Chapter 205: I Should Ask
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 205: I Should Ask
“Who do you think you are?”
At those words from Yoo Eon’s mouth, everyone in the conference hall gasped.
While asking someone who they thought they were wasn’t necessarily a death sentence in itself, the person he was addressing made it one.
He was standing right in front of Adelaide Margarita—one of only eight Orichalcum-grade explorers currently existing on the surface.
If one were to ask if she was "someone special," the answer was an obvious yes.
“...What did you just say?”
“I asked who you think you are. Are you special? Are you so special that you can do things no one else can?”
“Watch your tongue, Explorer Aven. I am an Orichalcum-grade explorer.”
“You explorers... you rely on your grades way too much to act all high and mighty.”
Another collective gasp filled the room as the air was sucked out of the hall once more.
“Adelaide Margarita. Go back to your seat and sit... wait, you don’t even have a seat, do you? Why are you even here?”
“Explorer Aven...!!”
“Sir Atreus. Does an Orichalcum-grade explorer possess some status above the law that allows them to force specific actions upon others?”
“....”
“Or is there perhaps a law stating that one’s personal affairs can be publicized to the masses under the guise of the public interest?”
With the cold-eyed Margarita standing right beside him, Yoo Eon sat in his seat as if nothing were wrong, saying everything he wanted to say.
Atreus and the high-ranking officials who received Yoo Eon’s questions were equally flustered, but they answered calmly.
“...That is not the case. Information regarding the interior of the Labyrinth is one thing, but there is no reason to disseminate personal matters to everyone.”
“Then what is this situation? Did a new clause appear in the Guild’s Code of Conduct while I wasn’t looking, stating that a hierarchy exists between explorers of different grades?”
“...Sir Margarita, please calm yourself. Since this matter involves Explorer Aven’s personal history, we cannot force the sharing of information according to the Guild’s ironclad rules.”
Even after Atreus spoke, Margarita continued to glare at Yoo Eon with eyes like daggers. Finally, after a long silence, she brushed back her bangs and returned to the wall she had been leaning against.
“Respected Sir Atreus, this is a bit disappointing. To think such a thing would happen at the Guild Headquarters, which strives for the public good at every hour.”
“...Explorer Aven. I understand what you are trying to say, but let us leave it at this for now.”
“Of course. Everyone else is watching, after all.”
The observation teams watching from behind could only stare blankly at the back of his head as he sat there, completely unfazed. Even Mystery Antoinette, who always maintained her composure, felt her brain momentarily stall as she watched Yoo Eon.
“Right... We shall conclude the discussion regarding the Knight’s Oath and the source of that information here. However, there is a recording of you entering the temple under the guidance of the Master Guardian Knight afterward.”
“That’s correct.”
“Did you see anything special inside?”
“No. Hasn’t the Master Guardian Knight already been defeated by several explorers in the past, leading to the forced opening of the temple entrance?”
“There have been such instances. Though they are not frequent.”
“I likely saw the same things they did. That was the only privilege I obtained. There were already traces of other explorers having visited the interior of the temple, and there was nothing particularly worth taking.”
“I see, is that so....”
After the Q&A regarding the 40th floor concluded, the high-ranking officials spent some time silently flipping through the papers in their hands.
Before long, Atreus cleared his throat a few times and finally announced the end of the meeting with a brief notice.
“This concludes the meeting regarding the issues that occurred within Calax. Good work, everyone. And... Explorer Yurk and Explorer Aven, you have both reached the Cobalt Grade. Congratulations. There will be a call for the upcoming Labyrinth Wave defense battle, and I hope for a high participation rate.”
“Yes, understood!”
“Yep.”
In principle, exiting the conference hall was done in the reverse order of entry. As usual, the Northeast Guild Branch Manager and his subordinates bowed ninety degrees toward Atreus and the high-ranking officials as they exited.
After they had left, Margarita walked back out the way she had come without saying a word. As the observation teams exited one by one, Yoo Eon also slowly made his way out through the original entrance.
“Oh, Mr. Stark.”
“Explorer Aven... what on earth happened inside that conference hall...?”
“Nothing much, really. Did something go wrong?”
“N-no, it’s not that, but....”
Stark scratched his head and let out a short, shallow sigh before turning to lead Yoo Eon outside.
“Are you returning to Calax immediately?”
“Is there anything worth seeing in the capital?”
“In my opinion, there isn’t anything particularly special. Most facilities that explorers would want are already available in the Labyrinth City.”
“Then that’s that.”
* * *
It was 4:00 PM by the time I returned to Calax. To be honest, I wondered if I’d end up in a fight with that Margarita person, but I suppose she had some sense, being an Orichalcum Grade and all. She didn't show her face again and came straight back to Calax.
“Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Stark.”
“Yes. Ah, and....”
Stark, who had followed me all the way to the Calax Gateway, glanced around for a moment before leaning in and whispering.
“I-I would appreciate it if you could make sure something like this doesn't happen again next time.”
“Why? Because of that Margarita person?”
“...Yes, exactly. While Explorer Aven was certainly not at fault this time... still, she is an Orichalcum-grade explorer.”
“Whew, alright. I get it.”
Yeah, it’s not like I enjoy making enemies. It was only because she kept prying into the source of the Mana Core that I acted that way; I didn't particularly want to have a massive brawl either. To be honest, it was a toss-up whether I could even win.
It seems I managed to hide the information regarding Iris’s identity well enough.
Anyway, after the meeting ended, I stopped by the Southwest Branch of the Guild. I figured they’d hear about everything eventually, but I thought it would be faster to tell them myself rather than waiting for the Guild Headquarters to process the paperwork.
“Katrina?”
“Oh, you’re back. How was it?”
“Nothing much happened. It wasn't nearly as bad as you made it sound.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Based on what Katrina had said, I expected them to be total bastards, but it wasn't that bad.
“Ah, come to think of it, there was one thing.”
“What? Did they try to pressure you?”
“A person named Margarita kept prying into weird things quite persistently. I told her flat out that I didn't want to answer.”
“Margarita... hmm.... Ah, wait, the Orichalcum Grade?”
“Yeah. Probably.”
“Whew, really? You’re quite the character. Good job. You shouldn't let yourself be intimidated anywhere you go.”
“Of course.”
I thought about meeting Sir Dexter and heading up to the 4th floor for a bit, but it didn't seem necessary. Katrina also advised against it.
“Oh, by the way, there’s a Labyrinth Opening in three weeks. Are you interested?”
“A Labyrinth Opening?”
“Yeah. It’s basically a mobilization order. It looks like they want at least three people from Calax.”
“Where is it? Is it large?”
“The location... would you even know if I told you? We’ll take the Gateway to the nearest city and then travel by carriage. It’s not a place that’s too hot or too cold.”
It’s hard to name a specific city for a Labyrinth Opening. Even if she told me, I wouldn't know the place well, and since Cobalt Grade is considered high-level personnel, they’d probably handle all the transportation for me.
“That’s true.”
“I heard it’s around the 40th floor. Not sure if it’s exactly the 40th or the 39th. You’re going, right?”
“For now, yes. Put me down for it. Is it one of those things I can't change later if something comes up?”
“It’s not that you can’t, but if we’re short on people, we’d have to find someone else, which is a pain.”
“I’ll try to make sure that doesn't happen.”
“I really like that about you. Go get some rest.”
“Yes, I’ll be going then. Please give my regards to Dahlia and Sir Dexter.”
That was it for reporting to the Guild. Somehow, I’d picked up another job, but with three weeks to go, I still had plenty of time. There were several places I’d planned to visit, but I’d put those on hold for now.
The timing today was a bit awkward. I wasn't sure if it would be okay to visit the Mayerbridge Union now... but mostly, I just wanted to rest.
“The Antonio Brotherhood... oh, right. There’s also the transport matter Theodora asked for.”
I also had to go see Iris. I had a lot of places to go.
I needed to finish everything as quickly as possible and focus my efforts on conquering Calax.
“A Flame Core, huh? Heat is just too useful.”
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the development of civilization went hand-in-hand with heat. Thinking about going to hunt the boss entity on the 60th floor made me feel like I’d grown significantly compared to before.
“Then, according to the order, the first one to see is Horus.”
The 50th-floor boss, Horus. I remembered Father saying something about it last time; I should ask him before I go to fight it.
* * *
“You’re going to the 50th floor?”
“Yes, since I’ve already caught the 40th-floor boss.”
“Oh! I see. When are you thinking of going?”
“I have some things to take care of, so I’m thinking about a week from now. What kind of guy is Horus?”
“It’s too long to explain in words!”
Father hopped down from the chair he was sitting in, walked up to me, and spoke.
“Let’s go together. To the 50th floor.”
“...Will you be okay in that body?”
“I’m all adjusted now! I was only like that at first because I was inexperienced, but I’m fine now!”
“Hmm.”
I turned my head slightly to look to the side and saw Auntie watching us with an indifferent expression. From the look of it, she seemed ready to bring a metal ladle down on Father’s head at any moment.
“Go ahead.”
“Yes, I understand!”
“Wait, what?”
To my surprise, he got permission quite easily. She had been so against him going when we were around the 30th floor.
“That’s good, Father.”
“You bet! I’ll have to prepare diligently.”
With a very happy face, Father dashed off into his room.
“Hmm?”
Come to think of it... Father can reach the 30th floor in just a day or two, so why did he never return for over half a year every time he entered the Labyrinth?
“Is there something from the 41st floor onward?”
I wasn't sure. I should ask him later.