Chapter 08: Local Event Part 1

In the center of Bernadock, inside the castle of the Baron of Bernadock.

Two men wearing elegant clothes in the traditional style of medieval nobility were in a private room inside the castle, sitting on chairs opposite each other, drinking wine and chatting happily.

One of the men, who looked to be in his forties, had his clothes in a bit of disarray as he laughed drunkenly red-faced in front of a young white-haired man.

(Man 1): "Hahaha! I never thought that my future son-in-law would visit me at this time of year. I'm really surprised. Haha! "

(White-Haired Man): "Baron Borges, I know you're happy about my visit. But I can't stay here for long, as I'm on a mission. So I can only stay here for a maximum of three days"

(Baron Borges): "Haha, yes, I know. You're in charge of delivering the magic core of the seven-colored golem to the supreme magician Orophin, right?"

(White-Haired Man): "Baron, this is confidential information. You mustn't talk about it out loud"

(Baron Borges): "Hahaha! Don't worry about it, this room is insulated with magical formations that prevent any sound from escaping. So you can say whatever you want here without fear of leakage. Hahaha! "

"I see. But I still want to refrain from talking about it." Saying this, the gray-haired man picked up one of the meat snacks that were on the table in front of him. He ate it, expressing his satisfaction at the taste.

(Baron Borges): "Haha, I see you liked the snacks"

(White-Haired Man): "Yes, they're very good. Which animal is it?"

(Baron Borges): "It's golden mutton, an animal native to some small mountains in the Black Forest. The mercenaries I hired brought it this morning"

(White-Haired Man): "I see. So that's the advantage of ruling near the Black Forest. Having rare resources and talented mercenaries always at your disposal is truly something to be envied"

(Baron Borges): "Haha! Not so much, since there are many monsters destroying parts of the city in their weekly night raids. And it's really a headache having to deal with the damage caused by these attacks"

Knock, knock, knock!

Hearing the sound of someone knocking on the door, Baron Borges and the gray-haired man looked toward the doorway. And the voice of one of the men responsible for guarding the entrance from the outside was heard from behind the front door.

(Guard): "Baron Borges, a messenger has arrived to see you"

Snapping his fingers, Baron Borges deactivated the magical formations in the room. Then he answered the guard's call.

(Baron Borges): "Is the message so important to interrupt my conversation with a VIP guest?"

(Guard): "According to the messenger, the matter concerns the individual you asked to be watched with the highest priority"

(Baron Borges): "Yes, there is. Send him in"

At Baron Borges' command, the guard opened the door and let the messenger in.

Immediately after entering, the messenger bowed to Borges and the young man with the banked hair. Then the messenger approached Borges and whispered in his ear.

(Baron Borges): "Yes, I see. You can go now"

After hearing the messenger's report, Baron Borges sent him out of the room.

And then the young white-haired man questioned the baron when he saw the messenger leave the room.

(White-Haired Man): "Are you having problems with any other visitors in town?"

(Baron Borges): "Yes, apparently one of the supreme magician Hazard's acquaintances arrived in town and caused a stir by fighting with one of the mercenaries classified in one of the small branches of the mercenaries' association"

(White-Haired Man): "One of supreme magician Hazard's acquaintances? What's his name?"

(Baron Borges): "His name is Drozz, have you heard of him?"

(White-Haired Man): "No, I've never heard of that name?"

(Baron Borges): "Yeah, me neither. That's why I asked my men to investigate him"

(White-Haired Man): "Drozz..."

In an elegant manner, the young white-haired man placed his hand on his chin. As he tried to search once again for some of his memories that might be related to that name.

Seeing the young white-haired man pensive, Baron Borges couldn't help but be amazed by the beauty of the young man in front of him.

(What a handsome face, it's hard to think that there's a man with that kind of face in the world. And his blue eyes sparkle beautifully like divine crystals, matching his pink lips and straight white platinum hair, which is long enough to be just below shoulder height on his slender body. Aaah, it's a work of art. My daughter was very lucky to get engaged to him before he reached adulthood): thought Baron Borges, as he gazed at the beauty of the man in front of him.

(White-Haired Man): "Hmmm... Baron Borges, how did you know that this man was an acquaintance of the supreme magician Hazard?"

(Baron Borges): "Oh yes. It was Hazard's new disciple, the boy called Sorin. He told the knights in charge of inspecting the western entrance to the city that Drozz, the man who accompanied him at the entrance, was one of his master's acquaintances."

(Baron Borges): "And of course, an old fox like me wouldn't believe a boy's words so easily. So I ordered my men to keep an eye on them, sending me reports of their activities from time to time with the highest priority"

(White-Haired Man): "I see, such an action is quite typical of you"

(Baron Borges): "Hahaha! Yes, but tell me about you Dashiell. Do you want me to bring this person here? He could be someone powerful, so meeting him could benefit you"

(Dashiell): "I appreciate that, but as I said before, I'm on a mission. And bringing a stranger here for political reasons could pose a huge risk to my mission. So I'll have to decline your offer"

(Baron Borges): "Haha! You're right, it would be really risky. But I don't think a possible charlatan would be able to beat the youngest and most talented paladin of the white sun of this generation"

Hearing Baron Borges' compliment, Dashiell smiled and ate another piece of meat.

After enjoying the snack, Dashiell remembered an incident that had been commented on by his subordinates.

(Dashiell): "Baron Borges, I've heard that some mercenaries have spotted an ancient dragon inside the black forest. Could you give me more details about it? "

***

Leaving a clothes store, Drozz, accompanied by Sorin, walked through the streets until Sorin tried to strike up a conversation with Drozz.

(Sorin): "Why didn't you wear one of the clothes you just bought?"

(Sorin): "You're only wearing a robe and leather underwear. Don't you find that uncomfortable?"

(Drozz): "I'll wear these clothes after I've washed them. Because these clothes stink and that bothers me"

(Sorin): "I see, but how did you manage to store those clothes? I saw you stuffing them inside your cloak, but at no time did your cloak show any signs of swelling due to the increase in the number of clothes you received"

(Drozz): "I used a special technique of mine to do this. So don't bother asking me what it is."

(Drozz): "Huh!?"

Noticing several groups of armed people gathered up ahead, Drozz slowed his steps and realized that these groups were gathered next to a large queue coming from some small tables occupied by armed soldiers on the sidewalks of the street.

(Drozz): "What's going on over there?"

(Sorin): "Huh!? Ah, that's a queue to collect names of people who want to take part in the hunt for monsters and wild animals, which commonly appear around the outside of the city"

(Sorin): "And since this is an event organized by the local nobles, it happens from time to time. The requirement for a mercenary registration certificate is not necessary. So it's not uncommon for mercenaries who haven't joined or who have joined the mercenary association to show up to earn some money on this hunt"

(Drozz): "I see"

Looking at the queue full of people, Drozz scratched his chin. Thinking about his next move.

(I'm short of money. So it won't hurt for me to take part in an event like this. Although it's a bit risky exposing some of my techniques in front of so many people): Drozz thought as he made up his mind.

(Drozz): "Come on Sorin, help me get into this event"