Seeker 345

 Test

Chapter 345. Departure

Guarding the merchant Marcus's caravan, our group and two other parties, twelve adventurers in total, set out from the city of Reltruc shortly after receiving the request.

Under the morning sun, we exited Reltruc through the north gate and proceeded along the road stretching northward.

The road, cleared through the forest, was wide enough for carriages to pass each other.

The dirt surface was smooth enough to cause little inconvenience for the carriages.

Marcus-san's caravan consisted of five carriages in total.

Each carriage was loaded with what seemed to be merchandise.

The adventurers, including us, traveled on foot to guard the caravan.

"Listen up, adventurers. These carriages and their cargo are my treasure, as precious as my life. Guard them well."

Marcus, who said this before we departed, now sat on the driver's seat of the leading carriage.

Holding the reins and guiding the horse forward, he exuded the strength typical of a seasoned merchant.

Our team, Daichi's Spear was positioned in the middle of the five-carriage column.

Near the front were the five members of Adela's team, Crimson Axe.

At the rear were the four members of Reguld's team, Wild Fang, taking up the defense.

The front and rear are crucial positions to guard.

It's only natural to assign trusted, well-known adventurer parties to these key positions rather than young, unknown individuals like us.

Kazane, walking beside me, suddenly spoke up.

"But Daichi, with this Owlbear Carnival going on, we came at a tough time, didn't we?"

"Yeah. But that's also why we got this raid quest."

"Exactly. Raid quests give better experience than regular A-rank ones. So it's good for us."

Responding to my words, Yuzuki chimed in.

I had heard about the Owlbear Carnival before our departure.

It seems to be a phenomenon unique to this region at this time of year.

Apparently, the road between Relutuk and Lahti is a frequent haunt of monsters known as Owlbears.

According to the monster encyclopedia, owlbears are large bear-like monsters with owl-like heads.

When standing upright, they easily surpass three meters in height.

We've fought several such powerful, large monsters before.

Mutant Apes, Yetis, and the like.

Owlbears are similar in being purely physical attackers.

However, their strength far surpasses that of Yetis (the snowman-like monsters we fought in the Dwarf settlement of Dagmuhar).

Even a seasoned level 25 adventurer usually needs a partner to handle an Owlbear.

This road and its surroundings are where these owlbears frequently appear.

Usually, you encounter one or two at a time.

Still, even experienced adventurers might struggle to handle them, so merchants traveling this road always hire adventurer parties of at least A-rank to guard them.

That's the usual situation.

However, every year during this season, the so-called Owlbear Carnival occurs, an irregular phenomenon.

During this period, the number of owlbears encountered at one time increases significantly.

It's common to encounter three or four at once.

Sometimes, you might even face five or six at a time.

It's like an owlbear festival frenzy.

In such cases, even A-rank adventurer parties can't handle them alone.

Therefore, during this period, trade between Reltruc and Lahti often comes to a halt.

Similar disruptions occur on other routes, temporarily stopping north-south trade.

However, Marcus doesn't give up because of this.

On the contrary, he believes that goods can be sold at higher prices during this time and therefore hires multiple adventurer parties if a single one isn't enough, conducting powerful trade.

This means multiple A-rank adventurer parties are hired, essentially turning it into a raid quest.

Marcus is indeed a tenacious merchant.

"But it's another 'irregularity.'"

I muttered, reflecting on past events.

Since arriving in this world, I've heard of unusual monster outbreaks everywhere.

The Elven village, Griffin Mountain, the Dwarf settlement of Dagmuhar—

Well, the Dagmuhar case might be different since it was due to a newly formed dungeon.

The story I heard from the Unicorn of the World Tree somehow linked in my mind.

It spoke of an increasing evil force across the continent, attempting to engulf the World Tree's benevolent power.

Could the abnormal monster outbreaks be connected to this?

Although the Owlbear Carnival happens every year, so linking it to that might be a bit of a stretch.

Yumizuki, overhearing my muttering, asked an innocent question.

"Hey, Senpai. The Owlbear Carnival is an annual irregularity, right? So could there be an 'irregular irregularity'?"

Though the question was directed at me, Kazane responded quickly.

"An irregular irregularity? What do you mean, Hotaru-chan?"

"Well, Kazane-san, there are unusual monster outbreaks that don't happen every year, right? So—"

"—Oh, sorry. Hold on, Hotaru."

At that moment, Kazane's expression turned serious.

Simultaneously, the members of Crimson Axe near the front of the caravan became highly alert.

"Monsters ahead, two of them!"

"From the left and right too! Each side has two approaching from the forest!"

The first voice was from one of the Crimson Axe members.

The latter was Kazane, loudly informing everyone.

"Here they come! All adventurers, prepare for combat! Do not let the monsters near the carriages!"

Our client, Marcus-san, instructed the adventurers.

A monster attack.

We don't know if they're Owlbears yet.

The adventurers, including us, began to prepare for the defense.