Chapter 125: Results of Training
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 125: Results of Training
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
I had no intention of giving up on Arrow Catching.
Why? Because if I could pull it off, it would be a ridiculously OP skill.
It allowed for simultaneous defense and offense, and if I developed it further, I might even be able to catch and reflect magic. My support-type ability, Subspace Pocket, would be transformed into a move that functioned as both a basic attack and an ultimate.
How could I pass that up? I’d do it even if it killed me. I’d found a lead. The moment I saw a glimmer of possibility, the option to give up vanished.
I was going to train like hell with Gon. I wanted to involve Rika and even the Young Lady to sharpen my senses.
“Let’s do that. But are you leaving the Black Iron Golem with Roy inside here?”
“That’s the plan. It’ll be better to calibrate it here anyway. What use is he if I take him with me? He’d just be a decoration. I figured leaving him with the researchers would be much more helpful for the experiments.”
“Understood. A wise choice. If Roy moves the golem’s body and performs various actions, it will be a massive help in developing autonomous combat golems. It’s practically revolutionary.”
For those reasons, I decided to leave Roy at the Magic Tower for the time being.
The researchers said their top priority was creating vocal cords so he could speak. After that, they planned to make his movements more fluid through various calibrations.
The current golem couldn't perform complex maneuvers because its joints weren't fully perfected yet. The researchers expressed their ambition to use Roy to identify these issues and enhance the golem's mobility.
Everyone was brimming with motivation.
The Tower Lord was obsessed, claiming that golem production needed to speed up to replace "weakling adventurers," while the researchers were fired up, wanting to push the research as far as possible while I was available to provide souls.
Furthermore, since Roy could manifest his ability through the golem’s body, Mabel mentioned they could simultaneously research the integration of abilities into golems.
“Of course, using abilities will consume an enormous amount of Magic Stones.”
“Then we’ll need a stable supply of them.”
“Exactly. Not just for the golems—most magical tools run on Magic Stones as their power source.”
And the place where one could obtain the most Magic Stones was the Labyrinth’s 6th floor. You could get a steady supply from the 6th Floor Crystal Cave.
The quality and quantity there were far superior to what you could harvest from ordinary monsters.
“Oh, and just in case...”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll bring them to you.”
The Tower Lord asked me to bring her any souls I might capture in the Labyrinth. She planned to mass-produce golems and turn them into a golem army by inhabiting them with souls.
Of course, since building a single golem cost an astronomical amount, it was still just a pipe dream. Regardless, she asked me to bring them.
“Right. Thanks. You’ve advanced our research by a hundred years. You know that, right?”
“If you know that, then make sure to compensate me generously.”
“Oh, stop it. I always take good care of you whenever you visit.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
When I first came, she gave me a Magic Tower Entry Pass. Later, she gave me the Ability Fixing Bracelet, and this time, she gave me the Dynamic Vision Enhancement Goggles.
Come to think of it, she really had taken good care of me.
“Ah, and you know you have to take my side when the council meeting is called later, right?”
“I told you I would. I just have to agree to sending Lafnel down into the Labyrinth, right?”
“Exactly. And I need to secure the rights for Labyrinth pioneering. You’ll have to go down with us at least once, Tower Lord.”
“That’s quite a difficult request... but fine. I understand.”
I secured her firm agreement. I had to keep reminding her so she wouldn't change her mind later.
Since helping me would also help her achieve her own dream of pioneering the Labyrinth, she’d likely cooperate.
“Well then, I’ll really be going now.”
“Right. Oh, you there. Sir.”
“Hm? Me?”
“Yes. You stay behind. Let’s have a serious discussion about future commerce.”
“Uh... understood.”
At the Tower Lord’s words, Leo gave a reluctant nod.
Was that woman really planning to talk about "future commerce"?
‘I think she’s trying to seduce him. The problem is...’
According to what I’d heard from Leah, Leo already had someone like a fiancée.
His love for his younger sister was excessive, but I didn't think it was romantic or sexual. Leo already had a woman he truly loved, and he’d likely end up with her in the end.
I could cautiously predict that the Tower Lord was headed for a rejection.
‘Rumor has it Leo’s fiancée is the greatest beauty in the North. I wonder if he’ll fall for the Tower Lord’s advances. If Leo is the type who appreciates the charm of a MILF, he might cave. If he’s just a normal guy, he’ll refuse.’
Of course, the Tower Lord had never given birth and was an old maid who hadn't even married yet. But regardless, her age and physique definitely gave off that "mature woman" vibe.
‘In the end, men want young and pretty women. Please reject her, Leo. Let her fall into despair... break her pride.’
As for me, I liked young and pretty women, but I also liked older pretty women or even pretty women of different species—as long as they were pretty and obedient, I wasn't picky.
I wasn't sure about Leo, though.
Still, I wanted to cheer him on. The Tower Lord needed to get married eventually, didn't she?
Actually, no. I hope it fails. I want to see the Tower Lord wailing and throwing a tantrum in defeat.
I don't know why, but whenever the Tower Lord wore that triumphant, haughty expression, I felt a strong urge to bully her.
Maybe that was why Moira picked on her? Probably. The Tower Lord was the kind of person who strangely brought out one's sadistic side.
‘Maybe the Tower Lord will just try to take him by force.’
If the Tower Lord lost her mind, ravished Leo, and set up an NTR scenario, that would be a very "Labyrinth City" kind of ending, so I guess I could accept it...
‘The people living in this city don't hesitate to take what belongs to the weak.’
If you’re weak, your things will be stolen. That was just how it worked. Since people were ravished regardless of gender here, Leo, being the clear underdog, would need to keep his wits about him.
No matter how much weaker the Tower Lord was than Moira or how much less skilled she was than Helena, she was still undeniably one of the strongest people in the Labyrinth City.
Moreover, in her prime, she and her party had even taken down the mad dragon on the 7th floor. Her strength was well-established.
“Hey, why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing. Just... keep your wits about you. Guard your chastity well.”
“What kind of nonsense is that? Guard my chastity? Am I your woman?”
“This city is no different from the wild. If you zone out, you’ll have something precious stolen from you.”
“No, what are you even saying? Are you warning me to be careful right now?”
“Just... a bit of advice.”
At my advice, Leo’s expression turned quite serious.
“You’re telling me to make sure the deal is fair, then.”
That wasn't it. Well, however he took it, the arrow had been fired, and Leo was now alone with Tower Lord Mabel. I’d just have to check the results later.
“Rien, are you staying at the tower?”
“No... I’m going back too...”
Rien was stroking the Black Iron Golem, seemingly unable to leave it behind.
Roy, apparently enjoying the attention, patted Rien on the head. Heh. A pitch-black golem and a gloomy, beautiful girl. It was quite a picture.
“Ugh... don't... pat my head... The golem is cool... but I hate the person inside...”
“......”
Roy looked strangely dejected.
She certainly had clear standards. What Rien liked was the Black Iron Golem, not the person inside it.
In short, she liked the mascot costume but detested the person wearing it.
Leaving behind a soul-crushed Roy, Rien and I headed down to the first floor.
“Phew... that was a wonderful experience...”
“You really liked the golem, didn't you?”
“Yeah... I’ve never seen such a cool golem. It’s totally my type...”
“So you like mecha.”
“Mecha?”
“Yeah, yeah. Robots.”
“Robots?”
“It’s the Eastern word for autonomous golems.”
“There are... autonomous golems in the East...?”
“Uh, yeah. Probably?”
“What’s with... that vague answer...”
The "East" I was referring to was 21st-century modern Earth, not the neighboring continent.
“By the way, Rien.”
“Yeah...?”
“About the Young Lady.”
“Leah?”
“Yes. How has she been lately? I was in the Labyrinth for a long time, and her vibe seems to have changed completely.”
She seemed rougher, like someone with nothing left to lose.
One could see it as her becoming mentally stronger, but she also seemed precarious.
If I asked Leah directly, she’d surely say nothing was wrong and that she was fine. She wasn't the type to show her weaknesses. So, to get a proper assessment, I wanted the opinion of her closest "friend," Rien.
Rika was ultimately Leah’s loyal subject, and Erika felt more like a colleague. Rien, being her closest friend, seemed like the most appropriate person to ask.
“Hmm... Leah... has seemed a bit depressed lately.”
“What? Really?”
“Yeah... I guess it’s because it’s her first time standing on her own... she’s going through a lot of trial and error.”
“Ah...”
“She tries to mimic how adventurers act... she drinks with Yuria. Sometimes when she’s drunk, she gets teary-eyed...”
“...”
To enter the Labyrinth, Leah had temporarily severed ties with her family.
Until she became a Gold Badge adventurer, the House of Lionel refused to recognize her as a member of the family. Because of that, the noble privileges and family support Leah once enjoyed had vanished.
“Well... Leah will overcome it eventually... she’s a strong girl.”
“I’m sure. Lady Leah is strong.”
“But... still... I don't think... just watching is enough.”
Walking ahead, Rien stopped for a moment and looked back at me.
“The reason Leah stayed in this city... the biggest reason... is ultimately you.”
“...I know.”
I was aware. Exploring the Labyrinth was important, but in the end, Leah had chosen me over her family. Since I’d already heard her true feelings, I knew.
“You’re going home, right...?”
“That was the plan.”
“And now?”
“I want to see Lady Leah.”
“The Martial Arts Hall. She’ll be there... She’s been training with Rika lately... until late at night... until she’s covered in bruises... Leah is working hard.”
“Thank you, Rien.”
“It’s fine... Leah is... precious to me too... Treat her well.”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
After saying goodbye to Rien, I ran toward the Martial Arts Hall. Rien quietly waved her hand, seeing me off.
‘When was the last time... I had a proper conversation with Lady Leah?’
It had already been two weeks. I missed her.
*
“Hyaaah!”
“Too much tension! If you move like that, you’ll be torn limb from limb in the Labyrinth!”
“Urgh...”
“Get up, now! Do you think a prince is going to come save you while you’re lying there? Get up. Circulate your mana. Look straight ahead. Again!”
“Dammit...”
In the training room of the Martial Arts Hall.
There, the Young Lady was in the middle of her training.
Beside her, a middle-aged woman with the aura of a wolf stood with her hands behind her back, berating her. That woman must be the one they call the Spider of the Labyrinth. According to the rumors, if you got caught by her, you wouldn't even have bones left.
“Oh, you’re here.”
“Rika.”
The person who approached while wiping away sweat was Rika.
Her presence had become even more intense. It seemed she had been training quite hard.
“Are you here for an evening workout? Evening workouts are great. Pushing your muscles to the limit is a good thing. Muscle training knows no day or night.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m here to see the Young Lady...”
“Is that so? As you can see, she’s training right now. If you approach her for no reason, the Spider will blow a fuse.”
“I figured as much.”
Even now, she was shooting me warning glances out of the corner of her eye, telling me not to come closer. If her lesson was interrupted, she’d probably beat the intruder senseless without hesitation. She was like a wild beast.
In the end, I had no choice but to wait quietly for Leah’s lesson to end.
“What do you think of the Young Lady’s movements? I’d say she’s grown a lot.”
“Truly. Her movements have changed beyond recognition.”
“You could say it’s the result of blood-soaked effort. Her drive is extraordinary.”
“Definitely.”
There was a certain venom in her eyes.
Perhaps because her teacher’s style was so relentless, she was desperately trying to execute the movements required of her.
‘At that level...’
She’d hold her own even in the upper levels. Once she adapts more to the mana and gains a good ability, she’ll be able to descend to the Underground City in no time.
“How about it? Isn't your blood pumping? Let’s spar while we wait for the Young Lady.”
“Sounds good. Is Gon not here?”
“That man is practically a civil servant; he clocks out right on time. Said he has to go home and play with his family.”
“Hah.”
And so, I decided to spar with Rika for a bit until the Young Lady’s lesson was over.
It was time to properly show off the strength I’d gained after consuming the Giant’s Essence and undergoing mana adaptation.
“By the way, what’s that? They look like dragonfly eyes.”
“They’re Dynamic Vision Enhancement Goggles. Mind if I wear them?”
“Well, suit yourself.”
Rika built up her momentum.
Soon, she drew her sword and took a starting stance.
A classic knight’s posture.
There wasn't a single opening.
‘It looks like she’s been working herself to the bone for the past two weeks too.’
Her aura was different from two weeks ago.
Just how many life-and-death spars had she had with Gon?
Not just the Young Lady, but her entire party had changed.
I had to give it my all. I hadn't exactly been slacking off either.