After everything about that day was said and done, I didn’t ask any more questions. I didn’t interrogate them about whether they could take responsibility for their words, nor did I get angry and demand certainty.

Instead, I left immediately.

The only thing I had realized from my conversation with the professor was that I needed to hurry. Hiding the scar on my waist, I carved a small wooden water container. With that done, there was nothing else to pack.

In some ways, I felt even lighter than when I had first set out from my hometown. Though my goal was heavy, I had grown into a more seasoned adventurer, so it wasn’t strange to feel this way.

But every journey always came with unforeseen variables.

“…Ugh, it’s been a while since I’ve walked this much. My legs are killing me. Should’ve exercised a bit beforehand.”

“Professor, if you’re struggling, I can carry you.”

“My, how kind of you. But I’d rather our dear hero up ahead offer such generosity.”

“Oppaya will get his soul crushed if he carries anything heavy.”

“…”

This was neither a companion I had hoped for nor one I had ever requested. If I left them alone, I had a feeling they would follow me all the way to the royal palace. I pointed that out immediately.

“I never asked for company.”

“I know. But I’m coming along anyway. I can’t miss out on such an interesting story.”

“And Oppaya, you promised to give me your soul. If you die on the way to the palace, I’ll take it then.”

“…Hmph.”

None of these were particularly welcome reasons. Eventually, I stopped walking and turned around. The professor gave me a puzzled look and asked,

“What, not going?”

“If you’re going to be a hindrance, I’d rather deal with it now.”

“I heard you weren’t the coldhearted type.”

“That’s why I make an effort not to be swayed by sentiment.”

“But there’s no need to forget the kindness you’ve received.”

Am I supposed to consider being dragged around in a sarcophagus as an act of kindness? It was a question with an obvious answer, so I just stared at the professor without speaking.

She seemed to realize something from my silence and waved her hand dismissively.

“Hey, don’t take it so seriously. Anyway, you’re not planning to storm the royal palace all alone, are you? Surely, you know you’ll need allies.”

“You’re saying that means you?”

“Of course. Not to boast, but you won’t find anyone more capable than us around here. Maybe not even in the entire kingdom.”

“I wouldn’t know.”

“Well, we’re certainly better than that idiot Jorfe. And as for the last necromancer of this world… ugh, no point in even discussing that.”

The professor crossed her arms proudly and looked down at the young girl beside her. I followed her gaze and saw the girl staring blankly at me.

Then, as a line of drool trickled from her mouth, she hurriedly wiped it away and glanced around nervously. Watching her, I couldn’t help but feel like my own mind was slipping into a daze.

“I don’t know much about necromancers, so I can’t comment on that. But what about you?”

“I’m more beautiful, elegant, intelligent, and capable than Jorfe. I’m also the greatest sage and alchemist of this era, having published over twenty papers at the Harbit Academy.”

“I heard Jorfe published over thirty.”

“Well, technically, I have… twenty-nine. And need I remind you that the number of papers doesn’t determine one’s knowledge? Let’s not be childish.”

“Then I’d like to ask, which type of magic are you most proficient in?”

“Magic? I’m an alchemist.”

It was a response worthy of a sigh, but her expression brimmed with confidence. She truly believed she would be a better companion than Jorfe.

Honestly, I wasn’t particularly eager about this company. But her argument wasn’t entirely without merit, so I eventually nodded.

“If you’re offering help, I have no reason to refuse. Fine, let’s travel together.”

“Great. But your speech seems a bit… informal now?”

“I don’t use honorifics with companions. So, what are your names?”

“With due respect and admiration, just call me Professor.”

“I don’t have a name.”

“Alright. I’m Alpheus.”

Since the matter was settled, we didn’t waste any more time. After brief introductions, we resumed our journey. The two of them didn’t seem surprised at all and continued their lighthearted chatter.

“Come to think of it, you don’t have a name, huh? Want me to give you one?”

“No. Names are confusing. I can’t remember things like that.”

“That’s why you just call me Professor, huh? But did you at least remember the hero’s name?”

“Oppaya is enough.”

“Oh-ho, how wise.”

“…”

Listening to their tension-free conversation, I couldn’t help but feel slightly concerned. Unlike the elven warrior or the Harbit scholar, I had no way of knowing what these two were capable of.

And a giant alchemist, at that. In some ways, it felt even more unfamiliar than a goblin necromancer. Judging by that thin frame, it didn’t seem likely, but I sincerely hoped she wasn’t the type to simply overpower people and call it magic.

Luckily, that concern was erased less than an hour into the journey.

“Huff… huff… huff…”

“…”

“Hahh… hey, Hero…”

“What is it?”

“Can we rest for a bit? I’m dying here…”

“We’ve only been walking for an hour.”

“I know… but my only weakness is my stamina…”

One hour. That was how long it took for the professor’s stamina to completely drain.

And judging by the sweat pouring down her entire body, she hadn’t been exaggerating.

Meanwhile, the goblin girl, seemingly worried, was fanning the professor with her tiny hands. It wasn’t much help, of course, but the sight was endearing nonetheless.

“Oh, what a kind soul. Truly, goodness manifests regardless of race.”

“Professor, are you okay?”

“Hearing you ask that makes me feel like I already am.”

“Then hurry and get up. If you make things harder for me, that won’t be good either.”

“…And so smart, too. I really did raise you well.”

A smart goblin and a frail giant—almost as if the gods were so preoccupied with creativity that they forgot all about consistency.

If Jorfe and Seha were still with me, we might have laughed and joked about it.

But they were no longer by my side, and reminiscing had long since become a tiresome act. So instead, I spoke in a detached voice, urging them forward.

“If you keep falling behind, I’ll have no choice but to leave you behind.”

“Why don’t we chat a little instead? No matter how urgent the journey, gaining wisdom from a sage is always important.”

“Jorfe used to give me valuable advice even while walking.”

“If you think dropping her name every sentence will make me move faster, you’re gravely mistaken.”

The professor shot me a sharp glare, clearly displeased.

But after a moment, she straightened her back and reluctantly started walking again.

“Well, I suppose I’ve rested enough. So, where exactly are we heading?”

“The nearest village. I need to replenish supplies and gather information.”

“And the final destination is the royal palace, I assume?”

“No. The final destination is Mirian.”

“The Queen? The way you put it makes me even more curious about what happened.”

Even the knowledge of the great sage didn’t reach that far, it seemed. But there was no reason for me to explain, so I simply remained silent.

Seeing that, the professor shrugged as if it didn’t matter.

“Well, I’m sure I’ll figure it out as we travel. It’s the nature of a journey—sooner or later, companions end up sharing their pasts.”

“In that case, I have something I’d like to know first. Why do you and Jorfe dislike each other so much?”

“It’s just a difference in perspective. The problem is, she’s wrong and I’m right.”

“A difference in perspective, huh? Care to elaborate?”

“To put it in terms even a layperson could understand—everything she claims is complete nonsense.”

“…”

Just from that one sentence, I could tell that Jorfe’s views were probably more widely accepted.

And judging by the way the professor was already frowning, as if preparing to refute an argument that hadn’t even been made, I wasn’t wrong.

But since I had no interest in an academic debate, I turned my attention to the girl.

She was still bouncing her small feet, diligently keeping pace behind me.

“So, you said you’re a necromancer.”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, that’s right.”

“I’ve heard that necromancers grow stronger the more souls they collect.”

“Oppaya, you’re smart.”

“I read a lot of books when I was young. So, how many souls do you have right now?”

“Me?”

At my question, the girl blinked wide-eyed, then glanced toward her staff.

She tilted her head slightly and started counting.

“One… two… three…”

“…Hmm.”

“Four… five… six…”

“If it’s going to take a while, you don’t have to count.”

“Seven… eight… nine…?”

She stopped just before reaching ten, and a long silence followed.

After a while, she looked up at me blankly, mouth slightly open.

“Nine…?”

“After that comes ten.”

“I know. And I have way more than just ten souls.”

“Then why did you suddenly stop?”

“Because I just realized I should’ve counted them beforehand.”

“I see.”

“Should I count them properly now…?”

If the phrase “foolish yet intelligent” ever made sense, it would perfectly describe her.

So she started counting again, from the beginning, and continued doing so as we walked.

Had I not stopped her, she probably would have set some kind of record for goblin arithmetic.

But before she could reach five hundred, a small fortress came into view.

“…I’ve never seen this place before.”

“Huff… huff… wh-what is it? We’re already here?”

“Professor, do you happen to know the name of that fortress?”

“Hmm. I don’t really care about human geography. Want me to name it?”

“If you don’t know, forget it.”

Leaving the still-breathless professor behind, I walked toward the fortress.

With a deep sigh, she gathered her remaining strength and followed me.

“Ahh… finally, a place to rest. It’s been ages since I’ve been to a human city. Even if it’s just a small fortress, there’s bound to be a decent inn, right?”

“It’s near Harbit, so scholars frequently pass through. There should be one.”

“If possible, book the innermost room. Somewhere out of the sun.”

“Every room probably has curtains.”

“As expected of a seasoned adventurer.”

“I’ve wandered through enough places to know.”

I answered indifferently as I snapped a thick branch off a nearby tree.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, the professor asked me,

“By the way, you said you were going to gather information and prepare equipment. How exactly do you plan to do that?”

“In my own way.”

“So, you’re just going to have a drink at an inn and eavesdrop on adventurers?”

“You’ll see for yourself.”

Rather than explaining, I simply walked straight toward the fortress gates.

As with any city, several guards clad in armor stood at their posts. The moment they spotted us, their grips tightened around their spears.

An unusual group like ours was bound to draw attention. Even the professor seemed to realize this, as she slowed her pace slightly.

“We should approach carefully. We do stand out quite a bit…”

“Are you the guards of this fortress?”

“…Oh? Now that’s an interesting approach.”

But I didn’t hesitate. I spoke to them directly and revealed my identity without any concealment.

“I am Alpheus.”

“Uh… excuse me?”

“I defeated the Dark Dragon and rescued the princess from its grasp.”

“Ah…”

“Yes, it’s really me.”

Just in case, I added an unnecessary clarification. The guards stared at me in disbelief, their eyes darting between each other before they finally straightened up and saluted.

“My god… the Hero!”

“That’s unnecessary.”

“It’s truly an honor! We respect you greatly!”

“You flatter me. But how did you recognize my face so quickly? I doubt the bards’ tales come with illustrations.”

“Well…”

The soldier hesitated, looking slightly troubled. After a long moment of thought, he carefully opened his mouth.

“Would you mind stepping inside for a discussion? I’ll summon the lord immediately.”

“Is that so.”

“And… if you have any weapons, I must ask you to hand them over. Even for you, Hero, it is fortress policy…”

“I see what you mean.”

So the royal capital has already issued a bounty. They even went so far as to distribute my face.

That told me everything I needed to know.

Without hesitation, I turned to the professor and the girl.

“That’s all the information I needed.”

“Huh?”

“Now, let’s replenish our equipment.”

With that brief exchange, I tightened my grip around the tree branch I had snapped off earlier.

Then, before the guards could react—

I swung it with full force, striking one of them squarely in the torso.