Chapter 149: An Unbelievable Combination
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 149: An Unbelievable Combination
It was late evening. I had spent the entire day busily running from one place to another.
First, I went to check on Iris. I brought some leftover souvenirs, but as it turned out, Iris was a creature that neither ate nor washed.
Then why did she accept the desserts I bought her before? And I really wish she’d at least wash up after we do... those strange things.
Next, I headed to the Mayerbridge Union. It had been a while since I’d seen Raya Delbaheim. Unfortunately, Delbaheim was short on time, so we decided to postpone my swordsmanship lesson.
From what I heard, the Antonio Brotherhood’s No. 1 explorer party had just returned from the Labyrinth.
After that, I went to find Rubica, whom I had agreed to explore the Labyrinth with.
“Ah! I remember now. She checked out of the inn about a week ago.”
“Really? Did she say where she was going?”
“She did leave a letter behind. Just a moment.”
According to the innkeeper at the Winking Kobold Inn, she had left a week ago. I wondered if she had simply moved to a different inn, but the letter suggested that something had come up with her family.
I wondered if Rubia had gone with her. Since Rubia belonged to the Mayerbridge Union, she probably couldn't just desert her post on a whim.
“A succession struggle, perhaps? Being a noble is tough work.”
There was no mention of when she would return, only a request not to wait for her. It was an apology, explaining that her absence would likely be a long one.
That was a shame. It would have been nice to at least say goodbye. I’d have to ask Rubia how she was doing the next time I visited the Mayerbridge Union.
“And...”
It had been a while since I’d visited the Southwest Branch of the Calax Explorer’s Guild. Looking down at the Gold-grade Explorer’s Plate rattling against my chest, it finally felt like I was truly back.
“Oh my...! Ahem! It’s been a long time, Explorer.”
“It has, Dahlia.”
The Southwest Branch was always crowded with novice explorers. There were plenty of difficult customers, but even after two weeks, Dahlia hadn't lost her bright smile.
“Oh, look who it is. Our little troublemaker is back.”
“Why am I a troublemaker?”
“I heard you went on a rampage in the Labyrinth. You’re the troublemaker who forced Arthur—who usually never takes a step out of his office—to make a personal appearance.”
The senior guide, Katrina, approached while using the top of Dahlia’s head as an armrest, as she always did. I couldn't argue with her; she wasn't wrong.
“Tch... How is Sir Dexter doing?”
“As always, a one-eyed man can never truly fit in among those with two.”
“Teasing him about that must really hurt his feelings.”
“Hmph, I don’t care about that.”
They seemed close, but he was still her superior. I wondered if it was really okay to turn her boss’s trauma into a joke. Katrina was truly something else.
“Are you heading into the Labyrinth today?”
“No, I just came by to get a feel for the current situation. I’m short on time, unfortunately.”
“You mentioned you visited Roanmarie, right? Did you enter the Labyrinth there as well?”
“I did, but... I didn't go very deep...”
Come to think of it, I had gone to the 51st floor and back. It was only possible thanks to the help of a mad, naked mage named Aurora, who possessed larger-than-average areolas. Still, it wasn't like I’d reached it through my own strength.
“I just took a quick look at the lower floors and came back out.”
“I see. It was good to see you again.”
“Yes. You look busy, so I’m sorry for taking up your time. By the way, it seems like Calax has gotten a lot more crowded lately?”
I’d noticed it last night too; the streets of the Southwest District were packed. There were more guests than usual at the Mounted Goat Inn as well. Was it because the weather was getting warmer? But the weather had already cleared up quite a while ago.
“It’s probably because July 7th is approaching.”
“What’s so special about that day?”
“Are you a complete idiot? You call yourself a Calax explorer?”
“...Senior? Aven’s only been here for a few months, so it’s natural he wouldn't know. July 7th is the day of the Calax Birth Festival. It’s the day the Calax Labyrinth was officially declared the eighth Great Labyrinth and they began gathering explorers to conquer it.”
“Aha, I see.”
So it was Calax’s birthday. No wonder it was so crowded. I heard people eat, drink, and celebrate like any other festival, and the main event is a friendly competition between high-ranking explorers.
I wondered if the return of the Antonio Brotherhood’s No. 1 party was related to this.
“And high-ranking explorers from other cities will be flocking here. From midnight when the 7th begins until the following midnight—for a total of 24 hours—there’s a prize for the explorer who reaches the deepest part of the Labyrinth.”
“That sounds like an interesting spectacle.”
Every time you use a Labyrinth Portal, the time and usage record are logged on your Explorer’s Plate. By checking those, the person who reaches the deepest floor by midnight on the 8th is declared the winner.
“Are you going to participate too?”
“Hmm, I’m thinking about giving it a try.”
“Don't get your hopes up. You never know.”
“Know what?”
“An Orichalcum-grade explorer might show up.”
“Orichalcum...”
That was a rank I couldn't even fathom. I remembered hearing that the commander of the Mayerbridge Union’s 1st Division was currently an Orichalcum-grade explorer, but since I’d never met one, I had no frame of reference. Even the powerful Delbaheim was only Palladium Grade.
Come to think of it, Sir Dexter, who had suppressed me while I was in my berserk state, was said to have been a Titanium-grade explorer in the past. Orichalcum is one rank above that—the highest rank of explorer currently in existence.
“I am curious, though.”
“Well, if you’re planning to join, give it your best shot. The rumor about an Orichalcum Grade participating is just a rumor, anyway.”
* * *
“Huh?”
When I returned to the Mounted Goat Inn, it seemed there were customers. It was already around 3:00 PM, well past the lunch rush.
There were three male customers, and judging by their appearance... they weren't normal. One had golden hair that soared high into the sky.
He was mostly bald, but he’d left a patch of hair right in the center of his crown. It was a dizzying hairstyle that shot up at least 30 centimeters.
Wait... are those sunglasses...?
It was daytime, but who wears sunglasses indoors? He had bulging forearms and wore a sleeveless leather rider’s jacket with tattered pants that dragged on the floor...
He’s definitely a nutcase.
Beside him was a man with ordinary brown hair. However, he was shirtless, and he was built like a bear. His muscular back was covered in scars.
And right in the center, he had a massive tattoo of a cute cat's face.
This one’s crazy too.
And finally...
“Ha... where did that little shrimp go?!”
There was a man with a short ponytail wearing a robe. He had a foul mouth, and Sera was standing in front of him, breaking out in a cold sweat.
To make matters worse, his robe was dyed in a garish, brilliant rainbow of colors. This guy was definitely a nuisance—and they were clearly a group of absolute lunatics.
Judging by the beer mugs on the table, they seemed to be drunk.
“Is something the matter?”
“Huh? Who the hell is this?”
“What are you looking for so loudly in a restaurant? Just eat your meal quietly.”
“Hey, who’s this guy? He’s got a fine face. Looks like a decent fellow at a glance.”
—Tring!
The man in the black sleeveless rider’s jacket bared his muscular arms. He looked like he belonged in a rock band, but unfortunately, this was a world without electric guitars.
Instead, he began strumming a lute like a madman while spouting nonsense. His mere presence felt like a detriment to the Mounted Goat Inn.
“Step outside. Don't cause a scene indoors.”
“Huh? What are you talking about? When did we ever cause a scene?”
“Look here, young man. I think you’ve got the wrong idea.”
The massive, shirtless man stood up from his seat. He looked to be nearly 2.3 meters tall. Two huge men and one who looked like a mage. Could I win if we fought?
I wasn't sure... but I didn't think I’d lose easily.
—Grip.
“I said, step outside.”
As I grabbed the mage in the rainbow robe by the collar and lifted him up, Sera let out a startled cry.
“Yu-Yoo Eon! These people aren't like that...!”
“What?”
“Hey! I came here to find that pint-sized brat!”
“Pint-sized...?”
At that moment, a voice called out from the entrance.
“Wooooo! You idiots!! You’re back!!!”
Someone came skipping toward us with a wider smile than I’d ever seen before. A purplish-red... well, it was Father.
—Thud, thud, thud!!
Father ran at incredible speed and threw his body toward the men.
“Kaaah, I missed you guys!”
“You little brat...! Where have you been all this time?!”
The men caught Father’s small body with their whole arms, spinning him around like a child and basking in the joy of their reunion... Wait.
“Sera, these people are...?”
“Th-they’re my dad’s old explorer comrades...”
“Ah...”
A rock bard in sunglasses, a shirtless warrior with a cat tattoo, and a mage in a rainbow robe.
And a man who looked like an elementary school girl.
It was impossible to believe these were Cobalt-grade explorers.
“Father...”
It truly was an unbelievable combination.