GILF Hunter

Chapter 474: 474 Wide-Area Memory Confusion Potion

Hearing the news Ian brought, Louise asked with a much brighter expression than before.

’Then, can we obtain [Shadow Flame] from that place called the [Witch’s Forest]?’

’I can’t guarantee how much will appear, but we should be able to get at least two or three easily.’

’Kyaa!’

When Louise first heard the description of the [Witch’s Forest], she thought Ian was joking.

After all, a place filled with herbs and various magical materials? To anyone, it sounded like a childish, made-up rumor designed to draw attention.

Louise had heard countless wild rumors about the Labyrinth before coming to Labyrinth City, and she had even believed a few plausible ones.

It was only after settling in Labyrinth City and hearing stories from Ian and the members who actually frequented the Labyrinth that she could properly grasp what kind of place it was.

The idea that there were rooms filled with alchemy materials inside the Labyrinth... back then, alchemists would gather and seriously discuss such stories that now seemed absurd.

’A room filled with herbs really exists?!’

’It’s probably not exactly as you imagine it, Louise... but it does exist.’

Hearing that answer, Louise’s eyes lit up as she grabbed Ian’s hand firmly.

Her pupils were sparkling with greed.

’T-then, by any chance... if there are [Moon Fragments], could you bring those back too?’

’That’s a bit...’

’If not that, then at least [Blue Lycoris]! Just about ten of them...!’

’Since we’re tagging along on someone else’s expedition, it’s a bit difficult to bring back materials so freely...’

Of course, those materials Louise wanted were also in the [Witch’s Forest]. They were things that could be found if one searched leisurely.

However, this expedition was strictly joining in on a key obtained by the Ranger Circle.

They weren’t in a position to wander around looking for whatever materials they wanted.

The leader of the expedition was Ariel, and it was unthinkable to separate from the main group and act independently inside the Labyrinth.

The best course of action was to cooperate with the circle’s original goal of searching for [Thunderstruck Branches] and focus on securing [Shadow Flame] only as long as it didn’t interfere with that.

’Sigh.... It can’t be helped, then.’

Though she couldn’t hide her disappointment, Louise finally understood the situation and backed off. Since it was an expedition tagging along on someone else’s key, there was no other way.

And then, Emilia, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, subtly interjected.

Emilia held out a small green potion bottle.

Ian reflexively took it and checked the name.

- [Wide-Area Sleep Mist Potion]

’...This is?’

’It’s a sleep potion. Just open the cap and a colorless, odorless smoke comes out. Wait for an opening, put everyone to sleep with this, and in the meantime, take as many herbs as—’

’...Rejected.’

Shaking his head, Ian started to give the potion back, but just in case, he confiscated it and put it in his pocket.

Emilia grumbled with an expression that said she didn’t understand why he would reject such a great suggestion.

’Anyway, what we need right now is [Shadow Flame]. We’ll bring enough for each of you to use, so be satisfied with that.’

’To think such a place actually existed. It would be great if I could go in personally.... Is there any way you could get a key yourself later, Leader?’

’Leader Ariel gets them through her connections... so it might be difficult.’

Louise asked hopefully, but Ian shook his head.

Especially since transactions for this type of key rarely occurred; it was an item Ariel bought through connections by asking mercenaries she was close with.

Even if Ian tried to buy one, it was highly likely no one would be willing to sell it to him.

It was a stroke of luck that they could join this expedition that happened to be planned.

If Ian tried to obtain more materials than that, it might interfere with the circle members’ search. To ask for more concessions would be excessive greed.

Emilia interjected again, holding out a white potion bottle.

- [Wide-Area Memory Confusion Potion]

’Anyone who breathes this mist won’t be able to recall their memories for about an hour. So with this...’

’...I said no.’

Ian confiscated that one as well.

Emilia puffed out her cheeks with a dissatisfied expression.

- Creak.

’Whew. The weather has already gotten quite cold.’

Just then, with the sound of a door opening, two people entered the lounge.

As Ian turned his gaze toward the door, he saw Airi being held by the hand by Lia.

’Did something happen?’

’Airi was strangely standing outside in a daze...’

’Uuu...’

Lia, who had brought in Airi from where she had been loitering outside, asked her with a puzzled face.

’So, what were you doing outside without a coat?’

’Just... taking a walk...’

’In that outfit? It must be cold.’

’That’s...’

The hesitating Airi couldn’t withstand Lia’s gaze and finally confessed the truth.

’...I-I thought maybe I could catch a cold...’

’A cold?’

It seemed Airi wanted to avoid the fan meeting at all costs.

She couldn’t back out of the expedition now, but her plan was to at least use the excuse of a cold to prevent people from approaching her.

However, considering the resistance Airi had developed after learning black magic... unless it was a full-blown blizzard, she wasn’t going to catch a cold from just a bit of chilly weather.

Airi probably knew that too... but it was a vain hope.

Lia, looking at Airi with a somewhat absurd expression, silently reached out her hand.

A small light flickered from Lia’s hand and immediately washed over Airi’s body. It was holy magic to restore vitality.

’Ah, no...! My cold...!’

’Why is it yours?’

The now-healthy Airi slumped to the floor with a despairing expression.

＊ ＊ ＊

A few days before departure, Ian visited the Temple.

It was to receive items to be used for the expedition from the Temple.

Due to the previous expedition and the donation of the Holy Grail, he had accumulated so many contribution points that it was actually difficult to use them all. He planned to exchange them for items and provide support for this expedition.

Tanya, who was looking at the list Ian had requested from the Temple, asked.

’Are you going to take this much?’

’Since we’re tagging along for free. We should do at least this much so there are no complaints when we share the rewards.’

’I see.... This is my first time joining another mercenary group’s Labyrinth expedition, so I’m not really sure.’

This [Ranger Circle] expedition was not a group mission but a gathering of circle members. Naturally, they couldn’t receive support from their respective mercenary groups, and there were no separate activity funds accumulated in the circle.

In the end, in such an expedition, each individual had to chip in to provide for the costs and supplies.

Bearing the cost of an expedition as individuals rather than a group was a significant expense, even for a high-earning mercenary.

In such a situation, providing items from the Temple, which were usually too expensive to use often, would win considerable favor with the circle members.

He had to do at least this much so there would be no complaints about the Ian Mercenary Group, who had suddenly joined, being allocated exploration time.

After waiting and talking with Tanya for a few minutes.

Before long, a priest carrying a bag approached Ian from inside the room. A priest with impressive pink hair. It was Frenda.

’Here it is! I’ve prepared it in advance.’

’Ah, thank you. Miss Frenda.’

Frenda handed the bag to Ian and Tanya.

Inside was filled with various Labyrinth exploration items, including the holy water Ian had requested.

’Is there anything else you need?’

’No. This should be enough.’

Frenda gave a small smile as she handed it over.

Whenever Ian visited the Temple, Frenda always greeted him as if she had been waiting.

Now it felt as if Frenda was almost Ian’s dedicated priest.

Recalling the contents of the bag, Frenda asked Ian.

’Seeing you gather these things... are you preparing to enter the Labyrinth? It hasn’t been long since your last expedition...’

’It’s a simple expedition. It won’t be as tough as the last one, so it’s fine.’

Expedition...

Muttering that, Frenda asked Ian.

’Then when is the departure?’

’Four days from now.’

’I see.... Understood.’

Ian wondered why she was asking such a thing, but he answered without much thought.

...And on the day of the expedition.

While making final preparations for departure, someone knocked on the door of the mercenary group’s lodging.

’Yes, who is it... eh?’

’Hello.’

Was it someone sent from the [Ranger Circle] to pick them up? Tanya, who had opened the door thinking that, stepped back in surprise at the person in front of her.

Through the open doorway, Frenda, carrying a small bag, naturally stepped inside.

’Miss Frenda, what are you doing here...?’

’You said departure was today.’

’I mean, what business brought you here personally, Miss Frenda?’

’Eh? If you’re going on an expedition, of course I should follow.’

’...?’

A priest dispatch service worth 500 contribution points, which Ian hadn’t even requested, was suddenly included in the party.