Chapter 25: Drunken Knight (1)
After wiping out the bandit gang, Lilia and I ended up crashing hard for what felt like forever. Not that we had much choice—both of us were half-dead from exhaustion after getting our asses handed to us by the enemy.
We slept for about twelve hours straight, then rescued the person Isabel had been looking for.
"W-who are you people?"
"We're the ones Isabel sent to save you."
"B-but your outfits..."
"We had to deal with the enemies outside."
"Oh, I see!"
She started off super wary, but once we kept talking about Isabel, she relaxed. "I'm Shallet, Isabel's nanny and maid."
"Ah, got it."
The person Isabel wanted saved was a middle-aged beastkin woman—her nanny and maid. Judging by those massive tits the size of her head, probably a milk cow type.
Anyway, seeing her status made it clear why Isabel was so desperate to save her. A nanny's basically like a half-parent to a kid.
Of course, if I'd known it'd turn out like this, I wouldn't have bothered.
With that, we'd saved the woman Isabel begged us to rescue, so we headed to the spot where we'd told the earlier escapees to gather. Luckily, they'd listened and were huddled together, chatting away.
I approached them and said it was time to head home. They all nodded eagerly, faces lit up with relief, and followed us out.
We escaped the Labyrinth, and right away...
"I'm placing you all under arrest for crimes including assault on nobility and more!"
I got detained.
"What the—fuck?"
Nah, almost. "What do you think you're doing?! These people saved my life!"
Thank god Isabel jumped in immediately, or we would've been locked up.
"Hurry up and let them go, soldiers!"
I was already pissed from all the bullshit we'd been through, so I shot them a look that screamed I'm in a shit mood, assholes.
Anyway, no jail time for us. Instead, we got escorted straight to the temple—this world's hospital.
Once we arrived, Lilia and I passed out again like lights going out. Guess the tension finally broke now that we were safe. Or maybe it was just those ridiculously comfy temple beds.
When we woke up much later, our bodies were wrapped head to toe in bandages.
"It's been ages since I've seen bodies this wrecked."
"Someone else has been through this?"
"I've seen cases where guys got done the same way trying to fuck male orcs in the Labyrinth."
"..."
According to the priest (aka doctor), we'd need serious bed rest for a good while. When I heard the daily admission fee, I nearly bolted, but luckily Isabel covered our bills, so I could relax.
Not without a little fun in the process, though.
"Kuh! Lilia!"
"Slurrrp♥ Master's stinky cock♥ *smooch*♥ So yummy."
Thanks to the temple's top-notch care, we recovered enough to get a visit from...
"Hahaha! So you're the ones who protected my daughter and precious nanny!"
A towering woman over 180 cm tall, with a chest as broad as her frame. None other than Isabel's mom, Lobrael Bella, the current mayor of Labyrinth City.
She greeted us with booming laughter. Well, we'd saved her kid—of course she'd be grateful.
"Come on, eat up! You've earned this!"
"Then, if you insist... Th-thank you."
I hadn't expected a feast like this. It was the finest meal I'd ever had, pre- or post-possession.
"Mmm?!"
"R-Rike! The meat just melts in your mouth!"
That day, I finally got what "melts in your mouth" really meant.
To think nobles get to eat like this.
I was jealous for a hot second. But then, as the mood warmed up, the mayor—who'd been swirling her wine glass at the head of the long table—spoke to us.
"Just to check, don't go thinking you can leverage this into something big. It wouldn't end well for you."
What the hell did that mean? Nah, it was obvious.
[Don't get ahead of yourself—know your place.]
Translation: Don't try to cash in on saving a noble for favors or whatever. Fair enough, but hearing that after all our suffering made my blood boil—veins popping levels.
We'd risked our lives, and this was the thanks? If I'd been slacking, maybe, but no—we fought tooth and nail. I was about to slouch back with a pissed-off glare when...
"Don't take it the wrong way. This is for your own good."
The mayor said it out of nowhere. I straightened up, suddenly all ears. What did she mean by "for our own good"?
Like she'd read my mind, she set down her glass and continued.
"Those guys might come after you for ruining their plans."
"Retaliation?"
"Yeah. Messing with their scheme means you're marked, for sure."
I clicked my tongue. Should've seen that coming once we got tangled in noble drama. My bad.
But that was that, and this was this.
"What does that have to do with what you said?"
"Right now, any payback or pressure from the nobles would be light—you're just randoms who happened to save my daughter. But the deeper you get involved with us, the harsher it'll get."
Made sense. I asked the mayor, "So, how bad could the retaliation get?"
"Eh, maybe a couple assassins at most."
That's light?!
What, 'harsh' means ninjas show up?
I was stunned by her skewed worldview, but she kept going.
"We'll handle that much, of course. And we'll pay you handsomely."
I nodded. She had a point—getting on the nobles' bad side in Labyrinth City was a nightmare.
As I ate, convinced, she gave me a knowing look. "Oh yeah, I hear my daughter made another promise."
"Ah, yeah. Introducing me to a knight."
"A knight?"
"Yes."
Her expression shifted to suspicion. Why the hell are you looking at me like that? You're freaking me out.
I stayed quiet. After a beat, she asked, "Hmm... not the one who just became an ex-knight, I hope?"
"Uh, yeah, sounds right."
She'd said "former knight," yeah.
The mayor sighed deeply, then muttered, "Yeah, maybe adventuring suits her better."
What the fuck did that mean? I wanted details.
No, seriously, this is sketchy as hell! What is it?!
But anxiety kept me from asking. We finished the meal like that.
A few days later, Lilia and I—along with Isabel under heavy escort—were out and about.
"Sorry. I said I'd come alone."
"No way I'd allow that."
Simple reason: we were off to meet the knight Isabel promised to introduce.
"Just head down here."
Following her lead, we soon reached a bizarre underground cavern in the south of Labyrinth City—open to the sky, like a gladiator pit fused with a bar.
"This is where the knight hangs out?"
I muttered skeptically. A knight living in a rough, barbaric dump like this? After seeing Aisoret as the knight archetype, it didn't compute.
As I stood there half-dazed, a racket erupted from somewhere.
"Gaaah!"
"Damn it!"
"Hahahahaha!!"
Too loud to ignore. I glanced over and saw...
A woman with wild red hair, sword slung bare over her shoulder—not even sheathed.
"Hic! Let's party more, you bastards!!"
She wore legit battle gear that'd give Lilia a run for her money, but her vibe screamed I'm wasted AF.
"Gaaah! It's that crazy bitch!"
"The flying lunatic's coming!"
"Fuck, the drunkard's back!"
Everyone fled in panic. I turned to Isabel. "No way that's the knight you meant, right?"
I asked with a please say no face. She averted her eyes and mumbled, "B-but she's got a good heart!"
I peeked back at the presumed knight.
"Bring booze!"
"You psycho! You ask for drinks and flip the wrong table?!"
"Whatever, just bring it!"
Good heart, huh?
As I pointed subtly, sweat beaded on Isabel's forehead.
I was certain.
Scammed again. Fuck.
Another bait-and-switch with false advertising.