Chapter 58

As the sky was dyed by the sunset, Aldis returned to the capital city, exchanged words with the gatekeeper, who was becoming a familiar face, and entered the city with Kirill.

The place he aimed for was a bed at an inn—though he would have liked to say that, this time it was not possible.

If the night came, the humanoid figures would surely appear, as they had done before.

After three consecutive nights of combat, Aldis had confirmed that he could handle them without using offensive magic, but he wanted to resolve the root cause if possible.

So, the first place he went to was the home of a sorcerer he had favored since starting his activities in the capital.

"Old man, are you there? I have something I want you to look at."

In a corner away from the main street, where few people passed, Aldis called out as he opened the door of a shabby, dirty building.

The room that spread beyond the door was small.

The walls were lined with shelves, which were packed with books, ceramic containers, and various other items.

At first glance, the scene gave a cluttered impression, but considering the owner of the room, it made sense.

"It's you, Aldis, is it?"

An elderly man sitting at a well-worn counter spoke when he saw Aldis enter through the door.

While many people imagine sorcerers as suspicious witches, in reality, they are a legitimate profession that uses magic to create various potions and appraise items.

The man who called out to Aldis was an elderly gentleman with a proper appearance.

If he wore a decent robe, he could easily pass as a sage.

Aldis had been active in the capital for four months.

During that time, he naturally became acquainted with people and developed a regular store.

Although there was no sign outside, this building was a shop that bought and sold items related to magic, and it was one of the stores Aldis frequently used.

These sorcerers often deal with the preparation of potions and the sale of amulets.

Moreover, items that carry magic can often be sold at a higher price here than at a weapon shop or a regular merchant.

However, Aldis did not come this time to sell a sword he had obtained from a ruin.

Sorcerers often have deep knowledge about magic and magical items.

This knowledge can be used to appraise mysterious items.

The appraisal of magical items brought in by treasure hunters and the removal of curses from cursed items are important sources of income for sorcerers.

There are a considerable number of sorcerers with shops in the capital.

Among them, the most knowledgeable and skilled sorcerer Aldis knew was the old man in front of him.

He was the perfect person to show the sword he had obtained.

"By the way, Jean was looking for you. He said he had a job he wanted you to do. Have you met him yet?"

"No, I haven't seen him recently... I'll drop by tomorrow."

Jean is the name of a middleman who arranges jobs for mercenaries.

Since Aldis had defeated the three major demons, he often received job offers from Jean.

This was one of the connections he had built over the past four months.

"Hmm. Jean seemed to be in some trouble. If you can, please lend him a hand. ...By the way, who is that boy? Is he your apprentice?"

The sorcerer, noticing Kirill who had come with Aldis, asked.

"No, we just happen to be traveling together. He's not a mercenary either."

"Is that so? For a boy his age, he seems to have a high amount of magic power. I thought he might have the potential to be a mage."

"High magic power... me?"

Surprised by the sorcerer's unexpected words, Kirill spoke up.

"Yes, boy. You might have the potential to be a mage. Considering your age, your magic power will likely continue to grow."

"I... a mage..."

Kirill, who had never thought he had the potential to be a mage, was wide-eyed with surprise.

The sorcerer, looking at Kirill with a smile, turned his gaze to Aldis and spoke.

"I was just about to close the shop... Did you find something interesting?"

"A sword that is attacked by humanoid figures at night. What do you think?"

Aldis's dramatic tone made the old man shake his head in exasperation.

"...You always bring in troublesome things."

Ignoring the shop owner's reaction, Aldis took the sword from Kirill and placed it on the counter.

"It's a sword I obtained from a ruin in the Kossus Forest. It doesn't do anything when I carry it or draw it, but at night, several red humanoids appear and attack."

"Hmm... Let me take a look."

As soon as Aldis finished speaking, the sorcerer began examining the sword.

He used a magnifying glass to inspect the hilt and scabbard, then pulled the sword out slightly. The blade, which looked as if it were wet with red, was scrutinized by the sorcerer's sharp eyes.

"Hmm... I see... Ah, that's it..."

Muttering to himself, the sorcerer began to piece together his thoughts.

"Two silver coins. If you want a more detailed examination, it will be six silver coins."

After a while, the sorcerer placed the sword back on the counter and quoted a price.

"You can't tell just by looking?"

As he said this, Aldis placed six silver coins on the counter.

"I can tell the obvious things."

As he answered, the sorcerer put the silver coins in his pocket.

"It will take about ten minutes. Would you like to wait?"

"Yes, if it's cursed, I'd like you to remove the curse."

"That won't be necessary. More likely, this sword is not cursed."

"Not cursed?"

Surprised by the unexpected words, Aldis echoed the question.

"Well, I'll explain later. Sit over there for a while."

The sorcerer, saying this, began placing various items on the counter.

He carefully examined the sword, one item at a time.

He sprayed reagents, attached amulets, and sometimes used magic, conducting dozens of tests and checks to determine the true nature of the sword.

The process was similar to how a doctor combines interviews and physical examinations to narrow down the cause and identify a disease.

After about ten minutes, the examination was finally complete, and the sorcerer took a deep breath.

"Phew... It's done, Aldis."

"So? What is this thing, ultimately?"

Aldis, eager for an answer, pointed to the sword on the counter.

"Right. As I said before, this sword is not cursed."

"Then what are the humanoids that attack at night?"

"Patience, young man."

The sorcerer reprimanded Aldis, who was pressing for an answer.

"First, from the style of the sword's decorations and engravings, it was made a long time ago. It's probably from the time of the Kossus Kingdom, which fell two hundred years ago. Look at this pattern."

The sorcerer pointed to a part of the scabbard.

"This pattern was often used on ceremonial decorations in the Kossus Kingdom. A famous blacksmith likely made it and presented it to the royal family or the church."

"I don't care about the background."

Aldis said with a frown.

He didn't bring the sword here to hear such trivia.

"Tsk, young people are so impatient."

The sorcerer shook his head in disappointment.

"You wanted to know about the curse, right? As I said, it's not cursed. However, this sword is definitely imbued with strong emotions."

"Strong emotions, you say?"

"Emotions of suffering, sorrow, anger, and cries for salvation. These strong emotions are seeking a place to go and have gathered in this sword. Not just one, but the emotions of dozens of people."

Aldis, not understanding the difference between a curse and strong emotions, continued to ask.

"Is that... different from a curse?"

"Similar, but different. A curse is indeed a type of strong emotion. However, a curse is something with harmful intent. When strong emotions are combined with harmful intent, it becomes a curse."

However, the sorcerer continued his explanation.

"The emotions attached to this sword do not have harmful intent towards others. They are probably the souls of those who have lost their place to rest."

"I understand that it's not a curse. The problem is how to prevent the 'things' that appear at night."

"Hmm... Since it's not a curse, the usual methods of removing a curse won't work. It's a good sword, but it might be best not to use it. If you want, I can buy it from you. What do you think?"

After refusing the shop owner's offer, Aldis left the store with Kirill.

He understood the cause of the humanoid figures appearing, but without a way to prevent them, the fundamental problem remained unsolved.

"What to do... Let's think about it after dinner."

The sky over the capital was beginning to darken.

There were many things to consider for the future.

"Anyway, hunger and lack of sleep are a mercenary's worst enemies. Let's go, Kirill."

"Y-Yes."

Aldis, who was heading to his usual inn, the 'Rivulet Inn,' was hurriedly followed by Kirill.

2016/12/25 Slightly revised. The content has not changed much.