We finished our preparations to leave the city and headed for the Guild.
As a rule, you had to notify the Guild before venturing outside the city walls.
There was a good reason for that.
The Guild needed to keep track of where adventurers were and what they were doing. And if someone didn't return within their expected timeframe, the Guild would assume something had gone wrong.
When we rendezvoused with Zelphy, she was wearing her usual agile outfit supplemented with leather armor.
She carried a familiar shield and sword, and from certain angles she looked every bit the knight.
"You're right on time — or maybe even a little early… that works."
Zelphy praised us, and we headed up to the Guild's second floor. We filled out the forms and brought them to the reception desk.
The clerk on duty was Hawkins.
"……Received. Please make sure to return on time. If your plans change… well, that's unlikely, I suppose, but if you're too late, the Guild may dispatch a search party."
Hawkins was worried, but we had Zelphy with us. It would be foolish to let our guard down entirely, but with an instructor accompanying us, we should be fine.
"We're just getting a feel for the ropes today. Getting you two back alive is part of my contract too, you know."
"Adventurers honor their contracts, right?"
When I said that to Zelphy, she nodded.
Not just adventurers — mercenaries were the same way. Breaking a contract was a serious breach of trust.
That was why Zelphy had told us to read contracts carefully.
"It's an important thing as a person. Keeping your promises."
When she said that, Hawkins let out a sigh.
"There are so many people who can't do that, and it's a problem. Anyway, do your best out there. As adventurers, if you want to earn a living, monster subjugation is indispensable."
"Heading out now."
With that, we left the Guild.
Outside the city of Darion.
After passing through the walls — roughly four meters tall — we walked along the main road.
We stayed out of the way of passing carriages and traveling merchants, occasionally calling out to fellow travelers we crossed paths with.
"You two brought plenty of potions, right?"
"Yes."
When I nodded, Zelphy called out to a rather mud-caked traveler.
"What happened there? You're covered in mud."
The traveler explained the situation.
"Rough day. I stepped off the road to relieve myself, and a bunch of Slimes attacked. I blocked them with my robe, but got a little burned."
Slimes were monsters that had a liquid body and a core encased in a transparent membrane. They latched onto living creatures and dissolved their prey with the liquid.
They weren't very intelligent, though — they'd attack anything that got close and ignore anything that didn't.
They were also a nuisance because they appeared in large numbers and caused trouble for travelers, pack animals, and the like.
"I see. Here, use this."
Zelphy tossed a potion to the traveler with the robe and reddened arm. It was a cheap one, but was it really okay to just give it away like that?
"Sorry about that. As for distance, go about two kilometers straight ahead, then turn right at the thicket. They're in there. There were quite a few in that area."
After getting the information, Zelphy waved goodbye to the traveler.
"What was that about?"
"Experienced travelers know the lay of the land around here. So they give us information in return. Sure, some of them might lie, but these are roads they use themselves, so they're pretty forthcoming with info for adventurers who clear out the monsters."
Then wouldn't they just tell us for free? I thought as much, but Zelphy grinned.
"Lyle, remember this: people work harder when there's something in it for them. It's the same with information."
"Is that so? Shouldn't they be doing it for their own benefit?"
From my perspective, it made no sense to hold back information that would benefit you.
"Of course, some people think that way. But plenty don't. You need to learn more about how the world works."
With that, she started walking toward the location we'd been told about.
I had purchased a spare saber as well, so I wasn't worried about equipment. That said, our targets this time were Slimes.
With enough knowledge, even an ordinary person could take them on — I knew that much.
"Oh, perfect timing. You two — see those three adventurers over there? Watch them as we walk."
When I looked where she indicated, there were three lightly equipped — in civilian clothes — people with knives.
They were fighting Slimes, but their movements were disjointed and they had no coordination.
"Are they amateurs?"
When Novem asked, Zelphy said they were something close but not quite.
"Amateurs, yes. You can tell from their gear. But struggling with Slimes isn't that unusual. Most people think that even an ordinary person could defeat them with a weapon, but…"
At that point, the First Generation chimed in.
*'I used to take them on with whatever stick I found lying around. You bring the skin, core, and Magic Stone to the old man at the Guild, and he'd give you candy. Back when I was small, that's how I got my snacks. Of course, a scrawny kid like you couldn't pull it off.'*
He seemed to be trying to provoke me somehow, but what I was thinking was…
*(You were getting scammed, First Generation.)*
I actually felt a little sorry for him. He was probably too young to realize he was being taken advantage of.
*(Then again, hunting monsters since you were a child… the First Generation really was like a wild child.)*
But the Second Generation apparently couldn't hold back, and burst out laughing as he revealed the truth.
My mercy in staying silent had apparently been for nothing.
*'BWAHAHAHA! Trading monster materials for candy?! How badly did he rip you off?! That's hilarious!'*
*'Wh-what?!'*
*'Even in my day, that was worth several copper coins. You could buy bags full of candy for that price.'*
The Second Generation was making fun of the First Generation with genuine delight.
*(What's the deal between these two?)*
Among the ancestors of House Walt, the Second Generation was by far the most unremarkable. Yet there seemed to be some deep-rooted connection between the two of them.
Although, I could more or less guess what it was.
*'That lousy old man! I'm gonna deck him for sure!'*
*'I'm pretty sure he's already dead.'*
The Third Generation sealed the deal, and the conversation ended there. But for me, things didn't work that way.
"…Hey, Lyle, are you listening?"
"Lyle-sama?"
"Ah, no… sorry."
I'd been so focused on my ancestors' conversation that I hadn't heard what Zelphy was saying. She let out an exasperated sigh.
"I'll say it again. Even if they're weak, you still feel pain if you get hit. Especially with a short-reach weapon like a knife — it's even worse. That's why they're frozen in fear. They should be surrounding them and attacking efficiently, but they're so panicked they can't even see that."
Novem looked at the trio and asked Zelphy.
"Shouldn't we teach them?"
"Why? I'm your instructor. I'm being paid, and I have a responsibility and an obligation. But I have no responsibility or obligation toward those guys. Novem, are you going to go teach them? I won't stop you if you do. But…"
"But?"
I was curious about what Zelphy was about to say.
"Those three need to learn this lesson now. What pain feels like. They don't have the awareness that they need someone's guidance the way you two did, nor do they have the funds to equip themselves properly — and that makes it even more important."
"……I see."
Novem seemed to accept that.
But she kept glancing back at the trio. They'd been injured, but they'd managed to defeat the Slimes.
Grumbling about the pain, they were collecting the Slime materials.
I looked at the three as well.
"Does that seem cold to you?"
"Well… a little."
When I answered honestly, Zelphy laughed. "Straightforward, aren't you?" she said, and then explained.
"Adventurers who challenge monsters do so at their own risk, even unto death. And fools who can't even gauge their own strength will challenge monsters that outclass them. Even if you help those fools, they'll just do the same thing again. You might stop them from facing monsters, but they'll repeat their foolish behavior some other way."
Fools like that are terrifying, Zelphy said.
"Besides, if you show leniency, plenty of people will take advantage of it. Especially in work like bottom-rung adventurer stuff, it's not uncommon."
*(So, don't get too involved?)*
"Just because not everyone is like that, does it mean we can't extend a helping hand in every case?" Novem asked, seeking confirmation.
Zelphy said she was half right.
"Helping is easy. But can you look after the person you helped forever? Even if you help them here, they might go and do the same thing again. Worse, they might start thinking that someone nearby will save them whenever things get dangerous… That's why it's better for them to learn the pain while they're still alive."
The Second Generation agreed.
*'Give a man a fish versus teach a man to fish, huh? Sure enough, when people know they'll always get handouts, plenty of them go to pot.'*
"Well, to put it simply, you two are amateurs too. You're not the ones doing the helping — you're the ones being helped. No, you're still in the middle of being helped. If you want to help others, then hurry up and become competent first."
With that, Zelphy walked silently toward our destination.
When we reached the spot the traveler had described, there were indeed Slimes.
I could count at least five on sight.
Muddy yellow-green gelatinous blobs squirmed along the ground, occasionally jumping. Inside their bodies, I could barely make out something round and red that appeared to be a core.
"Hmm, they said a thicket, but we're near the forest. I don't want to chase them too far into the woods… There."
Zelphy picked up a rock from the ground nearby.
She bounced it into the air a few times with her palm, then hurled it at the Slimes.
The hit Slime's movements suddenly became frantic.
It was heading right toward us.
"They don't have eyes or ears, yet they seem to know exactly where we are."
I drew my saber, and Zelphy readied her shield and drew her sword. Novem raised her staff.
"You two are tense. Look how stiff your bodies are. I'll show you how it's done, so watch carefully."
Zelphy then approached the Slime — no, the Slime heading our way.
She'd moved slightly from where she'd thrown the stone. That alone was enough to make the Slime shift toward the position she'd just been in.
It was a simple maneuver, but Zelphy slashed at the incoming Slime with ease.
"When you get close, they detect you through vibrations or footsteps — I'm not sure which — but either way, they notice right away, so try to finish them in one strike."
She thrust her sword forward, piercing the Slime's membrane, and liquid spilled out from inside.
Once the Slime stopped moving, Zelphy called to Novem.
"Novem, come here."
"Y-yes!"
"Stay calm. Take out the barrel."
Novem produced a small barrel — the kind sold on the Guild's first floor — and held it out to Zelphy.
Zelphy took out a knife, discarded the murky liquid, and lifted the skin with the blade.
The core and Magic Stone fell out of the skin, and she placed them in a separate leather pouch.
The skin and the sticky residue on its surface went into the barrel.
"That's it. Normally, you should scan the surroundings for threats before collecting materials — or have the rest of your party keep watch. That's what I taught you, right?"
Zelphy looked at me, and I hastily apologized. But she grinned, indicating she wasn't upset.
"Be more careful next time. You saw the collection method, right? You two will do it next, but don't use the collection gloves for anything else."
After hearing the instructions, we decided to imitate Zelphy and pick up rocks.
"Novem can stab them with a knife, or borrow the saber from Lyle. Blunt attacks can kill them too, but they splatter everywhere and make a mess."
"Yes. Lyle-sama, may I borrow your saber?"
When Novem said that, Zelphy suddenly shouted.
"Both of you, get back!"
Zelphy had suddenly become alarmed, but a voice was also heard from the Jewel.
It was the First Generation.
*'Get behind the female adventurer right now! No — protect Novem first, then hide! Goblins!'*
Goblins.
They were large-faced monsters with green skin. They stood less than two-thirds the height of an adult man, but despite their thin torsos and limbs, they were deceptively strong.
Among monsters, they were considered weak, but they were classified as a troublesome threat.
The reason was that while individual Goblins were weak, they traveled in groups and wielded weapons.
One scholar had once said that if Goblins had been just a little bit smarter, the surface world would have been under Goblin rule.
From within the thicket —
A Goblin drew a bow, and another charged out wielding a makeshift club — a rock lashed to a stick.
Zelphy moved swiftly to intercept the Goblin archer, blocking the arrow. She then ordered us to fall back.
The First Generation agreed.
"You two, stay back and wait behind me! I'll handle these things!"
*'You can't beat them. Just listen to what the female adventurer says. They don't have much in the way of arm strength, but they'll overwhelm you with numbers.'*
The First Generation was right.
Seven Goblins emerged from the thicket.
But —
*'What are you talking about? Lyle, show them what you've got.'*
When the Seventh Generation spoke to me, I pointed the tip of my saber at the cluster of Goblins. Zelphy was in the way, so I called out to her.
"Zelphy, please don't move."
"What—"
Before Zelphy could finish, I prepared my magic.
Right now, my magical power was being drained by the Jewel.
Given my limited mana and the number of enemies, I'd only be able to use magic once. Admittedly, it would be fair to say this made me useless in real combat.
*'Hey, idiot! You can't—'*
The First Generation's voice rang out, but I cast the spell.
*(If I need to take them all out in one shot…)*
"Lightning."
Lightning-attribute magic rained down on the Goblins charging toward Zelphy.
The casting time, the scale, the power — looking at all of it, this was still not at a level suitable for real combat.
Purple electricity crackled across the Goblins' bodies, looking like sparks flying everywhere. I'd judged the distance carefully, so none of it hit Zelphy.
However —
"One got away."
From my vantage point, the Goblin directly in front of Zelphy had slipped through.
The magic had hit it, but only grazed it. Its arm was blackened.
Perhaps deciding I was the real threat — or perhaps just desperate — the Goblin charged.
Zelphy was momentarily stunned, but she reacted the moment she saw it coming.
In a single stroke, she cut the Goblin down.
As expected of someone chosen to serve as an instructor — her skill was truly impressive.
"…Wait, wait — that was lightning magic? Were you a mage or something?"
"I did declare it."
"Yeah, you did, but I wasn't expecting a spell like that. I can cast a few myself, but if someone asked me to pull off what you just did, I'd say no way in a heartbeat."
Zelphy looked around to confirm the area was safe before questioning me. She seemed genuinely surprised by my magic.
"Well done, Lyle-sama."
Novem also relaxed her guard and came over to me.
The sight of the Goblins lying on the ground, sizzling softly, was not a pleasant one.
*(Come to think of it, this is my first time fighting monsters.)*
The smell didn't help either.
I grimaced.
Not just at the scene, but because casting that spell had drained most of my remaining mana.
*'You can't do it? Is that what you said? …Pfft. Fuhah, BWAHAHAHA! Did you see that?! That's Lyle's true power! Don't you dare underestimate House Walt's prodigy!'*
*(Grandpa, please stop, I'm embarrassed.)*
*'You lot underestimated Lyle way too much. He's a mage with royal blood in his veins, for starters.'*
The Seventh Generation imitated the First Generation, while the Sixth Generation spoke to the rest with an exasperated air.
*'W-well… but mages are like that, right? They're usually more useless than this, honestly.'*
The Second Generation was also surprised, but the Third Generation was genuinely impressed.
*'That's impressive. It's not combat-ready yet, but once the conditions are right, you'll be able to cast basic spells easily. I've reconsidered my opinion of you, Lyle.'*
The Fourth Generation was surprised as well and overjoyed that his lineage had produced a mage.
*'The effort of marrying into a viscount's house has finally paid off! House Walt has truly become nobility in every sense!'*
The Fifth Generation, however, was thoroughly unimpressed with the lot of them.
*'What's there to celebrate at this level? Well, being able to handle this much at his age is admittedly skilled. I suppose my evaluation does need some revision.'*
*'……'*
The First Generation was silent.
Silent, but — I had just finished casting magic.
"L-Lyle-sama!"
"What the— What happened?!"
As Novem and Zelphy's voices reached me, I dropped to one knee. Gasping for breath, I screamed internally.
*(You guys need to quiet down already!! I just used magic and I'm exhausted! Please, for the love of everything, shut up!)*
Three casts of a simpler spell, or one cast at a slightly higher difficulty — that was my current limit.
One cast was all I had.
That was the extent of my current magical ability. If the difficulty went up even a little more, I'd be unable to cast at all — and this encounter had made that painfully clear.
*(Am I the only one who gets the feeling that the Jewel is holding me back enormously?)*