WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Alyo

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◈ Surviving as a Warrior in a TRPG World ◈

Chapter 41: New Companion (2)

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"What if you hadn't liked me...?"

"Then I would've stopped it by whatever means necessary."

Having heard the reason and understood the current situation, Gerik asked what exactly was wanted of him. Sir Ilvern answered calmly.

"On the surface, I want you to act as though you simply accepted the young lord's invitation and joined his party. You should also pretend to be an adventurer interested in exploring ruins who hopes to become a treasure hunter. That way, you can naturally act in line with the young lord's objectives."

Gerik did need a trustworthy party to advance in rank, but he found it absurd that Sir Ilvern claimed to think highly of him while piling on restrictions and demands. He replied with obvious disbelief.

"...That's an awful lot of conditions. Why should I go that far?"

Rather than taking offense at Gerik's irritated tone, Sir Ilvern spoke as if he had been waiting for it and made an additional offer.

"If you do, I'll pay you a base wage of ten silver coins per mission. We can negotiate additional compensation depending on the circumstances."

"...You'll pay that much just for working together?"

Gerik, who had been listening quietly, asked in surprise at the more generous terms than expected. Sir Ilvern gave a faint scoff.

"Ten silver coins? That may be a large sum to adventurers, but it is pocket change to the Ashburn family. Especially when it is for the safety of a direct member of the family."

The generous offer instantly softened Gerik's attitude. He immediately dropped his hostility and answered much more gently.

"...Is there anything else I need to keep in mind?"

"Naturally, you must not reveal that I approached you first today. The same goes for the true identity of the adventurer who appears to have joined the party by chance."

Sir Ilvern rose from his seat.

"This is not a demand. You may refuse. But..."

He looked Gerik directly in the eye, then added in a quiet but clear voice.

"You should understand that if word of today's conversation gets out, there may be consequences for you."

With that, Sir Ilvern finished his business and left, telling Gerik to request a meeting with the party through the receptionist once he had made up his mind.

"Hmm..."

After Sir Ilvern left, Gerik went over their conversation one last time as he considered what to do.

'The Adventurers’ Guild is guaranteeing it, so it can't be a lie.'

Through his past work and dealings, Gerik had come to realize that the Adventurers’ Guild was closer to a state institution than a simple profit-seeking organization.

There was no reason for the Guild to deceive him for amusement. Deciding he had no reason to pass up this opportunity, Gerik chose to accept the request.

"Have you made your decision?"

The receptionist asked as Gerik rose from where he had been deep in thought in a corner of the Guild and approached her.

"I've decided to accept."

"Hehe... I think you've made a good choice."

When Gerik said he would accept the Ashburn family's request, the receptionist smiled and nodded as if pleased.

She then told him that she would arrange a meeting with Minos the following day and asked him to visit the Guild at the appointed time.

The next day.

Gerik arrived at the Guild at the promised time. Following the receptionist's guidance, he opened the door to the reception room, which had become fairly familiar by now, and entered.

"Welcome, Gerik."

As though nothing unusual had happened, the receptionist naturally guided Gerik inside without giving anything away.

Judging from what had happened to him the day before, Sir Ilvern had clearly made arrangements with her beforehand as well.

When Gerik entered the reception room, he saw Sir Ilvern seated beside a young man.

'Is that Young Master Minos?'

The young man seated right beside Sir Ilvern looked around eighteen to twenty. He had blond hair, blue eyes, and handsome features.

He wore a red robe that made it obvious he was a mage. From the texture of the cloth to every stitch of embroidery, nothing about it was ordinary. It gave him the air of someone from a noble family.

'He practically reeks of being some rich family's son.'

Gerik muttered to himself, composed his expression, then gave the two a light nod and took a seat across from them.

"I came here thinking this was a simple party invitation... Why is such a distinguished mage sitting here? Are you sure you're looking for me?"

At that, Sir Ilvern subtly pushed his chair back, moving out of Minos's line of sight. He gave Gerik a slight nod, signaling that he was doing well.

Unaware of the arrangement between the two, Minos looked slightly nervous at Gerik's question before introducing himself.

"Hello, Gerik. My name is Minos. As you said, I am a mage. And yes, I was the one who invited you to join my party."

Minos introduced himself as a “commoner” student studying magic and archaeology at the Royal Academy. He had come here to gain adventuring experience.

'You look like a rich young master from head to toe, and you expect me to believe you're a commoner?'

Gerik almost snorted at Minos's innocent introduction.

Still, to keep his promise to Sir Ilvern, he showed none of it. Instead, he acted as though he knew nothing and asked with a puzzled expression.

"The Royal Academy... Isn't that where only the most talented people in the kingdom can study? And if you're a mage, you must be even more valuable. Why would you invite a novice like me into your party?"

Minos hesitated slightly before speaking.

"Actually... our party happened to need a frontliner. We were looking for a Warrior of the same Wood Plate rank as us, and I happened to see you at the Guild last week. I found you very impressive."

After seeing Gerik swing his sword at the drunkard that day, Minos had immediately been certain that Gerik was the frontliner he had been looking for.

Still, Minos honestly explained why he had waited an entire week before approaching him, despite taking a liking to Gerik.

"I'm sorry, but I looked into you a little after that. I thought both your skill and potential were considerable... so I came to find you in person."

Gerik had already heard the whole story, but he thought it would seem strange to react too casually. So he deliberately latched onto Minos's words.

"That day... I only swung my sword once, as far as I remember. You were certain after seeing that...?"

Though he knew everything already, Gerik asked again with an incredulous look. Minos smiled.

"Haha... Because of personal circumstances, I've seen many excellent swordsmen since I was young. I could tell at a glance from your sword strike that you were highly skilled."

'Not swordsmen. Knights, more like.'

Gerik inwardly scoffed at the excuse, but he only nodded with an interested expression.

"Oh, and I also learned through the Guild that you're usually interested in exploring ruins. I heard you found an artifact while exploring the Sewer this time?"

"Huh...? Yes, I did, but..."

"That's amazing! The reason our party was formed, and our goal as well, is exploring ruins. If you join us, I'm sure you'll find it exciting!"

Gerik had no interest in exploring ruins whatsoever, but he hid his true feelings and put on a thoughtful expression as though he were intrigued.

"Hmm... In that case, may I ask how skilled your party is, and what exactly you're after?"

Seeing Gerik show interest, Minos seemed to think he could persuade him to join. He answered with a slightly excited expression.

"There are three people in the party, including me. We're all at the upper end of Wood Plate, and since everyone originally aspired to become treasure hunters, they have plenty of experience outside adventuring. I'm confident that our actual abilities surpass those of ordinary Wood Plates."

He held up one finger at a time as he introduced his party members.

"I'm still inexperienced, but I'm a third-circle mage. The person beside me is a Warrior who used to be a mercenary. The last member, who is absent today because they are busy, is a treasure hunter aiming for the Ranger class. They're skilled in archery, tracking, and the like!"

'A retired mercenary, my ass...'

Sir Ilvern had the unmistakable air of a well-trained soldier, and although it was slightly worn, he wore sturdy plate mail. Gerik found it absurd to hear him introduced as a mercenary.

He did not show it, though, and simply nodded with an impressed expression.

"Certainly... From the sound of it, everyone seems extraordinary for Wood Plates."

When Gerik pretended to be impressed, Minos smiled and continued.

"Right? That's why I think you'd fit in well with us too. You don't have a party yet, do you?"

"No."

"Then why haven't you joined one?"

At Minos's question, Gerik paused briefly before reciting the answer he had prepared in advance.

"...I've been betrayed before."

"Betrayed?"

"Yes. Not long ago, I was betrayed over a dispute about dividing spoils. It was ridiculous. I saved someone who was about to die, and then..."

It was an answer he had prepared as an excuse, but Jensen's betrayal had been what made Gerik deeply wary of companions, no, people in general.

After saying that, Gerik pointed to the expensive equipment he had acquired this time and continued.

"Also... as you can see, my equipment is rather good for a Wood Plate. I thought there might be people after it."

"Hmm..."

"Honestly... if I get stabbed to death in my sleep while we're out in the field by someone calling themselves a companion, wouldn't that be the most unfair way to die?"

Minos looked troubled at Gerik's attitude, which made him seem deeply cynical about people.

He asked Gerik whether he intended to keep soloing instead of joining a party from now on.

"Phew... I'd like to do that, but... it seems I'll need to join a party and enter the Boundary Forest area if I want to advance to Copper Plate... I have a lot to think about."

Rather than rejecting the idea of joining a party outright, Gerik left some room in his answer. Minos brightened at once.

"You don't need to worry about that! Everyone in our party is fairly well-off thanks to exploring ruins, so no one is going to get greedy over such things."

In truth, Minos's companions were direct members and employees of the Ashburn family, people with more than enough wealth. It would be safe to say there was almost no chance that they would betray him over money.

Still, if he accepted that too readily, Minos might become suspicious. So Gerik pretended to know nothing and replied with a cynical expression.

"...How am I supposed to believe that?"

Minos smiled as though he had been waiting for Gerik's wary expression.

"The study of magic is difficult to pursue unless you come from a fairly wealthy family. So at least when it comes to me, you don't have to worry too much."

"I can guarantee anything with words too. That isn't going to be enough."

Gerik countered with an indifferent expression that seemed to say, So what? Minos thought for a moment, then clenched his teeth as if he had made up his mind.

"If you need proof rather than words... then how about we sign a Guild-guaranteed contract?"

"Hmm...?"

"If you die or go missing while we're active, the security deposit I put up will be forfeited as a penalty. Wouldn't that put your mind at ease?"

Footnotes:

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