my aching arm. I didn't need to throw hard, so I just rolled them at the end. Still, it seems the throw was judged a success.

【You have learned a skill.】

【Potion Pitch】 【9T】

【You can throw potions more accurately. As your proficiency increases, it becomes harder for the target to avoid them, and the effects of the potion improve when thrown.】

I nodded.

First, I got the most important skill. Next is... waiting for the materials to arrive.

"Wolfram, the items you ordered have arrived."

At that moment, the person I was waiting for arrived.

Aila Tristar.

***

Aila placed the items she brought on the ground with a sigh.

"Can't you use the people from the Tristar Corporation? I didn't expect you to bring them yourself."

At my words, Aila's eyes widened, and she soon smiled.

"Oh, no. If the great rebellion of Wolfram von Loen格林 were to leak, what would happen?"

"······"

So, can you tell me what that rebellion is?

"Besides, by coming here in person, I can hear why these items are needed. It feels like sneaking a peek at the answer? Hehe. So, why do you need these? Can you tell me a little about what materials they will be for your rebellion?"

"A little?"

"Yes. To be precise, I want you to tell me just enough to keep my heart racing but also amplify my anticipation."

······You might end up as a lady if you keep talking like that.

Whether Aila knew my thoughts or not, she smiled and glanced at the items she brought.

"Lightning ore, crimson flame ore, and various attribute stones. Also, recovery-focused items... Are you going on an expedition? That's unlikely. Wolfram's frail health... ."

"You're right."

"···What?"

"I'll be leaving Jefrin for a while. There will be battles."

"······Wolfram? Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, no matter how many miraculous techniques you use, there's no completely safe area in a battle."

"Have you ever been on an expedition, Aila?"

"Isn't it the most obvious duty of a noble to solve the grievances of the commoners? Before enrolling in Jefrin, I joined a goblin extermination squad with my father."

"······"

Aila looked me straight in the eye as she answered.

Her eyes, clear like emeralds, without a hint of lies.

Even in this world, Aila fulfilled her duties as a noble.

"That's right. You're correct. There is no completely safe area in a battle."

"···Should I go with you?"

"No, it's fine. We're just heading to the Eastern Region. If it gets dangerous, we can return quickly. You're busy, aren't you?"

"But..."

"The midterm exams are coming up soon."

"······"

"This time, I need to show my rebellion to that annoying Regina Siella."

"Rebellion. Yes, that's right. But..."

Aila's worried gaze didn't waver, so I had to shrug.

Everything is good, but Aila can't come.

This time's opponent is too incompatible with Aila.

So, for now... I need to somehow dodge the question.

"Of course, you're strong. But that doesn't mean I need to be protected."

"······Wolfram."

"Aila Tristar. If you always insist on being my companion in rebellion, accept that we are equals."

"Ugh."

"So, one-sided protection is unnecessary."

At this, Aila's eyes widened, and she shook her head.

"Okay. Let's do it that way. Who else would believe me if my companion doesn't? Wolfram?"

"Right."

"Then, before we go, can you tell me a little about what you'll use these for?"

"That's not hard. First, I'll make potions."

"Potions for rebellion?"

"···You can call them that if you want."

We chatted for a while.

It was a casual conversation about rebellion, something Aila often talks about.

Apart from the slightly louder laughter, it wasn't much different from our usual conversations.

***

The next day, the noisy duo arrived.

"Wolfram, Rudyka is here!"

"Senior, Nefte is here!"

These two, the noisiest people around me except for the colorful chicks, made the decibels in the convenience store exceed its capacity.

At least the chicks didn't come to the convenience store, really.

"So, have you prepared everything I asked for?"

"Yes! We borrowed resistance potions and artifacts! It was Senior Rudyka, not me!"

"It was quite difficult to get, but the Hassam Shadow family has a lot of loot!"

"······."

Loot? Who did you knock down to get it?

I didn't ask. If I made Hassam Shadow an enemy, I'd be killed in a one-on-one duel with Professor Rudyka that night.

She's a real assassin, capable of even killing Eve with a surprise attack.

"Is Wolfram hiding something?"

"······."

"Are you hiding something from your friend Rudyka, Wolfram?"

Rudyka's eyes turned cold.

But don't worry, my hellish wind-dodging mouth skills are on par with a parentless blonde ninja.

"Of course, I'm hiding something."

"Wolfram···."

I shrugged and continued.

"You might not know, but my current position at Jefrin is quite dangerous. Even if Eve is one thing, do you know how many people are hostile to Wolfram von Loen格林? I need to have a few aces up my sleeve."

"Wolfram and Rudyka, aren't we friends...? Rudyka doesn't consider Wolfram an enemy."

"I think so too."

"···Still hiding?"

"So, I'm showing you something special. 【Patrashu】"

At the owner's call, the red wolf stretched and approached me.

"Why this dog?"

"······Nefte, step back. This isn't a dog. It's a wolf. No, it's something more alien."

As expected of Rudyka, who has a 6-tier passive sense of presence. Her senses are incredible.

"Let me introduce. 【Guide of the Forest】 【Messenger of the Fairy Queen】 【Fairy with the Red Mane】 Patrashu."

"Fairy...?"

"Yes. 'I made a contract in the Eastern Forest,' 'I have lived for over three hundred years,' 'I possess excellent knowledge,' 'and now I am Wolfram's subordinate.' 'There is no lie in any of these statements.'"

I spoke the five sentences without lying, and Rudyka, listening to my words, laughed and said, "Ah."

Rudyka's 6-tier sense of presence is a skill that can determine if the person she focuses on is lying.

So, from the five sentences I just said, Rudyka couldn't find a single lie.

"Fairy...? Really?"

"Patrashu. Fire."

At my words, Patrashu's mane turned red, and a flame the size of a finger appeared.

"Wow... really a fire fairy?"

"I didn't lie."

I really didn't lie.

Unlike Nefte, who was amazed, Rudyka's reaction was intense.

"Wow! You made a contract with a fairy who has lived for three hundred years and obtained her knowledge! Wolfram! That's amazing!"

Saying this, Rudyka laughed and even wiped away tears.

"Tsk. Don't doubt people so easily. I would have told you eventually."

"···Yeah. Sorry. Rudyka sincerely apologizes. This Rudyka Hassam Shadow will accept a single request from you to make up for doubting you."

Saying this, Rudyka extended her hand to me.

"The request is fine. Just fulfill a small favor for me later."

"That's not hard. Because we're friends."

"···Ahem. Then, let's start the strategy meeting. The boss we'll face is as follows."

As the strategy meeting progressed, the expressions of the two people gradually hardened.

"···According to Senior Wolfram's knowledge, it's definitely necessary for the two of us to go together."

"But, isn't it a plan where one person will definitely be in danger? However, there's no other way, is there?"

"Yes. And the most dangerous part is... ."

The two looked at me intently.

So, if this plan becomes dangerous, I'll probably be the most at risk.

"Maybe we should abandon the plan. Sell the treasure map and forget about it."

"That might be good. If Senior Wolfram gets hurt, it's a bit... ."

What are you talking about?

The items we get from there are incredibly valuable.

I've already ordered the materials and need to pay for them.

"It's fine."

"Wolfram?"

"I have the protection of nature, don't I?"

"Oh, no... ."

"Yes."

"Yes. If it gets dangerous, Patrashu will take the hit for me."

The three of us quietly looked at Patrashu, who suddenly froze with a yawn and then pointed to himself with his front paw.

"Shield?"

"Shield."

"···Me?"

Yes.

You.