When Your Secret Crush Wizard Took a Love Potion - Chapter 20
Despite the raucous surroundings, my attention was inevitably drawn to a corner of the inn.
The source of the noise was a large group seated at several tables pushed together. I was about to roll my eyes at the noise when I overheard something strikingly familiar.
“Yes, sir. Just last month, a dozen wyverns emerged from the Mistwood Forest and attacked all the caravans belonging to the Heblot trading group.”
Why on earth was my destination suddenly popping up in their discussion? It was disconcerting to hear what I thought was a safe location being described as a monster’s lair.
“Rumors are even swirling that the empire has put up a hefty bounty.”
“That sounds dangerously risky, captain.”
One of the mercenaries, clutching a wine glass in one hand and a chunk of meat in the other, grumbled, and the person they called captain chuckled.
She had a closely cropped head, so that her scalp was visible enough. It was the striking woman I had admired at the city gate earlier.
“With your strength, surely you can handle a few wyverns.”
The man conversing with the captain was noticeably luxurious in his silk and ornate garments among the mostly large, leather-armored mercenaries. He might be the client who had brought them to the restaurant.
“We might win at first. But facing another enemy when we’re already exhausted could lead to injuries or worse.”
“And what would you have me do then?”
The man clutched his black hair as if ready to tear it out.
“I have to deliver the goods by the contracted date no matter what. If I miss the deadline, my reputation takes a hit. I’ve barely started my own trading company and you’re telling me my first deal could go south?”
The man scratched his head nervously and pointed at the other mercenaries.
“I can’t take your word for it as is. You boast about being the continent’s best mercenaries, yet all you talk about when I offer you a job is that it could fail? Are you trying to bump up the fee? I won’t pay more than the initial amount I offered.”
“Sir, that’s rather harsh! Are you suggesting we are making empty threats?”
The mercenary captain’s brow furrowed slightly as she tried to calm the agitated mercenaries. She seemed to be showing great patience to not lash out at the brash client’s remarks.
“Yes, if you prefer to hire another group, we will not stop you.”
The client clamped his mouth shut and the other mercenaries, ready to erupt at the insult, to settle down.
“Don’t worry, we fully intend to complete the contract. However, given the current dangers, we suggest bringing more capable hands.”
“The ship departs tomorrow. Going to the guild right now likely won’t bring forth a highly capable mercenary as if by magic.”
The previously hostile client seemed somewhat appeased by the captain’s words. I couldn’t help but approach.
“Excuse me… could I possibly join you on the ship?”
Taken aback by my sudden appearance, the young nobleman looking like the client stared blankly at me. The features that would be quite popular with women are as hot as tomatoes.
“Excuse me.”
I was a little worried about his dazed appearance if he had heard my story properly. The client asked me after clearing his voice with repeated coughing.
“What, what are you?”
“Sorry for overhearing, but I must get to Mistwood Forest. If there’s room, could my group join you?”
The client scoffed at my request.
“And who are you? Why should I accept that from someone of no apparent skill?”
“I don’t need payment.”
I was not really seeking a commission.
“I can concoct potions and cast all nature-based offensive spells up to the 5th circle. I can be of great help.”
Magic, with its boundless possibilities, cannot be rigidly defined, though wizards under the 8th circle typically have set disciplines.
Supportive magic enhances weapons or bolsters physical attributes, mental spells affect the mind, and nature magic, which requires a congenital affinity to the earth. Those skills were always well-regarded wherever one goes, as Edgar had once explained to me.
