Chapter 79: Location Selection is Everything
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 79: Location Selection is Everything
“Moira, are you awake?”
There was no answer. She seemed to be fast asleep, exhausted.
Staring up at the ceiling alone, a whirlwind of thoughts rushed through my mind.
What have I done?
I’d gone and knocked up the Guild Master.
With how much I’d let fly, she was 120% pregnant. There was no way she wasn't.
When the baby was born, it would undoubtedly be the spitting image of the two of us. And knowing her, the Guild Master wouldn't even consider an abortion; she’d definitely have the child.
A child between me and the Guild Master.
It would be cute. It had to be. Dammit.
The sudden realization that I might become a father made my head spin. My girlfriend was Yuria, yet it looked like my first child would be with her mother.
This was all Lin’s fault. If that wicked maid hadn't lied about it being a 'safe day,' I would have pulled out.
“Haaaaah...”
I looked at Moira, who was sleeping soundly beside me, and stroked her hair. Though she was older than me, her face was so youthful she could pass for Yuria’s older sister.
How could anyone believe this woman had a daughter my age?
She really is beautiful, though.
To be honest, she was far too good for a mere porter. Regardless of her age, she had the looks, the title of the city’s strongest, and she ran the Adventurer’s Guild—the largest guild in the Labyrinth City.
I’d heard that nobles were constantly wooing her. How ridiculous would they feel if they knew? It would be quite a sight to see their faces when the woman they’d spent fortunes trying to court turned up pregnant with the child of some Eastern porter.
If I don’t want to drag Moira’s reputation through the mud, I have to get stronger.
Moreover, if I didn't want to leave her a widow, I had no choice but to push myself harder. Entering the Labyrinth and growing stronger was the only answer.
It felt as if every circumstance was conspiring to shove me back into the Labyrinth. For Lady Leah, for Yuria’s dream, and even my contract with the Three Villainesses.
Everything was pointing me toward the Labyrinth.
It’s no coincidence.
There was something in there. What exactly was the entity calling to me from the depths? Why was it drawing me in?
Was it for the sake of Regression? Or perhaps for something even greater?
I closed my eyes. It was time to sleep. I’d be heading back into the Labyrinth soon enough. I had to rest while I could.
*
“Mmm...”
I’d slept so deeply I’d actually drooled.
Moira was still asleep. Seeing the sun through the window, it was about time for me to head out.
“Moira? Moira?”
“Mmm...”
“Shouldn't you be getting up?”
“Mmm... You go ahead... I’ll get up later...”
“Understood.”
She wanted to sleep more. Well, she was the Guild Master; she could go to work whenever she pleased.
I have to meet the Young Lady today, so I’d better hurry.
I quickly pulled on my pants and stepped out of the room.
“Sion...”
“Ah.”
And there, in the hallway, I ran into Yuria.
Looking dizzy from a hangover, Yuria tilted her head and scanned me from head to toe.
“Yu-Yuria...”
“Why are you coming out of my mom’s room?”
Thump.
My heart felt like it had dropped into my stomach. How on earth was I supposed to explain this?
“Well, you see...”
“Wait, were you drunk too?”
“Huh?”
“Mom probably dragged you in there while she was wasted. Right?”
“T-That’s...”
What was I supposed to say? Should I tell her the truth? The guilt of hiding it from Yuria was crushing. I wanted to be free of it. Should I just spill everything?
“Ah, Lady Yuria. It seems the Master dragged Sion into her room on a whim.”
“Miss Lin...”
Lin appeared from behind Yuria. She stepped in to defend me before I could even open my mouth.
“I’m sure nothing happened. They were both quite intoxicated.”
“Really? Nothing happened, right?”
“Uh? Oh, yeah. Right.”
In this atmosphere, there was absolutely no way I could say I’d probably just gotten Moira pregnant. Yuria would kill me.
“Then, would you both wait in the dining room? I’ve prepared some soup for your hangovers.”
“Really? Your soup is the best, Miss Lin. Hehe.”
Yuria headed down the stairs first.
“Sion.”
“Yes? Yes.”
“Let’s keep today’s events a secret. Fufu.”
“Wait! Since yesterday... what is your goal? It wasn't even a safe day!”
“Did you finish inside?”
“What? No, I mean...”
“I see. Then she will likely become pregnant.”
“What are you talking about?! Was this all your scheme?”
“It wasn't a scheme. I simply wished for Lady Moira to be happy.”
“Moira’s happiness?”
“Yes. She has lived a lonely life. She raised Yuria almost entirely on her own. It is time for Lady Moira to find her own happiness as well.”
“But Yuria...”
“Lady Yuria will come to accept it. After all, you aren't being taken away from her entirely. You are simply sharing the person you love for a while. I’m sure she will understand. Isn't sharing a husband a unique part of Eastern culture? As someone from the East, surely you know this well?”
“...Uh, right? You mean polygamy?”
“Exactly.”
Lin patted my shoulder.
“I will do my best to help you as well. So please, make the women of this household happy.”
“In the end, you’re just dumping everything on me...!”
“Dumping? I said I would do my best to help. Let’s work hard together.”
“Gah...”
This crazy maid. She’d trapped me.
“Now, let us head down. You must eat well to start your day.”
There was no way out. My sperm had likely already fertilized an egg inside Moira. And I was guilty of blindly believing Lin’s words without suspicion.
At the very least, I now knew how devious this maid was. I’d have to be careful from now on.
Truly, there wasn't a single soul in this town you could trust.
*
After eating breakfast and dropping Yuria off at home, I headed straight to the Guild. It was time to collect my overdue payment from Lady Leah. She’d mentioned money and a mysterious gift.
“Sion! Over here.”
When I entered the Guild, Lady Leah was waiting in the reception room with some men I’d never seen before. There was a massive wall of a man, a blonde youth, and a one-eyed man with a scarred face who looked like a seasoned adventurer.
A total of four people were waiting for me. The giant and the one-eyed man were likely bodyguards for the blonde youth.
“Porter, you’re late.”
“Pardon? Ah, my apologies.”
As soon as I entered, the blonde man glared at me with a look of utter dissatisfaction while sipping his tea. From the looks of it, this was Lady Leah’s older brother. He radiated that high-pressure aura unique to high-ranking nobles.
“Brother. He’s my savior, so watch your tone. Okay?”
“Hmph. Fine.”
“Sion, this is my older brother.”
Leo Lionel. The eldest son of the Margrave.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Sion.”
“Yes. I’ve heard the story through the letters. You saved my sister, I hear?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Fine. First, I shall give you the promised reward. Dooms, bring it out.”
“Yes, Master.”
The massive man pulled out a bag and placed it on the table.
“400 gold coins. That is the base amount.”
“Huh? What?”
“400 gold coins. Would you prefer four platinum coins instead?”
“Ah, wait a second. Whoa. Whoa!”
400 gold coins—it was enough to make my eyes pop. I’d expected maybe 200, but double that?
“The rewards aren't finished yet. Don't be so surprised. Honestly, commoners... they lose their minds over a bit of coin.”
“Hey! Brother! Stop with the classist remarks. This is the Labyrinth City. You’ll get stabbed.”
“Hmph. Fine. This wretched Labyrinth.”
Leo glared at me while sipping his tea. I didn't care. 400 gold coins. I could retire right now with this much. Of course, retirement wasn't an option given my current situation.
“Duran. Bring out the next reward.”
“Yes.”
This time, the one-eyed bodyguard pulled out a pouch and set it on the table.
“This is...”
“Open it. It is a gift from the Head of the House. Handle it with respect.”
“Uh, yes.”
I wasn't sure exactly how to 'handle it with respect,' but I did my best to be as polite as possible.
“This is...”
Out came a bracelet that looked like it was woven from grass. It looked like it would break easily. This was a reward?
“It is an item my father received from his predecessor. He called it the Bracelet of Growth.”
“Is it a magical tool?”
“Yes. Even my father doesn't know the full extent of its enchantments. However, he assured me it is certainly not cursed. He said only those who enter the Labyrinth can discover its true utility. It will surely be a great source of strength. If it breaks, simply leave it in water. It will regenerate.”
The Bracelet of Growth.
I knew exactly what this was.
The Hidden Piece from the Upper Floor Botanical Garden that Olivia mentioned.
I couldn't believe this was falling into my hands right now.
The deeper you went into the Labyrinth with this, the stronger the bracelet became. It grew in power according to the floors cleared, and it periodically produced fruits or flowers that could be considered elixirs. It was a precious artifact that granted various Authorities just by wearing it. Even among support-type accessories, it was one of the best in existence.
“Heh. Why give such a treasure to me instead of the Young Lady...?”
“Because Leah will be returning to the family soon.”
“Pardon?”
“Wait, hold on. Brother, what are you talking about? Returning to the family?”
“It’s time to end this little game of playing adventurer. How long do you plan to keep up this act? Did you not learn your lesson after nearly dying this time? You are coming home. It is Father’s command. There is no room for refusal.”
“B-But...”
Lady Leah glared at Leo Lionel. But Leo didn't seem to care whether she glared or not.
“Brother. I’m not going back.”
“Leah. That’s enough. The Labyrinth is dangerous. There is no reason for you to be in there. Why does a child who grew up wanting for nothing insist on entering that place? Why are you so obsessed?”
“That’s...”
Lady Leah couldn't answer. She, too, had her own reasons for wanting to reach the deepest part of the Labyrinth.
“Listen, porter.”
“Yes.”
“Don't go filling Leah’s head with nonsense. This girl isn't strong enough to endure the darkness of the Labyrinth. One day, she will surely be swallowed and consumed by its malice.”
“Brother!”
Lady Leah finally shouted. Leo continued to sip his tea as if he’d done nothing wrong, as if he were merely stating a fact.
“Getting angry won't change anything. You are returning to the family. Settle your affairs within two days. Father ordered that you be given enough time to say your goodbyes to those who helped you.”
“....”
Lady Leah hung her head low. She didn't ask me for help. This was a family matter; she couldn't ask an outsider for assistance. However, her hands were trembling with frustration.
I’d expected this. To be honest, I knew the House of Lionel wouldn't permit her adventures forever.
But still.
The thing is...
This is the Labyrinth City.
The only place where noble authority and intimidation don't hold sway. A place built by people living freely, the only place in this world founded on the idea of equality for all.
You know how exhausting it is to get involved with nobles. Don't interfere.
I knew. I knew all too well. I knew that if you resisted nobles, they’d resort to dirty tricks.
But even so, if I hit Gold Badge rank within six months, all of this would be resolved anyway.
The die is cast, and I’ve already accepted that I’m going to have to work myself to death.
One of the reasons I’d agreed to go heretic hunting with the Saintess was to grow as fast as possible. I had to get stronger. To avoid tarnishing the Guild Master’s reputation. To descend deeper and free myself from the curses of the Three Villainesses.
In the end, getting stronger was a necessity. In this world, once you possessed the power of a Gold Badge, you had few rivals outside the city.
To hell with it.
I’d already given my heart to Lady Leah. And she had given hers to me. We’d shared so much; was I really supposed to just ignore this?
Before she was a noble, Leah was my comrade and my friend. It was only natural to help. Of course, I had to ask for her opinion first.
“Lady Leah.”
“Yes...?”
“Do you want me to help?”
“Huh? Yes... I don't want to go back. I’m sorry, but... could you help me just one more time?”
“Understood.”
Since she asked for help, I suppose I can interfere.
From this point on, this wasn't a family matter. As the Young Lady’s Labyrinth guide, I was simply consulting with her family regarding her career path.
“Excuse me, Lord Leo Lionel. I’m terribly sorry, but it seems our Young Lady doesn't want to go home.”
“Hmm? And? What exactly are you trying to say, you lowly porter?”
“I just think it’s wrong to force someone to go when they don't want to.”
At my words, the atmosphere in the reception room turned hostile in an instant. Dooms and Duran placed their hands on their sword hilts as if warning me not to interfere any further.
But I wasn't scared in the least.
So what? The Guild Master is my future wife.
“Hah. Who do you think you are, meddling in another family’s business? Don't you dare cross the line, you commoner trash. Take your reward and get out.”
“Listen to the Master while he’s being nice and go your own way, kid.”
“A brat who doesn't know his place. Do you have multiple lives to spare?”
Following Leo’s expulsion order, the two bodyguards standing on either side of him released their killing intent as a warning.
“I think you three are the ones who don't understand the situation... First of all, this is the Adventurer’s Guild. The Young Lady and I are adventurers belonging to this guild. You lot are outsiders. Do you understand? You picked the wrong place to act up.”
Trying to draw swords against an adventurer inside the Adventurer’s Guild?
You guys are in for a beating today.
Because the Guild Master is due to arrive any minute now.