My Demons

Chapter 34

Amidst the clutter, Ellen appeared to be meditating, contemplating the spells she had recently cast.

As I prepared to sit down next to her, I noticed a group of people approaching and instinctively straightened my back.

Grania.

Phoenix.

I greeted Grania with a slight smile, and she wearily clasped my outstretched hand. Standing behind her was a plump woman in her early twentiesArnal, the archer.

Grania looked me over with a mildly surprised expression. I thought you were pretty badly hurt, but you seem fine?

Ah, just a scratch, I replied, tapping lightly on the bandage covering my shoulder.

In truth, the wound from the Poisons thorn had been quite severe. However, my robust body and the enchanted blood aided in its rapid healing. Thanks to Olegs special ointment and bandages, the pain was bearable as long as I refrained from vigorous movement.

Speaking of which, during the earlier battle

Wheres Anton? Wasnt he with you too?

Hes receiving treatment and resting.

Ah, right.

I recalled seeing Anton fighting against the rogue assailants during the battle, appearing to be injured.

Having shared a brief drink with Granias gang, I had gained a rough understanding of Antons charactera seasoned veteran who had been with Grania since she started her mercenary work in her hometown. He surprisingly possessed a gentle personality for a mercenary.

Was his injury serious?

Quite. He was deeply stabbed in the arm. Granias expression darkened as she finished speaking, and Arnal, tying up her short hair at the back, added with a sulky voice, His condition is really bad. If hes unlucky, he might be left crippled.

Finding no comforting words to say, I remained silent. Arnal snorted sarcastically from behind.

Thats it?

Huh?

If you had any tact, youd at least pretend to be sorry, right?

Whats gotten into her? Why is she suddenly upset?

Before I could respond, a sharp voice cut in from behind.

Pretend to be sorry?

I turned my head to find Ellen, who had finished her meditation, standing beside me with her arms crossed.

Why should Phoenix take the blame for being attacked by mere thugs due to his lack of skill?

Thats right, well said. Go girl, you arent someone to be pushed around.

Arnals face twisted at Ellens words, and she mockingly asked, Why? Do you want me to explain?

Arnal, stop.

Ignoring Granias sigh mixed with reproach, Arnal shot glances at Ellen and me.

We came here to meet Phoenix. And we didnt run away when those thugs attacked because we knew that Phoenix had a halfwit comrade with a filthy attitude hiding on the second floor. How about now? Do you feel a little sorry?

Hah, how dare you call someone a halfwit.

Youre just a little girl who can only whine, thats what you are.

Arnal, stop!

Grania raised her voice a bit late, but it almost seemed deliberate, as if she was trying to convey something through Arnals words.

Well then, I dont need to stop Ellens actions either.

In flamma_

Ellen, smirking, conjured a flame on her palm along with a short incantation.

Grania and Arnals faces instantly turned to shock. The nearby guards began to whisper to each other, equally surprised.

How dare a lowly mercenary bitch call me a halfwit?

As the flame grew larger, elongating like an arrow, so did Ellens cold smile intensify.

Grania and Arnal stood awkwardly, unable to hide their surprise.

They were caught between glancing at me, holding a falchion in a threatening posture, and the flaming arrow flickering with heat.

Uh, Miss Ellen, please calm down for a moment.

Calm down? That bitch insulted not only me but also my Master and the entire Palace of La-Palais. And youre telling me to calm down?

I sighed softly, observing Grania and Arnal stepping back with nervous expressions.

It was time for me to step forward.

Thats enough, Ellen. Im sure she didnt mean what she said. Its understandable since a comrade was seriously hurt. 

Arnal said, meeting my eyes and releasing her quiver, Yeah, youre right. I misspoke.

Ill let it go this time. But there wont be a second time, so you better watch your mouth.

The flame arrow lost its form, scattered in the wind, and Ellen crossed her arms, closing her mouth.

Is it just me, or does it seem like her shoulders are raised to the sky? Must be my imagination.

With the situation settled, a question arose in my mind, and I turned to Grania.

So, did you come here looking for me?

Yes. We have a message to deliver.

A message?

Grania hesitated for a moment, then looked around. Ellens spell had drawn the attention of passersby and guards, so Grania led us to the back of the inn.

Once we reached the spot where we had fought Poison and his subordinates just moments ago, Grania spoke again.

You heard that we got hired by the lord, right?

Yes. Youve been staying in the barracks lately, right? Are they treating you well there?

Grania smirked in response to my casual question.

Well, army food is the same everywhere. But its better than what we get here.

That makes sense. If it were all gruel, the soldiers would run away in no time.

Ellen narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly unimpressed with our light conversation to ease the tension.

Enough with the banter. Why did you mention the lord all of a sudden?

Because the reason we came here is related to a message from the lord.

A message from the lord?

Before Grania could continue, a coarse voice interrupted.

Ill explain that.

Oh, not again.

The one who emerged with the voice was none other than the captain of the guards.

With two escort soldiers, the captain of the guards appeared, exuding a bulldog-like impression with his round brown beard and chubby cheeks.

It would be more efficient for me, the lords messenger, rather than a mere mercenary, to deliver the message directly.

Ignoring the twisted expression on Granias face, the captain of the guards, hand on his hip, continued sternly.

I cannot stand idly by while the lord is insulted, even if its in a back alley.

The captain of the guards wore a checkered banner embroidered over his chainmail and a thick cloak. A long sword hung from his broad shoulders and waist, exactly as I had seen in the game.

Is his physique in reality as sturdy as it appears in the game?

Hes the captain of the guards, so he must hold considerable status. Perhaps even a noble? Im not entirely sure, but as the lords messenger, he must wield considerable power.

Lost in thought for a moment, I closed my mouth, and the captain of the guards raised his eyebrows, posing a question.

Are you Phoenix?

Yes, I am.

I see. Prepare to receive the message of Lord Osred of Everfree, the Count of Seiben, ruler of the Narrow Sea, and master of South Harbor and Salt Castle.

A message?

I turned back to Grania with a slightly trembling expression, and she quickly added.

More precisely, its a request. The lord has a special request for you.

What kind of request?

The captain of the guard responded, The citys situation is urgent, so its a request that cant be refused. Consider it an order and execute it diligently.

Grania added, You just have to deliver a message outside the fortress. Itll be a dangerous task, but its for the sake of saving the city. We need your help.

This time, the captain of the guards continued.

The lord has entrusted me with the blueprint of the ancient sewer system, which has been passed down through generations. If the rumors about you are true, you should be capable of handling this task.

Once again, Grania spoke up.

You must use the secret passage marked on the blueprint to escape from the enemys siege and deliver the lords message to the reinforcements stationed nearby.

Why cant one person just talk? Theyre making things confusing by taking turns.

Wait, please wait a moment.

I restrained the captain of the guard, who was about to speak again, and turned to Grania.

Why is all this happening all of a sudden? Why did the lord make such a request to me?

Thats because

The lord saw your monster skin and made a judgment. If you can hunt down such a monster alone, he believes you are the right person for this task.

Monster skin? Monster?

Ah, they must be referring to the crocodile skin I had when I came out of the sewer.

Now that I think about it, the man who bought the skin introduced himself as the steward. It seems the information reached the lord.

The lord has hundreds of soldiers, so why does he specifically need me

In response to my question, the captain of the guard looked troubled.

We have to watch over the sea beyond the horizon, the plains beyond the walls, and inside the city, all at the same time.

The situation is such that we may need to mobilize mercenaries for fortress defense. The enemys attacks are becoming more frequent, so a conscription order may be issued soon.

Conscription order?

South Harbor is a bustling port city where trade and commerce thrive. While the lords power is significant, he cant simply impose restrictions on the merchants arriving from outside.

Issuing a conscription order targeting outsiders is quite burdensome. If a conscription order, including a draft, is issued

It would be a total disaster.

I agree.

I nodded silently in agreement with Ellens murmur and inquired further.

So, you want Ellen and me to handle this task alone because you lack manpower?

Of course not. You can go with the mercenaries here.

Grania? I looked puzzled, and Grania, with a wry smile, nodded.

Originally, Arnal, Anton, and I were supposed to go together, but it seems that Anton is facing some difficulties.

Why just you guys? What about the others?

Gillius and Parel have temporarily joined the bodyguard. Sister Olga is at the church due to the bishops summons. We cant meet her now.

I understand Sister Olgas situation, but the bodyguards? Was it easy for them to join?

In response to my question, the captain of the guards lowered his head and replied.

Not at all. It was the lords decision. By assigning you a dangerous mission, he is also demonstrating his intention to elevate your status.

The captain of the guard spoke somewhat shamelessly, but his discomfort was evident on his face, suggesting he wasnt very skilled at lying.

Noticing this, I quickly glanced at Grania, who seemed rather upset.

Hmm.

I have a feeling I know whats going on.

Parel is a skilled mercenary wielding a spear, and hes Granias younger brother. Although hes capable, hes not outstanding enough to be chosen as a bodyguard, even if hes a wandering mercenary.

Having Parel join the bodyguard was probably a precautionary measure to prevent Grania from betraying them. It was a way to ensure she wouldnt abandon the mission and run away.

As for Gillius was he also included because it would be too obvious if only Parel was chosen?

Or did Gillius volunteer to stay because he didnt want to face me?

Regardless, the situation involving two men being held hostage meant that we couldnt simply escape if necessary.

With that in mind, I nodded with a serious expression.

Yes, I understand. So, to sum it up, we are to team up with the mercenaries, find the secret passage in the sewer, exit the city, and deliver the lords message to the reinforcements. Is that correct?

Exactly.

Recalling my memories of playing Dark World, delivering a message to the reinforcements through a secret passage was one of the main scenarios in Chapter 2.

This means there was a similar quest in the game.

However, the order seems a bit off.

In the game, after finding a series of clues in the sewer and delivering them to the guard, you receive the mission to deliver the lords message.

Cutting out the beginning of the scenario like this and proceeding is the order mixed up?

Did the battle on the shore or hunting the crocodile affect this?

Or is it because it has already been two weeks since we arrived in South Harbor?

Hmm, its challenging to make an accurate judgment in the current situation. The discrepancy between reality and the game was still a difficult issue.

After a moment of contemplation, I sighed and bowed my head.

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