Chapter 255
Chapter 255
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 255
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-2. Labyrinth
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My complicated feelings naturally furrowed my brow. I hadn't been caught off guard by this outcome. Before he could fully ascend the stairs, I'd spread my mana and unleashed my presence, so his reaction was only natural. Still, no matter how many times I thought it over, I didn't feel like I should have held back.
"......"
I looked up at him standing there silently. He had grown a lot, but regrettably, his height was still imposing enough that I had to crane my neck naturally. That said, his proportions weren't bad at all. He possessed everything a man could envy.
His excellent physique was complemented by a uniform adorned with numerous medals, a stylish mustache, and a monocle with only one lens. Everything about him made him stand out. I was no exception. In this situation, envy was my first reaction. If I grew old, I wanted to age like him—a true gentleman. A subtle silence stretched between us amid the standoff. He gazed down at Juda as if appraising him.
His eyes moved, scanning Juda from head to toe. It wasn't the air of someone ready to fight. Just pure curiosity.
The nearby nobles and Juda's companions watched the scene tensely, but the two of them were merely observing each other.
"Do you need something?"
"You're young."
They spoke at the same time. Hearing each other's crossed responses, Calicthes curled the corner of his mouth and let out a hearty, uncle-like chuckle: "Hohoho." With a faint smile lingering on his lips, he approached Juda. Exactly three steps. Just as he looked down and opened his mouth to speak, the noble kneeling humiliatingly behind Juda raised his head.
"C-Calicthes, sir!"
"What is it? Sorry, but unless it's urgent, could we talk later?"
That noble would never get a one-on-one chance with Calicthes again, let alone an opportunity to speak. The intent behind Calicthes's words was clear: don't interrupt, stay quiet. The nobles loved their roundabout speech, so he surely understood.
"...Ah."
The noble looked utterly incredulous. One of his own country's nobles had been humiliated by a mere adventurer. Yet not only was Calicthes letting it slide, he was trying to converse with that adventurer. Like someone betrayed by an ally he'd trusted, the noble stared with wide eyes, his face frozen in disbelief. With a sigh at that pitiful gaze, Calicthes spoke.
"Don't look at me like that. Even so, I'm the one saving your life right now."
He still seemed not to grasp it.
"Pardon? What do you—"
"You're really making this troublesome. Figure it out after one explanation. I'm the one who saved you from recklessly charging at the Spirit Sword's owner. Who taught you to impose your country's customs on foreigners? Act like a noble. It's not a good look to stay like that, so get up and step back."
"...A-Ah, under...stood."
It was like a stern grandfatherly scolding. The noble shuffled back to his seat with a sullen, indignant expression. The watching nobles wore equally baffled looks. Perhaps because Juda had withdrawn his mana, they started chattering again as if they could finally breathe. The once-quiet restaurant grew noisy with their murmurs. It was truly loud. Calicthes seemed to feel the same, sweeping his gaze around once. Those who met his eyes promptly shut their mouths. But since he hadn't explicitly told them to quiet down, they resumed whispering the moment he looked away.
"Looks like I ruined your meal because of me. How about this? If you're up for more, come upstairs and join me. It's not much of an apology, but it'll be on me."
"...You want to talk?"
"For an old man like me, chatting with a young fellow is a great pleasure."
At his suggestion, Juda glanced at his companions. Lime and Arhil, unable to hear the exchange, peered over with curious faces. Rejecting him here would mean leaving with bad memories. It'd sour their first night. They hadn't even finished the main course that long ago. More than half remained on the table.
'An invitation from a Fragment owner... Maybe I should chat and see what he's like.'
He wouldn't suspect Juda had a Fragment anyway.
"If Byron's hero invites me, how can I refuse? Give me a moment to tell my group."
"Very well. Come up to the third floor. I'll order ahead."
He nodded and headed back to the stairs, said something to the waiter, then went up first. Returning to his seat, Arhil asked.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing much. He said he ruined our meal, so how about eating and talking upstairs?"
"So, you got invited to dine?"
Juda nodded. It had happened somehow.
"Did you accept?"
"Yeah. Even if we stayed here, we wouldn't eat comfortably under their glares."
The nobles' complaints would flood the place regardless. He'd bought their discomfort. No sooner had Calicthes gone upstairs than they were summoning waiters. Those who'd overheard the invitation ate silently, but the others grilled the staff relentlessly. The waiters were in a real bind, bowing and apologizing while repeating that Juda had been invited by Calicthes. Only then did the nobles react with a grudging "Well, can't be helped," shooting uncomfortable glances.
"Let's head up. Leave the food. We have to go eat the meal paid for by the empire's hero."
-I'll eat a lot.
Iris wrote on her notepad and showed it to Juda. Reading it, he chuckled. He planned the same. He had no idea how much the Supreme Commander of the Azure Lance Knights earned, but his wallet would take a hit today. They went up to the third floor together.
The first and second floors had been luxurious, but the third was especially splendid. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, pristine tiles underlaid the tables and chairs, and even the wall decorations bespoke masterful craftsmanship.
"There he is."
Calicthes, seated far from the entrance, raised a hand. The vast third floor was empty. They walked a good distance to join him at the round table, taking seats one by one.
"Sorry for ruining your meal. You must have been upset. Eat your fill here today."
"It'll cost a fortune. We eat a lot, looks notwithstanding."
Arhil and Lime weren't big eaters, but Iris and Juda had voracious appetites belying their appearances and could pack away enormous amounts. At the boast, he laughed heartily.
"No worries. I'm not paying for the meal anyway."
"...? Didn't you say you'd cover it?"
"Well, yes, but as I said, it's not on me. I made a bet with a friend. And the important part is I won. So if you eat as much as possible before he arrives, I'll be thrilled today."
Some friend. Whoever he was, Juda offered condolences in advance for the bill. They chatted lightly until the food arrived.
"Speaking of which, we're late on introductions. Pleased to meet you. Calicthes here. My family name? No point; you won't remember it. Just the first name suffices."
-The Supreme Commander of the Azure Lance Knights, the empire's living hero, the empire's shield, owner of the 'Moonlight' Fragment, famed for annihilating the Southern Alliance.
Juda knew it all. But Iris must have thought he didn't, scribbling it quickly on her notepad. He nodded thanks to her, and across the table, Calicthes, who'd peeked at the note, held out his palm.
"Don't mind that stuff. I invited you to talk, not to brag about my deeds."
"Well, if you say so, I'll call you Mr. Calicthes."
"Do that."
"Yes. Sorry for the late intro. Juda Arshet. Not an imperial noble, so you won't have heard the name."
"I figured, seeing the unfamiliar face of the Spirit Sword owner. By the way... this is surprising. An adventurer? Or a mercenary?"
"Silver-badge adventurer."
Calicthes, who'd been smiling, looked puzzled.
"Wait. Silver badge for real? I'm not hearing wrong? Unbelievable. You're the Spirit Sword owner. Prove it to any guild or mercenary outfit, and you'd get platinum status."
"Ah. True, but I only became the owner recently. With so much to do, I haven't visited a branch to verify."
"Too lazy to claim it?"
"It does sound that way."
"Huh? What an interesting guy."
As they bantered lightly, two carts laden with food arrived. Ordered just moments ago, yet it came out fast, as if pre-reserved. Dishes not on the earlier menu. Ignoring the spread, Calicthes continued.
"Anyway, not taking the platinum badge is beyond my comprehension. The perks aside, in situations like before, no need to flare your mana—just flash the badge, and it's done. Unless they're another Spirit Sword owner, no one would dare challenge you."
"Is that so?"
Juda gave a wry smile and said no more. As he'd said, flashing platinum might have sent the approaching noble slinking back in confusion. But they'd have refrained from overt insults, whispering sidelong glares and gossip instead.
"That's how it'd be. I recommend getting it ASAP... And if platinum doesn't interest you, how about joining our empire? You don't seem tied to any nation as an adventurer."