A sparring match between them ended with Nagao's victory. Although the sparring session had ended, some reactions were still visible and shown by several people. Even several guards clapped subconsciously at that moment...
*Plak!* *Plak!* *Plak!*
Nagao immediately corrected his body stance and offered out his hand to help Mr. Schmidt stand up. Mr. Schmidt immediately accepted it and started to stand up. In the end, Nagao gave a gesture of thanks for the practice sparring. However, he immediately left before Mr. Schmidt had time to speak. Aware of his attitude shown, Mr. Schmidt asked,
"Where are you going, brat??"
"I'm going to take a bath first!" He replied while hurrying away.
Nagao's demeanor caused puzzled among several people, including Adolph herself. This was only natural because Nagao would chat with them first before going to take a bath. Adolph immediately commented,
"He's changed. I could feel it even if he didn't speak, Old man. You felt the same way, didn't you?"
He sighed and said,
"I've to admitted it. The movements, focus, calmness—," He recalled all the sparring session scenes just now and remembered something—"His gazes. His gazes showed the determination of someone who isn't afraid of death. As his teacher, the changes he experienced were considered rapid," Mr. Schmidt turned to Mr. Eddie. "Usually, you are more knowledgeable in these matters because you are a noble with deep knowledge. Do you have any comments on this?"
Mr. Eddie was a little quieter than usual. Even he had to hold his chin to think for a moment. After a few moments, he commented,
"Based on the knowledge of "Wisdom of Human Arts" taught by the hero Angendal—" He recalled the words taught by the hero—"A person who has faced death, at least once, would experience a growth within themselves. So, based on my conclusion, both of you must accompany, confirm, and listen him. That's all I could suggest to both of you."
Hearing Mr. Eddie's suggestion, Mr. Schmidt and Adolph glanced at each other. They immediately nodded to each other as if they understood what they had to do. Both of them had agreed in silence.
The practice session was over, and everyone started to return to their respective activities, including Nagao. After preparing everything, Nagao immediately came out from Mr. Eddie's residence to see the central city of Kingdom Angendal. He had asked about everything from the location of buying-selling weapons until the adventurer's guild from one of Mr. Eddie's guards. Nagao, who had obtained the information he needed, started to head towards his destination.
The journey to the central city takes a few meters from Mr. Eddie's residence. The atmosphere towards the central city is quite lively. Many visitors are ins-outs of the area kingdom. After a while of walking, Nagao arrived at the central city. The central city atmosphere of the Angendal Kingdom was similar to the Keldam Kingdom. This made Nagao's adaptation less difficult.
After a while of asking the residents and getting information about the location of his destination, Nagao immediately headed there. The first place he visited was the adventurer's guild. This place was only a few meters away from where he was currently standing.
When he entered the adventurer's guild, Nagao started registering and using a fake identity. After he finished, he gave his application file to the receptionist...
"Yes, Mr... Meyer—," The woman receptionist started tidying up his file—"For registration, you only needed to pay five silver coins with payment in advance!" Said the blonde-haired woman receptionist.
Nagao immediately withdrew the funds he needed to pay for the registration. After receiving the payment, the woman receptionist said,
"Thank you for payment, Mr. Meyer. Once the payment has been made, I will prepare the adventurer card. Please wait a moment." The blonde-haired woman receptionist started heading toward one of her colleagues while carrying Nagao's file.
While waiting for his card to finish, Nagao tried to look at the available mission boards. Nagao realized that the mission board here provided numerous missions compared to the guilds in the Keldam Kingdom. Realizing numerous mission papers on display, Nagao was eager with a measured interest in reading each sheet of mission papers. Of all the available mission papers, one mission paper was seen that made him remember something. Something— that triggered his memories.
After reading the mission carefully, Nagao immediately took it. Simultaneously, a voice was heard saying,
"On behalf of Mr. Meyer, please come to the front desk immediately to collect your card. Thank you!"
Realizing the call that was calling him, Nagao immediately headed toward the reception desk. When he got there, Nagao asked,
"Are there any restrictions on which missions will be taken based on the current level adventurer?"
"There's no limit to the mission based on the criteria you mentioned earlier. This is because our guild gives freedom according to the adventurer's capacity without being regulated by rank. Are you interested in any of the missions on display?"
Hearing the receptionist's question, Nagao just nodded and passed the mission sheet to her. Realizing the mission Nagao had given her, she reacted with a frightened and stuttering expression,
"A-are-you sure Mr... M-Meyer??!"
Nagao was silent and stared at the woman receptionist with a sharp gaze. Realizing his reaction just now, she began to speak,
"Th-then Mr. M-meyer may take on this m-mission!" she reacted by shaking. "Ah! H-here is your c-c-card, Mr. Meyer! And please take care of your safety!" She said again while giving him his adventurer card.
Awaring his adventurer card ready, Nagao just smiled and hurried away. He walked outside of the guild and headed for his next destination. The destination he was headed for was the weapon shop.
When he arrived at his destination, Nagao bought some equipment. Several throwing knives, daggers, and poison were the items he bought. After he felt his equipment was sufficient, he returned to Mr. Eddie's residence.
On the way back, Nagao found many people passing by. Of all the people passing by, a woman walked up to him and said,
"You... are you going to continue walking on the path of Hell?" she spoke in a relaxed tone. "Are you sure about your current choice?"
"Do I know who you are?" Nagao answered in an expressionless tone.
The woman began to speak again with different words,
"The poor lamb has turned into a wolf and started to walk on the path of hell. Walking with several conditions that make him miserable without stopping. Does the wolf still want to do it?"
Nagao was silent for a moment. He seemed to understand what The woman said. After a moment of thought, Nagao replied,
"He's no longer a sheep. Nor a wolf. Not of anything. He is he who embraces the thorns of limitations and makes peace with the darkness of the past and within himself." Nagao immediately left after giving his answer. He said without turning to the woman even though he caught a glimpse of her.
The silver-haired woman was surprised after hearing Nagao's words. She smiled slightly and asked again,
"What's your name?"
"Meyer. Hati Meyer." Nagao answered curtly.
"Wolf who bringer of light... what a neat name!" she answered while humming afterward.
"Hopefully, the line of fate will bring us together again like the previous time, Nagao."
"?!" Nagao was suddenly startled and turned quickly toward the woman. However, her presence had disappeared. Disappeared in the middle of the street like a morning breeze.
"Who the fuck is she??!" Nagao started to put on a suspicious expression.
***
I returned to Mr. Eddie's residence after a while walks from the central city. After I entered Mr. Eddie's yard, Adolph was waiting for me at the entrance and said,
"How does it feel to talk to a silver-haired bitch after recovering? Does that make you happy and makes you erect like morning tumescence, huh??!" She cleared his throat loudly afterward with an irritated face.
(What's wrong with this woman again? Is she possessed by a ghost this morning?? Ah! Just ignore her words. I have more important business to take care of.) I started walking without replying to her speeches. Walk past Adolph.
Before I could open the door, Adolph held my hand and said,
"Bastard! Urgh! Are you ignoring me?!" Adolph spoke jealously firmly. Then, she realized what Nagao was holding. "That's a mission paper, right? I wanted to see it!"
(What's wrong with this woman's behavior??! Her attitude is a bit weird. However, I'm too lazy to make a fuss with her. So, let us settle this properly before taking a break.) I just sighed while seeing Adolph's behavior.
I immediately showed the mission paper before her face for a few moments. Suddenly, she held and read the mission sheet carefully. Her expression began to turn into panic. Adolph immediately said,
"You wanted to hunt an A-tier monster??! Did your brain hit a horse and fuck up, Nagao??!"
"Yes, and these wounds on my body are proof of that. Now, please let me rest for a while, will ya." I just smiled slightly at her. Leaving her behind while closing the door.
*Cleaaark!* *Thump*