Chapter 10: The Rumor of The Lich
Re-written date: 5 / 15 / 2025
. . . . . . . . . . .
Thanks to having grown more accustomed to the filming process, Zat and Aya performed far better this time compared to their earlier shoots in the castle. With exaggerated expressions and laugh-out-loud comedic timing, the scene wrapped up quickly.
Naturally, the two lead actors' enthusiastic performances drew the attention of the surrounding townsfolk. To most people on the street, the scene looked utterly bizarre, and many stepped back with wary expressions. A few curious onlookers tried to approach, but Winry—who had been stationed nearby in anticipation—quickly chased them away.
Yet as filming progressed, the number of curious spectators gradually increased, and before long, a small crowd had gathered to watch.
Edward, having expected this, simply had Winry dismiss them by saying it was all part of a "magic research experiment." If he didn't offer some kind of explanation soon, the town guards might be called over.
This situation clearly revealed how little entertainment the people of this world had. Just a slightly unusual scene in the streets was enough to attract this many bored townsfolk, who normally had nothing better to do than bask in the sun.
"It's really getting lively out here," Edward remarked.
To that, Winry—who could no longer hold back the wave of curious people—sighed and said helplessly,
"Lord Durin, are you truly planning to finish filming everything under these conditions? Honestly, I don't think I can hold off this crowd by myself."
Fully aware of the issue, Edward just chuckled and replied,
"Of course not. I've already got a plan for how to continue filming even while people are watching. For now, just go remind Zat and Aya that today's shoot is over. Those two are completely immersed in their roles and can't snap out of it—seriously, we've got to work on that."
. . . . . . .
Around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, with filming done for the day, Edward led the group—most of whom had never traveled so far from home—through the streets.
"Next, let's go check out the Adventurer's Guild. We skipped the first scene set there, but we might need it later on."
"The Adventurer's Guild, huh? This is my first time visiting one," Zat said. "To be honest, Lord Durin, I used to dream of becoming an adventurer when I was a kid. But my family turned me down because they said it was too dangerous."
Edward raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Too dangerous? That's strange. I don't recall hearing any rumors like that."
Was it just his lack of worldly experience?
As Edward pondered that, Winry spoke up right away:
"I know about that. I remember Lord Durin's father once told me: due to our advantageous location, the southern territory has always been relatively safe. Even monsters are fewer here compared to other territories—goblins, for example, are rarely seen. For a time, adventuring was quite popular. But then a certain rumor began to circulate, and after that, most southern families became strongly opposed to the idea of their children becoming adventurers."
"What rumor?"
Clearly intrigued—this was his first time hearing any of this—Edward leaned in, curious.
Winry didn't hold back.
"It's a rumor about a lich. Supposedly, a terrifying lich once appeared in the southern territory. Alone, it defeated a combined force of the Church and Southern Knight Orders. Not only was it monstrously powerful, but it also killed indiscriminately. Countless adventurers perished at its hands. Since then, most southern residents have seen becoming an adventurer as a death sentence. Letting their children take that path would be like sending them to their deaths."
"A lich..."
Edward murmured, his expression darkening slightly.
Edward hadn't expected to hear that particular word.
His brows furrowed deeply. As a Grand Mage who had once studied at the Tower of Mages, he naturally knew what a lich was.
These undead beings, created through special dark magic by once-living humans, possessed terrifying strength.
Even an Arch Mage might not be a match for a powerful lich. So once rumors spread that a terrible lich had appeared in the southern territory, it made sense that the number of aspiring adventurers steadily declined.
"Hmph, just a lich? Anyone who gives up on becoming an adventurer because of something like that is just a cowardly weakling!" Aya scoffed.
Before Edward or Winry could respond, Zat promptly gave her a hard flick to the forehead and shouted,
"Do you really think you're a goddess or something?! Don't expect me to come rescue you when you get caught by a lich!"
"Ouch! You jerk, Zat! That hurt!" Aya yelled back.
Just as they were about to start arguing again, something ahead caught their attention: a building that stood out starkly from the surrounding architecture.
"Already? Is that the Adventurer's Guild?" Zat asked.
Seeing the clearly marked "Adventurer's Guild" sign, Edward thought for a moment, then set up the Magic Video Recorder. Turning to Zat and Aya, he said,
"Get ready. This is just a transitional scene, but I want you two to go inside and register with the guild. Don't worry about acting—this time, I just want to capture the genuine process of you becoming adventurers."
. . . . . . .
The doors swung open.
"Welcome!"
A smiling waitress holding two mugs greeted the nervous pair as they entered.
"If you're here to eat, feel free to sit wherever you like. If you're looking for job postings, head to the reception room inside."
Meanwhile, Edward's Magic Video Recorder was already recording the interior from various enchanted floating angles, capturing a full view of the Adventurer's Guild.
The place had a slightly sparse crowd. A few adventurers were scattered around the tables, and beast bones and monster skulls hung decoratively from the walls, adding a primal atmosphere. At the far end—where new adventurers registered—sat a very attractive receptionist behind a desk.
"Um, we'd like to become adventurers..." Zat began timidly.
"Of course. Please fill out these forms and pay the registration fee," the receptionist responded matter-of-factly.
Due to various reasons, this scene was kept deliberately brief. After all, the Adventurer's Guild in this world differed in many subtle ways from the one in KonoSuba. Rather than waste time sorting out those inconsistencies, Edward decided to gloss over them and focus more on the entertaining parts of the plot.
As Zat and Aya finished filling out the guild's registration forms, Edward and Winry had already taken seats at one of the tavern's tables.