The Crown Prince Who Raises a Side Character

#5: Novice Adventurer Bern (3) – The Sky-Blue Haired Adventurer

#5: Novice Adventurer Bern (3) – The Sky-Blue Haired Adventurer

The incident that Bern had caused in the middle of the city center instantly became a hot topic within the Adventurer’s Guild.

Imagine, the newbie they all thought was just hard-working and diligent had beaten the daylights out of his senior adventurers?

“Blast, I should have seen it with my own two eyes!”

“Haha! Yes, an adventurer *needs* that kind of guts!”

“I knew those b*stards would get their comeuppance someday!”

Bern, hearing the reactions around him, tilted his head in puzzlement.

Blanca, the guild receptionist, who had been explaining the situation to him, spoke.

“What is it?”

“No, it’s just… I was wondering if this was the right reaction. After all, a member of the same guild got beaten up, and I’m a fresh recruit.”

“You seem to be under some odd misconception, but adventurers in the guild don’t really have camaraderie or a sense of belonging towards each other.”

Blanca offered an analogy with a cynical tone.

“For example, let’s say you’re a regular customer at some famous mercantile house. Would you get angry if another customer of that house, especially some ill-mannered troublemaker, got beaten up somewhere outside?”

“This is the same sort of thing?”

“Not much different. Just like you have to compete with other customers for limited-edition goods at a store, adventurers have to compete with other adventurers to get good requests. The shop owner would obviously intervene if customers started fighting inside the store, but they wouldn’t interfere with what they do outside. The guild is the same.”

“So, there won’t be any penalties for this incident.”

“It would be a different story if you were on the same request as those people and backstabbed them during the request, but as it stands, yes.”

“Hmm, I see.”

From within his shadow, Lucidra asked.

[You seem disappointed? Isn’t this a good thing?]

‘No, I was sort of hoping for the, «How dare that impudent newbie challenge his elders!» kind of development.’

[……]

Whether he knew Lucidra was glaring at him with icily cold eyes or not, Vern bowed his head to Blanca.

“Thank you for answering all my questions.”

“It’s fine. No need to thank me so much for this. I actually called you in because I had something to tell you anyway.”

“Something to tell me?”

With a thud, Blanca placed a small wooden plaque, only slightly larger than her palm, on the reception desk.

“An adventurer’s pass, issued from the second rank upwards. It signifies that you’re now recognized within the Guild as carrying your own weight, properly.”

“Oho.”

Bern, a touch giddy, picked it up.

Unlike the many unconventional displays he’d shown as a first-rank adventurer, his reaction to this was akin to any other fresh-faced novice, prompting a few clerks at the reception desk to watch him with something akin to amusement.

The other adventurers in the Guild were similarly intrigued.

While first-rank adventurers were essentially glorified errand runners, second-rank and above were treated as legitimate professionals.

Especially since quests now began to consistently include combat, and survival could hinge on whether or not you had capable companions.

In that respect, Bern was a highly coveted asset.

He looked young and worked diligently, making him easy to boss around, and though not overly friendly, he wasn’t abrasive either.

More importantly, anyone who could single-handedly subdue five men of similar build had to be skilled.

They were cautiously sizing each other up, preparing to approach Bern, when it happened.

“Bern. Have you considered partying up with me?”

The words, spoken by Blanca, who had just been assisting Bern at the reception desk, stunned not only the adventurers but even the Guild employees.

“W-wait a minute, Blanca. What are you talking about? A receptionist joining a party?”

“I was only ever a temporary hire, and that period is almost over, isn’t it? Booking something a little early shouldn’t be a problem.”

“You’re not renewing your contract? The Supervisor…”

“I won’t be.”

Her reply held a surprising resolve.

The Guild employees exchanged bewildered glances, and the adventurers, having been outmaneuvered, began to murmur amongst themselves.

“What’s with you all? At this rate, we’ll be losing out on a recruit! Move, quick!”

“But… it’s a Rank 3. And a mage, at that. Can’t exactly go barging in.”

“Heard his recent scores aren’t so hot.”

“Even so, a Rank 3 is a Rank 3.”

“Honestly, isn’t it a bit much, fawning over a newbie like this?”

They were trying to keep their voices down, or so they thought, but they weren’t exactly succeeding.

Bern, with his enhanced hearing, caught almost every word. Blanca, while pretending to be calm, was, upon closer inspection, faintly flushed, as if holding back a surge of emotion.

Bern spoke up.

“I can’t give you a definitive answer right now. Too many eyes watching. Is there somewhere we could talk at leisure?”

“…Six o’clock. In front of the Echo Inn. If you can’t wait, I’m free right now.”

The implication – that she’d ditch her clerk duties then and there – was clear. Bern shook his head.

There wasn’t that much of a rush.

“Understood. I’ll see you then.”

“Alright. Then…”

As Bern turned to leave, Lucindra’s taunting whisper echoed in his mind.

[Popular, aren’t we? That woman. The way people are looking at you was already intense. A bit plain compared to the original, but I guess this face has its own appeal.]

‘Lucindra, please.’

[What?]

‘Always thinking about things in that… tawdry way. It’s practically a disease.’

[You little…!]

*

“Hey, Vern. Why not join our party if you’re free? We can teach you survival skills, whatever you need. Just bring yourself.”

“No, better to come with us! Normally, rookies get a smaller share of the payout, but for you, we’ll give you the same!”

The time until their appointment stretched on.

Many adventurers were eager to recruit Vern, but he politely declined, citing a prior engagement.

Of course, that didn’t mean he’d committed to forming a party with Blanca.

Judging by the odd reactions he’d witnessed in the Guild, it was clear she had some kind of issue.

Finding out about Blanca’s reputation wasn’t difficult, and Vern managed to complete a rough investigation before their scheduled meeting.

-Three-year veteran adventurer.

-A rare mage among adventurers, capable of both offensive and healing magic, making her a popular ace.

-Was considered to be on track to become a Rank 4 adventurer soon, but six months ago, she made a blunder on a quest, burning down a nobleman’s hunting grounds.

-She lost most of her assets to pay for the damages, and her main equipment was destroyed in the battle. The power of her magic, once her pride, was also greatly weakened.

-After being kicked out of the Rank 3 party she was with, she occasionally took quests with Rank 2 adventurers, but struggled to fit in and consistently performed poorly.

[She’s junk.]

Lucidra commented bluntly.

[She might be Rank 3, but her actual skill level is more like Rank 2. And her reputation isn’t great. If she acts all high and mighty because of her rank, you’ll be the one suffering.]

‘Hmm.’

[Seriously, is there even a question here? You’d be better off taking in some clueless newbie. They’ll listen to you more, too.]

‘And what newbies am I going to take under my wing when I’m one myself?’

[You, a newbie? Don’t give me that. You’re an imposter pretending to be a newbie.]

“Adventurer? Fresh as they come, yes. Besides… I’m curious.”

[About what?]

“Why you’d ruin your own reputation, right in front of everyone, just to make that offer to me.”

Bern figured Blanka was catching all this flak entirely because she’d tried to recruit him.

Before, it’s not like her reputation was sparkling, but judging by how no one working as a receptionist seemed overly bothered, it was likely just a matter of those in the know, knowing.

But the instant she acted like she was snatching Bern—someone the Rank 2s had been eyeing—while under the intense scrutiny of everyone else, her profile shot up, and the rumors spread like wildfire.

Still, could Blanka really have been oblivious?

Someone who’d been adventuring for three years, even worked as a receptionist, albeit temporarily?

Bern felt a burning curiosity about Blanka’s intentions, and once he’d finally heard the reason from Blanka herself, that curiosity morphed into outright admiration.

“The reason I did it in front of everyone? So you’d feel even a sliver more interest in me, of course.”

“You threw away your reputation… just for my interest?”

“I have to show that much resolve, so you know I’m serious, don’t I?”

Her sky-blue eyes bored into Bern’s.

Demanding a place to talk where they wouldn’t be overheard, only to be led straight to her room in the inn… By this point, calling her “bold” felt like an understatement.

[Hey, run. That woman’s trouble, I’m telling you. The kind who drags you into things.]

Lightly disregarding the advice shouted from the shadows, Bern asked, “You have a rather unique way of negotiating. Cutting off your own escape routes like that… it puts you at a disadvantage in so many ways, no?”

In truth, everyone else who’d tried to bring Bern onto their team had done the opposite.

*We want you as a companion. But it is not like a problem will happen necessarily without you.* Just that sort of stance.

That wasn’t bad – no, rather it could be said to be textbook strategy.

“Surely, if I openly revealed ‘I’m ruined without you!’ it would give you leverage to make outrageous demands I couldn’t refuse, wouldn’t it?”

“Had I done that, I would have been just one of many options in your memories. Perhaps we wouldn’t even have had this chance for a private conversation.”

Indeed, Bern conceded, seeing the logic.

If Blanca had simply suggested they become ‘normal’ colleagues, Bern wouldn’t have felt such a keen interest.

“And I don’t care if the negotiation becomes unfavorable. As long as I can achieve the one thing I require, I’ll accept any price.”

“Anything?”

“Yes.”

She had to know the weight of the words she spoke.

In truth, Blanca’s fist trembled ever so slightly.

Like when she blushed at the surrounding jeers, Blanca wasn’t emotionless or indifferent.

She simply had a goal she wanted to achieve, even if it meant suppressing everything else.

“So, it seems you’re not just asking me to be a fellow adventurer. Specifically, what are you after?”

“Lich subjugation.”

Bern’s eyes widened momentarily at the answer that came as if she’d been waiting to give it.

“A Lich? The Lich, you mean? The one that’s at least a Rank 5 according to the continental assessment, the ones whose Rank 6 and above are treated as a national crisis?”

“Exactly. The one I’m after hasn’t been a Lich for very long, so it’s on the weaker side, for a Lich. But it’s still an opponent worth risking one’s life for.”

Even the words ‘risking one’s life’ felt like a gross understatement.

After all, they were talking about one of the ultimate forms of a mage, one who could manipulate and control dead souls at will.

Messing up could mean more than death, it could mean becoming a Lich’s thrall even in the afterlife, forever wandering the nine heavens.

“Specifics?”

“It would be in the Guild, yes, but information on a high-level monster like a Lich isn’t something a mere receptionist or low-ranking adventurer can access. At least you or I would need to be Rank 4.”

“No other companions or patrons?”

“None. I’ll need to find some more now, I suppose.”

“Perhaps your outward reputation is a fabrication, and you’re actually a mage above Rank 4?”

“…I regret to say, my pure skill is only around Rank 2. My staff, the one that amplified my magic, broke.”

As the questions and answers continued, Blanca’s shoulders seemed to shrink, and a shadow fell across her face.

“I know I’m asking for something impossible. Even so, I must kill that thing, no matter what.”

“Why is that?”

“It holds the soul of my teacher, my mother.”

It wasn’t the kind of thing one easily blurted out to someone else, especially someone who hadn’t even agreed to be a companion.

And the fact that she didn’t hide it meant Blanca had high hopes for Bern.

Bern was silent for a moment before speaking.

“I have conditions.”

Blanca’s face lit up, but quickly grew tense.

“One, I’m still quite green as an adventurer. Can you unsparingly impart the knowledge you’ve accumulated as an adventurer, and support my activities as one?”

“I will help in every way I can.”

“Two, I may occasionally use powers or techniques that are difficult for you to understand. Can you remain silent about them?”

“My lips have always been heavy.”

“Three… I can’t think of anything else right now. Let’s leave it at that for the time being.”

Bern extended his right hand and spoke.

“Please, treat me well from now on, Blanca-ssi.”

Blanca wore a look of suspicion, as if to ask if that truly was the extent of the conditions, but since Bern had said “for now,” she presumed there would be additional requests later, and readily clasped his hand.

“Likewise, Bern.”