197 - Chapter 12 Prologue
The sleepless nights had begun to continue.
It was the season when the humid heat of Beime, being close to the sea, became unbearable.
Despite the season, we were currently moving through a dim corridor. Novem was diagonally behind me, lighting a staff with magic.
Both the ceiling and floor were rugged rock. There was moss on the walls, and they were damp. As far as labyrinth corridors go, this was in the quite wide category, with the ceiling reaching eight meters. The width was twenty meters. We wouldn't have to worry about narrowness during combat.
Around us, three Valkyries in armor—blue, or perhaps navy—were guarding me and Novem. However, there wasn't much point in having guards.
Two weeks since leaving Beime.
Currently, I—Lyell Wolt—had been dispatched for the subjugation of a labyrinth that had appeared.
The attack by the great army of monsters already felt like a distant memory.
"...Clara, stay on standby. Miranda, please return to the surface. Aria, go ahead and eliminate the monsters."
I gave instructions while walking, but the distance between me and them—my party members—was quite far.
Using the skill—Connection—I was giving instructions to the three of them, Aria, Miranda, and Clara, who were leading the Valkyrie series.
I glanced at the Valkyrie series walking on the opposite side of Novem.
(The mass-produced models that Damian and old man Ratata completed... not bad.)
They were simplified versions of the Valkyrie completed first, and although there were differences in appearance and style, there was no difference in performance. They wore face covers like visors, so I couldn't tell what expressions they were making, but the Valkyrie series were basically expressionless.
Attached to the wing-like binders on their backs were fuel tanks containing magic stones that had been generated and liquefied, which helped by significantly reducing my mana consumption.
Black hair was the standard, but each had put effort into their hairstyle. Bob cuts, wavy long hair. Braids. It seemed even mass-produced models had individuality.
As I walked through the rugged labyrinth corridor, I organized the information flowing into my head.
The labyrinth that appeared in the cave this time only went down to the third basement floor. However, the troublesome part was its vastness.
There seemed to be only one boss on the lowest floor, and there was a bias in the appearance of monsters. We weren't particularly struggling, but three labyrinth subjugation requests had come into Beime. There were few adventurer parties available to handle them.
Alette-san and the others headed for another labyrinth, and it had been decided that the South Branch would dispatch a mercenary group for the remaining one.
The East Branch also didn't want to hand over labyrinth subjugations to other guilds if possible. If they did, the East Branch would lose an important point of appeal. Adventurers would stop gathering.
As I walked through the slightly chilly cave, I encountered Miranda and the others as they were withdrawing.
"I can hear your voice all the time, but meeting in person feels different again."
With four mass-produced Valkyries positioned around her, Shannon, carrying the luggage, was sweating while her knees trembled.
One of the Valkyries held a lantern in its hand, illuminating the surroundings.
She wore a hat and a large backpack. Instead of her usual skirt, she wore thick clothes and gloves.
"Looks like things were going well on your end too. Shannon, it's easier on the way back because there are no monsters."
At that, Shannon looked up, but perhaps because she was tired, she didn't shower me with her usual abuse.
"...I want to take a bath."
Miranda dropped a knuckle-sandwich on Shannon for complaining.
"Shannon, that's enough. Look, we're almost at the first basement floor. Once we get there, we'll take a break and then we're outside."
Though encouraged by Miranda, Shannon only began to walk ploddingly. Miranda and the others headed back the way we had come. I let out a sigh.
"Shannon seems to be doing okay."
The one who replied was Novem. She was giggling, and having watched Shannon's progress, she was likely happy about her growth.
"She used to have such low stamina that it was difficult. If she adjusts little by little, her stamina will increase. Even so, this labyrinth is wide, isn't it?"
Second basement floor.
I had Aria and Miranda, who were ahead, eliminate the monsters. Clara was eliminating monsters on the first basement floor.
I would probably put in Eva or Mei in rotation with Miranda.
"On my second labyrinth subjugation, I'm already the overall commander. Though, we're the only ones dispatched. Honestly, what do they mean by 'small-scale'?"
As a labyrinth, it was three basement floors. It was just wide, and there was only one boss.
The monsters were just biased, and it wasn't as if there were strong monsters. Certainly, in the guild's classification, it wouldn't be strange to treat it as small-scale.
However, I felt a bit of sarcasm.
(The fact that the amount of magic stones earned from labyrinth subjugation is also fixed is a problem. I want to proceed via the shortest route, defeat the boss, and be done with it.)
From the guild's side. Not the East Branch, but instructions had come from the headquarters to secure a certain amount of magic stones.
I asked Alette-san, but apparently, such instructions hadn't been given often until now. It seemed they had only been asked to secure as much as possible when rare materials could be obtained.
The Third Generation says to me with amusement.
'You've been hated in a nice way, Lyell. Just a little more.'
—I know, but receiving persistent harassment is painful.
As we walked through the wide labyrinth corridors, we were conducting the labyrinth subjugation while also testing the operation of the mass-produced Valkyries.
On the surface, Damian was waiting with old man Ratata, and Adele-san and Maxim-san were also participating.
However, Monica was staying behind at the mansion.
Novem smiled at me.
"It is because they believe you are that capable. The guild isn't so foolish as to say something impossible and cause the labyrinth to go berserk."
"...I really hope so."
Last time, it seemed I was played by Fidel-san and had to compensate for twelve cannons. The guild executives apparently accepted it to gain Fidel-san's backing.
In exchange for having their failure in the defensive battle defended, they swallowed Fidel-san's demands.
(Well, two of the produced ones flowed from Vera to me, though.)
We were talking, but cutting the conversation short, I drew the weapon from my waist. Since Novem couldn't move because she was illuminating the surroundings, she stepped back and strengthened the light.
The Valkyrie series took weapons from the binders on their backs. They were guns.
They were prepared by old man Ratata and seemed to have been improved.
The Valkyries spoke.
"Enemy confirmed. Eliminating."
"Same here."
"It's a sure hit."
When the guns spat fire, three monster reactions vanished at the end of the dark corridor. Even so, survivors came toward us.
As the Valkyries quickly entered the next shot, only the third one lowered its gun.
The monsters that were across the dark corridor fell without ever showing themselves.
I sheathed my katana and scratched my head.
"...The performance is certainly good, but..."
Novem also gave a wry smile. Coming to my side, she agreed with my opinion.
"The bullets are more expensive than a single monster in this labyrinth. ...It's a deficit."
The performance was good, but there was inevitably a problem with the cost. Since this was a test, I was letting them use the guns, which were one of the weapons, but it was certainly a weapon I didn't want them to use much for financial reasons.
The Valkyries took up tools for stripping magic stones and materials.
"Time for stripping."
"I will strip them cleanly."
"I am good at dismantling. Someday, I will dismantle that money-eating bug produced first, and the piece-of-junk Monica too."
The third one made a scary comment, but I ignored it. I understood that this was something like communication between them.
"I don't want to spend too much time. Once we head to the third basement floor, I'll have Eva or Mei deliver supplies. I wonder if the quota has been met?"
When I checked via Connection, the Valkyrie series on the surface replied. They seemed to be supporting Adele-san.
'...According to Adele, they have achieved sixty percent at present. However, she is distraught after hearing the amount of ammunition consumed.'
Along with that, I heard Adele-san's voice, who was listening to the Valkyrie series.
'Aaaah!! The expenses! Why! Why are you using such weapons! The deficit! The profits from this labyrinth subjugation areeee!!'
Adele-san also seemed to be having a hard time.
"Alright, let's put a usage limit on the guns. Any more would be pitiful for Adele-san."
Then, the exasperated voice of the Fourth Generation came from within the jewel.
'Lyell, do you understand that this is also your problem? Make sure to turn a profit. Tests are important, but I want you to think that the issue of money is just as important.'
It was advice typical of the Fourth Generation, who was strict about making money.
—The office of the information broker Rauno.
There, the windows were closed and the room was darkened with curtains. However, it was faintly bright because Rauno's assistant, Inis, was using the skill—Information.
It was a skill to predict the future from information Inis obtained.
Rauno had both hands in his trouser pockets and was looking down at Inis.
"How is it, Inis?"
Inis had her eyes closed and opened her mouth after a while. Rauno had let Inis read a massive amount of information that he had collected as much as possible.
To predict the future and have it come true, a certain amount of information was inevitably necessary. It wasn't as if the more information there was, the more accurate it became. This was because there was false information among it.
However, if the amount of information was large, the materials for judgment increased, and certain things became visible.
"...Beime is recovering from the damage caused by the great army of monsters."
When the great army of monsters surged, they scattered money and produced a large amount of armaments. However, Lyell had defeated most of the monsters at Redant Fortress, and the actual damage was negligible considering the scale of the enemy.
The financial and resource losses were worse than the human casualties.
"They recovered this much in a few months. Well, that's Beime for you."
Inis showed no reaction to Rauno's light remark. However, she began to tell the rest of the prediction.
"There are strange movements in Cartaphus. It may develop into a large-scale commotion. Also..."
"Also?"
"Dissatisfaction with Lyell-san is increasing among the guild headquarters and the merchants. I judge that pressure is being applied mainly from those other than the involved parties."
Rauno gave a wry smile.
"Well, if you provoke the head of the Trace family and even the executives of the South Branch, you'll be hated. I can't think he doesn't realize that."
"...The Trace family is in a posture of quiet observation. They have shown no interest even if other merchants or the guild move. Normally, the current head of the Trace family would have provided support. It is highly likely he provoked them on purpose."
Rauno didn't understand that part. He had confirmed from rumors and the person's own story that Lyell had charmed the daughter of the Trace family.
And yet, he didn't understand the reason for angering the head of the family.
"Does it mean he earned the necessary amount of money?"
"...I judge that it is not the case. There is a possibility that he made a major change in policy midway."
Rauno was carefully observing what Lyell did. It wasn't because he was a client.
It was because Lyell consistently defied Inis's predictions.
During the time of the great army of monsters, Inis had judged that he would achieve victory while suffering great damage.
However, the result could be called a great victory.
"Playing the guild and merchants in the palm of his hand despite being young... he won't live long. Where will he go after being kicked out of Beime? To Zain or Rolfis to be the son-in-law of a Saintess or a Princess?"
Inis replied to Rauno's joke.
"Actions can be seen that suggest he himself desires expulsion from Beime. Also, the possibility of being a son-in-law seems low."
While Rauno knew that Inis wasn't very reliable regarding Lyell, he couldn't help but investigate his actions.
"Now, how will my client move next?"
When Inis opened her eyes, she seemed about to collapse onto the floor, perhaps from overusing her skill. Rauno rushed over to support her and laid Inis on the sofa—.
—Adventurer Guild Headquarters.
There, they were talking about the change in the situation of the neighboring country since the previous Redant Fortress defense.
It was fine that the neighboring country perished, but in exchange, a great nation called Banseime came to be adjacent.
The royal family of the neighboring country who fled had sought asylum in Banseime, but they didn't seem to desire the recovery of their territory. No, they were likely not in a situation where they could desire it.
They had overlooked the labyrinth's rampage and caused great damage to other countries. If the country were to be restored with the support of Banseime, Beime would not remain silent. However, since Beime also wanted a country between them and Banseime, Beime's opinion was that they wanted to squeeze them just enough not to crush them.
However, the current situation was not as they hoped.
"What did the envoy from Banseime say?"
In the meeting where executives from each branch were gathered, Banseime's response was being discussed.
"There are no particular demands. Since we've become neighbors, they said they want to draw the border lines as before and hold various discussions regarding tariffs."
Negotiations were about to begin, but that was the domain of the merchants, not the guild.
Tanya, who was watching the state of the meeting, was participating in the meeting as a guard for her superior, an executive of the East Branch.
"Will the guild respond as usual?"
When one of the executives spoke, the chairman who was presiding over the meeting nodded.
"Perhaps a request will come to lend strength in the subjugation of monsters. However, Banseime is a great nation. They have pride, so they might not ask us."
The executives were laughing.
They were underestimating the pride of nobles and seemed to think they would come crying to them eventually.
An executive from the South Branch spoke.
"Speaking of Banseime, there have been many internal conflicts in recent years. I would like to dispatch mercenary groups more actively?"
Hearing that, the chairman nodded.
"Mercenary groups have also been quiet in Zain and Beime recently. It's a fact that the places to earn have decreased. I'll make a proposal to the merchants from our side."
The South Branch executive laughed upon hearing that. No, he seemed a bit relieved.
Tanya's superior said.
"They haven't been earning much lately. They even forcibly snatched a labyrinth subjugation request the other day, they're quite desperate."
Tanya spoke flatly to her superior.
"Is it not dangerous? Considering the temperament of mercenary groups, if they are sent into a country with severe internal conflict, what will happen..."
Though they were the same Beime Adventurer Guild, their policies differed. And the East Branch did not like the violent methods of the South Branch.
When adventurers from the East Branch were dispatched, the reason they were often viewed with caution was frequently caused by the adventurers of the South Branch—the mercenary groups—who were many and violent.
Even now, they seemed to be thinking about letting mercenaries, who had accumulated dissatisfaction in Banseime, run wild.
"That's their job. Well, it's the same for us that not everyone is a good person."
Then, the meeting moved to another topic.
That was again triggered by a remark from the South Branch executive.
"Come to think of it, the adventurer in the East Branch—Lyell Wolt—was a noble who flowed from Banseime."
At the contrived way of speaking, Tanya's superior nodded with a smile.
"And what of it?"
"Nothing, it's just famous that the daughter of the Wolt family married into the Banseime royal family. He seems to be running wild quite flamboyantly, but the opponent is the queen of a great nation. Shouldn't we also show sincerity?"
To the South Branch executive who was trying to take unfavorable action against Lyell, Tanya's superior replied.
"Even if you say sincerity... it's true he was apparently kicked out, but there has been no interference from Banseime since then. Wouldn't it be unwise to poke a sleeping dog?"
The South Branch executive persisted stubbornly.
"That is exactly why. If it is found out later, they will feel distrust toward us."
The chairman had been listening to the remarks of the two. Then, he made a judgment.
"...The discussions haven't even begun. Let's act while observing the situation. Besides, he is useful to the guild. The guild values those who generate profit."
In other words, it meant that if they weighed Lyell against Celes and the profit Lyell produced was inferior to Celes's, they would discard him at any time.
(...Lyell-kun, what did you say to the South Branch executive?)
Tanya, who was exasperated inwardly, worried about Lyell—.