Chapter 196 Quest
Most of the Adventurers in the Camp had already left. Just yesterday, Lars and his companions also stepped into the White Light of the Teleportation Array under the eyes of Aunt Lisa and Little Sarah, filled with reluctance to part. Their Levels had all reached 17 or 18. Perhaps in another year, they would possess the Strength to challenge Andariel.
The center of the Camp gradually became deserted. Occasionally passing by, the wind also suddenly felt a bit cooler. Only the hammering and Shout of the carpenters rebuilding the Rogue Tavern seemed particularly grating. (That's all my Money! = =)
Of course, I also had my own Plan. Andariel's Resurrection would probably take two months, and only about twenty days had passed. This meant, I estimated, that I could still stay for about ten days. Then, traveling from the Teleportation Array on the second level of the Catacombs to Andariel's Lair on the fourth level of the Catacombs would probably take 1 month. This way, the timing would be just right.
What? You ask me why I would spend a month going from the second level to the fourth level? Well, because... it seems I forgot the way again...
I might as well use these last ten-plus days to properly accompany my lovely newlywed little Wife. Just as I was thinking this, before I could relax for a few days, I received notification from Fara – it was time for the Boss meeting.
"Ah..."
As I walked into Akara's Small Tent, yawning, the four Leaders had already gathered. Four pairs of eyes simultaneously looked over, making me feel quite awkward.
"Young Person, don't overexert yourself because of your new marriage. But still, I didn't expect you couldn't even handle one Velas. Ah, poor Sharna..."
Kashya looked at me and shook her head, with a look of pity.
Angry, this was a serious provocation against male dignity. It concerned my Face/Reputation, and I couldn't bear it anymore and burst out. Taking a large stride, I pointed my finger directly at Kashya and said sternly:
"Don't look down on people. I'm not afraid to tell you, although I am indeed a bit sleep-deprived, Velas still can't get out of bed right now, hmph hmph..."
I looked smugly at the Dumbfounded Kashya. It wasn't just her; the other three also had awkward expressions.
"Being young is really good. Oh right, I forgot to congratulate you, Wu."
The silent Atmosphere lasted for a while. Akara smiled kindly. For her, it was truly great News that this Young Person with immeasurable Potential could find his Love. This way, he gained another Bond, and the possibility of him becoming Fallen decreased by one part.
However, this also came with a new Crisis. Akara secretly decided to send more people, and even use those Strength if necessary. She must also properly protect the Safety of the girl named Velas, to prevent any irreparable Tragedy from occurring.
I casually found a Chair and sat down. This way, all the Elders remaining in the Rogue Encampment were gathered. The five people gathered sneakily in the dim Small Tent. Anyone who didn't know would think it was some Underground cult terrorist Organization Leader Meeting, secretly discussing topics like which country to attack next.
First were Akara and Cain. They were almost responsible for most of the large and small matters of the Rogue Encampment. You know, the entire Rogue Encampment has hundreds of thousands of people, not at all less than the Population of a small city. Just relying on the two of them, the Rogue Encampment was managed in an orderly manner. Their Ability needs no further explanation.
A large part of the time that followed was Cain and Akara discussing. The other two unreliable jokers sat blankly to the side. Kashya occasionally took out a Wine Bottle and took a sip, looking absent-minded. It seemed her days were very boring after Sister Sharna left. Fara, on the other hand, sat calmly to the side like an enlightened monk, but looking closely, I could hear faint snoring. Damn. This guy actually fell asleep.
A full two hours passed, involving issues like Camp guards, Training Camp progress, and Mage Guild research, before Kashya and Fara finally joined the discussion. As for me, I was still idly yawning.
Speaking of which, I, this Elder, seemed quite awkward. Although I could interfere in various matters, even troop movements, I didn't understand at all and didn't want to be entangled by these mundane affairs. Among the four Elders, even the laziest Kashya could excellently complete her assigned tasks. The entire Rogue Encampment was managed in an orderly manner; there was basically nothing for me to do. Akara and the others seemed to have noticed this point. In order not to affect my Trial, unless it was a special situation, they wouldn't specifically ask me to come and listen to their unnecessary nagging when they had Meetings.
And this Meeting was probably what is generally called the year-end summary meeting. So even if I, this Elder, was idle and useless, I still had to show up. Considering it only happens once every three years, I'll just bear with it.
However, I still Overestimated my patience. This Meeting lasted from morning until dusk, while I, on the other hand, had already fallen asleep on the Table by noon.
What woke me up was Kashya, looking bored and jealous. She was probably envious that I could sleep soundly while she had to sit there and listen. She was particularly ruthless when she acted, almost embedding my entire body into the Table – I have to say, Akara's Table was really sturdy...
I rubbed my aching shoulder, grimacing, and glanced at the other three.
"Is it over?"
"Don't worry, it's almost over. We were just about to ask you what you Plan to do next."
Akara looked at me smiling cheerfully.
"Me? I'll go out for Trial in a few days. After Andariel Resurrects, I'll kill it, and then head towards Lut Gholein."
I counted on my fingers and laid out my Plan for the next few months.
The other three looked at each other, revealing an expression of 'as expected'.
"Wu, I have to say your plan is very good..."
Akara was truly amazing. Even though it was such a forced compliment, when it came from her mouth, it became natural.
"However..."
As expected, the main event was here. I knew they didn't call me here for some damn summary meeting.
"However, if possible, I hope you can temporarily put down the Andariel Quest."
"Why?"
I widened my eyes. Andariel was an Easy Mark in my eyes right now; who knows, it might drop a few pieces of gold Equipment. I wouldn't give up without a good Excuse.
"Firstly, because recently the number of Advanced Transformed Ones in the Rogue Encampment has suddenly increased. There are over ten teams that are already close to possessing the Strength to challenge Andariel. As an Elder, shouldn't you yield to them a bit?"
Kashya patted my shoulder forcefully.
"When did so many Advanced Transformed Ones appear in the Rogue Encampment?"
My Brain was full of confusion. This was truly strange. I hadn't been gone for many months, so how did so many Adventure Teams capable of challenging Andariel suddenly appear without a sound? Did they all crawl out of holes in the ground?
"I think this is probably because of the previous Monster Attack incident, which caused the overall level of Adventurers in the Rogue Encampment to greatly improve. This can be considered a blessing in disguise," Cain explained cheerfully.
"No. No, it should follow the old Rule from before, first come, first served. Moreover, shouldn't Elders have priority? Calculating based on the time of Andariel's Resurrection, wouldn't I have to wait two years before I can go to Lut Gholein? You're just going to let a genius like me be buried here for two years?"
I listed the most sufficient Excuses, hoping they would change their minds. But the two old foxes, Akara and Cain, looked at each other and smiled. This instantly gave me a creepy feeling of falling into a trap.
"Who said you have to wait two years? Our second Excuse for hoping you delay challenging Andariel is that we want to ask you to go to Lut Gholein to solve a few small troubles. Of course, you can also choose to Refuse."
Cain leaned closer, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Go to Lut Gholein now?"
I cried out in surprise, while the other four unanimously nodded.
I sighed. It seemed there was no chance of dropping loot from Andariel for now. Oh well, just a minor character anyway. There'll be plenty of Gold and Unique items later. I silently comforted myself in my heart.
"What trouble?"
"Let Fara and I explain this."
The four looked at each other. Kashya stepped forward, her eyes narrowed slightly, as if a chilling light that made people tremble flashed. The relaxed Atmosphere inside the Tent suddenly became solidified.
"The Divine Birth Day has passed. It was time to be happy, and we were happy. A few little Mouse / Rat have also started becoming Restless/Mischievous."
Fara took over from Kashya and said, her eyes also flashing with cold light, filled with Killing Intent.
"This Quest is – Kill! People! Yo!"
Kashya took a small sip of wine, paused her Tone, and only then coldly squeezed out three terrifying words from between her teeth.
"Originally, this kind of trouble shouldn't bother an Adventurer like you to solve, but there's no Method. It seems the available people aren't quite enough right now."
"Ah. Consider me unlucky. Who told me to be an Elder, hmph hmph..."
On the way home, Kashya used the Excuse of having something to do and pulled me aside directly.
"Wu, I should thank you..."
Kashya gave a wry smile, then suddenly turned around seriously and bowed to me.
"Are you really Kashya? You're not an imposter sent by the enemy faction, are you?" I widened my eyes and looked at her.
"Actually..." Ignoring my retort, she paused and continued speaking.
"Actually, if you Refused this time, we would probably hand this Matter over to Sharna to solve."
"What!!" I looked at her Incredulous.
"Therefore, I should thank you for taking on this Quest. I no longer want that little girl to be stained by too much darkness and Blood. The Pain she carries is already enough."
Kashya looked at me sincerely and said.
"So you can only Sacrifice me? Heh heh, this is what's called deep protective love for one's young, I guess. But oh well, if it were someone else, I might still feel awkward. But only for Sister Sharna, my cherish for her will absolutely not lose to a Drunkard like you."
I waved my hand at her and quickened my footsteps. She didn't follow, but I could feel that behind me, where the Sunset fell, she silently bowed to me again.
"Kill people?"
I muttered and looked up into the distance. The small Sack I was unconsciously playing with in my hand was the Gain from this Meeting – 50 Gold Coin. That was my salary as an Elder. It's really not easy. Three years of salary plus rewards only totaled 50 Gold Coin. Calculating it, it's not even as much as a Soldier Captain. No wonder Kashya was always complaining about being poor all day.
Home was gradually getting closer. Where the orange-yellow evening glow spread, a small, beautiful figure was silently standing outside the tent door, craning her neck and looking out. Carrying that habitually shy and gentle smile, she lightly stepped towards me to greet me.
"Lord, you're back. Dinner is ready."
Her face was shy, and she didn't dare to look up at me. It seems she was still shy about what happened this morning. Ah, wasn't it just that position? It's long been overused in Adult Film, what's there to be shy about?
I suddenly wrapped my arm around her small waist, pulled her into my embrace, and while greedily breathing in her faint body fragrance, my heart couldn't help but swell with pride.
"Velas, look, this is the Reward your Husband obtained through diligent work."
Like a proud Farmer returning with a full load, showing off to his Wife, I shook the Sack containing Gold Coin in my hand in front of Velas. Watching her pause for a moment, then suddenly understanding something, she tightly gripped my arm and buried her head in my embrace with a look of satisfaction and happiness, her long eyelashes full of tears of emotion and joy.
"Thank you, Lord, thank you..."
Velas in my embrace choked and sobbed, strings of happy tears instantly soaking the front of my clothes.
Why did my heart suddenly feel so peaceful? A fulfilling and warm Feeling. Is this the Feeling of home?
I knew, I had always known, that what Velas yearned for was just this kind of ordinary life. But the current me cannot fulfill this Wish of hers.
Just wait. After everything is over, I will definitely make you happier, no matter what obstacles are on the road ahead!!
What's more – it's just killing a few people anyway.