Chapter 75
Chapter 75
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: First Step (6)
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In front of the dungeon, several people had gathered in a temporary operations command tent.
It had been two days since all contact with Edn and Hepiriya had been lost.
Bang!
"When the hell are we going to see some progress! We could charge in right now and it still wouldn't be soon enough!"
A burly man slammed his fist on the table, unleashing his fury.
The subordinates around him were all trembling, but the man before him did not flinch.
"We're just as eager. Just remember, we had to cancel every scheduled meeting with the Pope."
"Tch!"
Duke Apontuna responded with a calm expression.
The burly man knew full well that the Holy Kingdom bore greater fault in all this, no matter how he sliced it.
So he could only click his tongue and swallow his anger.
"By the way, still no leads?"
"We're sorry. The mana flow in the dungeon is so erratic that it's taking time."
"It's fine. Edn and the Saintess—we just need to wrap this up before a month passes."
The Duke waved his hand dismissively, telling them to keep at it.
As soon as the report ended and he stepped outside, he let out a deep sigh.
"First, let's refine the plan. You know as well as I do that this isn't working."
"Damn it, I know."
The burly man—no, Mentin—joined the Duke in staring down at the map spread across the table.
It was a map from the investigations conducted inside the dungeon up until two days ago.
"Let's recap the situation first. The spot where those two vanished isn't deep inside. Not the entrance, but not too far in either."
"I know. That's what makes this dungeon so insidious. Perfect trap for novices and half-baked amateurs."
Mentin clicked his tongue, cursing the damned dungeon.
The Duke, meanwhile, studied the map, trying to grasp the dungeon's layout.
"The disappearance point is off-center but not on the outskirts. Meaning there could be other mechanisms nearby."
"But we haven't found any so far. Hell, I'd almost prefer stumbling on some old bones."
Just as he said, the searches had turned up nothing substantial despite their efforts.
The Duke knew that all too well and was ready to gamble this time.
"That's why I'm saying—here."
"Huh? That's just empty space, isn't it?"
"Not quite. This is where the survey team triggered something. I'm proposing we dig up the ground here."
Was the Duke's suggestion that out of left field?
Mentin fell silent for a moment before bursting into incredulous laughter.
"Hahaha! You're joking, right? Digging up the dungeon floor? That'd take ages and still get us nowhere!"
Mentin glared at the Duke, raising his voice.
"Hey, Your Grace. Sitting high up must've addled your brain if you're suggesting something that stupid—"
"Your words are out of line. More importantly, we are House Apontuna. We never just sit in chairs. That's the posture we must avoid above all. Those who stand at the top must always know how to look below."
The Duke's icy gaze fixed on Mentin.
It was like a frozen spike piercing right through him.
Overwhelmed by the intensity, Mentin averted his eyes, and the Duke sighed.
"My apologies. I let my emotions get the better of me."
"Ahem. No, I'm the one who's sorry. I just meant we shouldn't rush into bad decisions. Haha."
The mood had turned awkward, but the meeting had to continue.
They forced some levity and discussed various matters.
As the morning briefing was wrapping up, a man burst into the tent.
His face was urgent, breath coming in gasps.
"What is it?"
"Th-the Saintess and Lord Rerangbur have returned!"
"What? Is that for real?!"
Mentin let out a triumphant roar of joy, and even the Duke looked mildly surprised.
After two days of grueling, unspoken toil, the reward had walked right to them.
The Duke closed his eyes in relief.
"Phew. Prepare a place for them to rest first. Get food and fresh clothes ready too. We can hear their story later."
"Understood. We'll make the arrangements."
With the return of the two, the search operation came to an end.
Of course, it wasn't truly over.
Where there's an end, there's a beginning, isn't there?
At the very least, for the Duke, this was just the start.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ While the two rested, the Duke arranged an informal summit with the Pope.
In a hidden chamber within the Papal Palace, the two men sat in prolonged silence.
They only occasionally sipped tea or nibbled on snacks.
There was no particular reason.
They simply needed time to choose their words.
Though he was Duke Apontuna, he was far from mere arrogance.
He hadn't spent decades as family head, after all.
Yet he remained an Apontuna through and through.
Thus, to take the lead in negotiations with the Pope, he spoke first.
"I trust you've been well? The Holy Kingdom seems to be a hotbed of intriguing events."
"Ahem. Indeed. This is the Goddess's land, after all."
Even a simple greeting carried weight, drawing an awkward smile from the Pope.
The Duke, by contrast, regarded him with a natural smile.
"As you know, the Empire has many demands. Let's adjust the terms a bit."
"...Very well. What do you want?"
The Duke flashed a satisfied smile as he added or altered various conditions.
Exclusive rights, priorities, trade fee ratios, and the like.
The Pope listened silently, nodding along.
Once the changes were done, the Pope spoke in surprise.
"Remarkable. I expected far harsher terms, honestly. But..."
"Haha, the Empire seeks friendly ties with the Holy Kingdom. We must think long-term."
Of course, the Emperor had ordered him to squeeze every last drop.
Had he followed that to the letter, this cordial talk with the Pope would be impossible.
It would have been a game of hidden cards and deliberate feints between equals.
The Duke appreciated dodging that hassle and defying the Emperor's command.
"On behalf of the Empire, I hope we forge strong relations."
"I desire the same."
The two men smiled at each other.
The amiable atmosphere didn't last; the Duke recalled he hadn't broached the most crucial point.
"Now, onto the most important matter."
"What is it?"
The Pope furrowed his brow slightly, seemingly clueless.
The Duke shook his head, as if that couldn't be.
"Don't you know? Not the Empire—Edn Rerangbur himself. He deserves his own reward."
"...Heh, so that's why you kept the terms from straying too far from expectations?"
Rather than reply, the Duke shifted to negotiating the reward itself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Fortunately, we'd escaped the dungeon unscathed.
A single door had appeared nearby.
It was one I hadn't noticed before getting caught in the space-time storm.
I'd wondered if some magic or illusion had hidden it.
"No, that's not it. It definitely wasn't there."
Hepiriya, my guarantee of truth, confirmed as much.
So it truly hadn't existed before the storm hit.
In any case, we opened the door and emerged near the dungeon entrance.
We linked up with the search-and-rescue teams assembled for us and made it back amid the fuss.
"And that was already two days ago."
"Ah, Edn. There you are."
Ah, Hepiriya.
She must have been looking for me; her face lit up with a warm smile the moment she saw me.
She plopped down on the bench beside me in the park, claiming the spot.
But she's sitting awfully close.
Just a handspan away—our shoulders might brush any second.
I'm a bit tense when she bows her head to me.
"First off, thank you, Edn. Thanks to you, I could clear my sister's name."
"...Uh, I didn't really do anything, though?"
It wasn't me—it was the dungeon.
She catches my puzzled look and slowly shakes her head.
"You may not have meant to, but it was you who suggested unsealing it."
"That just happened to line up by coincidence."
She nods, saying she knows.
But still, breaking the seal let us meet.
"It was you who called me into that strange space."
"That wasn't intentional either."
"I didn't realize. Still, thank you, Edn."
No, I keep saying it wasn't on purpose.
It's weird getting praise for something I didn't prepare.
Feels like I'm strutting on someone else's merits; I don't know what to say.
Hepiriya giggles softly at me scratching my cheek.
"Plus, you were the one maintaining that space, right?"
"No, really not."
"Is that so? But that's how it looked to me. I didn't see it clearly, but the grimoire, the space, and you all seemed connected."
Hmm, sharp eyes.
No, seriously, it wasn't me.
I protest earnestly, but Hepiriya has already decided it's my power.
Sigh, no helping it.
It's not entirely wrong—control did transfer to me midway, after all.
She won't back down, so I just accept it.
"Alright, I'll take the thanks."
"Hee-hee, good."
She finally shows a satisfied smile, and it's awfully cute.
Damn, that's why you shouldn't fall for a pretty face.
I'm staring blankly at her when she bows her head again.
This time with a dead-serious expression.
"Um, Hepiriya?"
"And I'm sorry. I should have been more careful."
"No, no. It's fine."
I wave it off, telling her it's okay and to lift her head.
But she shows no sign of it, so I gently grasp her shoulder.
"Really, it's fine. It all worked out. Besides—"
I got the grimoire, gained enlightenment, received rewards.
And met Hepiriya, the Saintess.
I'd thought coming to the Holy Kingdom would yield nothing, but it gave me plenty.
So yeah, it's fine.
If I'd lost my life or gotten badly hurt, I might resent it, but that's not the case.
I force her head up, revealing a face full of deep remorse.
She'll probably stay like this until I properly accept her apology.
"Then, promise me one thing."
"Yes, anything within my power."
I ask her to lend me her strength sometime later.
Regardless of the Holy Kingdom's stance.
She pauses in surprise before chuckling softly.
"Got it. I definitely will."
"Thank you, Hepiriya."
"No, thank you."
She finally smiles, and I relax.
People look best when they smile, after all.
I release her shoulder and enjoy the rest with her.
Finishing the date we couldn't complete before.