Chapter 203: Mission Preparations (1/2)
The Farbelt pass was located at the extreme end of the Sentro region and was at the border of the Mounta region and the forbidden Darknar region. The place was a dangerous location that didn't directly come under the jurisdiction of Winged city or any of the surrounding City's as it would be easy prey for invasion from outside forces.
Indeed, something similar had happened in the past and a large city had fallen into ruins because of it. The fact that the land hadn't been claimed by the attacking family was a miracle but the Pass hadn't been developed since then and was now a monster den ruled by the King of the Pass, a ColdFire Drake.
Even so, outside forces aside. The Farbelt Pass had become a fairly high resource area that had been fought over by the surrounding cities for centuries although non of their battles were actually serious. In the end, claiming the pass had not been a priority for them and thus it remained the same.
However, everything changed when an unexplored mine was discovered there. The fairly high resource area that was left to the wild for everyone to claim had suddenly become a very valuable piece of land and thus, Hunters and Merchants were being recruited for the clearing out of the monster nest and protection of the miners.
”—here, look at this.”
Lyka opened up a map and circled a certain location.
”The exact location is unclear, but it ought to be around this area so it's quite deep inside the Farbelt Pass. If care is not taken, we might end up trespassing in the ColdFire Drake territory and that would be bad.”
Her delicate finger slid over the map's surface and then tapped twice.
”Silverwing city is also closer to the pass than us so the constraints on the time given to our preparations. It would seem the place is valuable enough to warrant the attention of the Lords of both cities and the city is in a rush to claim it.”
”Umm.... doesn't something feels off about that though.”
”What do you mean?”
”I get that it's an unexplored mine and all, but it's only a gold mine. Is it really valuable enough to warrant hiring so many Hunters? Even going as far as to pay up a whopping 1000DC upfront and even promising a balance of 2000 DC. Something doesn't add up.”
Berot scratch his head as he spoke. Unable to figure out why the reward for this mission was so high.
”Indeed you're right. We thought the same as well when we first receive the briefing. The monsters that are attracted to a weak metal like gold are usually weak as well so hiring so many Hunters didn't make any sense.”
Abel nodded his head as he agreed with Berot while Lyka continued his words.
”Yeah, that's why I decided to look more into it to find out more about the mine. It was well hidden but I was able to find out that the ones who first discover the mine was the same group of Hunters that had recently gone missing.”
”Wait what! You don't mean...”
”Probably... Although I've heard that the last time they were seen entering the city was with a new VIP merchant.”
”A VIP merchant. Whose that?”
”No idea. Excerpt the merchant guild leader, I'm not sure anyone had seen his face even with spells and skills. Perhaps Ruby has better Info on them though.”
”No had seen his face? Why, was he wearing some kind of concealing mask?”
”Who knows. I never saw him myself but I hear he always had a hood on and was accompanied by a beastgirl. That's not even the interesting part.”
”...”
”Get this. Not only were they able to easily join the Magic institute. But I hear they had a sparring section with the vice guild leader there and the girl won.”
”You're kidding! Where are they now?”
”That's as much of a mystery as their real identities. Last they were seen leaving the city to who knows where.”
”So they didn't go missing as well. If they waited for someone as troublesome as the merchant fellow to leave before they strike. Do you think—?”
”It's not confirmed yet, but there's a chance the nobles are responsible for their disappearance but the increase in security seems to disprove that idea.”
”You're right. If the nobles were responsible they would not make a big deal over the disappearance of some mid-level Hunters.”
Agreeing with her, Berot reached out an arm to grab Eliss drink as he hadn't been served any but his hand was swiftly swatted away like a bug.
”That's right but there's still a chance they're only doing this to throw the Hunter guild off while still gaining our help. Also, there's talk that the mine is a double mine with a hidden treasure.”
”I see... if that's the case then it makes a lot of sense why they're hiring so many Hunters. If the attached mine contains more valuable metals then the strength of the monsters would be too unpredictable and there might even be a boss-level monster in there.”
”Yes... we thought so too. That's why we decided to accept the mission. So what do you think O perverted leader of ours?”
”That question again even though I no longer have a choice in the matter. I'll rather hear why you guys accepted this job in the first place, besides the money of course.”
”Seems interesting. Even if it just turns out to be a weak gold mine. The journey there is dangerous on its own, and I hear undead creatures have been straying out of the Darknar forest each day. Powerful monsters have also left the forest and there's a high chance of encountering them along the way.”
”Indeed... I accepted for the same reason. Encountering a powerful monster from the forbidden region is really interesting. My blood is boiling for a proper challenge.”
Abel agreed with Eliss reasoning as they both radiated with eagerness but Lyka didn't seem to share their enthusiasm.
”I only accepted it for the money. My little brother just got accepted into the Zorak Magic Academy so I'll have to take care of his tuition for the year soon.”
”Really! Wow... he must be crazy talented, they only accept like one or two students a year from the common folks. Even I didn't get accepted when I was his age.”
Berot praised in surprise as he heard Lyka's reason for accepting the job.
”I know. He has a higher potential than me and is very gifted even though he has no innate ability. I just want him to get all the help he requires for his future just like what my elder brother would've wanted.”
”You really are a dotting little sister ain't you.”
”What! No, I'm not.”