NOVEL NEXT Chapter 158
158. A Sudden Summons
“A request for me?”
After spending a night at my parents’ house, I returned to Ortia. That day, someone came to see me.
“Yup! It’s a message from Laura-neesan!”
The visitor was Fran. She had used teleportation to get to Ortia and arrived at my house with her luggage in tow.
“A request? From who? Laura?”
“Nope. It’s someone from the department in charge of national strategy. I guess you could call them an official?”
An official…? That means someone important! Up until now, all communication had come through Laura, so this was the first time I’d been summoned directly.
Did I do something to draw their attention? Just thinking about being suddenly called in made my stomach churn.
“Got it. Let’s head to the capital for now.”
I summoned my warp slime, set the destination to Montrolia, and motioned for Fran to enter first.
What could the government want with me? Hopefully, it’s not something bad!
We stepped through the warp slime’s gate, which resembled a hula hoop, and arrived in front of a fountain near Montrolia’s entrance.
The last time I came here, it was evening. This time, it was midday, and there seemed to be more people than before.
“Onii-san! Over here, over here!”
As I was looking around at the familiar sights of Montrolia, Fran excitedly tugged at my sleeve.
It seemed she’d be guiding me. She eagerly pulled me along, pointing down the road.
At the end of her finger stood a building much larger than the others.
A massive white brick castle—that was our destination, the royal palace.
“Thank you for coming. I’ve been waiting.”
Fran led me through the palace entrance, and after climbing several flights of stairs, we found Laura.
She had been waiting for us and, after a brief greeting, started walking down the hallway. We followed closely behind.
“So, I wasn’t told anything. What’s this about?”
“Ah, right. I didn’t mention the details yet. There’s somewhere I need you to go.”
“Somewhere you need me to go?”
“Yes. I’ll explain further inside.”
Laura stopped in front of a room, knocked on the door, and entered.
Inside was a man sitting at a desk.
“Excuse me. I’ve brought Arx as requested.”
The man sitting before us—this must be the official.
He looked to be in his sixties or seventies. His hair was white as snow, and his deeply lined face showed his age.
The man gave me a sharp, fox-like glance and snorted.
“So, you’re the Arx Laura mentioned? Hmph, just a kid.”
The old man insulted me right away, catching me off guard.
“Sir Lloyd. I personally vouch for Arx’s abilities. Please refrain from belittling him.”
“Watch your tongue, Laura. I’ve never acknowledged adventurers. They’re just a bunch of hobbyists at best.”
Fran and Laura both scowled. I was beginning to see what they thought of this man.
Adventurers are often looked down upon. Those with both skill and education usually join the kingdom’s mercenaries instead.
For example, someone like Lyze, who has noble status and exceptional talent, would normally become a mercenary. He’s a bit unusual for staying an adventurer.
For most people—especially government officials—adventurers are just rogue mercenaries who didn’t cut.
I’m used to this kind of treatment, so it doesn’t bother me much. But, honestly, I wish it would stop.
Without a hint of concern for my feelings, the old man named Lloyd continued in a bored tone.
“Fine. Arx, was it? I’ve got a job for you.”
“…Does this job involve going somewhere?”
“Yes. I need you to go to the Witch’s Forest.”
The mention of the Witch’s Forest immediately rang a bell. That must be the forest near my parents’ house.
“The Witch’s Forest? What for?”
“To investigate this.”
Lloyd placed his hand on a glass case on the desk. Inside was a single, gleaming red gem.
It was the Zain’s Magic Eye.
“The Zain’s Magic Eye…? And you need me to investigate the Witch’s Forest for that? I don’t get it.”
“Let me spell it out for you so even you can understand. Do you know why the forest is called the Witch’s Forest?”
“Because there’s a rumor that a witch lives there, right?”
“Hmph. So even a rogue adventurer knows that much. But there’s one thing you got wrong.”
Lloyd’s tone was laced with sarcasm. What he said next left me breathless.
“—It’s no rumor. There really is a witch living in that forest.”
“…What!?”
It was an unbelievable revelation.