The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 101: The Wild Lands Expedition

[00 Months: 09 Days: 12 Hours]

A concerned look painted on her face, Seraphina began to reveal the situation she and her family were facing.

I listened attentively, my heart pounding with anticipation.

"You must know about the Lyma Family's expeditions to the Wild Lands," she began, her gaze fixed on me.

"I do," I replied, nodding.

In fact, simply 'hearing' about it would be an understatement.

The reason I was here, in Terance, was because of this expedition. That was why I got my Adventurers badge and even bothered rescuing her… well, one of the reasons.

Bottom line was that the Wild Lands Expedition was the sole reason I was currently invested in the Lyma Family.

'Who would have thought she would bring it up first…?'

"I have heard rumors about the expeditions, but I never really paid much attention to them." I pretended to be nonchalant as I spoke.

Deep down, though, I was very curious what this was all about.

"My family has been trying to recruit adventurers here in Terance for our expeditions," Seraphina continued, her gaze turning towards the floor.

"I was sent here as a delegate to do that."

"Why would you, the daughter of a Duke, need to go this far?" I asked, slightly taken aback.

I knew her family was well-respected and influential, but I couldn't fathom why she had to be personally involved in such tasks.

Seraphina sighed, looking more weary than before. "We wanted to show our sincerity. If we didn't do this much, people wouldn't take us seriously. After so many failed attempts, many adventurers have begun to see the expeditions as a death sentence. They're avoiding us."

Who could blame anyone? At this point, the Lyma Family was the weird one for continuing their expeditions despite how very hopeless they were.

"I came here because my family told me to personally ask Guildmaster Benard to convince his adventurers to join the expedition." She stopped speaking, biting her lip.

"And how did that play out?" I asked, curious to know more.

She sighed heavily again, shaking her head. "Guildmaster Benard not only outright refused my proposal but also advised against the expedition. He warned me that most of the adventurers here, if not all, wouldn't accept my request, especially considering the current situation."

I could see the frustration and desperation in her eyes.

Here was a woman who was trying her best to uphold her family's duties, but things were clearly not going in her favor.

For some reason, I felt a sudden pang of sympathy for her. Not enough for me to seriously let go of any rewards, but enough to continue hearing her out.

Still, the question remained - what did all this have to do with me?

'I guess I'll find out as we continue. For now, though, it's better to understand what's going on better.'

"By 'current situation', what exactly are you referring to?" I asked, furrowing my brow.

Seraphina, taking a deep breath, began to unravel the severity of the situation.

"The destruction of the Outpost has been made public news by now, and the rumors circulating that Demon Beasts caused it... It's put a spotlight on the dangers of the Wild Lands."

Ah, that was something that would really harm the cause of the Lyma Family's expedition.

'As someone who has seen the damage Demon Beasts can do to a town, I can tell that the Adventurers who have encountered them wouldn't want to venture into the Wild Lands at this period.'

Surprisingly, it didn't particularly burn my heart when I heard of the Outpost's destruction from Seraphina. Was it because it had now become public knowledge, and everyone was talking about it?

Or was it because I had become desensitized to that too? I had no idea.

In any case, its destruction certainly wasn't the work of Demon Beasts, but a certain group. And I was going to make them pay for what they did.

… Definitely!

"Add the past failures of our expeditions and the high mortality rate, and it's tough to convince anyone to trust the Lyma Family with their lives."

Her voice dropped as she continued. "And now with Fenrir, a former knight of my family, captured and declaring that the Lyma Family abandoned him... our reputation has taken another serious hit. No sane adventurer would be willing to accompany me back to the Estate. I am... I'm stuck."

Her gaze locked with mine as she added, "That's why I need your help."

I raised an eyebrow at her, somewhat amused. Why was she speaking as if I would go against the common sense of Adventurers?

"What makes you so sure I'll help?" I asked, doing my best to sound professional and blunt.

Her shoulders slumped slightly, but she maintained eye contact.

"I'm not sure. But I have to hope. Benard told me about your strength... and I thought if there was anyone who might... who could help... it would be you."

'Damn that Benard! So this is how he wanted to play it all along…'

Benard must have raised my reputation as one righteous goody-two-shoes in front of Seraphina so she could approach me and not bother him.

'This way he doesn't risk offending the Lyma Family too much. He's making me a sacrificial pawn to keep his life and integrity… as well as the life and integrity of his Adventurers.'

Could he also be seeing this as a way to get rid of me? I had to consider all the alternatives.

Stay updated through m-v l|-NovelBin.net

'Huu… maybe I'm overthinking things again. Let's calm down a little.' I heaved silently.

I could just ask Benard later. Besides, judging from what I could detect from his personality—both with <Truthful Glare>, and from our experience together, I didn't think he possessed any ill will toward me.

Perhaps I was being mistaken and he really thought he was doing the right thing.

'All things considered, I was planning on going to the Expedition anyway, so its not like he did a bad thing…'

Seraphina paused, seeming to gather her thoughts before continuing,

"I know that rewards may not motivate you, but... we would be immensely grateful for your help. My family will reward you greatly. Not just for rescuing me, but also for participating in this Expedition."

'W-what…?'

"We will be sure to grant you a bountiful reward. You have my word."

'Hehehehe… hehehehe…' A grin tugged at the corner of my lips, but I kept it hidden from her.

This Seraphina… she didn't have the slightest idea, did she?

Her sob story, the struggles her family was facing... they weren't what moved me.

It was the mention of rewards.

Rewards were what drove me.

Rewards were what I was after.

'Now that you've mentioned that, I'm way more motivated now!'

She could have just said this sooner, instead of beating around the bush so much.

But, after all Seraphina had said, there was one thing that still bothered me.

"Why is the Lyma Family so obsessed with the Wild Lands?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

The answer to that question would determine how I'd proceed.

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for reading.

Cheers!