Chapter 153

Translator: Lizz

Proofreader: Xemul

It was just before nightfall, when Lorens party reached the post-town .

They had been attacked by demons and bandits multiple times that day, but they only drove their attackers back instead of killing them . Lapis said they were too pitiful, as they couldnt even harm the party .

It was understandable though: after all, their party did consist of two twice-named mercenaries (even though one kept denying it), an Evil God and a deamonkin . Though Lapis didnt even have to use her demonic powers, and she had nothing to do as a priest seeing that no one was injured .

The sun has completely set .

Just as Loren grumbled, the sun had completely set by the time they reached the town, and it was so dark that they couldnt see a thing . The lights from the town gave the party a sense of security: finally, they would be able to sleep in an inn tonight .

But Loren voiced his worry:

Can we still find an inn at this hour?

If they couldnt find lodging, they would have to camp near the town . Stores had also closed by now, and they had used up almost all of their food supply to satiate Gulas hunger . So they would have to make do with the remaining meagre portions until morning .

That depends on how much were willing to pay, doesnt it?

Lapis didnt believe that money could buy everything, but in truth it could buy almost anything . This town wasnt that big and normal rooms were likely filled already, but it wouldnt be strange for the pricier ones to be still vacant . The question was whether there was an inn with such rooms here, and if yes, whether they could pay for them .

In the worst-case scenario, we can ask some travellers to pass on their rooms to us .

If they were willing to pay, they could find someone to arrange it . In short, as long as you have money, getting some rooms wasnt a difficult thing .

I dont really have any troubles with sleeping outdoors, but food is the problem . All thanks to a certain Miss Big Eater .

In response to Lapis dripping-with-sarcasm remark, Gula said:

I can still get food for us if we camp though?

The town was small, but it did have almost all facilities of a post-town . Lapis was curious about what the hell Gula was planning to fetch and use as food, but they would be in trouble if she did something outrageous . They really should secure some rooms in an inn by all means .

So, Lapis picked an inn, told the others to wait outside, and went in to speak with its owner .

Not sure if you guys are lucky or unlucky, but we do have rooms .

Was what the innkeeper, an elderly man, who had already passed middle-aged, told Lapis . She told him about the number of people in their group and asked if he had rooms for one night . She thought that being able to find vacancies would be lucky enough, but the innkeepers way of speaking made her feel a bit uneasy .

What do you mean by unlucky?

Lapis called the others in and observed the first floor of the inn, which also functioned as a dining hall . The business seemed to be thriving, and the place was full of travellers coming for a meal or a pint . But when she looked closer, she could spot some empty chairs here and there in the gloomy hall .

Lapis was thinking that they really do have rooms available when Gula whispered into her ears . She had just come back from putting their donkeys into the stable .

The stable is quite empty .

Could it be that she had picked an inn with terrible service? Lapis was worried about that when the innkeeper grumbled:

A rather big gang of bandits has just emerged south of this town . Thats why there are fewer people coming or leaving here .

South was where their party was heading to .

Are they really that big?

Lapis slid some coins across the counter to secure their rooms and asked . The innkeeper answered while counting them:

Ah, theyve wrecked a couple of villages already . Done a number to the guards stationed in the region too . The soldiers in this town are fearing that theyll come here next .

Thats awful . Have you appealed to the kingdom?

Of course we did . But its rumoured that the kingdom will just look on and wont lift a finger .

And why is it again?

Didnt we just have a skirmish with our neighbour a little while ago? There are rumours that weve lost quite a lot of troops in that and still cant regroup .

What he just mentioned was not unrelated to their party . Actually, right now the member who was the culprits friend was looking in a different direction and whistling while feigning ignorance .

And among the lost soldiers the innkeeper had just mentioned, not that many were actually killed . The true story was, many of them werent able to continue their soldering career after a certain event, but Lapis couldnt tell the innkeeper that . She offered some harmless and inoffensive opinion instead .

Thats war for you . Scary, isnt it?

The innkeeper nodded with a troubled expression:

Definitely . The bandits are acting up thanks to that, so its a big loss for us too .

But how the hell did they manage to gather enough men to form such a big gang?

Bandits didnt suddenly appear out of nowhere, they must have come from somewhere . Gathering here in such numbers was also strange .

The Kingdom basically considers the south from here to be an outback region . Runaway criminals, broke mercenaries and soldiers, and failed pioneers, all gathered and formed a bandit gang .

Lorens face slightly stiffened hearing the words broke mercenaries and Lapis knew quite well why is that: he was one of them, but was lucky enough to be able to enter the adventurer business . His debts were still there, but at least he was still able to put food on the table .

However, not all mercenaries were as lucky and some strayed, becoming bandits and forming gangs with others in similar circumstances . Just one mistake, and Loren would have ended up like those guys . No wonder he had mixed feelings being reminded of that again .

Its said that the Kingdom is forming a unit to deal with these bandits, but how real can that be? And even if they did form a unit, itll all be meaningless if they cant eradicate the gang .

Are they really that big?

This time Tizona asked, joining the conversation . She was a mercenary much like one Loren used to be, but unlike Loren, her mercenary company was still going strong, save for a huge compensation claim they had to pay . If they failed to, Tizona would be forced to pull out, and Lapis believed it would put her company in a dangerous situation . Losing one member would always lower the whole companys fighting power, not to mention, one with exceptional combat ability thanks to her blessings like Tizona . Her resignation would create a quite big power vacuum, and it would be very difficult for the company to regroup .

I dont know the details, but it seems so . Its said that they even acquired and merged with other gangs in the region .

Do they have someone capable of pulling that off?

An average person wouldnt be able to command such a large group . Loren and Tizona, who had been close to leaders of such groups, understood that very well . If the leader didnt have true ability and personal charm, the group would be divided and collapsed in no time . However, from what they heard so far, it seemed to be the case here . The unknown leader managed to properly organize a group formidable enough to force the Kingdom to take action .

But the base of such a large group must have become known by now, right?

Well, Ive heard that the location of their base is still unknown . To be able to hide it in this area, their leader must be quite smart .

A mob, no matter how big their number was, was not really a threat . But if it was properly commanded by someone, then it was another story .

This is no good .

Lapis said . She received their room keys after the innkeeper finished counting her coins .

Loren nodded in agreement:

This story reeks of trouble . Itll be nice if we dont run into them .

If we do, we just need to kill them off right away, dont we?

Loren and Lapis smiled wryly at Gulas nonchalant words . Of course, some bandits wouldnt hinder her, no matter how many of them there were .

However, given Tizonas presence in their party, if they were to go all out against the bandits, there was a possibility of receiving undue injuries by some strange accident .

Just count on my power, ok?

Well be counting on it .

With the proper precautions Tizona could utilize all of her powers . Loren wondered about the extent of their fighting force, with Tizona becoming their main damage dealer . But then he noticed that he was already somehow thinking about a strategy for the case they encounter those bandits, and smiled wryly:

Anyway, its better to not meet them at all . Lets worry about what to do when we actually do run into them . We cant turn back now .

Yeah, we need to reach our destination, no matter what it takes . That fact still doesnt change .

So, no change in plan . Just stop thinking about things we can do nothing about, and quickly get some rest .

How about praying to some Gods then? Maybe one will hear you .

Gula suggested jokingly, and Loren laughed with scorn as if hearing a bad joke .

Dont you believe in Gods, Loren?

Tizona asked . Due to the nature of their trade, many mercenaries were superstitious . They might not necessarily pray, but the number of mercenaries who believed in Gods was not low .

I believe that Gods do exist, but I dont really want to pray to them . It wont bring anything good . I started thinking that way after becoming an adventurer .

Loren answered and directed a somewhat meaningful glance towards Lapis, a priest who mentioned the God of Knowledge at every chance possible and Gula, an Evil God . Both of them looked somewhat displeased .