The lavish birthday celebration for the youngest daughter, who had just turned ten, had come to an end. The nobles could hardly forget that wondrous feast where they indulged their senses. Perhaps they would never have such an experience again.
Yuric first offered his deepest gratitude to the Golden Hand Niruin, who had worked so hard.
“What happened with the matter?”
“Luckily, we met the Ghost Princess.”
“That’s great!”
Yuric showed Niruin a drawing he had made from memory of the Ghost Princess Isterda.
The Golden Hand, gazing at the graceful and beautiful ghost princess in the picture, slowly nodded as he carefully examined it.
“So, did you hear where Berjik went?”
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t find out about that. However, I was told about a being who knows something about it.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s called the Wingless Wyvern Ashborn.”
“A wingless wyvern…!”
At the mention of a dragon’s name, worry immediately appeared on the Golden Hand’s face. If it wasn’t a dragon attached to humans or one attached to demons, it was almost like an enemy.
However, according to what the Earth Dragon Alaldur said, the Wingless Wyvern Ashborn was one of the few wingless dragons attached to humans. In fact, no one even knew it was still alive…
“It sounds dangerous. Are you sure it’s safe?”
“The Ashborn is a wingless wyvern attached to humans. As long as we’re careful, it won’t be a problem.”
In reality, the wingless wyverns attached to humans were extremely rare. Even searching through history, there were only a handful like Ashborn, and the number of dragon knights chosen by such wyverns was even smaller. Many people didn’t even know that there were wingless wyverns attached to humans.
“It seems we’ll have another arduous journey ahead.”
“Still, it feels rewarding.”
“I wish I could go with you too, but… It’s regrettable that I can’t leave my post for too long.”
Since the Golden Hand had rejuvenated over thirty years, his business had reached its peak.
Now, Niruin no longer focused solely on making profits. Even if he ate a little less, he sought ways to coexist mutually. Surprisingly, due to this approach, his business grew even larger than during its heyday. Despite expecting a decrease in profits, the overall sales increased, leading to greater profits.
Of course, the Golden Hand didn’t just engage in profitable ventures. He supported an orphanage by giving monthly donations and provided free education for talented children.
He also generously contributed research funds and support to the Mage Tower and helped find descendants of heroes.
Things that the old Golden Hand could never have imagined became possible. Niruin realized deeply that one must learn to give back what they have.
“Still, I’m so happy to have spent time with you, Yuric.”
“I feel very happy spending time with Grandfather too.”
Niruin and Yuric embraced warmly.
And after ten days since the banquet ended, the Golden Hand Niruin left once more for his abode, seeing Yuric off.
Yuric was now preparing to leave after tidying up. It would take quite some time to reach the place where Berjik was, and Bella was already ready to depart at any moment.
Thus, the two set out from the warm late spring in the eastern city of Liander.
From the creaking carriage, Yuric captured the last glimpse of Liander. He would never forget the memory of meeting the ghost princess and dancing here.
“I hope we meet again someday.”
He hoped they could talk longer next time.
The late spring in the east was beautiful.
During this period when everything surpassed freshness and entered lushness, the air was filled with the scent of grass and the fragrance of flowers everywhere.
As always, monster hordes roamed the fields of spring.
Yuric and Bella, who had paid half the fare as mercenaries, often got off the carriage to fight the monsters alongside other mercenaries. Monsters were especially active at night.
Yuric learned many new things while living with Bella. She slept a lot, was somewhat careless in her daily life, couldn’t cook at all, and when she faced a slight difficulty, she would purse her lips and fidget with her fingers. She preferred being called “sister” rather than formal titles.
As they got to know each other better, eleven days had passed since they began their journey.
The transport carriage finally arrived in the city of Friaenor. This production city, responsible for iron and stone in the east, was famous as the closest city to the Demon Mine in the east. It was close enough that the forest of the Demon Mine could be seen from the city walls.
Naturally, the city walls were as high and thick as those of Liander, the last stronghold of the east. Not only were there plenty of mercenaries, but it was also a place where many graduates from magic academies came to serve military duty.
Therefore, the city of Friaenor felt the most diverse and vibrant in the east. In short, it was a place suitable for making a fortune in business or labor in the east. Naturally, businesses related to lodging, entertainment, and gambling flourished the most.
Of course, crystals used as raw materials for magic artifacts were mined here as well. While their quality was similar to those from Krelton Mountain, the crystals from Friaenor had a slightly deeper color.
Friaenor had a history of being conquered by demons, which took over twenty years to return under human rule. After that, Friaenor adopted an oligarchic system. It was believed impossible for a single noble family to defend a city so close to the Demon Mine.
Originally ruled by three noble families, as they gradually sold their shares, now nearly twenty noble families controlled the city. Their shares determined the ownership of industries like mining and quarrying.
Arriving at noon, they spent time eating and sightseeing together. Especially notable was that Friaenor, second only to the Magic City Acrocadena in the east in terms of the number of mages, had a highly active magic district. The most popular place was the potion shop, which sold a tremendous amount of potions daily due to its inseparable connection with combat.
Magic equipment shops emphasized efficiency over style. They barely sold cloaks or hats meant for looks, instead focusing on selling weapons and leather armor with engraved magical runes.
By evening, Yuric and Bella had checked into a room at an inn and dined in the hall on the first floor. The hall was bustling with people, and there were even three servers taking orders and delivering food.
“Didn’t you say it takes another five days to reach Berjik’s location from here?”
“Yes, there are transport carriages to a village along the way, but after that village, we need to find our own way to Berjik. Of course, there are carriages available for hire, but it won’t be cheap.”
The real work began upon reaching Berjik. They needed to thoroughly search the area to find the lair of the Wingless Wyvern Ashborn. They were already prepared to enter the Demon Mine.
Even if Yuric and Bella were highly skilled mages, the Demon Mine was a place where anything could happen. Therefore, they needed several capable individuals. Of course, the more capable they were, the better.
The issue was that higher capability meant higher employment costs. Fortunately, Bella had sufficient wealth to resolve financial concerns.
Thus, Yuric and Bella went to the Mercenary Guild to request assistance. Yuric presented both the golden badge given by the Golden Hand Niruin and the two dragon knight badges issued by the Mage Tower, hoping they might help.
When two badges that would make anyone gasp appeared, naturally, the guild went into an uproar. Even the branch manager, who was usually slow to move, personally came out to welcome them.
“It is an honor to host you, Sir Dragon Knight.”
“I am grateful for such warm hospitality.”
“It’s only natural.”
The golden badge, possessed by only a select few among Niruin’s direct subordinates, held immeasurable value. The appearance of a new dragon knight after two hundred years was no less symbolic. Together, these two badges put most nobles in a position where they couldn’t even present their cards.
A branch manager of the Mercenary Guild should naturally treat such a person with utmost respect.
“What brings you here today?”
“I need people. Preferably the best in this field. At least three would be ideal.”
“Understood. I’ll start looking right away.”
“How much is the commission?”
Given they wanted the best, they should prepare to pay at least ten gold coins per person. Considering the special nature of the request, they might need to consider up to twenty gold coins.
“We’re looking at a range of ten to twenty gold coins per person.”
Yuric looked at Bella, who nodded in agreement.
“Then please do so.”
“Understood.”
“Would two weeks be enough?”
“Two weeks, yes, that should be sufficient.”
Yuric intended to pay a referral fee, but the branch manager insisted on waiving it, saying it was unnecessary. For a person holding a golden badge, accepting a referral fee would only harm the guild. Building a good impression and maintaining a steady relationship was far more beneficial for the guild. Such judgment was beyond the capabilities of someone who could become a branch manager.
“Then I entrust this to you, Manager.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll send you the best from Friaenor.”
