episode_0022

The next day, I had an early breakfast and set out alone from home.

I then headed towards a building located in a prime spot next to the Adventurer’s Guild in the city center.

“An adventurer so early in the morning… Ah, Lord Lashwood.”

The guard at the entrance said with sleepy eyes.

Well, I always wear armor whenever I go outside.

To blend in normally in this city, all you need is to wear a helmet to conceal your face.

Even if I’m doing this in a strange place like now, people will just assume I’m an adventurer.

Perhaps because I’ve lived in this city for a long time, there are still people who recognize me even when I’m wearing a helmet.

“I came to see Rebart.”

“Hmm… Are you referring to Lord Rebart? He’s not here right now.”

“What? They say he’s late for work.”

Rebart always arrived earlier than anyone else.

“He probably won’t come today. People were coming and going late last night at the lord’s castle, and it seems like Rebart had some important discussions.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes… And if Lord Lashwood is looking for him, he mentioned that you should go to the lord’s castle, introduce yourself, and ask for Buarno.”

“Buarno?”

Where have I heard that name before?

Who was it…

“He… was a tall man with a sharp nose.”

Ah, was it that Mr. Maeburiko who came as the lord’s deputy last time?

“It’s a secret that I said this, right?”

“Of course. Let’s see…”

I rummaged through my pocket and handed a silver coin to the guard.

“You must be tired from guarding all night. Have something delicious to eat and rest when you’re off duty.”

Spending money always hurts.

Especially when savings are low like now.

Yet, when it needs to be spent, it must be spent.

I’ve seen throughout my life that to make money, it’s always about people first.

“No, I didn’t do anything special…”

The guard smiled broadly, took the silver coin, and put it in his pocket.

“Thank you!”

I roughly waved my hand at him and went to the lord’s castle.

The lord’s castle is located on one side of the square in the city center.

The square was bustling with preparations for the day.

The morning air wafted from chimneys.

The savory smell of boiling potatoes and soup.

Pots and ovens cooking quick meals for adventurers heading to the labyrinth.

Merchants laying out their wares and diligently wiping away the dust accumulated overnight.

Such a peculiar warmth slightly tempered the cold morning air.

Is there any other place in this country, no, in this world, as vibrant as this?

This is why I live in the Labyrinth City.

It never gets boring to watch.

And I walked through them towards the front of the lord’s castle.

“Mr. Lashwood? What brings you here so early in the morning?”

The sentry guarding the lord’s castle asked.

I told him I came to find Buarno under Rebart’s name.

“I see. Buarno’s office is on the 2nd floor corridor of the left hall, right at the front.”

“Got it. Thank you.”

I didn’t give any money to the sentry.

The inn guild guards might have appreciated it more since they were likely exhausted from working overnight, but the sentry guarding the lord’s castle had just started his shift.

I entered the lord’s castle.

As I entered the left building as the sentry had indicated, the air grew heavy.

The expressions of the maids and servants wandering around subtly stiffened.

They might not know the specifics, but they could feel it instinctively.

I went upstairs to the first room that appeared.

“Who goes there.”

The man guarding the door asked.

“Reveal your identity. Why is an adventurer here?”

“I haven’t seen this face before.”

He had short, unkempt hair and a scar running from his left cheek to his ear.

His armor was sturdy yet allowed for freedom of movement.

But above all, the atmosphere and his gaze.

Is he a mercenary?

He must have quite a bit of experience.

“Answer my question first.”

He drew his sword.

A clean motion.

Though he seems to pose a threat, there doesn’t seem to be any intention to kill.

If he’s a mercenary, he’s quite professional.

But does he not know that it’s inappropriate to draw a sword recklessly inside a noble’s residence?

“Rashwood.”

I raised my hands, palms open, and shoulders shrugged to show that I had no intention of fighting.

“You…?”

“You didn’t hear that I was coming?”

“…I did. Wait a moment.”

After knocking on the door, he entered and then came out again.

“Come in.”

“But first.”

“…?”

“I’d like to hear your name. I told you mine, didn’t I?”

“…Spect.”

“Ah~ Spect, the Spect who won the prestigious swordsmanship competition in Loreldia Kingdom, right?”

Famous for winning the Loreldia Kingdom’s ancient swordsmanship tournament and refusing the king’s offer to become his knight, causing strong backlash from nobles and knights due to his disinterest except for the prize money.

Seeing such a figure come this far, it’s clear this is no ordinary matter.

“Well then, excuse me.”

I passed by him and entered the room.

Though Spect’s gaze wasn’t welcoming, I didn’t pay much attention as there didn’t seem to be any hostility.

“Welcome.”

“You’re early, aren’t you?”

Rebart and Buarno stood up to greet me.

But… is the lord absent again this time?

They must have spent a fortune to bring such a figure here.

“You two knew I was coming, right?”

I shook their hands and casually took a seat at the empty space.

“Well, we thought you’d arrive soon. We were even thinking you might not come until the day after tomorrow.”

Rebart shrugged and sat back down.

“Just in case, may I ask why you’re here?”

Buarno asked as he sat down too.

“Brygal.”

Crossing my legs, I picked up a cookie from the table and tasted it.

Nicely sweetened.

“You must have heard to some extent already, right? What has been happening at my house lately.”

“Well, we can’t ignore it with Lady Krisha present.”

Rebart said.

“Oh, but you see. Before, Lady Krisha didn’t come herself; she sent a representative.”

I pointed at him.

“Ah, I apologize for the deception. But I was deceived as well. I didn’t know Lady Krisha was already in the city.”

“If it’s such a figure…”

This time, I turned my head towards Buarno.

“It would be appropriate for the lord to manage the situation somehow, wouldn’t it?”

“We have nothing to say. It’s an emergency on our side too.”

Buarno shrugged.

“We’re doing our best, but there are parts beyond our control…”

“For example?”

“The Marquis initially wanted to impose some restrictions on the entry of Brygal Kingdom citizens.”

“But?”

“But things didn’t go as planned… An edict was issued.”

“Edict? By the king of this country?”

The Labyrinth City, in exchange for paying hefty taxes to the royal family, was not subject to royal interference in city operations.

Of course, the mana collected in the Labyrinth City had a significant impact not only within the country but also across borders, making it difficult for the royal family to easily intervene.

So, to maintain the royal dignity, the Labyrinth City voluntarily contributed special donations in addition to taxes, fostering good relations.

“Well, it’s an edict, but it’s not exactly His Majesty’s will… It’s more like the Regent’s will.”

“The Regent? …Still?”

About 10 or 20 years ago, I heard that a child ascended to the throne for political reasons.

No, was it not a child but just a baby?

Anyway, if the king is young, it’s natural for the Regent to rule in their place…

“Haha… It seems the Regent has no intention of stepping down yet.”

Buarno wore a bitter expression.

Indeed.

I can’t fully grasp the details, but I understand that due to political reasons, the Labyrinth City cannot stop the schemes of the Kingdom of Brigal.

Being a politician means committing absurd acts casually in any world or era.

“Regardless, we can’t just sit back and watch this city fall into the hands of another country, can we? So, I was in the process of devising a plan.”

“Is there any progress?”

“Well… the Viscount has a plan in mind. You and Lord Rasiud are also included in this plan… Would you like to hear it?”

…”

This seems a bit risky to listen to.

More than the danger of the plan itself, hearing it means I’ll be on the same boat as the Viscount.

Currently, the Viscount, the ruler of this city, is under serious scrutiny from the central government.

To the extent of turning a blind eye to, or even actively encouraging, people from other countries scheming within their territory.

“Well, let’s hear it then.”

But I really like this city.

“Yes… First off, you would once again have to venture deep into the Labyrinth…”

“Ah, no. Can’t do it.”

“What? Oh, well, please at least hear the rest…”

“Are you kidding? Twenty years ago, they tried that, and one of the best adventurer teams in the Labyrinth vanished without a trace. I almost died back then. The creature down there could defeat our house’s dragon slayer even if they came.”

“Oh, I know about that incident. It caused quite a stir when I was young.”

“If you know…”

“Please calm down for a moment; I’m not suggesting you go all the way down there. It’s not about subduing that monster.”

“…? Then?”

“The person outside, do you know who it is?”

“Specter of Loreldia. How did you manage to bring that friend here? They’re someone who defied, no, rejected the king’s orders.”

“Dragon Slayer Krisha. She rushed over as soon as she heard the name. And she seems interested in the powerful monsters in the Labyrinth.”

“Don’t speak lightly of Krisha?”

“The current situation is an exception. Anyway, I hope that Krisha, Specter, and Lord Rasiud will join forces to defeat the boss on the 10th underground floor.”

“The boss…?”

The boss of the Labyrinth.

There is a boss monster every 5 floors in the Labyrinth.

Of course, defeating a boss can yield tremendous rewards, but it’s not an easy challenge.

Only once in the history of the Labyrinth, the Adventurer Guild formed a Dream Team to attempt hunting the first boss on the 5th underground floor…

“Well… it’s more realistic than before. But is it okay? What does defeating the boss have to do with the Labyrinth… no, with stopping Brigal?”

“We can’t prevent people from Brigal entering this city.”

“So, you want to push them towards killing the boss?”

“Of course, the Viscount wouldn’t plan such barbaric and inefficient actions. Instead, he aims to make them allies.”

“Allies…? Wait, could it be…?”

“Yes. The Viscount has ordered the resumption of Labyrinth exploration business.”

Buarno smirked ominously.

A chill ran down my spine.

The Viscount behind this plan…

“Whether it’s Sronin or Slonin, the King of Brigal and the ruler of this country will surely regret their decisions. Alright, that request. I accept!”

It’s been a while since I’ve had some fun.