I’m a Rookie, but I’m an Experienced Professional - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 67

 

On the seventh day since leaving Belheim, we arrived at a village at the entrance of the Erubrin Mountains.

 

‘I’m tired.’

 

Even though I had gotten enough sleep, traveling on horseback for a week was physically exhausting. My back and hips especially ached as if they had been beaten.

 

‘I want to lie in bed for about two days doing nothing.’

 

I mulled over this impossible wish as I dismounted from my horse. Perhaps because it was at the foot of the mountains, the village was shrouded in fog.

 

“Finally here.”

 

When the bearded man appeared through the fog, I blinked my eyes wide.

 

The others weren’t surprised at all, so they must have known he was coming.

 

“Is that man also going to the Elven Forest with us?”

 

When I asked, Callix Crowbell let out a short sigh.

 

“Didn’t I tell you?”

 

No, you didn’t, you bastard.

 

“The inside of the Erubrin Mountains has excessively abundant mana, so if ordinary people enter, they can become intoxicated by mana and experience abnormal symptoms like hallucinations or auditory hallucinations.”

 

Mireon stepped forward and kindly explained.

 

“To prevent that from happening, a mage needs to periodically remove the mana that accumulates in the body, so that’s why we called him.”

 

“I see.”

 

Not telling me such important information beforehand.

 

Anyway, aside from his face, there wasn’t a single thing I liked about this man.

 

I glared at Callix Crowbell, who was talking with Anthony Greg.

 

“Still, I didn’t expect Raellion to come personally.”

 

At Mireon’s words, I looked at him again.

 

“I requested that they send a reasonably decent mage from the Magic Tower.”

 

Come to think of it, that man said he was the tower master.

 

He was an extraordinary person in a completely different direction than I had thought.

 

“It’s a friend’s matter, so naturally I should come personally. I also wanted to visit the Elf Village after a long time.”

 

The bearded man, Raellion, who had approached us before we knew it, said with a bright smile.

 

“How is everyone doing?”

 

“Of course. It’s the same as when you came before.”

 

“That’s a relief. Ah, speaking of the Elf Village, I’m craving the apple pie Shasha made.”

 

“If you ask, she’ll make it right away. Shasha likes you too.”

 

Listening to their conversation, it seemed Raellion had been to the Elf Village before.

 

‘The book said that elves dislike humans and absolutely won’t let them into the village except in very special cases, but I guess that’s not true.’

 

Or maybe that man is special.

 

“Callix, aren’t you happy that I came?”

 

“Not particularly.”

 

Raellion spoke in a friendly manner, but what came back was a blunt, short answer.

 

Raellion shrugged as if he was used to this kind of reaction, then looked at me.

 

“Hello, it’s been a while.”

 

“Hello, Tower Master.”

 

If he’s a tower master, he must have a surname, but I didn’t know his surname. Since I didn’t want to call him ‘Lord Raellion’ familiarly, I chose a safe title.

 

“Tower Master? That feels too distant.”

 

We were originally distant.

 

“Just call me Rael. I’ll call you Eileen too.”

 

“No. How could I dare to call the Tower Master by name?”

 

When I immediately drew the line, Raellion wrinkled his nose.

 

“It’s fine, so call me Rael.”

 

“I’m fine too.”

 

“I’m fine too.”

 

“I’m even more fine.”

 

When I didn’t give in to the end, Raellion shook his head.

 

“As expected of someone working under Callix, you act exactly like Callix.”

 

Ah, I felt like I had just received the greatest insult of my life.

 

* * *

 

After spending the night in the village at the foot of the mountain, we set out again the next morning.

 

“Wait a moment.”

 

Before climbing the mountain, Mireon took out a long rope from his bag and tied it around his waist.

 

Then he connected Callix Crowbell and me, Anthony Greg, and finally Raellion’s waists in order.

 

We looked like croakers strung on a line.

 

“Why are you tying the rope?”

 

“The fog in the Erubrin Mountains is so thick that you can’t see the person in front of you well. We might get lost, so we’re tying it in advance.”

 

How thick must the fog be to require such precautions?

 

I was curious, but my question was answered shortly after we climbed the mountain.

 

Thick fog surrounded us so densely that I couldn’t see not only Callix Crowbell right in front of me, but even my own feet.

 

Feeling anxious as if I had been left alone deep in the mountains, I gripped the rope tightly.

 

How long had we walked like that?

 

“Ugh.”

 

Anthony Greg, who had been following behind me, let out a single groan and collapsed.

 

When I staggered, losing my balance as well, Callix Crowbell grabbed my arm.

 

“Th-thank you.”

 

Callix Crowbell stared intently at my face, then passed by and approached Anthony Greg.

 

“….”

 

“Sir Greg.”

 

He called several times, but Anthony Greg just gripped the dirt ground and breathed heavily without saying anything. His face looked pale at a glance, and his eyes were unfocused.

 

“He’s intoxicated by mana.”

 

Mireon also examined Anthony Greg’s condition and then signaled to Raellion with his eyes.

 

“Finally, it’s my turn.”

 

Raellion grinned, then grabbed Anthony Greg’s shoulder and muttered something.

 

Then something like red heat haze came out of Anthony Greg’s body and was absorbed into Raellion’s body.

 

“Tasteless.”

 

Raellion, who had absorbed it all, muttered with dissatisfaction.

 

Color returned to Anthony Greg’s pale face, and his eyes became clear.

 

“Why am I sitting on the ground?”

 

Anthony Greg stood up, looking puzzled as if he had no idea what had happened to him.

 

“You were intoxicated by mana. I removed it all, so you’ll be fine now.”

 

“Thank you, Tower Master.”

 

At Raellion’s words, Anthony Greg bowed deeply and apologized.

 

Raellion, who had been smiling proudly, looked at me.

 

“Is Eileen okay?”

 

“I’m fine.”

 

“Really? That’s strange.”

 

Raellion put his hand on one cheek and tilted his head diagonally.

 

“Normal people should start showing abnormal symptoms by now, so how are you still perfectly fine?”

 

Raellion’s gaze as he looked at me was like a child who had discovered an interesting toy, and cold sweat ran down my spine.

 

* * *

 

Since there couldn’t possibly be an inn in a forest like this, we inevitably had to sleep outdoors.

 

Since it was a dangerous place where flying beasts or monsters could appear at any time, the four men excluding me decided to take turns keeping watch.

 

“Shouldn’t I also take a watch shift?”

 

Even if I can’t fight, I’m confident I could wake people up.

 

“Eileen will have many sleepless nights ahead, so rest well today.”

 

Mireon said something terrifying with a grin.

 

‘Just how much is he planning to work me to death to say something like that?’

 

Though I was scared, it seemed best to follow his words, so I obediently backed down.

 

So I lay down on a makeshift bed made by spreading leaves and covering them with a blanket.

 

I fell asleep quickly due to exhaustion, but the uncomfortable sleeping arrangement meant I woke up after sleeping only briefly.

 

Even when I tried to sleep again, sleep wouldn’t come. After tossing and turning for a while, I finally sat up.

 

“Why are you up already?”

 

Callix Crowbell, who was sitting in front of the campfire, asked.

 

“I can’t sleep.”

 

“You should sleep well since you’ll have to walk a long way tomorrow too.”

 

“I’ll just sit for a bit before sleeping.”

 

My back was already aching, and lying on the hard ground seemed to make it throb even more.

 

I sat directly across from Callix Crowbell. Warming myself by the fire loosened my stiff body a little.

 

“How much longer is your watch shift?”

 

Callix Crowbell checked his pocket watch and answered.

 

“About an hour left.”

 

“Mireon has the next watch, right?”

 

“Yes. But are you going to disobey me again this time?”

 

“What? About what?”

 

“I told you there’s nothing good about getting close to an elf.”

 

Ah, that.

 

“I’m not getting close to him.”

 

“Calling him by name so affectionately, yet claiming you’re not.”

 

Callix Crowbell snorted and threw a branch into the campfire.

 

“But why are you coming to the elf village with us, my lord?”

 

I casually asked something I’d been curious about all along, but no answer came back.

 

As expected, he has no intention of telling me.

 

“…Because there’s something I want to ask the god.”

 

I was about to give up immediately since I didn’t want to waste energy, but Callix Crowbell spoke up.

 

“I’m going because I want to ask the god why these damn nightmares won’t end and keep repeating.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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