The Gates of Bellone Territory
The gates of Bellone Territory. Beastkin with animal ears stood guard before them. Noon was fast approaching. The sun, now high overhead, blazed fiercely.
-Kuuuooooh-
A noise unlike any they'd ever heard rumbled from the sky above, where they'd paid no attention before. A metallic hunk streaked in, trailing a violet glow from its rear, halting just before the gates guarded by the sentries. Violet light poured from its nose as it braked hard.
"Wh-what the hell is that?!"
"Air raid alert! Air raid alert!"
The guards, battered by the wind from the craft's approach, startled and leveled their spears.
-Shuuu-
With braking complete, the craft settled gently to the ground, then dissolved amid billowing violet smoke. From the disintegrating mass emerged three beastkin and one giant. The violet smoke was absorbed into the giant.
The Obholder, detached from the craft, floated idly into position behind Dorne. Dorne, clad only in comfortable top and bottoms, channeled the mana once used to form the craft into full-body armor. It formed a sleek, perfectly fitted shape—not the clunky look of typical full plate, but like a man forged from iron itself. Violet afterimages traced from the iron giant's eyes, sketching faint lines.
The guards aimed their spear tips at the blatantly intimidating iron giant.
The Bellone Party hurriedly restrained them.
"Guards! I am Knight Roden. This ironclad knight is an ally—lower your spears at once."
The senior guard, gripping his spear in bewilderment, recognized Roden.
"K-Knight Roden! You've returned! And the young lady too!"
The senior guard saluted with fist to chest. The guards were thrilled to withdraw their spears from an iron giant that no blade or spear could possibly pierce. They were tasked with guarding the gates for Bellone, but they had zero desire to clash with something so utterly impervious. Thank goodness he's on our side...
"Yes. We have urgent business. You focus on your watch. We're heading to the lord's castle."
-Snap!
"Understood!"
Leaving the guards' crisp salute behind, the three beastkin and one giant pressed through Bellone Territory.
As a domain ruled by beastkin lords, many of the residents going about their daily lives sported beast ears. The runaway-returnee party, led by Elisia Bellone, crossed the main avenue of Bellone Territory and arrived before the lord's castle.
It was on a scale incomparable to any labyrinth city. Elisia Bellone opened the castle gates.
"Elisia Bellone has returned. Send word to the castle, and guide my guests inside."
"Lady Elisia! Right away!"
In Bellone Territory, Elisia Bellone's face was her calling card. At her command to the castle guards, one bolted inside like a bullet.
Moments later, flustered servants—a butler and maids—rushed out, eyes brimming with tears. They clutched Elisia's hands, whom they hadn't seen in ages, and exchanged joyful greetings.
One teary-eyed maid approached Dorne. She drew close, craning her neck up to address the iron giant.
"Sir Dorne. By Lady Elisia's order, I shall guide you. Once you've rested from your journey, I'll escort you to dine with the lord."
"Sir" was a title at least for knights, but outside stiff formal occasions, it often carried a fawning tone for those one wished to impress. Elisia, surrounded by servants, stood on tiptoe and shouted to Dorne.
"Dorne! Wash up and meet me in the dining hall. Bellone food is delicious!"
"Got it. See you there."
Elisia Bellone, tended to with utmost care by the servants... The image of the tomboyish miss felt a touch different now.
Dorne followed the quick-stepping maid's swishing tail to the guest quarters prepared for him.
"Sir Dorne, you may use this room during your stay in Bellone Castle. A meal with the lord is scheduled after your bath. Shall I assist you?"
"Please do."
'If she's offering to help, no reason to refuse.'
Dorne, with his vast surface area, always found bathing a hassle anyway.
The Bellone Castle maid assigned to attend Dorne exclusively was flushed with excitement she could barely hide. Just moments ago, while assisting with his bath, she'd seen and touched his naked form.
Her heart pounded recalling his massive frame, sculpted muscles, and how meticulously she'd washed every contour.
While humans and elves often disliked overly bulky muscles, beastkin generally preferred things big—in every way. It was taboo to say aloud, lest one be branded racist, but beastkin were indeed more instinct-driven and primal than other races. Thus, most favored the tall and imposing, looking up to them literally and figuratively.
This maid was no exception. When Dorne, armor shed, bared his enormous back and entered the tub, water overflowed massively—enough for her to bathe in the spillover alone.
Regaining her composure as a well-trained noble maid, she decided to step out so Dorne could rest. (The Obholder, who'd bathed with him, had stared at the dazed beastkin for a while before losing interest and scouting every corner of the room.)
"Sir Dorne, I'll fetch you when the meal is ready. Rest easy."
"Thank you."
Dorne leaned against the bed, seeing her off. The lavish guest bed, made for honored visitors, fit him perfectly. For the first time since reincarnating, he savored the plush comfort, relaxing every muscle with a deep sigh.
The breath from his vast lungs' depths rumbled through his vocal cords like a tiger's growl, vibrating the air.
-Flap flap
The freshly cleaned Obholder, free of armor, flapped its tiny wings and nestled against Dorne. He scratched its crown(?).
"Flying around like that tiring? Want me to make you some armor?"
-...!
Dorne's mana transformed into armor for the Obholder. A feat beyond the norms of Ironclad Giant.
Abilities were like that—transcending common sense. Since acquiring Ironclad Giant, Dorne had never dropped his full-body armor even in sleep. But now, after a thorough hot bath, soft clothes, and sinking into this fluffy bed, he relished the rare sensation of bare skin.
He'd made it himself with his mana, bolstered by abilities, and it was truly comfortable—but nothing beat going au naturel.
Dorne exhaled shallowly, basking in tranquility. The summon, needing no rest, patrolled between windows and doors, guarding his peace.
Dorne smiled warmly at the Obholder's diligence, considering granting it scouting abilities.
'Eresa already has scouting abilities... but Obholder doesn't sleep. Perfect for night watch.'
Given Dorne's 【Self-Reflection】, holding two warrior and two mage abilities as a hybrid explorer, outfitting the Obholder with both mage and scout powers was no issue. Its small surface area was no concern either—engraving size and performance weren't tied to visible rune scale.
Otherwise, 【Giant】 wouldn't be so undervalued now. Runes etched to fit the explorer's build.
The 【Telekinesis】 on the Obholder was tiny, yet fully potent.
Dorne closed his eyes and activated 【Self-Reflection】.
Even lying in bed, at rest, he grew stronger. He hoped his comrades exploring the Eastern Labyrinth were pushing hard.
When the meal was ready, Dorne donned his armor again and arrived for the dinner hosted by the Bellone family head.
-... Clink
Bellone nobles, born and bred in refinement, enjoyed the delectable feast without a single clink of utensils. The sole sound in the dining hall came from Dorne.
The mouthless Obholder had wanted to flit about the table eyeing the food, but settled for Dorne's descriptions, floating obediently.
Dorne wasn't clueless—far from it, with his Earth-honed experience of rich cultures. He knew he was the only one making noise while eating. But he didn't care.
From an Earthling's view, excessive table manners seemed like self-important fussing. Dorne, no British noble or chaebol heir but an ordinary citizen, thought that way.
Bellone specialties made clever use of local honey—sweet dishes balanced masterfully, a feast for the tongue.
Servants cleared the giant's emptied plates, setting tea and desserts on the pristine table.
Kairo Bellone, who'd eaten in silence, finally spoke.
"Sir Dorne. Did the meal please you?"
Dorne set his teacup hand on his knee and replied.
"Yes. Quite satisfying—in taste and portion. For one mostly living in labyrinth cities, it was a novel delight."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. We've heard through Elisia of the grace you've shown our Bellone house. You've likely heard thanks from her and the knights, but as family head, I offer mine once more..."
Kairo Bellone bowed his head politely toward Dorne. Dorne returned the gesture simply, accepting without fanfare.
"It wasn't for your house. Just helping a friend—no need to bow."
"Your consideration touches me. What are your plans henceforth? Having aided us, you deserve recompense, though it will take a few days to prepare. Anything you desire? Even a great explorer like you might find use in what a noble can provide."
Dorne pondered before answering hastily. Nobles offered unique things: heirloom weapons, knighthood, frontier manors, political leverage. But none appealed.
What he wanted was with Dorne Party—and in the labyrinths.
With resolute eyes, Dorne faced Kairo Bellone.
"Gold coins, please. Everything I want is in the labyrinth city."
Kairo regarded Dorne—steel exterior matching iron resolve. Immense power, unyielding will, clear purpose. Like a train already in motion, unstoppable by outsiders.
Kairo decided against meddling with the tracks to avoid wrath—instead, he'd toss in a pouch of gold coins.
"Grant me three days, Sir Dorne."
"Gladly."
The train, spewing ultraviolet mana instead of steam along iron rails, made a brief stop at Bellone Station.