It was about two months after I had taken up residence at the Eastern Trading Company.
After overseeing Sowol’s training and returning to my quarters to drink tea, So Jung-yang called for me.
I wonder what it’s about. So Jung-yang rarely calls for me, so seeing him call me directly makes me think something might be wrong.
Huh? Could it be an event? Is it an event?!
Even in the game, events sometimes occur suddenly, and clearing them would give various rewards.
Thinking about that, I felt I couldn’t miss it, so I went straight to see So Jung-yang.
“Master, welcome. Haha. Would you like a cup of tea?”
It seems like he has something to say but is hesitant to bring it up.
I wonder what kind of conversation he’s trying to lead into?
I sipped the tea he poured for me and waited for So Jung-yang to speak.
After not saying anything special until I finished a cup of tea, he finally sighed deeply and opened his mouth.
“We’ve received a request from the lord.”
“A request?”
The lord, you mean that guy?
The one who moved with us when dealing with the Skull Gang last time.
I heard he’s on close terms with So Jung-yang and has been quite accommodating to the trading company.
“It seems there’s movement of a cult within the territory.”
As expected, it’s an event!
But a cult, huh… This is a troublesome matter.
Cult members were unnecessarily secretive and used many annoying techniques, making them one of the game’s bothersome opponents.
I contemplated whether to let this pass, but an event is an event. Thinking about what I could gain, I couldn’t just ignore it.
“Where did you get this information?”
“We found it in the Skull Gang’s mountain hideout. It seems the Skull Gang was also part of the cult.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. There were traces of sacrifices offered to the cult’s god inside their hideout. And in a letter found there, it was discovered that cult members are active within the territory.”
A matter concerning a cult. Certainly, this would be quite a headache from the lord’s perspective.
Cults perform human sacrifices and lower the public order and loyalty of the territory’s residents.
As such, he’d be bothered by cult members being active in his territory.
“But why did he tell the Eastern Trading Company about this?”
“During the last operation, many of the territory’s guards were injured. Due to the lack of available forces, he requested our cooperation.”
“I see.”
“So… if it’s alright with you, could you take on this task, Master Lee?”
Dealing with a cult, huh.
There were certainly items that could be obtained from catching cult members.
Some of them would help develop Sowol, so getting them while I can would be better.
“Sure, I’ll do it.”
“Thank you. Then, about support…”
“No support is needed.”
Those guys?
I can catch them on my own.
“Master.”
It was when I returned to my quarters and contemplated where to start looking.
Sowol, who has been coming to where I am often these days, came to find me today as well and sat down naturally in front of me, saying,
“I need to go to the village, would you like to come along if it’s okay?”
I was thinking of going there anyway.
If there were rumors of cult members within the territory, I would need to get that information from the village.
“It would be better to prepare for a drink too, right?”
“You rascal. You’ve caught on well.”
Recently, Sowol has been strangely nice to me.
Does she need praise stickers that badly?
Well, it’s the thought that counts.
“Ah.”
“You’ve understood your master’s heart well, so here’s one praise sticker.”
“Thank you!”
Sowol peeled off the praise sticker stuck on her forehead and carefully pasted it in her notebook, looking satisfied.
In the meantime, I got up from my seat and left the trading company with her.
“By the way, why are you going to the village?”
“I’m getting bored with just training. I thought I should loosen up a bit… Is there a problem?”
The way she sticks out her tongue while smiling brightly is quite cute.
“No. It’s good to rest properly when you can.”
“I thought you might say something like that, Master.”
Sowol nodded and naturally took my arm.
As we entered the village together, Sowol tilted her head.
“Somehow, the atmosphere in the village doesn’t seem good.”
It was as she said. Unlike usual, there wasn’t much movement from the villagers.
Although the Skull Gang bandits had been caught, the atmosphere in the territory should have improved; it was gloomy.
This might also be the influence of the cult.
“Shall we go to the market first?”
“Yes.”
When we arrived at the familiar tanghulu shop, the owner, now a familiar face, greeted us with a smile.
But even that smile had a shadow cast over it.
“I’ll have strawberry.”
“I’ll have grape.”
After ordering what we always eat, while waiting, I looked at the tanghulu decorations and casually asked,
“Is business good these days?”
“Oh my. It’s terrible. Just terrible.”
“Something must have happened, I guess?”
“There have been disappearances in the past few days, haven’t there?”
He handed a tanghulu to Sowol and then gave me mine, sighing deeply.
“Disappearances?”
“Oh yes, yes. People of all ages, two or three at a time, have been disappearing, so people aren’t coming out much these days. That’s why business isn’t good. Usually, I would have sold twenty by now, but you two are only the third customers today.”
After hearing his words, I looked around the market area.
It felt like it was about half empty compared to the usual crowd that would have been there.
“And there are stories about ghosts appearing every night. There are even stories about them taking away people who wander around at night without sleeping… We can’t even dream of having a night market. The harvest festival is coming soon, but I don’t know what to do… tsk tsk.”
He sighed deeply again and handed me the tanghulu.
Eating it, I looked around the market with Sowol.
“Other shops are saying similar things.”
“That’s right.”
Crunching and chewing on the tanghulu, I headed towards the tavern with Sowol.
“Master Lee!”
That’s when it happened. When I heard a voice full of joy.
Turning around, I saw a female knight in armor running towards us with some soldiers.
“Uh… An, was it?”
“Yes! You remembered!”
I remembered her because of her red hair.
She’s one of the territory’s knights who participated in the operation to deal with the Skull Gang last time.
“Miss Sowol too… It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It has been a while.”
An’s gaze towards Sowol wasn’t very kind.
The same was true for Sowol.
Perhaps because of the fierce atmosphere of the two women staring at each other?
The already heavy atmosphere became even heavier.
“By the way, what’s going on? You’re all decked out in armor. Are you going on some kind of operation?”
To change the atmosphere, I said a word, and An made a bitter expression and sighed softly.
“There have been many unsettling rumors spreading within the territory recently. Do you know about it too, Master Lee?”
“If you mean the disappearances, I know about that.”
“It’s not just that. With the Skull Gang…”
“I also know about the connection to the cult discovered while investigating the Skull Gang.”
“I see! As expected of Master Lee!”
Well, it’s not that impressive.
An, looking at me with sparkling eyes, briefly turned her gaze to Sowol.
“Then, have you come to the village to solve this matter, Master Lee?”
“I can’t say that’s not the case. I heard that the lord personally asked the head of the Eastern Trading Company. So I’m lending a hand, too.”
“I see! That’s perfect! I’m also investigating this matter, so if it’s alright with you, how about we work together?”
Together? Is that necessary?
I looked at the soldiers behind her and shook my head.
This matter doesn’t really need many people involved.
There’s no need to unnecessarily split the rewards by involving too many people.
“…I see. Then are you working on this matter with Miss Sowol?”
“I suppose you could say that.”
I get items and Sowol gains experience.
It’s an event that couldn’t be better for us, and we can’t miss this opportunity.
“…Why…”
“Hm?”
“It’s nothing. Anyway, if you’re going to solve this matter, Master Lee, that’s really good news. I suppose we don’t have to worry then.”
She smiled awkwardly, bowed her head to me in greeting, and then turned around.
As she walked away with the soldiers, Sowol lightly grabbed the hem of my clothes.
“That woman. She’s hostile towards me.”
“I suppose so.”
“Can I know why?”
It’s about what happened last time.
A few days after dealing with the Skull Gang, An came to see me directly.
Having obtained the title of knight at a young age, her pride was inflated, and she requested a match with me.
Since it’s courteous to accept challenges that come, I thoroughly defeated her. The next day, she came to me, hoping to become my disciple.
Naturally, I refused.
With An’s level of talent, it would be impossible for her to reach the level I desire.
Her talent is not bad, but it’s just slightly above average.
What I want is not at that level.
“…I see.”
After hearing my explanation, Sowol smiled brightly. Somehow, she looks pleased?
Come to think of it, it’s understandable for her to be happy.
It’s as if I’ve acknowledged the overwhelming difference in talent.
“Then that means I’m your only disciple, Master.”
“For now, yes.”
At my answer, the smile on Sowol’s lips deepened even more.