Chapter 20 - The Mayor Sent Death Threats to Female Elves After His Marriage Proposal Was Rejected
The name sounded so weird that Parita was reminded of a certain bird disease from Earth. She asked to make sure.
"H5? H5N9? H5N8? Is there H5N1?"
"H5N1 is the duke of Groomer Province and H5N9's grandfather. Why do you ask?"
"…"
Parita felt bad for this family because their ancestors might have had a terrible sense of naming. If someone had done this on Earth, the kids would have had a bad time at school. Nevertheless, Parita was glad the obvious problem had gone away. She prayed that nothing could go wrong.
Just as Parita lifted the hood to observe the surrounding people, H5N9 turned around and locked eyes with her. The nobleman halted his feet and turned around.
"Aha! You've been hiding a new member, I see! Let me get a closer look." H5N9 laughed and strode toward Parita.
Sparrow and Caladrius pulled Parita behind them and confronted the approaching disease man. Parrot and others rested their hands on their weapons, ready to cut down the person on the spot. Soldiers behind H5N9 also unsheathed their swords.
Noticing the intense air and the killing intent from the girl's party, H5N9 stepped back, yet he sneered at Sparrow and her team.
"I'll ask you this one last time. Let your team join my harem, and I'll give you everything you desire. Refuse, and your future might be a little… inconvenience."
Sparrow raised a middle finger. "Get lost before we chop it off."
"Suit yourselves. I'll be seeing you soon."
H5N9 smirked and turned around, walking away. The soldiers unsheathed their weapons and followed their master.
The present adventurers stared at the nobleman in disgust. Had they been able to kill the lanky man without incurring the army's anger, they would have done it.
H5N9 climbed the stage and stood on the podium. He coughed and introduced himself even though everybody knew him for his infamy.
"Welcome to my domain, peasants, for I, the greatest descendant of the Fifth Hero King that ever lived, the mayor of Diddease Town, have come and blessed your eyes with my graceful presence! Be honored!"
"…"
Adventurers spat and smacked their lips. Several soldiers winced, but their commanders gestured with their eyes not to comment on their boss.
H5N9 continued. "Thanks to my intelligent network, we have discovered a total of 17 Hungers lingering around our glorious city. Great city thanks to my leadership and vision. You all are lucky to be serving under me."
Rubella, who was among the listening crowd, closed her eyes and frowned. Lupus patted her back and consoled her.
"Endure."
"…I know." Rubella inhaled deeply.
The man on the stage was oblivious to everybody's reaction. His speech kept going.
"As you have been prompted before, we shall now head out and complete the trivial task of hunting down the Hungers. Those who contribute the most shall be rewarded by me, the great me. Maybe I'll hand over a few broken meat slaves that I got bored with. But if you are ladies, I'll gladly welcome you to my harem!"
Everyone was running out of patience. They hoped they could just leave without dealing with him.
"But before you head out, I want you to memorize my face and my greatness, for some of you might not be able to return alive. At least, before you sacrifice yourselves for the city and me, you should at least be able to recall my graceful appearance one last time."
Again, everybody rolled their eyes. Even the soldiers were tired of his nonsensical speech.
Parita tugged Parrot's clothes and whispered. "Can I kill him?"
"And provoke elite knights, tower mages, and the H5's entire family? You'll be hunted down by everybody in this region. That family is above the law."
"…"
Parita sighed and fetched a copper coin from her inventory, holding it between her thumb and index finger. She aimed forward.
Parrot noticed it and pressed Parita's hand down. She shook her head. "No. Be patient."
"Isn't he targeting us?"
Parita had watched a lot of anime and had seen many characters similar to H5N9. Sooner or later, he would use an underhanded trick to take advantage of Sparrow and Parrot. It might be better to get rid of him whenever they have a chance.
"…Not in the open." Parrot winked.
"Oh?" Parita smirked and kept the coin. "When?"
"Soon."
"Hmm."
While the duo whispered back and forth, H5N9 didn't notice their interaction. He was too absorbed in boasting about his presence and how they should worship him.
Instead of marching out before sunrise, they got stuck with him for 30 minutes. After H5N9 was tired, his speech ended. H5N9 got down from the podium and hopped on a horse, prepared by his butler.
"Now, follow me, peasants! With me leading you, you shall do your best to sacrifice everything to bring me victory!"
Parita sighed deeply and complained. "…Corny."
Parrot shrugged. "Imagine being his soldiers. Look at the people in the military."
Parita glanced at the 300 men in formation. Although they wore metal helmets, their eyes were devoid of light. A few were sleeping while they were standing. Parita also noticed that one of them coughed blood, and a line of red saliva dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Sparrow grabbed Parita and Parrot by the back of their heads from behind. She leaned forward and warned them.
"Instead of thinking about killing the guy, focus on surviving this farce. We're dealing with 17 Hungers here. If two or more of them team up against us, we'll be wiped out."
Parita raised an eyebrow, wondering why Sparrow was so paranoid about giant boars. She thought of the lion and asked her.
"What about the Starve I saw the other day?"
"The Starve?!"
Sparrow, Parrot, and their crew froze. Several adventurers nearby overheard it and turned around as well.
At that moment, Rubella and Lupus walked over. The latter coughed and warned every adventurer with a loud voice.
"We might be running into a Starve! Do not fight on your own. Form a battalion of at least five teams and fight together! We will also tag along!"
All adventurers, ranging from A-rank to B-rank teams, murmured and shot resentful glares at H5N9, who had failed to provide sufficient intel.
"Guildmaster, isn't an S-ranker required to deal with the Starve?! Why didn't you tell us before?!" Sparrow yelled at Lupus.
Lupus lowered his head. I'm sorry. "We received intel from your party member yesterday afternoon. We didn't have time to confirm its whereabouts and relay the news. Just so you know, we've been looking for its hideout all night."
Although Lupus and Rubella worked hard, not all adventurers forgave or appreciated their efforts. They continued cussing for not informing them about the Starve's presence.
"We're doomed. We don't have an active S-rank team." Sparrow covered her face with her palm.
"We'll quickly retreat after dealing with the 17 Hungers. I have already told the guild staff to evacuate everybody from the city." Lupus turned to Parita next. "As for you, I know you're strong, but don't overestimate your abilities. It's not shameful to run when your life depends on it."
Parita nodded, but her system disagreed.
[Fleeing is unnecessary. If a puppy barks at you, will you run away?]
'Puppy?' Parita was amused by the metaphor. 'You told me that it would have killed me back then. Is it weak or strong? Make up your mind!'
[Based on your previous conditions, you would have lost and died. Based on your present conditions, it is not your opponent.]
"…"
While they chatted, H5N9 led the march. Soldiers formed a snake formation, following their leader. Lupus urged everybody to stop throwing tantrums and led everybody to follow the soldiers.
And thus, the expedition troops left the city and headed south. Their first destination was the Heni Farm.
In addition, the mocap suit took control of Parita's body. She opened the system shop and accepted the daily quest against her will.
DING
[A new quest has started.]
[Livestream today's expedition events and survive.]
[Rewards: Increase your Charm attribute by 1, and one random system feature upgrade.]
[Each time hunger is eliminated, you will receive extra rewards.]
DING
[Starting livestream…]
"…"
Parita regained control of her body once more. She dismissed it, as the system simply initiated a quest and a spontaneous livestream.
What could possibly go wrong?