Reset Life – Chapter 112

Chapter 112: I’ve Been Waiting. Welcome (2)

I grabbed a passerby and asked him which inn would be good. He glanced at Joey and recommended one.

It was an inn built by a retired mercenary.

He said that because of his exceptionally tall height, he always had trouble getting in and out of the house, so he did the right thing and built each floor with a 3-meter ceiling.

Thanks to that, it seemed like Joey would be able to come and go smoothly, so we chose the inn, which was usually bustling with mercenaries.

How did I know?

As soon as Al entered, several people jumped up and shouted with surprise and joy.

“Captain Al!”

“Neral Tines!”

“Oh my god! It’s Al of the Bare Hands!”

“Oh, this is the first time I’ve seen him in person!”

Lucy had mentioned before that Al was famous. He was quite famous in the mercenary world with the nickname ‘Al of the Bare Hands’.

But…… he’s really famous.

“You’re really famous.”

“Hmm.”

Al let out a light, incomprehensible sound and walked straight inside. Then the people who had stood up rushed towards him.

Wow, he’s a popular guy.

“Captain, when did you get here?”

“Today.”

“You should have come a little earlier! Robs and Hughes just left saying they were looking for you!”

“Is that so?”

“Are you here to work as a mercenary again? Then join our team! I’ve always wanted to work with you!”

“Hey, Tim, don’t jump the gun. I’ve already made a prior appointment with Neral Tines.”

“Hey, Patch, take off your bandage and stop lying! Look here, Bare Hands, you haven’t forgotten our promise, have you?”

“Who are you?”

“Wow! This guy is too much!”

Al was dealing with each person without a hint of annoyance. Thanks to that, the remaining five of us were quickly left alone.

More than anything, I was surprised that Joey wasn’t the center of attention. Could it be that even a 2.5-meter giant couldn’t compete with Al’s fame?

Just then, a tall man, about 2 meters tall, approached us. Seeing how he wore an apron without looking awkward, he must be the innkeeper.

“Ah, there are six of you. Are you here to sleep?”

“Yes. Two or three rooms should be enough…… Al, that friend is quite famous.”

“Huh? Aren’t you Al’s companions?”

“We’re childhood friends. We met after a long time.”

Lucy replied with a dumbfounded expression. The innkeeper looked down at the group, then looked up at Joey, and turned his face with a frustrated expression.

“Tsk. There was someone taller than me…… Anyway. Al is famous around here. When he’s bored, he sneaks out of the attack unit and wanders the Gray Forest alone for days. No matter how tough guys are, they can’t do such crazy things. But he always manages to come back alive.”

“Ah…… I see.”

Lucy seemed convinced, but I had to suppress a burst of laughter. I bet they misunderstood Al getting lost and wandering around as something else. Hmm.

“There’s already a belief among those guys that you won’t die if you’re with Al. Anyway, are you mercenaries? The composition is quite stable.”

“Yes, well…… something like that.”

Lucy would usually introduce us in an exaggerated way, but seeing Al still stuck among the crowd, he seemed unable to recover from his bewilderment.

I chuckled at the innkeeper’s words and looked around at the group.

We have a mage and a priest, and four warrior-class figures, so it’s a composition that can be expected to have both frontline assault power and rear support. We ended up like this by chance, but we can expect quite a bit even if we enter the Gray Forest.

First, we decided to get our rooms assigned. Since it seemed like Al would have a hard time getting away from the crowd for a while, it would save time to unpack first.

We rented three rooms. It seemed like Joey would have to use a room by himself.

Even then, Al didn’t come up, and with a resigned look, we quickly took a bath. Still, Al didn’t return.

We looked at each other again, and with another resigned look, we went downstairs.

“It’s like the popularity of the best theater actor in the Imperial Capital.”

“Of course. He’s my friend, after all. Ahem.”

Lucy shrugged and said. Hey, you were flustered just a moment ago.

Except for the stairs making a slightly unsettling noise when Joey stepped on them – so we left Joey’s greatsword on the 1st floor – the way down was fine.

The problem was after we came down.

“Didn’t the number of people increase compared to before?”

“I think so.”

Levidian agreed with me with a hesitant expression.

Al was no longer visible, surrounded by muscular, agile, fierce-looking, and other such people. There were quite a few women among them, and Lucy was indignant.

“That, that bastard……! He should share a little……!”

Hey, hey, where is the person who had four women with him in Lotuan?

Thinking it would be almost impossible to find a place to stand, we were about to go back upstairs, but the innkeeper grinned and guided us to a table near the bar.

“Originally, this is a special seat occupied by friends like Al. Since you’re his companions, I’m giving it to you specially.”

“Oh! As expected, you’re generous, mister!”

“Umhahaha! Of course! Where else can you find someone as generous as me in this Makdaro! Umhahaha!”

“I knew you’d say that! Then, how about generously giving us some beer as a service?”

“Oh! This is difficult, customer.”

“……”

Just because he was the one who made Lucy look dumbfounded, I came to have a great liking for the innkeeper. But the size of his generosity is quite flexible.

While we waited after ordering some food, I decided to hear the story from Lucy.

“Lucy, let’s hear about your achievements.”

“Shouldn’t you hear it from Al?”

“You must have heard it too, right? And I’m sorry to Al, but it’s hard to expect a smooth story from him.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

The difference between Namia and Al is that Namia uses more words when necessary, while Al uses fewer words than the average person even when necessary.

Lucy crossed his arms and thought for a moment before speaking.

“First, I’ve heard a lot of stories. Let’s talk about the recent situation in the Gray Forest. Risel, you know, the Eastern Army and mercenaries don’t go within 10 kilometers of the Gray Forest. And that 10-kilometer mark is called the Red Line.”

“To be precise, it’s a 3-kilometer wide section from 7 kilometers to 10 kilometers.”

“Right. Recently, monsters that haven’t been seen for 200 years have been popping up from the Red Line. At least that’s what the survivors say. They say quite a few haven’t returned.”

“200 years? Weak ones, or strong ones?”

“Strong ones.”

Lucy said simply and drank the beer that had come out first. After he put down the glass, I ordered a new one from the waiter and asked.

“What about the Yellow Line and the Green Line?”

“What do you think?”

“If strong monsters that haven’t been seen in 200 years have appeared, more monsters than usual must have come out.”

“Correct.”

The Yellow Line refers to the section between 3 kilometers and 7 kilometers, and the Green Line refers to the section between 1 kilometer and 3 kilometers. The closer you get to the Red Line, the lower the survival rate and the stronger the monsters.

Lucy’s story was simple, and its implications were also simple.

Monsters that were outside the Red Line came to the Red Line, and those that were on the Red Line went to the Yellow Line, the Yellow Line to the Green Line, and the Green Line reached the Barrier.

The 1st level alert and emergency standby order wasn’t issued for nothing.

“And what else?”

“The Gray Tribe. They say they’ve been appearing frequently. Just as Joey said.”

The Gray Tribe.

They refer to those who live in the Gray Forest.

There are various opinions about their identity, but the theory that they are not human is currently the most dominant.

“Um…… what is the Gray Tribe?”

“Oh? Levidian. You didn’t know?”

“No……”

Levidian shrugged with an awkward expression. Ah, well, that makes sense. The Gray Forest is famous, but not many people know about the Gray Tribe.

I told her.

“You know how the Gray Forest came to be, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

Every citizen of the Empire knows, and even if they’re not a citizen, they naturally hear the story of the Gray Forest as they live.

Compared to old tales that are passed down with considerable embellishment and partial distortion, the story related to the Gray Forest is mostly passed down accurately.

Exactly 375 years ago, all the people of the continent joined forces to drive out the Demon Tribe that ruled half the world.

And they decided to gather the monsters that the Demon Tribe controlled into one place. The place they decided on was a place with a unique terrain surrounded on three sides, the Gray Forest.

The Gray Forest is a barren land.

Compared to its vast expanse, the density of plants is low.

People were thinking of starving the monsters to death to reduce their numbers and weaken them.

So the entire continent joined forces to push the monsters back, and eventually succeeded in driving them into the Gray Forest. After that, they deployed a large army in front of it to prevent the monsters from coming out.

That’s when the Empire was born, and that’s when our family rose to prominence.

The founder of the Herduke family, ‘Viserin Herduke’, was the hero who destroyed the Demon King who controlled the monsters, breaking the core of the Demon Tribe, and was the practical leader of this endeavor.

The monsters were isolated in the Gray Forest, and Viserin wanted to stand on the front lines to stop them. The Emperor fully supported him, and that was the cornerstone of the Empire’s Eastern Army.

Up to this point, not only the citizens of the Empire, but most people living in the central and northern parts of the continent know.

“It won’t be much different from the history that Levidian knows. That’s roughly the background of how the Gray Forest came to be. However, the whereabouts of the Demon Tribe are not clear. They weren’t originally from this continent, after all. The dominant opinion is that they returned to their land, or it’s also said that they went beyond the Sair River. Among those rumors, there’s one accurate story.”

“And that is……?”

“There are members of the Demon Tribe who entered the Gray Forest with the monsters. And there are also humans who entered the Gray Forest for various reasons. The Gray Tribe is known to be their descendants. It’s unclear whether they’re human or demon.”

They probably have their own way of calling themselves. If it’s about a quarter of the Empire’s land, they might have a system similar to a nation.

However, it’s all just speculation.

Nothing is known about the Gray Tribe.

The people who entered the Gray Forest never returned alive, and the Gray Tribe only occasionally shows up near the Red Line.

“Some say they control the monsters, just like the Demon Tribe did. It’s quite plausible. Because they always appeared right after the monsters appeared in large numbers.” That’s about it for the Gray Tribe.”

“Ah, I see.”

Levidian nodded. I looked at Lucy, and he spoke as if he had been waiting.

“Now, let’s continue the story. With the appearance of the Gray Tribe and the increase in monsters, the Eastern Army is currently very busy. The number of search and patrol units has been minimized or maximized. These days, attack units of 30 people are often formed. Nevertheless, the number of casualties is increasing. The Eastern Army is currently debating whether to retreat from the Red Line or send out a large-scale attack unit to subjugate them. I think a subjugation force will be organized. What if we join them and go?”

Lucy said it as if it were a really good idea, but Levidian and I looked at each other and sighed at the same time.

Why? Because the final destination of the Eastern Army’s concerns that Lucy mentioned is my father, and my father is currently confined to his home. A representative hasn’t appeared yet.

Usually, the selection of a representative in this kind of situation takes about a month.

Considering that, even if a subjugation force is dispatched, it would be between one and two months?

By then, Levidian’s curse would have covered her entire back, turned around at her shoulders, and started to come forward.

Lucy tilted his head as he saw our expressions.

“What’s wrong? I think it’s a good idea.”

“Well, Lucy-ssi, you see……”

Joey conveyed the situation on his own, and Lucy’s eyes widened before he made a face like someone who had just bitten into a whole lemon.

“Ugh……! At a time like this. The situation is not good.”

“We just need to cross the Barrier, but that’s the problem.”

With a desolate heart, I lifted my beer glass and poured it down my throat.

Even before I died, I was clueless about ways to secretly cross the Barrier. No, more than that, I had no intention of going anyway, and no one around me had been there, so I wasn’t interested.

Of course, it wouldn’t be strange if there were a hole or two.

It’s a 480-kilometer long road, and since it was built through various terrains, it would be more desirable as a barrier if there were passages to sneak through.

The problem is, I don’t know about those.

Now I desperately need it, but if I had known about the existence of those holes when I didn’t need them, I would have immediately prepared a budget along with a plan to repair the Barrier.

Faced with the most realistic and biggest problem, we, except for Namia, started to lift and tilt our glasses.

After about a few minutes of silence, Al appeared.

“I’m late.”

“Yes. Welcome, popular guy.”

“It was unexpected.”

There were still a lot of gazes directed at Al from behind. Respect, jealousy, admiration, and so on – the kind of gazes a popular person would receive.

Even though the back of his head must have been stinging, Al didn’t mind and introduced the man who came with him.

“Let me introduce you, this is Ian Bulkeot.”

“Hehe, hello everyone? Oh my, these are Al’s companions indeed. They seem to be something else, don’t they?”

The man with brown curly hair, a short beard, and impressive gold earrings on both ears gave a vulgar laugh.

Well, it’s the standard image of a mercenary that an ordinary person would think of.

Ian grinned and looked around the table, and when he reached Namia, he smirked. It was a very sticky smile, so it was unpleasant even to see from the side.

Joey’s expression became very uncomfortable. Ah, right. Joey had a crush on Namia. Though it seems like there’s no progress whatsoever right now.

But why did he bring that person?

“Ian.”

“Oh, alright. I heard from Al that you’re planning the crazy stunt of secretly crossing the Barrier?”

“That’s right.”

Joey openly expressed his extreme displeasure. It was an expression that would make an ordinary person cower in fear.

Even after seeing Joey’s expression, Ian smirked and laughed as if it were nothing. Oh, he’s got guts.

“Hehehe, with that spirit, you could even catch a monster? Well, I don’t care if you guys become warm corpses rolling around in the Gray Forest.”

“Ian.”

“Ah, alright. Don’t rush me, this guy. Hey, you big guy over there, don’t get mad either. He’s a mutt who’s been rolling around, so he has no manners. Umhahahaha!”

He doesn’t just lack manners, he’s crawling on the floor. Even ordinary mercenaries wouldn’t act like that.

Joey outright frowned, and Levidian seemed to be contemplating whether she should treat that guy like a sausage right now.

I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair, feeling the ominous aura emanating from the people sitting on both sides of me, but still spoke leisurely.

“Your manners aren’t important. What do you have to say?”

“That’s right. You’re good at getting to the point! Simply put, I’m willing to turn a blind eye and cooperate with your crazy plan. Even a long pile of rocks that would make you breathless just by walking along it has a hole to wiggle your butt and crawl through, right?”

Indeed. There was a hole.

I didn’t even look surprised at the fact, and everyone at the table reacted the same way as me. Except for Joey and Namia.

Ian scratched his head with an awkward expression when no one was surprised.

“Huh, are you all worn-out people? No one’s surprised at all. Tsk. No fun. Eh, whatever. Anyway, I came here to tell you about that hole. Now, let’s hear a cheer!”

“Woooow.”

“Ya―hoo―.”

Lucy and I cheered with expressionless faces. Ian chuckled with a fierce expression.

“Khehehe! I’m starting to like you guys more and more! As expected of Al’s companions! Al, where did you bring these desirable bastards from? Uh, uhahaha!”

Joey’s hands trembled. Levidian, on the other hand, used the knife for its original purpose as if it were pathetic.

Lucy said with an indifferent expression.

“Where is that hole?”

“Oh! How impatient. Even if you’re Al’s companions, can I tell you that so easily? The world is a good place to live in if there’s something to give and take.”

“I agree for now. What’s the condition?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing for the men, but that red-haired lady over there. If the priestess lady could just turn a blind eye and do a good deed once…… uh-huh……”

Ian looked at Namia with an expression as if he were about to drool. And I grabbed Joey’s shoulder…… arm, which was about to stand up.

Joey glared at me and turned his head. He must have thought it was too much to bear. Levidian also seemed to be contemplating whether she should treat that guy like a sausage now.

Before the two of them could step forward, I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair.

“So, what’s that good deed?”

Come on, answer me. Right now, there’s a 2.5-meter giant and a Sword King who can wipe out a whole mercenary unit with just a knife, waiting like arrows ready to be released.

Ian let out a lewd laugh and then rubbed his hands towards Namia. Huh?

“Um, you’re a priest, right? I’d like to ask for your blessing. I’m going out with the attack unit tomorrow. Hehe. Of course! When I return, I’ll attend services regularly and make donations. Yes, yes.”

“Pfft!”

It was the sound of Lucy forcefully spitting out the beer he was drinking.

Hey, Ian, you’ve got the wrong person.

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