Chapter 43. Aftermath

After joining the Mountain Investigation Unit.

It's been quite a while, but the investigation is still ongoing.

Damn, I didn't think it would take this long.

There were even more Devil Worshippers and Experiments in the Kain Mountains than I'd imagined.

Because of that, there's a fight almost every single day.

“Here you are.”

“Oh, thanks.”

Gareth’s the only one who’s happy about this whole mess.

Well, I keep bringing him materials, after all.

Just how much have I brought him?

I’m so numb to receiving pouches of money now, it doesn't even faze me.

“Say, are you alright?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, you come back injured every time I see you.”

“I heal quickly.”

Saying that, I covered my collarbone with my clothes, hiding a rather large gash.

It's from when some lizard-like Masked Person ambushed me from a tree.

Nothing serious, though. A quick trip to the Healer and I’ll be good as new.

The Devil Worshippers we’re facing are getting weirder and weirder.

The Mountain Investigation Unit has lost over half its members, so I even joined Locke in Mountain 1 Team recently.

Thanks to that, I'm doing high-altitude investigations, something I never thought I’d be doing.

Anyway.

“Well then, I'll be going.”

“Yeah, I appreciate all your hard work.”

As always, I pocketed the money pouch and left Gareth's Forge.

“Haa…”

Then, I bought a ton of pastries from the fancy bakery and returned to the Mansion.

“Oh, Rain, you’re back!”

“Yep, here, share these.”

“Wow!”

After a few tries, I’ve learned these pastries work wonders.

I handed out the sweets to the beaming Maids and then headed for the infirmary.

*Knock knock.*

“Are you in?”

“…Yes, come in.”

A hesitant reply came from inside after I knocked.

“Want a pastry?”

“Show me your injury first.”

…Sharp as ever.

Well, I guess I have been coming in injured a lot lately.

Exploring high altitudes inevitably leads to cuts and bruises, big and small.

My combat style is pretty much ‘use my body as a shield,’ too.

“Here.”

“Gasp!”

The Healer gasped when I showed her the wound.

“What’s wrong?”

“That’s practically your vital point!”

*Smack!*

Then she smacked my back. I wouldn't say it's *that* bad.

If it really were a vital point, I would have dodged it better with my senses.

Besides….

“This keeps me safe.”

I pointed to the Collar around my neck.

The Artifact Lorenz gave me.

A one-time-use Artifact that blocks a fatal blow. It’s still intact.

Honestly, I’m starting to think it’s broken, considering it never activates.

A hole through my stomach, an arrow in my back.

Even a dagger grazing my collarbone, like just now. Still no sign of activation.

“Well, not dying doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt…”

“I'm used to it.”

There’s no way Lorenz would give me a fake Artifact.

I just figure it hasn’t activated because I’m being careful.

“If you come back with any more injuries, I'm not healing you…!”

“That would be problematic… Here, have a pastry and calm down.”

“I won’t eat it…!”

In the end, she treated me just fine, and angrily munched on the pastry.

Afterwards.

I left the infirmary and headed towards the Doghouse in the Garden.

*Whine…*

When I got to the Doghouse, there was actually a dog inside.

Whitey, now grown to the size of a small dog.

“Been good?”

Since the investigation took longer than expected, it had been a full day since I'd been back to the Mansion, so Whitey greeted me enthusiastically.

He rubbed his little head against me. I could see why the Maids loved him.

“Haven’t you gained some weight?”

I picked up Whitey.

He’s gotten so fluffy.

He looks more like a Pomeranian than a Wolf.

“He’s just grown more fur.”

Just as I was seriously considering putting Whitey on a diet…

A familiar voice called out from somewhere in the Garden.

“Ah, Lowell.”

“How did the investigation go?”

“Same as always.”

I put Whitey down for a moment and replied to Lowell.

But….

*Chomp.*

As soon as I put him down, he started biting at my pant leg, wanting to be picked up again.

“His teeth have certainly grown.”

Just then...

Previously, it couldn't even bite properly, but seeing it like this makes me realize how much it's grown.

“I’m planning to hire the 'Trainer' I mentioned last time.”

“Ah, that 'Wolf Trainer' from the north?”

“Yes. It’s been tearing up everything in the garden lately.”

“Must be teething season.”

This damn thing, it can't just bite anything it wants.

For a 'Family' like the 'Voids', even the stuff in the garden is ridiculously expensive.

I'm scared I'll have to pay for it later.

Isn't this going to wipe out all the money I got from 'Gareth'?

“By the way, 'Rain'."

"Yes, sir."

"You can stop the 'Investigation' now.”

“Oh, really?”

“'Lorenz' said they've gathered enough information.”

Hmm, is that so?

Well, I've been running around a lot.

I’ve been running around so much, I’ve even gotten used to the mountain trails.

Still….

“I’ll go out a few more times.”

“Is there a reason?”

“I think I’m almost there.”

I didn’t tell 'Gareth', but…

Actually, I think I’m almost done with this shit.

I've investigated all the places I needed to investigate, and the only places left are the major points of interest.

Once I wipe out the 'Devil Worshippers'’ main base, which is supposedly among them, this long-ass 'Mountain Range' lockdown will be over.

“Be careful.”

“Yes, don't worry.”

Saying that, I pointed to the equipment I was wearing.

“Things have changed.”

I'm no longer just equipped with a 'Buff Coat' and 'Gareth’s Sword'.

I’m fully armed with rewards from the 'Exploration' and looted spoils.

I've got a vest under the coat, and throwing daggers at my waist as secondary weapons.

Besides, even though it’s temporary, I’ve joined 'Mountain 1 Team', so I even have my own mountain gear.

And most importantly….

“My skills have improved a lot from rolling around out there.”

This job is dangerous, but it's good 'Training'.

With live 'Combat' every day, it’s impossible for my skills *not* to improve.

“Right… When it’s over, the Royal 'Family' will reward you based on your contribution.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

I didn't intend to, but I ended up being involved from the beginning to the end of the mountain 'Investigation'.

I think I’ve contributed enough to get a hefty reward.

Besides, in a way, I was put on the 'Investigation Team' under the 'Void Family' name, so I don't have to worry about getting ripped off.

“Anyway, I have two days off, so I plan to rest.”

Saying that, I went into the 'Doghouse'. Rest before the big showdown, so I plan to just lie down and relax.

“The 'Trainer' is supposed to come tomorrow, so we can meet then.”

“Are they coming that soon?”

Then, 'Lowell', watching me, said something.

A 'Trainer'? Can they really call the 'Trainer' I was talking about that quickly?

“I called them last week, so they should be arriving soon.”

Ah, so he called them in advance.

Well, yeah.

It would be good if the 'Trainer' came quickly.

“'Whitey'’s in trouble now.”

I said, looking at 'Whitey', who followed me into the 'Doghouse'.

Isn't it like their 'Teacher' is coming?

It’s practically the end of their days of playing around all day.

“I’ve brought in a very promising individual.”

“Promising, not famous?”

Shouldn't the 'Void Family' be able to bring in a 'Wolf Trainer' with 30 years of experience or something?

If they’re promising, they’re probably young, so I wonder if they’ll be able to train 'Whitey' well.

“The 'Void Family' prefers young talent. There's an energy that comes from young 'Blood'.”

"Now that you mention it…."

'Daren' and 'Kaiden', and even my 'Tutor', 'Eric', were young.

The 'Maids', too, don't seem that old considering their experience.

“Then what about you, 'Lowell'?”

But there's one question.

There's one person who single-handedly raises the average age of the 'Mansion', isn't there?

I pointed that out and asked.

Then….

“Come out. It seems your 'Training' has been lacking lately.”

“Oh, I’m injured, you know? I’m not taking a beating today.”

When 'Lowell' tried to pull me out of the 'Doghouse', I quickly curled up inside to avoid him.

I can’t let him get me.

“We should have gotten a 'Trainer' sooner. This big dog has grown too wild.”

“I don’t know who taught it, but it’s definitely grown up wrong.”

“I feel like blowing up the 'Doghouse'.”

“...You’re joking, right?”

Anyway.

I spent that day resting.

The next day.

“Hello! I’m 'Sienna', the new 'Trainer'!”

As 'Lowell' said, the 'Wolf Trainer' to train 'Whitey' arrived at the 'Mansion'.

“Oh, yes, hello.”

“Where’s the puppy I’m supposed to train? Is it over there?”

“Uh, um….”

Is this person really the 'Trainer' 'Lowell' hired?

For a moment, I doubted my eyes when I saw their appearance.

They had very flashy two-toned hair, a mix of black and green.

They even had something like piercings in their ears, and their clothes weren’t the northern image I had in 'Mind'.

And most importantly….

“You can start by training this one here.”

“Huh? Is this person a wolf?”

Look at that lighthearted reaction, surprised by 'Lowell'’s joke.

Just what is so promising about this 'Trainer'?

They look like they’re going to get dominated by the wolves.

“...A, are you a beast-person?”

“No… Let me introduce you to 'Whitey'.”

"What a cute name!"

Well, I guess 'Lowell' wouldn’t have brought them here for no reason.

I led the new 'Trainer' to the 'Doghouse' where 'Whitey' was.