Guard Corps Standoff (2)
"It's settled?"
Beth asked me after confirming the guards had stepped aside.
I nodded lightly, and she glanced back and forth between the guards and me.
"Yeah? Alright then."
She'd told me to head to the Rockhart Merchant Group in the city if any issues arose, then set the carriage in motion.
Their carriage soon departed, vanishing into the distance.
"I'll be on my way now."
"……."
I walked past the three guards who'd been blocking the path and entered the city.
Of the three at the gate, two had already vanished using Return Scrolls—likely off to report.
I was about to use my own Return Scroll to head back to the mansion when I sensed something off about the city's atmosphere and paused.
"...It's a bit chaotic."
From the entrance lined with street vendors to the bustling main streets stretching far ahead, there were way more people than usual.
Not leisurely strollers, though—scattered folks stood around, scanning their surroundings like sentinels.
And their eyes were locked on the guards' movements.
...What the hell?
That's when.
"...Huh?"
One of the people watching the guards locked eyes with me.
Spotting me, he approached.
"You're Rain Astria, right?"
"Yes."
"Dawn Guild's sub-master is looking for you. Just tell the Guard Corps that."
"...?"
"I'll be off then."
He left those cryptic words and returned to his post.
I scanned the area before finally activating my Return Scroll.
ZZZing—
As the scroll tore, the world rippled briefly, teleporting me straight to my mansion's front gate.
Once inside, I first checked on the spirits.
Splash—
Reaching the back garden, the water spirit Undine leaped into my arms.
I caught her gently, gave her a pat, then set her back by the pond before opening my inventory.
◈ A flower sharing an ecology akin to spirits. Dramatically boosts the growth rate of all developing spirits.
I pulled out the iridescent flower and planted it carefully by the pond's edge.
The Spirit Herb I'd farmed after taking down the bandits in Crow's Nest.
Undine inspected it, then drew pond water into her mouth and sprayed it gently over the flower like a mist.
The cloud-like wind spirit Sylph drifted over lazily, circling the area.
The fire spirit Ifrit watched from afar but didn't approach.
"Like it?"
I petted the spirits before pulling out some spirit feed.
◈ Premium spirit feed made of pure mana. Emits a sweet fragrance.
I placed the round, rice-cake-like feed on my palm, and the spirits swarmed my hand, snatching one each and munching happily.
Now at three stars and in childlike forms, their eating was downright adorable.
They devoured it in seconds, lifting my spirits too.
Spirits don't need feed if ambient mana is plentiful, but...
They enjoyed it so much—who was I to deny them?
I handed out one more round each, then left the mansion.
Hadn't leveled up in ages thanks to being out and about, so time to hit the dungeon again.
Heading to the bustling streets.
"Greetings, knight! Might I ask which knight order you're with?"
A man with the Blue Dragon Guild emblem on his chest approached me.
A skilled-looking guy trailed behind him.
"...Nah, not this one. No weapon or anything."
"Oh... right?"
They murmured among themselves.
I addressed the one in back.
"City's in an uproar—what's going on?"
"Ah... you new in town?"
"Just got back."
He scratched his head awkwardly.
He pondered briefly before speaking.
"Guard Corps has a problem on their hands. Hunting a suspect, but... doesn't seem like you match the descriptions."
"...What kind of problem?"
"Wouldn't be right for me to say more."
He shook his head lightly and walked past.
...What the hell.
I headed to the dungeon first.
Figure it out after hunting.
Stopped at my usual spot to buy packed lunches stuffed with meat.
"One platinum coin! Here you go!"
"Thanks."
Paid with a Labyrinth platinum coin and stowed two lunches in my inventory.
As I turned to leave for the dungeon.
"Man, world's getting scary these days—what a mess."
The lunch vendor muttered to himself.
Normally I'd ignore it, but with the weird vibe in Labyrinth City today...
"Something happen?"
"...Huh? You haven't heard?"
"Just got back to the city."
"Ah, that explains it."
He leaned in, wary of eavesdroppers.
"Murder!"
"...Pardon?"
A murder in Labyrinth City?
That didn't compute.
This neutral hub had constant patrols from both kingdoms' knights and guards.
Committing murder here meant being ready to take on kingdoms, empire, and the Labyrinth Lords.
"Know any details?"
"Uh, yeah? Just rumors, mind—a knight stabbed a guard."
"......"
A knight stabbing a guard?
Insane.
No clue what was happening.
"Rumors or not, something went down. City's tense since morning, fewer dungeon divers too."
He patted his stacked lunches.
Definitely more than usual.
He warned me not to spread rumors and retreated inside.
I headed straight for the dungeon entrance.
"……."
"……."
The knights lined up before it stared daggers.
Guards looked sharp-edged too—something was definitely up.
Wanted to ask someone in the know, but no familiar faces here.
...No Den.
Guard Corps Captain Den.
The first Guard Corps guy I'd really talked to here.
Only one I knew there, but he hadn't been around lately.
'Hunt first.'
I shoved stray thoughts aside and crossed into the dungeon.
Fewer people at the first-floor exit too.
Especially guild emblems—barely any.
I slipped away from prying eyes and used a Designated Return Scroll.
Saved spot: fifth basement's hidden labyrinth.
Blasted through to the seventh basement.
Hummm—
Crossing the gate revealed the familiar dungeon.
Strange symbols on the walls, distorting into alien shapes deeper in.
I pressed onward.
The path widened into a vast chamber.
At the far end: tall stairs leading to a looming altar.
Black Altar 7-2 Zone.
I summoned a golem from inventory, stretched, and cracked my knuckles.
Curiosity could wait—hunt first.
Thud—
The massive stone statue's head rolled across the floor.
I aimed at the core embedded in it and fired a Splitting Ray.
The head's ominous hum cut off, halting the explosion.
Extracting Massive Stone Statue's circuits.
Current extraction rate: 52%
Four massive stone statues per Black Altar, and I'd cleared three today.
Perfect level-up timing—good spot to call it.
The murder buzzed in my head, killing focus anyway.
Plus, first hunt in a while—body was beat.
Had to kite them into hitting each other, which ate time.
They didn't shatter in one punch either.
Recovered mana stones from the wreckage, then mixed Designated Return Scrolls and Return Scrolls to exit.
Hummm—
Emerging at the first-floor exit, night had fallen over the city.
One more Return Scroll whisked me to the mansion gate.
There.
"Welcome, young one."
"……."
An elderly guard waited at my mansion's entrance.
Guard Corps elder Gehan.
Behind him, armed guards stood in formation.
"You summoned me—I came. Satisfied?"
"……."
"Let's head to Guard Corps HQ first. Refuse further, and we'll have to drag you."
Gehan signaled the guards behind him.
Then.
Shing—
Guards drew swords in unison.
They circled me, swords ready.
I gripped a Designated Return Scroll just in case.
"What's this about?"
"Nothing major. Just questions."
"No reason to comply. Especially not like this."
I pointed at their drawn blades.
Their off-hands held Dungeon Deep Stones to block Return Scrolls.
"Young one, if you're innocent, come clear it. You dragged this old man out here—time to own up."
"I need an explanation first."
"Follow to Guard Corps, and you'll get it."
"……."
Short deliberation.
Could go, but... why should I?
"No."
"...No? Then... don't cry foul."
Shing—
Elder Gehan drew his sword.
"Knights and guards have summary execution rights. Enough stubbornness, young one."
He fixed me with a piercing glare, sword aimed.
...No choice?
Fighting now would just paint me in a bad light.
That's when.
"Oh? Rain, long time no see."
A woman's voice from beyond Gehan.
I peeked past—
"So... what's all this?"
Dawn Guild sub-master Leah, with her guildmates in tow.
Humphrey stepped forward.
He approached the elder Gehan.
"Elder Gehan. No idea what's happening, but... best lower your sword."
"...Dawn. What brings you here?"
"Handling a request from you elders. Investigating suspicious young knights, right?"
"That's true, but... why interfere?"
"The one you're eyeing isn't a knight."
Humphrey moved in front of me, subtly raising his shield.
"Can't fathom why you'd draw on him."
"...Dawn. Stay out."
"Interfere? Hardly. Merely..."
Leah extended her hand.
A pure white snake flicked its tongue from her palm—her mana coiling around the guards.
"He and I have prior plans. Guards, best head back, no?"
Leah flashed a grin.