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    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.

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