Chapter 227: It’s Been a While (7)
by Shini
Chapter 227: It’s Been a
While (7)
Zirnier’s
gaze followed Balkan’s.
Eventually,
her eyes turned to the armor being maintained.
“Why?
Do you want that?”
“…It
belongs to someone else.”
“Right.
You knew that? I thought you’d covet it for sure.”
“Something
like that must have an owner.”
It
was tempting.
Back
then I hadn’t noticed, but now I could see the blue light emanating
from that armor.
It’s
qualitatively different from the armor worn by the knight order
soldiers.
Something
between an artifact and a relic, positioned one step closer to being
a relic.
It
was an artificially created relic artifact and a masterpiece born
from Zirnier’s hands.
“…Could
it be that this was the 2nd Princess’s armor you said you were
maintaining?”
“That’s
right. I passed out after finishing it last night.”
Balkan’s
mouth fell open at this casual admission.
“Now
I can finally leave this tiresome royal palace tomorrow. I already
miss my workshop. By the way, you… hmm…”
-Tap.
Tap tap.
Zirnier
tapped Balkan’s shoulder and arms, then let out an exclamation.
“How
many months has it been since I last saw you? Your skeletal structure
and muscles have changed for the better!”
“Ah,
yes. I’ve been through quite a lot.”
There’s
also the effect of physical restructuring that occurs at every fifth
floor.
And
with all the hardships experienced, muscles had built up
considerably, so changes were inevitable.
“With
this much change, you must have needed your armor refitted?”
“Actually,
I don’t have proper armor right now.”
“You
wrecked it again?”
“Rather
spectacularly this time.”
The
leather armor Diana had gifted me was torn apart by the lust-consumed
Idelbert.
And
after that, trying to get armor in Eden was futile as everything was
either too expensive or garbage quality.
When
I returned, Idelbert did provide temporary armor, but being
temporary, I had to put up with inconveniences like ill-fitting
sizes.
Having
obtained quite a bit of gold coins this time, it was about time to
get equipment befitting the middle floors but putting that aside for
now, I focused on the situation at hand.
“You
keep looking at that. Do you like that kind of armor? You can take a
closer look if you’re curious.”
“Is
that really okay?”
“I
made it, so why not? Come in. Ellie too. Want some water?”
“Auntie!
I want milk tea!”
“My
quarters only have alcohol and water, so just drink water.”
Leaving
behind Ellie and Zirnier chatting unexpectedly intimately, I stood
before the armor.
The
armor had a voluptuous protrusion at the chest. From the engraved
patterns to its delicate design…
Seeing
it up close made that time even more vivid in my memory. It was
indeed that armor.
‘The
2nd Princess’s armor…’
With
such definitive evidence before my eyes, there was no mistaking it.
The
2nd Princess, who was suspected to have the blessing of the demon of
Sloth, was the armored knight.
“She
can’t even wear that armor anymore, yet why such obsession.”
Just
then, Zirnier’s mumbling reached my ears and my head turned blankly.
“…What
do you mean she can’t wear the armor? Why?”
“Because
she’s changed too much to fit it anymore. Both body and mind.
Well…everyone will find out roughly tomorrow anyway, so I suppose I
can tell you two first.”
Zirnier
began the story with a bitter expression.
The
story of how a princess became confined to her room.
***
The
next day the royal palace banquet hall, the venue for the 2nd
Princess’s birthday party, was filled with festive energy.
With
the main event starting in 30 minutes, this was only natural.
“Oppa.
Try this. It’s champagne! Champagne!”
Ellie,
dressed in royal mage robes, handed over champagne while fluttering
her elf ears tinged with alcohol.
Balkan
accepted the champagne with a bitter smile.
“Don’t
drink too much, it’ll be trouble.”
“What’s
wrong with iiit. Everyone’s already had a glass…”
“You’re
done after one glass. Don’t gulp it down, drink slowly.”
“Uuu…okay…”
After
helping steady the already stumbling Ellie, I looked around.
The
music ensemble played sophisticated yet classical music in the
distance.
Long
tables covered with white tablecloths lined with foods I’d never seen
before.
Maids
busily moving about and nobles engaged in conversation with champagne
in hand.
It
was truly a place that felt like an upper-class party.
“A
birthday party for the 2nd Princess. How many years has it been?”
“Indeed.
Except for that time when Gott invaded on the 2nd Princess’s
birthday, parties haven’t been suspended for this long.”
“Whew.
That was truly a disaster. If Lady Ordia hadn’t been there then, who
knows what would have happened…”
“Isn’t
it fortunate that it’s being held again, even like this? I heard
rumors that Gott started moving again, but it’s even more reassuring
since Lady Ordia herself is serving as the princess’s guard this
time.”
It
seemed Diana had protected the 2nd Princess at the party in the past.
No
wonder she spoke as if reminiscing about the past.
Balkan
listened to their conversation while tasting the party food one by
one, watching people through his mask.
More
specifically, their status windows.
[LV.
58 Eluo Rohart]
[LV.
27 Clitris Claudia]
[LV.
41 Michael Terrace]
‘That
one was some marquis, the head of the Claudia merchant group, and a
high priest of the temple…Their levels aren’t as high as I
expected? Or were the people I’ve been seeing just exceptionally
strong?’
There
were few chances to check the status windows of such big shots.
Though
the level difference wasn’t enough to see the details of blessings or
curses, just remembering this much would be plenty helpful.
“…Balkan?
How are you here?”
And
I could also see a familiar face after a long time, a girl with a
chick on her head.
She
was not an ordinary child, but someone with the position of Vice
Guild Master of the Explorers Union, Yonel Freya.
She
glanced this way and tilted her head.
“It’s
been a while, Vice Guild Master. How did you recognize me?”
“How
could there be two men in the world with a body like that?”
Though
my face was hidden behind a mask, most people who knew me like Ellie,
Zirnier, or this Vice Guild Master recognized me by my body.
“I
got a report from Nuer. You’ve been through quite a lot?”
“Well,
it wasn’t exactly a smooth exploration.”
“Rescuing
the attacked explorer party, taking down the turf clan that was
causing trouble in Eden’s back alleys, dealing with Bio who was a
minion of the Sloth worshipper. These aren’t things you’d typically
experience in one labyrinth run.”
Despite
the Vice Guild Master’s admiring tone, Balkan’s expression slightly
hardened.
‘Bio,
the back alley turf clan leader, was a minion of the Sloth
worshipper?’
That
was unwelcome news.
I
had just heard from the Lust worshipper that the Sloth worshipper was
targeting me.
If
the Sloth worshipper investigated Bio’s death, they would find out
who killed their subordinate and the possibility of retaliation
wasn’t zero.
Come
to think of it, I still hadn’t found a way to open the safe I got
from Bio back then.
‘Given
how Bio remained silent without saying a word, there must be
something related to that worshipper inside.’
While
lost in these sudden concerns.
“Is
there something you want?”
“Pardon?”
Yonel
Freya suddenly asked about my desires.
“You
healed Nuer’s mind, and accomplished everything I mentioned earlier.
Don’t you deserve sufficient compensation?”
“But
I’ve already received compensation for that.”
“No
need to be modest. This is a reasonable investment in an explorer
with a guaranteed future.”
Yonel
Freya truly believed this as she looked at the surprised expression
on Balkan’s face.
Talented
explorers can be seen occasionally but explorers with good character
are rare.
‘To
face off against a clan alone to save another explorer party and his
own party, even going into a desert worm’s stomach.’
He
was practically the only one with the talent, skill, and character to
do such things and return alive.
Yonel
Freya had the responsibility to support and nurture explorers with
both conscience and ability, and the man before her was more than
qualified.
While
she had briefly doubted the Guild Master’s judgment, she had long
since changed her mind to believe that Balkan was worth taking on as
a disciple.
“…I’ll
think about the compensation slowly.”
“Alright.
Come tell me whenever you want something. I’ll try to arrange it if
possible.”
As
if that was her purpose in approaching, Yonel Freya soon moved away.
Unlike
at Ellie’s graduation ceremony, there were no nouveau riche here to
cast jealous glances at someone talking with the Vice Guild Master of
the Explorers.
“Hmm.
Who is that masked gentleman over there?”
“Given
how he was talking with Lady Freya, he must be an explorer? And that
body…wow…ahem. Quite impressive. Definitely an explorer.”
“He
seems to be a promising explorer. I’ve never seen the Vice Guild
Master promise that much support to any explorer.”
“Though
he seems a bit lacking to be here.”
“That
means he must have proper backing. Makes him even more interesting.”
Instead,
their eyes held strong interest mixed with curiosity about my
background, and lustful gazes that persistently traced my body.
Though
they didn’t openly discuss lewd matters like explorers would, they
had such honest gazes of desire.
“I
am Rubel Keltman, a labyrinth relic scholar. Perhaps you’d be
interested in the relics I appraise—”
“I
am Meia Ophelia. Would you be interested in photo shoot modeling?
It’s a business that’s starting to spread recently—”
Sure
enough, there were lower nobles approaching without hiding their
desires and quite a few of them.
“Uuu,
opppaaa…!”
Ellie
was swept away by the wave of people far into the distance.
That
was fortunate in a way. It would have been troublesome if their gazes
had extended to Ellie.
While
appropriately mingling and conversing, I saw a familiar face.
“Keukeuk.
I heard a familiar voice and came to look, and your popularity has
grown even more since I last saw you.”
“Ah.
Professor Manko Steel!”
The
old academy professor approached, laughing “keukeuk” while
patting her hunchback-like curved waist.
As
others backed away slightly, recognizing that someone of a different
caliber had arrived, another woman appeared behind Professor Manko
Steel.
“Ohoho?!
Mr. Balkan! I never expected to meet you in a place like this!!”
Rubia
Steel, the party’s reliable tank and a noble young lady with blonde
roll-tied hair.
She
raised her voice with an “ohoho” while covering her mouth
with one hand, wearing elegant dress armor.
Balkan
stared at them blankly before having a sudden realization.
Manko
Steel. Rubia Steel.
“Could
it be…?”
“Keukeuk.
She’s my cute granddaughter. Though she’s a bit too energetic.”
“Ohoho!
It’s the power of positivity inherited from grandmother in her
youth!”
Rubia
tapped the iron plates of her more elegant and fluttering dress armor
than when she entered the labyrinth, raising her voice.
She
was the temporary party member who had filled Joy Hog’s vacant
position.
Though
I had heard she was a noble, I never imagined she’d be Professor
Manko Steel’s granddaughter.
“By
the way, Mr. Balkan. When is the next labyrinth expedition
scheduled?”
“Oh,
you want to come with us again? We’re really grateful but… wasn’t
it a temporary contract?”
“Wawawa…?”
“Pardon?”
“After
showing me such thrilling and heroic adventures, you say temporary?!
Of course it should be changed to a formal contract!”
Rubia,
who was about to grab Balkan’s neck, quickly lowered her hand.
She
probably intended to grab his collar and shake him, but seemed to
have quickly regained her senses.
Professor
Manko Steel laughed “keukeuk” seeing her granddaughter’s
outburst.
“Keukeuk.
Take responsibility for my granddaughter.”
“Haha.
I’ll do my best as the party leader.”
“I’m
not joking.”
“…Haha…”
As
I tried to avert my gaze with an awkward laugh at Professor Manko
Steel’s strangely serious response, music began to echo in my ears.
Everyone’s
gazes turned to one place as the gentle yet captivating music played.
The
song catching everyone’s attention meant the princess’ entrance.
Upper
part of the banquet hall.
Divided
by stairs, in that place where everyone had to look up, a doll-like
figure began to appear.
“Is
that…the 2nd Princess?”
“No,
what could have happened…”
Balkan
turned away from the stirring surroundings and focused solely on one
person.
Neatly
arranged golden bob cut and green eyes shining like they contained
meadows, there stood a woman with jewel-like crafted beautiful
features wearing a purple dress.
[Celsia
de Arlonia LV.53]
[◆
Blessing of the Incompetent Magician]
Unlike
back then when I was weak, now her name could be seen clearly.
I
swallowed hard for no reason and my hands unconsciously became
sweaty.
This
was my chance to get a private audience with her.
As
Celsia looked around the crowd with a strangely anxious and uneasy
expression, her gaze turned this way.
While
capturing her in my black eyes, I carefully raised my hand above my
mask.
0 Comments