Chapter 200: Shaking Down My Brother-in-Law
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 200: Shaking Down My Brother-in-Law
Combat wouldn't be an issue.
Maximus had claimed the body of an Undead Imp, Ulysses had taken over an Alraune’s form—strengthening his Thorn Vines—and Joshua could now use his skills without penalty thanks to his Golem body.
Through the raid on the Snake Nest, everyone except Chloe had grown significantly stronger.
On top of that, I had obtained abilities and power on par with a Platinum Badge adventurer. All that was left was to find a guide.
‘Freya can handle the healing, and Helena is more than enough as a mage.’
What we needed was a guide who could navigate the convoluted, twisting mess of the 6th Floor.
Normally, I handled both the porter duties and the guiding, but the 6th Floor was a different story. It required a professional's touch, so to speak.
‘Even with Map Creation, it’s just too tangled.’
Unlike other floors, the 6th Floor was difficult to navigate even with a mapped-out layout. The dungeon was so haphazardly twisted that paths often appeared to overlap.
Because the layer divisions were spread so wide, relying solely on Map Creation was a one-way ticket to getting lost. We needed to hire a guide—an expert who could find the way forward no matter the terrain.
‘Especially since our destination is the Necropolis, the most difficult place to reach in that entire dungeon.’
The 5th Floor was divided into sections, making it relatively easy to reach a specific destination, but the 6th Floor offered no such luxury. The paths connected and severed like a mess of tangled roots; reaching a specific spot was a grueling task.
"I was thinking... what if I went with you?"
"Pardon? You, Young Lady?"
"Yes. I learned how to find paths properly from my teacher."
"The 6th Floor is dangerous."
"I can take down a Minotaur by myself now."
"..."
When did she grow that much?
If she could solo a Minotaur, she was already at the level of a Gold Badge, just a step below Platinum. It seemed her skills had skyrocketed while she was training like a madwoman with Yuria.
I hadn't realized she’d made such incredible progress while I wasn't looking.
‘Then again, I did turn the 5th Floor into a literal hunting ground.’
One of the biggest reasons I took over the 5th Floor was to facilitate the rapid growth of adventurers. You could say I remodeled the floor specifically for that purpose.
I had manipulated the Magic Source concentration so that even those new to the Labyrinth could enter the 5th Floor immediately, and I’d established hunting grounds where monsters respawned infinitely so they could level up instantly.
I’d even turned the area below the layer division into a dedicated hunting ground for boss monsters, so her rapid growth was actually quite understandable.
"The 6th Floor is truly dangerous."
"I told you, I'll be fine. Hey, don't you trust me? I can control the Silver Threads perfectly now. I’ve even gained quite a few related abilities."
The Young Lady insisted on coming along. Honestly, I was torn.
‘Her talent is definitely extraordinary.’
She was someone who received the "Call of the Labyrinth." She’d told me since we first met that the Labyrinth was calling to her.
Personally, I suspected one of the Roas on the 8th Floor was calling her, but regardless, she adapted to the Magic Source quickly and gained new abilities much more frequently than others.
"Our goal is to scout and get out quickly, so we’re going in with a skeleton crew. Are you sure you'll be okay? Yuria and Rosier won't be there this time."
"I'm more than capable of protecting myself."
Well, I had already planned to take her as far as the 7th Floor anyway. Might as well bring her along this time. I was curious to see how much she had changed from the weak girl she was a few months ago.
"Oh, that reminds me. My damn father said I should pay him a visit."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He told me never to come back until I earned a Platinum Badge, but I guess he changed his mind."
"When do you plan on going?"
"Why would I go there? I'm not going."
The Young Lady shook her head, firm in her refusal to return to her family. She had been so devastated when she was first kicked out, but it seemed she had completely moved on over the past few months.
"I've become strong. I can stand on my own without the family's power. My father was the one who abandoned me first. So, I'm not going back. If I go first, it feels like I'm losing. What do you think, Sion?"
"I respect your choice, whatever it may be."
"Thanks. Well, if he misses me that much, he can come find me himself. My brother's business seems to be doing better than expected, too."
"Is that so? I haven't seen him around lately, so I thought he’d gone home."
"I ran into him yesterday, and his clothes had completely changed. It looks like he’s fallen head over heels for the luxury of the Labyrinth City."
"Hooh."
Leo, the Young Lady’s brother and the eldest son of the House of Lionel.
I had helped him out a bit with his business, but since I hadn't seen him lately, I assumed he’d returned to their estate. As it turned out, his business had been so successful that he was just too busy making money.
‘Well, I did introduce him to the Magic Tower.’
They say the Magic Tower in the Labyrinth City is the best in the world. Because of that, there are many areas within it that outsiders are strictly forbidden from entering. It was very rare for merchants to be allowed in and out of the tower.
Normally, Leo, who had just arrived in the city, shouldn't have been able to set foot in the tower, let alone see the Tower Lord’s face. But I had taken him there myself and introduced him. That likely played a massive role in his success.
"I've just received some very good information."
"You... you have a really devious look on your face. Are you planning to shake someone down for money?"
"Gasp."
"What! That 'I've been caught' face!"
How did she know?
If he succeeded thanks to me, shouldn't he give me a little kickback? There's such a thing as a finder's fee.
In a medieval-esque world where blood, regional, and academic ties are everything, I had introduced him to the ultimate connection. In a world where a good connection can set you up for life, I’d given him an audience with one of the most powerful people around. He owed me.
"Alright. Let's have the Young Lady join us for this Labyrinth run."
"Yes! Really? No taking it back. Swear it."
"Yes, I swear."
"Good. It's a promise."
After agreeing to include her in the 6th Floor expedition, I left the mansion—to secure the funds for this trip.
*
"So, you're telling me to just hand over money?"
"No, I'm telling you to invest."
"...Isn't that the same thing?"
I had marched straight to Leo’s merchant association and pressured him to invest in our party. It wasn't that we were short on funds, but hearing that Leo was doing so well on his own made my stomach turn with a bit of petty jealousy.
"Sigh... How much do you want? I'll give you what I can."
"About seven Platinum Coins?"
"Gah! Are you insane?! Seven Platinum Coins is crossing the line!"
"Come on, look at how much you're earning. You can't even spare that much?"
"Seven Platinum Coins is a whole month's profit for this association! Are you out of your mind? Have you no conscience?"
"Hooh. So you're making that much a month."
"Ah."
Now I knew his monthly income.
"Those clothes you're wearing look quite expensive. I've never even worn anything like that. You succeeded in business thanks to me, yet you're the only one living in luxury. How very... aristocratic of you."
"Aristocratic?! You! Don't speak of the nobility so lightly!"
"Then perhaps you could show some 'noble' generosity and sponsor me so I can feel some respect."
So what if he was a noble? Is it the noble way to cut ties once you've made it big?
As I stared him down, Leo broke into a cold sweat. He eventually rubbed his eyes and apologized.
"I'm sorry. It seems I've been quite inconsiderate. I apologize. I should have sought you out first once things went well."
"Oh, it's not that I'm hurt. It's just that you seem to be rolling in it, yet you haven't shown your face lately. It felt a bit... disrespectful, you know?"
"...Fine. I will cover the entire cost of this Labyrinth expedition."
"Really?"
For real? He meant it?
This was great. There was a set of armor I’d been eyeing, and I could upgrade everyone's weapons and get the highest quality food supplies. I’d also wanted to buy a few magical tools but couldn't because of the price.
Should I just milk him for all he's worth while I have the chance?
"W-Wait. No. I misspoke. 'Entire cost' is a bit much. Just once... let me take that back just this once."
Seeing the look on my face, Leo realized he’d messed up and frantically shook his head. Watching his reaction was quite entertaining.
When we first met, he looked down on me for being a commoner, but now he was busy walking on eggshells around me.
Is this the taste of power? It felt amazing—having the power to twist my 'brother-in-law' around my finger.
"Mr. Leo. Didn't you say a noble never goes back on his word? Isn't that the aristocratic way? Hmm?"
"T-That’s true, but...!"
"I hope you keep the promise you just made. We're going to be seeing a lot of each other in the future. We need to have a relationship built on trust, don't we?"
"Y-You madman! You're coming back?! This isn't the end?!"
"What do you mean, 'the end'? Do you not want to see Lady Leah anymore?"
"Why are you taking my sister hostage?!"
"If you want to stay on good terms with Lady Leah, don't try to cut ties so abruptly. Let's aim for a long-term relationship."
"Aaaaaagh!"
Leaving the wailing Leo behind, I stepped out of his office.
With this, the funding was secured.
Since we were heading into the unexplored territory of the 6th Floor, we needed to be fully prepared. Especially since the Young Lady was coming along, I hoped we wouldn't face a worst-case scenario like the total wipeout at the Snake Nest.