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Though the Hero Perishes, the Lake’s Beauty Persists – Part 02

Paula refused, but the red-haired adventurer insisted, thrusting a bag of gold coins into her hands. It was apparently payment for Zappa’s funeral service.

The following day, when the guild’s investigation team arrived, Zappa’s remains had already been cremated. The party members expressed their wish to transport Zappa’s bones and ashes back to his hometown.

But before that, they had a task at hand: guiding the investigation team to the deepest part of the dungeon.

The guild’s investigation team, led by several prominent figures, consisted of about ten members. Those hired for transporting the treasures had set up tents to take a break.

“Monsters have likely respawned, but as long as there aren’t as many as when we initially entered, they shouldn’t pose a problem,” Angela reassured as she, along with the Scorching Goblet party, led the investigation team into the dungeon.

“Is this really safe?” Freya asked, worry etched on her face.

“It’ll be fine,” Hikaru replied.

Hikaru had surveyed the dungeon last night, just to be safe. His observations of the first floor revealed considerably fewer monsters. They should reach the deepest part safely.

“By the way, did you inform the investigation team about the murdered adventurers?” Hikaru asked Freya.

“I did. But they didn’t take it seriously at all.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s quite common for adventurers to die in dungeons. We can’t ascertain whether they were slain by monsters or not, and we can’t examine every single case. If there were eyewitnesses, things might be different.”

“So dungeon loot is more important,” Hikaru said sharply. “Sorry. I know you can’t do anything about it.”

“I understand. I had the same thought. Scorching Goblet has relinquished ownership of all the treasures they obtained, so the guild can claim all the treasures.”

“What? Relinquished?”

“Yes. They didn’t want to bring back treasures from the dungeon where Zappa passed away.”

“Ah…”

It made sense, considering their affection—or rather, the almost reverential feelings they held towards Zappa. Although it was likely partly because these treasures were not worth much for a Rank A adventurer party.

The investigation team safely reached the dungeon’s deepest part, and the next day, transporters began entering the dungeon one after another to haul the treasures. They also started purchasing gold dust and jade from adventurers, bringing life back to the lakeside hamlet.

“Hikaru, could you please do a check from here to there?”

“Okay.”

“Sorry about this. It’s not supposed to be part of your job.”

“It’s fine. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go home.”

Angela had finished listing down the goods appraised by the guild, but Freya was asked to double-check.

The building that had housed Zappa’s body until recently was now filled with treasures.

Holding the list in one hand, Hikaru proceeded with the checks. A pile of old silver coins, a stack of copper coins, rusty swords, armor. Freya checked the gold coins and gemstones.

Paula had been asked by the village chief to conduct a service in the graveyard. Since this settlement didn’t have a church, he occasionally asked visiting clerics to hold a service for the deceased.

“There’s a bunch of gear, but they don’t look too valuable,” Hikaru said.

The only use for rusty equipment was to melt them down into raw materials.

“Yeah. Most of the value will come from the gold and silver.”

After a while, Freya finished her checks.

“Is it because of the water?” Hikaru asked.

“Yes. Metal deteriorates due to humidity. That reminds me, it seems like activity inside the dungeon has ceased.”

“Really? Monsters were still respawning.”

“Apparently, that was the last of it. Right now, the dungeon is pitch-black.”

“Oh, I see.”

So the dungeon is dead, Hikaru thought. Killing that giant fishman must’ve triggered it.

“Wait.” Hikaru scanned the room. “Is this everything that was in there?”

“That’s right.”

“…”

The cup was missing. It looked plain, but it was relatively big, so he should’ve recognized it if it was here. His gut stirred.

“Hikaru? Is there something wrong?”

“Oh, uh…”

If he claimed there was a cup, he would be asked how he knew. He wasn’t supposed to have seen the innermost room.

“It’s nothing. I just expected a lot more.”

“Same here,” Freya concurred.

The two exited the assembly hall. Freya mentioned that she had a meeting scheduled with the guild’s investigation team.

Where did that cup disappear to? Hikaru wondered. Was it left behind in the dungeon?

“Hey… Uh, Hikaru, was it?”

It was the red-haired adventurer. Hikaru braced himself, expecting more inflammatory remarks from the man.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“What?”

“For us, Zappa was a dependable leader, an older brother, a parental figure. He was an amazing person. When Zappa invited you to join, I felt jealous.”

“Well, you couldn’t have been more obvious about it.”

“I can’t help but think, and I know it’s highly unlikely, that maybe if you joined our party, Zappa wouldn’t have died.”

“…”

The adventurer stared at the ground, clenching both hands. He was shaking.

“Even if I had joined, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything.”

“What?”

“I asked Zappa why he invited me, and he said I just piqued his interest. He also mentioned that he didn’t have good intuition. I don’t think my being in the party would have changed the outcome.”

“…I see.”

He appeared somewhat relieved. Then, he scratched his head awkwardly.

“We’re leaving tomorrow. We probably won’t meet again, but…”

“We might cross paths again somewhere. We’re adventurers, after all.”

“Damn right.”

Hikaru shook the hand the adventurer proffered. The man then turned, waved a hand, and left.

An adventurer whose name Hikaru didn’t even know. He had no idea how they would move forward from here, but the members of Scorching Goblet would likely discuss and decide together.

“A completely different way of life than mine,” Hikaru muttered to himself.

That night, sleep eluded Hikaru. His thoughts revolved around Scorching Goblet.

As a party centered around Zappa, an inevitable future of separation awaited them. But they should remain as a group while escorting Zappa’s remains to his hometown.

Hikaru had initially intended to settle in this world, but with the completion of the spell for crossing worlds, he could now traverse between Japan and this realm. While he no longer desired to live in Japan, he couldn’t deny that his options had broadened.

Due to his unique ability, Hikaru kept his party members to a minimum and restricted the use of his powers to specific individuals. He was the complete opposite of Zappa.

But it all boils down to the decision on how to live.

Hikaru didn’t aspire to be charismatic, but he realized that he could lead a life similar to Zappa’s if he chose to.

Take Paula, for instance, silently amassing followers in various places as the Wandering Saint. Whether she made a conscious decision or not, a reputation was forming.

He considered the idea of expanding his party. With the power of the Soul Board, gathering formidable allies would be easy. And then, they could clear uncharted dungeons and unravel the mysteries of this world.

“How ridiculous.”

Hikaru chuckled at himself as he rose from his bed. It seemed like he had absorbed some of Zappa’s adventurer mindset. In other words, Zappa’s death had impacted Hikaru profoundly.

“Let’s clear our heads a bit.”

He exited the ramshackle house into the frigid winter night.

In another week or two, snow would start falling. As winter deepened, the lake’s surface would freeze.

Hikaru had inquired with the villagers about how they spent the long winter.

“Stay indoors and do indoor stuff.”

“On rare clear days, seek a small blessing in the forest, or break the ice to fish underneath.”

Winter preparations were already complete. Houses had been stocked with ample firewood and preserved food. They endured resiliently.

“So cold…”

At the shore of Lake Tseng-Ti, the night sky glittered with countless stars. The new moon made the stars shine even brighter.

“If not for this situation, I would have gazed at them some more.”

The brisk wind further lowered the temperature. It wasn’t an ideal spot for stargazing or leisurely nighttime strolls. Just a place where Hikaru sensed imminent danger.

“Oof. Let’s head back.”

Just as he was about to turn and return to the hamlet, he saw a flash. It wasn’t a trick of the starlight; the light came from above ground. From the far end of the distant pier.

Activating his Mana Detection, Hikaru sensed the activation of potent magical energy there.

“Wait…”

Despite their small stature, the magical power they possessed was immense, and it felt viscous. One could describe it as ‘sinister’ without fear of misunderstanding.

It was Skaer, standing at the tip of the pier. And he was holding out a cup.