SWNOVELXO Chapter 93
**Episode 3-b. The Hunt for the Dark Mage.**
To put it simply.
“Wow, it’s chaotic….”
The scene of the gathering place, packed with people, was quite a mess.
It felt like bringing the carriage directly might have been a mistake.
The line of people extended from the front of the building to a square quite far away, with all kinds of adventurers and mercenaries crowding together, creating a commotion.
Though there were shouts from people attempting to organize things, in a place with so many people gathered, the cries of one or two would quickly be drowned out.
After what appeared to be some drifters joined in, there was no longer even space for the carriage to move forward.
Of course, amid all this chaos, there were also those who appeared calm and collected.
“Asha, those people over there look like they belong to the knight order and the mage corps.”
“…Yes, they seem to be.”
There were people dressed in matching armor and robes, standing together as if occupying the area near the building.
It was likely the knight order and the mage corps, just like Eileen said.
Given their appearance, they resembled those I had secretly observed while in the empire, so I was certain of it.
Thus, I held my robe tightly, hoping that none of them were competent enough to be an issue.
Since the carriage seemed unable to move any further, I barely managed to shift it to the side of the road and stepped down from the driver’s seat.
“Um… is it alright to leave the carriage here?”
“With the magic barrier, it’s fine.”
“Magic is truly amazing…”
Eileen whispered in admiration, then hurriedly followed behind me.
And then.
As we struggled to weave through the crowd, a piercing scream rang out from the direction of our carriage.
“Look, isn’t the performance assured?”
“…, um. But that person is foaming at the mouth…?”
“To covet someone else’s stuff, one must be prepared to suffer the consequences, Eileen.”
“Is that how it works?”
“Yes.”
After all, stealing is a bad act.
If someone crosses the line I’ve set, then that level of suffering is rightly deserved.
Thinking this, I tightly grasped Eileen’s hand, which kept glancing back, and pressed on.
“Ugh, ugh…! Asha, that’s too rough, ugh…!”
In the midst of our busyness, I didn’t have the luxury to worry about such things.
We needed to resolve the issue and head to where Ain was.
I wanted to see his surprised expression when I found him.
I wanted to face him with a smile of joy when I handed him something he had longed for.
I wanted to hug him again and speak my heart.
Ain, I’ve missed you.
I love you.
So.
I couldn’t waste time here.
Thus, Eileen and I continued to push through the chaotic crowd toward the building.
The path was so blocked that it was quite difficult for a woman’s physique to break through, so disregarding Eileen’s pleas, I wielded my mana to push the people blocking our way to the sides.
Those who were groaning and complaining like Eileen turned to glare at me angrily.
“Hey, which bastard keeps pushing me!!”
“It’s me.”
“No, um… I wanted to say that I would get out of the way if you just asked, Wizard.”
“Thank you.”
As I spoke, my figure was almost concealed by my robe as my mana shimmered. Typically, people would awkwardly smile and clear the way for me.
Considering they created such a chaotic scene, I was worried they might lack basic etiquette, but that was an unnecessary concern.
“Hm, there are many nice people here.”
“Isn’t it more like they have to be nice?”
“Why’s that?”
“Because they seem to exude a feeling that if they aren’t nice, there will be big trouble.”
“Hm.”
Is that so?
It’s hard to know how one appears to others, so I merely tilted my head in thought.
And so, after breaking through the crowd, we finally reached the front of the building.
Peeking out to look at the situation ahead, I saw that, at least in the front, people were lined up orderly, taking turns to fill out some documents.
“Asha, it seems they’re filling out the participation forms for the hunt.”
“….”
Moreover, it looked like those who completed their paperwork had to show off their abilities next to it.
“Asha, Asha! That person seems to be disqualified! They swung their sword without control, and the examiner shook their head!”
“I can see better, so just watch a bit.”
“Yes.”
Unlike her, who had to jump up and down to see, I could see perfectly well just by slightly raising my head.
In any case, as I watched the people in front, before I knew it, it was my turn.
“First, please present your identification, and then fill out this form.”
“Yes.”
I handed over my identification, then quickly scribbled on the form.
Well, it was simply a matter stating that they were not responsible for any deaths during the hunt and that rewards would be given based on contributions during the hunt.
“Asha, Asha! It says here that they won’t take responsibility if you die! Isn’t that illegal?”
“It’s not illegal. Just be quiet and stay by my side, Eileen.”
After all, I’d heard that for adventurers, participation in a hunting request always meant risking their lives.
“As a low-ranking adventurer and an E-class mage… do you think it’s alright for you to participate? There’s more danger than you might expect, adventurer.”
“I’m fine.”
In fact, regarding the kobold hunt that I had successfully completed in the principality, there were definitely three adventurers who would have died if not for me being present.
“As stated in the waiver, death is solely the responsibility of the individual, and there won’t be any rewards. Please be fully aware of that.”
“Yes, thank you. And can my party members, who are not adventurers, still participate?”
“Hmm… well, if they aren’t adventurers, they won’t receive any rewards for participating. They don’t meet the basic qualifications to sign the waiver. However, if you must take them, please inform them that their deaths will also be their own responsibility.”
In reality, the value of a human life is often cheaper than one might think, so typically those lacking talent and strength resign themselves to live ordinary lives.
Many who lived in the empire were like that, and even in the principality that is known for freedom and adventure, there were plenty of such people.
So.
“Yes.”
“Yes, then please move aside to wait for a simple test.”
To me, it meant nothing at all.
I was the tainted gray that people despised and feared.
Surely, despite not wishing it, I have gained strength that surpasses others drastically.
I was certainly not weak enough to die in a place like this.
The simple test was finished in an instant.
And the examiner shaking his head didn’t necessarily mean disqualification.
I had to hide my power, so after weakly casting a few low-level spells, I looked at the examiner.
“Hmm… with this level, you cannot take front-line duties. You’ll be placed in the backline of the hunt.”
The examiner said as he shook his head just like he had with other incompetent adventurers.
Shaking his head likely meant that I would be assigned to the backline, where contributions to the hunt would be minimal.
In any case.
After hearing that we would regroup five hours later at the brothel where the dark mages were staying, we left the square.
Returning near the carriage, there were several people lying down, foaming at the mouth, so I shoved them away with my foot and climbed back onto the carriage.
“Where are we going?”
Eileen asked, tilting her head, wondering where we were headed.
“We’re going to do the sightseeing you wanted. It seems like spending the whole day might be hard, so you’ll have to settle for five hours.”
Five hours seemed like quite a long time, so I thought I would let Eileen enjoy what she wanted during that time.
Of course.
“Wow! Then hurry and grab some money, and let’s go to the gambling hall!”
“….”
I never even considered that the sightseeing she mentioned would be gambling, so I stared at her for a moment, bewildered.
“In fact, the opportunity for a fortune isn’t only during hunts, Asha! How romantic is it that life can change with just one gamble!”
“…, rejected.”
“Oh, why!! I’ll just use my emergency money. Okay? Just my money…”
“Rejected. The sightseeing is off.”
“Ahhh…! I really wanted to try gambling, gambling!!”
Having such interests at such a young age isn’t right.
“It’s not allowed.”
“Please! Just please, I’ll only play three rounds, okay? I’ll really only use a tiny bit of my emergency funds…!”
To put it simply.
I had to be a good person, so while I was her guardian, I had to prevent her from going astray.
“Not happening.”
“Ahhhh…!!”
Whether people were watching or not, I could tolerate the extent of a child throwing a tantrum for wanting to gamble.
“There’s no way.”
“Ugh, seriously!!”
I could handle her sprawled out on the ground, whining.
In truth.
I just wanted to tease Eileen a bit since it’s been a while.
There were just too many people around, and I felt a little uneasy.
Yes.
What a relief.