Chapter 22: Bounty
Entering the bookstore’s toilet, I removed the disguise on my face, changed into my clothes, and came out of the door.
Seeing that I appeared from the toilet, Aliyah’s eyes widened.
“Earlier, I thought I saw someone else entering…”
“I added some points into a disguising skill.”
“Your taste is pretty unique.”
“Not really.”
Actually, I already saw the girls when I entered the place. However, it seems Aliyah did not take notice of my name, and hence, she did not realize I came in with a disguise.
There aren’t that much customers in this bookstore usually, and we’re currently on the 2nd floor. Other than us, there weren’t anyone else.
The ones present were Aliyah, Princess Mich.e.l.le, and Irlin. Why do these three always stick together?
“Oh, you’re here. Is there actually a hidden door in the toilet?”
Princess Mich.e.l.le looked at me weirdly.
“I disguised myself.”
“Oh, I see. Then that’s good too. Today, it’s best for you to stay disguised when you’re outside.”
“There really isn’t a need, is there…? Unless it’s those people from the advanced-grade teams?”
“advanced-grade teams?”
Princess Mich.e.l.le furrowed her brows, and asked.
“I see, the demonstration after the Annual Tournament, huh. That’s a problem as well. But, it’s best you focus on the present problem for now.”
“The present problem?”
“Yes.”
Saying that, she placed her hand on her storage ring, and took out a seemingly old piece of sheepskin paper.
“Take a look yourself. This is something my father gave me in the morning, and he told me to pa.s.s it to you.”
I received the sheepskin paper, and when I opened it, I was shocked.
Underworld Bounty – Fir
Reward: 1,000,000 Gold
The paper was embedded with a magic recording crystal, and after rolling the paper open, a magical image of myself was revealed.
The image was pretty clear. Looking at the expression… It’s probably taken during my battle yesterday.
“Only 1,000,000 Gold. I’m pretty cheap huh. ”
“You’re actually sighing at the price!?”
Then should I sigh at how well the photograph was taken?”
“You…”
Princess Mich.e.l.le rubbed between her eyebrows.
“Your life is at stake and you’re still able to crack a joke. Are you tired of living?”
“Of course not, but there’s nothing I can do about it, is there? I don’t know who placed that bounty on me either. Even if I do know, I can’t just pa.s.s him 1,000,000 Gold and tell that person not to kill me.”
“That’s why I’m telling you to disguise yourself. Disguise yourself, and hide. Then appear for the tournament tomorrow.”
“The problem is, where can I hide? For my bounty to be commissioned by the underworld, it means that person definitely have deep connections with the underworld. Even if I can hide this once, the problem might not be solved. That person might not remove the bounty even if I lose the tournament. There’s even a possibility he might increase the bounty instead.”
“… You’re right. That’s a problem as well.”
“Oh right, there’s something I have to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“How high is the social standing of your empire’s State Magician?”
“State Magician? You’re talking about those old freaks who hide themselves in their magic towers for several years? They have the military power to command tens of thousands of soldiers. They have the same political standing as a viscount, and they have the priority in terms of supplies and transport. Even if that maybe so, but those old men, other than for the sake of researching magic and to test their new magic skills in battles, they basically do not leave their towers.”
“I see. Then, if the person, who had the bounty placed on, was actually your country’s State Magician, what would happen?”
“Then we will have the responsibility to investigate and chase after the person who commissioned the bounty… Wait, what did you say?”
I smiled, and took out the empire’s National Magician proof that I received yesterday.
“As I thought… Your father is really far-sighted. Even though he gave me a safe ident.i.ty, he did not bestow me a t.i.tle with that much political power and responsibility.
“State Magician… Isn’t that similar to Lester’s position?”
Irlin, who was at the side, asked.
“Oh right. Is Lester still at Mitch.e.l.l?”
“It seems he appeared for a while. Then, he proclaimed he was leaving to train. After that, I have no further idea of his whereabouts.”
“Is that so…”
This blame-pushing b.a.s.t.a.r.d actually ran after resurrecting. Geez. To think he would push all the s.h.i.t onto me…
Oh well, it was because of him that I could obtain my current abilities.
“Wait wait wait… Wait a minute. You said my b.a.s.t.a.r.d father actually gave you this thing yesterday? Oh my G.o.d, what the h.e.l.l is he thinking! Why a State Magician? At the very least, he should have given you the Court Magician position, right?”
“… I don’t wish to turn into a personal bodyguard.”
“Why not? You will have good welfare, good resources to make use of. Not just that, you get to eat well, and drink well.”
“… I just don’t like the idea of being one, that’s all. Oh right, since things turned out this way, by giving me this thing, is your father telling me not to worry or to solve this matter by myself?”
“I don’t know, I will contact him.”
After saying that, Princess Mich.e.l.le clapped her hands twice, and the girl named Dual actually appeared from behind the bookshelf!
I must admit, earlier, I did not even know she was hiding there.
“My princess, regarding this matter, your father had already informed us.”
She looked towards me, and then continued.
“If he is able to use his own strength to safely live through today, the emperor will decide to give him a chance to offer any sort of request.”
“How is that possible…”
“Very well, I accept.”
I smiled and answered.
Emergency Quest
Quest Objective: Have the Emperor of Ice Empire think that you lived through the day.
Reward(s): Unknown.