222 - Beim Begins to Move
Beim.
As usual, I walked the path from the mansion, heading toward the guild I had grown accustomed to visiting. It was still the hot season, and the women of Beim were dressed more lightly and provocatively than usual.
Just walking to the guild made me sweat, and seeing my colleagues heading to work clad in armor on a day like this made me think it was truly a struggle. Though it wasn't as if I were an outsider, today I was dressed casually, with only a mass-produced saber hanging at my waist.
Novem, walking beside me, was also dressed more lightly than usual.
"It's still hot, isn't it? The sleepless nights have continued more than before, so please take care of your health, Liel-sama."
I was fine. I had placed a pillar of ice created by magic in my room to keep it somewhat cool.
"I'm fine. More importantly, were you alright, Novem?"
I had returned to Beim yesterday afternoon, but it seemed Novem and the others had completed their request and returned the day before.
Because I had returned, we decided to submit the reports to the guild together, which is why we were heading there now.
"We have people who are skilled in magic, after all. However, since it's still hot, magic tools that can cool things down are being sold, so it might not be a bad idea to buy one."
Convenient magic tools did exist. By flowing mana into them, they could lower the temperature of a room.
Such convenient magic tools were cheap, unlike the general magic tools used as weaponry. They were cheap, but only in the sense of being cheap for a magic tool.
"Money... no, I know it would be more convenient to have one, but..."
If I could manage with magic, there was no need to own a magic tool. Right now, I lacked financial leeway, and at this rate, I felt I might end up relying on Vera again.
As the two of us arrived at the guild while talking, a certain rumor was becoming famous there.
East Branch, private room.
Entering the private room managed by Marianne-san, Novem and I were able to hear about the rumor.
"If you save the Queen in Cartaphus, you can become King? What is that?"
Even after hearing it, I couldn't understand it, and the Third inside the orb looked displeased.
'Isn't it usually a princess? A Queen lacks a certain excitement, doesn't it?'
The Seventh seemed to share the same opinion.
'Indeed. I can't help but imagine a woman of a certain age. Is this some kind of penalty game?'
The Queen of Cartaphus was, if I recall, a regent. Age-wise, she shouldn't be that old, and she was a person who had made a name for herself as a princess knight until recently.
Mireia-san spoke, sounding slightly angry.
'It is rude to worry about a woman's age. Honestly, this is why men are...'
The Seventh, mimicking Mireia-san's tone.
'I think it's also problematic not to sense a man's feelings. Honestly, this is why Aunt is...'
The next moment, the usual sound of gunpowder exploding was heard, and the inside of the orb fell silent. In my opinion, the Seventh and Mireia-san might have had some kind of relationship during their lifetimes.
Considering the timing, there were likely periods when they spent time together at the mansion.
Marianne-san gave a strained smile.
"It's a rumor. However, rumors from Cartaphus have reached Beim, and it seems some people are investigating it in earnest. What has been confirmed is that the Queen has not appeared in public for a while due to poor health. Also, there are rumors that an adventurer with a somewhat bad reputation has gained a position at the castle. I believe the name was Larc Meyard."
Hearing that name, I narrowed my eyes. Marianne-san glanced at me while processing documents, then returned her gaze to the paperwork.
"Do you know him?"
"A little, in Cartaphus. I've never spoken to him, but he had a rather troublesome skill. I believe it was a skill effective against women."
Hearing that, Marianne-san seemed to realize something. She finished processing the documents and handed over the rewards for the requests Novem and the others had completed.
Marianne-san said,
"I'll make a report for now. However, there is something that bothers me."
"Something that bothers you?"
As I checked the reward amount while looking at the troubled Marianne-san, she explained. It seemed she wasn't entirely sure.
"Usually, the local guild should move at an early stage with stories like this. Cartaphus is strict about discipline, so I thought they would act. Also, the headquarters seem unusually hectic. I don't think it's related to the Cartaphus matter, but they are arranging ships."
Rather than letting them hitch a ride on merchant ships, they were specially preparing ships to send adventurers.
If the story about Cartaphus was true and the guild headquarters were moving in earnest, this matter would likely end soon.
The Fifth spoke.
'If the guild is moving in earnest, there's no problem. There must be skilled people among them, so the Larc problem will be settled quickly. Now, let's do our own work, Liel.'
At those words, I gripped the orb, and Novem watched the scene. Seeing me respond to the orb like this, she seemed curious about what we were talking about.
Or rather, she looked very excited. Novem herself seemed to admire the successive heads of the family. However, the successive heads never said, "Let's meet."
――Cartaphus Port.
There, skilled adventurers from Beim had been gathered.
Though they were called highly skilled, they were not usually part of mercenary groups, nor were they adventurers dispatched for monster slaying or requests.
They were dungeon-specialist adventurers who dove into the labyrinths in Beim and earned their living there.
One of them asked the adventurer who seemed to be the leader.
"Isn't this a bit excessive for just one brat?"
In addition to the main combat members, there were reserve members. However, the group was composed entirely of men.
This was out of caution regarding Larc, but even so, there were many unnatural points in the men's way of speaking. The leader-like man rotated his neck.
"It's been a while since I've traveled by ship. But indeed, this is over-caution. I don't think it was necessary to deploy us... I suppose it was because it was hard to move in Beim."
They were adventurers who had been all-male from the start, a party with no feminine presence. However, even so, there were cases where women participated. But this time, they did none of that. There was no need to.
It wasn't just that they couldn't do it because Larc was there.
"The possibility that he has a skill that exerts high charm on the opposite sex, huh... there are many troublesome fellows. Now, we'll make contact with the provisional client."
Lifting himself up from a wooden crate at the port, the leader-like adventurer stood, and everyone began to move, following the leader――.
――Beim East Branch.
Marina was grinning while listening to the request from Tanya――Tanya in the private room.
It was a high-danger mission, and furthermore, it was the kind of thing that would be problematic if information leaked outside.
However, from Marina's perspective, it was an attractive request, and there was no reason to refuse it.
Looking at Tanya's mask-like expression, Marina signed the request form.
"...The guild does some pretty bad things, doesn't it? To think they're asking me to hunt an adventurer belonging to their own branch."
Tanya said nothing. No, she probably couldn't talk back.
Then, after burning the request form, she paid Marina a high reward as an advance. There were at least five hundred gold coins. Receiving them, Marina stuffed the gold coins into her bag.
"Now, as for me, I'll deal with that little girl. I've been curious about her for a while. She smells like a beast... the boy is interesting too, but the little girl is more suited to be my opponent."
Tanya spoke to Marina with an exasperated look.
"...It doesn't matter as long as you carry out the attack on Liel-kun... the Liel party. Requests should have been issued to other adventurers as well. Marina-san, if you don't hurry, the prey will be caught by other adventurers."
"That would be a problem. But I don't like this 'wait for the forces to be dispersed' thing. Isn't surrounding them with a crowd and beating them down the best way?"
Tanya seemed to want to prevent Marina from acting on her own. For that reason, she decided to explain.
"We cannot afford to kill Liel in Beim. From our side, we will guide him to Cartaphus no matter what. After that, it doesn't matter as long as you attack the members who are expected to remain."
Hearing that, Marina spoke with a bit of dissatisfaction.
"The Cartaphus rumor is guild-related, huh. I wanted to try fighting the boy too, it's a real shame."
Tanya looked down. Since it was work, she was likely issuing such a request, but personally, she might not want to do it. There was no change in her expression, but the wildness within Marina whispered so.
Slinging the bag over her shoulder, Marina said,
"...As long as you don't touch my prey, I'll move as the guild wishes. Well, I'll take it easy in Beim for a while without accepting other requests."
Saying so, Marina left the room, licking her lips as she thought of her target, Mei.
(I met her in the labyrinth before. But this time... ah, I'm shivering with excitement)
Facing a strong enemy, Marina seemed excited――.
――Banseime, which had become a neighboring country to Beim.
Broa, who was in the city closest to Beim, was reading documents from Beim.
"...It seems they're serious."
In front of him was a messenger from Beim, a man who was one of the representatives of the merchants.
"Of course. Furthermore, we have prepared sufficient gifts. I am sure Celes-sama will find them to her liking."
Seeing some of the treasures and rare items the Beim merchants had seriously gathered, Broa realized it was a bribe for himself.
It felt bad to accept, but since he wanted money even a little bit right now, he would take it.
"If I may give you a piece of advice, it's better not to attract too much interest. Celes-sama is whimsical."
He didn't say she was cruel. Part of it was fear that the merchant in front of him would tattle that he had said so. However, Broa understood.
(If they don't meet Celes, they won't understand that eeriness. Surely, the Beim merchants think of her as just a slightly cruel young girl)
They seemed to genuinely believe they could make a profit by utilizing Celes.
"Yes. We have researched that aspect thoroughly. So, regarding the passage?"
Broa prepared the documents and handed them to the merchant.
"I will escort you up to the lands under my management. From there, show this document to the lords to pass through. If they hear it's an offering for Celes-sama, some lords or nobles might offer escorts. Well, I'll guarantee the safety of the journey."
Broa added that this applied if they used the maintained highways.
The merchant bowed and left the room. Watching that figure, Broa wondered what kind of face the merchant would have when he returned, or if he would be able to return at all――.
Rauno-san's office.
I, who had shown up there with Novem, frowned upon hearing Rauno-san's information.
"...The guild is after me?"
Rauno-san had a solemn expression.
"That's right. You were thought to have done too much to the guild. Not just that. The guild headquarters weighed you against your sister, Celes. It's true you brought profit to Beim, but the next Queen of a great power――without even needing to compare, Beim chose the next Queen."
They chose Celes over me. Even hearing that, I didn't think it was a mistake. If one were to compare a single adventurer with the Queen of the great nation Banseime.
However, it was too sudden. Besides, they could have just pretended not to know.
"Just to crush me? The guild headquarters must be quite bored. No, perhaps the entire guild is."
Novem also seemed unable to tolerate this matter, speaking as if blaming Rauno-san.
"Whose decision is it to discard Liel-sama? If they underestimate Celes-sama, then Beim also――"
"――Novem."
Stopping Novem, I asked Rauno-san for the rest.
"...Information brokers are selling your information. I want you to understand that me selling this information to you is also a risky bridge to cross. The guild intends to request you to rescue the Queen of Cartaphus. However, this is a fake request. The adventurers who went ahead are a gathering of experts who broke through the seventieth floor of the underground labyrinth. They are waiting for you there. Additionally, it seems they intend to attack your companions remaining here."
I looked at Rauno-san.
"...Does this mean the Trace family name is no longer effective?"
Rauno-san nodded.
"This isn't just your problem. Other merchants want to somehow drive out the factions, starting with the Trace family, from Beim. However, they probably won't use force against the Trace family itself. That's why they'll crush you with actual force. There must also be an element of making an example of you. For several reasons, Beim decided to discard you. Along with the Trace family."
It seemed I had been discarded by Beim. However, considering my actions until now, it couldn't be helped if I were discarded. Rather――.
The Third was surely wearing a dim smile.
'...No. It's not Liel who was discarded. It's the city called Beim. Isn't it great? It's the most desired conclusion within the assumed scenario. Let's tear through it, traps and all.'
The Fifth also seemed serious.
'I must also verify the rumors of Cartaphus. If rescuing the Queen is truly possible, this will be a great favor. I'll obtain a means to secure the northern side of Banseime.'
The Seventh as well.
'The time has finally come for Liel to quit being an adventurer! What wonderful news this is. Thank you... citizens of Beim. We shall never forget your sacrifice.'
Mireia-san closed the conversation.
'Therefore... for our Liel's sake, shall we have Beim perish?'
Everyone spoke in unison. Surely, this was blood.
'This is starting to get fun!!'
As I also wore a smile, Rauno-san had a horrified expression. Novem just looked a little happy.
"It's starting to get fun, isn't it, Rauno-san?"
"Eh, ah? I-is that so?"