Chapter 54: Plague (1)

Chapter 54: Plague (1)

When I came down in the morning, everyone was having hangover onion soup.

It was clear from Touns and even Vasco and Tobys faces how much they had drunk last night.

Toun raised his hand with an expressionless look. He had been awake until I arrived last night.

He threw me a meaningful glance as he saw me entering the room.

If you were just 10 minutes later, I would have gone to find you.

Even though he said it with a strong smell of alcohol, it didnt sound casual. Toun was trying to protect me.

It was probably Fathers orders.

Anyway, I was also at fault. I had said Id be back after midnight unless something happened.

Normally, that was how I would have moved. It was just that things got a bit complicated because of Casmak.

I said I would tell him tomorrow, so Toun nodded and immediately fell asleep.

He might not have had a restless sleep, but I wasnt worried.

They were all specialized agents on-site. Even if they look drunk, they never lose their guard.

Especially Toun, he was even more sensitive than me to the environment.

Please eat while we talk.

As we sat down, Vasco and Toby nodded their heads while their faces were buried in the bowls.

First of all, I officially announce the completion of the mission.

Huh?

They both looked up at the same time. Onion soup dripped from Vascos spoon.

Their widened pupils and twitching lips were full of joy.

Last night, Casmak Rodri took control of half of Rasphal by dealing with Surde, Muic, and Veron.

Oh

We also discussed cooperation. Now we just need to get back to Haisen.

Vasco and Toby let out a soundless scream. Their faces were filled with ecstasy.

Only Toun kept his composure.

Did you help?L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.

I only helped by finding the people as requested.

I told them about everything that had happened without holding back.

Casmak went out immediately after I conveyed the conspiracy going on inside through Luico.

While I did provide advice on the domination strategy, I didnt participate in the combat process.

I heard hes strong, how was it when you saw it yourself?

Even when capturing less, its similar to me.

Your usual self?

Toun was someone who knew about my condition. I nodded my head.

This relationship should last long.

Yes. Before long, he will devour all of Rasphal.

Good. We ended up just drinking and the missions over.

Fortunately. Theres hardly ever a true saying about floating rumors.

Toun, who expressed his agreement, immediately ordered a beer. Of course, Vasco and Toby followed suit.

No, are we back to drinking just because the mission is over?

Well, I hadnt rested much recently. Id been working quite hard to build up experience and reputation.

The agents below me had also been moving almost non-stop.

When will we return?

Toun asked. Seeing him order drinks and then asking like that, it seemed Toun also wanted a break.

We can do it right away today, but

Seeing Vasco and Tobys faces twist slightly, I changed my words.

Since we arrived yesterday, how about taking a day or two off?

Sounds good. Hm, how about fishing?

Fishing?

Yeah. Have you ever done it?

I had learned various fields under the Duke, but fishing wasnt one of them. I had never done it on Earth either.

No. Lets give it a try this time.

Sure. It might be more fun than you think.

At that moment, Toby, who had been sleeping, chimed in.

Since the mission is done quickly, how about going south for a bit?

South? You mean the southwestern plains?

If we do it one more time, I can catch fish too.

Then go do it again at the Melain River. Carlyn, what do you think?

Suddenly, the decision was handed over to me.

Personally, it wasnt that enjoyable. Even though I had some skills, I didnt really enjoy it.

For someone with the Worst Condition, focusing during leisure time was energy-draining.

In short, it was bothersome. And baiting the hook wasnt exactly appealing either.

Well if you want to, others can join in.

I had thought of going to the village of Bendochi and crossing the river by boat.

Since our goal was to see the plains anyway, taking a days rest there posed no problem.

Alright then.

Toby nodded. Judging by his expression, he probably knew I wouldnt do it in the first place when he asked.

He was probably just teasing Vasco.

Then, a high-pitched screech resounded through the sky. In the distance, an eagle was soaring.

Heading straight towards us. Toun stated the observation. His forehead was furrowed deeply.

A bad omen.

A superstition. It was a superstition that the Western natives have. They consider meeting an eagle a bad omen.

While Toun wasnt a native, intelligence agents were usually sensitive to superstitions.

Just like athletes who had pre-game rituals. Toun said in a low and quick voice.

Toby, the fish.

Yes?

Toby had brought some fish he caught and dried. My assistance was a given.

Toun extended his hand, urging him.

Quickly.

Following Touns words, Toby swiftly took out the dried fish. Toun held up the dried fish towards the sky.

The eagle circling in the sky briefly glanced at us and then turned to us.

Dont move.

Toun whispered in a low voice.

A short wait. After about three minutes, the eagle began descending toward us.

The movement of the air, which was displaced by the eagles wing and created a counterflow, felt vivid.

In a fleeting moment, the eagle snatched the dried fish and soared back into the sky.

Due to the atmosphere, we couldnt speak, but Tobys face, having lost the fish, looked rather disappointed. Toun heaved a relieved sigh.

What were you doing?

Its superstition.

I replied instead. In response, you needed to pull out something to eat toward the eagle who brought a bad omen in front of you.

If the eagle took it and left, disaster was averted. Whether it would be a major disaster or a minor one was uncertain.

The reasons natives believed this were two reasons.

One, that we were safe in the face of an ominous omen, and two, offering something to the omen helped us avoid disaster.

Toby, having heard the conversation, tugged at his chin with a reluctant expression.

Should we just head back to Haisen?

Whenever he suggests it, huh?

A slight smile escaped me. Agents might be sensitive to superstitions, but field agents were even more so.

Of course, there were superstitions unique to each group as well.

Vasco, next to me, had a similar demeanor to Toby. Toun pulled out a cigarette and spoke.

If this is all because of superstition then we should keep going.

Yes?

Theres something Carlyn hasnt mentioned. The natives believe that if they avoid the eagle and change their path, theyll encounter an even more ominous omen.

In the midst of silence, Toun spoke up.

If the eagle takes the bait, it signifies an opportunity. It could either mean disaster or a way forward, depending on our intention.

As Toun finished speaking, his gaze lingered on me. After all, I held the final decision-making power.

I nodded.

Yes, lets proceed.

The conversation that followed was new to me. Superstitions it was better to avoid things that seem ill-omened.

The expressions of the other agents seemed to reflect the same sentiment.

And when we arrived at Bendochi, we could somewhat guess why the ominous omen had appeared.

What we encountered was a village plagued by an epidemic and a crowd consumed by madness.