Chapter 53: Labyrinth City Lartania (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 53: Labyrinth City Lartania (2)
As the owner of Merde—an establishment boasting a Magic Appraiser who was arguably the best in the Labyrinth City—and having served as Line’s secretary for over a year and a half, Serenea was always tired.
Objectively speaking, her job wasn't that physically demanding, as it mostly involved receiving guests and managing appointments. However, the psychological toll was immense.
To put it more accurately, the place was crawling with "nuisances."
Of course, since Merde was a high-end establishment, there weren't many customers who went completely off the rails. But that didn't mean there weren't plenty of people who slowly gnawed away at her sanity. Sometimes, she even thought that dealing with one explosive, worst-case-scenario customer would be better than the constant stream of subtle irritants.
Because of that, today had been a relatively peaceful day for Serenea, and she had managed to maintain a fairly good mood.
Until a man who looked like a noble arrived with a single knight.
In truth, that man wasn't really a nuisance. He did use the classic line, "I know Line personally," which many other pests used, but Serenea had heard that hundreds of times already. To her, that didn't even qualify as being a difficult customer.
The reason her mood took a vertical nosedive was the pig—no, the noble—who arrived right after him.
Even Serenea, whose professional "customer service smile" was ironclad, found her expression wavering at the sight of him.
He’s here again.
Labald Graystone.
He was the son of Lusimore Graystone, the current Lord of Lartania, and a piece of human trash known to everyone in the city. Though all his power came from his father, he wielded it as if it were his own. He was a spoiled brat who knew nothing of the world and believed no one stood above him except his father.
Serenea almost scowled as he arrogantly threw money and insulted the noble who had arrived before him, seemingly indifferent to who the man was. She barely managed to restrain herself.
She didn't have the right to scowl. No matter how much of a nuisance he was, he was the son of the only Lord in the Labyrinth City.
Knowing that even her employer, Line, usually yielded to Labald, Serenea silently opened the door.
And then, Serenea could only stand there with her mouth agape at what happened next.
Line, who had always maintained a smiling face despite the trashy Lord’s son’s constant posturing and harassment, spoke.
"Get lost."
She brushed past his shoulder as if her previous treatment of Labald had all been a lie. But that wasn't the most shocking part.
"I’ve been waiting for you, Godfather."
It was because Line bowed respectfully to the man Serenea had assumed was just another ordinary guest only moments ago.
What... what is going on?
Serenea’s expression turned to one of pure confusion, wondering if she was dreaming. Having watched Line for nearly two years, Serenea knew one thing for certain.
Whether it was the Lord of the Labyrinth City, high-ranking nobles from other countries, or even the Crown Prince of the Ashtalon Kingdom...
Line had never bowed her head to anyone.
Serenea, who had unconsciously dropped her professional smile and let her jaw hang open, soon saw the mouths of the mercenaries—including Labald—drop as well.
"What... what did you just say to me?"
Labald, who had been frozen as if his brain had stalled, finally seemed to process Line’s words. His initial dazed expression twisted into one of clear, sharp displeasure.
However...
"I believe I told you to get lost."
Line spoke again, looking at Labald as if her request was the most natural thing in the world. At this, Serenea’s expression turned to one of sheer horror. To anyone watching, those words were a blatant declaration of hostility toward Labald.
Labald let out a hollow, incredulous laugh, his face contorting into a demonic scowl.
"I don't know what’s so special about that nobody noble, but I’ll make sure you regret turning your back on me."
With those final words, he turned and stormed out of Merde.
* * *
Immediately after Labald Graystone, the son of the Labyrinth City Lord, left with a face like a vengeful wraith, Alon was finally able to have a proper conversation with Line.
"I received your letter. Thank you for coming all this way, Godfather. And you too, old man."
Unlike Deus, who acted as if silence were golden, or Seolrang, who talked far too much, Line spoke in a calm, steady voice.
Alon looked at her and gave a slight nod. "...By the way, is it really alright?"
"Is what alright...?"
"Labald."
Alon brought up the name of the Lord’s son, which he had only just managed to recall. He knew that the Lord’s power in Lartania was absolute. Since the Lord was known to dote on his son, Alon worried that Line’s actions might cause trouble for her now that she had settled here.
"Ah, you don't need to worry about that."
"...Is that so? But he’s the Lord’s son. I’m concerned it might cause problems for you."
"He likely won't be showing his face around here anymore. More importantly, I didn't know you were aware of that brat, Godfather."
Alon hesitated for a moment before speaking naturally.
"...The brat of Lartania is quite famous, after all. Both for his appearance and his personality."
"I suppose so. Anyway, as I said, you don't need to worry."
Unlike the others he had met, her tone was blunt and lacked much emotion, yet it carried a significant weight of confidence.
"If you say so, then I’m glad."
Alon gave a short nod and moved on to light conversation.
Naturally, the topics were mundane. He asked how her business in Lartania was going, whether she kept in touch with the others from the orphanage—simple, lighthearted pleasantries.
Yet, as they shared these trivial stories, Alon found himself in an uncharacteristically good mood. It might have seemed silly, but he felt that Line had grown up quite normally.
It wasn't that Deus or Seolrang hadn't grown up well in their own ways, but Line felt like a daughter who had grown up to be exceptionally diligent and responsible, despite him not having paid her as much attention.
Feeling a sudden sense of pride in her, Alon continued the conversation happily. After a while, as their small talk wound down, Alon brought up the main point.
"Actually, the reason I came to see you today is because I have a favor to ask."
"Please, feel free to tell me."
"Has an Outer God Subjugation Squad been formed yet?"
At Alon’s question, Line seemed to think for a moment before answering.
"Hmm—yes, a subjugation squad should have been formed by now."
"Then, could you help me join that squad?"
The reason he had sought her out—knowing she held considerable influence in the city—immediately upon arriving was to join the Outer God Subjugation Squad. To join such a group, one usually had to be a person of some renown within Lartania.
Of course, given his external reputation, he might have been able to join even if he went alone, but he wanted to ensure his spot, which is why he had come to her.
Though after what happened earlier, it might be a bit difficult.
"It might be a bit much to ask, but..."
Alon started to speak, thinking that borrowing Line’s influence might be difficult given the confrontation with Labald.
However...
"I think I can manage that."
"...Hm? Really?"
"Yes."
"...But didn't you just have a bit of a falling out with the Lord’s son?"
He refrained from adding that "falling out" was a bit of an understatement, and simply looked at her. She replied:
"Don't worry about it. I can handle something like that easily. More importantly, are you concerned about him, Godfather?"
"By 'him,' do you mean Labald?"
"Yes."
"He’s the Lord’s precious son. I was worried you might face unnecessary trouble because of it."
Line gave a small nod at Alon’s answer.
"Anyway, don't dwell on that part too much."
"Ahem... well, then I’ll leave it to you."
Alon felt that strange sense of pride again at her blunt but reliable demeanor. They continued their conversation for a while longer until a thought occurred to him.
"By the way, why 'Godfather'?"
"Pardon?"
"I mean, Deus and Seolrang call me their benefactor or mentor, so I was curious why you call me 'Godfather'."
At his question, Line seemed to ponder for a moment.
"...Because 'Godfather' is the word that fits best?"
"...Is that so?"
"Yes."
She left it at that.
A short while later.
"You should rest for today. You must be tired after such a long journey."
Line provided Alon and Evan with rooms inside Merde and soon disappeared somewhere.
"Wow, she’s really matured," Evan said the moment she was gone, as if he had been waiting to speak.
"You think so?"
"Yes. She’s blunt, but she was always like that. If you set that aside... I think she feels the most mature out of all the kids we’ve met so far."
Alon nodded in agreement.
"True. She does feel like she’s grown up in the most textbook manner."
Line said she’d handle it, and since not much time has passed compared to when I went to the North, I should probably rest and review my plans.
With that thought, he headed to the room Line had prepared. By the time he entered, it was already late evening.
* * *
The next day.
Perhaps because he had rushed to Lartania by carriage with almost no rest, Alon woke up to find the sun already high in the sky, his body still protesting with fatigue.
After spacing out on the bed for a moment, he got dressed and left the room. Guided by Line’s secretary, Serenea, he found Line having lunch.
And then...
"I’ve taken care of the matter you mentioned yesterday."
"...That quickly?"
"Yes. There’s a regular meeting today, so you can just go to that."
Alon looked at Line with an impressed expression, but his admiration was short-lived.
"Oh, and I also killed Labald Graystone cleanly so he wouldn't bother you anymore."
She said it so casually, as if she were commenting on how bright the sunlight was today, all while taking a bite of a sausage.
"Ah, I see—"
Alon started to respond just as casually, but then...
"Wait... what??"
He could only stare at Line, his mind suddenly filled with a thousand question marks.