Year 141_Keireki Era_Spring/08
He was sleeping as if dead, then ate the so-called "Loser’s Set Meal" mocked by adventurers with apparent enjoyment, interacted with other adventurers briefly, and headed for the bath.
After returning, he involved himself in Ginesis's business and declared his intention to join his party in place of the retired Charlotte.
What on earth is he doing?
Really, what is he doing?
The request Ginesis received was:
"Exploration of the Wandering Manor."
The exploration mission required at least one mid-tier adventurer in the party, and the party had to consist of four to six members.
Indeed, with Vi joining the party, the conditions were met, allowing the request to proceed. That much was true.
I knew Ginesis had been fixated on this request for a long time.
While he didn’t reveal the reason, I had heard that it was why he became an adventurer.
Therefore, I understood why he had prepared for this day and would resort to forceful measures to accept the request.
However, understanding and accepting are two different things.
After Ginesis’s temporary party accepted the request, I—Iserina—called Vi out during the time before departure.
Yo.
Here I am, getting a full-blown lecture.
Honestly, I didn’t expect her to be this angry.
Iserina, on the verge of tears, said:
"You just became an adventurer recently."
"The Iron Rank is the fourth-lowest rank. You’re at the bottom, do you understand how far your skills and experience are from theirs?"
"That man is taking on this request with resolve, knowing he must do whatever it takes."
"You understand the danger, don’t you?"
"I just don’t want you to die!"
She even combined her argument with tears.
Still, given her position, she didn’t explicitly tell me to withdraw from the request.
I truly admired her professionalism, but I refrained from mentioning it, as it would only add fuel to the fire. Instead, I meekly repeated apologies: "I’m sorry," "I apologize," "Forgive me."
This technique worked even against the unreasonable accusations of the gang leader I dealt with before. Dodging a sincere, innocent receptionist’s anger? Piece of cake.
… No, I get it.
She’s right.
And I’m glad she cares about me.
But in that situation, seeing adults nearly break down, I couldn’t turn a blind eye.
If only I were stronger, Iserina could’ve sent me off with a smile.
If there’s anyone to blame, it’s me.
"Listen carefully, Vi."
"Ginesis’s skill is known as the Formless Sword, an ability beyond the realm of adventurers. I know how fearsome and powerful it is."
I racked my brain for any memory of the Formless Sword from my bandit days but found nothing.
Still, if a guild employee vouched for its strength, it must be as formidable as they said.
"I don’t know why he is so fixated on this request, but in combat, there’s hardly anything he can’t handle alone."
"So, listen closely. Promise me that you won’t actively engage in any fighting. Will you?"
Her intensity left me no choice but to nod.
After preparations were complete, the temporary party left the fortress city of Luluciette.
Ginesis said it would take about a day to reach the destination.
No one spoke after that.
Nasda and Thomas were utterly cowed.
As for me, I wasn’t too concerned.
Well, I didn’t have the time to worry since I was trying to fulfill a role similar to that of a scout, ensuring there were no issues along the way.
Still, if you ask whether Ginesis intrigues me, of course, he does.
For someone so highly regarded by guild staff, why the urgency?
With his skills and accomplishments, wouldn’t he naturally achieve his goals without rushing?
Maybe my understanding of those at his level is just shallow.
After all, I’ve only observed people at the bottom.
"If you’re going to stare so much, speak up. I can’t understand otherwise."
Oops, sharp guy.
"Ginesis, how about a proper introduction?"
"Unnecessary. I’ve already heard your name and about you from others."
"From Iserina?"
"No, from Nichirin."
That was unexpected. If not Iserina, I would’ve guessed Gadvar.
"She said if anything happens to you, she’ll kill me."
Yikes.
Though I’m honestly touched Nichirin would go that far.
It shows how important Iserina is to her and how she wouldn’t forgive anyone who made Iserina suffer.
"So, Ginesis, why this request? What’s so special about the 'Wandering Manor' exploration?"
"… Before I answer that, I have a question for you."
"Go ahead."
He looked past me, toward the two cowed men behind.
They didn’t notice his gaze or the conversation.
"Why did you help those two? Surely, you don’t think adventuring is as trivial as picking up trash in town. I smell death on you. Thick, dense death unlike anything I’ve encountered before. Someone who reeks of death cannot possibly misunderstand its weight or meaning."
Whoa...
How should I take that?
Does he know I was a bandit? Or that I cleaved bandits in two with a chakram and crushed a fleeing boss’s head with a stone?
Or could it be that he realizes I’ve come back to life?
"Ginesis, I do understand how dangerous adventuring is. Sure, it might seem like I’m acting cocky to someone as skilled as you, but I’m not ignorant of the risks."
I am afraid of losing my life.
For the first time in ages, things have been going smoothly.
I saved Iserina, met Gadvar, Feli, and Nichirin, helped Kagnat, and enjoyed good food, a decent bath, and restful sleep.
But if I had ignored Nasda and Thomas, who were completely broken in that moment, I wouldn’t have been able to face those who now make life worth living.
So, I acted.
"I couldn’t just leave them. Is that not a good enough reason?"
Ginesis’s expression darkened slightly, and he replied with only, "I see."
"You want to know why I’m so attached to this request—or rather, the reason behind my fixation?"
"Did you overhear my conversation with Iserina?"
"No. However, she asked beforehand if she could mention certain things about me, so I permitted her."
Though it seems she didn’t reveal much, he added.
While he wasn’t speaking loudly, his voice dropped even lower.
"Are you aware of the origins of the Succession Wars?"
"Ah, wasn’t it when the Karzahari Kingdom fell, leading to the warring factions?"
"That’s correct. The kingdom crumbled within a year under a Boy King’s rule and a corrupt chancellor, paving the way for the wars. But that tale is a fabrication."
"A fabrication?"
"The Boy King was brilliant, and the chancellor tirelessly served the nation for the people, even sacrificing sleep to preserve what the previous king left behind. But a duke, holding significant influence, despised the stability the king and chancellor sought."
A grand-scale tale, but all too common.
The two were framed as villains and executed.
That’s how the story went.
"I am a descendant of the man who executed the Boy King. A few days after beheading his liege, he was killed by a maid loyal to the king. The maid took his head as an act of revenge and disappeared."
Whether by a curse or something else, Ginesis rolled up his sleeve to show something.
It wasn’t a tattoo.
Vine-like patterns throbbed, almost alive. Whether it seemed cool or creepy likely depended on one’s taste.
"The curse of my ancestor’s beheading passed down through our bloodline. Every generation inherits it. Each night, the words echo in our minds: 'Find the head, or the curse will not lift.'"
"And that head is—"
"In one of the Boy King’s villas, known as the 'Wandering Manor,' a rumored escape route."
I asked what happens if the curse is left unchecked, and his answer was simple:
Death.
Even a rogue like me could grasp it instantly.
The vines extend to the heart and constrict it, killing the bearer.
Once the curse activates, no matter how strong the person, they won’t live past thirty.
Ah, so that’s why this man’s gaunt features looked like death itself.
"I must retrieve the head from the manor and lift the curse. Only then can I truly live my own life."
As we talked, Ginesis came to a halt and slowly turned toward the two trailing behind.
What do you think about this chapter?
