Chapter 267: Pressure
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 267: Pressure
Skaeda Justitia, the leader of the large-scale clan [Avalon] in Roanmarie and one of only six Orichalcum-grade explorers on the surface, was currently fearing for her life.
"Ugh, h-huuuh...!! You monster...!!!"
"Wait, no."
The source of this threat was none other than Yoo Eon. Considering he had beaten Adelaide Margarita—a fellow Orichalcum-grade explorer—into a pulp barely twenty-two hours ago, her reaction wasn't entirely unfounded.
"L-Lady Justitia?! Are you alright?!"
"H-Hah!! I'm so sorry! Mr. Aven! M-My apologies!! Please excuse me!!!"
As her beautiful face turned pale and she trembled uncontrollably, a single thought finally dawned on the people surrounding them.
We’re fucked.
An unknown explorer? Not even a scion of a noble house, just a commoner. They didn't know how he’d gotten into the banquet hall, but they’d assumed he was some low-life beneath their noble, wealthy selves.
And yet, one of the six Orichalcum-grade explorers on the surface, Skaeda Justitia, was tearing up and shaking like a leaf the moment she saw his face.
"Skaeda? J-Just calm down for a second."
"H-Hah... Haaah..."
Yoo Eon addressed her by her first name, trying to soothe her as she began to hyperventilate from the shock. At this point, even the most oblivious nobles had more than enough information to realize the gravity of the situation.
"M-My apologies, Aven! M-Mr. Aven! I wasn't startled because of you... The cake! A piece of cake just got stuck in my throat...!"
"Haha, right... Well, uh, eat slowly so you don't have any more trouble."
"Yes! I-I'll eat very slowly!"
Seeing Skaeda act as if she were addressing a superior, everyone nearby began frantically racking their brains.
Who on earth could stand above an Orichalcum-grade explorer? Even the highest-ranking official at the Guild Headquarters wouldn't dare treat an Orichalcum Grade like this.
"L-Lady Justitia...? Do you happen to be acquainted with Mr. Aven...?"
"Ugh, h-huuh.... Y-Yes. That's... right. Right...?"
Skaeda stammered, glancing at Yoo Eon as if seeking confirmation that they were indeed "acquainted." When Yoo Eon gave a slow nod, she finally let out a sigh of relief so deep it felt like the floor might give way.
"Is Mr. Aven perhaps... a very incredible explorer...?"
"Me? No, not really."
The power dynamic had flipped in an instant. Yoo Eon’s status had shifted from "some nobody (who is clearly beneath me)" to "some nobody (who will clearly cause problems if touched)."
"C-Could it be... is Mr. Aven an Orichalcum-grade explorer...? Or something like that...?"
The six Orichalcum-grade explorers were famous across the surface. Even those with no interest in explorers rarely failed to recognize their names.
Though they doubted it, they felt compelled to ask. Since the evaluation was still ongoing, even Yoo Eon himself didn't officially know his rank yet.
"M-Mr. Aven is an Orichalcum-grade explorer."
It was Skaeda Justitia who broke the silence.
"Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Aven underwent the Orichalcum promotion exam, so..."
"R-Really...?"
They had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed by Skaeda’s own lips was another matter entirely. A chill ran down their spines; it felt like being handed a death sentence.
"I-I see! I knew he looked incredibly strong!"
"Exactly! I've always thought explorers were so cool, you know?!"
The women in the group began desperately flattering him, while the men strained their brains until they practically had migraines.
"Oh my? What is everyone doing here?"
A beautiful voice drifted from behind them. As Yoo Eon shifted his broad shoulders slightly, the owner of the voice appeared.
"L-Lady Lymain!"
In that moment, a single survival route flashed through the nobles' minds.
If we show off our connection to the Lymain family...!
The Lymain family had been rapidly expanding their influence in Calax recently. Regardless of Orichalcum Grades, wasn't a connection with the merchant family that dominated the region more important? A powerful tycoon possessed the weapon of networking.
They figured that even if they had offended Yoo Eon, who operated in Calax, they might avoid the fallout if they were seen as being on good terms with the Lymains.
"Ahaha! L-Lady Lymain! W-We were just talking because we heard this gentleman was active as an explorer in Calax!"
"Aven? Didn't you say you were going to stay put? I've been looking for you."
"Oh, right. I did say that."
And just like that, their only survival route exploded. Yoo Eon already had a connection deep enough to speak informally with the daughter of the Lymain family.
"U-Uh... Lady Lymain...? What exactly is your relationship with Mr. Aven...?"
Still, just in case. Maybe they were just acquaintances.
"Oh, let me introduce you. This is my husband."
A total explosion.
* * *
"We are so sorry. Truly, we are sorry."
"P-Please forgive our rudeness...!"
"Yeah, yeah. I get it, so you can go now."
I hadn't intended for things to go this far, but I ended up receiving apologies from almost everyone in the group. The Lymain name really was something else. People trembled at the mere mention of it, so how terrified must they have been when she showed up in person?
"Heh. So that happened? You must have been annoyed."
"Nah, that's just how people are."
After hearing the whole story, Dora gave a small smirk and sat down beside me, patting my back. I wasn't so upset that I was planning anything drastic, but being comforted like this still felt nice.
"So, do I look cool?"
"Not really."
"What?"
"You look pretty rather than cool."
"Hmph."
Unlike her usual self, she was wearing full makeup, and her hair—which she’d cut short after her heartbreak—was neatly styled. She seemed pleased by the compliment, though, as her tail wagged vigorously. I worried she might get fur in the food at this rate.
"So, Skaeda. Why on earth were you so shocked to see me?"
"Ah... T-That!"
Skaeda Justitia, the leader of Avalon—one of Roanmarie's three major clans—and a top-tier Orichalcum-grade explorer. She hadn't been like this the last time I saw her, but today she was acting strange.
To be precise, she’d started acting strange the moment she spotted me. Just a moment ago, she’d been sitting at the table enjoying some cake.
"I-I'm sorry too...! I just... remembered that battle from before.... I had absolutely no intention of slandering you or making things difficult for you, Mr. Aven...!"
"Yes, I know that. By 'that battle,' do you mean the sparring match?"
That was likely the only time Skaeda had seen me fight. Looking back, I suppose I might have gone a bit overboard. I’d intended to take it easy, but Adelaide didn't seem to like me very much.
I thought I’d held back reasonably well, but I guess seeing that had terrified her. I suppose even Orichalcum-grade explorers can get scared.
"Just how did you fight to make her this terrified?"
"Nothing special happened. I just fought the way I usually do."
Theodora briefly recalled the battle she had seen Yoo Eon fight in the past.
"Right... I see."
"What's with that? I'm getting an unpleasant feeling from this."
"I still like you, though."
"Thanks..."
Watching this, Skaeda—who was sitting before them like a criminal—looked as if she were experiencing cognitive dissonance, her pupils trembling.
I-Is Aven actually human...?
To be honest, she thought his face was quite handsome. But because the image of him during that battle overlapped with his current appearance, she couldn't bring herself to think of him as a member of the Human Species.
Maybe... even more than Master...
She briefly wondered if he might be stronger than the master who had taught her. She quickly shook the thought away, telling herself, No, Master is definitely stronger, but the doubt lingered.
"Do you often attend social gatherings, Skaeda?"
"I-I attend occasionally. It's quite helpful for the clan..."
Had Skaeda said she’d requested to attend yesterday's meeting? It seemed she’d already had a schedule in Veritas for the social gathering and had stopped by the Headquarters while she was at it.
"Well... I understand. Go back and finish your meal. Don't be so uncomfortable; I really am a person."
"Ugh, okay... I'll try."
Skaeda stood up hesitantly, gave a stiff bow, and quickly scurried away. Then again, an Orichalcum-grade explorer rarely had a reason to bow to anyone.
"She's a peculiar person."
"She seemed a lot more sharp and composed when I saw her last time."
"You've met her before?"
"I only saw her from a distance. My mother went to negotiate with the Avalon clan once."
"I see."
After that, we walked slowly through the banquet hall, doing something akin to a date. The banquet was supposed to last until 9:00 PM, but apparently, couples who hit it off often left early.
"Are you the Lymain lady?"
"Hm? Who are you?"
Around 5:00 PM, a man with light blue hair and golden eyes approached and spoke to us.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I am the eldest son of the Spanya family, Rivier Spanya."
"Ah~ Spanya. Did the Spanyas have an eldest son...?"
Wait, Spanya?
That was a family name I remembered. Spanya... Spanya...
Is he Rubica and Rubia's brother?
I recalled hearing something about it. Hadn't Rubica run away from home because she was fighting over the family succession with the eldest son, who was the child of a concubine?
I’d also heard that Rubia had followed her sister out of the house. Currently, Rubia was with the Mayerbridge Union, and Rubica had suddenly returned to her family after saying she wanted to join my party.
Judging by her expression, Dora seemed to vaguely remember as well. But what business did the eldest son of that family have with us?
"So, do you have some business with me?"
Theodora got straight to the point. Others might have found it rude, but Theodora simply didn't want her date interrupted.
"I heard that the Lymain family in Calax has active dealings with the Mayerbridge Union."
"We do. Naturally."
It hadn't been that long since Lady Renart had brought the Lymain family into Calax when she was young—maybe twenty years or so. Still, as a prestigious merchant family, their ties with the Mayerbridge Union, the largest clan in Calax, were quite strong.
"I heard that my sister is with the Mayerbridge Union. If it's not too much trouble..."
Rivier Spanya paused for a moment before speaking quietly.
"Could you place some pressure on the clan to return my sister to the family?"