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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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Chapter 110
Unlike large teleport gates, there’s no way to deal with small teleport gates with just the materials I have now.
However.
If I enhance it with a 7th-circle necromancy spell and craft a device using the Heart of the Machine God, I could create a permanent passage for one person to travel easily.
In general, mages can use teleportation once they surpass the 7th circle, but necromancers have additional conditions in this area.
If I don’t have the materials, I’ll just have to find another way.
While it was impossible in the Labyrinth, with my memories of the various halls now interwoven, it was worth testing.
"Leon, why are you here?"
"I need some catalysts."
To accelerate progress, sufficient preparation is essential.
* * *
People often say that necromancers and mages are the same kind of mage.
While it’s true that the only difference is using mana versus necromana, that’s just my assumption since I lack detailed knowledge about mages.
Currently, Luna and I, along with Misha, the head maid, are in a city of the Holy Kingdom called Revela.
Why are we here?
The reason is simple.
Just as the capital dungeon exists in the capital of the Bata Kingdom, this city in the Holy Kingdom also has a famous ancient dungeon.
I need a specific magic core located deep within that dungeon.
It’s something incredibly difficult to obtain, and I’ve heard it can occasionally be found in the deep ecosystem of the dungeon.
So, there’s no choice but to go.
Since it’s only discovered in rare environments, there’s no available stock, meaning money can’t solve this problem.
Furthermore, perhaps due to the catalyst’s unknown value, there’s no one dealing in it.
If I can get it myself without spending money, that’s the way to go.
The Revela dungeon is divided into upper, middle, and lower layers.
However, under certain conditions in the lower layer, a rift with a completely different environment can appear, commonly called the Deep by adventurers.
Naturally, the Deep is notorious for being filled with much stronger monsters compared to the middle and upper layers.
That’s why entry to the Deep requires permits or the cooperation of relevant guilds.
Because of these conditions, we immediately ran into an issue.
"It’s not allowed. Absolutely no exceptions according to the rules."
To get the catalyst I need, I must go down to the Deep, but apparently, entry requires authorization from the Adventurer Management Guild.
Since this is a matter of Holy Kingdom law, even nobles aren’t typically exempt.
That’s where the problem lies.
Conditions for entering the Deep:
Minimum group size of 40 or more.
Requirement: Certain rank or higher from an affiliated adventurers' guild.
Our group size: Three.
Rank: None.
Things got troublesome from the start.
"Why on earth do you need 40 people for an exploration of a swamp area?"
"Do you even understand how dangerous that place is?"
The management officer slammed the table repeatedly, clearly exasperated.
Since this is a job that involves life-and-death risks, the people in this field are usually pretty tough.
Additionally, the managers here are mostly employed by the Holy Kingdom, so even nobles tend to show them some respect.
Of course, I’m not dressed like a noble right now, so I probably just look like a regular adventurer.
Luna and Misha, the head maid, are also dressed like regular adventurers.
Still, it’s not ideal for her to raise her voice like this.
"Ahem… I apologize. I didn’t mean to react so harshly."
"Is there any way?"
I could ask Saint Nadia for help, but if word got out that she granted me special favors, I’d be stuck dealing with the fallout.
I’ve established a few life rules.
One of them: Never go near fanatics.
The memory of someone coming up to me, saying, "Your eyes are so clear," and trying to convert me still makes me shudder.
Not that I know for sure if this place is like that.
"It’s absolutely out of the question. We can’t compromise on life-or-death matters. I understand you’re young and full of energy, but please remember that if I break the rules and let you three in, I’ll be fired."
"Hmm…."
"Besides, the Deep Rift can only be entered with a special magic stone found in the lower layer. You three don’t have one of those, do you?"
The officer wasn’t wrong.
In other words, to get the magic core I want, I’d have to find a way into a Deep Rift that someone else has already opened.
"What now?"
At Luna’s question, I flipped through a booklet I’d grabbed from the guild.
I pointed at something written there.
"Coincidentally, a large mercenary group is planning an expedition to the Deep Rift. Perfect. We just need to find a way to tag along."
"Will that work? If they’re prideful, it won’t be easy to negotiate with money,"
Misha, the head maid, pointed out.
She wasn’t wrong either.
"There’s no need to negotiate. We can create a win-win situation."
I pointed at a notice saying the large mercenary group, Hercules, was urgently recruiting porters for their expedition.
Whatever their reason—maybe they were short on people—it didn’t really matter.
The Hercules Mercenary Group is quite famous here, a large group supported by nobles from various countries.
Though they’re called a mercenary group, many of their officers are as powerful as high-level experts, and there are even some master-level fighters among them.
"Luna is a given, but how about you, Head Maid? It’s a tough job."
"I’m confident in my strength,"
She replied calmly, emphasizing her physical prowess.
"Good. Let’s go, then."
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
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* * *
Revela is home to many mercenary groups.
Among them, the Hercules Mercenary Group is a top-tier, powerful organization with a membership of several hundred, reportedly using a huge mansion as their headquarters.
However, since Deep expeditions often involve risking lives, and being a porter doesn’t guarantee safety, not many people seem eager to volunteer.
"What brings you here?"
A lively girl with short, crimson-red hair and a bright smile greeted us on our way to the Hercules Mercenary Group’s porter recruitment area.
"We’re here to apply as porters."
"A porter, huh? Hmm... I’m sorry, but we’re looking for physically strong individuals for the job. If you run out of stamina in an emergency, it would be a problem for us."
Her words implied that, at a glance, he didn’t seem particularly strong.
"Carrying loads won’t be an issue."
"Hmm... In that case, could you try lifting that box over there?"
She pointed to some boxes nearby.
They didn’t look light at all.
"You won’t have to carry that box specifically, but there will be many cases where you’ll need to carry a backpack of similar weight or move cargo."
She gave a playful smile as if saying, "Go ahead and try if you can."
Luna walked over confidently and easily picked up the box.
"Light."
Swoosh!
She lifted the box as if it were a twig, leaving the girl wide-eyed.
"It’s manageable. During past training, I climbed mountains with even heavier loads."
"Do maids usually do that kind of thing?"
"Th-They do."
Though she answered confidently, her downward glance hinted that Misha, the head maid, might have a bit of a clumsy streak.
When the seemingly delicate Misha easily lifted the box as well, the red-haired girl shifted her gaze to me.
I casually lifted one of the boxes, and she clapped her hands.
"Wow... All three of you are really strong. Are you former adventurers by any chance?"
"No, we’re not."
"Wow... Then how is that possible? Could you wait here for a moment? I’ll go inform someone."
She quickly stood up and dashed off inside.
Soon after, she returned with a man who seemed to be an officer.
After some chatter, we were able to finalize the porter contract without much difficulty.
* * *
Team size: 40 people.
Total porters: 15.
Normally, there should have been more than 20 porters, but they couldn’t find enough applicants.
Fortunately, we arrived just hours before the rift’s entry, so we didn’t have to wait for days to proceed.
The method for entering the deep zone was simple.
While exploring the dungeon of Ravela, special magic stones would drop.
Using them below certain floors opened a door to the deep zone.
The deep zone was a special area that could only be accessed from Ravela’s dungeon and had existed for a long time.
Following a path to the safe zone took about two hours.
While waiting for the rift to open, we explored the surroundings a bit, drawing the attention of other porters.
It was inevitable.
A boy traveling with two delicate-looking women naturally caught attention.
Even though all three of us wore inconspicuous outfits and plain robes, we still stood out.
"Hey, man. First time here?"
"Yes."
I answered calmly, and a middle-aged dwarf chuckled heartily.
"You seem a bit nervous, but don’t worry. Hercules are pros. Rarely does any danger reach the porters."
Judging by the group’s demeanor, most of them seemed to have worked with Hercules before or were part of mercenary bands.
"For that, there sure aren’t many people here."
"There’s been a strange rumor going around lately. Nothing’s happened, but you never know. Porters value their lives, so most are playing it safe. But thanks to you three, we’re just about covered."
Aside from our group, only two other rookie porters had signed contracts.
The numbers were cutting it close.
"Porters! Check your loads and get ready! We’re heading in soon!"
The orange-haired girl bounced around, explaining the proceedings.
"Is she going too?"
"Hmm? Don’t you know? Rebecca’s the mascot of this mercenary group. Haha."
A mascot?
Do mercenary groups need mascots?
"Leon, a spirit mage."
Luna’s soft explanation made me nod in understanding.
Spirit mages were one of the few professions where you could grow strong regardless of age.
Of course, individual talent mattered, but innate affinity—acquired from birth—was known to be an insurmountable barrier.
Whatever the case, it seemed this girl, Rebecca, was being nurtured as a key supporter by the mercenary group.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Night]
[Proofreader - Gun]
Join our Discord for release updates!
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