episode_0010

Marco, despite his title as the head of security, looked completely out of place in his extravagant armor adorned with all sorts of enchantments and a sword in hand as he gazed at us.

Behind him, other guards clad in similarly expensive armor were weaving a tight net with their stern gazes.

The city’s security force was said to rival even the royal knights, a fact that anyone witnessing this scene would readily acknowledge.

“Lower your weapons! Otherwise, according to the laws of the Labyrinth City, we will forcibly disarm you! You will be held accountable for any bodily or property harm that occurs during this process!”

Those words didn’t seem to consider the rights of the other party.

In this city, the vast majority of those arrested by the security force are adventurers.

Adventurers fight—it’s what they do.

Hence, the notion that one’s body is their greatest asset makes talk of bodily and property harm a severe threat.

“I have no intention to fight. The provocation came from over there.”

I quickly lowered my sword and raised both hands above my shoulders.

The guards’ attention shifted unanimously towards Krisha, who still held her weapon.

“…Tsk.”

Perhaps realizing the difficulty of facing such numbers, Krisha also lowered her weapon.

“You arrived at a convenient time. It could have been a serious problem.”

I extended my hands together in a gesture of cooperation.

…

Marco glanced at me briefly.

His eyes seemed to convey a sense of resentment, as if questioning why he had to deal with such trouble again after being dragged into it this morning.

I simply shrugged my shoulders in response.

After sighing, Marco took out some ropes and bound my hands before doing the same to Krisha.

“Hey…”

Linde, who was sitting in a corner, spoke up.

“…You come along too.”

“Y-yes…”

Once Linde was also restrained, we were all taken to the guard post.

As we emerged from the mansion, Linde’s magic seemed to have attracted quite a crowd.

Upon seeing us, especially Krisha, the onlookers appeared visibly surprised and murmured in amazement.

Krisha’s personality might be unknown, but her appearance was angelic.

While it was a waiting room in the morning, this time it was an underground prison due to the severity of the incident.

Even the handcuffs were not ordinary; they were cursed items that restricted the user’s magical abilities.

…

Dark and damp.

It feels like a blast from the past.

“Um, what’s going to happen?”

Linde, locked in the same room as me, asked.

“Nothing much. We just have to wait.”

I simply shrugged my shoulders.

After all, we are the victims here. It was Krisha who caused the ruckus.

Although the massive explosion originated from Linde at home, it didn’t cause harm to others around.

Well, my house might be a mess now…

“And besides… even if things take a turn for the worse, our friends will bail us out.”

Apart from Chief of Security Marco and Inn Guild’s Rebart, there are plenty of connections.

“Mr. Rashwood knows a lot of people…”

“I haven’t forgotten my age carelessly. But you’re over fifty yourself.”

“…”

“And about Krisha. It seems like you two aren’t just acquaintances. What’s going on between you two?”

“Oh, well… Krisha and I…”

“Rashwood, Linde, come out.”

Before Linde could respond, a guard descended into the underground prison.

I expected them to arrive soon, but this quickly?

Does this mean they’ve resolved everything else and are starting with us?

Well… considering the opponent is the Dragon Slayer of the Briegal Kingdom, it’s not entirely surprising.

This could potentially escalate into a diplomatic issue if mishandled.

The mayor, and perhaps even the influential Lord of the ponderous Labyrinth City, might have been involved.

No, they must have taken some action for sure.

We followed the guard into the interrogation room and explained the events that transpired at the mansion.

Piercing through the roof of the mansion, the pillar of light that could be seen by the entire city was simply dismissed as a magical mishap by Rinde.

“Using such large-scale magic within the city without permission is illegal.”

The investigator stared at Rinde.

“Huk…! S-Sorry…!”

“Ah, my bad. I’m reflecting on it. That part was indeed a mistake.”

I raised my handcuffed hands and clapped them together.

“Haah, Mr. Lashwood. What’s all this commotion about from someone who has been living quietly for so long?”

“No matter what, wouldn’t it be more disruptive than when you carried dog poop in a basket? Your house servants were in chaos back then, weren’t they?”

“Ugh…!”

“Ahahaha!”

“W-What on earth happened…”

“Oh, it’s fine. You did try your best to plow the field, didn’t you? It was quite an event.”

“Pfft…!”

Even Rinde couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Haah… Is that really from so long ago… About 40 years or so?”

“…Anyway, let’s get back to the main point. Regarding the use of that magic, leniency is difficult. If it was used to defend against an attack…”

“Oh, it wasn’t that. I’m telling you clearly, it was just a mistake.”

Of course, if she insisted like that, she might be exempt from fines for using magic and could even claim all the repair costs from Krisha.

But on the flip side, if Krisha denied any involvement, it would only escalate unnecessarily.

It’s good to pursue profits, but one must draw a line and stick to it.

That’s what I learned from that damn swindler who fled leaving only the mansion behind.

“Understood. Next, about the person you fought with…”

Lastly, I detailed the altercation with Krisha.

After the investigator with me left, we remained in the interrogation room, still handcuffed, waiting.

A while later, the guard who had brought us returned, unlocked the handcuffs, and led us to another room.

“Hello.”

A man with a gaunt face and a handlebar mustache greeted us while sitting in a chair.

“Please, have a seat. I am Buarno, the representative of Count Dimitri Phesto Maze, the owner of the Labyrinth City.”

So the lord of the Labyrinth City is making a move.

The representative of the Labyrinth City is the mayor, handling most affairs.

However, the mayor does not hold dominion over this city.

There is a separate noble family that owns the rights to the lands of this region, including the foundation of the Labyrinth.

Even the previous count occasionally appeared at various events, but his child and the current count have never shown their faces.

“Are you Mr. Lashwood?”

“Oh, really. Am I that famous?”

Rinde and I took our seats.

“Haha, aren’t most of the influential people in this city acquainted with you? Quite an impressive network you have.”

“Well, that’s how it turned out after living for so long.”

“Yes. We haven’t heard any stories about the Ebony Tribe leader dying yet.”

“Right. I haven’t heard anything either. Let me know if you find out.”

“Hahaha, whether I’ll still be alive by then…”

Even I know nothing about this Count Maze.

What they look like, their gender, age—everything is shrouded in mystery.

But it seems like they’re paying quite a bit of attention to me…

Despite that, I keep paying my taxes promptly.

“But… Mr. Lashwood, do you know who you fought against?”

“A person famous as the Dragon Slayer of the Brigal Kingdom.”

Technically, Rinde is the Dragon Slayer, but she insists it was Krisha.

“You know well. Fighting against such a person, one could say it’s great courage, or reckless…”

“Is it so strange for a homeowner to fight to protect their home?”

“Of course, that is your rightful claim. However, there are times when one must quietly step aside, isn’t that something you, who has lived more than ten times longer than I have, should understand?”

“Oh, I am well aware of that. Nevertheless, there are circumstances beyond our control. Today happened to be one of those situations.”

At my words, the Marquis’s representative, Buarno, turned his head towards Linde.

“Are you Linde?”

“Y-yes.”

Linde nodded her head.

“By any chance, are you aware that you were declared missing in the Kingdom of Brigal? The Dragon Slayer of that country personally reported it.”

“Excuse me…?”

“You didn’t know?”

“Well, that…”

“Wait a moment.”

I raised my hand to interrupt their conversation.

“We are aware that we are the victims, right? It was a mistake to attract attention with magic. However, the one who initiated the fight was the esteemed Dragon Slayer.”

“But if it weren’t for that magic, there wouldn’t have been a need to fight at all. Even if there had been a fight, the citizens wouldn’t have gathered attention. Don’t you think so?”

Buarno narrowed his eyes.

“That’s unknown. What good does assuming do? In the end, it’s just because Krisha barged into our house and caused a commotion with a sword. Am I wrong?”

“What I mean is, things could have been easier. Do you not realize how serious this incident is? The royal family of Brigal could intervene directly. We are currently treading on thin ice. Once we cross that line, no one can guarantee what will happen next. In the worst-case scenario…”

“Would it lead to war?”

“…Yes. Exactly. The opponent is a legendary hero, not just from that country but crossing borders.”

“If that legendary hero were to come into my house and start a fight, would it all be my fault?”

“I did not mean to imply that.”

That’s somewhat accurate.

“So, what is that great hero saying now?”

“Getting to the point… Krisha said she would take full responsibility if Linde is handed over to her.”

Indeed.

“Linde. You originally came from the Kingdom of Brigal. We appreciate the long journey you made to the Labyrinth City, but unfortunately, it’s time for you to return…”

“N-no, I don’t want to…”

Linde shook her head.

“I will stay here with Mr. Rasiud…”

“…Is there a specific reason for that?”

“Well…”

Linde lifted her hat slightly.

“…!”

Buarno, seeing the color of her eyes, was taken aback.

“You couldn’t possibly be…”

Linde nodded again.

“Yes… This is completely unexpected… Hmm…”

Buarno crossed his arms and looked up.

“Hmm… Well… There’s nothing we can do. I will report this to the Lord and leave the decision to him.”

“Can we go back now?”

“I’m sorry, but that might be difficult. Please wait here a little longer until the Lord’s decision is made.”

He left after saying that.

“…What will happen to us?”

Linde asked.

“Well, I’m not sure either.”

The owner of this Labyrinth City.

His character and abilities are complete unknowns.

All we can do is hope for a fair judgment.