Chương 70: The Commission

The next morning. The campfires around Antler Camp had only just gone out when Talia finished putting on her equipment. A pair of shoulder guards had been added over the meticulously maintained light armor she had worn the night before. The hand axe at her waist had been sharpened, while one of the Tendon-Cord Crossbows the caravan had purchased now hung across her back. Her bulging tool bag had also been replaced with a narrow-mouthed leather satchel better suited for moving through the forest.

She stood outside Oswin's tent.

"It's morning." There was no movement inside. Talia knocked on the wooden pole twice more.

"Sera told us to find her after daybreak." A moment later. The tent flap was lifted from within. Oswin had already put on his leather armor, though the long sword on his back had yet to be properly secured. He glanced at the sky.

"The sun isn't up yet."

"It's already light."

"Those are two different things."

"Sera said after daybreak." Oswin stared at her for several seconds. Talia refused to back down. Kane's muffled voice came from beneath one of the covered wagons.

"I can confirm she's been standing there repeating herself for a long time." Talia looked down. Kane was wrapped in a blanket, with only his brown animal ears sticking out.

"If you're awake, why aren't you coming out?"

"Because I want to lie down a little longer." Oswin looked beneath the wagon.

"Since you're awake, go inspect the bolt channels on both crossbows." Kane pulled the blanket over his head.

"What I said just now was sleep-talking."

"Not anymore." Talia was already heading toward the central tent. Oswin secured his long sword across his back. Kane could only crawl out from beneath the wagon with his blanket in his arms.... Inside the central tent. Sera had already arranged several wooden boards bearing simple maps across the table. Taun sat nearby, fully occupied with the jerky in his hand. Rowan was there as well. The two Tendon-Cord Crossbows sold the previous night rested beside the table.

Velesa stood nearby, rechecking the tendons along the inner sides of their limbs. The wooden case containing the sealed Bone-Flesh Blade had been placed on the other side. Talia was just about to approach when Oswin spoke first.

"Go bring your bracers and potions."

"I already prepared them."

"Bring them here so I can inspect them." Talia glanced at the maps on the table.

"You're not going to change your mind while I'm gone, are you?"

"I am."

"Oswin."

"So you'd better be quick." Talia glared at him before turning and running out of the tent. She dragged Kane away from outside. Velesa closed the crossbow mechanism and followed them. Only after their footsteps faded did Oswin approach the table.

"What she wants is a normal subjugation." Sera said:"I assume you have no intention of agreeing."

"I'll agree."

"But the commission needs to be adjusted." Oswin placed a money pouch on the table. It landed with a series of dull clinks. Taun reached over and took it. He untied the pouch.

"This much?"

"A guide, reconfirming the target's tracks, consumed potions, and payment for everyone participating in the subjugation." Oswin said:"I'll cover the remaining commission reward as well." Taun looked up.

"You could just take her into the forest for a walk."

"She would notice."

"Then we find an ordinary mana-beast?"

"She would notice that too." Sera leaned against the edge of the table.

"So what exactly are you asking for?" Oswin said:"It has to be an officially marked commission from the camp."

"There must be enough information."

"The target can't sound unimpressive either."

"And she needs to make the final choice herself."

"Most importantly, it needs an impressive reputation without being too dangerous in practice." Oswin glanced outside the tent.

"What she wants is a real subjugation, not something anyone could immediately recognize as an attempt to humor her." Taun opened the account book.

"Does she know you're paying for all this?"

"There's no need."

"Doesn't she want to have a normal adventure?" Oswin glanced outside again.

"Then let her go through the normal process." Sera didn't agree immediately. She took a wooden case from beneath the table. When she opened it, more than a dozen palm-sized commission plaques lay neatly arranged inside. The silhouette of a different mana-beast had been carved into every plaque. The edges of some had already been worn pale. Others were clearly much newer. Sera selected five plaques.

"All within the Tier 1 Single-Phase range."

"The camp has already confirmed their recent activity areas."

"These two are too ordinary." Oswin pushed two of them back. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Taun glanced at him.

"Easy targets aren't usually anything special."

"The money is already on the table." Taun fell silent. Oswin examined the remaining three plaques again. The first depicted a mana-beast with a raised back and two curved tusks. A Riftback Tusk Boar. A common mana-beast in the Verdant Wilds. Adults could reach Tier 1 Single-Phase, but their methods of attack consisted almost entirely of charging and biting. The camp hunted several every year. The second wooden plaque showed a rock lizard whose body hugged the ground, with an exceptionally thick lower jaw.

An Iron-Jawed Rock Lizard. It was larger than the Riftback Tusk Boar. Its frontal scales were thicker as well. However, it was slow, and the camp possessed complete hunting records. Its neck and abdomen both had clearly identified weaknesses. The third wooden plaque was visibly newer than the other two. The mana-beast carved into it had long, slender limbs and horns that spiraled backward from its head. On either side of the horn bases, bone plates spread outward like a crown.

"A Spiral-Crowned War Antelope?" Oswin picked up the plaque.

"It came from the west." Sera said:"It was only discovered near Scree Slope half a month ago."

"Has the camp hunted one before?"

"No."

"Then why is it listed as an easy target?" Sera pulled out the record pinned beneath the plaque.

"It isn't fully grown."

"Its left hind leg is injured."

"A few days ago, it fought over a carcass with a Single-Phase predator the camp has been monitoring for a long time. It lost."

"It has failed three consecutive hunts since then."

"Its activity range has also continued to shrink." Oswin turned the record over. Several simple footprint rubbings had been drawn on the back, along with several activity locations marked in charcoal.

"Have you found any others of its kind?"

"No."

"When was the most recent confirmation?"

"The afternoon before yesterday." Sera said:"Bren inspected it personally."

"Its assessed strength does not exceed mid-stage Tier 1 Single-Phase." Oswin placed the plaque back on the table. The Riftback Tusk Boar. The Iron-Jawed Rock Lizard. The Spiral-Crowned War Antelope. The three plaques were arranged side by side.

"These three." Taun entered a line in the account book.

"The fee for reconfirming the tracks is separate."

"Fine."

"If the target relocates, the fee won't be refunded."

"Fine."

"Mana-beast materials will be divided according to camp rules."

"Fine." Taun's pen stopped. This was the first time he had ever dealt with such an agreeable customer.... By the time Talia returned, the three wooden plaques had already been placed at the center of the table. Kane followed behind her, carrying potions, bracers, and a coil of spare rope in his arms.

"Why am I carrying all of this?"

"Because you called me short yesterday."

"That still counts? I thought we were past that." Talia ignored him. Her gaze had already fallen on the three commission plaques. Sera picked up the first.

"Riftback Tusk Boar."

"Adult specimen. Tier 1 Single-Phase."

"Its activity area is the closest to camp. The journey takes less than two hours."

"It charges quickly, but turns slowly."

"The camp has nineteen complete hunting records." Talia glanced at the plaque.

"Next." Sera picked up the Iron-Jawed Rock Lizard plaque.

"Iron-Jawed Rock Lizard."

"Larger than the Riftback Tusk Boar, with very thick frontal scales."

"This particular specimen is only Tier 1 Single-Phase."

"The camp has three hunting records."

"As long as you don't approach from the front, the danger is low." Talia studied it for a few moments longer. At least this one sounded somewhat respectable. Oswin said:"Choose it." Talia immediately raised her head.

"Why?"

"It has the most complete information."

"Then wouldn't we just be repeating someone else's method?"

"For your first subjugation, following the correct method isn't a bad thing."

"I didn't come here to copy someone else's answer." Kane stood nearby with the potions in his arms.

"I knew it." Oswin glanced at him.

"Knew what?"

"Nothing at all." Sera picked up the final wooden plaque.

"Spiral-Crowned War Antelope." Talia's attention was immediately drawn to the spiraling horns carved into the plaque.

"It's very rare in the Verdant Wilds." Sera continued:"This one isn't fully grown. Its left hind leg is injured, and it was recently driven away by another Single-Phase mana-beast."

"The camp currently classifies it as an easy target." Talia asked:"Has anyone hunted one before?"

"Not at Antler Camp."

"What about the other nearby camps?"

"There are currently no records." Talia picked up the plaque. A shallow western regional mark had been carved into the back.

"So—""If we complete the commission, it will be Antler Camp's first official hunt of a Spiral-Crowned War Antelope?"

"Yes." Sera said:"But we also have the least information on it out of the three targets." Oswin reached out.

"Put it down." Talia pulled the plaque slightly closer to herself.

"It's still classified as an easy target." Oswin looked at her. Talia met his gaze without flinching.

"People kill Riftback Tusk Boars every year."

"There's already an established method for Iron-Jawed Rock Lizards too."

"Even if I complete one of those commissions, everyone will only say you chose a target that couldn't possibly go wrong."

"The Spiral-Crowned War Antelope is different."

"Easy or not, it's still a Tier 1 mana-beast." Kane reminded her. Talia looked toward him.

"I know."

"I never said I was going to kill it alone."

"I only want one real subjugation." The tent fell silent for a while. Oswin finally withdrew his hand.

"Velesa will be in command."

"Kane is not to leave your side."

"Fine."

"If the camp guide orders a retreat, you retreat immediately."

"Fine."

"No pursuing the target."

"Fine. Everything's fine. Are you done?" Oswin continued.

"If any part of the target differs from the records, the mission ends immediately."

"I know. I won't do anything reckless." Oswin frowned.

"You agreed too quickly." Talia placed the plaque back on the table.

"Velesa is in command."

"Kane stays with me."... She repeated each condition one by one.

"Anything else?" Oswin didn't answer. Sera took out a piece of soft sealing clay. She had Talia press her fingerprint into it. Then she embedded the clay into the back of the Spiral-Crowned War Antelope commission plaque.

"Commission accepted." Talia picked up the plaque. The corners of her mouth finally rose beyond her control.

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning." Sera said:"We'll reconfirm the target's location today."

"Velesa and Bren will inspect the route."

"You're responsible for preparing your own equipment." Talia tightened her grip around the plaque.

"Good."... After the commission was confirmed, Rowan inspected the two Tendon-Cord Crossbows again. The pre-tension was normal. Tendon activity was stable. The crossbow mechanisms also showed no obvious wear from the repeated test-firing the previous night. Velesa placed the wooden case containing the sealed Bone-Flesh Blade beside the table.

"How long can it withstand continuous combat?"

"As long as the core armament patterns aren't damaged, the duration doesn't matter." Rowan glanced at the edge of the wooden case.

"But it can only discharge three times in succession." Velesa wrote that down. Talia stood nearby with one of the Tendon-Cord Crossbows already strapped across her back.

"Are you coming too?"

"No." Rowan answered immediately.

"I can go."

"How much are you paying me?" Talia fell silent. Rowan picked up his tool case.

"No payment, no trip." Kane walked over.

"I like him more and more." Velesa glanced at him.

"Because you're both stingy?"

"Because he speaks honestly."... Before noon. Bren left with two camp hunters to reconfirm the Spiral-Crowned War Antelope's location near Scree Slope. Velesa began organizing the arrows. Kane, meanwhile, was called behind the material shed by Sera. Rowan happened to be nearby returning some tools. He saw Sera take a dull-colored metal ring from her pocket. There was no gemstone on its surface. Only two fine armament patterns overlapping one another. Kane accepted the ring.

"A Linked Resonance Ring?"

"A single-use one." Sera said:"I have the other ring."

"Since when were you this generous?"

"It's coming out of your payment." Kane immediately tried to hand it back. Sera's expression became serious.

"The Spiral-Crowned War Antelope isn't a common mana-beast in the Verdant Wilds."

"If anything differs from the records, activate the ring immediately."

"Don't wait until you're certain something has gone wrong." Kane's smile disappeared.

"You think something will happen?"

"I think we have too little information." Sera said:"And Lowen isn't here."

"So I'm adding another safeguard." Kane slipped the Linked Resonance Ring onto his little finger.

"Understood."

"One more thing." Sera looked at him.

"Keep an eye on Talia."

"You don't need to tell me that."... The caravan's preparations didn't stop either. The dwarf woman responsible for registering the medicinal herbs moved back and forth between several wooden crates, repeatedly checking their contents. Finally, she turned the account book to one particular page.

"We're still short two Goldvein Roots." She said:"We need to replenish them before the next leg of the journey." Kane was sorting the crossbow bolts.

"Can't we just buy two from the camp?" Taun didn't even raise his head.

"We don't have any in stock."

"Where's the nearest growing area?" Oswin asked. Sera pointed toward the southern side of the camp.

"Head in that direction."

"About three hours away."

"You'll find a small valley."

"There should still be a patch of Goldvein Root growing there."

"Any mana-beasts?"

"None around the outer edge."

"Farther inside, I can't guarantee anything." Oswin nodded.

"I'll go tomorrow." Talia was adjusting her bracer. When she heard that, she turned around.

"You're not coming with us?"

"The caravan is only staying for two days." Oswin said:"You're taking Kane and Velesa. Everyone else still has to inventory the cargo."

"Someone has to handle the work." Some of the excitement faded from Talia's face.

"We could stay one more day."

"The caravan doesn't exist for you alone." Oswin placed a short gathering shovel and a cutting knife into a leather bag.

"You complete your commission."

"I'll deal with the caravan's business." Talia pressed her lips together. In the end, she said nothing more. Rowan was nearby inspecting the containment patterns on the Bone-Flesh Blade's wooden case. Oswin opened another narrow-mouthed leather bag. Inside were two whole, dried gray-gold roots. Rowan's gaze paused. Goldvein Root. That was the name the caravan used for it.

Both the color of its outer layer and the faint mana-conductive veins running between its fibers closely resembled the half-severed root he had taken from the dead priest's Storage Pouch. Rowan silently activated his AR interface. [Similarity to private specimen: 97. 6%.] [Terra database candidate: Radiance Root.] [Cross-sectional structure exceeds all recorded variance. Species confirmation unavailable.] [Individual features recorded: curved fracture, oblique chipped break.] A tiny curved fracture ran across the middle of one Goldvein Root. A small piece was missing from its end, as though something had bitten it off at an angle. Oswin placed both Goldvein Roots back into the gathering bag. They might have been part of his private stock. Or perhaps reference specimens used to identify mature plants. Rowan withdrew his gaze and continued inspecting the wooden case.... That night. The campfires around the outer edge of the caravan gradually went out.

After completing his final Mind-Splitting Art practice session, Rowan stood and went to wash his hands beside the water barrels. As he passed behind one of the covered wagons, he saw Oswin sitting alone on a wooden crate. The heavily worn long sword rested across his knees. A faded dark-red sword tassel was tied to the end of its hilt. His fingers slowly rubbed the frayed tassel. He remained like that for a long time.

"Sorry." His voice was very quiet. Rowan didn't stop. He walked past the other side of the wagon without alerting him.... Early the next morning. Bren returned with the latest information. The Spiral-Crowned War Antelope was still within its original activity area. The injury to its leg had not noticeably recovered. Nor had any tracks belonging to others of its kind been discovered nearby. The commission would proceed. Talia hung the commission plaque from her waist.

Velesa carried her longbow, while the sealed wooden case containing the Bone-Flesh Blade was secured to the outside of her backpack. Kane checked the Linked Resonance Ring one final time. Two caravan guards and Bren followed behind them. The group left Antler Camp along the forest road leading southeast. Talia walked quickly. It wasn't long before Kane reached out and grabbed the leather satchel on her back.

"The guide is behind us."

"I'm only walking a little faster."

"Your first adventure can begin with staying close to the group." Their voices gradually faded into the depths of the forest. About half an hour later. Oswin also shouldered his gathering bag. He left along another path south of the camp. Rowan watched him briefly from beside his workstation. Then lowered his head. And continued working on the unfinished armament patterns in his hands.