Chapter 55: Labyrinth City Lartania (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 55: Labyrinth City Lartania (4)
Silence falls over the meeting room.
The mercenaries who had entered late all wore tense expressions, while Maverick, Himan, and Argonia, who were already seated, stared at Alon with equal intensity.
Yet, even with every eye in the room fixed on him, Alon’s expression remained serene.
…To be precise, it was only serene on the surface.
‘Did I overdo it?’
Behind his expressionless mask, Alon was breaking into a cold sweat.
‘Should I have used a different method? No, any other way wouldn't have had enough impact. I only managed to freeze Myaon because it was a surprise attack, anyway.’
While staring intently into Argonia’s eyes, Alon kept Myaon in the corner of his vision.
‘She hasn't thawed yet.’
He had poured every bit of mana he had into his gauntlets—enough for five spells—to manifest that Severe Cold. Myaon remained frozen solid.
‘…I hope we can move the conversation along before the magic wears off.’
Knowing Myaon’s personality, she would undoubtedly go on a rampage the moment she was freed. Alon looked at Argonia, his internal anxiety mounting.
If Argonia, the strongest person here, acknowledged him, no further fighting would break out.
Furthermore, Alon had dared to cast his magic so boldly because he ultimately trusted Argonia. Through the game, Alon had seen time and again that Argonia wasn't one for useless stubbornness; she was the type to coolly assess a situation and concede when necessary.
…To be more accurate, the current situation was very similar to one the protagonist faced during a specific quest in the game, and Argonia had reacted the same way every time. That was the basis of Alon's trust.
“…….”
In the heavy silence, Alon wanted to speak up and force an answer, but he held back.
Since he had already made his move, whatever he said now didn't matter. The judgment now rested with the mercenaries. More than anything, to earn their respect, he had to keep up his front.
After a long moment.
“Are you trying to pick a fight with all of us?”
Maverick was the first to break the silence, his face contorted in a scowl.
He looked ready to draw his sword at any second, clearly offended by the sudden attack. Alon thought to himself, ‘I’m screwed,’ but then—
“Stop.”
Fortunately, Argonia restrained Maverick just before the blade left its sheath.
“What? You’re just going to let this slide after seeing this?”
“We were the ones who ignored him first.”
“Even so—!”
“I believe I told you to stop.”
Argonia knit her brows slightly.
Maverick glared at Argonia, clearly dissatisfied.
“Tsk.”
Finally, he clicked his tongue and sat back down, as if he had no choice. Himan also remained silent, seemingly accepting Argonia’s decision.
Seeing the situation settle, Alon swallowed a sigh of relief and spoke.
“…When do you plan to descend into the Labyrinth?”
“We intend to head down in two days,” Argonia replied politely.
“……?”
For a moment, Alon wondered if Argonia was the type of character to use honorifics with anyone, but he pushed the thought aside and continued.
“Then we shall resume this meeting tomorrow. We can hardly hold a discussion with one member in this state.”
Alon glanced briefly at Myaon.
Once the Severe Cold ended, the manifested magic would vanish instantly. However, Myaon would surely be furious the moment she thawed, so he decided it was best to make his exit now.
“…Let’s do that.”
With Argonia’s agreement, Alon stood up without hesitation. He turned and walked past the mercenaries.
Creeeeak—
He exited the meeting room.
With his departure, silence filled the room once more.
And.
‘That was bad for my heart. I am never doing that again.’
Once he was finally outside, Alon clutched his pounding chest and let out a small breath, quickening his pace as he left the mansion behind….
* * *
Immediately after Alon left the meeting room.
Maverick, having dismissed the soldiers again, spoke with a face full of irritation.
“Ha, I really can’t stand that guy. Is it because he’s a noble who’s never been hit before?”
His tone was clearly aimed at Alon.
However.
“Just shut up.”
“What?”
“I said shut up.”
“What did you just say to me…?”
Himan, who had been silent until now, spoke up. Maverick, who was usually on bad terms with him, scowled deeply.
“Sigh, seriously… Why is this idiot complaining when his life was just saved?”
“What?”
“Don’t you get it? Argonia just saved your life, you moron.”
Maverick looked confused at Himan’s words, his expression souring further.
“…Enough, Maverick. Himan is right.”
“What are you talking about?”
“If you had drawn your sword earlier, you might truly be dead right now.”
“No, what on earth does that—”
As Argonia added her weight to the statement, Maverick’s mouth snapped shut.
He had been too blinded by irritation to notice his surroundings properly, but now he saw it.
The faint beads of cold sweat rolling down Argonia’s skin.
“…Crazy.”
Maverick cursed under his breath. He had never seen Argonia break a cold sweat like this before.
Even Himan—who Maverick hated to admit was stronger than himself—was sweating. Maverick had no choice but to fall silent.
“…Argonia.”
“What is it?”
“What exactly… was that?”
Himan asked, wondering if Argonia, who was rumored to have lived for hundreds of years, knew something. Argonia remained silent.
In truth, she had a vague idea.
Of course, it wasn't knowledge she had gained herself, but something she had heard long ago from her mother—a Red Dragon who had since departed this world and vanished from history.
“…….”
She recalled the memory of her mother, who had once declared there was nothing in this world to fear, giving her one specific warning.
A very long time ago.
‘Remember this. If a black eye ever rises in the night sky, lower your gaze immediately and do not look at it.’
‘If you happen to see it, turn your eyes away. Do not perceive it. Do not remember it. If you grow to be a great mage one day, cut that memory out of your mind.’
‘Remember, my lovely child. You must never, ever look the “Eater of Status” in the eye.’
She remembered the story her mother had urged upon her.
Recalling that advice—no, that warning—which remained vivid to this day, Argonia thought back to the scene just moments ago.
The blue eye that had appeared behind Count Palatio—
—And the infinitely ominous one.
The one that made her feel as if her soul was being sucked out just by looking at it.
Shudder!
The black eye that had smirked at her with a playful curve.
‘Just what… is that man?’
Argonia quietly swallowed hard.
* * *
The following day.
Contrary to Alon’s worries that they might still refuse to acknowledge him and keep picking fights, the meeting proceeded incredibly smoothly. Through it, Alon learned two facts.
First, the Outer God was on the 12th layer.
Second, they intended to stop it at the 5th layer.
As soon as he heard this, he began explaining his pre-prepared plan step-by-step, briefing them on the information regarding the Outer God.
The briefing lasted about thirty minutes.
Alon, who had even included details about the Outer God disguised as information from an ancient book to avoid any odd questions, looked at the gathered mercenaries with a hint of nervousness.
‘…I’ll probably have to compromise on some things, right?’
The plan Alon had devised was a strategy to defeat the approaching Outer God with minimal casualties—a strategy he was confident was the best possible approach.
But that was only Alon’s opinion.
The mercenaries here were not his subordinates.
He knew well that he wasn't in a position to command them to follow this strategy; he could only propose it. He waited tensely, but—
“…Let’s do it that way.”
“I agree.”
“No objections.”
“Me too.”
“……??”
Alon looked bewildered as the plan was approved instantly, without a single complaint.
“…Do you truly have no objections?” Alon asked, just to be sure.
“None.”
“Me neither.”
“Same here.”
“Yup.”
Seeing the four of them answer as if there was absolutely no room for disagreement, Alon couldn't help but think.
‘…Was yesterday’s impact really that strong?’
Alon shook his head slightly. Even if yesterday had been impactful, it shouldn't have been enough to make the mercenaries of the 5 Great Guilds, including Argonia, this submissive.
Therefore.
‘…Could it be?’
Alon glanced at Line, who had accompanied him to the meeting today.
“……?”
Line’s expression was stoic, but she clearly looked puzzled by his gaze. Alon naturally looked away, finding the situation even more mysterious.
‘…Something is strange.’
Alon tilted his head, watching the mercenaries who were far more compliant than they had been in the game—some were even using honorifics.
Even Myaon, who should have held a grudge after being frozen, was quiet. It felt strange, but it would be ridiculous for him to step forward and ask why they weren't complaining.
“Then, we shall descend tomorrow. It will take some time to prepare.”
With that, Alon concluded the meeting.
* * *
The day of the decisive battle arrived.
Leaving Evan behind, Alon took Line—who had insisted on coming along—and began the descent toward the 5th layer with the Outer God Subjugation Squad.
‘…It’s even more sinister than I thought.’
He had seen it dozens of times in the game, but seeing the Labyrinth in person felt far more ominous.
In the darkness where one couldn't see an inch ahead without a torch, monsters lunged out at every opportunity. The abyss-like shadows, where light failed to reach, naturally stirred a primal fear in the human heart.
Of course, because of the large number of mercenaries, Alon’s immediate surroundings were quite bright, but that didn't mean the darkness vanished entirely.
‘I should never come in here alone.’
Alon noted to himself as they descended.
After some time had passed.
They had passed the 2nd layer and were taking a break in a safe zone the mercenaries had established within the Labyrinth. As Alon was resting—
“Hey, do you have a moment?”
He saw Myaon approaching him.
“……What is it?”
Alon tensed slightly, wondering if she had come to pick a fight.
“Just wanted to chat?”
But surprisingly, Myaon sat down beside him with a light, almost foolishly innocent smile and began to chatter about this and that.
Alon listened to her, feeling a bit dazed.
“Oh, by the way, Count, do you have a prejudice against beastkin?”
“No, not particularly.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Why is that a relief?” Alon asked, looking puzzled.
Myaon gave a sly grin.
“Hey, Count, I was wondering—”
She spoke the shocking words as if they were the most natural thing in the world.
“—Are you interested in mating with me?”
“……?”
…Alon’s brain temporarily ceased to function.