Chapter 54: Habits
So that’s how it is.
It was like an opening statement that could influence the lives of the three people in front of him. Although the man with black hair and blue eyes stood tall like a mountain, Dragon Slayer could clearly feel the trembling in his hands.
What decision would they make in the end? Dragon Slayer felt very curious.
“Well, how about this?”
Tyr suggested in a relaxed manner.
“You all forming a team with me, calling it a mercenary group is fine too, but followers would be too humbling for you.”
“How… How could it be? Senior 123 is…”
“Just call me Tyr.” Tyr waved his hand. Since they had all revealed their true names to him, there was no need for Tyr to be secretive anymore.
“Tyr… So your name is Tyr.” Dragon Slayer murmured to himself, while the other four were also delighted. Since the senior could tell them his real name, it meant he had initially accepted them.
“Alright, we’ll discuss the matter of followers later. Well, I’ve always been alone anyway, so having a few extra companions from time to time isn’t a bad idea. If you want to come along, feel free to join me. If you ever want to leave, just let me know, I won’t force you to stay.”
“Yes, we will definitely follow Senior Tyr to the ends of the earth!”
“Ah, alright, alright, aren’t you guys embarrassed saying such things? By the way, where’s Emerald Star?” Tyr only just noticed the absence of the green-haired female mercenary, but judging from the expressions of the other three, it didn’t seem like something tragic had happened.
At this moment, Butterfly of Sunflowers, representing the other two, sighed and said.
“Earlier, Emerald Star, being a mage, couldn’t possibly withstand the attacks of the ogre lord, so we suggested she retreat first.”
“I see. But letting a magic-depleted mage walk alone in the Flowing Mountains is extremely dangerous. Let’s catch up to her now.”
“Yes!”
After a brief exchange, the group of five quickly ran down another mountain path.
The heavy rain continued incessantly, occasional gusts of wind bringing a chill, swirling clouds, occasionally revealing a ray of light only to be covered again by dark clouds.
The road twisted and turned, but it was much easier compared to climbing the mountain. Perhaps due to the rain and occasional falling rocks on the mountain path, there were few monsters appearing again. However, when they saw a green-haired female mercenary near the foot of the mountain, with only her upper body left, devoured, they completely abandoned that thought.
Butterfly of Sunflowers knelt beside her, her sobbing muffled by the sound of the pouring rain.
Upon learning of the death of Emerald Star, Tyr and the others informed Harrytu. They thought Harrytu had shown no real emotion towards Emerald Star. However, the next day, they heard the news of his suicide in the Lakeside Park of Sis City. Butterfly of Sunflowers mentioned that it was where they first met him.
The rain continued unabated, as if it were determined to release all the accumulated moisture of the past few months. It was a relentless downpour that seemed endless.
In the mercenary lodge, Tyr sat on the bed, not bothering to activate the indoor everstone due to the dense clouds outside. The incessant rain beat against the windows, creating a rapid patter of sound.
The black-haired man held a wine glass, a treasure of Harrytu’s perhaps, maybe to commemorate him, but Tyr didn’t feel much sadness, after all, they had only met by chance, that’s what Tyr thought.
Clap clap.
The knocking sound caught Tyr’s attention, followed closely by the voice of Butterfly of Sunflowers.
“Senior Tyr, the bounty has been collected, totaling thirty-five thousand gold coins.”
“Okay, come in.”
“Yes.” Butterfly of Sunflowers entered the room and glanced at Tyr sitting on the bed. Her cheeks flushed red involuntarily, thinking, “Senior, couldn’t you at least put on some clothes before letting me in? Being half-naked is so embarrassing.”
“So, if we distribute these gold coins, each of us five would get three thousand, and Emerald Star gets twenty thousand. What do you think?”
“Well… but the main tasks were clearly done by the seniors. How about three of us get one thousand each, and the two seniors get six thousand each?” Butterfly of Sunflowers suggested, but she was quickly vetoed by the other party, who waved their hand and said,
“We’ll distribute the gold coins as I said. You may leave now.”
“Yes…”
“I say… Xanli, aren’t you feeling uncomfortable?”
The sudden words made the Butterfly of the Sunflowers pause, then she replied with an extremely calm voice.
“Uncomfortable, very uncomfortable. But, I’ve gotten used to it.”
With that said, Butterfly of Sunflowers slowly closed the door, leaving only Tyr alone. The warmth that had just begun to surface in the room once again plummeted to the bottom.
“Used to it, huh…” Tyr chuckled self-deprecatingly, raising the wine glass in his hand and downing it in one gulp.
“Truly powerful.”
――――――――Entering the second half volume――――――――
With a bang!
Bursting through the door was a small girl with long golden hair, who briskly strode across the floor and plopped herself down on the bed under Tyr’s astonished gaze.
“Oh~ So this is what a hostel on the Gabriel Continent feels like.”
After the little girl finished speaking, she rolled over in bed, and then Tyr only just reacted, asking with some confusion.
“Miss Dragon Slayer, I’ve also given you the gold for the mission. I suppose there’s no reason for you to stay here now.”
“What, are you trying to kick me out just like that?”
“No, I’m just curious.”
“Yeah, I’m curious too.”
“Curious? Curious about what?”
As Tyr finished speaking, Dragon Slayer pulled out a delicately bound red invitation from her storage ring.
“Here, take a look for yourself.”
Taking the little notebook from the Dragon Slayer’s hand, Tyr slowly opened it, and on the first page, several large characters were prominently written.
Duke Cyril’s Birthday Banquet!
