Chapter 58
“If you do that, I’ll give you a reward, of course—and all the stolen goods our company bought from the customers!”
He’s offering us the stolen goods?
For a moment, I wondered whether he was even allowed to do that. Then I remembered that some of the customers had accepted money and given up ownership of their stolen goods.
Since the Transport Guild had paid for the customers’ goods, it held legal ownership even if they couldn’t recover them. So there shouldn’t be any problem with offering them as a reward.
‘Anyway, he says he’ll pay extra, so there’s no reason to refuse.’
I gestured for the bald man, who was making a loud scene and drawing everyone’s attention, to get up.
“Please stand. Even if we find their hideout, there’s a chance I won’t be able to take them down by myself.”
If it turned out the bandit gang was a brigade of twelve Gold-class fugitives, I planned to give up without a second thought.
I’d report their location to the guild, of course, but risking my life for a paper I could rewrite would be insane.
“Finding the bandits’ hideout is more than enough! Our guild will send a subjugation party, and we’ll make sure to reward you as well!”
As he spoke, the bald representative even drew up a written agreement. It had the same legal force as a request form submitted to the Adventurer Guild.
Since I needed to keep my identity hidden, we agreed that payment would go to ‘whoever defeated the bandits.’
With this document, they couldn’t back out later, even if they tried. It looked like unexpected extra income—though it wouldn’t count toward Nord the adventurer’s record.
“Mr. Wayne. I’ve gathered some information from the Aumdhura Guild.”
After I collected the agreement, Tirsi returned from her investigation, too.
“Apparently, there were testimonies from survivors. They estimate there are about fifteen to twenty bandits. Their individual combat abilities, including the one who seems to be their leader, weren’t considered particularly impressive. The assessment was that they were Bronze class or lower, at best.”
“Who provided the information?”
“A Bronze-class adventurer from the Gilfi Guild. I heard they’re also affiliated with the Mage Guild.”
“That sounds reliable.”
Unlike Sekhmet, which had a high proportion of thugs, or the Aumdhura Guild, a small-time outfit, the Gilfi Guild was a big-league guild.
Its membership standards were high, too. Members started at a minimum of Bronze class and had to undergo thorough identity checks and interviews.
The testimony of someone who belonged to both that guild and the Mage Guild was highly credible. We didn’t need to worry that they were a bandit spy who’d infiltrated the Adventurer Guild to spread false information.
“The Transport Guild is also offering ten silver and ownership of some of the stolen goods as a reward.”
After hearing her out, I explained the details of the reward to Tirsi.
Ten silver was a lot of money, but if I tried to quietly pocket it, there would definitely be trouble afterward.
The Transport Guild could even rat me out to Tirsi for skimming the reward just to screw me over. So I’d tell her and keep a clear conscience.
“How would you like to divide the payment if we succeed?”
“How about seven for you and three for me?”
“Are you sure? I won’t refuse.”
I’d asked to make things perfectly clear so there wouldn’t be any complaints later, and Tirsi nodded.
“I don’t mind. I do want the money, of course, but I wouldn’t even be able to get started on my own.”
“All right. Let’s do that.”
A dramatic compromise achieved. Fuck, seven silver—what a score.
“I think we’ll both need to prepare. When should we meet again?”
Tirsi had come out carrying nothing but her lab coat and a wand for self-defense. There was no way she could go to a place where a battle might break out dressed like that. I only had my robe and mask, either.
“Give me two hours… no, just one. I’ll bring some potions I made and clothes to hide my identity.”
“All right. I was told the attacks took place near the mountains to the north, so I’ll wait for you in front of the north gate.”
“Okay.”
We picked a meeting place and split up for the time being to prepare.
On my way to the north gate, I stopped by to explain the situation to Frang and borrowed her weapon. Tirsi had seen my sword before, so I couldn’t bring it. My armor would be hidden beneath my robe, though, so that was fine.
‘I can manage without a weapon.’
Weapons weren’t necessary when you had the strength of an Earth hero. Frang’s weapon was a handy hammer, and I could beat up a few bandits and take their weapons if I needed to.
As Frang helped me put on my gear, she said,
“Nord. There’s something I want.”
“What?”
“A mask and gear to hide my face.”
Squeeze—.
Frang tightened the straps on my greaves hard.
She was helping me disguise myself as Arthur Wayne again in a nearby alley. I’d gone back to Nord first so I could explain everything to Frang at the inn.
But her voice sounded a little displeased.
“Frang…? Are you upset?”
“I’m not upset, but I don’t like you going alone. I think I’ll need something to hide my identity, too, in case this happens again.”
She was probably worried because she couldn’t come with me.
She wasn’t telling me not to go because she respected my decision.
“I hate to say it, but… with your height and build, Frang, wouldn’t hiding your face be pointless?”
“………I could wrap myself in bandages and wear lifts. Probably.”
“You think so? We’ll try it out when I get back.”
Since she was so determined, I figured there was no harm in trying it once. After making sure all my gear was in place except for a weapon, I kissed Frang on the cheek.
“I’ll come back without getting hurt. I’ll be back before sunrise, so don’t worry.”
“Idiot. How could I not worry?”
Frang said with a pout. I had no answer, so I just hugged her. She looped her arms around my neck and stayed like that for a while before slipping out of my embrace.
“Hurry back. If things get dangerous, make sure you run away.”
“I will. I’ll put your weapon to good use.”
I pulled on my mask and ran to the meeting place. I hadn’t been waiting long at the north gate when a woman in a robe appeared. She had a bag slung over one shoulder.
“Mr. Wayne. It’s me.”
Her face was hidden by her hood and scarf, and her voice sounded different. Still, when she lowered the scarf with her hand, I recognized those sky-blue eyes.
“You’re here. What should I call you?”
“You mean my alias? Let’s go with ‘Ash.’”
She’d chosen the name of a famous historical figure from Romania. Since many women’s names in that country ended in ‘-si,’ it would be difficult to track her down by that name.
“Understood. Then, Ash, let’s go.”
“Hehe. Even if it’s an alias, you don’t have to talk down to me, do you?”
“It’s better for hiding our identities. Would you call me Arthur, too?”
“All right, Arthur.”
After introducing ourselves, we passed through the north gate. Since we both had identification that concealed our identities, the inspection was a breeze.
Once we were outside the gate, we headed up the nearby mountain where we expected the hideout to be.
All three attacks had taken place on the plains around the mountain.
Even bandits who made their own children pick pockets and hand over the proceeds would care about having a place to eat and sleep. To avoid getting caught by the guards and slaughtered, they’d almost certainly have hidden in a cave somewhere in these mountains.
If they were smart enough to think of another method, they’d be running a mercenary company instead of a bandit gang.
“Arthur. Don’t you think it’s about time you told me what this ‘method’ of yours is?”
After we’d climbed the mountain and were out of earshot of other people, Tirsi asked. Had she refrained from asking in town because she was worried about being overheard?
“All right. I won’t keep you waiting. Let’s get started.”
As I answered, I looked up at a nearby tree. A wild bird sat on a branch, watching us without any intention of flying away, even though it had seen people.
‘There’s one right on time.’
I took out some bread I’d brought in my bag. It was rye bread, which I’d chosen based on my experience so far.
There wasn’t a single bird in this otherworld that wouldn’t go crazy for it.
“Chirp-chirp? (Food?)”
The nameless bird reacted to the rye bread. Once I confirmed that, I carefully spoke to it using Vector-Bird Language.
“Chirp? (Hello?)”
The way to find the bandits’ hideout.
It was an application of my translation ability, which I’d secretly been putting to good use since my days at Carmine University──.
Nord Naming (命名), Operation Living Drone.
“Chirp-chirp? (A human can speak our language?)”
The birdbrain, which had been interested in the bread, turned its attention to me as well.
That aside, these birds had such a low level of language. It was a good thing Tirsi couldn’t understand me. The conversation was about to get incredibly childish.
“Chirp-chirp. (I have a favor to ask.)”
But trying to chirp while maintaining my Vector-serious tone made me want to die of embarrassment, even if it couldn’t understand me. I didn’t even want to imagine the look on Tirsi’s face behind me.
“Chirp? Chirp? (A favor? What is it?)”
“Chirp-chirp. (Find some humans for me.)”
I tore off a piece of bread and held it out to the bird. It hesitated, then flew over and landed on my arm.
Up close, it was bigger than I’d expected. But why was this sex-bird bastard gripping my arm so damn hard with its claws?
“Chirp-chirp! Chirp-chirp! (Delicious! Delicious!)”
After tasting the rye bread, the birdbrain immediately turned its head toward the big loaf.
Goddamn, it really was showing off just how stupid it was. I pulled the bread behind my back and growled softly.
“Chirp-chirp chirp-chirp. (If you do what I ask, I’ll give it to you.)”
“Chirp-chirp? (Find humans?)”
“Chirp. Chirp-chirp-chirp. (Yeah. A place where lots of humans gather.)”
“Chirp! (Over there!)”
The bird pointed its beak in the direction of Sargadis. Not that way, you birdbrain.
“Chirp-chirp chirp-chirp? Chirp-chirp chirp-chirp. (You don’t know anywhere else? I’ll give you this, too, if you find them.)”
To sweeten the deal, I took another loaf out of my bag.
I’d cut the massive loaves sold for one copper into thirds for this. For these little stomachs, each piece would last them several days.
“Chirp! (I’ll look!)”
The bird excitedly kicked off my arm and flew away.
It was nice to see it so eager, but I didn’t think that bastard would find the hideout and come back to me. I planned to keep moving around the area anyway.
‘Fuck. The bird’s footprints are still on my arm.’
A bird that drinks blood lives the longest, but a bird that eats bread must be the biggest pain in the ass.
I brushed the dirt off my clothes and turned to Tirsi. Honestly, I was already dreading having to explain everything.
But to my surprise, Tirsi had lowered her scarf and was beaming.
“Arthur! Was that just now <Animal Conversation> magic?!”
“Huh?”
What the fuck was Animal Conversation magic? I’d been planning to lie and call it some mysterious spell from Kitai culture.
I didn’t know. I’d just go along with it.
From now on, I was Nuru, the Beast Master druid.
“I-it’s similar.”
“I see! If you can use <Animal Conversation>, finding the bandits’ hideout should be simple! All the animals on this mountain can be our witnesses!”
My bewildered expression was hidden by my mask, so Tirsi reached her own conclusion. The reasoning was wrong, but the conclusion was right, so it was hard to respond.
Tirsi’s guess was right.
Hadn’t it been when I was camping during a ruins expedition back when I was a slave? I’d wandered off to collect firewood and gotten lost, but I’d managed to find my way back to camp using this method.
‘One piece of bread and I had a navigation system. It was convenient.’
After that, I’d used it a few times and even been caught by the adventurers I’d hired. But when I bullshitted them with, ‘Unbelievable☆Magic from the New World of Kitai,’ they all fell for it.
People in this otherworld had all sorts of strange fantasies about Kitai. Just as plenty of Westerners on Earth used to believe that Asians had supernatural powers before the modern era.
It’s well known that the Ten Commandments of Knox included ‘Never introduce a Chinese person’ because Westerners back then thought Chinese people were oriental magicians.
‘This time, I was thinking of channeling the spirit of Kung Fu Master Kimchi Ninja Kang Buk-ho and spouting some martial-arts-style lines.’
Anyway, she bought it, so that was good. As I relaxed behind my mask, Tirsi smiled and continued.
“You must come to this mountain often to connect with the animals you’ve successfully used <Animal Conversation> on.”
“Huh? W-well, I suppose so?”
“Hehe. I’m impressed. Since you’ve already built up a rapport with the animals on this mountain, there’s no one in this area who can escape Arthur’s information network.”
Wut?
Did <Animal Conversation> magic require preparation ahead of time? Our otherworldly Papago didn’t need any of that tedious stuff.
Fuck. I guess my translation ability really was a little different from other magic.
‘Good thing I didn’t pretend to know what I was talking about.’
If she’d asked me to teach her the Kitai spell formula, it would’ve been hard to keep making excuses.
“That aside, I had no idea. You have a great aptitude for magic, not just archaeology, Arthur.”
As she said this, Tirsi’s eyes sparkled.
“Is that also how you can use Beast Regression magic?”
It was kind of like the way a middle-schooler might look at a Seoul National University student… No, that might not get the meaning across. Let’s say it was like a kid looking at a pro gamer.
Feeling a little pressured, I cleared my throat and said,
“Ahem. I may not know much about other magic, but I’m fairly skilled in certain spells, including Animal Conversation. Anyway, let’s keep moving. We need to ask other animals, too.”
“Yes! What kind of animals are they?”
“You’ll… see when we get there. Hahaha!”
And so we roamed the mountain, trying to persuade every animal we came across.
“Chirp-chirp? (Want a walnut?)”
“Squeak!! (Mine!!)”“
“Ssssss. Ssssss! (Want some chicken?)”
“Sssit?? Sssha? (Huh?? Are you a lizardman?)”
“Grrrr!! Woof-woof!! (Human!! I eat!!)”“
“Yip. (Oh, for fuck’s sake.)”
There was a little incident where a tamed jackal picked a fight, so I kicked it away, but overall we reached a cordial agreement.
Don’t underestimate a Master Druid’s experience. Except for monsters with nothing but eating and killing on their minds, you can usually talk things out. Of course, it sometimes fails because their culture and way of thinking are so different.
After repeating this for a few dozen minutes, an animal finally gave us the answer we wanted.
“Chirp! Screee! (There’s a group of humans!)”
It was a sharp-beaked bird, something like a black kite. Distracted by the chicken, it spoke up.
“Chirp-chirp screee, screee!! (Cave with humans, that way!!)”“
“Screeeee. (Lead us there.)”
“Chirp-chirp! (Humans, follow me!!)”“
I tossed it a handful of chicken and had it lead us. Tirsi followed behind, muttering in a hollow voice.
“J-just how many animals have you tamed?”
“I’d have to check the receipt.”
I’d been using the spell on every animal I spotted, so I didn’t know either.
For the record, Tirsi seemed to think the stray dog that attacked us had been a case of the taming wearing off. As expected, smart people were sometimes easier to fool.
“Chirp!! (Humans!!)”“
─Rustle!
Following the kite’s directions, we found a narrow cave.
There was no lookout, but I could see traces of a sloppy attempt to cover the entrance with dirt. It was a human’s work. Maybe they’d been trying to hide the footprints they left when coming and going.
They probably had no lookout so they wouldn’t get caught. Anyone keeping watch would stand out from a distance, and once reports spread, their location would be exposed.
Tirsi gripped her wand tightly and whispered,
“We found it.”