Chapter 153
Translator: Lizz
Proofreader: Xemul
It was just before nightfall, when Loren’s party reached the post-town .
They had been attacked by demons and bandits multiple times that day, but they only drove their attackers back instead of killing them . Lapis said they were too pitiful, as they couldn’t even harm the party .
It was understandable though: after all, their party did consist of two twice-named mercenaries (even though one kept denying it), an Evil G.o.d and a deamonkin . Though Lapis didn’t even have to use her demonic powers, and she had nothing to do as a priest seeing that no one was injured .
“The sun has completely set . ”
Just as Loren grumbled, the sun had completely set by the time they reached the town, and it was so dark that they couldn’t see a thing . The lights from the town gave the party a sense of security: finally, they would be able to sleep in an inn tonight .
But Loren voiced his worry:
“Can we still find an inn at this hour?”
If they couldn’t find lodging, they would have to camp near the town . Stores had also closed by now, and they had used up almost all of their food supply to satiate Gula’s hunger . So they would have to make do with the remaining meagre portions until morning .
“That depends on how much we’re willing to pay, doesn’t it?”
Lapis didn’t believe that money could buy everything, but in truth – it could buy almost anything . This town wasn’t that big and normal rooms were likely filled already, but it wouldn’t be strange for the pricier ones to be still vacant . The question was whether there was an inn with such rooms here, and if yes, whether they could pay for them .
“In the worst-case scenario, we can ask some travellers to pa.s.s on their rooms to us . ”
If they were willing to pay, they could find someone to arrange it . In short, as long as you have money, getting some rooms wasn’t a difficult thing .
“I don’t really have any troubles with sleeping outdoors, but food is the problem . All thanks to a certain Miss Big Eater . ”
In response to Lapis’ dripping-with-sarcasm remark, Gula said:
“I can still get food for us if we camp though?”
The town was small, but it did have almost all facilities of a post-town . Lapis was curious about what the h.e.l.l Gula was planning to fetch and use as food, but they would be in trouble if she did something outrageous . They really should secure some rooms in an inn by all means .
So, Lapis picked an inn, told the others to wait outside, and went in to speak with its owner .
“Not sure if you guys are lucky or unlucky, but we do have rooms . ”
Was what the innkeeper, an elderly man, who had already pa.s.sed middle-aged, told Lapis . She told him about the number of people in their group and asked if he had rooms for one night . She thought that being able to find vacancies would be lucky enough, but the innkeeper’s way of speaking made her feel a bit uneasy .
“What do you mean by ‘unlucky’?”
Lapis called the others in and observed the first floor of the inn, which also functioned as a dining hall . The business seemed to be thriving, and the place was full of travellers coming for a meal or a pint . But when she looked closer, she could spot some empty chairs here and there in the gloomy hall .
Lapis was thinking that they really do have rooms available when Gula whispered into her ears . She had just come back from putting their donkeys into the stable .
“The stable is quite empty . ”
Could it be that she had picked an inn with terrible service? Lapis was worried about that when the innkeeper grumbled:
“A rather big gang of bandits has just emerged south of this town . That’s why there are fewer people coming or leaving here . ”
South was where their party was heading to .
“Are they really that big?”
Lapis slid some coins across the counter to secure their rooms and asked . The innkeeper answered while counting them:
“Ah, they’ve wrecked a couple of villages already . Done a number to the guards stationed in the region too . The soldiers in this town are fearing that they’ll come here next . ”
“That’s awful . Have you appealed to the kingdom?”
“Of course we did . But it’s rumoured that the kingdom will just look on and won’t lift a finger . ”
“And why is it again?”
“Didn’t we just have a skirmish with our neighbour a little while ago? There are rumours that we’ve lost quite a lot of troops in that and still can’t regroup . ”
What he just mentioned was not unrelated to their party . Actually, right now the member who was the culprit’s ‘friend’ was looking in a different direction and whistling while feigning ignorance .
And among the ‘lost’ soldiers the innkeeper had just mentioned, not that many were actually killed . The true story was, many of them weren’t able to continue their soldering career after a certain event, but Lapis couldn’t tell the innkeeper that . She offered some harmless and inoffensive opinion instead .
“That’s war for you . Scary, isn’t it?”
The innkeeper nodded with a troubled expression:
“Definitely . The bandits are acting up thanks to that, so it’s a big loss for us too . ”
“But how the h.e.l.l did they manage to gather enough men to form such a big gang?”
Bandits didn’t suddenly appear out of nowhere, they must have come from somewhere . Gathering here in such numbers was also strange .
“The Kingdom basically considers the south from here to be an outback region . Runaway criminals, broke mercenaries and soldiers, and failed pioneers, all gathered and formed a bandit gang . ”
Loren’s face slightly stiffened hearing the words ‘broke mercenaries’ and Lapis knew quite well why is that: he was one of them, but was lucky enough to be able to enter the adventurer business . His debts were still there, but at least he was still able to put food on the table .
However, not all mercenaries were as lucky and some strayed, becoming bandits and forming gangs with others in similar circ.u.mstances . Just one mistake, and Loren would have ended up like those guys . No wonder he had mixed feelings being reminded of that again .
“It’s said that the Kingdom is forming a unit to deal with these bandits, but how real can that be? And even if they did form a unit, it’ll all be meaningless if they can’t eradicate the gang . ”
“Are they really that big?”
This time Tizona asked, joining the conversation . She was a mercenary much like one Loren used to be, but unlike Loren, her mercenary company was still going strong, save for a huge compensation claim they had to pay . If they failed to, Tizona would be forced to pull out, and Lapis believed it would put her company in a dangerous situation . Losing one member would always lower the whole company’s fighting power, not to mention, one with exceptional combat ability thanks to her blessings like Tizona . Her resignation would create a quite big power vacuum, and it would be very difficult for the company to regroup .
“I don’t know the details, but it seems so . It’s said that they even acquired and merged with other gangs in the region . ”
“Do they have someone capable of pulling that off?”
An average person wouldn’t be able to command such a large group . Loren and Tizona, who had been close to leaders of such groups, understood that very well . If the leader didn’t have true ability and personal charm, the group would be divided and collapsed in no time . However, from what they heard so far, it seemed to be the case here . The unknown leader managed to properly organize a group formidable enough to force the Kingdom to take action .
“But the base of such a large group must have become known by now, right?”
“Well, I’ve heard that the location of their base is still unknown . To be able to hide it in this area, their leader must be quite smart . ”
A mob, no matter how big their number was, was not really a threat . But if it was properly commanded by someone, then it was another story .
“This is no good . ”
Lapis said . She received their room keys after the innkeeper finished counting her coins .
Loren nodded in agreement:
“This story reeks of trouble . It’ll be nice if we don’t run into them . ”
“If we do, we just need to kill them off right away, don’t we?”
Loren and Lapis smiled wryly at Gula’s nonchalant words . Of course, some bandits wouldn’t hinder her, no matter how many of them there were .
However, given Tizona’s presence in their party, if they were to go all out against the bandits, there was a possibility of receiving undue injuries by some strange accident .
“Just count on my power, ok?”
“We’ll be counting on it . ”
With the proper precautions Tizona could utilize all of her powers . Loren wondered about the extent of their fighting force, with Tizona becoming their main damage dealer . But then he noticed that he was already somehow thinking about a strategy for the case they encounter those bandits, and smiled wryly:
“Anyway, it’s better to not meet them at all . Let’s worry about what to do when we actually do run into them . We can’t turn back now . ”
“Yeah, we need to reach our destination, no matter what it takes . That fact still doesn’t change . ”
“So, no change in plan . Just stop thinking about things we can do nothing about, and quickly get some rest . ”
“How about praying to some G.o.ds then? Maybe one will hear you . ”
Gula suggested jokingly, and Loren laughed with scorn as if hearing a bad joke .
“Don’t you believe in G.o.ds, Loren?”
Tizona asked . Due to the nature of their trade, many mercenaries were superst.i.tious . They might not necessarily pray, but the number of mercenaries who believed in G.o.ds was not low .
“I believe that G.o.ds do exist, but… I don’t really want to pray to them . It won’t bring anything good . I started thinking that way after becoming an adventurer . ”
Loren answered and directed a somewhat meaningful glance towards Lapis, a priest who mentioned the G.o.d of Knowledge at every chance possible and Gula, an Evil G.o.d . Both of them looked somewhat displeased .