episode_0036

000

Lovera making her way through the dangerous area of the Feria Living Forest together.

The two, concealing their presence and leaping through the trees, occasionally look down at the monsters passing below.

Considering their strength, it was hardly an environment where people could live.

“Is there really a mansion in a place like this?”

“Yes. You are an outsider, so you may not know, but the story of the abandoned mansion in the forest is quite famous in this city.”

Lovera speaks suspiciously, but Feria answers without turning around.

Her outfit is tight black clothes, unlike when she went out or at the clinic.

It was the outfit she wore as an assassin.

I didn’t think a Magic Swordsman could be controlled by an ordinary nurse.

To think she was an assassin.

Lovera couldn’t help but be amazed by Cleon’s skill.

I have to be careful too.

As Lovera was thinking that, Feria spoke to Lovera.

“I was a little surprised myself. You can keep up with my movements as an assassin without any difficulty.”

“That’s… because I, too, was trained to work as an assassin.”

Feria nods at Lovera’s words as if she understands.

Soon, the two pass through Laila’s barrier that distorts space and land in the mansion’s garden.

Lovera, seeing the Gortian mansion, couldn’t help but be surprised by her honest impression.

She thought it would be quite old and on the verge of collapse, as it was a mansion left abandoned in such a forest.

In reality, it was bigger and had a more magnificent exterior than the mansion where Marquis Hughes was currently staying in the city.

“To be living in such a mansion without permission…”

“We are just using it since there is no owner. Originally, Cleon-nim was planning to leave this place in the near future.”

Lovera turns to Feria at those words.

“Since the topic came up, do you know anything about the Marquis’ shady dealings?”

Then Lovera closes her mouth for a moment and shakes her head.

“I knew the Marquis was involved in dirty work. But he doesn’t trust others in that matter and tries to handle it all himself.”

“…A meticulous villain. Seems perfect to cut his throat.”

Lovera silently agrees as Feria speaks quietly.

“Why did Cleon send me here?”

“Since that symbol is related to magic, Laila-nim will probably be able to help.”

Lovera looks at her symbol for a moment at those words.

“Laila Flamewatch. The top student of the Academy?”

“That’s what I heard.”

Lovera nods as Feria nods, then covers the back of her hand with a slightly relieved expression.

“Then I can look forward to it.”

“Yes. Cleon-nim seems to acknowledge Laila-nim’s skills as well. Of course, he doesn’t show it at all on the outside.”

Lovera thought, `That’s probably true.`

The Academy is a repository of knowledge that only the most talented people in the continent can enter.

And even in such a place, the one with the best grades in each department is called a “top student,” a genius.

Laila is the top student of the 1st department, “Magic,” which is called the largest department in the Academy.

What that means is significant.

The moment the two try to enter the mansion.

Crash! With a sound, the front door bursts open, and someone jumps out.

It was “Luti Sions,” characterized by her pink hair, revealing herself with her cute clothes half undone.

“Wait! Luti! Let me investigate a little more!”

“No! You say that and then touch the scales again…!”

And a red-haired magician chasing after such Luti from behind, running out in a messed-up outfit.

Laila Flamewatch.

She is holding a pink scale fragment in her hand.

Her face is flushed red with excitement, and she is breathing roughly.

“… …”

Lovera frowns slightly while looking at that scene.

Feria just gives a bitter smile as if she is troubled.

001

The Adventurer’s Guild is crowded with people.

Rumors have already spread within the guild that there was a woman who stopped Eustace from attracting attention from everyone.

Cleon, feeling the gazes focused on him while he was away for a moment.

Was inwardly anxious that among them, there might be someone with a good sense who noticed his identity.

Cleon intended to stick with Eustace and use him to find out about his father.

Of course, he roughly knew how Marquis Hughes thought of his son from his earlier attitude.

It was better than starting with nothing.

He thought he could put up with the immature noble son’s playing house for the sake of his purpose.

But it was more than he imagined. This idiot.

“That’s right. With our skills, I think we can challenge A-class requests without any problems.”

“I’m sorry, Eustace-nim. A-class requests are only offered to parties with adventurers who have been recognized for their activities in the guild.”

Eustace tries to accept the request with an arrogant expression.

However, the employee explains the guild’s rules with a troubled expression.

Eustace makes a shit-eating face again.

He glances at Leona next to him, then clears his throat and straightens his clothes.

“Wait. Did you forget what I said earlier?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“…I said that we need at least two more people.”

Eustace nods, saying “Ah!” as if he had completely forgotten.

“No. But with Leona’s skills, I feel like we can go anywhere with just the two of us.”

Cleon quickly pulls his hand away from Eustace, who grabs his hand with a greasy voice.

He endures, thinking it would be better if it weren’t for work.

“Listen carefully. Adventure is not child’s play. No matter how strong one person is, there are countless difficulties in a request.”

Cleon explains to Eustace, trying to calm down.

He still needs to be kept alive because it would be difficult if he died.

“But I heard that some magic swordsman who belonged to this guild completed several requests alone…”

“That’s… that guy is weird. He can do several roles by himself. Your attendant was like that too, wasn’t she?”

“Lovera? Hmm… That girl stuck by my side and never left.”

Eustace, resting his chin for a moment, recalls his actions with Lovera.

If he tried to step forward, she would pull the back of his neck.

If he faced an enemy and tried to swing his sword, Lovera would cut them down the next moment.

It was commonplace for her to drop-kick him to avoid enemy attacks.

“…Now that I think about it. Did that girl really think of me as her master?”

Of course not.

“Well… anyway. The ideal party is made up of multiple people with a balance of front and rear ranks.”

“So, you’re saying that Leona and I will stand in front, so we need two adventurers to support us from behind?”

Cleon nods at Eustace’s words.

…It’s a little unsettling that this guy is standing in front.

“Since neither you nor I can use magic, it would be nice to have a caster in the back line if possible… and we’ll need a healer.”

“A mage and a priest…”

Eustace frowns at the mention of a priest.

“…Why such a face?”

“No. I don’t have good memories of priests.”

Something must have happened in the past.

Cleon, thinking that it might be related to the Marquis, decided to dig a little deeper here.

“Really? What happened?”

“No… It’s a story related to my family. My mother and…”

Eustace stops there and turns his head.

It seemed that he didn’t fully trust Cleon, no, Leona, enough to open up that far yet.

“…Well, if you want to be an adventurer, you have to overcome things like that.”

So, Cleon gives him some encouraging words.

Eustace nods, contemplating a little after hearing those words.

“If you want to find party members, it’s best to ask at the information desk. They’ll introduce you to adventurers who don’t have a party that matches your level.”

“…? Isn’t an adventurer someone you hire for money?”

Eustace says, as if Cleon’s words are strange.

Cleon understood once again how little this man knew about the world.

002

In the end, all they could find was one priest who had just become an adventurer.

There was such a serious shortage of mages that no one was willing to join Eustace’s party.

The priest who joined this time was also a woman who had come out for a trainee-level field practice.

“Nice to meet you. Eustace-nim. Leona-nim.”

Her name is Theo.

She is a priest belonging to the “Saints’ Protection Order” like Quon.

She was a different person from Quon in many ways.

First, her long blue hair, which was grown to cover her eyes. It seemed quite long towards the back.

The white nun’s habit that covered her entire body completely concealed the curves of her body.

Other than that, she was an ordinary priest with nothing particularly distinctive.

Hearing her story, it seemed that going out of the city for a request was her first time.

“… …”

Eustace was sitting with his legs crossed, as if he was displeased with such Theo.

Ignoring such Eustace, Cleon looked at Theo and spoke as kindly as possible.

“The pleasure is all mine. Theo-ssi. I have some experience, but Eustace is also completely new to adventure like you.”

“No! I’m a veteran warrior who went to a dangerous area yesterday!”

“You didn’t do anything.”

Cleon hoped that Eustace would shut up.

In fact, there were a few more priests who had not yet formed a party besides Theo.

This is because the Order actively encourages priests to become adventurers, combining it with training to save people in crisis situations.

Therefore, unlike mages who focus on research.

Priests, who use healing spells that are considered more difficult than general magic.

A certain level of supply exists.

However, Eustace’s impression, which was formed within a day or two in the guild, was the worst.

No matter how benevolent a priest was, they would want to avoid joining Eustace’s party.

Only Theo, who didn’t care about such rumors or people’s character, joined the party.

Therefore, if they missed Theo, they might not be able to meet someone like her again.

“You don’t have to worry. It’s because Leona-nim seemed to be in quite a bit of trouble.”

Did she understand Cleon’s feelings?

Theo couldn’t see her eyes, but she spoke to Cleon in a gentle tone.

Then Cleon also sighs and looks at Eustace.

“Come on. Say nice to meet you too.”

“What!? I’m a nobleman! Unless it’s someone with your skills, to a commoner…”

Cleon’s eyes become sharp.

Wordless pressure.

Eustace, intimidated by that gaze, let out a “Keuk…” sound and turned his head to Theo.

“…Nice to meet you. Commoner.”

“Hehe. Nice to meet you too, Eustace-nim.”

Where did his manners go?

Perhaps Lovera would have stepped in and coordinated in these aspects.

Rather than educating Eustace and making him do it.

It was because she could finish it neatly herself.

But Cleon had no intention of doing that much for him.

He was just a relationship where he only needed to stick with this guy enough to get information.

He had no intention of accepting his childish behavior.

“Anyway. With this, the party has a healer, so we can start the request, right?”

Cleon hesitated for a moment at Eustace’s urging.

In his heart, he wanted one more person.

If possible, he wanted a caster as he said earlier.

He thought about calling Laila for a moment.

No matter how he thought about it, it would be a balance collapse.

In addition, Laila didn’t seem like she would put up with this guy’s personality.

“…Yeah. There’s nothing we can do even if we cling to what we don’t have.”

Cleon sighs and stands up from his seat.

And Eustace, saying something like “Finally!” follows suit.

Theo also quietly smiles and follows behind them.

“…Wait. Are you still recruiting?”

At that time, a voice stops the three of them.

When Cleon turns his head, Iona Chevalier in light armor was there.

003

The four people walking through the dark interior of the dungeon.

Cleon judged that it would be okay to send the low-level Eustace to the front since they were still going through the first floor.

He sent him to the front alone, stepped back, and stuck with Iona.

“…Why did you come along?”

“I can’t leave the work to you alone.”

The two exchange words in a small voice.

Theo was standing a little apart, supporting Eustace in case of any situation.

“More than that. It suits you well. That look.”

“…I’m not happy.”

“If you’re talented at disguise, how about joining the Royal Intelligence Agency?”

When Iona speaks with a small laugh, Cleon sighs and turns his head.

“Are you kidding?”

“I know.”

Cleon’s face wasn’t interested, but rather disgusted.

Looking at such Cleon, Iona makes a slightly sulky face and tempts Cleon.

“If you join the Intelligence Agency, you can find out quite a lot. Your father… you can work with your teacher too.”

“The former is okay, but the latter is not beneficial at all.”

If he went there, he would become a subordinate of Talcheck.

Cleon couldn’t help but feel goosebumps all over his body at that thought.

“Really? My father has always spoken well of you.”

“…Talcheck about me?”

Cleon’s eyes widen as if surprised.

Iona recalled the past and continued speaking.

“Yes. He said there was a child among the children he taught who was the least talented but the most hardworking…”

“…That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

Cleon thought he was stupid for being even slightly hopeful.

Iona spoke with a smile.

“No. My father said that he was similar to him in that aspect.”

“… …”

“For that person, the most important thing in the world is himself.”

Iona pauses there for a beat and looks into Cleon’s face as if thinking about something.

“If such a person says that you are similar to him, wouldn’t that mean that he acknowledges you to some extent?”

“…So? What is that Talcheck himself doing now?”

Cleon deliberately changes the subject as if he is somewhat embarrassed.

Looking at such Cleon, Iona laughs softly and continues the conversation.

“My father is contacting Marquis Hughes. I think he intends to extract information from him.”

“The Marquis…? Is it okay?”

“My father is also a member of the Intelligence Agency, so he knows how to deal with people. Even if things go wrong, he won’t be the one to get hurt.”

Cleon nods at those words.

-In the meantime. Eustace glances back every now and then as if he is bothered by Leona and Iona talking in the back.

Then, every time, his eyes meet with Theo, who is standing between them.

Theo smiles with her mouth.

Eustace didn’t see any of that.

It was just the resentment for the failure of his initial plan.

[A plan to go on an adventure with just Leona, show her his wonderful appearance, make her a prisoner of his love, and plan for the future]

Of course, even the foolish Eustace admits that there is some truth in what Leona says.

But he couldn’t understand why such power was needed to enter such an unremarkable place.

The cost of entering is also inefficient.

So. This time, he will show her his strength.

To show her that they can go anywhere with just the two of them-

`Click-`

At that moment. Eustace stops at the sound that rang out from under his feet.

When Theo, Cleon, and even Iona stop at the sound from the front.

Eustace sees that the stepping stone he stepped on is unnaturally sunken down.

“… … Leona?”

“Wait a minute! Stay there! Don’t take your foot off!”

“Uwaaaaa!”

Eustace jumps up, terrified.

And the next moment.

A trap inside the dungeon is activated, and a portal opens.

Monsters popping out of the portal connected to the depths.

Green-skinned humanoid monsters with some intelligence to handle weapons.

Their bodies are slightly larger than humans, and their protruding bellies and foul-smelling appearances make one frown.

“Keuk…! Orcs from the 3rd floor…!”

“That’s a harsh trap for beginners. I guess today’s dungeon is in a bad mood.”

Iona throws a quiet joke at Cleon’s words.

Cleon quickly moves to Eustace’s side, and Iona takes a stance as if protecting Theo.

“I told you not to take your foot off!”

“S, sorry! But…!”

“I know, so get ready to fight! You can do something with your equipment against these guys!”

When Cleon grabs the outstretched hand and gets up from his seat.

Eustace somehow manages to drag the mithril greatsword he was carrying on his back along the ground and take a stance.

“Well… the quest begins!”