Confronted with a book that reeked of danger, I felt an overwhelming instinct to flee. My spirit was being eroded as if the very act of being near it was draining me from within. Ah, I was familiar with this kind of system, the one that involved books like this. Human explorers are far more fragile compared to the humans of this world, and discovering just one fact could drive them mad—an enormous minefield spread across a hellish landscape.
We’d wandered through such places with companions whose reliability was questionable, wielding weapons that were either incredibly useful or completely useless, learning magic spells so risky that mastering them felt like dancing with death. The endings of those journeys weren’t fun. Often, they were grotesque and hopeless.
Among those who had faced such terrors, some went insane and started talking to walls. Others were hurled from the atmosphere to the ground just for encountering something and realizing its existence. Then there were those who were caught up in ominous rituals, swallowing themselves whole in the process. It was a veritable gathering of every imaginable wretched outcome.
In that system, “just dying” was categorized as a relatively merciful ending.
And the book now in the hands of Lord Faige wasn’t anything else but one of those perilous things. I didn’t care about its origins or whether it had anything to do with gods from another world—it was definitely something dreadful. A less dangerous one might merely drive a human insane, but if things escalated, it could potentially end the world.
It’s painful when a bad ending leads to the world’s destruction, but it’s equally tormenting to touch something like this and become an NPC, losing your character sheet. Preferably, I wouldn’t even want it within my line of sight—it was that kind of object.
“Hmm… Perhaps it was too intense for a child,” Lord Faige remarked. And with that, he put the physically terrifying book away on the desk. The oppressive feeling that made me want to flee vanished as it left my sight. Was it because the book only held that much power, or was the desk specially made? Well, following the clichés, the latter was undoubtedly the correct answer.
“So, what value has your master placed on this book?”
My heart was pounding, but if negotiations were to begin, I needed to focus. I took a deep breath and tried to calm my restless mind. That uncomfortable sensation, akin to having my brain sanded down, wouldn’t fade easily, but I had to persevere for the sake of my future and Eliza’s.
In business, it’s a golden rule to keep in mind the non-negotiable line before starting discussions. If the distance between the line and what the other party finds acceptable is wide enough, you can push through as is. But if they’re too close, you need to push them away—your awareness of their limits can make all the difference in successful negotiations.
However, when the client says, “Name your price,” it is somewhat, actually quite, troubling.
Indeed, in the past, I had wished for budgeting that wasn’t so tight—that they would give us a bit more leeway. However, no one had asked us to do this. It’s fine if the client says it themselves; from there, it’s up to the negotiator’s discretion and capacity. Even if they offer a blank check, they should have the appropriate resolve for it.
But if that authority is handed over to me, it’s incredibly problematic. It’s as if my own abilities are being put to the test.
It’s easy to just brainlessly suggest, “We’ll buy it for the price you say,” but that would keep me at the level of a child running errands. The Game Master might reward me with experience points, but they’d do so grudgingly, jotting down half the usual experience on the record sheet or tickets.
Just because broad authority has been granted doesn’t mean I can do whatever I please or dismissively deal with the situation. I have been entrusted with this authority with the expectation that I’ll produce results worthy of it.
Then, let me put some effort in and surprise Lady Agrippina. If I can catch her off guard—she’s high on my list of people I might one day make cry—then I’ll be that much closer to achieving my goals and independence.
“I am prepared to meet your expectations. Be it funds or anything else, I’ll have enough preparation to meet the value acknowledged by Lord Faige.”
“Hmm…”
When someone is told to name their price, there’s always this tendency to add lots of zeros, even if they didn’t really value something highly. Therefore, it’s better to be given a starting point of “about this much.” That way, even if it’s extortion, it can still be used as a foothold for negotiation. If it’s within a reasonable range, we can simply agree to it.
Since we are in a buying position and the other side is selling, it’s possible to ask about the price right now. If they ask me to set a price again, I might as well offer an insultingly low one with, “You probably don’t need it, right?”
“To be honest, I would even use this as kindling for the fireplace. Originally, I have little interest in books of this sort, especially if it’s about a god that an ancient council of monks denounced as heretical.”
I, who do not worship any particular main deity, said so and snapped my fingers. Then, a guest chair stored in a corner floated into the room. It seems Lord Faige also casually uses the Invisible Hand spell in his daily life. And judging by his readiness, he was prepared for a long conversation with me.
“What bothers me most about this is that the content tickles my sensibilities slightly, but it’s nullified by the bad memories tied to a customer who cared about the material and got into an almost-duel with me. How anyone could want to emulate such horrifying deeds is beyond me.”
I heard some incredibly unsettling words just now. Was it something about requiring materials tied to human-originated laws or something? In my knowledge, certain cosmic horror key items occasionally used human skin or blood as casually as A4 paper…
Judging from Lord Faige’s tone, the original work, rather than the decorated item in front of us earlier, was likely even worse. Just thinking about it sent a chilling fear down my spine.
Ah, this is undoubtedly some sort of fantasy, but the kind I seek isn’t the terrifying entities lurking in distant places like Kadath or Yuggoth. Instead, I want something brighter, a heroic kind of fantasy—a direction completely different from this. Please, let me avoid being involved in such events.
“Therefore, I have a proposal. Instead of negotiating with your master… could I negotiate directly with you?”
My brain, which had been overwhelmed by the unpleasant reality, required some time to process his words.
What he was saying made sense. He wanted to exchange the book not for the reward given by Lady Agrippina, but for something I could offer instead. In the end, if I could procure the requested item, nothing would change.
In essence, he’s showing more interest in me than in the money a mage could offer.
“You seem to have various interesting things… attached to you.”
“Ah, yeah, somewhat.”
Indeed, various things are attached to me. Dark fairies, green ones, incorrigibly perverted spirits of the dead, and other assorted entities.
“I enjoy such stories of youth. While I lacked the talent to write them myself, the joy of hearing them never fades, even as I grow old.”
This eccentricity is evident just by looking at his book-filled study. There are several sagas of dragon slaying, passionate love stories stacked on the shelves, and collections of young people’s tragicomic dramas conveniently placed for easy access. His preferences are clear.
“Thus, I would like you to embark on an adventure.”
“Wha… An adventure, you say?”
“Yes, an adventure.”
With a meaningful nod, Lord Faige pulled out a detailed map of the surrounding area. The map, with its contour lines and meticulous illustrations, should be a highly confidential piece of military intelligence. He casually brought it out, but if this kind of map were to get outside the country, even one of a remote region like this, a large pile of large-denomination gold coins would be needed to compensate for the loss.
“Well, in my position, I sometimes get my hands on things like this.”
Lord Faige’s joke was far from amusing. Surely, if something like this were to leak internationally, the penalty would go beyond mere execution. Why had he casually made an extra copy for his own use?
Ignoring my trembling state, Lord Faige pointed his branch-like finger to a forest located north of Vstroe.
“There’s nothing particularly noteworthy about this forest. Occasionally, a bear may appear.”
No, that’s still a significant matter. Compared to magical beasts and the like, it may seem less dangerous, but bears are monstrous enough to kill humans. Depending on the situation, they could withstand not only crossbow bolts but possibly even 5.56 mm rounds, and I wouldn’t want to mess with something like that.
“Roughly, it’s about a day’s walk.”
“…It’s a long distance for a child’s legs.”
“Ah, but for a child sent on an errand of this kind, it should be easy.”
His comment was hard to refute, and the conversation moved forward. Somehow, had I unconsciously called a highwayman encounter a “mid-battle,” a “final battle” had just emerged, hadn’t it? Wasn’t that the flag raised and resolved a bit too hastily?
“Here, there used to be the hut of a certain eccentric adventurer…”
“Hasn’t been in touch recently, right?”
“Yes. This person settled here before I embarked on my travels to the Imperial Capital, so they’ve likely moved on or passed away by now.”
He said this lightly, but how long ago was he talking about? It’s a mind-boggling time scale. I don’t recall ever seeing any documents about how long Ents live, but hopefully, it’s not something absurd like “no one has ever seen an Ent die of old age.”
“So, I would like you to go there and find a certain book.”
Although it’s called a book, it’s not some infamous magic tome or a rare historical artifact. After all, Lord Faige wouldn’t originally be interested in such things. If he had that kind of inclination, he’d still be in the Imperial Capital dealing with long lines of nobles.
What he desires is the diary of that eccentric adventurer. It’s said that the adventurer, who became somewhat famous in his youth, had the habit of meticulously recording all of his adventures in a diary.
“If the diary remains, wouldn’t you be thrilled?”
“That’s… yes, indeed I would.”
It seems I have quite a few things in common with this gentleman.
After all, isn’t the diary of a renowned adventurer an amazing thing? It would essentially be like a replay. As someone who dreams of being an adventurer and as a TRPG enthusiast, it would be difficult not to be intrigued by it. Absolutely.
“As for me, acquiring that diary would be a thrill. Even your own adventure stories would be thrilling.”
So, in essence, no matter what happens, there’s no downside. While I don’t disagree, it’s intriguing why these long-lived beings in this world are so keen to hear stories from humans, who live such fleeting lives.
Still, despite this, Lord Faige’s proposal, compared to the oddities from other non-human clients, is much more ordinary and quest-like, far better than something that involves using one’s younger sibling as a shield or mandatory cosplays that don’t suit me.
“Anyway, even if I had been in the Imperial Capital, sending you off empty-handed with just that accursed book wouldn’t feel right.”
As if seeing through my secretly rising excitement, Lord Faige stroked his mossy beard thoughtfully. It’s true—touching that kind of book with bare hands isn’t desirable… more accurately, simply throwing it into a backpack is too dangerous. Any kind of preparation from him would be greatly appreciated.
“Back when I was in the capital, it would be easier, but this old wood in a rural area will take two to three days to prepare various things. You could think of it as a pastime if you wish.”
Though it may be framed as a pastime, it’s a rather perilous adventure. However, a forest where bears only occasionally appear isn’t particularly dangerous if one is careful. It’s not like it’s about an ancient ruin where, if I had to, I’d steel myself for full combat gear, summoning fairies with murderous intent, hacking and slashing wildly. Since the target hut isn’t deep in the woods, calling it a “small adventure” seems fitting.
“But if you find it troublesome, I can offer you 25 drachmas as well.”
25 drachmas. That’s the equivalent of one large denomination gold coin, roughly equal to five years’ income for a typical farming family, including all living expenses and taxes.
Using that much money for a single book is quite extravagant. If Eliza’s living and schooling needs for a year can be entirely covered, it’s an incredibly generous price setting…
“Let’s just call it material cost. I’ve been needing to repurpose this drawer for something else anyway.”
I almost fell off my chair. Wait, if just the material cost is 25 drachmas, what in the world is this book made of? If it’s not something disturbing like human skin, what is it? Is it even safe? Would divine retribution strike me down just for a commoner like me to touch it?
Seeing my confusion, Lord Faige let out a hearty laugh, visibly amused.
Ah, once struck by surprise, the chain of shocks keeps coming—what on earth is this phenomenon…?
【TIP】It’s common for adventurers to cite twists and turns in fulfilling a client’s request as a reason to demand higher compensation. And the result often leading to physical altercations is met with no resistance from those who roll dice.
—
Dear readers,
I sincerely apologize for the long delay following my previous update of a week ago.
I had underestimated the busyness of my transfer, and I’m now on the verge of exhaustion. Without being able to take a day off, even when I managed to squeeze in a day off on a weekday, I was only able to deal with household chores, unable to sit at my computer. My stamina is far too weak.
Especially today, I had to come to the office for a new project-related matter, and counting from yesterday, I’ve faced an immense wall of 11 consecutive workdays. It’s like a Level 15 Unique Enemy, so it’ll require a lot of resolve to overcome.
Since the volume of my writing was so substantial, it took quite some time to proofread and check everything to ensure it was satisfactory, thus leading to a delay in progress. I hope to have more time available after the end of March.
I’ll continue releasing chapters at irregular intervals once I’m confident they are ready, so the updates will be sporadic.
The next one is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 2019, at around 7:00 pm.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
