[Mr. Altaïr, have we met somewhere before?]
The Argosy Captain showed Altaïr the writing board, then lowered his head and continued writing without waiting for a reply.
The man's writing speed was at least three or four times faster than Isis's, and his handwriting was clear and elegant.
[Judging by your appearance, you look like you're from the Great Desert. I often visit Loc Lac, so perhaps we met there?]
Without waiting for Altaïr's response, the Argosy Captain assumed a pensive expression. A few seconds later, realization flashed across his face, and his pen began racing.
[Ah, I remember now! Was it three or four years ago, during the Autumn Harvest Fest? You were one of the Loc Lac Rangers guarding the Guild Master, weren't you?]
This time, Altaïr was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected the other man to remember him; after all, they had met only once.
Altaïr remembered the man only because the Guild Master had specifically warned them that he was a shrewd, crafty merchant. They were not to answer his questions, lest he wheedle information out of them.
"Your memory really is excellent."
[Heh, a merchant can't get by with a bad memory.]
Communicating in writing was extremely awkward for most people, but the Argosy Captain remained perfectly at ease. He even paired the words he displayed with facial expressions, as though he were actually speaking.
The two continued this way, trading idle chatter for more than half an hour.
The merchant's hand was sore from writing. Looking back, it felt as though they had talked about a great deal and nothing at all. The conversation had not made them any more familiar with each other.
A Hunter this slippery was a rare find...
"If there's something you'd like to discuss, Captain, why not come straight out with it?" After this drawn-out sparring, Altaïr was growing tired as well.
The man had spent all this time chatting with him; clearly, he was after more than simply "getting acquainted." More likely, he wanted their help with something.
The Argosy Captain realized that his usual way of dealing with Hunters was useless against this young man. He smiled wryly and waved a hand.
[I really can't hide anything from you. Then I'll get straight to the point. I have a... friend who once encountered a very unusual Diablos in the western Great Desert.
That Diablos is far stronger than an ordinary one. Would you be interested in taking it on?]
After reading the writing board, Altaïr gave him a strange look. "You don't mean Bloodbath Diablos, do you?"
That was the "strongest Deviant," its Danger Rating exceeding even that of many Elder Dragons.
Altaïr decided that if the other man nodded, he'd punch him.
The Argosy Captain waved both hands and began writing frantically again.
[No, no, no! Of course it's not Bloodbath Diablos, absolutely not! Its shell is a rusty dark red, and one of its horns is broken. Its individual characteristics are unmistakable; it's completely different from Bloodbath Diablos!]
Altaïr's expression eased slightly, but he had lost all interest in further banter.
Had the Guild issued the quest, he might have considered it. Coming from this man, however, he had no interest even in hearing the details.
What did "stronger than an ordinary Diablos" even mean? Black Diablos was stronger than an ordinary Diablos, and Bloodbath Diablos was too. Was I stupid enough to lead my companions into a danger we knew nothing about?
He pushed away from the railing. "Sorry, not interested. I'm out."
As Altaïr turned away, the Argosy Captain folded his arms and sighed. "Oh dear. What a headache."
To prevent the Argosy Captain from approaching soft-hearted Isis instead, Altaïr made a point of finding his companions and warning them.
Isis was deeply dissatisfied with Altaïr's "lack of trust."
You're the one who loves risking your neck to challenge powerful enemies!
—--
Surprisingly, however, the Argosy Captain did not bother them again for the rest of the voyage. Only when they reached their destination and were preparing to disembark did he return to explain the situation.
He had even prepared a written explanation specifically for Altaïr...
"That Diablos's territory lies in the western Great Desert. The region is so remote that there are almost no human settlements or trade routes. Consequently, the Guild is extremely unlikely to assign a high-rank Hunter to hunt it directly.
Unless a high-rank Hunter volunteers to challenge and hunt it, the quest will probably never be completed.
It is perfectly fine if none of you are interested in challenging it.
But... if you hear of any high-rank Hunter looking to take on a powerful Monster, please mention this to them. I'm willing to offer a generous additional reward."
Isis looked puzzled. "Why are you so determined to deal with that Diablos?"
The Argosy Captain fell silent for a moment before sighing. "A friend of mine discovered that Diablos. I wasn't lying about that.
He and his companions encountered the Monster while exploring the western Great Desert. Unfortunately, he was the only one who survived."
"..."
"So he wants revenge?" Morgan's expression remained cold.
It was not that he was heartless; stories like this were simply all too common among Hunters.
"Of course. But honestly, I don't believe he is strong enough." The Argosy Captain's thick, bushy eyebrows drew together.
"He's only a 5★ Hunter. Since his companions died, hatred and self-reproach have consumed him. His skills have not improved at all; in fact, they've deteriorated.
If the thought of revenge weren't constantly binding him, he might have found a way to 'reunite' with his companions long ago."
"So you want to find a high-rank Hunter to take down that Diablos before he does?" Isis asked with a frown. "Aren't you afraid that will sever his last reason to live?"
After another long silence, the Argosy Captain forced a thin, unconvincing smile. "Taking down that Diablos might not help him move on, but if it remains alive, he never will.
As a friend, this is all I can do for him."
Now that she understood the story, Isis looked at Altaïr with concern. He, too, carried the burden of vengeance. Perhaps the story would resonate with him?
Altaïr saw through her thoughts and rolled his eyes.
He turned to the Argosy Captain. "Sorry, but we still don't intend to risk our lives hunting some mysterious Diablos.
As for asking other high-rank Hunters about it, we'll help spread the word if the circumstances are right.
Thank you for looking after us on this voyage. Perhaps our paths will cross again."
The Argosy Captain pressed his hands flat against his trouser legs and bowed slightly to the three as they descended the gangplank. "Then I'll leave it in your hands."
Once ashore, Isis leaned close to Altaïr's ear and said with a grin, "I thought you might want to give it a try."
After several days of medicine and rest, Altaïr's hearing had partially recovered.
His hearing was as muffled as though his ears had been plugged with fingers. He still struggled to follow a face-to-face conversation, but he could hear someone speaking at normal volume right beside his ear.
"If he had brought us detailed, Guild-verified intelligence on that Monster, I might have considered it depending on what it said.
But all he brought was a story. We can't risk our lives for someone else's story."
"Hehe, that's exactly what I thought!"
In the distance, Francesca had rushed over when she saw the Argosy arrive. Spotting the three, she was about to wave when she noticed Isis and Altaïr whispering together in what looked like an "intimate gesture."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Whispering sweet nothings even while walking. Too bad I didn't bring a camera."
Francesca playfully closed one eye and framed the scene with her hands as though taking a picture, intent on etching the amusing sight into her memory.
But the next moment, she saw Morgan walking on Altaïr's other side and placing a hand on his shoulder.
Nearly thirty centimeters taller than Morgan, Altaïr naturally bent and leaned sideways while Morgan stood on tiptoe to whisper something in his ear.
"..."
Francesca's smile froze.
Her mind was in the gutter.