The Exiled Knight Takes Up Life as an Adventurer — A Former Captain's Secret Power and His Carefree Days in a Distant Land - Chapter 26

“With the two of you doing the hunting, we won’t have to worry about meals.”

When we returned to camp, Ayesha the Dissector began breaking down the Blackwood Boar Bakusha and the Southern Sea Duck Utoka with incredible speed—like she was just filleting fish.

“Wh–Whoa, that’s amazing.”

“All dissectors are this fast, you know? The high-ranking ones are even quicker.”

“Faster than this?”

“Yes. Higher-tier quests usually involve large monsters, so speed is essential when it comes to dissection.”

Ayesha removed her bloodstained leather gloves and washed her hands with water.

“Mardin, we’re changing the plan. Let’s lure out the Azure Spitting Dragon, Azpresius. Take these entrails and scatter them in the investigation area.”

“I don’t mind, but isn’t the forest dangerous at night?”

“That’s exactly why we’re sending you two adventurers.”

“Hah, good point. Makes sense. Hahaha.”

“We’ll handle the cooking while you’re gone.”

We stuffed the entrails and unwanted parts of the Bakusha and Utoka into burlap sacks and set off from camp—just me and Velnika.

With torches in hand, we made our way through the dim forest. Every so often, we tossed sprigs of the bug-repelling herb Milt into the flame.

Without it, we’d be swarmed by bugs—especially the Musoot, massive black-spotted mosquitoes. They’re notorious bloodsuckers and known carriers of disease.

“Hey, Mardin. Isn’t it hot? You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m drenched in sweat, but I’m fine. Haha.”

“You’re from a snowy country, right? So why’d you come to a tropical place like this?”

“That’s random. What made you ask?”

“Well… I’m retiring after this quest and leaving this region. I figured I should ask someone experienced while I still can.”

“Got it. Honestly, it’s a simple reason—I was tired of the freezing cold and dreamed of warmer places.”

“Was it really that cold?”

“Oh yeah. Everything froze—rivers, mountains… even people. In the dead of winter, blizzards would turn everything white. Walk three steps from your house, and you’d get lost.”

“I can’t even imagine that.”

“Well, I can’t believe this heat either. Haha.”

Just then, a giant Musoot flew in front of us. It was over five sedelt long and buzzing like crazy.

“Whoa! That startled me!”

Startled by its size, I torched it quickly. Bugs in the tropics are monstrous.

“That thing was huge… and gross.”

Velnika laughed as she watched my reaction.

“So, Velnika, where are you headed after this?”

“First, I’m going to Taluska, the Imperial Capital. I was planning to live there with Lark.”

“That’s a big city.”

“Yeah. Lark wanted to build up his career there and eventually head to the Kingdom of Larshe, where the Adventurer’s Guild headquarters is.”

“Why does everyone want to go to the homeland so badly?”

“Because that’s where the Guild’s main headquarters is. It has everything—cutting-edge facilities, every major institution. And it’s home to the legendary heroes. A-rank adventurers with titles recognized across the world. The courier who invented the airship. Sig-Nine, the world-renowned blacksmith and director of the development bureau. The guildmaster who redefined dissection. And of course, the only two S-rank adventurers alive today—the King and Queen. The King still takes on quests, even now. If you’re an adventurer, that’s where you want to be.”

“The upper ranks of the Guild are basically monsters.”

I’d heard the stories about those legendary adventurers now and then. It’s not like I wasn’t curious, but they live in a completely different world than I do.

Besides, I’ve lost the desire to climb the ranks. I just want to live peacefully now.

“Alright, we’re here.”

We arrived at the investigation site and began scattering the entrails and meat, just like Ayesha instructed.

“Let’s hope this draws it in.”

“It will. It’s Ayesha’s plan—we can count on it. Tomorrow’s the real battle.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Let’s head back. A delicious dinner is waiting.”

“Can’t wait.”

With torches in hand, we made our way back through the forest toward camp.

“Oh wow, that smells amazing.”

Back at camp, I tossed the last of the Milt herb into the bonfire and reached for the gate.

“Welcome back.”

“Welcome home!”

Ayesha and Ramitwa greeted us warmly as they cooked at the brick stove.

“Perfect timing—dinner’s just ready. Here, have some water.”

“Oh, thanks. That’s a huge help.”

Ramitwa handed me a cup, and I downed it in one go, parched from the trek.

“Ahhh, that hits the spot.”

Velnika stood beside Ayesha.

“Ayesha, we scattered the bait at the designated spot.”

“Thank you. I’m sure the dragon will come tomorrow.”

“I believe it too.”

Velnika looked into the pot with admiration.

“Still, this is a pretty extravagant dinner.”

“We had extra ingredients, so I decided to go all out. Hehe.”

Ayesha clapped her hands.

“Alright then, let’s eat!”

We had Black Forest Pork Bakusha curry, Black Forest Pork Bakusha spare ribs, South Sea Duck Utoka grilled with spices, vegetable soup, and bread.

“Alright, since it’s a special occasion, why don’t we open that too?”

I uncorked the wine I had brought with me.

Ramitwa clapped her hands in excitement.

“Hey, Alisha, this totally feels like a party, doesn’t it?”

“Hehe, it really does. Let’s enjoy the food and stay strong for tomorrow.”

Ramitwa served the curry, and Velnika ladled out the vegetable soup.

Alisha carved the spare ribs, while I poured the wine into four wooden cups.

“This definitely feels like a party. Hahaha!”

Just like Ramitwa said, the meal was so extravagant, it was hard to believe we were still in the middle of a quest.

Once dinner was over, the forest was overtaken by night and wrapped in darkness.

A gentle breeze rustled the trees.

It felt cooler than during the day, but the tropical forest’s humidity still made us sweat.

“Today’s bath day.”

I took a few wooden boards and a thin iron sheet from the wagon.

It was a collapsible, portable bath—designed and sold by Larsch Industries, the company that builds airships.

Before this portable bath became available a few years ago, adventurers had to wipe themselves down or bathe in rivers and lakes during quests.

Now that it helps prevent hygiene-related illnesses, bathing during quests has become standard practice.

Since we brought plenty of water for this trip, we planned to bathe every other day.

Once assembled, we filled a tub large enough for one person and heated the water with firewood.

We set up wooden boards around it to make a privacy wall.

“Alright! The bath is ready. Go ahead and take turns—I’ll go last.”

“Mardin, no peeking, okay?”

“Oh, come on, Ramitwa, you’re still just a kid.”

“Excuse me?! I’m a twenty-two-year-old lady!”

“Haha! Sorry, sorry. In that case, Your Highness, please go first.”

I gave a graceful bow in the Emarepa style.

“Ugh, Mardin, you’re seriously the type of guy who never gets any attention from girls.”

“Shut it!”

Velnika and Alisha laughed as they watched the whole exchange.