Dungeon King: A Lady Knight Offered by My Goblins

The innkeeper surveyed the room, his eyes scanning the faces of the patrons, hoping for a sign of a guest with exceptional strength who would willingly step forward to accept the perilous quest. 

Every guest in the inn kept their heads down, their faces etched with the unmistakable fear that this quest had instilled in them. 

The relentless blizzard raged on outside, and within its snowy veil, countless monsters lurked, making leaving the inn akin to a suicide mission.

"Is there truly no one among you willing to offer their assistance?" the innkeeper implored. 

"If any of you will aid me, I promise to reduce your room charges! Furthermore, I am willing to provide assistance to you in return. After all, you will eventually depart this inn once the storm subsides, and by then, you will require ample supplies. I can offer you a wealth of resources, and if you find them scarce in the town, I can provide them directly from the inn. You must understand that I have stockpiled a vast quantity of provisions."

The innkeeper continued to implore the surrounding patrons to consider taking on the perilous quest, but it was evident that the others remained unmoved. 

They deemed the meager rewards offered by the innkeeper not worth the immense risks that lay ahead.

In that moment, Ethan stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Where exactly can I find this magus you mentioned? I'm not familiar with this town, so you'll need to provide me with a map."

Ethan's words brought a spark of hope to the innkeeper's eyes, while the other patrons looked on, slightly taken aback by his boldness. 

They thought Ethan was displaying an excessive amount of bravado.

"Listen here, kid," a middle-aged man seated farthest from Ethan spoke up in a slightly hoarse voice. "You better not underestimate the situation. It's incredibly dangerous out there! Even the innkeeper, a local in this town, wouldn't dare venture out in a snowstorm. Why would you, a stranger to this place, want to go out in such treacherous weather?"

The cautionary words were spoken with genuine concern, and Ethan couldn't help but appreciate the man's sincerity. 

He knew that the man's advice came from a place of goodwill, a warning against the perils that awaited him beyond the inn's safety.

So, Ethan offered an explanation, "Indeed, the current situation is undeniably perilous. However, if none of us venture out in search of the magus the innkeeper mentioned, our risks will only escalate with time. It's possible that within the inn itself lurks a dangerous adversary, someone who may be plotting our demise. We must swiftly locate this potential threat."

Ethan's words stirred something within the gathered patrons, causing them to reassess their earlier judgments. 

It became apparent that their previous assessments had overlooked certain critical factors. 

They had been focused solely on the dangers awaiting them outside the inn, neglecting to consider the potential risks lurking within its very walls.

"I can tell you where the magus resides, but I can't be certain whether the magus will trust your words," the innkeeper responded, casting doubt on Ethan's intentions. 

"You see, in our small town, there isn't a great deal of trust for outsiders like yourselves."

After Ethan had explained his willingness to take on the perilous quest, the innkeeper's statement left him somewhat perplexed. 

"Are you saying that even if I find the magus, there's no guarantee he will offer us assistance? Then why should I risk so much to seek him out?"

Ethan's bewilderment was shared by the other patrons in the inn. 

They found themselves equally perplexed by the innkeeper's contradictory stance. 

It was unclear whether the innkeeper was genuinely confused or if the unusual circumstances within the inn had muddled her thinking.

"I will write you a letter, and you can take it to him. That should make him trust you," the innkeeper offered, trying to bridge the gap of trust. 

"However, I believe it's too dangerous for you to go alone. Would you consider having someone accompany you? Having two people together would lower the risks. The monsters in the snowstorm pose a significant threat to lone travelers, but with two, there's a better chance of mutual assistance."

The innkeeper continued to provide her advice, unsure whether Ethan would find a willing partner for the perilous journey. 

Nonetheless, even without her suggestion, Ethan already had a companion by his side, the Shadow Elf who stood beside him.

"You need not worry about that," Ethan assured the innkeeper. 

"I am certain I will find someone willing to accompany me on this adventure. Now, please write the letter and provide me with a map to the location of the magus. I tend to get lost easily, so it's crucial that the map is clear. If it's not, I may not find my way back, and you all will remain in a perilous state."

The innkeeper nodded in understanding and swiftly composed a message. 

Her words were straightforward, introducing the inn's situation and kindly requesting assistance from the magus. 

With a sense of urgency, she emphasized the dire circumstances faced by the inn and its guests due to the ongoing snowstorm and the potential threat lurking within.

Afterward, the innkeeper proceeded to draw another map, indicating the route leading to the location of the magus. 

"You'll need to follow the road that passes right by our inn," she explained. 

"Keep heading straight until you reach a prominent, tall building, then make a right turn and continue following the path I've marked for you."

She continued with meticulous instructions, "Soon enough, you'll come across a distinctive magus tower. The magus of our town resides inside that tower. Just knock on the magus's door and hand over this letter to him."

The innkeeper concluded her guidance with a final emphasis on how to locate the magus within the town. 

Ethan nodded in affirmation, assuring her that he had taken in all the information accurately. 

"Very well, I shall set out immediately," Ethan declared. 

"You need not worry too much; I believe I can return promptly. Moreover, there are other travelers within the inn, and their abilities are not to be underestimated. They should be able to ensure the inn's safety temporarily."

After speaking these words, Ethan conferred briefly with the Shadow Elf, ensuring that she was prepared for the journey ahead. 

If she needed more time to prepare, Ethan would be willing to delay their departure.

"I don't know why you've chosen to undertake this perilous quest willingly," Ethan addressed his companion. 

"Do you believe that there are significant rewards to be gained from this venture? The inn itself appears rather humble, and the innkeeper does not strike me as a person of great wealth or power. She lacks the means to provide you with substantial riches or bestow you with extraordinary spells and weapons. Are you truly willing to face such enormous risks?"

The Shadow Elf lowered her voice and inquired of Ethan. 

He understood her concern all too well. Ethan believed that he was the most perilous individual within the inn's walls. 

The paper from the slain Cryo magus had clearly pointed toward the God of Curses. 

Apart from himself, who else within the inn could possibly contend with the God of Curses? 

It was evident that he was the sole individual with the capability to oppose the God of Curses, and consequently, the only one worth the God's relentless pursuit and vendetta.

"It's not about their safety; it's about my own safety," Ethan responded. 

"Are there even others in this inn who are opposing the God of Curses? Most of them haven't even seen the God of Curses. After all, the God of Curses isn't a powerful deity, and he wouldn't choose to continuously bestow his power upon mortals like other formidable deities do. That's why he doesn't naturally have as many enemies. If I don't actively decipher the perplexing situation at hand, I fear I won't be able to uncover the truth behind all of this."

Ethan's words successfully persuaded the Shadow Elf, who harbored a deep fear of the God of Curses. 

While she wasn't as apprehensive about Dart possessing the Power of Curses, the presence of a deity like the God of Curses demanded their utmost caution. 

A deity with malevolent intentions could pose a threat regardless of where or how they took action.

"In that case, let's set out quickly!" she whispered to Ethan. 

"Just the thought of the God of Curses' minions lurking within this inn makes me uneasy. I'd rather not succumb to madness under the influence of the God of Curses."

The Shadow Elf cast a profound glance at the patrons within the inn, her voice hushed as she voiced her concerns to Ethan.