Chapter 80: Severing Ties
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: Severing Ties
A powder keg ready to blow.
I channeled mana into my Inventory.
If I activate Intangibility and lunge at Dooms right now...
I could thrust my arm into his body and pull an item out of my Inventory, blowing him apart instantly.
Leo seemed weak enough that if I took out Dooms and then claimed Duran’s head, the victory would be mine.
“Sigh. So that’s how you’re going to play it.”
As I shifted into a combat stance, Leo, who had been staring intently into my eyes, let out a sigh and shook his head.
“Dooms, Duran, stand down. The porter is right.”
The two bodyguards, who looked ready to strike at any moment, removed their hands from their hilts.
I had been prepared to counter-attack the moment they lunged, but the opposition backed down first.
“Fine, sister. If you want to stay, stay. However, understand that from the moment you chose to remain here, you can no longer expect any support from the family.”
“...I know.”
“And even if you die, the family will no longer take responsibility for the cost of your resurrection. Whether you die in some ditch or not, the family is washing its hands of your life. You are officially expelled.”
It was the natural course of action.
Since she had defied the head of the house’s order to return home, they wouldn't take responsibility for her even if she died. They were severing ties so completely that they would even ignore debt collection from the Church.
“And you, porter. I don’t know what kind of wicked intentions you have toward Leah, but don’t expect any more rewards for ‘rescuing’ my sister like you got today. You must have thought you could make a killing off her because you were blinded by greed. Not a chance.”
It was absurd, but I didn't bother to argue.
From his perspective, it was a perfectly reasonable assumption. I probably looked like a guy who approached a Young Lady for the money, hoping to hit the jackpot.
“The reward I gave you today will be the last support you receive. Whether the two of you split that money or whatever, survive on your own. Furthermore, do not use the Lionel name. Every benefit you gained by having the family at your back disappears as of today.”
He was saying the financial support was being cut off entirely.
Now, the Young Lady wouldn't be able to borrow money in the family name, nor would she be treated as a noble. He would see to it personally. It meant she had become a completely discarded child.
“And this is a message from Father.”
“What is it...?”
“‘If you refuse to break your stubbornness and insist on staying in the city until the end, do not even think about returning to the family until you have earned a Gold Badge. This is the path you chose. If you cannot prove your own value, then just die in the Labyrinth.’”
They were cold words, but rational ones.
He was telling her to grow on her own without the family’s help and prove herself. Until she did, the Young Lady would no longer be a noble.
“He said to prove yourself without the family’s protection. He said, ‘Isn’t that what the Labyrinth City is all about?’”
“Did Father... really say that?”
“Yes. Father reached this decision after agonizing over this situation quite seriously. He still loves you, but he’s a man who keeps his public and private lives strictly separate.”
“...I understand.”
“Sigh. Sister, are you really not coming back? It’s going to be hard. Are you really that bewitched by this porter?”
Leo glared at me once more.
I felt like I had been firmly labeled as the culprit behind this whole mess.
“Uh, it’s not like that. Sion is just helping me. He doesn’t interfere with me beyond that.”
“Is that so? Change your mind now and let’s go home. Leah, the Labyrinth is dangerous. Your brother is begging you. If you insist on following through with this... you won’t be able to return to the family.”
“I’ve already decided. I’m not going back. My will is firm. You’d be better off hoping I earn a Gold Badge quickly.”
“...Fine. Dammit.”
Leo ran a hand through his hair.
“I guess I’m screwed for going back to the family, too.”
“Huh? Why you, Brother?”
“What am I supposed to do at home alone if you’re not there? I don’t want to go back if there’s no one to play with.”
“Wait. Then what about Father?”
“Father said, ‘If Leah is stubborn, you stay behind too and do some business before you come back.’”
“Huh?”
For a moment, both the Young Lady and I were stunned.
Wait, didn't he just say she was being cut off from the family? Then what was this?
“The family owns a merchant guild in the city. I’ll be staying there. Sigh. From now on, don’t call me ‘Brother.’ Call me ‘Guild Master.’ Dammit, I don’t even know what I’m doing. Just know that’s how it is.”
What on earth did that mean?
Leo was staying in the city?
Why was this guy staying?
Just go home.
“What’s with that look, porter? You don’t look happy. Why? Is your heart aching because your plan to get your hands on my sister isn't working out? Hahaha. Your face is so transparent. Unbelievable. Commoners really can’t control their expressions, can they?”
“No. It’s not that I can’t control my expression; I’m just making it clear that I’m annoyed. The thought of you staying in the city to keep picking fights with me is dizzying.”
“What? Picking fights? You’ve got a foul mouth, don’t you?”
“Whatever. It looks like we’ll be seeing each other often.”
“Hmph. Don’t try to act friendly. I still don’t like you.”
“For your information, I’m the Young Lady’s instructor. We’ve decided to stick together whenever we enter the Labyrinth.”
“You son of a bitch!!! I knew you seduced my sister!”
Leo immediately grabbed me by the collar.
“Whoa there. You going to hit me? This is the Adventurer’s Guild, you know. You realize I’m allowed to use self-defense, right? Are you putting too much trust in Dooms and Duran? Should I call my friends too?”
“You piece of... Dooms, Duran.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Let’s register as adventurers first. It’s so frustrating I can’t even hit a commoner.”
“The paperwork is already prepared. You just need to sign.”
Leo was actually going to register as an adventurer.
Now he wouldn't be able to act out using his family name as a shield. Disputes between adventurers were generally handled by the parties involved. Even the Guild Master wouldn't help.
Unless it was a one-sided assassination, most disputes were settled with fists.
“Phew. Leah, if it gets so hard you feel like you’re going to die, come to me.”
“Forget it. I’m not... taking any more help from the family.”
“Is that so? Well, good luck.”
“You too, Brother. And I’m sorry for making you come to the city for nothing.”
“Forget it. I had to come to check on things anyway. At least I got to see the face of the demon hanging around my sister. To think a guy like that is sticking to her...”
Glaring at me until the very end, Leo walked out with his two bodyguards.
To be honest, I thought he would just deliver the news and leave.
Or that it would lead to a physical confrontation where I’d beat him up and he’d be kicked out of the city.
But they had used their heads in their own way. They knew that if they resorted to force, they would be crushed by the Guild’s pressure, so they made a flexible exit.
They probably already assumed the Young Lady wouldn't return home from the start.
They must have contacted the city’s merchant guild in advance to plant Leo there.
They said the father was a doting parent and the brother had a sister complex; were they planning to keep supporting her while making it look like she was disowned to the outside world?
Or maybe he was just stationed there to keep an eye on her.
“I’m not sure exactly how things are working out, but for now, it seems you can stay in the city.”
“I guess so. Somehow, I get the feeling my brother came here to do business from the start.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He’s the type to just blurt things out, and his way of speaking is a bit rough. But he’s actually quite good at business.”
“I see.”
“Anyway, thanks for taking my side.”
“It was nothing. I should be the one taking your side.”
“Hehe. I should let the others know about the situation. Since the family support is cut off, we’ll really have to earn some money.”
“Ah, then I’ll give you some of the reward I received.”
“No. That’s your rightful pay. I don’t want to take it. I’ll try to hold out with the money I have for now. And... we’ll have to go to the Upper Levels on our own even without you, Sion.”
Since I couldn't always go with them, the Young Lady said they would have to go earn money themselves.
Honestly, they should be fine going to the Upper Levels on their own. Of course, I couldn't send them in immediately since I still had more to teach them.
Originally, she said she wouldn't enter the Labyrinth without me, but the situation has changed.
We had to be flexible.
Once they went to the Upper Levels a few more times, they’d get the hang of it, so the Young Lady’s party would likely be able to handle it themselves. It would be better for me too if they could handle the Upper Levels while we tackled the Underground City together.
“Still, you have to wait until the Heretics are dealt with. The Upper Levels are dangerous because of them.”
“Okay. I’ll stay quiet this week. I’ll have to move our lodging first, though.”
Since the family support was gone, they’d have to leave the high-end inn. The Young Lady was now in a position where she had to earn her own keep.
Yes, the words ‘financial abundance’ and ‘Labyrinth exploration’ didn't really go together. There’s a proverb that says you can enjoy the Labyrinth more fully when you’re poor.
“Let’s keep doing our best. We both need to reach Gold Badge rank now.”
“Sigh. You’re right. I have to get that Gold Badge. If I’ve decided to be an adventurer, I should at least dream of reaching Gold.”
“Exactly. Since the Platinum Badge is the realm of natural talent and luck, we should at least aim for Gold.”
A Platinum Badge wasn't something just anyone could get.
You either had to be born with a certain destiny or put in enough effort to break the limits of your species. No, the Platinum Badge was a realm that was difficult to reach through effort alone.
Without innate talent, it was impossible to achieve.
“Anyway, I’ll head back first. Sorry for getting you caught up in this.”
“No, it’s fine. I was already caught up the moment I became your instructor...”
“Hehe. Right? Since you’re already involved, you’re welcome to interfere in my life a bit more.”
“I think I’d be killed by Leo if I interfered any more than this. I’ll behave myself.”
“Coward... Well, have a safe trip to the Labyrinth. Make sure you come back alive. Ah, I guess... we can’t go on that date.”
“Let’s do it when I get back from the Labyrinth.”
“Okay! Make sure you come back safe!”
The Young Lady left the Guild.
Since I had to enter the Labyrinth tomorrow, I decided to finish my final preparations.
*
I finished every last bit of preparation.
“Are you really going to buy all of this?”
“Yes. Give me everything you have.”
Oil bottles.
These were an incredible help during Labyrinth exploration.
If things got desperate, you could just hurl them and set everything on fire. If that isn't a Fireball, what is?
I believed the combination of a Subspace Pocket and oil bottles was practically the same as having Fireball.
“If an arson case breaks out somewhere, you’ll be the prime suspect.”
“Haha. What a joke.”
I stuffed all the oil bottles into my Subspace Pocket.
I also bought plenty of rope, as well as herbs and mint.
I even packed several tons of water into the Subspace Pocket.
I’ve gathered plenty of discarded furniture and wood too...
No matter what situation arose, I would be able to escape.
I was practically a walking house at this point.