Volume 1 Chapter 81 At The Tavern In A Distant Town
We finished listening to the story and left the adventurers' guild.
When we stepped outside, the warmth enveloped us once again, beyond the range of the Treasure Orb's effect.
As we approached the carriage, two large horses with big black eyes looked at us and snorted.
"You're back quite early."
The coachman said from his seat.
Edward, who had been lying down with a black cloak covering him, lifted the cloak and peeked out.
"Yeah. We got some information about the dungeon."
"That's great. So, what's the plan now? You're not thinking of heading to the dungeon right away, are you?"
His tone sounded like he was emphasizing something.
"I plan to take a rest today and start exploring tomorrow. Are you both okay with that?"
"Yes. I think that's a good idea."
"Yes, I agree with Mel-san."
To start exploring the Inferno Pathway, you need stamina. Our current condition is not at its best due to fatigue from the long journey, so it wouldn't be wise to push ourself too hard and lose focus. Just a moment ago, Dill, a guild staff member, said the same thing.
Additionally, we need to prepare to enter the dungeon. I lost my sword in the battle with the black beast in the forest, so I have to get a new one in this town.
I also need to acquire new abilities.
"I see. In that case, let's go to the tavern right away to eat and then look for an inn."
"Got it."
Edward stood up and sat back on the coachman's seat. The three of us climbed onto the back of the carriage. The carriage left the guild and proceeded down the main street.
After a while, the carriage stopped. We had arrived at a place with a wooden sign hanging that depicted a mug.
Now, everyone got off the carriage. Edward, who was leading, opened the door.
"Welcome."
When I entered the store, a young woman who was wiping the counter called out to me.
Inside the store, there were several sets of worn wooden chairs and tables arranged along the walls. There were a few customers, including some town folks and what seemed to be adventurers.
We sat at a table in the back of the store. I sat next to Edward, with Mel and Fatina sitting across from me.
Soon after, the woman came over to take our orders.
"Give me some liquor. The finest one in this place. And also, three drinks that seem to be refreshing after our journey. Please make them cold."
Edward quickly placed his order with ease. The waitress who took our order went into the back of the counter.
As I sat down on the chair, taking a breath, the waitress returned and placed four wooden mugs on the table in front of each of us.
They were filled with orange-colored liquid, with several transparent ice cubes floating inside. As I took a sip, a cold, pleasant sweetness and acidity spread in my mouth. It tasted like a drink made with fruits.
"Wow, it's cold and delicious. There's ice in it."
Fatina said with a smile, her animal ears standing straight up.
"That's true. In this region, we can't get natural ice, so I think it's made with magic."
"It seems that people who can perform water magic in hot regions and fire magic in cold regions are highly valued. Someone in this town must be making ice every day until their magic power runs out."
Edward joked, resting his left arm on the back of the chair.
"So, what kind of information did you get from the guild?"
"I heard that there's a dungeon entrance in the north, near a volcano. But it seems that it is now Drake's territory."
"A dragon-like creature. Its materials are quite valuable, but regular adventurers would probably run away before getting hunted."
As hetalked, Edward placed his mug on the table and let go of it.
"But you still plan on going, don't you?"
"Yes."
Mel answered clearly.
"I have to go to the lower level. Before them... Right now, there's a party of S-Rank adventurers called Balzark exploring the dungeon ahead of us."
"Balzark, huh. I've heard his name at the Clow Merchant guild."
"Rumors?"
"I don't know the details, but I've heard that unlike other SRank adventurers, he causes trouble everywhere. His friends also have the reputation of being bad people. That's the kind of person he is."
It was almost the same as what I heard from Dill earlier.
At least, the impression of Balzark I saw at Voltana's guild matches the rumors.
But what about that cat-like girl? Is she really a complete villain, as they say? If so, why did she speak to me at that time?
"If we meet this person called Balzark in the dungeon, will we have to fight?"
"It's hard to imagine that he will just say hello and pass by."
Balzark and the others are also trying to get the key in the deepest part of the Inferno Pathway, as requested by King Cretia. It's not something they can easily give up on.
"Well, there's no point in thinking about it. You have to be prepared, but if you don't encounter them, then that's fine. If you do meet them, you'll deal with them at that time. Your party has already conquered two dungeon. You won't lose."
Edward said as he took a sip of liquor.
That might be true. There's no use worrying about it here. If it turns into a fight, we'll just have to accept it.
"Are you going into the dungeon tomorrow?"
"Yeah, that's the plan."
"In that case, let me take you there."
"Huh?" "Yes?"
Fatina and Mel exclaimed together.
To be honest, I was surprised too. I thought we would part ways with Edward today.
"Wasn't Chester's request only to take us to Metis?"
"Yeah, but well, it's not like I'll get in trouble for not going back to Trasverum for a while. Plus, you guys are paying for today's drinks, remember? That's the deal. You wouldn't want to walk up the long mountain path and get tired for nothing, right?"
"But, the mountain is a dangerous place with monsters roaming around. Are you sure it's okay?"
"I'll just drop you off and head back to town right away. You can find your own way back. That should be fine, right?"
"That would be helpful, but..."
Edward, who used to talk about "living a long life," didn't seem to be making the right choice by heading towards such a dangerous place.
"I feel bad leaving you here, it doesn't sit well with Boss Chester. Maybe I'm getting soft too."
With a self-deprecating tone, Edward takes another sip of liquor. Seeing him like that, Fatina and I exchanged glances.
"..."
Suddenly, I noticed that Mel had a worried look on her face. She was sitting quietly by herself, peering into the mug placed on the table.
"Mel, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing..."
Fatina seemed to have noticed the obvious change in Mel's usual demeanor and decided to speak up. Mel snapped out of her thoughts and looked up, shaking her head in denial, but it was clear that something was bothering her.
"If there's something on your mind, would you like to talk about it?"
With everyone's attention on her, Mel fell silent for a while, but eventually, she spoke up.
"It might be too late now, but... I'm worried about Iria."
"Wasn't she the female knight from Cretia who rode a dragon? I remember seeing her in Trasverum, but I haven't seen her since then. Wasn't she supposed to have made amends?"
"She returned to the capital with the soldiers. I hope she's safe..."
"Hmm."
As Mel spoke, Edward touched his chin.
Iria, who had followed Mel to Trasverum, listened to our conversation and then returned to the royal capital of Cretia with the soldiers. We don't know what happened to her afterward. It had already been discussed that she would head to Metis and join us later.
If there's any concern, it's whether she can provide a satisfactory explanation to the king and the knights.
However, being able to control dragons and having higher stats than the average adventurer, Iria shouldn't be easily caught even if she's suspected.
"Let me ask you this, are there knights in the knight order who can catch up if Iria rides a dragon and flies away? Did the princess actually see someone flying and catching up?"
At Edward's words, Mel let out a small, "Huh?" sound.
"Um, no. I haven't seen that with my own eyes..."
"Then there's no need to think about it. If necessary, that female knight can escape at any time. That's all there is to it. Right?"
Edward said it as if it were obvious. Mel seemed unable to respond.
"Um, I also think what Edward-san said is correct. I'm sure Iria-san will be fine."
Fatina gently placed her hand on Mel's shoulder.
"──Oh, I see. That makes sense, right?"
Mel's worried expression brightened a little.
Maybe because of the various events that have happened since escaping the castle, I felt she was more depressed than Fatina and I had expected, and that she tended to think in a negative way.
"It might be because we've been in the forest for a long time. It's better to rest early today. Let's have a drink, eat, and think about tomorrow."
Edward called the waiter again. And then, he ordered food and fine liquor.
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