Chapter 40: Chapter 36.1: A New Ally?

And while I was thinking about this new face, people moving outside the city began pushing me with them. Surprisingly, not a majority of them are mercenaries or hunters but workers with axes, pickaxes, etc. I don't know if they are needed, but I don't have enough experience to say otherwise.

 

I heard foots steps of two men coming towards me and turned towards where the sound comes. It's Arthur and his friend. "Erwin, glad to see you here. You are a little unprepared, but we still have time for the big event."

 

"Big event? Are we going to a banquet or a cave filled with monsters and traps? And while talking, who is this friend of yours? You both seem to be cherished to see each other."

 

The tanned man came forward and offered me his hand. "My name is Alexandros, an old friend of Arthur who came to visit and who you may be?" He sounds sincere, but I have a bad feeling inside. Still, it is too early to make a judgment.

 

I took the man's offer and shook his hand. "Names Erwin. Good to meet with you, friend. I came to this town not long ago and made friends with Arthur. I suppose you are also here for the dungeon?" Let's see the reason why this guy is in here. Considering the extreme station we are in, him being an ally will be much appreciated.

 

"It is good to hear you became friends with this guy, but he looks a little more open after all these years. I told him way before that countryside will have a good effect on him." He looked at the town's walls. "Well, how much you can call this countryside anyways. But back to your question, yes, I am here for the dungeon. I and this bucket head used to go on adventures when we were young, so I thought the best way to bond with him would be a new adventure after all these years." I caught a glimpse of shine in his eyes when he talked about the past. I guess he is not bad.

 

"We used to do that, didn't we." Arthur looked at this sword, and it took my interest. Our weapons. They look similar. "Well, this was in the past, and for now, we have other problems. Erwin, we still have a couple of hours before the carriages start moving. I advise you to buy supplies, like ropes, torches, rations, extra weapons for extreme situations, etc. Don't worry about the price. When we clear this thing, you will have more than triple times what you spent." Don't I know that? Even that small one in the forest gave me a small fortune, and I wonder what we will get from a dungeon we raid with a small army.

 

I nodded. "Then I will leave two of you alone to catch up while I go shopping." And without saying one more word, I began moving back to the town. I have something in my mind.

 

*****

 

Arthur looked around until he got certain there weren't any curious ears that could hear their talk, then sighed. He looked into his old friend's eyes. "Why are you here? Don't give me an excuse. We decided to stay away from each unless something happens." 

 

Alexandros didn't open his mouth for some time, then inhaled. "I have a job to do, not one I am not particularly happy to do or one I could tell you what it is. But let's say something dragged me into this place, and I can't go without doing it."

 

Arthur glared at the tanned man. "If it includes you coming back here, how can you keep me away from the thing troubling you? How long have we adventured in the past? Ten winters, or was it eleven? I saved your life countless times, and so you did save mine. We fought side by side and defeated numerous challenges together. Would it be too much for me to ask what troubles you!"

 

Alexandros didn't answer, just turned around and began moving towards the crowd gathering around carriages. "Hopefully, you can forgive me after this, brother." He whispered to nothingness.

******

 

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My market shopping is almost over. I bought the supplies Arthur told me about and more. The potential money from this job is high, so I opened my pouch a little and bought myself a new bag to carry loot and some chemicals and clay pots. I am not a chemist, but I had its education both in high school and university, and I am very close with some of them, ones used in the military, to be exact.

 

Around the district of the hunters guild, I found a shop owned by the kingdom's alchemist guild. They sell all types of chemical materials, from plant-based painkillers to a paste-like mixture to keep pests away from foods in homes. But they also sell things like gunpowder, which is weird considering you can buy the explosive without a permit but not the weapon to fire it. The price is also a little hefty, but I might need it.

 

And the clay pots I bought. I filled them with small sharp objects, straws, and gunpowder and fitted them with a short fuse. Alchemists were kind enough for me to use their shop to make the weapon. I am not planning to make a modern hand grenade, but something that can save me if a monster charges at me. Speaking for the monsters I defeated, my makeshift bomb will not kill but give me a chance to escape or reposition.

 

I wonder what we will encounter at the end of this dungeon. At least a dozen mercenaries are going inside, which means we will fight something big, but I also grew strong. Now I am at a point where I can take down multiple people in a fight. It may be close to the monsters I killed in the forest, perhaps to that giant wolf or the bear.

 

That's enough talk. I almost reached the gates, and people should be doing the last preparations before departing.

 

And now there are almost double the amount of people and carriages outside the gates. Arthur is still waiting in the same place. "Arthur, I bought whatever you recommended and something more for the mission."

 

"Good. Now, let's get to the carriages." He looks a little anxious, no, it won't be the fitting word, concerned, will be a better fit, and Alexandros, he is nowhere to be seen. Did something happen between them? Well, it is not up to me to meddle between those two friends. Let's hope it's not anything serious.

 

I followed Arthur for a while until we arrived at a small campsite near the town where four large carriages were waiting. Arthur climbed to a large log and coughed to take people's interest. "Okay, everybody, the guild leader wanted me to lead today's mission, and I will be the one leading the groups. Now, I know all of you are aware of our mission and its details, but I am obligated to repeat it. The dungeon we are going to today was supposed to be sealed a long time ago, at least according to guild records. But we got reports the last week stating that there have been monster attacks on nearby settlements and people passing by, and the kingdom passed the mission to the guild instead of sending their forces. Now to details about the dungeon, we don't know its origin, but probably demon made and swarmed with dog-sized spiders. They are venomous and can kill you if you are not careful, so be extra cautious because we don't have enough antidotes. Now coming to group planning, we will be going inside in two groups, one led by me and the other by my friend Alexandros. He is a veteran hunter, and you can trust his experience. That's all for now. I will give more details when we arrive."

 

And with speech over, people began abording carriages. Following the people, I started moving towards the closest one too, but Arthur grabbed me by the shoulder. "Follow me. I have something to say." 

 

With hopes of good news, I followed Arthur. We are not too far from the carriages, but I am sure people can't hear us here. "So, what are you going to tell me? Hopefully, it's not bad news about your friend."

 

Arthur grabbed his face and shook his head. He looks concerned and somewhat angry. "Sadly, you just spoiled the fun part for yourself. I don't have time to tell you my past, but know that whatever forced Alexandros to come here is most likely not good news. I don't know the exact reason, but he looks troubled, and the trouble will be. Just keep an eye on him, alright? When we will stop for a rest in the dungeon, tell me if he's done anything suspicious."

 

Just the thing I was hoping to avoid, but fuck it, we got into a way, and I will not turn back now. "Alright, I will try to be extra careful, and you must tell me whatever happened in the past to put this friend of yours in this position because if his presence here is a threat to me, then it's not your problem anymore."

 

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