Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Clicking Map Hacks in a Dungeon Game (1)
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- You're that famous 'Holy Knight' everyone's been talking about lately, aren't you? Nice to meet you.
- Haha, the honor is all mine to meet the head of the Broken Spear family.
It's bothering me.
- True Sight, huh? Can you even see which finger I'm holding up right now?
- Right hand's the index finger, and your left hand under the table has the middle finger extended.
- Heh heh, what a mystical ability.
It's really bothering me.
- And you must be the one famous for his footwork...
- ...Foot Do.
'It's bothering me so much!'
A cozy dinner between the castle lord and us rookie explorers.
I was gripped by this nagging feeling, like a fishbone stuck in my throat.
'What the hell is with that elevator?'
Why the fuck is there an elevator smack in the middle of a medieval mansion?
Just for decoration? Did they rip it off from some dungeon as a knickknack?
But if so, why hang a painting over it like they're trying to hide the damn thing?
I couldn't even focus on my meal because of it.
"Um, excuse me... if I may ask suddenly..."
The itch of curiosity was overwhelming.
Finally giving in, I tried to slip in a question,
"If you know it's rude, why not just eat your food? Isn't it enough for an Iron-rank newbie like you to be sitting at this table?"
But Vince cut me off with that cynical tone, killing my attempt dead.
'Why's this guy picking a fight?'
If this weren't a dinner table, I'd have decked him and bolted.
"Haha, Vince. Let's not say things like that. It might be something important enough to interrupt our chat. Will, what pressing matter is it?"
Extraus flashed his usual bright smile as he spoke.
But,
"...It's nothing. I'll ask later."
"I see. Very well."
Calling it a 'pressing matter' made it impossible to backpedal.
Honestly, it was hard to explain anyway.
Bluntly asking why there's an elevator embedded in the wall would just be weird.
For starters, does this world even have a word for 'elevator'?
'...Table it for now.'
I'll ask the butler later.
"Anyway, it's a pleasure meeting you young folks who've been making waves at the Threshold lately. Chatting with the youth always invigorates me."
In the meantime, the Broken Spear lord smiled and addressed us.
Sunken eyes, bushy beard.
His appearance fit the gloomy lord of a remote castle, but he was surprisingly affable compared to first impressions.
"Hm, maybe that's a bit overwhelming. How about this—why do you think I summoned you all here?"
The lord asked us with a grin.
"A scout for the Broken Spear Guild... I assume?"
"Heh heh, that's what you think, eh? In that case... what do you make of our guild?"
Before we knew it, he'd slipped into interviewer mode.
"In a word, the guardians of the Nether."
Extraus, the prepared applicant, smiled as he replied.
"Frankly, it's true that Broken Spear is the weakest among the five great guilds. Less influence than Goodman, less raw power than the Blade. They don't dominate distribution like Quai Fang or have relic modification tech like New Millennium. No rough edges, but nothing standout either."
Extraus laid out the guild's shortcomings so bluntly it made me wonder if this was okay.
"But no one can replace the prestige of a noble house that's ruled this region since before the dungeons appeared. That's why they hold a seat among the top five despite lacking standout explorers."
But that was just a feint to build momentum.
A setup to butter up the company.
"Ever since the devil's maw opened a century ago, the Broken Spear family has kept channels open to the outside, protecting this place from countless conflicts. They established transparent trade without smuggling and partnered with major guilds for stable exploration systems."
Extraus recited the guild's history like he'd memorized their homepage.
Listening to it, damn, this guild does a ton of work.
The guild master must be swamped.
"Thanks to Broken Spear's efforts, no other guild dares touch them. I see that as this guild's dignity."
Is that dignity?
Sounds more like they're stuck handling all the annoying paperwork no one else wants.
"Wardens who block threats to the region and maintain peace. They may not shine, but it's noble work. As a former Holy Knight, I know those efforts well."
Company praise plus self-promotion.
A perfect pitch.
If I were the interviewer, I'd have passed him even if he moonwalked out the door.
Clap clap clap clap.
I snapped out of it, clapping along.
You gotta hype people up when they nail it.
"Ha, applause? Must be the layman in you—no sense of grace."
"Jamoph, can you see which finger I'm raising with my left hand?"
"Middle finger."
"Oho, impressive."
"Hey, you...!"
I scratched back, and Vince growled.
Serves you right for starting it.
"Hahaha! These youngsters are full of vigor. What a sight."
The lord laughed heartily, clearly amused.
"Extraus, thank you. That was music to my ears. But there's one thing you're mistaken about."
"Oh? Which part...?"
"It's not just about scouting for the guild. I'm looking for someone to inherit it."
"...Pardon?"
The chairman's bombshell: handing over the company.
Everyone at the table froze.
"I inherited it from my forebears and ran it, but I'm getting on in years, and it's taking its toll. It's time for this guild to find a new direction."
'What? Successor?'
Wait, then what about Marie?
"I heard your niece was set to inherit the lordship."
"No need to worry about that. It's just paperwork to keep the bloodline formal. Marriage would be tidy, but if she refuses, I'll handle it discreetly—find some suitable branch family male if a woman takes the role."
"..."
So that's how it is.
I'd thought it odd that Marie, the acting lady, wasn't here. Turns out they never planned to make her lord.
This world's medieval vibes are something else.
Thinking of Marie trembling in fear in this unfamiliar place killed my appetite.
"But why us? Surely your guild has better candidates."
Jamoph asked, deftly shelling shrimp despite his eyepatch.
"Of course we have talent. But to become Broken Spear's new head and safeguard the Threshold's peace... you need a different kind of power. I think you all might possess it."
"A different kind of power...?"
"Haha, no need to rush. You'll learn in time."
With that, he dabbed his mouth with a napkin and straightened his utensils.
"Mm, sitting so long has my back aching. Rest up for now. Midnight, main hall—I'll explain everything then. Including the 'curse' of Broken Spear that's got the world buzzing."
'Curse?'
What's that now?
Too many lore updates; my head can't keep up.
The meal ended with more questions than answers.
The lord rose, and behind him stood an ornate chair.
Prioritizing style over comfort, perhaps? It looked a tad small for a grown man. Probably why his back hurt.
"..."
The guests seemed lost in thought too, dispersing to their rooms without further chatter.
"...Excuse me, butler? Do you know where Marie is? And that thing on the wall..."
I lingered last, grilling the butler,
"Apologies, but I'm not permitted to answer questions."
"Just tell me where Marie is, then..."
"Not permitted."
What's with the speech pattern?
Bad localization patch?
Charmed by the butler's robotic vibe despite myself, I headed back to my room.
On the way, I spotted the elevator again.
'...Huh?'
The painting that had been on the wall was now on the floor.
'Midnight in the first-floor hall...'
The sun dipping low.
I lay on the bed in my room, too preoccupied to tour the castle, lost in thought.
The lord's offer didn't interest me. No plans for the midnight hall meetup.
I'd just tagged along by chance, and even if they handed me the guild, I'd pass.
Admin? Economy? Guardians? Sounds nice.
But really, just Threshold forum moderation, right?
Who'd want that gig?
But what gnawed at me was...
'Marie's whereabouts and that elevator in the wall.'
Plus, the painting in front of it had been moved down.
Meaning someone rode it down.
Definitely not just decor.
'Guess I have to check it out.'
Decision made.
I knew it was rude, but going blindly didn't sit right.
'And my body won't be moving around, so no risk of getting caught.'
Time to activate Elenaia's gift: Tourist Mode.