chapter 19
Request for nomination (2)
What is the best thing to do when the day of death approaches?
That is, if you know that you go back to the past after you die.
I tried quite a few things, but what I’m missing these days is something simple and romantic.
It is to clear the dungeons that are known to be unreachable.
I thought that sooner or later, I would go back to that embarrassing moment, so I would save my spare time and invest it for my next life.
Furthermore, there was also a vague expectation that something that would end this life might be in a dungeon like this.
To be honest, when I think about it calmly, the feeling of desperation was greater.
It was all the same whether they died this way or that way anyway, so at least they decided to choose the way to die themselves.
That’s why I once again climbed this damn mountain range and met people who were even happy to hear the same voice as always.
“stop! This is the Wizard’s Tower estate. Please state your purpose.”
What should I do with this answer?
Oh, this is the perfect feeling right now.
“Let’s come as simple suicide hopefuls.”
* * *
It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to properly climb.
The mountain climbing I am talking about now means climbing a mountain where the top cannot be seen no matter how high one raises one’s head from the ground.
It wasn’t that I was trying to get to the top.
There was nothing wrong with going there.
“Whoa, let’s go.”
After resting for a while, I got up and went up again.
Even at first glance, rugged mountains surrounded the surroundings, and there was no easy road for people to see.
The mountain where the black dragon sleeps.
People called this mountain like this.
It wasn’t that dragons really lived, it just looked like that from a distance because the entire mountain was black.
That’s why there are many legends and ghost stories, but nothing has actually been confirmed.
It was only natural that such stories were overflowing in such a rough area where animals and monsters were rarely found.
Among the stories that are absurd and difficult to find the truth, there was a case that was the only certainty and proven by many people.
It was the place I was heading to, ‘Heyron’s Open Vault’.
More than 100 years ago, there was a world-class thief named Heyron. Although he was far from a bandit, he only stole the property of corrupt aristocrats or vicious merchants at the time, so he was cheered by people.
In addition to that, Heyron was quite an interest seed.
He declared that there was nothing he could not steal on the continent, and even committed a crime after sending a notice.
Of course, a wanted order was issued, but in the meantime, Heyron continued stealing boldly as if he were enjoying it.
In the meantime, one of the wizards belonging to the Wizard’s Tower spread this word about him.
‘Heyron is a petty thief who is ignorant of magic and cannot open a magic safe.’
In fact, Heiron couldn’t use magic, and it was said that he couldn’t steal it if he installed a large magic safe.
And after that, Heyron disappeared from the world for many years.
“stop! This is the Wizard’s Tower estate. Please state your purpose.”
As soon as there was a comfortable flat surface to stand on, soldiers wrapped in thick cloaks blocked their way.
I took out the mercenary plaque from my pocket and opened my mouth.
“I am Irvin, an A-class mercenary who came upon a request from the Mage Tower.”
The person who spoke to me scanned the mercenary plaque with his eyes, then removed his hand from the weapon.
“I heard the story. Follow me this way.”
Immediately, he turned around and offered himself as a guide, and the other soldiers were on alert again.
Behind them were buildings that could be called a small village. However, there was no liveliness unique to the village, and only the cold air like the weather here filled the surroundings.
It was also because this place was none other than the military.
A unit operated by the Wizard’s Tower.
It was a group of soldiers to protect the ‘Heyron’s Open Vault’, which was owned by them, and wizards who studied the dungeon.
It’s not for nothing that the Mage Tower has a lot of money.
The leading soldier stopped in front of a building and opened the door, and I gave a slight nod and went inside.
The air, heavier than outside, greeted me.
Everyone inside was moving their writing instruments quickly, each looking at something on the desk. It was terrifying to see that none of them paid any attention to me and focused solely on work.
From there, he went to the person closest to him and lightly tapped the table, and the gray-bearded old man raised his head and took off his glasses.
“I am Irvin, an A-class mercenary. Please give me permission to enter the dungeon.”
“… … I will.”
Without even introducing himself, he quickly scrawled on a blank piece of paper and handed it to me.
Then, as if he was no longer interested, he put on his glasses again, lowered his head, and added just one more word.
“If you need more data, tell any of them.”
Even so, I knew very well that no one would cooperate properly. This nobleman suffered so much because when he tried to ask something, he didn’t answer.
He was an arrogant person who made it clear that he didn’t want to even talk to someone who didn’t know magic, so I didn’t have good feelings for him either.
Still, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen it, so I felt good about it.
I took the paper he handed me and went outside again and headed towards the cave guarded by another group of soldiers.
That place was the target dungeon, a place called Heyron’s Open Vault.
After Heyron’s disappearance, people gradually forgot his existence, and only some people went looking for a secret place where he thought the treasure he had stolen was.
Then, a letter from Heyron arrived at the Wizard’s Tower.
‘You idiots who only know magic. I’ve brought the stick that you guys valued in a nice place, so come and take it back.’
And he noticed that the ‘Sage’s Blue Branch’, which was said to be the greatest treasure of the Wizard’s Tower, had been stolen.
At the same time, many other treasures and precious books.
The Wizard’s Tower hurriedly dispatched people to search for Heiron, and at the same time headed to the place he said.
That was this dungeon, a place that hadn’t been attacked yet. The goal of this request was to find the green branch of the wise man, who has not seen the light from then until now.
“Show me your entry permit.”
When I handed over the permit I had received earlier to the soldier who was conducting thorough inspections, he read it and immediately withdrew and opened the way.
Then, eyes mixed with pity were sent to me from all directions. The back of my head hurt as if I was looking at someone who would soon die.
It was a dungeon that hadn’t been attacked for over 100 years. In other words, most of those who went inside did not return.
I understand their point of view, but you’re going to lose your job from today, so you’d better get ready to find something else.
I don’t know if there’s such a thing as paying a lot of money if you’re vigilant.
I apologized roughly in my heart and walked slowly into the cave. The cave stretched out in a straight line and was so deep that I didn’t know how far it went.
It wasn’t long before the surroundings were filled with darkness, and I felt the air change with it.
From now on… … It was the beginning of a dungeon called Heyron’s Open Vault.
that buck that buck
Only my footsteps disappeared inside, filling the complete darkness. It seemed to make the dreary air even heavier.
The reason why the Mage Tower couldn’t recover the treasures in such a dungeon was simple. It was because the dungeon was carefully created by Heron, who had a grudge, to feed the wizards.
First, the minerals that make up most of this ‘mountain where the black dragon sleeps’ are interfering with the binding of mana, so it was no different from an environment in which magic could not be used.
The second, along with the blessed natural environment, went into complete darkness due to an unknown technique, making it impossible to see even the feet even if a torch was turned on.
Thirdly, the dungeon itself was so long and deep that there was a risk that the relics inside would be buried if a radical method was used.
After confirming that there were stolen treasures inside, the Mage Tower was eventually recognized as the owner of this place after making a lot of sacrifices, and at the same time as researching for the attack, soldiers were stationed here to prevent any leakage.
Of course, there was no clear achievement so far, so I was still doing this.
Maybe it’s because he didn’t want to admit that he lost to Heyron, but he’s trying to solve it with magic somehow while building his pride.
In fact, I wondered if some of the relics would have seen the light of day by now if I had picked up a pickaxe from then on.
Still, a request came in to me as if the story had finally come out that I couldn’t waste any more time.
By now, Heyron, who is in the other world, must be feeling bored beyond exhilaration, so it wouldn’t be bad to end it with my line.
“see… … . Here you are.”
With no lights on, I stopped for a moment and checked the terrain with my feet and hands.
Gradually, from this section, it was dangerous because there was a trap installed by Heiron.
If you were to ask how he managed to clear this vicious dungeon, the answer was simple.
The entire dungeon… … memorized it all
* * *
The man, who looked older with a white beard, looked at the object I had placed on the table and made a thrilling expression.
“Ohhh, to finally come back to the arms of the Mage Tower. A really long time until my generation… … .”
Elysion, the head of the Wizard’s Tower, carefully touched the mysterious branch on the table with trembling hands.
I stayed silent and waited for Elysion to calm down. I was busy, so I didn’t intend to wait long.
As soon as I saw the wise man take his hand off the green branch, he immediately opened his mouth.
“Do you need authenticity?”
“No, there is no need for that. I’ll put my name on it and guarantee it. really… … Thank you very much. You are the benefactor of the benefactors of our mage tower.”
Elysion showed her gratitude with sparkling eyes, ready to embrace me if there was no table in front of me. Feeling the pressure, he slightly leaned back and added a word.
“It is more dangerous than I thought when I actually encountered it, but I had to recalculate the request fee… … .”
“of course. let it be tripled No, feel free to tell me if you need more. I will give you whatever you ask for.”
I didn’t expect to be this happy. No, it might have been natural since it solved one of the long-cherished wishes of the Mage Tower.
It was to the extent that he would be alone with the owner of the mage tower, not with anyone else.
“I heard you found something other than a green branch. I dare not repay all the kindness with money. If the Magic Tower can help you, tell me anything.”
It was a request I received for a different purpose, but I was able to build a better friendship than I thought.
It seemed like he would just listen to the request I was trying to make.
“I have a 10-year-old daughter. He’s so clever, and he’s also the cutest thing in the world. It would be nice to see it in person, but it’s a pity that I couldn’t bring it with me.”
When I talk about Rize, I unknowingly end up talking like an eight-year-old boy. Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.
Still, Elysion nodded as if he understood everything, probably because he had the highest level of friendship with me.
“I gave up early because I had no aptitude for magic, but I still had a different mind about my children. In particular, I heard that magic should pave the way from an early age.”
“Oh, Genga wants to take his daughter into the Mage Tower. If I had the talent, I would use my strength.”
“No, it’s an undeserved honor, but it’s not like that.”
Entering the Mage Tower might be the greatest honor for wizards, but at least I was the absolute opposite.
What could he trust and entrust Rize to such a closed place?
Hiding my true feelings, I smiled lightly and talked about the main topic.
“if… … Could you introduce me to a good wizard that I would recommend as a tutor?”