Chapter 26: The Same Cool Name Every Time
Chapter 26: The Same Cool Name Every Time
At one time, a rather ominous rumor circulated among the users of Nightmare Dungeon.
They said the developer’s son played a mage, so the class was absurdly overpowered.
Even someone like me—who tried to live rationally in all matters—found the rumor convincing enough to briefly believe it.
[Honestly, doesn’t it sound plausible?]
– Posted by: ForArteine
[Mages have an absurd number of ridiculously broken Mysteries.
They’re the only class that can solo in the early stages.
There are tons of class branches and leveling them is easy and convenient.
Compare that to cultists, who are trash and only get penalties—it’s seriously unfair.
I’m telling you, the developer’s son definitely plays a mage.]
However, after persistent investigation by American users, it turned out that the developer, Kato Roger, had never even dated. Instead, he had spent over forty years obsessing solely over Japanese subculture as a genuine “Wapanese.”
…
Thus, the rumor about the developer’s son proved to be nothing more than nonsense, but criticism about the mage’s broken performance continued for quite some time.
And I was right at the center of it.
Half the posts complaining about mages were probably written by me.
How could I not feel resentment? The weakest class, the cultist, was simply neglected, while mages kept receiving buffs for one excuse after another.
“Mages must have twisted the laws of the world through some method so that everything works in their favor.”
After gulping down wine without dignity, I lightly pounded the table with my fist as I vented my pent-up grievances.
“This isn’t blind criticism. It’s rational suspicion. That explains why magic Mysteries are both more numerous and stronger than the others! Sure, people say their drawback is that raising Mystery proficiency is difficult, but that can be overcome with study and research. At that point, it’s practically a class with nothing but advantages!”
“The Tower of Contemplative Study has indeed been particularly dominant in explorations over the past decade.”
Odilon replied indifferently while sipping wine.
His expression and tone made it clear he had no intention of passionately debating the injustice of mages with me.
“Do you intend to continue slandering mages pointlessly?”
“Well, if you provide a proper venue, I’d be happy to deliver a full anti-magic speech. Would you like to join me on stage?”
“I will not.”
Flatly rejecting the suggestion, Odilon inhaled smoke from the Comforter and spoke again.
“Regardless, if there is a mage capable of defeating a boss strengthened to its maximum level alone, that is unquestionably someone we must recruit.”
“That’s true.”
“Why agree so easily? I thought you were going to rant about not letting filthy mages join the expedition.”
“How could you say something so hurtful…”
I shook my head sentimentally while greedily stuffing two pieces of cheese into my mouth.
“I never mix personal feelings into labyrinth exploration. If mages are unfairly capable, that simply means they are a class we absolutely need.”
A cultist who clearly separates personal feelings from professional duty, willingly cooperating even with detestable mages for the sake of a greater goal.
That was practically the mindset of a model cultist of the month.
“That’s fortunate. At least you’re not a fool who fails to understand such obvious facts.”
Odilon slowly raised his wine glass, and Rosalia immediately poured wine into it with elegant precision.
Clink.
…Her pose was elegant, but she tilted the bottle too much, spilling wine all over his clothes.
“……”
“It’s fine.”
As if it were a common occurrence, the young master casually wiped the wine away with his hand and spoke in a slightly weary voice.
“That mage. We still don’t know their exact class, but if they join our expedition, we’ll certainly feel more secure. At the very least, they won’t be incompetent.”
“Unfortunately, even our Evil God says they do not know the person’s identity. May I leave the investigation to you?”
“Understood. There will be entry records with the Harmony Church, so it won’t take long to identify them. Though if they’re a mage, they’ll likely belong to the Tower of Contemplative Study anyway.”
It was an unavoidable conclusion.
Any mage living in Pletika had to belong to the Tower of Contemplative Study, which managed District Two. Otherwise they couldn’t enter labyrinths or secure laboratories for magical research.
It was the result of some archmage consolidating all the previously color-coded towers—red, blue, purple, and so on—into a single institution in the name of improving mage rights.
“Swordsman Pendrick. The mage who cleared the Grave of the Earth Elf alone. For now, I’ll focus on recruiting those two.”
“That sounds wise. With just those two, we won’t struggle with a lack of talent for a while.”
“You said the warrior Pendrick lives in District Three. When will you go meet him?”
“I’d like to go tomorrow if possible, but that won’t work. Cultists cannot freely enter other districts.”
Permission from the Spear of Order, the paladin order that manages cultists, was required.
Naturally, they wouldn’t grant it without a legitimate reason.
“Please wait a few days.”
Creating a reason to travel to another district wasn’t difficult.
I didn’t need to wander around looking for one. If I waited, the opportunity would present itself.
“…I appreciate that you’re not being impatient.”
After saying that, Odilon suddenly leaned back against the sofa and slowly inhaled the smoke from the Comforter.
The frail young master who suffered from no fewer than seven chronic illnesses was already tired from merely having a conversation.
“It seems you lack the strength to continue talking. Shall I take my leave?”
“…Just one more thing.”
“What would you like me to do?”
“You decide the expedition’s name. I have no talent for naming things.”
“Ah, fortunately, I do.”
Even in the game, the expedition name was chosen by the player.
And I always used the same cool name.
“The Moon Expedition.”
I pointed toward the ceiling where the sky was hidden behind a swaying chandelier and proudly lifted my gaze upward.
“A name that reflects our determination to someday conquer the Nightmare Dungeon on the moon.”
Lowering my head again, I alternated my gaze between Odilon and Rosalia standing behind him.
“What do you think? My ambition is overflowing.”
“……”
The young master and his attendant silently exchanged glances before letting out quiet chuckles.
Neither seemed to dislike it.
“Isn’t the name too childish compared to the goal?”
“That’s exactly why it’s good. If the name were too grand, people everywhere would challenge us. But if it’s cute like this, they’ll just laugh it off.”
“That’s not incorrect. Do as you wish.”
Odilon finished speaking with a voice that gradually weakened and waved his hand at me.
“Let’s end the expedition discussion here.”
There were still things I wanted to say, but I complied.
From my perspective, I had been watching him slowly melt into something resembling a slime in real time, so I had been about to end the conversation myself anyway.
“Then, Young Master. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes… coordinate schedules and share plans with the butler. The overall framework is already complete…”
“Understood. Please rest.”
After giving a light bow, I left the room.
“This way, please. I will escort you to the guest room where your wards are resting.”
Butler Sergius, who had been waiting near the door, immediately led me downstairs.
“Now that you’ve formed an expedition with the young master, we will likely see each other often. Kar, I look forward to working with you.”
“The feeling is mutual. And please take care of my kids as well.”
“If there is anything you need, please let us know. If it is within our ability, we will gladly help.”
“I do have one request.”
The elderly butler walking ahead turned to me with a gentle smile.
Responding to his reassuring expression, I raised the corner of my lips.
“Please fully assist with my children’s basic training.”
Marlin was overwhelmed by a feeling she had never experienced before.
What should she call the emotion completely filling her heart?
What is this…?
Her lack of education meant a lack of expressive vocabulary. Even though she was feeling the emotion herself, she could not clearly describe it with words or sentences.
So she decided to analyze it step by step by recalling everything that had happened today.
That kind maid made incredibly delicious food!
Food that tasted like something from the heavens where divine beings lived.
She found herself blurting out embarrassing praise she would never normally say.
She and Abel had eaten until their stomachs were completely full.
For the first time in her life, she realized that the phrase “I’m so full I can’t eat anymore” was not an exaggeration.
Then we bathed in hot water for the first time in a bath that looked like it was made of gold…
Afterward, the maid brought them new clothes—black fabric embroidered with gold thread—and once her tangled hair was trimmed and neatly arranged, the child staring back at her in the mirror looked like a completely different person.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
At the same time, it felt confusing.
Did the noble young master who owned this mansion always live in such luxury?
I’m jealous.
Only after that thought slipped out did Marlin realize something.
The emotion filling her heart was something ugly—something like envy.
It was shameful.
How could she feel jealous toward someone who had shown her such generosity?
Perhaps living in poverty had made her heart poor as well.
“Kar… I think I’m a bad person…”
Marlin honestly confessed everything she felt to Kar when he entered the guest room.
Normally he was someone who constantly joked around, but in moments like this he would surely scold her.
So she shut her eyes tightly and waited.
Then she suddenly felt warm hands gently squeezing her shoulders.
“…Kar?”
For some reason, the normally unserious patron remained silent for a long time.
When she cautiously opened her eyes, Kar poked her forehead with his index finger.
“Come on. Abel will stay here.”
He pushed her back slightly, and she began walking without realizing it.
The place they arrived at was the mansion’s basement.
“Where are we going?”
A dark corridor without any magic-stone lamps.
The only things visible were the occasional doors on both walls.
Just like the Earth Elf labyrinth, it felt like a monster might suddenly jump out of the darkness.
“You said you wanted to become a great explorer, right?”
Kar stopped in front of a door and spoke with a strange smile.
Looking up at his face hidden in the darkness, Marlin nodded vigorously.
“Good. Then open this door and go inside. I prepared a gift for you.”
She was curious what the gift was, but Kar would never make her do something dangerous.
Click.
Without hesitation, she opened the door.
Bright magic-stone light filled the room.
“…Huh?”
In the center of the room—
familiar faces were kneeling there, tied up.
They were thieves from the Black Sword Guild who had once belonged to the same gang as her.
Their faces and bodies were covered in blood as if someone had beaten them badly.
“Marlin, prepare yourself.”
Placing his hands on the shoulders of his ward, Kar smiled brightly.
“Starting today, we’re beginning special training to turn you into an incredible thief.”