Oh, Iyer! Iyerpol! – Chapter 19

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Wagner of the Greatsword

This was the nickname of the adventurer Wagner, active in Tillasden.

In the past, he impressively wielded a greatsword, earning him the moniker “Wagner, the Greatsword Guy!” which eventually settled as “Wagner of the Greatsword.”

The interesting thing was that despite being called “Wagner of the Greatsword,” he no longer used a greatsword.

Since becoming the party leader, he switched to a vanguard role for quicker reactions and flexible decision-making, now mainly using a large shield.

He was known for his loyalty and charisma, earning him the respect and admiration of many.

Despite being a former adventurer, he valued etiquette and manners.

His good nature and impressive skills made him very popular.

And he was handsome to boot.

A charming and good-looking man, the embodiment of a young woman’s ideal.

If you were to ask who the most recognizable adventurer in Tillasden was, the answer would be Wagner.

Thanks to his skills and demeanor, the Phailure family, who governed Tillasden, often entrusted him with requests, most of which he successfully completed.

Wagner of the Greatsword could be considered the representative of Tillasden’s adventurers.

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At the large, round table in the Adventurer’s Guild:

A group of unique individuals was gathered.

I thought to myself that there wasn’t a single ordinary person among them.

It made me feel ordinary in comparison.

As far as I knew, this was the first time us five had gathered together.

It was a rare combination, even three of them together was uncommon…

Wagner of the Greatsword

Guinness the Dragonewt

Kundt the Hammer Master

Wolf Who Chases the Wind

Iyerpol the Blind Swordsman

These five adventurers were known as the most skilled in Tillasden’s Adventurer’s Guild.

Well, I should probably be excluded.

It had been a year since I last took a request.

I was a bit embarrassed to be called a skilled adventurer in the first place…

Anyway, despite being famous figures, there was little overlap between them, except for Wagner and me.

They had never joined forces, taken on the same request, or even shared a meal together.

All they knew about each other were rumors.

Except for Wagner, this was the first time I had sat at the same table with the other three.

So, the question was, why were these people gathered here?

Several minutes had passed since the five of us sat down, but no conversation had taken place.

We were just sizing each other up.

Were we measuring each other’s combat strength or something?

As I was thinking this, Wagner stood up.

“I believe you all know each other, but allow me to introduce myself again. I am Wagner, leader of the Wagner party.”

“…”

“First, I’d like to thank you all for gathering here today.”

Wagner bowed politely as he spoke.

Indeed, a man who had met with nobles numerous times.

I didn’t know much about their etiquette, but I could tell he was being polite.

The gazes of everyone at the table, as well as the people standing against the walls of the guild, listening to our conversation, focused on Wagner.

“This gathering was called by the Phailure family, and I am also here as an adventurer. And…”

“Human, enough with the long speech. Get to the point.”

The wolf beastman with slightly bluish silver fur, also known as ‘Wolf Who Chases the Wind,’ interrupted Wagner.

I felt the same way.

I had come here thinking I would be helping with the aftermath, but the atmosphere was unusually serious.

A quick explanation was needed.

The other two at the table seemed to agree, as they remained silent and looked at Wagner.

Wagner nodded and spoke in a heavy tone.

“I believe you’ve all heard the rumors. Our Wagner party recently took on a request from the Phailure family to investigate a cave where people had gone missing, and we failed the mission.”

“Annihilated, you mean?”

“…Yes. Two confirmed deaths, two missing, and I’m the only survivor.”

Wagner’s party was undoubtedly the strongest party in Tillasden.

Not only were the individual members highly skilled, but they also worked well together under their capable leader.

But that party had been annihilated?

That meant there were no existing parties currently residing in Tillasden that could safely clear the cave.

Don’t tell me…?

A very ominous thought crossed my mind.

A thought I desperately hoped wasn’t true.

But such ominous premonitions often turned out to be accurate.

“The Phailure family has gathered us here to take over the cave investigation request that the Wagner party failed.”

Wagner announced in a heavy voice.

I repeated his words in my mind, dumbfounded.

To take over the investigation request.

To take over the investigation request.

To take over the investigation request…

…No way, right?

I unconsciously grabbed Wagner’s arm.

“Wagner, that’s not what we talked about. I was clearly…”

“Iyer.”

He covered my hand, which was gripping his arm, with his other hand.

And he looked at me with a serious expression.

As if he understood everything.

“I’m truly grateful for your kindness and concern. But I can’t send you alone, my dear friend.”

“What?”

“Will you leave this to me? I’ll repay your kindness.”

What was he talking about?

I had come here to help with the funeral arrangements and the aftermath.

Where was I supposed to go?

But regardless of my thoughts, Wagner continued.

“The five of you gathered here are considered the most skilled adventurers in Tillasden. Mr. Kundt, Wolf, Guinness, and Iyerpol. Each one of you is highly capable.”

“…”

“I dare say, before the annihilation, our Wagner party prided itself on being the most reliable party in Tillasden. This request is considered dangerous enough to wipe out even a reliable party in an instant.”

That’s why we were all here.

“The Phailure family has determined that what’s needed for this request isn’t party synergy, but ‘skill.’ Individuals with the highest level of skill, capable of surviving even in dangerous situations… That’s why you’ve been summoned.”

A heavy silence fell over the table.

The onlookers at the edge of the room also fell silent.

I didn’t know why the others were quiet, but I was racking my brain, trying to understand how a simple offer of help had escalated to this.

Surprisingly, it was Kundt, the taciturn Hammer Master, who broke the silence.

“Well… aside from anything else, the people gathered here have never worked together before. I wonder if that’s even possible.”

Kundt added another sentence, looking around at everyone at the table.

“I’ve only heard rumors, I don’t know the actual skills of the people here. That means I can’t be certain whether I can entrust my life to them…”

“…”

“I believe everyone here feels the same way…”

That was a valid point.

I didn’t know the others’ skills, and they didn’t know mine.

Except for Wagner.

Could we really work together on a request where we might lose our lives, with people whose skills we didn’t know?

As I was thinking this… BANG!

The large table shook with a loud noise.

Startled, I looked to see what had happened, and the woman with the two unusual horns on her head had placed her foot roughly on the table.

Wow… a complete delinquent.

So, this was the infamous Guinness.

This was the first time I had seen her in person.

Guinness, her vertically slit pupils narrowed, crossed her arms and tapped her fingers on her arm. She seemed very displeased.

“I agree.”

“Guinness.”

“How can we go on a mission where your friends all died, with complete strangers? Are you telling us to go meet the Grim Reaper?”

Guinness’s harsh gaze met Wagner’s.

I had heard she was incredibly violent, but seeing her in person, it felt like the rumors hadn’t done her justice.

She seemed like the type of person who would ignore even an order from the Phailure family…

How did Wagner even manage to bring her here?

As I was thinking this, her violent gaze shifted towards me.

Uh oh.

I had a strong feeling I was about to be caught in the crossfire.

“Fine. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt with the furry hammer-loving freak and the mutt.”

I felt a strong gaze filled with distrust and hostility.

Guinness pointed at me and said,

“I can’t trust that guy.”

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Click!

A female knight in uniform entered the office.

She stood at attention in front of the desk with a dignified and disciplined posture, and saluted sharply.

“Nikolai Tobias, reporting for duty.”

The figure sitting at the desk, the personnel officer in charge of the Knight Order, acknowledged her salute without even looking up.

But looking at the thick stack of papers on his desk, it was understandable.

He wasn’t just a personnel officer, but a clerk who also handled personnel matters.

Nikolai was slightly excited to report the information she had gathered during her investigation.

“Sir, actually…”

“Good work on border patrol, Nikolai. Sorry to interrupt, but there’s somewhere you need to go right away.”

“Sir?”

Nikolai tilted her head at the clerk’s words.

“A new band of thieves has appeared in the north. They’re targeting merchants heading to Tillasden, and it seems they’re quite a large group, as the trading companies are suffering significant losses.”

“I see…”

“I’ve already dispatched a few knights and soldiers. Get ready and join them today.”

“Understood. But sir, during border patrol, I discovered something…”

Screech

The clerk’s pen stopped moving on the paper.

His gaze, which had been fixed on the documents, slowly lifted and turned towards Nikolai.

The dark circles under his eyes showed how exhausted he was, perhaps from lack of sleep.

But his eyes gleamed.

“Is it urgent enough for me to know?”

“Well… yes, I believe so…”

“Then submit a report.”

But submitting a report was only possible after returning from the investigation…

However, Nikolai couldn’t bring herself to say that.

Even though she was always calm and composed, she couldn’t talk back to someone far above her, someone who held real power within the Knight Order.

And she knew how busy the clerk was, which made it even harder.

In the end, all Nikolai could do was nod.

“I’ll do that, sir.”

“Good. Then I’ll be expecting good news.”

With those words, the clerk’s gaze returned to the documents.

Knowing it was a clear dismissal, Nikolai saluted, unable to do anything else.

She ended up leaving the office without reporting anything.

“Lady Nikolai, get ready immediately!”

Nikolai closed her eyes tightly at the soldier’s call.

Her furrowed brow and trembling fists showed how frustrated she was.

But Nikolai, who valued the ideal of knighthood, couldn’t disobey the orders of her superior, the clerk.

“…We’ll settle this later, Iyerpol.”

Muttering through gritted teeth, Nikolai left the office with heavy steps.

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