013

Since it's getting late, I headed back to our base.

Our so-called base is actually a small house we rented near the outskirts of town.

Which is convenient for me since this library is here.

This library has plenty of sensitive information so it should be placed near the center of town but it's actually safer here.

There's a very powerful magical barrier placed here... Furthermore, it can kill the people who attempt anything unlawful here.

Furthermore, if it detects anyone bringing a book outside, it would self-destruct.

...It's not a pleasant thought for those reading here though.

Taking out those thoughts, I walk faster towards our base.

After half an hour, I arrive.

I can see a lighted wooden hut.

I see the lights up and I can hear some sounds inside.

...That means they're here.

I open the door to find all three of my companions in casual clothes.

"You're here."

Julian said as he turned to me.

I can also see Adrian and Chako nearby.

"Good to see you, boss. Julian didn't say anything about the mission."

"It's better for all of us to gather before we speak of it. Furthermore, Jules knows much more about it in-depth. Besides, we might miss some stuff about it and we'd have to start all over again when Jules arrives."

They said.

I didn't bother beating around the bush.

I took a sit then went straight to the topic at hand.

"This mission is particularly dangerous and has plenty of undercurrents around it. Our task isn't that difficult when said but it's plenty difficult when needed to be done."

I started off with that.

"To be specific, our task is to gather information and do what we can. Prioritize our lives and return alive with the information."

Chako and Adrian seemed surprised.

"Well, isn't that too easy?"

Chako muttered.

"No, it isn't."

Adrian refuted him.

"Just intel gathering would be our A-Ranked mission? The Guildmaster would never give us such a mission for us to be approved of as A-Rank."

Julian and I nod.

"Right... This mission is related to demons."

I spoke gravely.

Adrian and Chako looked alarmed.

"What!? Isn't that too dangerous?"

"...Is it truly alright to accept such a task...?"

Chako was deeply afraid while Adrian was deeply worried.

"...Sigh... I'll explain the task first..."

I look to Julian then asked.

"Julian, please bring out the map."

Julian nodded then took a map from his bag.

"Listen here. Some time ago, strange and bizarre incidents occurred here."

I point to a place in the map.

A certain village called Riverdale Village.

"It's called Riverdale Village."

The atmosphere changed as Adrian and Chako suddenly looked unwell.

"Hm? What's wrong...?"

Chako opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't find a word to say.

Adrian spoke in a graver tone.

"Riverdale Village... That's where we come from."

He spoke.

Julian and I widened our eyes in shock.

"...Please. Continue first."

He said seriously.

I continued where I left off.

"Riverdale Village experienced events such as disappearance and the sudden deaths of several hundred villagers. It has been prospering lately and is soon going to become a city but this happened."

The colors their expressions showed began to darken.

"Sometime later, they began investigations but... Things took a tragic turn. Deaths happened soon after and a formal request was issued. So, an official troop began investigations and demons were sighted. Things started turning hectic afterwards but..."

I took a deep breath.

"Things didn't improve. Deaths still happened. Word spread out to other areas. They've sent out adventurer parties first while taking the time to prepare their troops. It can be said that an official army would soon come. Led by paladins, priests, demon hunters, knights, high-ranking mages as well as learned scholars from the Academy. But it takes time to prepare them. So, they've sent out adventurer parties like us to scout out the situation."

I explained things to them.

"Our main task is to gather information. Our side objectives are to protect the villagers as much as possible, to stop the heretic's plan as much as possible and simply to do anything we can to help."

Adrian then spoke.

"That's easy to say but difficult to put into practice."

"I know."

I agreed with him.

"Frankly, the most realistic outcome for us is to stay alive, gather as much information as possible on what their plans are, who are the culprits and stop them from sacrificing the rest of the village as offerings to the demons."

They nodded.

"Our first task is preparations. Prepare everything we can starting from tomorrow. Gather intel, ready equipment, scrolls, potions and anything you can think of. After we set off, we need to head to the village as soon as possible. Then, we need to meet up with the other adventurers and see what they managed to find out. Adrian, Chako, you two know the area well as well as the people there. That's the benefits of being locals. Find people you don't find familiar and speak to some of the villagers to gather info. Julian and I would speak to the other adventurers in the meantime. After that, we can slowly figure out what to do next. There's little we can do with so little information after all."

The three of them nodded.

"Understood. Leave it to me. I'll leave no stones unturned and get as much intel as I can!"

Chako replied proudly.

"I'll handle gathering resources such as food and potions. Aside from that, Chako, draw a map for us later. You're pretty familiar with the place since you like to travel around. You should be able to draw a rough map for us later on."

Adrian patted his chest in confidence as he raised a request to Chako.

"Sure I can. But it's probably greatly different than before though. That ok?"

He asked.

"Sure. There shouldn't be any too drastic a change with the topography so a map would be helpful and it would be useful to use it to make a comparison with the current area."

I replied confidently.

Julian stepped forward.

"In that case, leave the equipment to me. I'll see if I can have the blacksmiths improve them. I'll make sure our equipment is in its best condition."

Julian spoke confidently.

"Good. This might be our last mission as well so it's best to do our utmost to raise our chances of success even a little. If not, then our chances of survival."

"Don't worry and leave it to me."

As I looked at their confident faces, I felt assured.

With these guys by my side, we should be able to succeed if not survive till the army arrives.

Right... This is for our victory!

Proceed to 015