Chapter 29: A Temporary Home (2)

[Jotin, Male, Young Yeti lvl 13]

The sizeable white-furred monster swung a tree at Kara as she danced around him and Gunthar took a long way to his back. Rainer abstained from this fight as just as he was about to launch a spell Kara stopped him. Apparently, the Yeti’s fur and bones were quite valuable to be simply destroyed and burned by his magic.

Something quite important for a group that had no money and no desire to declare themselves still alive to the Hunter’s Guild.

The Yeti swung down the tree once more as Kara dodged and Gunthar in position effortlessly stabbed an Aura Blade right into its heart.

[Half-Demon/Wolfkin, Female, Blade Dancer lvl 15, Demonic Werewolf lvl 12]

At a total level of 27, such a monster was quite easy for Kara to play with.

[Undead, Male, Death Knight lvl 18]

Rainer was once more disappointed that Gunthar hadn’t gained any experience from the dungeon as an undead. Though they still had the 5 forts to capture when it was time to return to Nalmar.

Just as the group relaxed, Kara raised her blades in a combat stance. Gunthar turned as well toward the direction of the new arrivals.

A group of 11 made their way towards them. The one in the lead called out after a quick look at the fallen Yeti.

“Look at our luck. We killed a Yeti without even trying, the reward shouldn’t be too bad for one of this size.”

[Human, Male, Brawler lvl 14]

Like most of the group approaching, he wore a leather armor lined in furs to keep the cold out. On his hands were sharp spiked gauntlets.

Just as Rainer was about to tell him otherwise, the person behind him slapped the back of his head.

Similar to the [Brawler] this man had brown hair and green eyes looking just like an older version. Though on his back was an ax.

[Human, Male, Axeman lvl 16]

This work is hosted on mananovel.com

The rest of the group was 7 men and 2 women, but Rainer paid them no mind, fully protected by his 8 armed [Arcane Bolt]s in any case. With his increase in [Arcane Energy Manipulation] and in the sunlight, they were almost invisible. Though move close enough, and they’d be quite clear.

“I am sorry for my brother. He did not have the best upbringing. How about as an apology we help you drag that Yeti of yours to town?” He said while pointing to the several sleds they had behind them.

Kara and Gunthar moved back over to Rainer as the group got to work. Rainer noticed they all had Hunter's Guild Plates around their neck though they had a bluish tint to them and an additional marking likely denoting their rank.

Gunthar was about to speak in disapproval before Rainer stopped him. He had no interest in dragging this thing to town. And it wouldn’t be hard to dissuade them from their current course of action.

The [Axeman] walked over while the rest of the group combined the sleds to drag the 9 foot Yeti back to town.

“Are you recent arrivals for the bounty? The guardsmen will surely be happy to have such capable individuals after most of the higher level and stronger parties abandoned the bounty for the newly evolved dungeon.”

“We are. It'd be a big help if you take us to whoever we need to see for that.”

“Of course, it's the least I can do after my brother threatened you. My name is Tom.”

“Francis,” Rainer said seeing no reason to reveal his actual name.

Tom waited for Rainer’s other two group members to answer, but they only stood there, laughing awkwardly Tom went to help the rest of his group. Gunthar's entire face was hidden, and Kara hid both her tail and ears. Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

“Sorcerer, you understand that once we get to town…”

“I’m well aware Gunthar. Don’t worry; it won’t be hard convincing them what a poor idea it is.”

“Huh? What are you two talking about?” Kara whispered a bit confused.

“It's a basic scam. Someone threatens you, someone else plays the hero and in the end that hero is the real scammer. At least I think it is...The moment we get to town under the safety of the guards they’ll just say it's their Yeti. In the end, it’ll be our word against a team of Hunter's Guild members. “

Had Rainer not seen a similar situation on television before this he wouldn’t have noticed. Rather, it was a bit silly for someone to threaten them after how easily they took care of that Yeti in any case.

“From now on actually, I think it’d be best if you two played as my guards. I can come off as a Lord Magus quite easily that way. A flash of your Aura and the simple fact I have two guards of such capability would make my status high even if I were a terrible mage.”

“You just don’t want those two women who have been staring at you like starving hounds to know we are together,” Kara said jokingly. Rainer’s second increase to his charisma had been just as noticeable as his first, if not more.

“If you didn’t have a hood on the situation would be much more in your favor.” He replied.

Rainer walked back over toward Tom with Kara and Gunthar now slightly behind him and flanking him on either side. While they were waiting for the sleds to be put in place, Rainer started speaking.

“You know I just recalled a story about my father.”

Tom looked at Rainer strangely, but didn’t interrupt.

“He would switch off with my uncle. One would play the unscrupulous merchant overpricing a product to someone clearly from out of town. And then the other, usually my father, would swoop in as the hero who saved them from being scammed.”

Tom did his best to keep his face expressionless as Rainer continued.

“Of course he wasn’t the hero. He sold it for an insanely high markup. Just not one anywhere near as high as the first offer. But you know something about my father...he had a thing for picking people out.” Rainer said now infusing arcane into his voice and his armed bolts, that were now more than visible and teeming with extra power.

“He knew when someone was bound to be explosive.” He finished as a small [Cone of Arcane-Fire] erupted from his hand into the air.

Rainer started laughing at the end.

“I love finishing the story that way. Fun isn’t it?”

“Quite entertaining Lord Magus. I’ll go assist my group so that we may head to town faster.” Tom said his face now visibly pale and no longer keeping the facade he had.

“Good, I’ll accept your apology for your little brother then.” Though both knew, that wasn’t the apology he was accepting.

They went on in silence the whole trip to the town. All of Tom’s party kept away from Rainer. This was not the first time they performed a trick like that in their long career. It was, however, the first time they ran into someone they should not have tried to cheat. It wouldn’t even matter if they weren't lying about the Yeti being their's to the guards. No one would take Tom’s word over a powerful mage’s. Especially one that had two such guards and waved around powerful magic.

There was often only two types of powerful mages. Those who had high status or those who were outlaws. Neither of which it would be a good idea to piss off. Especially one who so calmly bragged right in front of a level 16 [Axeman]’s face that he knew he was being tricked. Only a powerful mage would be okay in such a close combat encounter, or one with just as strong guards.

Finally reaching the town and skipping the long line Tom went ahead to explain the situation to a now very happy town guard.

“Greetings Lord Magus, my name is Thaddeus. Would your excellency mind coming with me to meet with the guard captain and receiving your reward for the Yeti Bounty?” The guard tried to hide his happiness, but it was ineffective.

“Let’s go.”

Rainer followed the guard through the town gates and into the barracks. The town itself was quite large with a stone wall over 10 feet in height, housing thousands of people. Were it not for the Yeti they were carrying they would have had to wait in line.

Even amidst the Yeti sightings trade was booming. The Town of Grimlar’s pass held the only safe tunnel through the mountain it sat against. Any trade heading to the other side would come through here. And a distance to the left of the Town was a Branch denoting a World Tree Dungeon. This Branch was a massive tree in its own right as Rainer looked at it from the town.

Building a town around the tree itself would mean they couldn’t stop anyone from accessing their city without huge fallback. Whether criminal or army they’d have to let them in if they claimed they wanted access to the world tree dungeon, hence the town being farther than a ballista's firing range instead.

Of course, there was the tunnel filled with spiders Rainer had come through, though such a zone was quite off-limits to even seasoned Hunters for various reasons.

The barracks was a flat stone building that covered a decent amount of land next to the wall. Rainer’s magic floating behind him and his two bodyguards attracted attention.

“Please wait here a moment Lord Magus, I’ll tell Guard Captain Mayer of your coming.”

It had taken less than a minute before the door opened and now a Guard Captain was trying to keep his happiness under the surface. The dungeon evolving while good in the long term for their town meant that all the Hunters they had gathered under the promise of a large reward had left. More accurately the most capable among them left, and all that remained were the rejects. The Baron’s father himself was going to be joining the hunt now.

“Welcome to our Grimlar’s Pass Lord Magus.” He had already been briefed that the two with the Mage were just guards and paid them no mind.

Rainer sat in a chair across from the desk of the Guard Captain and just waited expectantly. When you were telling or a lie, or in this case being one, the fewer details, the better. Something Rainer understood decently enough. Rainer also used [Appraisal] right after on the Captain and then on Thaddeus.

[Human, Male, Spearman lvl 15]

[Human, Male, Soldier lvl 3]

Rainer could only assume guards controlled the city through their reputation and authority rather than actual power. This gave him some hope about this world; that law still had some effect amongst people of high levels. Hope he also had from that the Baron’s father didn’t personally take revenge for his son.

Though, of course, the late-middle ages of Earth in comparison was a cesspool of corrupt but educated, nobility and inbred kings, so he didn’t particularly expect much. Although a world where a single person could be an army onto himself perhaps prevented the truly corrupt and incompetent from holding power. Even if a high-level individual was only worth 200 men, it wasn’t as if you could fit 200 men into a noble’s room. All it takes is a noble pissing off the wrong person, case in point Rainer himself if the Baron's Father didn't accept his deal, and an entire line could die.

Silence had reigned for a moment before Guard Captain Mayer broke it.

“Lord Magus you have likely heard of the evolved and unconquered Dungeon not far from here. This, while a boon to our city, has caused all the Hunters we called over for hunting a group of Yeti to leave,“ Seeing no disagreement Mayer continued, “Speaking frankly we were only left with the weakest and the cowards. Of course, yourself is like a shining beacon to us. If you would be willing to join in the Yeti Hunt, we would be more than glad to compensate you even if we do not come across Yetis on the hunt.” Mayer paused and waited with hope.

“I want a house in the town and the remainder of anything I earn on the hunt paid afterward. The house shall be mine regardless if I make enough to pay for it. I’ll let you choose a house worthy of myself. Secluded as possible.” Rainer spoke while looking at his nails seemingly checking them for dirt. He had one leg over the side of his chair while appearing completely relaxed.

Seeing the hesitation on Mayer’s face Rainer only waved his hand towards his guards. Gunthar understood right away with Kara following after feeling the buildup of Aura from Gunthar.

Both their Aura’s burst out, more than clear to even those incapable of sensing it. Though, Kara hiding her Demon half had less power than usual.

Thaddeus who had brought them here paled at the sight. Mayer while not an aura user himself had seen a similar display from the former Baron. And it was not of this capacity. This was a far different standard.

“An exceptional deal Lord Magus. I shall send someone to inform the Baron, and he would be more than happy to lend a guest house to such an individual as yourself until we find more permanent quarters. You may wait here until then. I’ll have someone bring you food.” He said, his voice a little high pitched.

Mayer found his own hand still shaking as he left the room. He had no idea what kind of mage would warrant such guards. In fact, he was now incredibly nervous about the hunt. What if such a mage was harmed? He considered the former Baron one of the strongest people he’d ever met, a god compared to himself. Yet what were these people?