Chapter 172: A Common Contract
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 172: A Common Contract
After the fight between Arthur Dexter and Yoo Eon concluded, the dust inside the arena began to settle, and the stunned spectators finally started to regain their senses.
The two men, who had been trading blows just moments ago as if trying to kill each other, were now shaking hands and nodding as if nothing had happened. The administrator of the Grand Martial Arena, watching them warily, waddled across the shattered ground to hand over a Voice Amplification Artifact.
"The sparring match with Sir Dexter ends here. I believe the Cobalt-grade explorer invited by the Clan Alliance should come down now."
The aftermath of the battle was so severe that cracks were visible even on the floor of the spectator stands, which sat at a significant elevation. When there was no response to Yoo Eon’s words for a long time, Dexter took the artifact and spoke in his stead.
"Eve Kenias of the Battle Masters Clan. Are you not here? We should begin the duel."
Arthur Dexter called out a specific name based on the information he had received beforehand. As his voice echoed through the stands, the crowd began to murmur, and all eyes focused on a single area.
In the section where the Battle Masters Clan—a group that had been quite vocal within the Small and Medium Clan Alliance—was gathered, about four or five explorers were breaking into a cold sweat, their legs trembling uncontrollably.
"Urgh...! I-it’s me!"
Finally, one explorer raised her hand from the stands and leaped down into the demolished arena.
She was a female explorer with striking, long orange hair tied back. Unlike her bold, stylishly designed outfit that screamed individuality, she was covering her face with both hands.
Originally, she had planned to use this scheduled promotion duel to flaunt her combat power, build her reputation, and aim for "branding" to increase her market value.
Is he insane...?! There’s no way I can win against a monster like that!
Naturally, after witnessing Yoo Eon’s battle with her own eyes, her judgment remained within the realm of common sense—which meant she knew she stood no chance.
"Nice to meet you. Thank you for taking the time for my grade evaluation. I look forward to learning from you."
"I-I’m sorry... I can’t do this!!"
"Pardon? What was that?"
"I can’t fight him! I’m sorry!"
Unable to even look Yoo Eon in the eye as he offered a handshake, she kept her face covered and bolted out of the Grand Martial Arena. Seeing her run for her life, the other explorers of the Battle Masters Clan, who had been sitting on pins and needles, scrambled to follow her out.
"Hmm, I wonder why she left? Is there perhaps a backup candidate?"
Yoo Eon nonchalantly looked up and scanned the stands. The "thieves" felt the sting of their own guilt and avoided his gaze, looking everywhere but at him. He spent about a minute pressuring them with his eyes, but when nothing happened, Arthur Dexter finally addressed the crowd.
"I believe most of you understand the situation after witnessing the previous battle. We will receive the Clan Alliance’s official position in writing later. If anyone still believes this promotion to Cobalt Grade is inappropriate or unfair, please send a statement including your clan name and personal name to the Southwest Branch of the Guild."
As Dexter spoke while pointedly staring at the Small and Medium Clan Alliance, the explorers in that direction began to hang their heads and clutch their temples.
This entire situation had been orchestrated by small and medium-sized clans, excluding the Mayerbridge Union. While the Mayerbridge Union hadn't explicitly taken the Guild's side—largely following Delbaheim’s lead—they hadn't aligned themselves with the Alliance's demands either.
This meant that when it came to covering the restoration costs for this expensive Grand Martial Arena, the Alliance wouldn't be able to tap into the deep pockets of the Mayerbridge Union. It wasn't that the Alliance had no money, but they weren't wealthy enough to throw it around recklessly.
Even when the arena was first built, the Mayerbridge Union had provided more than half of the construction funds. Back then, under the pretext of the Northeast Branch uniting as one, they had even coerced non-explorer clans into donating.
But now, the Mayerbridge Union, the biggest source of funding, was opting out of the restoration collection. And the Alliance couldn't repeat their past tyranny by forcing non-explorer clans to pay.
We’re screwed...
The treasury of the "shitty little clans" was on the verge of being emptied. If it ended with just the treasury, they might consider themselves lucky; they were in a position where they might have to sell their buildings, their land, and everything else they owned just to settle the debt.
"Aven, let us be on our way."
It was a situation where they would have sold their souls to turn back time if they could.
"Yes, Sir Dexter. Thank you for your hard work."
Unfortunately for them, they wouldn't be selling their souls to turn back time. They would be scraping for every penny they had.
* * *
"S-Sister...? Are you okay?"
"Huh...? Oh, yeah. I’m fine."
Sera’s head had been a bit foggy ever since she watched Yoo Eon’s fight. As the daughter of an explorer, Sera knew that being an explorer wasn't as romantic as some imagined. She knew it was a desperate struggle for survival inside the Labyrinth.
Still, since she’d had no real data until recently, she had indulged in vague, embarrassing fantasies about how Yoo Eon might fight.
A dark back alley. Herself, in danger from wicked thugs. A weak, fragile heroine straight out of a cheesy romance novel.
Then, Yoo Eon appearing to save her. Appearing gallantly and heroically under the elegant moonlight, his cloak fluttering as he fought for her—those kinds of silly daydreams.
But a painful uninvited guest called "reality" had suddenly crashed into the story she used to replay in her head whenever she was bored.
The thugs surrounding her. They looked incredibly grim and villainous.
Yoo Eon appearing to save her from danger. This part... he wasn't human.
Yoo Eon looks more dangerous than the thugs...
She hadn't expected a prince on a white horse, but she hadn't expected him to be completely outside the human realm either. Halfway through, Tresha had closed her eyes and Ravi had gone half-catatonic because of the geysers of blood erupting everywhere. Sera herself had been watching through squinted eyes, her face partially covered by her hands.
Walking back in a daze, the trio eventually arrived at the Mounted Goat Inn. When Roland asked how it went, Sera replied.
"I saw Yoo Eon fight..."
"Really? He’s quite the fighter, isn't he?"
"Yeah..."
Sera decided then and there to forget what she had seen today.
* * *
"Delbaheim."
"It has been a while, Aven."
I met Delbaheim after the duel. Sir Dexter said he had matters to attend to and went back to the Guild first, but since I was already here, I waited to see Delbaheim’s face.
"Rubia is here too."
"Y-yeah... Hello...?"
"What’s with that tone?"
"I’m sorry! Good day to you, sir!"
"No, you didn't use formal speech before."
"T-that’s... because you’re a Cobalt-grade explorer now..."
It had been about two months since I last partied with Rubia Spanya. Back then, she felt like a bratty kid who was full of herself and loved to brag. It seemed the Mayerbridge Union practiced some serious discipline, as she looked quite dignified now.
"Don't be like that. Just be comfortable."
"S-should I...?"
I reached out for a light handshake, but she flinched as if she’d seen something she shouldn't have. Well, whatever...
"You have grown significantly since we last met."
"Haha... I suppose so."
"Is all of this growth from your time in Roanmarie?"
"Not entirely. It’s a bit of a mix. I did work hard in Roanmarie, though."
I say "worked hard," but it was more like stealing and eating Gargoyle wings at the auction house and unintentionally consuming high-grade monsters in the Labyrinth. Still, I got those as a reward for fixing the Wisp Queen, so I guess you could call it effort.
"The momentum with which you handle your weapon was magnificent. You must have found a great teacher."
"Ah, well... haha. Sorry. I know I said I’d learn the sword from you, Delbaheim."
"No, do not worry. I did not bring it up for that reason. Seeing how rapidly your skills have improved, it is clear you found a teacher who suits you perfectly."
It was true that a teacher who just cuts things down until they’re satisfied was more my style. Aside from the fact that she was boring, always serious, and impossible to talk to, that is.
"Let us cross blades sometime. I have been busy lately with festival preparations, but I will contact you when I have a free moment."
"G-goodbye, Aven! See you later!"
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for taking the time despite your busy schedule."
* * *
After the duel incident in the afternoon, the promotion process went through at lightning speed. Before sunset, Katrina visited again and handed over my Explorer’s Plate.
"I heard what happened. Good job. Here’s your Explorer’s Plate."
"Haha, thank you."
It was a plate with a characteristic blue glow. This really brings back memories. I started this explorer business in February, and now it’s already July. To reach Cobalt Grade in less than half a year... I remember fighting for my life against Direwolves just four months ago.
"There are a lot of instructions and notices, but I forgot them all, so stop by the Guild later."
"Yes, I will."
As Katrina left and I stared at the plate in my hand, Roland shuffled over and spoke to me.
"Wow, incredible! You’ve joined the ranks of elite explorers!"
"Whew... I still can't believe it."
Me, a Cobalt. It felt like just yesterday I was trembling at the sight of a Gold-grade explorer.
"Oh, by the way, Father. Is there anything special about being Cobalt Grade?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"She said there were instructions, but she left without explaining them properly."
"Instructions? Ah, you mean that."
Roland sat down beside me and opened his mouth.
"It’s likely about the support requests for Labyrinth Waves."
"Labyrinth Waves... You mean Labyrinth Openings?"
"Yes, exactly."
Explorers of Cobalt Grade and above are extremely precious resources. Naturally, they are given benefits to encourage them to stay in the city, but certain duties follow as well.
One of them is being mobilized for Labyrinth Waves caused by Labyrinth Openings. It’s not strictly mandatory, but there are rewards. Also, refusing to go too often can lead to disadvantages.
"Have you ever participated in a Labyrinth Wave, Father?"
"A few times. The most memorable one was when a 34-floor Labyrinth opened."
"34 floors."
From my perspective, having been in the Three Great Labyrinths, it might seem small, but that’s actually quite a large Labyrinth. Though I don't quite get it, anything from 50 floors up is called a Great Labyrinth.
"Every day, for one floor at a time, all the monsters inside the Labyrinth pour out onto the surface. I was deployed from the 20th day and even participated in the subjugation of the final boss on the 34th floor."
"It doesn't sound that difficult."
"It’s trickier than you think. First of all, the sheer quantity is beyond imagination. All the monsters from a single floor pour out continuously for 24 hours."
Thinking about it that way, it did seem like a lot. After all, the monsters you encounter when entering a Labyrinth are only a tiny fraction. You only fight the ones that happen to cross your path.
But when a Labyrinth Opening occurs, monsters pour out in every direction.
"Anyway, congratulations! I’m proud of you!"
"Haha... thank you."
"Now! When else would we drink if not on a day like this? Let’s have a glass!"
"With your money?"
"Please... just one bottle of beer..."
I knew it.
* * *
"I-I beg of you! Just this once...! Please, can't you do something?!"
Gatherway Truel, the leader of the Battle Masters Clan, had acted as the practical head of the Clan Alliance that had united to block the birth of a new Cobalt-grade explorer.
As the one who had first brought up the idea, Gatherway was now being singled out within the Alliance as the person who should pay the largest share of the arena’s restoration costs.
He couldn't even clearly remember why he had done it.
A new Cobalt-grade explorer appearing was certainly something to be wary of, but...
Dammit...! Why did I do that?!
It shouldn't have been such a massive emergency that justified challenging the Guild’s decision. Looking back at his memories... it felt as if he had lost his reason to some kind of inexplicable rage.
Sending out letters, explaining the situation to other small clans in the same boat, setting up meetings, holding conferences.
It had all happened under his leadership, yet for some reason, he couldn't recall the motivation clearly.
But those were all excuses. Unless he did something about the massive debt looming over him, there would be no more life of luxury.
"Raise your head, Gatherway."
"Urgh... please...!"
"But of course. If there is anything I can do to help, I will gladly do so. We... also highly value the Battle Masters Clan."
"R-really?!"
Since becoming a clan leader, Gatherway had never knelt before anyone. But now, he had discarded all his petty pride and was pleading desperately.
"The burden on the Battle Masters must be immense. We don't usually do this for anyone... but ethically speaking, we should help each other out."
"Y-yes! I! Gatherway Truel! I will never forget this kindness!"
"Indeed. Let us use this occasion to build a good relationship."
Flutter—
A single thin sheet of paper fell in front of Gatherway. It was a common contract, stamped with various clauses, prices, and seals for verification. Gatherway picked it up and read through it slowly.
"I-is this all it takes...?"
"Of course. Didn't I tell you? We don't usually do this for anyone."
"Truly...! Thank you so much! I owe you a great debt!"
His face brightened at the conditions, which were far better than he had expected. Gatherway quickly took a quill, signed his name, and took his leave while showering her with gratitude.
"Thank you! Mystery Antoinette! I will send my people immediately!"