Chapter 154
Chapter 154
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Request for Help
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‘What the hell is this?'
I calmly reviewed the letter's contents. I read it from start to finish, not skipping a single word, multiple times, but my initial thought was correct.
It was a letter from a nearby territory requesting my help.
A quest signaling that the game's main story had entered its midgame.
The ring I'd obtained after defeating Arachneira was still tucked away in my desk drawer. So it wasn't like the ring had been delivered behind my back or anything.
If this had happened in a side quest, I could've understood.
For players who prioritized exploring the map and uncovering fog of war over pushing the story or clearing quests, it was common to accidentally complete quests without realizing and end up baffled.
But defeating Arachneira and delivering the Prattroid family's ring was part of the main story. In other words, there was no way to skip it or complete it ahead of schedule.
It should have been impossible.
'...Is this fallout from meeting the World Devourer?'
My head was spinning. If this was because the World Devourer had bulldozed the story by barging in early, it was the height of nuisance.
I'd pretty much given up on following the game's story anyway, but the World Devourer's appearance and this request for help were similar yet fundamentally different cases.
The lizard bastard had triggered a brand-new event that never existed in the game, while this letter was an existing main story event happening ahead of schedule.
If anything, it was comparable to how I'd smashed that forsaken creation the moment I entered the Holy Kingdom.
'Because I took out all the early-game mandatory bosses?'
For now, that seemed the most plausible explanation. I'd already crushed the spider out of the three early-game bosses, and I'd taken out the golem and wolf this time too.
In the game, those enemies became mandatory bosses due to intertwined storylines and quests, but I'd ignored all that and hunted them down directly.
"Are you alright, Captain? You don't look so good."
Rakxia mirrored my serious expression. She must've guessed the letter's contents from my mood.
The content itself wasn't serious at all. To the people of this world, it might even seem like good news. Only I, knowing the inside story, had reason to worry.
"I'm fine. It's nothing."
"It doesn't look like nothing. What's it say?"
I handed her the letter obediently. Rakxia took it and read it carefully, then tilted her head with a puzzled look.
"It doesn't seem that serious. The request for help, the promised rewards—none of it's bad for you, right? If anything, singling you out means your reputation has soared."
The letter was straightforward. The lord of a city a bit away had specifically asked for my assistance.
The core request was to clear a dungeon that had appeared near his territory. Rewards included all loot and byproducts from the dungeon, plus additional gold.
The overall outline was similar to the game, but the details were completely different.
It shouldn't have mentioned driving off a dragon, becoming captain of a newly formed knight order, or serving the imperial branch family member Aurora.
Instead, it should have named the early-to-mid main story bosses I'd receive the letter after defeating.
Since the player takes them all down before getting the letter.
'Their trust in me is off the charts.'
In the game, it felt like grasping at straws with a newly rising knight, but now it strongly implied unwavering confidence that I'd resolve it for sure.
Probably because the rumors of my feats had reached a whole new level.
"I know. I'll accept it. No reason to refuse like you think."
"......?"
Rakxia's confusion deepened. If I was going to accept anyway, why the long face?
"...Understood. How many personnel should we bring? I'll make the arrangements while you prepare."
"No. I'm going alone."
"Pardon?"
"So, you're leaving again?"
"......"
Aurora was the first to speak, propping her chin on the desk with a pouty, dissatisfied expression, cheeks puffed out like a sulking child.
"If you go by yourself, what about our promised outing?"
"I'll do it when I get back—"
Before I could finish, strength entered her golden eyes as she stared at me intently. I stopped mid-sentence.
I could feel the gazes of the rest of the order behind me, including Vice-Captain Helga of the Ebony Holy Night Knights. Unlike Aurora, theirs brimmed with eager curiosity.
Lana, standing demurely next to Aurora with hands clasped over her lower abdomen, kept her expressionless face but her eyes clearly anticipated how our conversation would unfold.
Rakxia had thrown a fit about me going alone, so we'd compromised on one vice-captain. That one was Helga.
I'd only recently realized it, but the Ebony Holy Night Knights had thoroughly misunderstood the relationship between Aurora and me.
I'd denied it vehemently, but they didn't buy it one bit.
That's why they watched our exchange with such fascination. From their perspective, it looked like a lovers' quarrel.
'What a bizarre world.'
On top of that, nobody batted an eye at me sleeping with Lize. The atmosphere was that it was only natural for someone like me.
Having one woman with multiple men was unthinkable and repulsive, but a man with several women proved his prowess and deserved praise.
Of course, failing to match that with achievements got you finger-wagged at just the same, but their thinking was warped from the start.
"Why the sudden issue? It's a request, not an order or threat, so we could just say no. They're the ones in a hurry, not us."
"A dungeon appeared nearby. Apparently, it's a Rune Dungeon."
"If it's a Rune Dungeon, he could just claim it himself. Why ask you? Since when are you such a softie?"
"He already sent knights in and lost over ten, so he can't handle it alone anymore."
It wasn't like they were just handing over all the rewards and loot out of generosity, promising extra if wanted—just please eliminate it. There was backstory.
He'd tried to hog it solo, only to bite off more than he could chew.
Plus, while rare, the rule was to report Rune Dungeons to the palace first. Getting caught trying to pocket it meant dealing with the consequences alone.
Hence the massive rewards—to buy help and silence. No matter how valuable runes were, they couldn't compare to his life and family.
I had no idea why he'd ask me, who'd received a knight order directly from the emperor, to secretly snag runes instead of some up-and-coming knight.
What if I ratted him out to the emperor?
"...What are the rewards?"
"Everything from the dungeon, runes included, and extra gold if wanted."
Aurora's eyes widened slightly. Mentioning the runes outright meant desperation. She knew it well, hence her reaction.
"......"
Aurora seemed deep in thought. Then, as if resolved, she unpropped her chin.
"I'll go too."
"...What was that?"
"I'm going too. Why, no good?"
I suddenly understood how Rakxia must've felt when I said I was going alone.
"My lady, us going is fine, but you joining might be seen as having ulterior motives—"
"I'll handle that. And think of this as our 'outing' instead?"
Aurora was stubborn as ever. Like her aunt, she couldn't be swayed easily.
Breaking that resolve needed solid evidence, and unfortunately, I had no such card.
"...Understood. But stay out of the combat zone?"
"Of course. I know my place. I'll hole up in their mansion as a guest, so no worries."
I nodded reluctantly and turned around. The knights who'd been watching our exchange with keen interest averted their eyes.
Before me unfolded a bunny girl extravaganza.
And one reverse bunny.
"......"
Perky rabbit ears atop their heads, matching their hair colors. Form-fitting outfits that clung tightly, barely covering essentials.
Bare thighs and calves on full display, no stockings. High heels in colors matching their hair, like the ears.
Finally, thick alphabet X stickers over the vice-captain's nipples and crotch.
Seeing the samples had made me dizzy, but witnessing the whole order in "uniform" bunny girl attire doubled it.
I suppressed the feeling and spoke.
"Helga."
"Yes. Go ahead."
Her reply came in a languid tone—not annoyed, but half-hearted compared to Rakxia's crisp efficiency.
For solo ops, I preferred this type—finishes her tasks and ignores the rest—over overly zealous ones, so I let it slide.
"We have to escort the lady. How many more do you think we need?"
"Hmm... Hard to say. I think just us is enough."
"Sure?"
"No. I'll bring one more."
She must've realized it'd dump all the burden on her, as she quickly backpedaled.
Helga departed, her cute bunny tail wiggling above her rear, followed by the rest—ears flopping, breasts bouncing, hips swaying.
They looked like they were off to deal cards at a casino.
—So, inside the carriage...
—Inside the carriage... risk of getting caught...
—If it doesn't shake...
—And the noise...
Behind me, Aurora and Lana whispered intently. An ominous premonition already flashed through my mind.