We were finally summoned by Marquis Arleon. He awaited us in a smaller private chamber, far from the bustling banquet hall. The room's dark wooden walls were adorned with maps and important documents, lending it an air of quiet authority.
As soon as we entered, both Rainer and I offered our respective salutes. The Marquis greeted us with a faint smile, motioning for us to sit.
"Well then," he began, his gaze shifting between us. "Mr. Arkan, I would like to hear your decision regarding the business proposal I offered. And Rainer, there's another matter I must discuss with you afterward."
Taking a deep breath, I spoke up. "Your Grace, I have carefully considered your proposal, and I am prepared to collaborate on the project. However…"
The Marquis raised an eyebrow, his expression sharpening with curiosity. "However, what, Mr. Arkan?"
I glanced briefly at Rainer before turning my attention back to the Marquis. "I would like to include myself in the mission you intend to assign to Rainer."
The air in the room grew heavier. The Marquis fixed me with a piercing gaze, scrutinizing my every move. "And why, pray tell, would you want to involve yourself, Mr. Arkan? And how do you know that I have a mission for Rainer?"
I had anticipated this question and already crafted a response. Speaking with measured confidence, I replied, "As a merchant, I have a network of information. Word has reached me that one of your territories is facing a serious issue—a plague, if I'm not mistaken. I believe that as your business partner, this is an opportunity to demonstrate my loyalty to you and ensure that nothing disrupts our shared project."
The Marquis appeared unconvinced but seemed satisfied enough by the plausibility of my reasoning. He leaned back in his chair, his keen eyes still analyzing me.
"Loyalty, you say?" he murmured. "Mr. Arkan, you are an intriguing man. Few merchants would willingly involve themselves in matters such as this, even under the guise of loyalty. Very well, I'll accept your offer. However, remember this will not be an easy journey. You'll face dangers, and I will not be held responsible if anything happens to you."
A small smile crossed my face. "Your Grace, I am fully aware of the risks."
The Marquis then shifted his focus to Rainer. "Rainer, I know you're a man of few words, so I'll get straight to the point. A small village in the southern part of my domain has been struck by a mysterious plague. I want you to investigate it. Find the source and, if possible, resolve the issue. Mr. Arkan will join you as part of the team."
Rainer glanced at me briefly but offered no comment. He simply nodded to the Marquis. "Understood."
"Good," the Marquis said as he rose, signaling that the meeting was adjourned. "You both will depart tomorrow morning. I'll provide all necessary details before your departure. And Mr. Arkan…" His smile turned enigmatic as his gaze settled on me. "I hope your decision to join this mission proves to be a wise one."
I returned his gaze, maintaining a confident demeanor. "I never make decisions lightly, Your Grace."
As we exited the room, Rainer finally broke his silence, his tone flat. "What exactly are you planning, Arkan?"
I smiled faintly, sliding my hands into my pockets. "I just want to make sure things proceed as they should. Besides, two heads are better than one, right?"
Rainer exhaled heavily, clearly unconvinced. "We'll see."
And so, a new journey began. With Rainer at my side and the mission ahead, I knew this would be far more than a simple investigation into a plague.
-Marquis Arleon-
I watched the two men leave the room, my attention lingering on Arkan. There was something peculiar about him.
It wasn't just his decision to involve himself in this mission, though that was suspicious enough. A successful merchant like him had no reason to entangle himself in such dangerous matters. The natural instinct of a merchant was to avoid unnecessary risks, not seek them out.
Leaning back in my chair, I crossed my arms, my thoughts drifting back to Arkan. His appearance, his manner of speech, his confidence—they all felt slightly… out of place.
He wasn't like the other merchants I had dealt with. Most of them were full of empty flattery, constantly hedging their words, or excessively cautious in every statement. But Arkan? He spoke differently—with polite respect, yes, but there was a quiet boldness behind his every word. It was as if he knew far more than he let on.
And his eyes…
Eyes don't lie.
There was resolve in them—something deeper and far more serious than mere ambition. It wasn't the look of a typical merchant chasing profit. It was something else.
"Your Grace?" a voice broke through my thoughts.
I turned to see Dellan, my trusted steward, standing by the table with his usual composed yet attentive expression. Sipping the now-cold tea from my cup, I gave him instructions.
"Make sure their provisions are properly arranged," I said firmly but calmly. "Provide enough supplies for the journey and their investigation in the village."
Dellan nodded promptly. "Understood, Your Grace."
But I wasn't finished. Setting the cup down gently, I let my gaze fall on the map spread across the table. That village… that plague…
Something was wrong. Something far greater than a simple disease.
"Send an observer as well," I added, my tone lower than before. "I want a full report on every detail that occurs there. Nothing must be overlooked."
Dellan hesitated briefly, as if debating whether to ask a question, but then simply replied, "As you wish, Your Grace."
-Arkan-
I knew this mission was a gamble. It lay far beyond my capacity as an ordinary person, which meant I couldn't afford to act recklessly.
That night, in the room provided by the Marquis' manor, I began my preparations. If I were going to involve myself in such a dangerous situation, I had to make the most of my knowledge from the modern world and the guidance of my ever-reliable "tutorial" system.
Using the tools and materials at hand, I set out to create emergency solutions for the worst-case scenarios.
Dark mages weren't your average threat.
This one, in particular, was part of a depraved cult worshiping an Evil God—a being destined to become Rainer's ultimate foe in the future. Such cults were a creeping menace, their reach slowly but steadily spreading across the land.
And if the story continued on its intended path, that deity would one day descend upon this world, bringing about nothing short of total destruction.
This world was a mix of dark fantasy and standard fantasy. While not overtly bleak on the surface, its background was rife with perilous undercurrents and dangerous truths.
The plague in this village, for example, wasn't an ordinary disease. It was a curse—a black magic that gradually siphoned the life force of the villagers to feed something far more sinister.
Beneath the village, the dark mage was cultivating his creation: a giant centipede undergoing metamorphosis.
This creature was set to be a major challenge for Rainer in the original story—a pivotal turning point where he would rise from his struggles. But with my involvement, the narrative risked veering off course.
To counter the potential threats, I decided to craft tools with modern principles to give myself a fighting chance.
Improvised Tools
Flare Bombs:
My first creation was a simple yet effective flare bomb, capable of producing a sudden burst of bright light to blind enemies or create a diversion.
Using a mix of sulfur, small metal fragments for sparks, and carbon powder from fuel, I carefully combined the materials, step by step, following the system's instructions with precision.
"Not too much sulfur, Arkan," I muttered to myself while mixing. "We don't want the whole place blowing up."
The mixture was packed into small metal tubes I scavenged from the manor's workshop, sealed tightly, and equipped with a short oil-soaked cloth as a fuse.
"This should be enough to blind or disorient an enemy briefly."
Improvised Grenades:
Next, I worked on simple grenades using gunpowder sourced from the manor's armory. I mixed it with sharp ceramic shards and metal fragments to serve as shrapnel. Encasing everything in sturdy metal containers, I ensured the lids were secured tightly to maximize the explosive pressure.
Holding up one of the makeshift grenades, I inspected it carefully. "If this goes off, I'll need to be careful too," I muttered with a dry smile, placing it back cautiously.
Smoke Bombs:
My final improvised device was a smoke bomb—a straightforward tool designed to produce dense smoke and provide cover for my movements. I combined ingredients known to create thick smoke when ignited and packed the mixture into small clay pots.
"Not flashy," I noted, glancing at the stack of finished bombs, "but enough to cause confusion when needed."
Enhanced Crossbow:
Alongside the bombs, my trusty crossbow received a crucial upgrade. With a basic modification, I introduced a simple mechanism that allowed quicker reloading. While not groundbreaking, it would save valuable seconds in high-pressure situations.
Testing the crossbow with care, I listened to the click of the mechanism, satisfied that it worked smoothly. "At least I have something to keep enemies at a distance," I murmured.
Flashbangs and a Dagger:
I also put together a handful of small flashbangs, designed to emit blinding light and deafening sound for just long enough to disrupt an enemy's focus.
Finally, I polished a small dagger to a razor edge. Primitive and unassuming compared to the other tools, it remained indispensable in close quarters.
By the time night deepened, the table in front of me was littered with my completed work. The faint, flickering glow of an oil lamp cast long shadows on the walls, adding to the weight of the moment.
I stared at the fruits of my labor, taking a long breath.
The Completed Arsenal:
Flare Bombs: Compact devices packed with sulfur and carbon to create a blinding flash, perfect for disorienting enemies.Improvised Grenades: Small explosives filled with gunpowder and shrapnel for maximum impact.Smoke Bombs: Potent tools for generating cover and concealing movement.Enhanced Crossbow: Upgraded for quicker loading, maintaining balance and efficiency.Flashbangs: Light and sound grenades for causing brief chaos.Dagger: A sharp, reliable backup for close encounters.
I leaned back in my chair, surveying the modest arsenal. Though crude and far from perfect, it gave me a faint sense of preparedness.
"This isn't a warrior's armory," I mused, picking up a flare bomb and rolling it in my palm. "But then, I'm not a warrior. Just someone trying to survive in a world that knows no mercy."
Carefully organizing the tools into my travel pack, I made sure everything was secure for the journey ahead. The thought of the dark mage, the cursed village, and the massive centipede looming beneath lingered in my mind.
This wasn't just a detour—it was a step into the unknown. And with every step, I had to be prepared for what lay in the shadows.
Tomorrow, it all begins.