episode_0103

Marriage proposal from a noble family.

It might be unexpected.

Actually, it’s also something that makes a certain degree of sense.

Because it’s one of the powerful moves a noble can make. Using this to recruit outstanding talent is one of the powers nobles possess.

There’s even a record of a king who, facing the threat of civil war, took all the children of numerous nobles as wives, thereby gaining peace and powerful royal authority.

In that sense, let’s look at Count Entrio and me.

Although I don’t know exactly what kind of person Count Entrio is.

I, the disciple of the Magic Tower Master, and a booming adventurer.

From a noble’s perspective, if they can make a wizard with a bright future their ally by offering one of their daughters, it would be very profitable.

Of course, if I’m not as outstanding as they think?

They can just think they discarded one daughter.

Since the primary use for a daughter among noble children is typically such strategic marriages.

At the very least, if they can establish a friendly relationship with the Magic Tower, it would be a tremendous gain, even in the short term.

Of course, I have no reason to accept.

“I’m sorry. It’s not the time for that yet.”

“Is that so? Well, if you change your mind, come find me.”

Count Entrio also brushed it off as if it was nothing.

It also seems like he just threw the words out without thinking too deeply in the first place.

The Count, who talks for a bit and then leaves.

However, unlike me and the Count, who had an everyday conversation about nothing special, Grace and Luca’s steps were full of nervousness.

“Ah, you startled us. Of course, we knew you’d refuse, though.”

“…You’re not going to abandon us, are you?”

Luca looking at me with sad eyes, like an abandoned stray dog.

Is this something to get so overly invested in?

“No, wouldn’t getting married mean not abandoning the clan?”

“…That’s not it?”

“?”

As if not wanting to talk anymore, Luca turned her head.

Leaving the sulking Luca behind, I moved with the other two to where the clan members were gathered.

However, things didn’t flow the way I wanted.

Since numerous nobles recognized me in the middle and swarmed me.

And the nobles demanding strategic marriages, paying little mind even though Grace and Luca, who are also clan members and women, were present.

While there were some who didn’t care much even when I refused, there were also those who clung persistently.

Looking at his clothes, seeing that there were no fancy decorations, it seemed he was a noble of slightly lower status.

Like that, for about 1 hour. As I was talking with the people who approached, it suddenly felt like this position as the Magic Tower Master’s disciple was absurd.

Of course, I refused them all. As quite a bit of time passed, the number of people proposing marriage decreased.

Moreover, since I had talked with most of the nobles, I finally gained freedom and could go to where the adventurers were gathered.

“Drink!!!”

A drinking party centered around warriors like Kairek was underway.

Unlike the inside of the party hall where nobles were gathered, the outside was a space for adventurers.

For drinks, they placed things like beer separately instead of fancy ones like wine, and the food was also full of greasy and less presentable items.

It’s not that nobles necessarily want invited guests to always adhere to etiquette.

Rather, providing food and an environment suited to the invited people is also etiquette.

Furthermore, inviting and celebrating adventurers who have done outstanding deeds is something that happens quite often, which is why such a space exists.

“When I completely cut off the Black Mage’s neck there…!!”

“They said they fought even while one arm was severed?!”

Noisy, an atmosphere similar to a guild or a regular pub.

I was actually a little more comfortable with this.

I wasn’t particularly well-off even in modern times, and this kind of free atmosphere is more comfortable than a cultured and stiff one.

“He’s finally here!!”

“Should the protagonist come now?!”

Immediately, numerous adventurers naturally pulled me in.

And then, after forcibly seating me in the place of honor, they immediately put a drink in my hand.

A surprisingly smooth change of situation.

But I, having quickly adapted, immediately raised my glass.

“May you return alive next time too!”

“…time!!!”

The adventurers, having offered a light toast like that, then naturally started chatting and having fun again.

It seemed I had also served my purpose…, I was driven out of the place of honor.

“What about the rest of the kids?”

“They’re over there.”

Following Grace, I moved and could find the clan members gathered in one spot.

However, not all of them were there.

Because warrior types like Kairek, who like to drink, were all in other places.

There were many bookworms here. Like Gamel, or Kitra.

“Clan Leader!”

“Was there anything unusual?”

There wasn’t anything unusual.

Perhaps it was because I had somewhat prepared myself to come to a place like this, talk with nobles and other people, and make acquaintances.

I also suffered a bit for a while learning court etiquette from the Master of the Blue Faction.

“Rather, it seems Ms. Grace is more exhausted.”

“Ah, I’m completely fine?”

“Well, anyway. The others all went to different places. They said they should get closer on an opportunity like this.”

For adventurers, connections are a very important factor.

Of course, it’s not that it wouldn’t be important for others.

Certainly, for cases like wizards or priests whom everyone seeks, it might be said that the importance is slightly lower.

Because even if I don’t step forward first, someone will come looking.

It’s natural for the one who is in need to make the first move.

Of course, having too many good things isn’t always good either.

Because people cling to you so annoyingly like today.

Even though I was somewhat prepared, my energy was completely drained. How difficult must it be for nobles who do this often.

It’s not for nothing that Master is holed up in the Magic Tower.

“Since the Clan Leader is here too, let’s drink!”

“But are priests allowed to drink alcohol?”

“It doesn’t matter. Of course, causing trouble by drinking too much is against doctrine….”

“Mr. Evan, should I bring something?”

“What, when did the Clan Leader get back?”

The atmosphere quickly became boisterous.

Since I had met everyone I needed to meet anyway. I decided to drink to the point where I wouldn’t get drunk.

*

After a reasonably satisfying eve.

The next day.

After tidying myself up, I put on the clothes I usually wore when entering the labyrinth.

To be precise, warriors wear armor, wizards wear robes, and paladins and priests wear ceremonial robes.

Something like this.

Why do adventurers come wearing such plain clothes when nobles wear fancy suits?

It’s talk from someone who doesn’t know well.

What with knights also wearing armor and saints wearing ceremonial robes.

Matching this situation, I also planned to go wearing the robe I usually wore.

Suddenly, Master called me.

“Here.”

Master, who unexpectedly threw me a stylish robe.

While wondering what on earth this was and looking it over.

“Weren’t you wearing a robe only suitable for low-level adventurers? I’m too embarrassed by it. Change into that quickly.”

“Is it a gift?”

“Yes. So wear that from now on. There’s a user manual for the details, so read it.”

“A, a user manual?”

Rubbing the fabric well, there really was a user manual.

‘So fancy robes have something like this,’ I thought. But since the handwriting was Master’s. I was also grateful for his effort in writing it stitch by stitch just for me.

I immediately changed into the robe.

A stylish robe centered around a sophisticated purple, with occasional yellow point colors.

A high-quality item that felt like it was made of good materials just by touching it, yet was simple and elegant without unnecessary embellishments.

It truly felt like something focused entirely on practicality.

It was the type of clothing and armor I liked so much.

It’s not that I dislike dressing up, but at least when entering the labyrinth, there’s no need to dress up.

Deciding to read the user manual later for now, I went outside.

Before long, the event began.

A march towards the Emperor’s audience chamber.

With Master and the Ryanheart Clan Leader, among other high-ranking officials, placed in front, other people followed behind them.

Although I am the Magic Tower Master’s disciple, my official position is merely the leader of a small clan, so I was located in the very back.

Thanks to that, the event began from a position where the Emperor’s face would likely never be visible.

“…Chancellor Fernandez. I thank everyone who attended today.”

Chancellor Fernandez, who began his speech simply.

He calmly recounted the events that happened in District 11 chronologically, and finally brought up his gratitude to everyone who had played an active role.

“There will be a commensurate reward for everyone who defeated the Black Mages, the servants of the Evil God, and achieved peace.”

What on earth would they give?

Since I couldn’t chat in the quiet atmosphere, I was only thinking about it internally.

“We will open the Empire’s underground storage and provide cards, artifacts, and equipment.”

At that casual remark the Chancellor lightly tossed out.

“What?!”

“Is this real…?!”

Numerous adventurers who unknowingly opened their mouths, not realizing they were in the Emperor’s audience chamber.

Murmuring.

It was inappropriate for the etiquette. But as if he had somewhat anticipated this reaction, the Chancellor smiled lightly and spoke.

“Please maintain silence.”

Everyone closed their mouths at the Chancellor’s words.

Since they couldn’t mess things up here and end up getting dragged to prison without receiving anything.

“Over the next few days, payment will be made differentially according to the contributions identified by the Empire. Based on this, we hope you will further dedicate yourselves to the peace of the continent.”

Even after that, the Chancellor brought up this and that, but nothing particularly registered in my mind.

Everyone was whispering with the person next to them about what they would take.

“Mr. Evan, what will you choose?”

“…Me? Well, since Master gave me a robe this time. I think I’ll look for a decent artifact.”

The atmosphere becoming slightly chaotic.

So, the Chancellor intervened once in the middle.

But soon, the slightly chaotic atmosphere also ended.

It was time for the Emperor to step forward.

“Please observe etiquette.”

As soon as the Chancellor spoke, everyone bowed their heads.

Even Master.

Was it proof of how enormous the Empire’s influence and power were?

Or was it just showing respect because he was the king of another nation, I wasn’t sure.

Feeling that my medieval-mindset was still lacking, I roughly bowed my head.

The Emperor of the Empire slowly rising from the throne.

His movements were unhurried, but strangely, a sense of discipline could be felt within them.

Of course, his face wasn’t visible because of the great distance.

Everyone, with their heads bowed, was waiting for the Emperor’s words due to the naturally emanating charisma.

However, the Emperor only said one thing.

“Everyone has worked hard. Continue to protect the world’s peace in the future.”

*

Thus, the long, long journey to the Empire ended.

Each person brought various things according to their achievements.

Some also bought something in the Empire’s capital.

If there were any achievements, these were the things that happened.

However.

[It seems the Emperor wasn’t that bad.]

“Maybe the Crown Prince was really mistaken.”

Even though I reached the Emperor’s audience chamber, which should be the center of the Empire, I didn’t sense anything about Black Mages or the Evil God at all.

Rather, as I even received VIP treatment, I started to wonder if the Empire had truly been devoured by the Evil God, as the Crown Prince said.

The Crown Prince’s answer to this was as follows.

“Hmph. Even if they get caught on something later, they must have opened the Empire’s storage so they wouldn’t lose in public opinion. There’s no way they’d open the storage just for protecting one district of a labyrinth city.”

“Is that so.”

“They’ve spent too much money on something unrelated to the Empire’s interests, so there’s definitely some underlying motive.”

Such political factors didn’t quite resonate with me yet.

What was certain was the feeling that the Evil God hadn’t swallowed the entire Empire, whether it was the Crown Prince’s words or what I felt directly.

Of course, if he had swallowed the leadership, it might be similar.

“First of all, it seems the Empire will be quiet for a while, the Black Mages have lost strength, and even the church will be wary, so let’s each do what we need to do until something happens.”

Since the Crown Prince, who used to visit once a week, said this, it’s highly likely that nothing special will happen for a while.

If that’s the case….

It means it’s time to do the work that has been postponed and postponed.

About a week of time passed.

We stood in front of the portal entering the labyrinth again.

All clan members, readiness for deployment complete.

First, the 2nd and 3rd unit parties will enter.

They will be farming for a while at the Orc Sanctuary on the 3rd floor.

According to the purpose for which the clan members were initially recruited.

Should I call it auto-hunting?

After sending off 10 clan members.

The rest of our 1st unit. 5 people were maintaining their equipment.

This time, we’ve prepared quite a lot.

And since we earned quite a lot of money and changed a lot of equipment and settings.

“Are we really going to try going to the 6th floor this time?”

“Why? Shall we try going to the 7th floor then?”

“That’s a bit…. We’ve only been to the 5th floor once so far.”

“If we can’t, we can just come out. They say the Black Mages in the labyrinth have also dried up.”

After checking all the luggage, which was much more than usual.

Stood in front of the portal.

“How long has it been since we entered the labyrinth?”

“It really feels like it’s been too long?”

“…3 months?”

“Looks like we can run for the first time in a while!”

“……”

First, Adel silently enters inside.

And then, Luca, Grace, and Kairek followed in that order.

Finally, just as I was about to enter the portal.

[We can enter in this state, right?]

“Of course.”

Since there’s no longer a need to leave Noah alone here, the slightly anxious feeling also completely disappeared.

“When others go around in parties of 5, we’re 6.”

[That might be good.]

In the first place, one of the reasons I judged that we could go to the 6th floor this time was also Noah’s existence.

“Let’s go in.”

Step, step.

Slowly entered towards the portal entering the labyrinth.

…Surely nothing special will happen this time, right?