episode_0040

After a series of events at Mirror Lake.

Since our schedule wasn’t as urgent as when we headed to the Yggdra Forest, we drove the carriage at a reasonable pace, stopping at towns along the way to replenish supplies, and stopping at hot springs and famous mountains to rest on our way back.

So one evening, about four weeks later.

The warrior party’s carriage entered the outskirts of Velont City, the capital of the Goldbaul County.

Looking at the bustling city in the distance, Krimhilt spoke in a cheerful tone.

“It’s late today, so how about resting there for a day and leaving tomorrow?”

“Um…. If we go another three days, we’ll reach the Labyrinth City. Wouldn’t it be better to just hurry and go back? The warrior will be waiting for us too…”

“Huh…! Wouldn’t it be better to let that nerd suffer for a few more days?”

“Mr. Zion…! No matter what, you shouldn’t say such things…..!”

“So what? Julia, you too, I left you here to help that little brat come to his senses, right? ”

“That… thing…..”

“Let’s be honest. If we continued to travel together in that state of mind, it wouldn’t be long before our party was all over. It was necessary to give that good-looking warrior a shock therapy in the head, somehow.”

Julia closed her mouth with a complicated expression.

I felt like the argument was going to turn emotional if we left it that way, so I intervened at an opportune moment.

“Anyway, it’s impossible to drive a carriage when it gets dark. And it’s true that supplies are running low… It’s okay to stay overnight. Well, if you’re confident that you can survive for two days by eating dried rations, I won’t stop you.”

“Tch….!”

Julia, who had been mumbling with a miserable expression, nodded.

“I guess I can’t help it…. Sigh. Instead, are you leaving early tomorrow morning?”

“Yes~”

“Let’s try.”

but….

Why the hell is it Belont City…? The capital of the ‘Goldbaul County’?

I don’t think anything will happen, but…

— Buzz, buzz…. Noisy….

The streets of Belonte are bustling with people even though it is quite late at night.

The city’s prosperity and commercial prosperity give the impression that it rivals or even surpasses that of the royal capital.

Of course, the driving force behind this city’s ‘prosperity’ is the darkness that the Count holds.

Anyone who is not satisfied with the surface they are on and tries to dig a little deeper will see hell without exception.

After finding a suitable inn and taking a room, we left the carriage there.

Our group left the inn for a late dinner and headed out into the night.

“I think it’s time to eat soon…. Anyone have any wishes?”

“Meat~! Meat meat meat!!”

“……….”

Are you a priest this year?

“I heard that Belont City is famous for its white wine made from local green grapes. If possible, I would like to find a place where you can drink alcohol.”

“Anywhere is fine, but if possible, let’s go to a quiet house. It’s so noisy that I can’t tell if the food is going into my nose or ears…..”

A synthesis of the opinions of three people.

I wandered around for a while and pointed to a skewer restaurant in a relatively remote location, and the party members accepted my recommendation without hesitation.

We ordered a table full of various skewered dishes, bread, cheese, salad, and other sides, and also ordered two bottles of white wine that Julia had recommended.

We started having a late dinner.

— Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp…..

“Khaaaa …

— Well, well, well, well… ugh, ugh….. well…..

Sion downing a large glass of white wine in one shot, and Krimhilt inhaling grilled meat as if possessed.

Julia took a sip of white wine with a bitter smile, looking at the two people’s uncultured appearance…

“—Phew…!!!?? Gulp, gulp…. Kehek….! Gulp, gulp…..!!”

Suddenly he spit out his wine and started coughing as if he was possessed.

“Oh my….. Hey, what are you doing, wasting alcohol? Drink slowly.”

“Well, well… Ugh… Sister Julia, are you okay…? Well….”

Sion takes out a handkerchief and wipes the table, while Krimhilt rubs his back with one hand.

After barely regaining normal breathing with the help of two people.

Julia moistened her throat with the water I gave her and shook her head.

“Haa, haa…. Go, thank you…..”

“Not at all. Your expression looks unusual. Did you see something strange?”

“That’s…..”

Julia hesitantly raised her hand and pointed across the restaurant.

There was a banner hanging there, decorated with a gorgeous red light.

“Cough…?”

no…..

Hyunwoo, this idiot, what the hell is he doing…!!

“Ugh….!!”

Zion, who is crying, and Julia and Krimhild, who are about to get up from their seats and run somewhere.

After dissuading them, I spoke to the restaurant owner.

“Hey, listen.”

“Oh, yes. What’s going on?”

“I mean, what is this Baekjakyoungae Martial Arts Tournament? Judging from the fact that someone like warrior Choi Hyunwoo participated, it doesn’t seem like an ordinary competition.”

“Uh…. Are you from out of town?”

“Yes. I’m a passing traveler, and I arrived in Belont City today.”

“Oh my, that’s right. You missed a great sight.”

“A martial arts tournament held to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Countess Rosemary, the eldest daughter of the lord. At first, it wasn’t that popular, but when it was revealed that a certain Choi Hyun-woo was participating, spectators from nearby cities began to gather, and word spread, and now it’s monopolizing the attention of the entire neighboring territory. ”

“Honestly, I’ve been spending every day these past few weeks without a moment to rest. Could I have ever imagined that I would have the chance to see the warrior fight with my own two eyes while I’m alive?”

“A dazzling swordsmanship, graceful movements, charismatic speech, and a dazzlingly handsome appearance… Haa… The goddess is really unfair. How can she give so much to one person…..”

“Did you watch the quarterfinals? The way he took the fierce attacks from Bados with his body and advanced forward, then reversed the attack with one full swing… Whoa… I was sitting on the right side, 2nd row, and I almost peed my pants because of the pressure I felt watching it right in front of me.”

“Ah, but the best match is the round of 16. The moment when he lightly grabbed the crazy-fast player Motpoka with one hand, threw him to the ground, and pointed a knife at his neck, and that cool smile… I really don’t think I’ll ever forget it, not even in my dreams.”

“If possible, it would be better to watch from the back. If you look closely, the movements are so subtle that even our ignorant eyes can’t even detect them…”

Could it be that the question I raised was the trigger?

The restaurant’s customers began to join in the conversation one by one and chatter excitedly.

After interjecting questions here and there and considering his appearance and speech, I was able to conclude that it was most likely Hyunwoo himself.

“Do you know where I should go to meet him?”

“Um…. It may be hard to meet you, but I heard that the participants who advance to the round of 16 or higher stay at the Count’s residence until the last day of the competition. Is this a measure to prevent external intervention or violence?”

“It would be pointless to go see him now. He’s not an interviewee. Well, if he were someone I could meet, there would be a line about 200 meters long in front of the Count’s residence by now.”

“A few days ago, a stalker girl was caught jumping over the bars and was sent to jail, right?”

“I heard that he tried to sneak into the kitchen by crawling through the sewer of the count’s residence, but got caught by the chef…”

The guests change the subject again and start arguing.

I felt that there was no point in gathering any more information, so I exchanged glances with my party members, paid for my food, and left the skewer restaurant.

“Really…? Brother Yongsa, in a competition like this…..”

“Well, I think it’s possible. The descriptions given by the customers at the bar were almost identical. Given his personality, it would have been difficult for him to stay cooped up in a corner of the room for two months… He probably did it with the thought of killing time.”

“Haa…. Does that idiot warrior even know his own position…..”

— Thud, thud, thud, thud…..

Julia walks towards the count’s residence with her mouth shut and a quick gait.

I followed her and spoke to her.

“Princess.”

“What is it?”

“I understand your feelings, but it will be difficult to meet him even if you go now. For now, it would be better to go back to the accommodations and rest, and then watch the game tomorrow and then go see him……”

“No. If you’re really a warrior, and if you really win tomorrow…. It’ll be hard to handle the situation. We have to drag you out now somehow.”

“………..”

Ugh….

Well, from my perspective, I don’t care if that idiot Hyunwoo gets knighted by the Count’s family or not…

I guess you can’t say something like that in this situation.

After about twenty minutes, our group arrived in front of the count’s residence.

Could it be because the finals of the competition are approaching?

There was a fairly tight security posture around the count’s residence.

In addition, the iron fence surrounding the entire mansion and the various defensive and security magic circles placed tightly around it make it impossible for even an intruder of moderate skill to step foot on the mansion’s threshold.

— Thud, thud, thud, thud…..

Are such circumstances not even considered?

Julia approached the front door with a steady gait.

— Crunch….

“Stop. If you come any closer, you will be considered an illegal trespasser.”

“……….”

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but the Count’s residence is currently off-limits. Come see me later.”

“I have business with Hyunwoo Choi, a contestant in the martial arts competition.”

— Sigh….

The two guards snorted lightly.

“I’m sorry, but… His Majesty the Count has given orders not to allow any interviews or gifts to the participants of the martial arts competition. We don’t want to say anything bad either, so please go back quietly.”

Perhaps it is because of Julia’s beauty.

The guards tried to send her away much more gently than she had expected.

Julia, who had been talking to them, sighed with a tired expression and then parted her lips again.

“I am Yulia, a party mate of the warrior Choi Hyun-woo. I came here because I have some urgent business to convey…. Please tell him that I came.”

“Huh?”

“Uh…. Julia? So you’re Julia…. the princess?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“………”

The serious expression on his face was only for a moment.

The two guards immediately burst into laughter.

“Puhahahahahahahahaha….!!”

“Kuhhh… Heh, kuh… Miss, no matter what, it’s like that… kuh… T, isn’t that too much to ask?”

“Yes….?”

“If you were going to impersonate the princess, you should have worn a more extravagant dress, adorned yourself with some jewels, brought some guards and butlers, and even brought a six-horse carriage. How can you come here in such a dusty and shabby place and call yourself the princess….”

“That, that’s because I’m on an adventure….!!”

“That makes no sense. Princess Julia is the warrior’s party mate, so why didn’t she go with you and why did she come to you only now?”

“Since the beginning of this month, there have been so many authors who have come to see the warrior’s face while talking nonsense, so we’re on the verge of becoming neurotic. Stop talking nonsense and go back. If you win the competition tomorrow, I’ll be able to see your face until I get sick of it, so wait until then.”

“Ugh…..”

If left alone, it looks like it will explode at any moment, cut down all the guards, and charge in.

Ugh… This is a headache.

Should I stop Julia, or should I use Sleep to put the guards to sleep and then rush in?

While I was thinking about this and that, I took a moment to look at the situation.

— Crack, crack, crack, crack….

The sound of sharp high heels echoed.

“What’s the fuss? Raising your voice at this late hour…. I don’t think this is the kind of behavior a soldier of our prestigious Count Goldbaul should display.”

“Hot….!!”

The light-hearted attitude until now disappeared in an instant.

The two guards quickly took up their positions.

“I’m sorry, Miss! These authors are being so unreasonable, I can’t help but…..”

“I will correct it!”

He looked frozen, as if he were a new recruit who had enlisted a week ago.

And after a while….

— Crack, crack….

The person who appeared was a woman who appeared to be in her early 20s.

A wicked young lady with fierce eyes and impressive curly hair, just like a painting.

And two maids follow her.

The guards who saw the three people froze even more…

Julia bowed to her.

“It’s been a while, Countess Rosemary.”

“Oh my… Princess Julia?”

“——–!!”

…..what a fun and colorful change of expression.

It took less than a tenth of a second for the two guards’ expressions to turn thoughtful.

“What brings you here? Oh, I see you came to watch the martial arts competition?”

“Yes, that’s…..”

After giving a slight nod to the guards.

Julia continued speaking in a calm tone.

“I have something to tell our party mate, warrior Choi Hyun-woo. I came to see you briefly, but the security guards were so strict about controlling access that we ended up arguing a little.”

“Oh my….. So that’s what happened.”

After nodding quietly.

Countess Rosemary gave instructions to her guards.

“Please open the door.”

“Yes! Oh, I understand!!”

Two people opening the main door in a hurry.

Julia walked inside with a confident gait, and we followed her.

Rosemary approached Julia and began to apologize.

“I’m sorry for the unpleasant experience caused by the ignorance of the guards. The girl will apologize on your behalf, so please don’t be too angry.”

“Yes, of course. I understand the circumstances of the Count’s family… I don’t intend to blame them.”

While walking down the passage leading to the Count’s annex, guided by Rosemary.

She asked Julia a question with a somewhat malicious expression on her face.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course.”

“As far as the girl knows, the warrior party members are so close and close that they are almost like family to the warrior… But why are you acting so differently?”

“…………”

for a moment.

Julia, who was unable to hide her complex emotions and had a crumpled expression, barely restrained herself and answered the question.

“That’s… Actually, the warrior registered for the martial arts competition last month. We were planning to go along too… But right before the event, an urgent situation broke out in the Yggdra Forest. Since we couldn’t cancel the competition we had already registered for, we had no choice but to act individually for a while.”

“Hmm…. So that’s what happened.”

Julia’s excuse, squeezed out after desperately racking her brain.

but….

Does this mean that you know all the details about this situation?

Rosemary snorted with a look of superiority on her face.

— Again….

After a while.

Our group arrived in front of the annex, and Rosemary gestured for a butler.

“Then… The girl has other business to attend to, so I will excuse myself here. The warrior is staying in the VIP room on the 3rd floor, so you can follow him up.”

“…..Yes. Thank you for your kind consideration and guidance.”

“Thank you for your kind words. Have a good night.”

After a while.

As we approached the VIP room on the third floor, guided by the butler.

— Phew….

Something thick, dense, and unpleasant odor penetrated deep into my olfactory senses.

The smell of alcohol and perfume, and…..

drug?

“Ugh…!”

“………”

It seems I’m not the only one who finds this offensive.

Julia, Sion, and Krimhild also reacted by making expressions or covering their noses with the hem of their clothes.

“–This is it.”

Without showing any particular reaction to the expressions of our group.

The butler stopped in front of a room.

I bowed my head slightly to him, opened the door, and stepped inside.

— Squeak….

“Aaang….. You’re a warrior… You’re so, so skilled…..”

“Ahhh…. Sir, your fingers, they feel so… good….. haa, haak….. I think my head is going to melt…..”

Inside the room, a truly spectacular sight unfolded.

Half-naked women sitting around a large round table.

And Hyunwoo, sitting at the center of the table, drinking alcohol with women on either side of him.

With one hand, he fondled the breast of the woman on the right, and with the other hand, he fondled the buttocks of the woman on the left.

While kissing their lips and rubbing the back of their necks, I enjoy the female body.

— Gurrr…..

A woman sitting on the edge of the table in front of Hyunwoo poured a drink onto her thigh.

An amber liquid that pools on the groin of a woman without a single thread of clothing.

“Hey, you’re a warrior…? Please have some of my alcohol too…?”

“Geuhehehehehe…… Hehehe, hehe…..”

Letting out a disgusting laugh, Hyunwoo lowered his face over the woman’s groin…

At that point, I wonder if my patience has reached its limit.

Krimhilt kicked open the door and entered the room.

— Bam!…!!

“Oh my….!!”

“Who, who are you….. Gosh!!”

Krimhilt strode across the room, roughly grabbing the woman who was trying to feed Hyeonwoo seaweed wine and throwing her across the table.

And then, he lashed out at the warrior who was looking at him with dazed eyes.

“Brave brother!! What the heck…. are you doing!!!!”

“Uh…. Cream….?”

Hyunwoo muttered in a trembling voice.

Perhaps because he still can’t tell if this situation is a dream or reality, there’s no particular tension in his voice.

“Get out of the way right now!! This guy…. Brave Oppa, he’s not the type of person to hang out with people like you!!!!”