Chapter 149: Explanation from A Mercenary (1/2)

“Truth is, there’s a job that Guild would like you to take on.”

Ivy got straight to the business. She had led them to one of the backrooms behind the counters at the Adventurer Guild, a plain room with no furniture except for the table they were sitting at. Lapis and Gula sat on both sides of Loren, and opposite them was Ivy and Tizona. Ivy was in her Guild receptionist uniform, and Tizona somehow seemed to be shrinking in on herself as if in shame. The atmosphere was rather awkward somehow.

Loren answered Ivy:

“Is it coming directly from the Guild? It doesn’t seem like a simple job.”

A designated job coming directly from the Adventurer Guild reeked of trouble. Loren didn’t want to accept it, and he frankly let his feelings seep through his voice while answering Ivy.

Ivy should have noticed, but she simply continued without a change in neither expression nor complexion.

“The job is to investigate the unexplored mountain region south of Kapha. It’s to be done within eleven days, with eight for the two trips to and from the area, and three for the investigation itself. You’ll receive one gold coin for each person, and expenses for necessities will be paid separately.”

Loren didn’t know much about geography, so he looked at Lapis for help. Lapis, who was looking back at Ivy with the same poker face expression, replied:

“You mean the large mountain range to the south, or southwest of Kapha. Its name is… It’s not named, I believe. There are a number of mountains in that area. Is there an unexplored ruin there?”

The question was meant for Ivy, but it was Tizona who answered.

“I discovered it. It’s a disguised, fort-like ruin halfway up one of the mountains. I couldn’t get close to it, but I’ve never heard of any ruins in the area, so I dare say it’s unexplored.”

“I have another question. Why is Tizona here?”

“The truth is… My mercenary company is in financial trouble.”

Tizona said with a blush and a bowed head, as if it was something embarrassing.

Loren wondered whether the company’s falling into financial trouble bothered her. Mercenary companies always scrambled for funds, and getting low on cash due to failing a job was not a rare sight, so he didn’t find this something to be embarrassed about.

But listening further, Tizona appeared to be the cause of the financial trouble herself. And so the reasons of her embarrassment started to get clearer.

“What did you do?”

“I… burned down our employer’s troops.”

According to Tizona, it had been a job they had taken just a little while ago. The battle ended up in a stalemate, so Tizona decided to use her extraordinary power to incinerate the enemy troops, yet went overboard and caused huge collateral damage. And in her case it was no exaggeration, since the number of casualties had quickly escalated to several hundreds.

They had won, so their employer hadn’t been able to charge them. Instead, her company had faced an enormous claim of compensation. Since then their business was going downhill day by day, Tizona haltingly finished her story.

“Are you a moron?”

“You’re such an idiot.”

“You’re a fool, aren’t you?”

All three members of Loren’s party said in reply. Tizona blushed bright red and answered with minimal objections:

“It couldn’t be helped! They outnumbered us, so I couldn’t use >!”

“>?”

“It’s my blessing. It’s why I’m called ‘Hellfire Sword’ amongst the mercenaries.”

Loren wondered if it was alright to just speak about one’s blessing like that, but Tizona didn’t look particularly concerned; she began to explain what > was.

According to Tizona, it was a skill that could literally roast every single person within a designated range. No defense would be effective against Roast – it would thoroughly burn down everything, inflammable or not. However, it wouldn’t affect anything outside its range.

It sounded almost too powerful, but it had some drawbacks: the burning range wasn’t too large, and it wasn’t possible to create multiple zones at once.

“I had no choice but used another method to burn them down… My company noticed me using my powers and put some distance to come out unharmed. Employer’s soldiers, on the other hand, were jumbled up with the enemy troops. I knew that over time it would get more dangerous, so I thought the sooner I burn all down, the better it would be.”

“What a troublesome character…”

The method she used was still unknown, but it must have been powerful enough to be able to burn down three hundred-odd people in one go. Just as expected of a mercenary with such a nickname. Moreover, being able to burn down both friends and foes alike, further escalated her troublesomeness. For her to still use her powers despite knowing that it would affect her allies, her way of thinking was also dangerous. In short, Loren decided that she was a moron. He looked at Ivy, who had been listening in silence.

“I understand the situation, but why are we nominated?”

Smelling troubles, Loren asked. Ivy shrugged and told him the reason as if it was nothing important:

“Because it seems like you know each other.”

Seemed like the Adventurer Guild had also decided that Tizona’s story was very disturbing. And since they couldn’t get unrelated people involved, Loren’s party became an obvious choice.