AgWorld Chapter 188 : The Letter
Chapter 188 : The Letter
Chapter 188: The Letter
Four Adventurers entered the Narvik Adventurers’ Guild.
Seeing their appearance, which clearly showed signs of a fierce battle, people stepped aside one by one.
Robin approached the receptionist and set down a heavy bundle.
“We found these during an expedition. I’d like to have them converted into money.”
“Why bring them all the way to the Guild instead of a Rest Stop……?”
“Open it.”
The receptionist untied the bundle and his eyes widened.
It was filled with items that couldn’t even be traded at the market—things one would only see at an auction house.
“W-Where on earth did you…….”
“We had a good harvest.”
The receptionist swallowed hard and carefully lifted the Spoils.
“It will take some time to appraise them. Is that acceptable?”
“That’s fine. Ah, and this too.”
He took out a pouch smaller than the bundle he had set down first.
“What is this?”
“Proof that my companions and I went to the Extreme Region.”
“Th-The Extreme Region?!”
“The Demonic Energy is dense, so don’t touch it carelessly. I recommend calling a Priest.”
“What in the world is it?”
“A Demon Tribe horn.”
At Robin’s words, silence fell for a moment.
“A Demon Tribe horn……?”
“Yes. It’s proof required for promotion to Gold Rank. Proof that we went to the Extreme Region.”
The receptionist lost his words and stared blankly between the pouch and Robin.
Sigbard could not hold back his frustration and struck the side table with a bang.
“Receptionist, how long are you going to just stand there.”
“Y-Yes! My apologies! I will assist you with disposing of the Spoils and the promotion process!”
Perhaps jolted by the booming voice, the receptionist moved briskly.
The nearby Adventurers returned to their own business.
Of course, the sideways glances continued.
After all, promotion to Gold Rank Adventurer was not something one saw often.
Among them, a few bold individuals approached Robin and asked,
“How can you achieve such results in such a short time?”
“There’s no special know-how. We just risked our lives and came back.”
Those nearby pretended not to listen, yet their ears were fixed on Robin’s words.
It was a textbook answer—grow stronger and seize it yourself—but all the more sincere for that reason.
While he was speaking, the receptionist returned.
“The appraisal results come to a total of 9 Gold, 23 Silver, and 40 Copper.”
“You didn’t slash the price, did you?”
“T-There’s no way I would! It was appraised fairly!”
“Thank you.”
Robin let out a small laugh as he counted the money.
There was not a single error.
“And permission has been granted for the three of you to be promoted.”
“That fast? I thought it would take a few days.”
“The Managers recognized it the moment they saw it. They said it was undoubtedly a Demon Tribe horn.”
Robin, Sigbard, and Aelin were each given a Gold Rank Adventurer Token.
The Token bearing their names felt weightier than the Silver Rank one.
Once they even received back the horn they had presented as proof, the receptionist bowed his head.
“We look forward to your continued achievements as Gold-Ranked Adventurers.”
“Thanks for handling it so quickly. We’ll be going now.”
After leaving the Guild and heading back to the inn.
Was it true that rumors traveled faster than words?
The news had already spread, and people whispered as they watched them.
Their gazes were filled with respect and awe.
“Robin, when’s the next expedition?”
“We’re resting at least two weeks. This one was tough on everyone.”
“A good idea.”
It had been the longest expedition they had experienced so far.
From now on, expeditions would likely take even longer than this one.
Now that they had returned to the city, he intended to rest leisurely and prepare for what came next.
“And Aelin.”
“Hmm?”
“While we’re resting, study more about how to handle that power.”
“Okay.”
As they talked about this and that, they arrived at the inn.
Seeing Humphrey welcome them warmly made it truly feel like they had returned.
As Robin paid for two weeks’ lodging for their usual room and was about to head upstairs, Humphrey stopped him.
“You have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“You look tired. Would you prefer to meet him later?”
Robin shook his head.
He told his companions to go up first and indicated that he would see the visitor now.
After the three went upstairs, Humphrey continued,
“It was a man wearing a helmet, like Miss Aelin. He was looking for the Rainbow Pig.”
“Did he carry a bow and a spear?”
“That’s right. I suppose you know each other.”
Robin’s eyes flashed.
There was only one man who would be looking for the Rainbow Pig.
Brandok.
“Where is he now?”
“He said he would take a look around the banks of the Altaelv River.”
“Did he leave any other message?”
“Nothing in particular. He seemed to want to speak with you alone.”
Robin immediately left the inn.
He soon arrived at the Altaelv River and, just as Humphrey had said, spotted a man wearing a helmet.
“Brandok.”
“It’s been a while, Robin. It hasn’t been long since you left Evendel, yet you’ve grown already.”
They clasped hands and exchanged a handshake of reunion.
Though Robin looked shabby from just returning from an expedition, Brandok paid it no mind.
Having believed they would meet again someday, they kept the reunion brief and moved straight to the main point.
“Has there been a change in Evendel?”
“It took time to persuade them, but they agreed with my opinion.”
“Then…….”
“Yes. It has been decided to offer refined Magic Stones to the World Tree.”
It must not have been an easy process, yet Brandok had succeeded.
Using the Rainbow Pig to purify Magic Stones, and offering Ethernite.
If successful, they would no longer have to sacrifice healthy Elves.
“That’s great news. Truly.”
“Robin deserves much of the credit. Is the Rainbow Pig well?”
“I just saw it. It’s healthy. When should I hand it over?”
“There’s no need to rush. I have no immediate plans to depart.”
It was a relief that things had worked out.
Aelin would be pleased to hear this news.
The two shared what had happened during the meantime and spoke of recent events.
Brandok listened calmly to Robin’s story.
“So that happened… You slew that Demon Tribe in the Extreme Region.”
“At the moment I took my revenge, I felt like I could fly. But as time passes, it feels strangely empty.”
It was a feeling he had not even confided to his companions.
Perhaps because Brandok had once been the benefactor who helped him when he was young.
He spoke freely of the hollowness in his heart.
“My sister didn’t want me to be consumed by revenge. But I didn’t listen.”
“What is it you wish to say?”
“Now that I’ve achieved one great goal, I feel empty somehow. If my sister saw me like this, she’d scold me, wouldn’t she?”
Even if he was curious, he could not receive an answer. It was nothing more than a meaningless assumption.
“If Mirian were alive, she would be proud.”
“What? My sister?”
“Your younger brother worked so hard for her. She would be grateful. Isn’t that only natural?”
At Brandok’s firm assurance, Robin was momentarily stunned.
It was a dry tone, as if stating an obvious fact, yet for some reason it was comforting.
“That might be true.”
“I’m certain it is. She’d brag about Robin’s achievements everywhere.”
“She might even drink to celebrate and fall asleep completely drunk.”
Without realizing it, Robin let a faint smile form.
He could vividly picture Mirian teasing him at his side.
“When I first met my sister, she was exactly my current age.”
“Time passes in the blink of an eye.”
“What she was thinking when she treated a ten-year-old orphan so kindly… I still don’t know.”
Robin turned his head and wiped the corner of his eye.
The tip of his nose reddened, and he sniffed quietly.
Brandok waited until Robin had steadied his emotions.
“What will you do now? Do you have another goal?”
“I’ll continue working as an Adventurer. I made a promise to an old friend.”
“As expected. Your target of revenge wasn’t limited to the Demon Tribe, was it.”
Brandok pulled out a map from his chest and held it out to Robin.
“What’s this?”
“A map of the Eastern Uncharted Area.”
“Why are you giving that to me?”
“Didn’t you say your intention to visit the Demon Realm remains unchanged?”
Brandok pointed to a section of the map.
In one part of the Safe Area, there was a drawing of a pickaxe.
“That’s the Dwarf Kingdom.”
“It seems you’ve done your research. Then let me be direct. How about paying a visit there? There is a Dwarf who showed goodwill after hearing about Robin.”
“Who? I don’t have any connection with Dwarves.”
“Taironi. Don’t you wish to meet him?”
Robin narrowed his eyes and examined the map closely.
Several frequently appearing Monsters were scattered across the region.
“If you meet him, you may find answers to your questions.”
“How do you know that? Did you meet him yourself?”
“No, but I received a letter. It said he wished to meet the swordsman who mastered the Mercenary King’s Swordsmanship.”
Brandok showed him a single sheet of paper.
The one-line message was exactly as Brandok had said.
“When and where did you receive this?”
“After leaving Evendel, I stopped by the Guild, and it was already waiting for me.”
A letter from an unknown sender.
And yet, the reason Brandok was certain it was Taironi was simple.
“There is no other Dwarf who would take interest in Robin.”
“Why?”
“Because Dwarves care for little beyond crafting their own works.”
Most Dwarves devoted their entire lives to mining and metallurgy.
Even this was information not widely known.
Robin had no way of knowing what kind of world they lived in.
Even so, Brandok was certain that Taironi was the one calling for Robin.
“As a former companion of the Mercenary King, perhaps he wishes to reminisce about old memories.”
“Do you think that makes sense?”
“I was joking.”
He said it lightly, but Brandok was not one to speak nonsense.
As Robin stared at him, trying to discern his true intent, a voice flowed from beyond the helmet.
“Killing a Demon Tribe is a remarkable achievement, but the Demon Realm is by no means an easy place.”
“I was prepared long ago.”
“Even if you do not meet Taironi, forming a connection with the Dwarves would not be a bad thing. They are stubborn, but they are a race that values trust just as much.”
“When you put it that way, it sounds suspicious.”
“Isn’t the sword at your waist also crafted by a Dwarf? Who knows. They may be able to strengthen your weapon.”
In short, Brandok’s advice to visit the Dwarf Kingdom was based on speculation.
The choice was entirely Robin’s.
“Do you have a goal you wish to achieve, Brandok?”
“For now, it is to heal the World Tree.”
“And after that?”
Brandok fell silent.
After a brief moment of thought, he looked toward the riverside.
“I want to see how far Aelin can go.”
“That’s all?”
“If possible, I would also like to hear Lady Elicia’s memories. And.”
He shifted his gaze from the riverside and looked straight at Robin as he spoke clearly.
“I’d like to see the relationship between Robin and Aelin progress as well.”
“What?”
“Oh dear. Don’t tell me you were unaware.”
When Robin raised his eyebrows silently, Brandok let out a sigh.
“I think I understand why Mirian told you not to cling to revenge.”
“Why bring that up again?”
“If I say more, Aelin will resent me, so I’ll stop here.”
Not understanding, Robin asked again, but Brandok rose from his seat.
“I’ve conveyed the important matters. Let’s return to the inn.”
“What was that about just now? Why would Aelin resent you?”
“If you’re curious, ask her yourself.”
More than the sense of accomplishment from becoming a Gold-Ranked Adventurer, Robin was more curious about the meaning hidden in Brandok’s words.
He pressed him several times on the way back to the inn, but Brandok never opened his mouth.
The next day, he met his companions looking refreshed, but upon seeing Serena, he slapped his forehead.
“Robin.”
Though hidden by his helmet, there was somehow a hint of disappointment in his tone.
“What is it?”
“They say heroes are blessed with women… Haah. Never mind.”
“What? What did you say? You spoke too softly, I couldn’t hear.”
Aelin, standing beside him, flinched.
Unable to make sense of it at all, Robin was the first to raise the white flag.
“Anyway, if you need anything while you’re staying here, just say so. I’ll do what I can to make things convenient.”
Now that he had become a Gold-Ranked Adventurer, his reputation and influence had risen compared to before.
He had spoken with that in mind, but Brandok shook his head.
“More than that, Robin still has much to learn.”
“Hmm? What am I lacking?”
Just as Brandok was about to speak.
Tap.
Serena tapped her staff against the ground.
“Ah, I saw a mosquito.”
“In this weather?”
“Yes.”
Robin turned back to Brandok to resume the conversation.
“It’s nothing. In any case, I wish you luck on your journey.”
Judging by how Serena’s eyes had widened, it meant she had been paying close attention to Brandok’s words.
That in itself was unusual and somewhat fascinating.
“Ahem. It was good to meet you, Brandok. I should head out to train.”
“That works well. I was in need of someone to warm up with. Shall we go together?”
“Y-Yes. Let’s go quickly!”
As Sigbard and Brandok left, silence fell for a moment.
Serena’s eyes had grown bright, while Aelin had grown quieter.
Being caught between the two made Robin uncomfortable for reasons he could not understand.
“Um… did I do something wrong?”
With no reply, the silence only grew heavier.
“If there’s nothing more to discuss, I’ll head out too.”
“Robin, come with me.”
“Then I will too.”
As Aelin followed after him, Serena rose as well.
There was no reason to refuse, so he went out together with them, but the discomfort did not ease.
In the end, he spent the entire day until sunset stuck together with the two of them.