Since they decided to accept the commission, they didn't care about the reward, task content or goals, and they soon reached a consensus.
The mission is to go to Kahn Village, set up a stay there and then go to the depths of the forest to collect medicinal materials. The round trip will take about three or four days.
Just in case, Ainz asked a question out of caution.
——Why are you looking for them?
He had just arrived in this town and had not yet made a name for himself. Why would he specify a commission for him, a bronze medal adventurer?
And the answer was
--Cheap.
Being able to easily throw out high-level adventurers, and also having the bronze medal which has the lowest employment compensation, there is no one more cost-effective than such a person.
Ainz felt relieved after hearing this.
It was originally a way to show strength and increase popularity, and Nfilia Barreare was the one who took the bait. Ainz understands the feeling of hiring newcomers.
Afterwards, everyone asked a few more questions, and Enfilia answered them one by one. After feeling that everyone had no doubts, he said:
"Then when you're ready, let's hit the road!"
————
When heading from [E-Rantel] to [Kahn Village] in the northeast, the carriage route is roughly divided into two.
After going north, there is a route that goes east around the forest, and there is also a route that goes east first and then north. This time, they chose the former.
Going along the forest, there is a higher chance of encountering monsters, which is a wrong choice from the perspective of bodyguards, but even so, everyone still chose this route, in order to complete the monster hunting mission that Peter and the others originally entrusted.
Although this decision implies the danger of outweighing the gains, only masters like Momo and Nabe will choose this route.
And it is not entering the forest, but at the junction of the forest and the plain. There will not be too strong monsters. The strength of everyone should be enough to deal with them, and they can also confirm the strength of each other's teams through actual combat. Based on these judgments, I finally decided to choose this route.
A few hours after leaving the fortress city, the sun hung directly overhead.
You can see a large black-green dense primeval forest in the distance, with thick giant trees standing in the forest, and the lush branches and leaves growing extremely wide, so the sunlight cannot shine into the forest, and the vision is not good, and you even have the illusion of being swallowed by darkness. The gaps between the trees seem to be open mouths waiting for prey to fall into the trap. This sense of mystery is even more unsettling.
However, under the tense atmosphere, two teenagers were chatting on the carriage.
"You know, Mr. Nfilia, as long as you add silver leaf to the lowest potion, it can be turned into a more specific cold medicine for colds and asthma."
"Really? This is the first time I know this! But one time when grandma was making a potion, she accidentally added too much vine into it. After testing, it was also more effective against colds and asthma!"
"Hmm... I think these two herbs have a negative relationship."
"Negative?"
"Yes! Herbal medicines are basically divided into negative, positive and neutral, among which..."
Most of the conversation between the two was Xiaolin's unilateral output, but Xiaolin would ask some profound questions from time to time, and Nfilia could answer them immediately, which was enough to show how capable he was as the grandson of the city's strongest pharmacist. .
But what surprised them even more was that Xiaolin, a fledgling adventurer who was not famous and was still young, could actually have a pleasant conversation with Nfilia.
"The wisdom of the goddess..."
Even captain Peter had to admit that he was envious. Then he looked at Ainz, who had been staring at Krillin on the carriage, and said apologetically:
"I'm sorry, Mr. Momo, Xiaolin and Nfilia got carried away chatting."
Apologize for a reason.
After all, they are bodyguards, and their mission this time is to protect their employer, not to chat with him. This should not be the case during work. It would be bad if Momo and Nabe felt that this was laziness.
"It doesn't matter. Chatting with the employer is also part of the bodyguard's job."
Ainz shook his head.
He would not be angry. On the contrary, he wished that Xiao Lin would say more to verify his guess.
Seeing that Momo had no objection, Peter stopped saying anything and did not stop Xiaolin's actions. Because he is the grandson of the strongest pharmacist in the fortress city. If he can get the favor of the other party, wouldn't he accept the subsequent missions casually?
Everyone kept moving forward in this atmosphere.
Because of the vast field of vision, no one had been too vigilant before, but after arriving here, Peter made a slightly serious voice for the first time.
"Mr. Momo, starting from this area, it is a dangerous zone. Although there will be no monsters that cannot be dealt with, for the sake of caution, we still need to pay more attention."
"learn."
Ainz nodded in response.
Then something suddenly occurred to him.
If it were in a game, what kind of monsters you would encounter would depend on the location, but this would not be the case in reality.
Only God knows what enemies will arise.
Although Ainz was confident in his own strength due to his battle with the Sunshine Scriptures some time ago, the condition for victory in this mission was not to defeat the enemy but to protect Nfilia and, most importantly, Krillin.
After thinking about it, Ainz felt a little uneasy.
Turning to look at Narberal, the two of them nodded in unison.
The two had discussed in advance that at a critical moment, Narberal would be asked to activate high-level magic that was higher than the third level, up to the fifth level, and to protect Xiaolin as the highest priority. Hopefully the problem can be solved, but if that doesn't work, Ainz will take off his armor and deal with the enemy more seriously.
Seeing the eye contact between the two, Ainz was still wearing his helmet, and Lucroot, who had a strange misunderstanding, said to Narberal in a joking and flirtatious tone:
"It's okay. There's no need to worry. As long as there's no surprise attack, it won't be too difficult. And as long as I'm the lookout, even a surprise attack can't escape my eyes and ears. How about it, I'm pretty powerful, right?"
Narberal ignored Lucroot, who looked serious, and asked Ainz: "Mr. Momo, can you allow me to beat this... low-level creature?"
"I received a cold word from Miss Nabe!"
Lucroot gave a thumbs up, which made everyone smile bitterly, but no one seemed to have any special feelings towards Narberal who responded harshly. Because everyone does not think that Narberal refers to everyone as inferior creatures, but only to specific people.
Ainz rejected Narberal's sincere request and felt a non-existent stomachache. Now traveling with humans, I hope she can hide her inner thoughts a little.
Then……
"Brother Lucrut, do you like girls with vicious tongues?"
"Vicious tongue? What is that?"
"It's a way of speaking. In fact, venomous tongues are not necessarily malicious. There are many reasons for venomous tongues. It may be due to the natural speaking ability, it may be to cover up one's shyness, or it may be due to a certain sense of superiority towards oneself. And being very venomous towards others, etc. Therefore, being venomous is not an annoying character, but a character with a novel atmosphere. This is especially true for people who like to be scolded. Brother Luke Rut, you like to be scolded Scold?"
"What is that! How is it possible!"
Luke Root waved his hand.
It's not that he likes venomous tongues, but he simply likes beautiful girls. What he said just now was just to adjust the atmosphere.
"vicious……"
Ainz repeated the word in a low voice.
Peter mistakenly thought that Ainz was angry at Krillin for talking about his companions. When he quickly wanted to explain, he was interrupted by Ainz's raised right hand.
"That's a very appropriate statement. Mr. Xiaolin, is there such a person around you?"
"No. No, to be precise, I always feel like there is. A maid who has no expression and likes a sharp tongue but always follows me and always thinks of me... Hahaha, how strange. She is obviously a down-and-out noble who can't even afford a maid. , to have such a fantasy."
Xiaolin giggled and scratched his head.
Lukrut quickly answered: "Then Xiao Linyou will have to work harder to make money, and then live a noble life with more maids."
"Wait a minute, don't teach Xiao Lin a bad lesson! Listen carefully Xiao Lin, you must hire him seriously and you must not kidnap him! Did you hear that?" Nina seemed to be stimulated, interjecting and refuting him for the first time.
Then Peter and Dyne joined in, and the atmosphere changed from tense to relaxed.
Where no one could see him, Ainz clenched his fist tightly.
Poisonous Tongue (どくぜつ)
This is a two-dimensional culture originating from Japanese poisonous tongue. It is impossible for anyone except the islanders to know about it. In addition, what Kobayashi just said was indeed poisonous tongue (どくぜつ), Ainz thinks that his guess is correct!
Nfilia interjected from the side:
"It's okay. In fact, from here to the vicinity of Karn Village, it is the sphere of influence of the Forest Wise King, a powerful monster. Therefore, unless you are very unlucky, you will not encounter monsters."
Unexpectedly, even he was helping Xiao Lin change the subject.
"The Wise King of the Forest..."
Ainz recalled the information he had gathered in [Kahn Village]. The Forest Wise King was a magic beast with astonishing power. Because the habitat is located deep in the forest, there is almost no witness information, but its existence itself has been discussed for a long time. Some people even say that it is a silver-white four-legged beast with a snake tail that has lived for hundreds of years.
Luke Root shouted: "Okay! As Xiaolin's debut battle, let him defeat the Wise King of the Forest!"
"Stop saying stupid things!" Peter rolled his eyes: "Didn't I tell you that it is a magical beast with amazing power? How do you want us low-level adventurers to defeat it?"
Lucroot made a sound and said unwillingly: "If he can defeat the Forest Sage King in his debut battle, then Xiaolin will definitely become a blockbuster. And if he can complete the task perfectly, it will definitely increase the favorability of the lovely Miss Nabe."
After hearing this, Narberal clicked her tongue in disgust from the bottom of her heart.
"Brother Lucrut, you really like to be scolded."
"Nah!"
The frivolous archer made a gesture of being hit, but no one spoke to comfort him. Everyone seemed to have regarded him as a comedian.
So everyone chatted while walking under the hot sun that seemed to scorch the skin. Their boots were stained with the juice of broken grass, giving off the smell of grass.
Everyone except Ainz kept wiping their sweat.
Rushing under the huge sun while having to concentrate highly on alerting the surroundings, the double pressure on the body and mind forced everyone to find other ways to relieve themselves.
Only Luke Root was still full of energy, casually joking to the people walking silently: "It doesn't matter if you don't need to be so cautious, because I can see and listen to all directions, and Miss Nabe trusts me very much, like an old god." As if you are here."
"It's not because of you, it's because of Mr. Momo."
Narberal frowned.
Being harassed one after another would make even a good-tempered person angry, not to mention that Narberal was not a good-tempered person in the first place.
Feeling that something out of control might happen next, Ainz put his hand on Narberal's shoulder, and her expression instantly softened.
Seeing the interaction between the two, Luke Root asked: "I'm talking about Miss Nabe and Mr. Momo, you two are really a couple, right?"
"Love couple! What are you talking about! Albedo-sama is the one!"
"You! What are you talking about, Nabe!"
"ah!"
Nabe's eyes widened when Ainz yelled at her, and her face turned pale and she reached out to cover her mouth.
Albedo... hmm?
Xiao Lin, who was sitting on the carriage, observed everything happening below and silently wrote down the name.
Ainz coughed and said coldly: "Mr. Lukrut, can you please stop making baseless guesses?"
"Ah...I'm sorry. It was just a joke. Ah, does Mr. Feifei already have a partner?"
Lucroot bowed repeatedly without looking too introspective, but Ainz was not as angry as before.
"Lukerut, stop talking nonsense and be careful."
"learn."
"Mr. Momo, I'm sorry, my companion is rude. It is taboo to speculate on other people's affairs."
"No, no. If you can pay more attention in the future, let's forget about it this time."
The two team leaders communicated at the back, and then they naturally exchanged positions.
During this period, Xiaolin got off the carriage and ran to Narberal's side regardless of Nfilia's expression of regret and desire to stay.
This loose-spoken magic caster seems to be able to reveal more information.
While the people in front were chatting, Xiaolin also approached Narberal.
"I'm sorry, Miss Nabe. I apologize to you for the rudeness Brother Lukerut just made."
"snort."
Probably because she knew that she had made a mistake just now, which troubled Mr. Momo, so no matter what Xiaolin said, she never spoke venomously, but kept frowning with a look of bitter hatred.
"What a pity. Miss Nabe is obviously so beautiful. If she could smile more, she would definitely look better."
"..."
"If Miss Nabe could smile, Mr. Momo wouldn't be so distressed."
"……What did you say?"
"You see, it's because Miss Nabe keeps frowning that everyone focuses on Miss Nabe, isn't it?"
"You mean, it's my fault?"
"right."
Xiaolin's natural answer made Narberal furious, but when she thought of what just happened, she shut her mouth.
Originally, Narberal did not want to talk to Xiaolin. After all, in her eyes, humans are inferior creatures. However, before the mission, Momo had told her to use fifth-level magic if danger occurred, and her first priority was to protect the people in front of her. this person.
She is obviously Lord Ainz's maid!
Narberal, who became more and more angry as she thought about it, turned her head and closed her eyes slightly, choosing not to talk to him anymore. Seeing the other party's attitude, Xiao Lin clicked his tongue. It seemed that he was still too impatient.
(End of chapter)
