Chapter 20 – The Magic Tower’s Strange Investigation Quest #5
“Are you considerate?”
“Yes, considerate! All the boys in the Mage Tower are immature. They catch frogs from somewhere and show them out, or they recklessly pull their hair. Really, they’re childish enough that they won’t let us play with them.”
Being considerate-.
Well, it must be true that adolescent boys lack such consideration. But that doesn’t mean that I, a 20-year-old adult, can’t escort a woman well.
She had only accidentally saved her life, but Lily had a rather generous opinion of me.
“…”
A strange silence passed between me and Lily for a moment. But when Rebecca spotted us a moment later and started talking to us, the strange atmosphere vanished in an instant.
Lily was back to her calm self in the blink of an eye.
“I searched all the huts in the goblin lair. I couldn’t find any more giant goblins. Probably all of the goblin corpses here. But…What happened? Why are you sticking with Lily-sama?”
Lily quickly answered Rebecca’s question, furrowing her brow.
“Luke-sama saved me from being attacked by goblins! I was standing near the entrance and got caught by a giant goblin, but I almost got into trouble.”
“Is that so? I’m glad.”
The moment Rebecca nodded, I threw her question at Lily.
“Lily, can we collect samples now?”
“Yes! This is the end of collecting samples of the gigantic phenomenon. If you take the sample of the giant goblin, you will definitely get an A+. Could you help me draw goblin blood and put it in a bottle?”
“Sure.”
Me and Rebecca helped Lily and started pouring goblin blood into a small container. The total number of giant goblins killed in the goblin lair was 15. In addition to the first ten that appeared, there was an additional one that appeared.
After a while, a total of 15 monster blood samples were created.
Lily piled her blood sample into her backpack. At some point, Lily’s backpack was swollen with the various samples she had collected in Morris Forest.
It was too much for a small girl to carry, so I decided to carry the backpack instead of Lily.
Can you provide a service like this?
With that in mind, she lifted her backpack and felt an instant of regret.
Lily’s backpack filled with samples was as heavy as a rock.
I sighed inwardly and tightened my backpack.
“Thank you, Mr. Luke!”
“Let’s set off quickly. It’s almost time for the sun to set. We’d better get back to Yoensuu City before nightfall. If it’s too late, the guards will question you for nothing.”
Once upon a time, I was caught by a fussy guard in front of the castle gate, but that day I was cut at the entrance and had to sleep until the sun came up.
I don’t know those who haven’t experienced the feeling of having to sleep outside the city even though I’ve secured an inn.
I hurried my party and left Morris Forest in a hurry.
On the way back to Joensuu.
As we walked along the street, my party and I initially kept a certain distance. I walk in the lead, Lily in the safe middle, and Rebecca in her rear, and so on.
But was Lily walking faster than expected?
At some point, Lily was walking alongside me.
With her short stride, she often followed me eagerly with her steps.
After the distance got closer, Lily started talking to me.
“It’s fortunate that the investigation quest ended safely! Choosing Luke and Rebecca as party members was not a wrong decision.”
“Because it was an easy quest. If it was an E-level quest, I could have easily completed it no matter who I took.”
“But if it wasn’t for Luke-sama, we wouldn’t have been able to find the goblin lair, right? The quest ended smoothly because we accepted Luke-sama as a party member.”
“Hmm… That makes sense.”
Thinking about it, could it be?
Without me, Lily would have had a hard time getting a sample of the monster.
The goblin lair near the creek was an inconspicuous place. It was a knowledge that only I, who often visited Morris Forest, knew.
I never thought the experience of going solo would be of great help to my client.
I just shrugged and shrugged.
“To be honest, when we first met, I was very nervous when I saw that Luke was an incubus-.”
Lily confided in me in her passing tone.
“I’m not saying Luke is bad, but there are so many weird rumors about Incubus. Sexually harassing female party members.”
“Other incubus may not know it, but I am not. I am a dreamer who knows how to distinguish between public and private affairs. I think there is nothing to say about an incubus who has other thoughts at work even if I beat him to death.”
“It’s strange. It’s completely different from what I’ve heard in rumors… It’s like the fact that there are women in the fixed party.”
“Is this your first time seeing an incubus?”
The moment I stared at her, Lily honestly said yes.
Recalling Lily’s belonging to her, I was able to understand her situation.
Most of the wizards belonging to the Mage Tower live a life isolated from the outer continent. It was quite understandable that I had not met a heterogeneous species with a small population.
I’ve visited the Mage’s Tower because of my job as a corpse cleaner, but it would have been impossible to recognize that I was an incubus with my overalls on.
“Remember that. An incubus named Luke is a trustworthy guy. Next time you receive another quest from the Mage Tower, come to me. I’ll give it to you cheaply.”
“Huh, then I’ll see you next time with a quest-.”
I was joking.
Somehow, I ended up exchanging quest promises with Lily.
I realized that an unexpected benefit had occurred.
Lily was a purveyor who gave silver coins to her adventurers to earn her credit.
If we have a chance to meet next time, he will surely come with a good request.
‘Good. Very good-.’
I sneakily turned my head to Rebecca to show off that I had a water supply.
Since we’re a fixed party, if Lily asks for it, Rebecca gets a job as well.
If you were sensible, of course you would realize that Lily’s proposal was a stroke of luck.
“Rebecca-. Did you just hear that?”
“What?”
“I heard that Lily-sama will visit us again next time?”
“Okay, that’s great. Don’t talk to me, just walk again.”
But Rebecca’s voice was gruff.
There was no joy on her face, even though she must have overheard all of Lily’s conversation with me. Falling behind her and walking alone, Rebecca felt somehow left out.
Is it dissatisfaction with just the two of us talking?
Then you can come forward and join the conversation.
Of course, I didn’t have to get the idea out of my mouth.
To keep the atmosphere from sinking, I turned my head forward again.
Then he talked again with the chattering Lily.
It was a good way to pass the time on the way back anyway.
“Luke-sama. Ho, can I ask one question about the Incubus?”
“Feel free to ask. I’ll answer if I know anything.”
“I’ve heard some weird rumors about incubuses-. Is it true that incubuses can fire beams from their eyes?”
“Yes? A ray of light?”
“The pregnancy ray-! Hey, I heard that it emits a ray that can impregnate women at will.”
“There is no such thing.”
I sighed and added.
“Lily-sama, that’s an incubus hatred. It’s a hate crime.”
“I’m really sorry if this was a rude question… But I’m really curious. Then, I have another question-“
Rumors about the Incubus spilled out of Lily’s mouth. As she was from the Mage Tower, if Lily had any questions, she had to check it herself.
All the way back to Yoensuu, I confirmed the truth of the rumors that Lily brought out.
Of course, most of them were rumors that were dotted with fabrications and agitation.
There are rumors, at least, that are true.
“Oh, that’s true. Incubus emits a special odor from its body that excites women. It’s a superpower called pheromone.”
“I-Really? I’m surprised-.”
I continued walking while chatting with Lily.
Although I was worried about Rebecca walking silently from behind.
*
My party and I were able to return to the city of Yoensuu before the gates became heavily guarded.
The street in front of the West Gate bustling with people.
According to what had been decided before departure, it was until we returned to the city that Rebecca and I would accompany the quest. It means that the investigation quest of the Mage Tower ended the moment they reached the city.
Me and Rebecca got the pay we promised Lily.
“Here is 1 silver and 50 copper! 1 silver is the basic request fee, and 50 copper is an additional fee for helping us collect goblin samples!”
Jjalang-.
The sound of coins resonating pleasantly.
Rebecca and I each received one silver coin and fifty copper coins.
The moment I saved the money, my pockets became heavy and I felt very good. Even Rebecca, who had been fussy so far, became calm for a moment when she took her money.
Even with a total of 1 silver, you get 50 copper!
That’s enough money to pay for a month’s worth of living expenses!
I wanted to share this joy with anyone.
Of course, I couldn’t share the money, I just wanted to share the joy.
“Rebecca. Let’s have dinner together later. I know a restaurant that is good at skewered dishes-“
Ugh
After talking for a while, I let out a moan from the sudden pain. It was because he reached out to grab Rebecca’s shoulder inadvertently, and the blister on his palm rubbed against his flesh.
When you find Big Rafflesia in Maurice Forest.
A blister caused by turning a stick to start a fire.
At the time of the blisters, I was numb, but as time passed, I gradually felt the pain.
I think I’ll have to stop by the clinic and get some ointment.
The clinic in Yoensuu is notorious for extorting money from patients.
‘I can think about the blisters later.’
It was time for me to repeat what I had said to Rebecca.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think we can eat dinner together because we have work to do.”
“What to do? What is it?”
“There’s such a thing. Don’t bother asking about trivial things.”
Needless to say, Rebecca neatly rebuffed my suggestion.
I got kicked in a daze, and I felt ashamed for no reason, so I kept my mouth shut.
“The quest is over. I’m suddenly busy with something, so I’ll go back.”
It bothers me to emphasize the word busy.
What the hell is going on, are you thinking of going back as soon as the party is disbanded?
Today is a memorable day for our fixed party to solve their first quest.
I don’t think we should have an after party, but it’s a bit like being honest.
Because I feel like I’m clinging to this girl.
“Yes, whatever.”
Rebecca is an individualist-.
“See you later, Luke.”
Rebecca waved her hand briefly before turning her back and walking toward her stream.
It was seen that he moved to the breaking news without hesitation at all.
I couldn’t stand the uncomfortable feeling as I watched her walk away.
Are you angry?
On her way back, she complained that she had been left out for a while.
It’s not a kid.
“Lily-nim. We’re going back too.”
“Good job. You can give me the backpack now.”
“No. I’ll walk you to the front of the magic tower. This backpack is a lot heavier than I thought.”
Instead of catching Rebecca who left.
I decided to help Lily, who would become my future loyal customer.
It was quite a distance from the street in front of the West Gate to the Magic Tower.
Lily smiled honestly as if she was happy to hear that she was going away.
I thought that the dimples on his cheeks were cute when he smiled.
“Thank you so much for today, Mr. Luke.”
After escorting me to the front gate of the Magic Tower, I parted ways with Lily.
If possible, she wanted to help move them into the tower, but Lily said she didn’t have to.
Did she say that she could call her classmates she knew and ask them to move?
Contrary to his model student-like appearance, he was surprisingly well-connected.
Jjalang-!
“It’s 10 coppers for moving the luggage! Please accept it!”
“I didn’t ask for money… But if you do, I’ll be grateful.”
I grabbed the 10 coppers that Lily gave me.
They said that if you show good intentions, you will get a reward someday, but the reward that came back today was a lump sum payment.
I felt a sense of happiness at the feel of the pocket that had become heavier.
It was after having a rough dinner with food sold in the market and returning to the inn.
I had no choice but to go back quickly and take a deep breath.
But when I reached the entrance of the inn, I reflexively stopped.
It was because someone was leaning against the wall next to the door.
It was Rebecca, whom we had just broken up with a few hours ago.
Rebecca, who was twirling her fingers through her glossy red hair, cleared her throat as she looked at me the moment I appeared.
“Rebecca…? What are you doing here? I hear you’re busy.”
“I’ve solved everything. That’s why you’re waiting here.”
“Wait? Who?”
“You’re stupid.”
Rebecca pointed her finger at me.
It was when the sudden pointing made her feel bad and frowned at her.
I realized that Rebecca’s hand pointed at me was grasping something in hers.
It was a stick that looked like a slender barrel.
Inside the transparent stick was something like cream half filled.
The moment Rebecca put on a questioning expression, she threw the stick around.
I lightly accepted the bar floating in the air.
“What is this?”
“You can’t see it? It’s an ointment.”
“Ointment…?”
“I have some leftovers from the clinic when I swollen my wrist the other day. I asked the therapist today and he said it works for blisters too. It’s a waste to leave it alone.”
Rebecca cleared her throat and said.
“I’ll give it to you-. You can apply it on your palm.”
