Chapter 28 – 7. Canyon. (3)
The city of Laflaus, which had been stagnant for a long time, was finally starting to come alive. The top tier, who had been stuck here for a long time, finally prepared to leave.
Even if there is a curse because demons are planted in the canyon, if there is a Kalim-Mercenary Corps, they can definitely overcome it—-, their evaluation.
The mercenaries were also rampant in trying to make a match with the famous Kalim-Mercenary Corps on this floor. Aren’t there often mercenaries who suddenly come into contact with a kite and make a fortune in one shot?
Anyway.
The Allen-Mercenary Corps was also slowly preparing to leave. We pack emergency food in case of emergency, and check our equipment. Because of the rumors about the devil, the sprittong master even brought a few bottles of holy water just in case. I don’t know how helpful it will be, but it’s still better than nothing.
– Your role will become important once you enter the canyon.
– You will learn a lot this time. It will be a very important experience for you. Clearly.
Elena calmed her mind, recalling what Allen Danzou had said to her.
The group, which had been divided into two men and women because of the accommodation, rejoined early in the morning at the square. Perhaps there are many people who want to leave this place like them, but the city has been hot since dawn.
“Everyone check last. Are there any things you forgot? It’s too late to leave.”
“No, my lord. The balls are also cleaned—I emptied them—!”
Big Frank responded as a representative. Allen glanced at the crew members’ faces one last time and nodded.
“Good night. Then let’s go.”
Just like that, the nine hurriedly blended into the rushing crowd.
Allen took a deep breath in the cool air as she stepped on the wet floor from the brief dawn rain. It sanctified the lungs that had been smothered with female odor all night long.
The dark blue sky was dotted with darker clouds. It sucks when it rains on someone, he muttered to himself.
They headed for the north gate of the city. The big Frank, who was looking at the carriage running endlessly on the main road, burst into a small exclamation.
“Grandpa Duke, you must have made a lot of money this time.”
In addition, Allen also paid 225 coins, counting 25 gold coins for each head. Of course, it was a painful expense, but where did you save half?
After walking for a long time to reach the north gate, the crowd already gathered was staggering. Allen stopped the crew for a while and went to the young man who was diligently checking the number of people accompanied by the captain Aiden.
“Allen mercenaries.”
Allen announced that by sneakily showing the newly sold mercenary team. The young man said, “Wait a minute,” And flipped through his thick paper, then nodded and pointed with his finger.
“Get into carriage number 11.”
Captain Aiden bit his two fingers and whistled to call the crew. They got into a narrow, shabby carriage with the number 11 on it. When all nine of them got on board, the inside of the carriage was completely full.
“Sifal, the stink smells like shit.”
“Who pooped and didn’t clean his ass?”
“Close your mouth. Because it stinks.”
The stinky smell definitely got worse as they were crowded into the cramped place. Fortunately, my sense of smell soon succumbed to the stench.
As we sat huddled together and joked around, the outside gradually began to light up. Dawning shape.
It was now time to depart. The moment Big Frank said that the brothel was about to burst last night, the carriage jolted once and began to move.
Ruttenbeek Gorge….
Allen gazed vaguely at the increasingly distant outer wall, diving into her old memories. Since it’s a transportation hub, he used to go in and out of the place while playing games. High-end items from the mid-continent were very popular, especially with the laid-back Southern aristocrats who were vain and fond of luxury. Speaking of being fashionable, I rushed to buy it even with a higher price….
However, that wasn’t the case here. Since it was crossing the mountain range that draws a thick and long line on the continent map, there was a possibility of encountering a high-level monster if there was no real luck. Even the thieves who often appeared were only joking near the corner of the street, and they couldn’t even get into the real depths.
“Now I’m going for real….”
Her muscular woman said to herself as she watched the city recede. She said the sun had risen from the eastern horizon and was already casting light all over the world. They captured the beautiful scenery that had regained its color again. At the same time, I hold one will in my heart. … Maybe this will be my last impression.
The procession of wagons that came out of the city like ants continued for quite a long time.
Towards the Rüttenbeck Gorge—-.
· · ·
The journey to the canyon was certainly pleasant. As expected, the status of the Kalim-Mercenary Corps was so great that even the thieves whose eyes were turned upside down were able to regain their reason.
The distance to the big city Laflaus and the Ruttenbeck Gorge was not too far. A day’s drive by car at most. … However, the surrounding landscape has completely changed.
If the nature surrounding the big city was beautiful and wonderful, the nature surrounding the canyon was gloomy and grotesque. It’s a canyon by name only, so it wouldn’t be strange to call it the Devil’s Land.
“… Siipal, isn’t this going to hell?”
“Life is hell anyway, bitch. If you want to go to heaven, ask him to pray.”
Big Frank cocked the man with his thumb. Alphonse, a rugged monk with the impression of praying earnestly to God for entering the gorge. He was a devout believer who swung an iron-cored mace that was terrifying just to look at and purified countless heads and sent them up to heaven where the Holy Spirit resides.
To be honest, even Allen hadn’t known that the canyon was as terrifying as this. The canyon felt only through the game graphics on the other side of the monitor and the reality are bound to be different. … It was his first time in a place like this, and he was very nervous.
The group had a meal and cleaned up before entering the canyon. Still, he did not have to worry about drinking water thanks to the stream that did not dry up and flowed along the side of the canyon.
The Allen-Mercenary Corps was a little further behind the middle of the procession. For reference, they are number 11, and the final number is number 18.
It usually takes five days to pass the gorge. But now the procession is so long that it won’t speed up much, so I expected it to take about seven days.
Kalim Danju, who was in the lead, confirmed that the group was ready for departure and raised his voice.
“Let’s go!”
As soon as the start signal was given, the blue flag fluttered.
And the group rushed into the canyon in earnest.
· · ·
Compared to the loud chatter about demons and curses, the first two days were very quiet. Rather oddly.
Of course, there is nothing better than that if nothing happens, but the experienced and seasoned Kalim Danju did not pass it lightly.
The third morning after entering the gorge like that.
After lightly patrolling the surroundings, Danju Kalim returned, and wizard Lilia came to see her urgently.
“Did you find out anything?”
“Before that, take a look at this.”
What she held out was a cursed doll. She was originally a doll with a white background, but some parts were dyed black. And it’s still going.
Seeing that, Kalim Danju immediately grasped the situation. Although I’m ignorant about magic, I still have some mixed rice.
“It’s a curse.”
“Yes.”
“Is it the work of the devil?”
“… Maybe so, but I’m not entirely sure.”
It seems that even Lilia hasn’t been able to pinpoint it yet. Because her speciality is not a curse type. Still, she had figured out that it was a curse, so it was time to take action.
“Gather all the sobers.”
Kalim Danju summoned all the mercenary lords. Soon, eighteen Danju gathered together.
“Did everyone have a bad night?”
Everyone nodded her head as if nothing was wrong.
… Except for one person.
One of them raised his hand. As if she had something to say.
Because he was quite young, Kalim Danju also remembered his face.
“Tell me.”
“The talk may be a little longer.”
“Please summarize as best you can.”
He nodded and raised something in his hand. … The cursed doll that the sorceress Lilia showed me just now. At the same time, a different color flashed in Kalim Danju’s eyes.
“A curse has spread far and wide within the canyon. The cursed doll is originally white, but it is turning black in places. This is proof that the current curse is reaching us.”
The young man glanced at the daggers standing around and looked at the daggers of Kalim. As the surroundings buzzed at the sound of a curse, Danju Kalim shouted, “Be quiet.” And he nodded his chin toward the other person, as if asking him to continue talking.
“Since the range is so wide, the effect is barely noticeable yet, but after a couple of days, it will definitely have an adverse effect on the body. And there are already more and more people complaining of nightmares.”
He took a breath and continued talking.
“And we determined that the culprit behind this situation was a black magician.”
“The reason is that?”
“There is one distinct difference between the devil’s curse and the warlock’s curse.”
“What is it?”
“It is a beast.”
“… Beast?”
He pointed with his finger at the horse pulling the carriage.
“If this was the devil’s curse, the horses would have already run amok. However, all horses are fine now. In other words, this curse is an artificial magic created precisely for humans. And that can’t be explained unless you’re a warlock.”
The corners of Kalim Danzu’s mouth rose slightly. What Lilia had missed too, now this man correctly grasped.
“So, is there a solution?”
“For now, it’s about putting out an urgent fire.”
“Something?”
“It is holy water. If it is the power of God, some resistance is possible. However, it is not a complete solution because it is constantly exposed to curses. A curse has no choice but to get rid of what is its root. That’s why it’s a tricky magic.”
It wasn’t a normal bet. Kalim Danju just felt right.
“You… , What did you say your name was?”
The young man smiled lightly. It was a laugh with a strange charm.
“I am Allen Danju, of the Allen-Mercenary Corps.”
In Kalym Danzu’s mind, her name was stuck.
