Chapter 124 A Certain Vacation ⑤

Part 2

The one who called us out was a tall, mature man with a sharp look in his eyes.
Maybe he had been out shopping, he was carrying a paper bag in both hands.

His clothes were made of cloth, but his appearance and muscles all over his body showed that he was a warrior ―― Moreover I understand that he is a High-Class one.
His skin was tanned and his long gray hair was tied in a bun.
Considering his age, he was probably a much more experienced Hunter than Ruda.

He isn’t as intimidating as Absolute Shadow, but he isn’t an ordinary person.

“………… Who the hell are you?

Gilbert replied bluntly.
There wasn’t any malice in it.
Ruda, who had known him for a certain amount of time, understands it.
Gilbert ―― Just doesn’t know any other attitude except this one.
However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will get it.

For a moment, Ruda nervously tensed up, but the man didn’t seem to care about that.
He just looked at Ruda and the others as if he was inspecting them and his mouth relaxed into a smile.

“I’m sorry if I was abrupt.
I just overheard your voice…… We, too, had business ―― With 《Infinite Variety》.

“………… For now, can you tell us your name? You are in the same line of work, right? I am ―― Ruda Rumbeck.
And you are?”

It is still too early to be relieved, but it wasn’t as if we couldn’t communicate with each other.

“Kukuku, right.
These days, I haven’t had a lot of opportunities where I’m asked my name, sorry about that.
As you had guessed, I work in the same line of industry.
I am Hay Laria.
Led by Arnold-san, I am the vice-Leader of 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist (Fallen Mist)》, Hay Laria.”

The man replied with an intrepid smile to Ruda, who was wary when introducing herself. 

§

’

It was just a coincidence that Hay Laria heard those words.

Fighting against the Lightning Spirits in the town of Elan.
Then a fierce battle with numerous monsters, including Orcs, had put 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist (Fallen Mist)》 in a bad state.
The carriage they bought is damaged, they used up most of their consumables including potions and the members of their group are still physically and mentally exhausted.
Their weapons were either worn down or destroyed due to the fight, so it needed to be maintained or replaced.
The town of Elan and the town of Gula had given them rewards, so they weren’t that much in financial trouble, but there were several things in this world that can’t be solved with money alone.

As the Vice-Leader, Hay was going around the town to replenish their supplies and gathering information that could lead to 《Infinite Variety’s》 destination in order to help the situation as much as possible.
It was at that time that he heard the name of 《Infinite Variety》.

The group he was talking to was a group of six young Hunters.
They were probably Mid-Level in terms of ability.
Since they weren’t wearing the symbol of 《Footprint of the Beginning》, they weren’t a Member of that Clan.

He hesitated a little, but decided to call them out.

Something was needed in order to change the situation.
And whether that Party in front of him, who had said the name Infinite Variety, was an enemy (Although, from what Hay could see, that was very unlikely) or an ally.

Right now, the situation of his Party was close to the worst situation.
Their supplies were exhausted and they were physically and mentally exhausted due to several fierce battles.

Logically speaking, it wouldn’t be very wise to start a fight with a High-Level Party in such a situation.

’
However at the same time, Hay can understand his Leader’s thought which can’t let them back off as Hunters.

Arnold was now starting to lose his cool due to repeated provocations during the travel.
However, he is by no means misjudging what was the most important thing.

Hay and Arnold have known each other for a long time.
They have known each other since the very beginning, since before Arnold became a Hunter and formed his own Party.
Up until now, they have always worked in tandem, with Arnold making the calls and Hay supporting him.

The man who is called Arnold Hale is an extremely talented Hunter.
Blessed with talent, bravery and courage, he has a slight impulsive side, but he has the capacity to listen to the words of his friends.
He probably understands more than anyone else that the current situation isn’t good for the 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist》.

But at the same time, the situation wasn’t at a point where it was easy to back off.

He had been threatened, made to fight against Monsters, and had even been provoked for doing it.
If they retreat like this, seen from the outside, 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist’s》 reputation will not only be hurt, but a bad aftertaste will also linger inside the Party.
It was Arnold’s charisma that made 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist》 a powerful Party.
《Heavy Thunder Strike》 had to be the strongest man.
He had to be brave and courageous.
The fact that he ran away without fighting would surely create distrust within the Party and would one day create a big crack.

More than anything, what was needed to resolve the situation was 『To reach an agreeable point』.
Something had to be done to have an agreeable point between the Explorer Association, outsider Parties, Party Members and Arnold himself. 

The quickest way to do this is to cross swords with Infinite Variety.
If he wins, that’s fine.
If he loses, Arnold will accept it as a lack of strength on his part.
The Party Members wouldn’t feel dissatisfied with a Leader daring to take on a superior opponent.

’

To Hay, he would like to say that he wouldn’t doubt Arnold’s victory, but the opponent was too fearless.
He nonchalantly and naturally avoided Hay and the others’ pursuit, and they had no idea how he was able to instigate the horde of Orcs.

However, as the Vice-Leader, he just has to trust the Leader and do his best for the Party.

The fact that he was able to meet 《Infinite Variety’s》 acquaintance was the luckiest thing since the start of this trip.
If they were hostile against 《Infinite Variety》, they could fight together, and if they were his ally, Hay could use it to shake him a little.

Hay listened to their story while walking.
At first, they seemed to be wary, but perhaps it was a good thing he revealed himself first, or perhaps because they were in the same boat, they soon seemed to open up and told him their purpose.

“I see…… Gladys’ territory…… A noble…… We heard that he was on vacation, but to think that he would treat a noble’s request as a vacation……”

“He was supposed to be in this town, but it was a miss……”

Ruda frowned as if she was in trouble at Hay sincere and shocked words.

A letter delivery.
It was fortuitous that he learned their destination.
Even in the case where they can’t retrace his step, if they ambushed him there, they will be able to meet him at some point.

While having a conversation, Hay thought of their next course of action in his mind when Gilbert, who was walking next to him, spoke.
Unlike Ruda, Gilbert seemed to not care about their request and seemed more interested in talking about Hay and 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist (Fallen Mist)》.

“Eeeh, to think that a Level 7 Hunter would be after that guy too.
Ossan-tachi1, Level 7 is really strong right? I saw, that battlefield.
Is it true that you fought with only one Party?”

” ”

“Ah, that rumor is true.
It wasn’t what you call an easy win though.
I had experience fighting against many opponents, but it was the first time I fought against that many.”

’

The Fire Spirit at the end was especially the worst.
It had scorched the entire plains and burned away hordes of rampaging Monsters, but it was responsible for more than half of the wounds suffered by 《Lightning Dragon’s Mist (Fallen Mist)》.
Even among magic, using Spirits is one of the Highest Level of magic that Mages possess.
Especially when it isn’t just about borrowing its power, but summoning the Spirit itself to fight, the difficulty to do that is even higher.
Infinite Variety doesn’t seem like a Mage so I doubt he could do that, but if he could do it, then the fight for honor would be very tough.

Involuntarily Hay frowned but noticing that he had been seen, he feared he might lose this chance meeting.

“Right.
I won’t know unless I ask my Leader, but…… At any rate, we are going to the same place.
Would you like to go with us?”

If we are with his companions, he will have no choice but to do something about it.
Arnold might not agree with it but this isn’t the time to choose the means.

At Hay’s suggestion, Ruda and Gilbert looked at each other.

TL notes:

Extra chapter thanks to Eric!
So in the end, it does look like that Ruda and Gilbert will accompany Arnold and Hay.
Looks like they also won’t be able to escape Cry’s mastermind plan to make Arnold suffer XD
Now the question is, will they be able to see that Cry went into Garest Mountain or not!
Tchao à plus!

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