Although the riot had been quelled, the ensuing ramifications were not so easily resolved, to the point that Hero had not seen Count at the dining table for the past few days.
This is Border City, which has never fallen, yet in this safest city of the border, attacks have occurred one after another, resulting in nearly a hundred deaths.
Even with Count's excellent governance, it takes time and measures to smooth over the ripples caused by such events.
As the Healer Association President said, life is fragile, and even within the supposedly safe city, one might be struck by sudden misfortune and perish, breaking the circle of life.
At this thought, the smile vanished from Hero's face, and she sighed; only the sound of her footsteps echoed in the empty alley.
If she were a girl from an ordinary family, her parents might have warned her not to wander into such narrow alleys, but Hero had never paid much attention to such matters, having been quite pleased when she discovered this shortcut before.
But suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.
The snake-shaped hairpin on her head rose up, flicking out its forked tongue. With the release of Magic Power, an elegant man dressed as a Housekeeper materialized out of thin air, standing solemnly before Hero.
"Your Majesty, please step back..."
"No, it's okay." Hero shook her head and took two steps forward.
Ahead in the dimly lit alley, a clump of unnatural darkness hovered in the air, wriggling against the silhouette of shadows, quietly 'observing' Hero.
Memories of childhood surfaced, and with them, a familiar feeling that drew a complex smile from Hero.
[Hunting Knowledge's purpose (60- Disappearance, 60+ Trade, 90+ Exchange)]
D100+30=d100(48)+30=78
Twilight's remaining light filtered into the alley from its end.
The slight sound of pages turning rose, the air became dry, and the breeze ceased to flow, filled with the scent of aged paper.
The city's clamor seemed filtered, the noisy bustle outside the alley as if it was coming from a place far away, rendering the spot quiet and serene.
In her grandfather's study, in the Mage Guild's library, Hero had experienced a similar atmosphere, though never as evident as it was at this moment.
And as a child, after tiring herself out with play, she would often rest under a tree enveloped in this aura, drowsily listening to wondrous stories from the tree hollow.
For Knowledge Hunter, it was merely sharing knowledge that even a child could understand, but for Hero, it was a time of carefree joy.
"That... it's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Although aware that this Knowledge Hunter had likely followed her grandfather to the Border, Hero had not expected to encounter it so abruptly. Her expression complex, she hesitated before greeting the floating darkness.
'Long time no see, Humankind. You've grown.' Along with the sound of turning pages, an invisible will conveyed information that Hero could understand.
Unlike the little Knowledge Hunter who had recklessly attacked her and was now confined, this Great Hunter, who seemed to have followed her family for many years, appeared more accustomed to human means of communication.
However, despite its greeting, the Knowledge Life that was Knowledge Hunter evidently lacked any sentiment of reunion.
Yet this calm and rational thought process actually put Hero at ease.
"Thank you. May I ask what brings you here?"
'I can sense your recent thirst for knowledge.'
Without learning to be equivocal like humans, Knowledge Hunter got straight to the point.
'So, I would like to propose a trade with you.'
[Knowledge Hunter's request]
1. Sampling of the Corrupted Phoenix Curse
2. Scholar's notes from the Highland
3. Hero's medical report (?)
7. Dreamwalking Wonderland ♛
10. Critical Success/Extreme Failure