The Witte Empire is indeed the place with the largest number of water mages and the most water resources.

Of course, I'm talking about fresh water. Let's not discuss sea water and such for now.

Although I've heard that there is another water mage empire in the southern seas, the people there seem to have an alliance with the merfolk and have a hostile relationship with us land dwellers. As for the reasons, I haven't investigated nor do I want to know.

But the shimmering lake surface gives a refreshing feeling, as if last night's gruesome sight of limbs and body parts has been swept away.

It feels like the relief after finally defeating a boss after being mentally stressed for a long time, with the game company showing off new textures.

To make it easier, the city in the lake doesn't require boats to get there; instead, it is accessed via a large bridge. This is one of the highlights of the Witte Empire, as they have the best bridge construction technology and craftsmanship in the entire continent.

With the help of the magical mechanism, the entire bridge can even be operated freely.

Though I've seen bridges that could be raised and lowered before, the bridge before my eyes continues for more than 300 meters and is composed of seven mechanisms. The bridge cannot be operated without any of the mechanisms being activated.

"It's truly magnificent. I didn't expect the City in the Lake to be so grand."

Tuss marveled while urging the carriage forward, but the horses looked incredibly weary.

It's only natural since they have been running with the help of our magic all night. It's a miracle that they can still stand.

Thankfully, Tuss has recovered and we wouldn't know whom to contact for the delivery if he hadn't.

Unlike typical cities, this city has an extra layer on its outer wall that looks like metallic material and reflects a faint light under the sun.

"What is that? Is the city made of metal?"

"That?!" Tuss chuckled.

"I heard that it's an additional protective layer to prevent the erosion of rocks. Even if it gets corroded, it can be replaced, saving the cost of maintaining the stone wall."

"I see..."

I glanced back at Oyado, who was sleeping peacefully in her pure white clothes, then turned to Tuss.

"Our delivery mission is considered complete, right? We arrived ahead of schedule and even skipped the layover station."

That's right, there was originally a rest point along the way where we planned to stay for the night and continue to Blue Lake City the next day. But we were too fast and arrived a day earlier.

"That's true. I'll go report to the Mercenary Guild immediately."

"Yes."

And so, we entered Blue Lake City directly like this. The guards only glanced at our documents and let us pass, their vigilance was truly lax.

However, the city was not very lively. Just as we entered, a cavalry unit rushed out from the inner city and swiftly went out.

...

"What happened?" Tuss asked anxiously.

"It seems like something important happened, those cavalry seemed to be members of the Royal Guard."

"Oh..."

I glanced at Tuss curiously and then averted my gaze.

"Well, we're here, the Mercenary Guild."

We stopped in the square in front of the Mercenary Guild, but...

It doesn't seem like there are many people here, compared to the Mercenary Guild in the Ais Empire, this place is practically empty.

"Hello, I am here to report a mission."

Tus walked up to the counter and said, "Oh, great, finally a team is back. You originally had... 25 people? This..."

The receptionist looked at the information and then at us. "You only have six left?"

"Um... yes."

"Did you guys encounter any high-level monsters?"

"Yes, the Hell Spider Flower."

"What! You actually encountered a Hell Spider Flower! It's amazing that you managed to escape!"

"No, we defeated it," I said quietly.

"Defeated... you defeated it?"

"Yes, and I even obtained its core."

Core?

The one saying this was Bai Yueguang. He took out a green sphere from his pocket. So I obtained equipment, and he obtained the core?

"Oh my god! You guys are... I'll promote all of you to Rank A! You're amazing!"

"I'm already Rank A..." I said with a smile.

"Oh, then it's Rank A+! Sorry, I can't give you S rank because I'm only an S rank mercenary myself."

Wait, Miss Receptionist, did you just say S rank mercenary?

You're only level 48... Well, close enough.

"By the way... what about the others?"

"Well..." The expression on the receptionist’s face immediately turned sorrowful. "They all went... to defeat nearby monsters... and then... none of them returned..."

Oh my god...

Is this the most troublesome thing I anticipated, happening at last?