Specialty Change: Helga

Is that the person who hired me?

Are you Horn Helmet Helga?

Why? So what if I am?

Hmm... You're a lot younger than I expected...

Are you doubting my ability!? Do you want a taste of these horns?

Hurry up and tell me what you need from me if you don't wanna lose an eye. Is there a reason you asked to meet in the middle of nowhere instead of the World's End?

Well, y'know... I thought if you'd already come all this way, it would be too late for you to back out. It's very important that you're able to move quietly.

Why?

You've heard about the collapse of the Ilryos Church, haven't you?

I want you to find an item of theirs. It should be somewhere in Solayu.

Hmm... That old cult from the war? And you think it's in Solayu?

Exactly. I heard that once the Church collapsed, a few of the leftover cultists fled to Solayu.

So this item should be there too.

So you want me to go to Solayu and steal some kind of item from a bunch of cultists? What is it?

A dark magic stone.

Dark magic stone? What's that?

The Ilryos Church were using Suin to...

Nevermind, there's no need for you to know all the details. Just bring it back to me safely, okay?

Why stop explaining halfway through? That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence. It must be worth a lot.

Alright, fine. All that matters to me is the job and the money. So, how much are you paying me?

Well...

Hmm, if they're willing to pay that much, this stone must be pretty valuable.

*chuckling* Lucky, lucky me. Work's been hard to come by lately, but this job should finally get me out of the red.

Oh, Helga! What brings you here?

Gunther? I could ask you the same question...

I've been enjoying a carefree life without work. Where are you headed?

I have a job to do. One that pays extremely well.

Oh, is that so? What kind of job?

Getting some kind of dark magic stone from a failed cult.

A failed cult? Are you talking about the Ilryos Church?

That was it. Do you know something about this stone?

So you're going to Solayu?

Yes... What's with that look on your face?

Helga, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go there.

Why not?

These days there are a lot of stories about dangerous things going on around there. The remnants of the Ilyros Church might be up to something.

Hmph, there can't be that many of them left, can there?

Still, going alone at a time like this...

So what if I am alone? You're just trying to say I'm too young and reckless to take care of myself, aren't you?

No, it's just the rumors say...

I don't care what they say, a chance like this doesn't come around often. Anyway, I'm not so young that I still need adult supervision.

How about you stop lecturing me and get back to your "carefree life," you old goat.

Helga, I really think you should listen to me.

Shut up! You think you're so much better than me just because you're old!?

...

Keep quiet and wait here for my glorious return as a wealthy woman!

It's a long road to Solayu, I don't have the time to stand here and argue with you. See ya!

Helga! It's dangerous to go alone!

*sighing* How can a person be so stubborn.

Solayu is too dangerous for anyone to go alone right now, not just her. The Ilryos Church...

Inquisitor, we have more remnants of the Ilyros Church willing to join us.

*chuckling* There should be hardly any of them left now. They won't be a problem for us anymore.

There are a lot of them recently, though. It's a little suspicious. What if they're sending spies...?

The age of Ilryos is over, and we have been saved by Chaos. No matter what they try, the old Church cannot stand against us.

And...though we may now serve Chaos, we too were once part of the Ilryos Church.

The imperator once told me we should bring all the remnants of the Church into the Chaos Sect.

We must awaken them to the meaning of Chaos.

It's not too late to test their faith.

I see. I made a foolish comment.

Don't forget, if we are going to destroy the Church of the Goddess, we must spread the name and doctrine of Chaos far and wide and grow our influence.

Our calling is to bring an end to all other religions and conquer the world in the name of Chaos.

You're sounding uncharacteristically smart today, Inquisitor.

What did you just say?

Uh, nothing. So should I go bring the imperator?

Leave him, he must be tired from all the prophecies he's been receiving from Chaos lately. I will go out instead.

These guys again!? I thought the Ilryos Church was supposed to be dead. What's all this about a Chaos Sect now?

Have I been tricked? Is this why the pay was so good? So which of them has the dark magic stone?

Dammit, I've come too far to give up now! I need to show that old man I can deal with anything that's thrown at me!

It's none of my business what these cults like to call themselves now, I just need to get that stone.

If I just follow them, maybe I can find it.

THUNK

Crap! Did my horns get caught on something? Urgh, these guys need to clean their place up better.

Maybe they didn't hear it...

I thought I heard some kind of whispering, what's this little mouse doing here?

*gulping*

She looks like some kind of mercenary, and she was muttering about dark magic stones...

You little... You want one of our dark magic stones? Did the Church of the Goddess send you!?

I've been discovered already... I never even found out where the stone is!

I have no choice but to retreat and come back later. I'll need to get rid of these guys before backup arrives...

Where is she going?

Ack!

You think you can steal a sacred gift from Chaos and get away alive?

...Haven't we had these since back when we were the Ilryos Church?

So these guys are the ones with the stone. That should save me some time.

Anyway, I need to get out of here first.

What do we do? Get rid of the kid?

Right, getting rid of the kid is a priority. Our new comrades can wait until later.

Who are you calling a kid?

*chuckling* Don't be scared, kid. By Chaos's grace, we'll make sure it's painless.

Get your hands off of her!

Argh!

Ugh... Who's this now?

Huh!? Since when...

Helga, are you hurt? Let's get out of here, there are too many of them.

Did you follow me? Are you interfering in MY work!?

Can't this wait until later? We're in danger...

No! Let me go! How many times do I have to tell you I don't need adult supervision!?

I can get out of here by myself! Why do you need to get in my way? Don't underestimate me just because I'm young!

This has nothing to do with your age! This place is dangerous! I just...

Where do you think you're going!?

*gasping*...!

Helga! Urk...!

Gunther!

Nng... Helga, are you okay?

Stop worrying about me, you're the one that's hurt! Why do you always need to get involved!?

Because I don't want you to get hurt... I don't want anyone to get hurt, young or old.

You stupid old man, you just got yourself hurt instead.

Why are you standing there arguing when we're right here? Are you ignoring us!?

Can you just shut up for a minute, you gullible, cultist idiot!?

C-Cult? Gullible!? Now listen here, you little, is nobody out there? Imperator!

Inquisitor! What is it?

Urgh, it's starting to get crowded in here.

I was going to make it painless for the kid, but I've changed my mind. I'm going to make her suffer and repent for her sins!

Sword of Chaos's Will! Teach this wicked spy child the true meaning of chaos!

Eh? Oh, yeah...

For Chaooooos!

Cut the crap. I'll make you pay for calling me a kid!

Just you watch, old man! Horn Helmet Helga will show you she can stand up for herself!

Nng... Just a little kid and an old man...

Helga, if you keep making so much noise, there will be more of them here in no time...

Stop pointing out the obvious! Hurry up and follow me, we need to escape now!

O-Okay!

They didn't follow us. Hmph, if there weren't so many of them, we'd kick their butts.

Argh...

Gunther, are you okay?

It's nothing I can't handle. I can't believe they were able to hurt me so badly, I really must be getting old...

Why did you jump in and interfere, then?

Why do you never listen to others and do whatever you please, even if it's dangerous?

...

You came looking for that dark magic stone without even knowing what it is, didn't you?

...!

Ever since the Ilryos Church collapsed, the Church of the Goddess has been doing all it can to erase the existence of those stones.

But they sell for a considerable amount of money on the black market...

I...had no idea...

Now do you see why it was so dangerous to come here alone? This is why it's good to listen to your elders...

Sorry...

Huh?

I said I'm sorry...

Aha, what's this all of a sudden?

I'm not a complete moron.

Don't you think you should talk to your elders with more manners than that? Hmm...

If you really want to make that much money, why don't you join me instead of recklessly going at it alone?

Like before?

No. Back then we were only working together temporarily. I'm talking about working together officially in a mercenary company.

A mercenary company? A whole mercenary company? You haven't been working alone this whole time?

Well, it can be lonely working all alone. So I thought I'd try setting up a company.

So...what do you think? No matter how dangerous the job is, if you're working together with others, it's a lot safer than trying to do it by yourself.

We'll also be able to accept bigger jobs with even higher pay. There are a lot of benefits.

Hmm... The solo life is pretty comfortable, and needing to follow certain rules can be suffocating...

Most importantly, this world is full of people you cannot trust...

I don't think you will find it suffocating. I have no intention of placing any rules or restrictions on what you can do.

You're free to carry on doing as you please if you want. But if a job is too dangerous or too big, you have help available to you.

And...I'll be there, so what do you have to worry about? If anyone treats you badly, I'll kick their ass.

Hmm, you have a point. Alright, I'll give it a try.

You won't regret it! But even if I say you can do as you please, you are going to drop this job...right?

Hmph...

There's no need to look so miserable.

Not every job works out. Sometimes you just fail. It happens to everyone, regardless of age or ability.

Still...

Anyway, that's not important. The important thing is that you saved my life when I was in danger.

I didn't realize how strong you've become. I assumed you were a young girl who didn't really know the world, but...I'm seeing you in a whole new light.

Why do you think I kept telling you not to underestimate people because of their age?

Haha! Alright, I get it. I'll make sure I always treat you as a fellow mercenary from here on out, not a child.

I look forward to working with you, Mercenary.

You too, Captain.

After returning to Gunther's home in Wetheric Moor...

I officially became a mercenary in his company.

And to tell the truth, my life didn't really change. Just like always, I go down to the World's End to find another job...

And then I do it.

All that's new is that Gunther joins me on the more dangerous ones now.

As far as what the other members of the company are doing...

...It's hard to say.

From this day forward, you are a respected member of the Gunther Company. Welcome, Helga! Haha!

The Gunther Company... That's kinda lame. You should change the name.

...I'll think about it.

Make sure you do. I do have a question, though.

Ask away.

Is this your headquarters?

Yes.

Isn't it...your house?

Well... There aren't exactly the funds for a new building right now. Until there are, we live in our own homes and then come here for work.

I'll build a headquarters for us as soon as I have the money! With the greatest dormitory you've ever seen!

If you say so. Does that mean we're broke?

...

Well, whatever. Like you said, the company's new, I'll just need to work my butt off for a while.

Where are the other members, though? Shouldn't they all be here to welcome the new girl?

Ah, that's the thing... There aren't any.

What?

I haven't really had the time for recruitment. I thought that for now, we could start off with only the two of us...

You're kidding, right?

Heh... You said it yourself, the company is new.

You sold this to me by telling me how great it would be to work with other people. Well, where are they? At this rate, it'll be no different from before!

Of course it's different... Back then we were companions of convenience, now we're a team!

It's not all bad. Now you have the honor of being our first ever member! Not many people can say something like that.

All we need to do is take a few high-paying jobs, and the clients will come running! Be positive!

Don't be ridiculous! I should have known better than to listen to a word you say!

And by the way, you can't quit. I won't allow you to live the same life you used to.

Argh, you're the worst!