Chapter 39. Blockade

After emerging from the cave,

I quickly gathered my things and headed for the city.

"Let's head down right away."

Despite the night trek, the mercenaries skillfully guided the wounded down the mountain. They seemed as familiar with the Kain Mountains as their own homes.

And so,

Thanks to the mountain-savvy mercenaries, we arrived at the city gates even faster than when I’d descended alone before.

"Night entry is… uh."

"Urgent business."

The gatekeepers were the same as last time. They recognized my face, so we were able to pass through without any further hassle.

"...Night entry is this easy?"

"Don't worry about it. You guys go report now."

"What about Kaine-nim…?"

"I have a separate report to make."

I left the public report to Jebeon and the Silver Wings adventurers.

I returned directly to the mansion.

Despite the late hour, I went straight inside.

"Rain-nim? What brings you here?"

I ran into a guard patrolling the mansion at night.

"Is Lowell-ssi awake?"

"Ah, yes. He went to his office a while ago, saying he had some work to do."

"Then, excuse me."

…As expected of an old man, he doesn’t sleep much.

Feeling relieved, I headed for the office.

Passing through the now-familiar corridors of the mansion,

*Knock knock.*

I stood in front of the office and knocked.

-"Come in."

At the voice from within, I opened the door and entered. Lowell was alone, a candle lit, looking over documents.

"Didn't you go out earlier? You're back late."

"Ah, yes. I went to the Kain Mountains."

"That was quick. What happened?"

Lowell looked at me, puzzled by my hurried appearance.

Well, I did come straight from fighting in the mountains.

I remember the guards glancing at my dirty clothes earlier.

"Ha, about that…"

I explained everything that had happened to Lowell.

The Orc Village built in the middle zone, the captured Gold Rank adventurer duo, the clash with the Orc Champion, and the discovery of the pile of corpses in the artificial well.

"So they *were* up to something in the mountains."

Lowell frowned after hearing my explanation.

"Any guesses?"

"I think it’s other Devil Worshippers cooperating with the ones from the sewers."

"Other worshippers?"

"Yes, Devil Worshippers differ depending on the Devil they serve or their lineage. That’s why it's difficult to eradicate them all."

…What a troublesome bunch.

Well, that's why they’ve been popping up constantly since ancient times.

"Do you know why? Why the Orc Champion was so deformed?"

"It seems like a Devil’s power that transforms living beings. It's a well-known one."

"There are all sorts of Devils, huh?"

"Devils are as numerous as cockroaches, so there are just as many unusual ones."

Oh, come on.

Aren't Devils too overpowered?

Well, that’s probably why they can exert their influence all the way here from deep underground.

"I need to report this as well."

"Ah, yes. Will an Investigation Team be dispatched?"

"It’s likely to be a rather lengthy investigation. We don't know where else in the mountains they might be up to something."

Anyway, after hearing my story, Lowell rose from his seat.

"You should get some rest now."

"Ah, yes, I was planning to."

Time to take a bath and sleep.

I'm covered in fatigue from the events in the mountains.

"Then I'll be going."

Lowell left after hearing the news I’d delivered.

I also took a bath in the servants’ bathhouse and returned to the doghouse in the courtyard.

Back in the doghouse, I saw Whitey lying on my cushion.

Doesn't he sleep in his own house? Now my space is even smaller.

Still, I guess he won't be able to fit in here when he grows up.

Well, he seems to be teething lately, but his body shows no signs of growing.

"Huu."

Anyway, I needed to sleep, so I moved Whitey to the side and lay down on the cushion.

I’m sure there will be some news tomorrow.

***

And the next day.

"They've decided to blockade the Kain Mountains."

"Huh?"

The news I heard from Lowell as soon as I woke up at lunchtime was a bit shocking.

"A complete blockade?"

"It will likely remain that way until a proper investigation is concluded."

"Is it that serious?"

"Based on the urgent investigation last night, it is suspected that there have been continuous Experimentations on High-Tier Monsters and abductions of mercenaries."

"That's serious."

They managed to get away with it for that long?

Well, the Kain Mountains were mainly frequented by ordinary mercenaries.

Kidnapping one or two at a time wouldn’t have been noticeable.

But experimenting on High-Tier Monsters…

"Hmm, is he a test subject too?"

I pointed to Whitey, who was, as always, lying on my lap.

That Wolf Chief was a bit strange too. Was he some kind of test subject?

"No. I don't think so."

"Really?"

"Yes, didn't Terra-ssi come and confirm?"

"Ah."

Come to think of it, Terra examined him and declared him a Spiritual Being.

The eyes of a Magician Woman like Terra are certainly reliable.

More importantly, a blockade of the Kain Mountains.

How will the mercenaries in the Metropolitan Area make a living?

They'll all leave for other regions, even if temporarily.

They need to eat too.

"Well, then…"

I put Whitey down and got up.

"I should go to the Mercenary Guild."

"It'll be chaotic there now."

"I left something there."

The Orc Shaman's Staff. I left it with Jebeon.

I won't be able to get any more materials for the time being, but I should at least take that to Gareth.

And so,

* * *

Whitey's gaze, asking where the fuck I was going again, was mostly ignored. I immediately set off for the Mercenary Guild to meet Jebeon.

Arriving at the Mercenary Guild...

"What the hell do you mean, 'blockade'!"

"Guild staff, come out!"

Mercenaries were already gathered, protesting loudly.

Unable to protest to the royal family directly, they were raising hell elsewhere.

Well, it made sense. Most of their missions were suspended overnight; of course, the mercenaries would be in an uproar.

"Excuse me."

"Hey, what the... *gulp*."

I roughly pushed my way through the mercenaries and went inside. Whether it was my spreading reputation or my appearance, they readily made way.

I headed to the Tavern inside the Guild. Even amidst the chaos, some were calmly drinking.

"Jebeon."

"Ah, Kaine, you're here."

"My staff?"

"Here you are."

First, I got the Shaman's staff back.

The Orc Shaman was huge, so the staff was pretty big too.

Still, it was manageable.

I’d give this back to Gareth later.

"Heard the news? About the mountain range blockade."

"Yes… is it that serious?"

"Yeah, so don't go up the mountain, got it?"

I immediately warned Jebeon.

These were the kind of bastards who experimented on High-Tier Monsters in the highlands.

There might even be a four-headed, eight-armed Ogre monster lurking around.

"Is that so… Understood."

"Surprisingly compliant."

"We'll just operate in the neighboring city."

"Smart thinking."

Yeah, with the Kain Mountains blockaded, it was better to work in another city until the investigation was over, rather than sticking around the Capital.

"But, Kaine…"

"I have to stay in the city."

Of course, I couldn't leave.

"I'll teach you more about Fleet later."

"Ah, yes…"

"Worst case scenario, learn from the newbie."

I said, pointing to the newbie sitting there. Then…

"…Should I really?"

"Just kidding."

He seemed to be seriously considering it.

Damn. More than that, Jebeon also knew the newbie wasn't ordinary.

"Take good care of him."

"Yes, we're treating him with the utmost respect."

"Good."

Honestly, I didn't understand why a skilled individual like the newbie joined a mercenary group.

Any rural Family would prostrate themselves to recruit him.

Anyway.

"Like I said, absolutely no going to the mountains. Keep updating my mission record while you're at it."

"Understood… by the way, about the reward for this mission…"

"Keep it. This staff is enough for me."

After giving Jebeon another warning, I took the staff and left the Mercenary Guild.

Then I went straight to Gareth's Forge.

"Oh, you brought it already?"

"Yes, here it is."

"This is… high-quality."

Gareth was surprised when I handed him the staff.

"Is it good?"

"Yes, it's imbued with the energy of the Lunaria Great Plains."

"That's good then."

Good materials meant better quality for my weapons.

"It's quite large, so I'll need to pay you extra."

"I'll gladly accept."

The mercenary mission reward wasn't much after splitting it, so I magnanimously gave it away.

But the material fee from Gareth was different.

"Here you are."

I received another heavy pouch and tucked it into my belt.

I should buy Whitey some snacks on the way back.

"Oh, by the way, did you hear the news?"

"Yeah, about the mountain range blockade. It'll disrupt material gathering quite a bit."

"It's unfortunate."

Come to think of it, Gareth would be in trouble too.

He also used mercenaries to procure materials.

"Then I'll be going."

"Wait a moment."

Just as I was about to leave the forge, having finished my business, Gareth stopped me.

"Is there something else?"

"Um, well…"

Gareth looked at me, scratching his head, seemingly embarrassed. Then…

"You're Lowell's disciple, right?"

"Not a disciple."

"Regardless, you have his trust."

"Let's just say that's true."

He trusted me enough to send me on missions as his proxy, so I guess he did trust me.

"Then, if you happen to go to the mountains, would you gather some additional materials for me?"

"Even if I have his trust, I can't go to a blockaded mountain range."

Was he crazy? Going into the mountains alone?

Even with the Orc Champion, I would've run away if Jebeon and the newbie weren't there.

"No, no, I don't mean secretly. They'll be investigating during the blockade, right? If you happen to participate, I'm asking you to gather materials then."

"The additional materials you need, Gareth?"

"Yes, I'll give you a list. If you can get the items on it, please bring them to me. I'll pay you more than market price."

"Alright."

There was no reason to refuse the offer, so I took the list.

I could just gather them when the opportunity arose.

Someone like Gareth probably had other channels anyway.

"Then I'll really be going now."

"Yes, take care."

Finally leaving the forge, I headed back to the mansion.

On the way, I checked the list Gareth gave me.

This guy… he wanted a lot.

It included materials from monsters found not only in the highlands but also in the mid-range areas.

He was probably trying to stock up in advance, anticipating supply disruptions.

I wasn't sure if I'd get the chance.

I was planning to just stay at the mansion from now on.

I was more worried about how to train.

Without Daren and Kaiden, I’d probably just end up hitting scarecrows.

Anyway, I arrived at the mansion and rested all day.

The next day.

"Are you interested in helping with the mountain range investigation?"

"Huh?"

"Astra Trade sent another request."

…The opportunity came faster than I thought.