124 - Peridot
Night.
I held a yellowish-green gemstone between my fingers, looking at the lantern light through the stone.
"It's quite large. And it's been beautifully cut, too."
The gemstone, about ten centimeters in size, was truly beautiful.
Occasionally, treasures excavated from labyrinths like this can be expensive even without going deep into the interior.
However, that was a very rare occurrence.
The reason I hadn't exchanged it for money was that I couldn't decide how to handle a gemstone imbued with magical power. There was no doubt it was expensive, but I couldn't judge exactly how much it would be worth.
I wasn't the only one looking up at the gem.
Shannon was looking up at the light of the lantern at the front of the porter. She was beside me, staring at the gemstone I held.
"That's really beautiful. There's so much magical power gathered in it; I've never seen anything like it. Hey, give it to me."
"Hahaha, go home."
I tucked the gemstone into my clothes and held down the head of Shannon, who was flailing her arms and acting out.
Then, Novem spoke up.
"...It's a peridot, isn't it?"
I turned around, tilting my head, wondering since when she had been there.
Shannon, surprised to find Novem nearby, ran away.
(Is that girl skipping out on her work again?)
Exasperated by the unchanging Shannon, I took the gemstone out of my clothes once more.
"Want to see?"
I handed the gemstone to Novem.
Novem received it and looked at it—.
"...For the first basement floor, a very expensive gemstone has appeared. I heard this wasn't an old labyrinth, though."
Treasures that have been stored away increase in rarity as they are bathed in magical power within a labyrinth.
Since Shannon, who can see magical power, said she had never seen anything like it, it likely had considerable value.
(Shannon might be suited for that path. Like an appraiser.)
Novem handed the gemstone back to me.
"What do you intend to do with this?"
Unable to decide on a use, I replied.
"I'm still thinking. With just one of these, it seems I'll be in the black even if nothing else happens. It might be useful for something, but if I investigate it here, I'll stand out."
Novem said to me.
"...Why not entrust it to someone?"
I shook my head.
"No, it's expensive, so I'll keep it. I'd be worried leaving it somewhere, and it doesn't take up much space."
Novem looked like she wanted to say something, but she immediately smiled and agreed with my opinion.
The second day since the start of the labyrinth subjugation.
This time, I decided to challenge the labyrinth with Novem, Clara, Eva, and Mei.
Clara was participating for the second day in a row, but since she provides support, I didn't have her participate in combat.
I thought it would be tough, but since she isn't the type to give up over something like this, I decided to have her do her best.
On the way to the labyrinth, I spoke to Clara.
"Sorry for having you do this two days in a row."
To this, Clara replied.
"It is no problem. However, for a one-day rotation, returning within the same day... it would probably be up to the fifth basement floor. If that's the case, when returning to challenge the labyrinth again, it will be necessary to choose members carefully."
Inside the cave.
As we stepped into the second basement floor, I began to understand the general structure of the labyrinth.
Passages too narrow for fighting.
A cold cave interior where water dripped.
A labyrinth where the width didn't change even as we descended.
The fact that a boss exists on each floor is troublesome, but other than that, it's a labyrinth with low difficulty that's relatively easy to conquer.
As of now, exploration has already progressed to the third basement floor on the first day.
Since the bosses don't reappear, it might be fast once the main members begin a full-scale conquest.
"I suppose it depends on Alette-san. But I've heard there are types of labyrinths that change drastically at some point, so they apparently proceed cautiously in those areas."
There are many things I don't understand regarding labyrinths.
Mei, who was wearing a coat over her usual chilly-looking clothes, walked with her hands clasped behind her head.
"...If it were me, I could crush it in a single day."
For Mei, who is a powerful creature called a Kirin, a labyrinth of this level seems easy to break through.
However, it would be troublesome if she did that, so I've decided to have her hold back this time.
"Hold back. It'll be noisy if it's subjugated too quickly. I've heard they proceed slowly and cautiously from the fifth basement floor onward, so we'll proceed slowly as well."
Rather than just not wanting to stand out, I also had the purpose of probing how Beim's adventurers do their work.
Eva had tucked her short bow into a tube at her lower back and was walking ahead equipped with a dagger.
Perhaps because it was different from the forest, she was muttering complaints.
"It's dark, it's hard to walk, it's cold... I hate this place."
(Forests are dark and hard to walk in too, though.)
Even so, she performed her duties as the vanguard.
Using the skills [Map] and [Search], I proceeded while confirming the surrounding situation, and several adventurer parties were descending.
However, it seemed that no one had yet committed to staying overnight in earnest.
Novem said.
"By the third day, the main members will likely conquer the bosses of each floor. They apparently want to clear up to the fifth basement floor with that momentum."
If they clear up to the fifth basement floor, the adventurers they brought along will also enter the labyrinth.
If we're lucky, we might be able to obtain treasures expelled by the labyrinth.
Though, from my perspective as someone walking the second basement floor, it felt as if the treasures had already been picked clean.
(I guess the luck of the first day doesn't last.)
Even regarding the monsters, it felt as if their numbers had decreased significantly.
The adventurers are probably going around defeating them because they want money to play with.
"Today, let's descend to the third basement floor and confirm the situation. By tomorrow, Alette-san and the others will probably challenge the boss, so I want to do some preliminary research."
Alette-san has little interest in treasures, but there is something she is particular about.
That is combat with the boss.
Fighting within the labyrinth is one thing, but Alette-san and her group didn't seem to compromise when it came to combat.
Their claim was that if a boss is to be challenged, it should be them.
In exchange, they allowed a certain amount of freedom regarding everything else.
Their thinking was that as long as it didn't result in a deficit, it wouldn't be a problem for Alette-san and the others.
The fact that they weren't adventurers to begin with, but were adventurers for a limited time, was likely a big reason.
As I walked while checking the surroundings with the map, the stairs leading further down soon came into view.
As the five of us descended the stairs—.
"...This is something again."
In addition to Albano-san and the others who were ahead, a party with combat power was rampaging flashily.
They were fighting against monsters.
If I listened closely, I could hear the sounds since they were fighting nearby.
When an explosion sounded, I panicked slightly, wondering if magic had been used.
Eva made a displeased expression.
"...Hey, isn't it dangerous when magic is used in such a narrow place?"
She seemed worried that they might be caught up in it.
Mei didn't seem to care.
"Just block it. More importantly, can't we just go bam and defeat them bam and be done? I want to go back early because tonight's dinner is meat."
Novem cautioned the two of them.
"They should be careful to some extent. Let's make sure not to get close. Also, dinner won't be served just because you go back, Mei-san."
The two, who didn't defy Novem, replied and proceeded down the passage.
Clara, seeing this, said.
"Novem-san, you are especially liked by demi-humans."
Being told that, I remembered too.
(Come to think of it, when we were hunting the Griffon, she seemed to be liked excessively by the dwarves and gnomes... no, was it my imagination?)
Novem was met with hostility by Monica, who is an automaton, but she tended to be liked by demi-humans.
(Well, Novem is kind... that's all it is, right?)
Having become curious, I shook my head and proceeded forward.
I returned safely on the second day as well, and after finishing the exchange for money, I was on my way back to my companions.
Looking at the town that grew larger day by day, I began to think that they really intended to build a town.
Tents decreased, and buildings increased.
Stalls increased, and the vitality increased.
Stepping outside, I looked at the sight and muttered.
"This is exactly like a mage's village."
Clara nodded at my words.
"That's true."
Then, Eva said.
"Ah, I know that too."
Novem also nodded, but only one person... Mei looked puzzled.
"What's this 'mage's village' thing?"
Then, the voice of the Fifth Generation came from the Jewel Orb.
'Riel, shouldn't you tell Mei about this? Tell her kindly and politely.'
The Sixth Generation spoke sarcastically.
'You really are kind to animals.'
Just as I was about to explain, Novem and Eva had already moved.
Novem gave a simple explanation.
"It's a story about a mage who ruined a village and destroyed it long ago."
Eva, looking a bit exasperated, added.
"Everything was solved with magic, and goodwill destroyed the village."
Hearing that, Mei seemed to understand somehow.
"Ah, so that's how it is. People who can use magic, and people who can't... humans divide things like that, don't they? From my perspective, everyone uses magic, though."
While walking through the bustling town, we headed toward our companions.
Clara taught Mei the finer details.
"It began when a single mage visited a poor village. He repelled monsters with magic and was thanked by the villagers. Then, the mage settled in the village to use magic for the villagers' sake."
It was a story for caution.
Clara continued.
"The villagers were happy at first. The mage used magic for the village. But, by creating farming tools, the craftsmen left the village."
The reason was that the mage performed everything from the manufacture to the repair of farming tools alone.
With that, the craftsmen could no longer make a living.
"Next, he makes the village prosperous with magic. Every year there is a bumper crop, and he created iron, silver, and gold with magic. The villagers stopped working."
No matter how hard they worked, or how much they slacked off, if there was a bumper crop every year, the motivation to work disappears. And as the village became prosperous, the taxes disappeared as well.
"Eventually, the villagers increased and the village grew. In fact, a town was created. However, a single mage was far from enough to maintain a village that had grown too large."
The village grew to a size that couldn't be managed, but the villagers had learned luxury and come to rely on the mage.
They had come to think it was natural for the mage to do everything.
"The mage worked hard for the village every day until he was exhausted, but the villagers complained that it wasn't enough. Then, the mage collapsed and passed away. That was where the problem began. The villagers, who had relied on the mage until now, had become wealthy and arrogant."
Mei said, sounding exasperated.
"They should have just gone back to their original way of living."
If that were possible, they wouldn't have struggled.
Lowering the quality of life is quite a difficult thing.
Or rather, I myself caused a lot of trouble for Novem.
Clara told the end of the story.
"There are no craftsmen. The harvest decreased significantly, and there are almost no people who work properly. Unable to pay taxes, the village quickly becomes poor. And then—"
Mei seemed to have guessed the rest.
"—The villagers, in despair, perished along with the village. Not destroyed by bandits or monsters, nor seeking help. They simply perished together with the village."
If I think about it a bit, the surroundings probably didn't help a village that had become arrogant after learning luxury.
There are various reasons, but this lesson is—.
"In other words, they couldn't keep up with the rapid development. They became prosperous with magic, and when that magic disappeared, they perished. Goodwill isn't necessarily a good thing, and the story is about using magic after thinking carefully, right?"
It's not as if there's always a benevolent mage.
When Eva finished, Clara looked a bit dissatisfied.
(...That Eva girl took the best part for herself.)
Whether she was aware of it or not, she was talking happily with Mei.
From inside the Jewel Orb, the voice of the Fourth Generation sounded.
'Riel, a man should quietly move to support.'
I spoke to Clara.
"Hey, Clara, what do you think the story of the mage's village is trying to say? From my position, it feels like a set of precautions for when governing."
I'm no longer the heir to a lord now, but I can't help but think that way.
Hearing my words, Clara said.
"I think that is also correct. From the villagers' perspective, it could be thought of as not relying too much on convenient things, or not forgetting the feeling of gratitude. However..."
"However?"
"...I sometimes feel that magic might just be an illusion after all."
There are plenty of books where the feeling differs depending on the reader.
Among such things, Clara seemed to feel that magic was like an illusion.
While walking, Novem said.
"It is a blessing of the gods. Both magic and skills are gifts from the final goddess. Originally, such things probably weren't necessary."
When I turned around, Novem was smiling.
But to me, she looked a little sad.
――Labyrinth fourth basement floor.
The ones who stepped in there were Albano and the others.
The third day since the start of the labyrinth subjugation.
After defeating the boss of the fourth basement floor and proceeding, Alette and the others appeared behind Albano and the others.
Seeing the knights who showed no fatigue despite it being after a battle, Albano whistled.
"Wearing such heavy armor and hunting bosses, you sisters are quite the eccentric ones."
To the light-toned Albano, Alette, who had taken off her helmet, replied with a joke without changing her expression.
"A knight's armor is the same as being naked. Are you excited, Albano?"
When she said that, Albano laughed loudly.
"Don't lump me in with that bastard Krate, sister! Now, do you need a guide to the boss of this floor?"
Alette looked at the surrounding members.
"...I see. Find us a room where we can rest. If you find the boss, let us know. If you struggle with defeating monsters, I can have my subordinates handle it."
She was telling Albano and the others to find the location, but Albano and the others were laughing.
Because that was more convenient for both parties.
If Alette and the others accompanied them and found treasure chests after defeating monsters, the share would be split in half.
With that, there would be no profit for Albano and the others.
"Sounds good. As I thought, I can maintain a good relationship with you, sister. So it's fine that any treasure we find belongs to us, right?"
Alette, looking a bit exasperated, said.
"Leave a little for the other guys. If you take everything, the dissatisfaction will remain directed at you. Well, our purpose is combat, not treasure. You can do whatever you like if you find something. However, I'll be taking the treasure from the innermost room."
Alette and the others intended to defeat the boss of the innermost room themselves, and they possessed the strength to do so.
Since Albano and the others had been acting together with Alette and the others until now, they weren't tired. As they started walking, they waved their hands.
"Yeah, it'd be impossible for us, so we'll make some money by scouring for treasure chests until then. If you want, I'll even set some traps in front of the innermost room. I'll make sure no one gets in your way."
Alette laughed at Albano's joke.
"No need. If there's a party that can outsmart us, they are more than welcome. In fact, I'd almost prefer it if they defeated the boss before us. Well then, I'm counting on you."
"Leave it to me!"
Albano and the others dashed off and soon disappeared from sight.
One of the knights confirmed with Alette.
"Is this alright, Captain? There are rumors that those guys are former thieves."
Alette wore a smile and looked at the knight, her subordinate.
"So what? Albano and the others are necessary for the purpose of labyrinth subjugation. That's why I use them. Isn't that fine? Besides, Beim is not my homeland. I have no authority to crack down on criminals."
The knight looked dissatisfied. He likely hated Albano and the others for being former thieves.
Alette said to such a subordinate.
"Being noble is a good thing. But be a little more flexible."
The knight asked Alette for confirmation.
"Does Captain Alette intend to recruit Albano?"
Alette and the others' purpose.
That was also the recruitment of talent. Not just the knights, but Alette and the others had the purpose of bringing talented people back to their homeland.
However—.
"I want to get along in Beim. However, only in Beim. In Krate, they are too stiff-headed to be useful. Marina is a lone wolf. It's unfortunate that I still haven't found a truly fitting talent, but Albano and the others aren't it."
They were talented, but because they had problems, one couldn't let their guard down. And Albano and the others were also too greedy, causing problems with those around them.
They had come to Beim to train the members of the knight order, who were the next main force.
That was also a tradition of Alette's homeland.
There were powerful enemy nations surrounding them, and it was a situation where they couldn't let their guard down.
As a result of desiring power, the conclusion reached by Alette's homeland was for knights to gain experience as adventurers.
Training her subordinates, who were nobles, and making them an elite force was also Alette's job.
(Now, I wonder if any interesting talent will appear this time.)
Alette, who was hopeful, had one person in mind.