NOVEL WEB Chapter 19
Even after entrusting the fake identity creation to the mercenary leader Jeven.
I continued to wander outside and familiarize myself with the geography.
As a result, I could now roughly memorize the routes without a map.
“You’re a quick learner!”
“Is that so?”
And during that time, it wasn’t just about going out.
I also learned basic common sense from a tutor Lowell had hired from somewhere.
“Yes, I was worried you had no common sense at all, but you understand quickly and have a good memory.”
“Thank you.”
“Haha!”
The tutor was a brown-haired man in his mid-20s, who looked exactly like a scholar or a gentleman.
His name was Eric Brown.
He told me to just call him Eric, but I kept calling him “Tutor.”
“So, Tutor, what kind of monsters are usually found in the mountain ranges?”
“Haha, you can just call me Eric.”
“Yes, Tutor.”
Today’s lesson was about the geography of the Adel Kingdom.
Specifically, we were learning about Kaine, the capital of the Adel Kingdom, and the nearby Kaine Mountain Range.
“First, the Kaine Mountain Range is broadly divided into three zones.”
Eric drew a large mountain shape on the prepared blackboard and drew three lines.
“The lowest zone is the lowlands, where lower-tier monsters like Goblins and Kobolds inhabit. This is where ordinary mercenaries usually operate.”
Goblins and Kobolds.
Such tiresome names.
I’ve beaten enough of them in the Coliseum to fill a truck.
“The middle zone is usually inhabited by mid-tier monsters like Mountain Ogres and Werewolves. They sometimes come down to hunt lower-tier monsters or cause trouble for mercenaries.”
Familiar names keep popping up.
Well, where else would the Coliseum get its monsters from?
Most of them were probably airlifted from that mountain range.
“As you go higher, it becomes more dangerous, but rare herbs are often found there.”
“There must be many casualties.”
“Yes, even gold-ranked mercenaries struggle with the highland monsters.”
Highlands…
The first monster that came to mind was the Ogre.
Even if there were ten gold-ranked Jevens, they wouldn’t stand a chance.
Especially since the last Ogre I saw had one wrist cut off and had been marinated in drugs in the Coliseum for a long time.
A real, intact Mountain King would be even more terrifying.
It’s hard to understand how the Coliseum managed to capture them.
“Ah, and beyond the Kaine Mountain Range, in the Lunaria Grassland, Ogres who lose territorial battles often cross over and settle there.”
“If they survive, they become Mountain Ogres?”
“Yes, but if their numbers grow too much, hunting competitions are held.”
“Ah, I know about that.”
Ogre hunting competitions.
They hunt Ogres that come from the Lunaria Grassland and loot the items from their settlements.
The Lunaria Grassland is a dangerous grassland full of Ogres, but the items they bring from their territory are valuable.
The kingdom periodically holds hunts to manage the mountain ecosystem.
“It seems like it’s about time for a hunt.”
“Ah, is that so? When do you think it will be?”
“I’m not sure, but there have been reports of mercenaries suffering losses to Ogres recently.”
Predicting the hunt timing based on Ogre-related damages.
Well, even silver-ranked mercenaries wouldn’t be taken down by Ogres.
It’s unusual for mercenaries, who usually operate in groups, to be hunted by Ogres.
“Probably this year or next year.”
“Does the Void Family often participate?”
“Yes, most nobles participate. Even the royal family sends representatives.”
“Oh…”
So it’s a big hunting event, huh?
Well, it’s essentially a treasure hunt.
If noble families are involved, there shouldn’t be much danger.
But would I participate in such a hunting event?
Well, originally, I wouldn’t have, but seeing how they’re educating me, it seems they’re planning to use me.
They even hinted at paying me for the job.
“Last time, during the hunting competition, a Troll suddenly came down from the mountain…”
Anyway.
After that, I heard about the incidents that happened during the hunting competition.
Eric, who kept straying off-topic during the lesson.
He was a great tutor to me.
*
After finishing the lesson.
“Did you enjoy the lesson?”
As I left the reception room where I had been taking the lesson, Lowell was waiting outside.
“Ah, yes, I did.”
“Eric said you absorb information very quickly.”
“Well… it wasn’t that difficult.”
I may lack knowledge, but I’m not slow-witted.
Besides, learning about the local geography, basic history, and the nobles was like listening to fantasy world-building, so it was fun.
“At this rate, I might be able to ask for your help sooner than planned.”
“Well, weren’t you planning to ask me tomorrow?”
Tomorrow marks exactly one week since Lowell mentioned it.
I’ve been so busy with walks and lessons that time flew by.
“Originally, I was going to start with simple tasks, but it seems unnecessary now.”
“…I hope it’s not too difficult.”
“If you do well, the reward will be substantial.”
He didn’t say it would be easy.
Well, if it were easy, would they be training me like this?
A compliant aura user who follows orders well isn’t something you find easily.
“By the way, did you gain anything from your outings?”
Since the lesson was over, I was on my way to the training ground for some practice.
Lowell asked about the gains from my outings.
Gains, well, there was one.
“Do you remember the mercenary group I mentioned last time?”
“Yes, I remember. They’re quite famous mercenaries in the capital area.”
“I asked their leader to create a fake identity for me.”
Thud.
Lowell stopped walking at my words.
“…Is it okay to tell me that?”
“I don’t create secrets I can’t handle, so please don’t tell anyone else.”
A guard dog creating a fake identity without anyone knowing.
Isn’t that crossing the line?
If caught, it would be hard to handle, so it’s better to just tell Lowell upfront.
“What on earth do you plan to use it for?”
“I’m not planning to run away, but just in case. Having it prepared in advance will make it more credible.”
A hastily made fake identity is less reliable than one that’s been active for years.
“By the way, will it be properly made?”
“Well, they seem to be working hard on it… Could you verify it for me?”
“…If it’s something like that, it’s better to ask our side.”
“Would you have done it for me?”
“We would have done it secretly, going through quite a complicated process.”
“Verifying it once seems simpler.”
It’s easier to outsource complicated tasks.
The higher-ups just need to review it.
And…
Honestly, the “what if” situation I’m considering involves something going wrong with the Void Family.
That’s why I made it as a free mercenary identity rather than being tied to them.
It would be easier to switch to being an adventurer anytime.
“Hmm.”
Of course, Lowell seems to understand my intentions.
“Well, do as you please.”
Given how he’s seen me so far, he seems willing to let it slide this time.
“…Thank you.”
“Yes, and since you have the time to do such things, I’m confident we can assign you tasks sooner.”
…He’s really letting it slide, right?
“What kind of task are you planning to give me that you’ve been scaring me since earlier?”
“Just a simple investigation.”
Investigation, huh.
It sounds simple, but if Lowell is sending me, it can’t be that light.
“I’ll give you the details tomorrow, so just be mentally prepared.”
“Understood.”
Well, still.
If it’s something I can handle, Lowell wouldn’t be assigning it to me.
“Let’s start with training first.”
After that, I spent the day training with Lowell.
The next day.
“Just go here and assist.”
Lowell handed me a map with a building marked on it.
“Where is this?”
“It’s the Astra Trading Company, a business operated by the Void Family.”
“Ah.”
So it’s like a subcontractor or something?
“What do I need to investigate there?”
It’s a trading company, so do I need to do a tax audit or something?
It feels like a tough task for someone who just started learning basic common sense.
“You’ll be conducting an underground investigation with pre-prepared agents.”
“…Underground? Isn’t this a trading company?”
“On the surface, it’s a trading company, but in reality, it’s an intelligence group run by the second young master.”
…I think I just heard a huge secret.
The second young master, probably the younger brother of the Lady.
I’ve never seen his face, but now I know about his secret business.
“Won’t I be ignored if I go to such a significant place?”
“I’ve already sent someone as my representative, so don’t worry.”
“Wow.”
I thought I was going as an errand boy to a subcontractor.
Turns out, I’m going as a parachuted employee to the headquarters.
“Can I show off a bit there?”
“As long as it’s within your capabilities.”
“I’ll just flip the place over and come back.”
With Lowell’s backing, I can throw my weight around a bit.
“Don’t cause too much trouble.”
“Understood.”
“First, let me brief you on what you need to know before going.”
Anyway, like that.
After hearing some simple precautions from Lowell, I headed to the Astra Trading Company.