Chapter 26: New Adventurer Bern (24). Two Connections
The lich’s lair was located in the northern region—one of the nine parts the Kingdom of Birka was divided into.
While the adventurers from the northern branch acted as an advance party to assess the area, carriages filled with adventurers departed from the western, northwestern, central, northeastern, and eastern branches.
The three southern branches did not participate in this mission. The reason was simple: the distance. If they waited for those branches to arrive, the lich would have far too much time to prepare. Instead, the southern branches were tasked with holding their territory, covering the gaps left by the many skilled adventurers dispatched from the other branches.
The procession that left from the eastern branch included five parties—two of fourth rank, and three of third rank.
Among them were some familiar faces from Bern’s past.
“Hahaha! I was honestly a little disappointed we didn’t get to say a proper goodbye last time!”
Alces Bertraya.
A rare fourth-rank adventurer and someone Bern had met in Frencia, Alces greeted him in a friendly tone.
“I apologize. The situation was so urgent, I barely had the presence of mind to exchange greetings,” Bern replied.
Alces shrugged.
“No need to apologize. I came to help and barely had time to do anything before it all wrapped up in a flash. Still, the incident was resolved, and the victims were returned. I suppose that’s what really matters.”
“It’s not truly over yet. Until the rest of the victims are rescued, we can’t call it complete.”