Seeker 138

Test

Chapter 138. Request

After leaving the lord's bedroom, Aria-san guided us to the reception room and began to talk there.

"Let me explain again. I'd like to ask you, Daichi-san, and the others, I want you to accompany me to the Dragon Valley and help me collect the medicinal herbs said to inhabit its depths."

"Are you saying that dragons appear in this Dragon Valley?"

When I replied like that, Aria-san nodded and took out a Monster Dictionary from the [Item Box]. 

She turned the pages and pointed to one entry.

"The depths of the Dragon Valley are said to be the territory of this Aerial Dragon. It's also known as the fastest dragon, Wind Dragon."

As Yuzuki peered into the open page, she looked troubled.

"From the data, I'm seeing, it's quite strong. HP 1100, Attack 75, Defense 100, Agility 50, Magic 45... Its stats are one step higher than the Stone Golem we fought yesterday, except for Agility, which is twice that of Stone Golem."

"Agility 50! Even with equipment effects, it's higher than me now."

"Well, it's quite dangerous..."

If even Kazane-san can't reach it, it's far beyond me. 

Monsters with high agility are naturally very fast, making it difficult to accurately hit them with our attacks and also challenging to avoid their attacks.

Although the Monster's stats are different from those of a seeker, it's said that Agility and Magic are equivalent to those of a Seeker with the same name.

"It is also said that other monsters, such as Wyverns, also appear in the Dragon Valley. However, since they appear in different areas, we shouldn't have to fight the dragon and Wyvern simultaneously."

"A Wyvern, huh..."

It appeared as a mission too. 

The condition was to defeat one, and the experience gained was 12,000.

When I look at the Wyvern's page in the Monster Encyclopedia, its stats are roughly equivalent to the Stone Golem's.

It's strong enough to be considered a boss, but there should be no reason to fear it if we're going to take on the Aerial Dragon.

Defeating the dragon gives 30,000 experience points while defeating the Wyvern gives 12,000... 

The experience gained if we succeed is tremendously rewarding.

The remaining question is...

"Aria-san, how long will it take to reach the Dragon Valley from here?"

"It's about a day and a bit one way. Considering the exploration time in the Dragon Valley, I estimate it will take about 3 days for a round trip."

Three days. That's a bit long.

For a 3 day mission, the experience gained would be 42,000.

That should be enough experience, but it depends on whether the risk is worth it.

While I'm thinking about this, Aria-san, who is sitting across from us at the reception room table, bows deeply to us.

"Please... As far as I know, I can rely on you, Daichi-san, and the others, the most! I will somehow prepare 500 gold coins as a reward! Please... Please help my father!"

Aria-san pleaded, pressing her head against the table.

Now, what should we do?

Of course, I want to help her.

The reward is also more than satisfactory.

The problem is how much risk we estimate it to be.

Can we defeat the dragon with our current abilities?

I'm curious to try.

Aria-san is with us, and the amount of experience we've got from a successful mission is immense.

And then, just as if to add the final touch, a notification sound rang in my head.

───────────────────────

Special Mission: Collect Medicinal Herbs in the Depths of the Dragon Valley and Bring them back to the Lord's Mansion has been activated!

Experience points earned upon mission completion... 30,000 points

───────────────────────

"Wow..."

Kazane-san, Yuzuki, and I all exclaimed simultaneously.

Aria-san tilted her head, but that's not important right now.

A special mission has appeared.

And the experience points earned are the same as defeating a dragon, 30,000 points.

If we fulfill all the visible conditions, the total experience points we can gain will be a whopping 72,000 points.

It's an extraordinary amount, far beyond anything we've seen before.

Considering the risks, I think it's unavoidable for us to take this quest, especially after accepting the Orc subjugation re-investigation quest yesterday.

When I looked at Kazane-san and Yuzuki, they nodded in agreement. 

It seems they have no objections to accepting this request.

Now, the only question is...

"By the way, Aria-san. What would happen if we were to decline this request?"

"...In that case, I would have to take this request to the Adventurer's Guild. But finding an adventurer party willing to raise their hands when they hear the destination is the 'Dragon Valley' is uncertain. Even if we find one, how many days it will take until then, and whether my father's condition can hold until that time..."

Aria-san showed a pained expression, and the outlook is quite grim.

"I see, I understand. I apologize for asking a mean-spirited question. But in light of that, may I present a condition, please?"

"A condition...?"

"Yes. You promised a reward of 500 gold coins for a successful mission, but I would like all of that to be given as an upfront payment. It assumes that you trust us."

"...May I ask for the reason?"

"I want to use those 500 gold coins to strengthen our equipment. I want to take on this challenge fully prepared."

I looked directly into Aria-san's eyes as I conveyed my honest feelings. Of course, it was not a lie. It was a sincere request.

In response, Aria-san showed a pensive gesture before answering.

"Understood. If you accept the request, I will agree to that condition."

"Then we'll accept the request. Thank you again, Aria-san."

"Thank you! I am truly grateful!"

Contract established.

I shook hands firmly with Aria-san.

And so, we were to head to Dragon Valley with Aria-san.

However, before that...

In the corridors of this castle, we were about to encounter someone less desirable.