Update 19: Haunt/Reality



...And, furthermore, how is it that we're over five months into our exploration, and yet you can't even concoct a simple Resurrection Herb?
I can tell you it's not from lack of trying. At least it's resulted in improvements to my poison compounds, unlike a certain someone who's barely progressed in his studies.
Me? Neglecting my studies?! Never!
Oh, shut up. If you were actually trying, you'd be able to... I dunno, make rocks fall from the ceiling or something. Instead, all you've done is sit on your ass while the rest of us get better.
Hrmph. At least I was the one responsible for the Hippogriff's death.
No. You weren't. Trust me. That thing had a lot more cuts and stabs than it did mana residue.
_{...And this, dear Raven, is an example of what not to do.
I'm kind of scared to tell them it's time to get going...}











Waaaagh, Lanzon's ghosts followed us!
...No, I doubt these are those ghosts. They seem smarter.
And how can you tell that, exactly?
They're not talking.

Anomalies like these require a different tactic...
...English, please?


Press on, my friends. I can take it.


...Okay, um, you've poisoned some weird things, but--
No questions. Only acceptance.



Unnatural abominations.
Does that apply to Lanzon's ghosts, too?
Even moreso.
















Looks like you safely completed that monster extermination. Thank goodness. Thanks to you, we've kept casualties to a minimum. Excellent work, everyone. I suppose I'd better give you your reward. Thank you.









Oh, good, you're here. You took our request, correct? Thank you. There's something we'd like you to tell us. Do you remember when we had you go looking for the pieces of the legendary armor?
Vividly.
At the time, do you recall running across any stone slate with something written on it? There should have been something written about the legendary knight on it. What we want to know is the location of that stone slate. Does any of that sound familiar?
Surely you jest. The guards couldn't handle such a simple request?
Oh, what, does your highly-touted intelligence not include a good memory? Do you really not remember something that happened, at most, a week ago?
I most certainly do remember every detail of that insignificant endeavor.
Truly? Then where is it? Could you point it out on this map?


Right here.
I see...so that's where it is... Hold on, I'll send some men to check the area.


You just sent a bunch of guards to their deaths at the hands of those sword skeletons, didn't you?
I'm not going to dignify that with a response.
You two...


They say they found something there that matches the description of the slate! Thank you! We're in your debt!
...Ah...
Hmph. You're...welcome, I suppose.
We can never thank you enough. Now I'll be able to visit it someday.
Wait, visit it? As in, you wanna have to walk past those skeletons to read a slate?
...D-did I say that out loud?!
Um, yes. Pretty loudly, too.
...Well, alright, I suppose the cat's out of the bag. Can you keep this a secret for me? The truth is, I'd like to visit the legendary knight's grave someday. It's not... entirely unrelated to government work, but it's mostly for myself; I admire his bravery, and the ability to give his life to save others. So, I'd like to visit his grave in person, and offer up my own prayers. That's why I asked you to tell me the location of that slate. But, and I can't stress this enough, this conversation never happened. Tell no one.
On my honor, no word of this will leak.
Now, if we keep talking any longer, who knows what foibles of mine might be let slip, so let's just end our conversation now, I can't have you thinking of me like--
Um.
N-nevermind. Thank you for completing the request, you can collect your reward at the bar.
_{...You know, Remus is kinda cute.
He's certainly less wound up than my sisters and I were at that age.}



...And who didn't believe my recall abilities were sufficient to--
SHUT UP. I get it, your skills aren't entirely self-aggrandized, just mostly. Quit rubbing it in my face.
...Hm.






I hear you completed the request. Good work. ...I take it you still can't share any of the details?
For a few reasons, yeah.
Oh well, that's what happens when you work with the Council. But still, having the Council ask for you by name is pretty amazing, isn't it? Doesn't it feel like you're moving up in the world?
It feels like we've tripped a flag, kinda.
*chuckle* Well, here's your reward. I'll let you know when I need something else.
















Girl: Oh! It's the explorers! So how did it go? Did you get the ore?
Did we ever... It took a while, but here.
Girl: Wow! You really brought it back! Explorers are so cool! Let me touch it! Oh, oh, and I need to sketch it too please! It'll be quick!


...I suppose sketching makes sense, but touching?
I guess she treats ore like my friends and I treat cute voice actors...
V-voice...actors?
Yeah, the guys that give characters voices! They're the closest thing to the character being in real-life!
Excuse me while I...order several shots.
Wait, why?
To drown my sympathy for those poor souls...


Girl: Okay, observation: check! Sketch: check! And here are your 3 ores back. I still can't believe you got all 3! It's like a dream come true! Don't tell me you went out of your way to collect all these just for me?
Well, it was kinda part of the job...
Girl: Thank you so much! I'm definitely gonna be an explorer too someday!
Give that a long, long think-over before you commit to it. Trust me.
Girl: And I'll be counting on you guys then too! Tee hee hee! I left your stuff with the nice lady at the bar, so you can ask her for it! See ya later!
...She didn't listen to that at all, did she?
You're quite lucid for someone that just downed that much liquor.
I may not be much good for punching or swinging a weapon, but I'm no lightweight when it comes to alcohol.








Good work. Sounds like you completed the request safe and sound. I wonder if that girl's going to become an explorer someday?
Like I just said, very loudly: she'd better think it over.
*chuckle* In which case, you might even be her mentors? You'd better work hard if you don't want to be surpassed by the next generation.
Exactly three members of our guild are over 30 years old. I think we still qualify as "the next generation" right now.
Well, here's your reward. Keep up the good work.









These accursed skeletons have the gall to think they're a match for us... Watch, as I put them in their place!
Of all the random, nonsensical... Ugh.








Yeek!









OoooooOOOH! How do you do the ice stuff?!
M-magic jars.







M-Mio... It didn't hit me... Please, I can't breathe...
But what else can I do for a skill called Affection?



R-rest in...pieces.
Oh, come now, I thought you'd realized that act is futile by this point.








Woman: Oh, it's you all. Good work. Have you gotten the skeletons of the 11th floor registered yet?
Let's see, these dreadfully boring undead should be...here, here, and here.
Woman: My! These are certainly what I asked for! I can't wait to show them to my daughter! I'm sure she'll behave herself if she knows these are out there!




Woman: I'm back! *chuckle* Just one picture was enough to make her face go pale! After the second, she even screamed! And the third made her dive right into her bed!
...Jeez.
Woman: I almost felt sorry for her, but I'm sure she'll behave herself after this. I left your reward with Melina, so you can pick it up later. You have my sincere gratitude for this. Now if you'll excuse me.








I see you've completed the request. Thank you. So I guess even hellions who show no fear in front of their parents can be scared by the unknown. Do any of you remember anything like that from your own childhoods?
Not necessarily just in childhood, but my expeditions have given my parents headaches at times.
What about you, Melina?
Me? Well... That's a secret♪ Anyway, here's your reward. Don't be a stranger.







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