Chapter 233: New Era (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 233: New Era (3)
In a study filled with the faint scent of old books, a nervous young man was making a report to a middle-aged man wearing glasses. "As a result of the final analysis, the team has determined that it was likely Belbev Ruingenes who installed the magic circle and Lyranne Vivian who activated it."
"You mean both are in the city?"
"Yes. Judging by the fact that Noark's protective barrier is functioning normally, it is highly likely that they are inside Rafdonia."
"Their stealth is definitely shocking."
"They are relentless. Then I will move on to the report of the casualties that was compiled this morning." In a melancholy tone, the young man reported the total damages incurred in the recent incident.
However, the middle-aged man just listened nonchalantly. "Yes, many have died."
Seventy percent of the adventurers who frequented floors four and above had died. The 1600 survivors were either those who had been abandoned or adventurers who hadn't entered the labyrinth at all. To be honest, it was a huge loss equivalent to a dimensional collapse.
"It's better this way." The prime minister of Rafdonia, Marquess Tercerion, smirked and let the contents of the report go in one ear and flow out the other.
At this, the young man tilted his head. "Sorry?"
"It's nothing. I need to think. You may leave."
"...Yes, Father."
"Refer to me by position, in the palace."
"Yes, Prime Minister."
Soon, the man gestured with his hand and his son bowed politely before leaving the study.
I'll have to contact the Magic Tower soon.
Tercerion got up and headed to the window. He could see servants rushing around in preparation for today's event.
Shaaa.
When he opened the window wide, a strong wind blew in. The sun was warm and the sky was clear without a single cloud in sight. "His Majesty will like this."
It was the perfect day to start a new era.
***
The royal capital, Karnon, was a special district that commoners could not even enter without permission.
"Ohhh, is that the royal palace!?"
As we passed through a giant gate engraved with the symbol of the royal family, a road leading straight to the royal palace appeared before us. Petals were scattered all over the ground. On the boulevard, crowds of onlookers were watching the parade. Of course, very few were nobility. Even if the royal capital was called the city of nobles, 90 percent of the population was made up of servants who worked or resided there.
"Wow! A parade of heroes!"
"Sprinkle the petals!"
I didn't know how much they were being paid for this, but the servants lining the boulevard greeted us passionately as we passed them by.
After a long while, the carriage stopped at the outer wall of the palace. "We have arrived. Were there any inconveniences during your journey?" The same went for the hundreds of other carriages too.
"Let's get off."
"Oh, wait! Let me catch my brrreath, okay?"
Are you nervous now?
Well, this was her first time in the royal capital, after all. "...Let me know when you're ready."
"Ahhh, I think I'm rrready."
When I got off the carriage, I saw familiar faces, survivors who'd stood on the line between life and death with me during the latest tragedy. Because of the distance between us, we could only exchange glances.
"I am Fert, the guide for today's heroes. Please come with me. I will lead the way."
After a simple identification process at the castle gate, we followed the guide into the palace. Its official name was the Palace of Glory, a palace used to receive guests during banquets or royal family events.
Befitting the name of "the palace," the interior was splendid. Ainar turned to me, cowed. "B-Bjorn..."
Geez, this kid always acted like this in the strangest of places. "Stand tall. You're here as a guest, remember?"
"...O-Okay!"
"Come this way."
Following the guide, we arrived at a private reception room of about sixty square meters.
"It is an honor to greet our heroes." As soon as we entered, ladies-in-waiting swarmed us to tidy our hair and fix our clothes. In the meantime, the dedicated guide informed us of simple etiquette and the order the banquet would proceed. After who knew how long of that, Raven and Abman, who had arrived ten minutes earlier, came to our reception room.
"Mr. Yandel!"
"Oh, I almost didn't recognize you all like that."
They, too, were dressed differently than usual, Raven in a long, traditional dress that dragged on the floor and Mr. Bear in a clean suit.
"Ha, it looks a bit awkward, doesn't it?" Mr. Bear scratched his cheek, embarrassed. Apparently, his wife helped him dress, but they insisted he change once he arrived. It was surprising they had something in his size.
"Ah, all tailcoats for guests are enchanted with magic." According to the guide, thousands of magic clothes would adjust to the wearer regardless of their size.
Enchanted clothes?
It was a logical yet outrageous waste. How often did guests without banquet attire like us ever visit the royal palace?
"Then Raven, did you change your clothes here too?"
"No, I'm wearing my own."
"...I see." As a wizard belonging to the upper class, it seemed she had at least one set of formal clothes.
"Wow, so prrretty. How much does something like that cost?"
"Uh... I'm not sure. To be honest, this was a gift from Master."
"Oh, really? Anyway, you look like an elf wearrring that. Not the elf tribe, but the old elves from fairy tales."
"You mean faeries?"
"Ah, yeah. Those."
"Hmm, you're not making fun of me for being short, right?"
"Of course not! It's rrreally pretty!"
Missha and Raven's girl talk quickly kicked off. Mr. Bear, Ainar, and I stepped back and held a different conversation.
"Hey, Yandel. Have you heard anything more about the rewards? There's a rank-four essence I've been wanting for a long time and I was wondering if it'll be possible for me to get it."
"I haven't heard much, either."
"Anyway, Bjorn, I'm hungry. When are they feeding us?"
"If you can't wait, eat some jerky."
"Oh, did you bring some?"
"Give me one too. I want to chew on something."
As we sat side by side chewing on jerky, the guide, who had left for a bit, returned. "Preparations for your entrance are complete. Let us go."
When I got off the carriage, I saw familiar faces, survivors who'd stood on the line between life and death with me during the latest tragedy. Because of the distance between us, we could only exchange glances.
"I am Fert, the guide for today's heroes. Please come with me. I will lead the way."
After a simple identification process at the castle gate, we followed the guide into the palace. Its official name was the Palace of Glory, a palace used to receive guests during banquets or royal family events.
Befitting the name of "the palace," the interior was splendid. Ainar turned to me, cowed. "B-Bjorn..."
Geez, this kid always acted like this in the strangest of places. "Stand tall. You're here as a guest, remember?"
"...O-Okay!"
"Come this way."
Following the guide, we arrived at a private reception room of about sixty square meters.
"It is an honor to greet our heroes." As soon as we entered, ladies-in-waiting swarmed us to tidy our hair and fix our clothes. In the meantime, the dedicated guide informed us of simple etiquette and the order the banquet would proceed. After who knew how long of that, Raven and Abman, who had arrived ten minutes earlier, came to our reception room.
"Mr. Yandel!"
"Oh, I almost didn't recognize you all like that."
They, too, were dressed differently than usual, Raven in a long, traditional dress that dragged on the floor and Mr. Bear in a clean suit.
"Ha, it looks a bit awkward, doesn't it?" Mr. Bear scratched his cheek, embarrassed. Apparently, his wife helped him dress, but they insisted he change once he arrived. It was surprising they had something in his size.
"Ah, all tailcoats for guests are enchanted with magic." According to the guide, thousands of magic clothes would adjust to the wearer regardless of their size.
Enchanted clothes?
It was a logical yet outrageous waste. How often did guests without banquet attire like us ever visit the royal palace?
"Then Raven, did you change your clothes here too?"
"No, I'm wearing my own."
"...I see." As a wizard belonging to the upper class, it seemed she had at least one set of formal clothes.
"Wow, so prrretty. How much does something like that cost?"
"Uh... I'm not sure. To be honest, this was a gift from Master."
"Oh, really? Anyway, you look like an elf wearrring that. Not the elf tribe, but the old elves from fairy tales."
"You mean faeries?"
"Ah, yeah. Those."
"Hmm, you're not making fun of me for being short, right?"
"Of course not! It's rrreally pretty!"
Missha and Raven's girl talk quickly kicked off. Mr. Bear, Ainar, and I stepped back and held a different conversation.
"Hey, Yandel. Have you heard anything more about the rewards? There's a rank-four essence I've been wanting for a long time and I was wondering if it'll be possible for me to get it."
"I haven't heard much, either."
"Anyway, Bjorn, I'm hungry. When are they feeding us?"
"If you can't wait, eat some jerky."
"Oh, did you bring some?"
"Give me one too. I want to chew on something."
As we sat side by side chewing on jerky, the guide, who had left for a bit, returned. "Preparations for your entrance are complete. Let us go."
The hallway outside the guest room was bustling with people, and the guides lined us up in an orderly fashion. For reference, our team was located at the very front, with Melter Fend on the left of us and Kyle on the right.
"Oh, you're here."
"You look good in a suit too."
"Now, stand over here."
...Geez, no pressure.
"Why am I in the middle?"
"Haha, wouldn't it be weird otherwise? All of us are just people who followed your lead." I couldn't argue with that, but this man really had a tendency to put me on a pedestal. As I was about to say something, Kyle looked straight ahead and spoke again. "It's beginning. Look ahead."
"The heroes are entering!"
The door opened to the sound of a loud shout.
Bwoooooo!
With the blare of a trumpet, a spirited musical performance began.
"Go ahead."
When I stepped past the threshold at Kyle's prompting, countless adventurers followed behind me.
Step, step.
The space beyond the door was a rectangular hall wide enough to accommodate thousands of people, and a red carpet was spread all the way to an empty throne. I continued down the carpet. Walking without crutches was agonizing, but I suffered through it for the sake of my pride as a barbarian.
Step, step.
As I continued walking, knights drew their swords to pay their respects and priests didn't hold back on using their divine power to bestow blessings. As for the nobles, they applauded us from afar. It was treatment too extreme for an adventurer just a year old to be receiving. It didn't feel particularly great. The others probably felt the same.
We're not some spectacle to watch. Or are we?
Tap.
When I stopped walking, the adventurers behind me also stopped in a line. It was different from the orderliness of soldiers. Since they hadn't learned the drills, the lines and rows didn't match up and our clothes also gave off a chaotic vibe.
"Pffft."
Was that funny to them? A nobleman could be heard laughing in the distance, and that laughter gradually spread. At the same time, I heard the sound of something tearing.
Squeeze.
When I turned my head slightly to look behind me, an adventurer was clenching his fists. It was a warrior who had cleared the way with me in the cave. He had been unstoppable when crushing monster heads.
He has more restraint than I thought.
This was another side of warriors I hadn't known about. I didn't know why, but I didn't like it. Maybe that was the reason I released an involuntary cry that echoed through the vast space. "Behelaaah!"
This hadn't been my intention, but answering shouts echoed behind me. "Behelaaah!" It was the cry of other barbarians, as well as other warriors who were now addicted to our battle cry.
"These ridiculous bastards, even inside the palace..."
Most of the other adventurers looked stunned or let out unamused sighs. The nobles, on the other hand, were a little different. Did they think this was some kind of performance? The nobles went silent for a moment out of surprise, then applauded and whistled.
The hallway outside the guest room was bustling with people, and the guides lined us up in an orderly fashion. For reference, our team was located at the very front, with Melter Fend on the left of us and Kyle on the right.
"Oh, you're here."
"You look good in a suit too."
"Now, stand over here."
...Geez, no pressure.
"Why am I in the middle?"
"Haha, wouldn't it be weird otherwise? All of us are just people who followed your lead." I couldn't argue with that, but this man really had a tendency to put me on a pedestal. As I was about to say something, Kyle looked straight ahead and spoke again. "It's beginning. Look ahead."
"The heroes are entering!"
The door opened to the sound of a loud shout.
Bwoooooo!
With the blare of a trumpet, a spirited musical performance began.
"Go ahead."
When I stepped past the threshold at Kyle's prompting, countless adventurers followed behind me.
Step, step.
The space beyond the door was a rectangular hall wide enough to accommodate thousands of people, and a red carpet was spread all the way to an empty throne. I continued down the carpet. Walking without crutches was agonizing, but I suffered through it for the sake of my pride as a barbarian.
Step, step.
As I continued walking, knights drew their swords to pay their respects and priests didn't hold back on using their divine power to bestow blessings. As for the nobles, they applauded us from afar. It was treatment too extreme for an adventurer just a year old to be receiving. It didn't feel particularly great. The others probably felt the same.
We're not some spectacle to watch. Or are we?
Tap.
When I stopped walking, the adventurers behind me also stopped in a line. It was different from the orderliness of soldiers. Since they hadn't learned the drills, the lines and rows didn't match up and our clothes also gave off a chaotic vibe.
"Pffft."
Was that funny to them? A nobleman could be heard laughing in the distance, and that laughter gradually spread. At the same time, I heard the sound of something tearing.
Squeeze.
When I turned my head slightly to look behind me, an adventurer was clenching his fists. It was a warrior who had cleared the way with me in the cave. He had been unstoppable when crushing monster heads.
He has more restraint than I thought.
This was another side of warriors I hadn't known about. I didn't know why, but I didn't like it. Maybe that was the reason I released an involuntary cry that echoed through the vast space. "Behelaaah!"
This hadn't been my intention, but answering shouts echoed behind me. "Behelaaah!" It was the cry of other barbarians, as well as other warriors who were now addicted to our battle cry.
"These ridiculous bastards, even inside the palace..."
Most of the other adventurers looked stunned or let out unamused sighs. The nobles, on the other hand, were a little different. Did they think this was some kind of performance? The nobles went silent for a moment out of surprise, then applauded and whistled.
These guys are funny sons of bitches.
It was kind of amusing, but the tension eased. The adventurers who had been uncomfortable with this place—the luxurious palace, the countless looks of nobles who hardly showed their faces in public, the awkward tailcoats, etcetera—regained their cool a bit.
Mm-hmm, this is how bold adventurers should act. Especially after everything we went through to survive.
Kyle grinned in satisfaction at the sight. "I told you. Who else could stand in front if not for you?"
Well, maybe he was right. Who else would do something like this, if not a barbarian?
"Q-Quiet! Please be quiet! His Excellency Ageni Lawton Tercerion, Prime Minister of Rafdonia, has arrived!"
The prime minister appeared in the middle of all the excitement. He appeared to be in his early fifties, with a kindly impression and gray hair. The prime minister, who evoked the air of a principal, stood in front of the empty throne and began his speech, starting with a light joke. "Haha, I apologize. I arrived late. Please don't be angry with me, heroes. It is such a beautiful day, after all."
The speech naturally drifted to the topic of the weather and smoothly continued to the next topic. There was nothing particularly interesting to note. After reciting our achievements one by one, he explained to the nobles why we had been invited here today.
"These people achieved something that not only famed clans but knights could not achieve. If it weren't for them, we might never have known what happened in the labyrinth that day."
Coming back alive with information on Noark was our nominal feat. That was because they couldn't outwardly say we were being given carrots to suppress an adventurer resistance.
"And so, I, Ageni Lawton Tercerion, praise their achievements on behalf of the ailing His Majesty, the king!"
The long speech ended and the prime minister began to deal out rewards according to merit. First, all survivors were given ten million stones and the right to access the royal capital of Karnon. From there, additional rewards would be bestowed based on achievements. And we were the first in the order.
"Melter Fend, leader of the Nartel Clan, step forward. You made a great contribution in leading the battle to victory by defeating the criminal Blue Mane of the Blue Wolf tribe." Apparently, they'd already managed to collect all the information they needed, as the prime minister mentioned our achievements in detail. "The Silver Soul Repository will be opened for you. You may choose one essence and one other item. Also, you will be given a reward of twenty-five million stones."
"Thank you." Melter had obtained a ticket to the treasure vault containing rank-four essences and equipment of the same caliber.
Can I look forward to my turn?
In truth, Melter's accomplishment was the smallest out of the three of us. The reason why he'd been able to defeat Wolf Man in the first place was because I took down Corpse Collector.
Unfortunately, I had to wait, as next was Mister Kyle. "Iron Sorcerer, Sir Kyle Pevrosk, step forward."
"It's been a while, Prime Minister."
"Forgive my absence due to governmental affairs."
There were three achievements the prime minister mentioned for Kyle: using his wisdom to suggest a way for the expedition to survive, throwing off Berzak with Mass Teleport, and inflicting damage against Fallen Scholar during the battle in Goblin Forest.
"I hear you have been requesting permission to study magic forbidden to you for a long time, correct? Starting today, you are a proud royal sorcerer of Rafdonia."
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, Prime Minister. Thank you very much." Kyle had been promoted to royal sorcerer. In other words, he now had the chance to learn and master all kinds of magic to his heart's content.
"Barbarian warrior, Bjorn, son of Yandel, step forward."
It was finally my turn. Perhaps I was a different case than Melter and Kyle, who already had reputations, because the prime minister seemed to take a moment to study me before reciting my merits.
"Your merits are as follows: nobly stopping an internal conflict and allowing many knights to return to their families; fighting most courageously on the dangerous frontlines and inspiring others; acting as bait to buy time from Berzak so that other adventurers could survive; and driving Abed Necrapeto, a soul cursed by another realm, to an impasse and making a decisive contribution toward victory."
When he put it that way, it sounded like nothing had really happened.
"These words alone cannot truly capture your hard work. But nonetheless, I commend you on behalf of the palace! The Gold Soul Repository will be opened to you. You will be able to select whatever essence or item you desire, and you will also be granted fifty million stones. Moreover!" The prime minister continued, "You will be awarded the title of baronet."
...Huh?
These guys are funny sons of bitches.
It was kind of amusing, but the tension eased. The adventurers who had been uncomfortable with this place—the luxurious palace, the countless looks of nobles who hardly showed their faces in public, the awkward tailcoats, etcetera—regained their cool a bit.
Mm-hmm, this is how bold adventurers should act. Especially after everything we went through to survive.
Kyle grinned in satisfaction at the sight. "I told you. Who else could stand in front if not for you?"
Well, maybe he was right. Who else would do something like this, if not a barbarian?
"Q-Quiet! Please be quiet! His Excellency Ageni Lawton Tercerion, Prime Minister of Rafdonia, has arrived!"
The prime minister appeared in the middle of all the excitement. He appeared to be in his early fifties, with a kindly impression and gray hair. The prime minister, who evoked the air of a principal, stood in front of the empty throne and began his speech, starting with a light joke. "Haha, I apologize. I arrived late. Please don't be angry with me, heroes. It is such a beautiful day, after all."
The speech naturally drifted to the topic of the weather and smoothly continued to the next topic. There was nothing particularly interesting to note. After reciting our achievements one by one, he explained to the nobles why we had been invited here today.
"These people achieved something that not only famed clans but knights could not achieve. If it weren't for them, we might never have known what happened in the labyrinth that day."
Coming back alive with information on Noark was our nominal feat. That was because they couldn't outwardly say we were being given carrots to suppress an adventurer resistance.
"And so, I, Ageni Lawton Tercerion, praise their achievements on behalf of the ailing His Majesty, the king!"
The long speech ended and the prime minister began to deal out rewards according to merit. First, all survivors were given ten million stones and the right to access the royal capital of Karnon. From there, additional rewards would be bestowed based on achievements. And we were the first in the order.
"Melter Fend, leader of the Nartel Clan, step forward. You made a great contribution in leading the battle to victory by defeating the criminal Blue Mane of the Blue Wolf tribe." Apparently, they'd already managed to collect all the information they needed, as the prime minister mentioned our achievements in detail. "The Silver Soul Repository will be opened for you. You may choose one essence and one other item. Also, you will be given a reward of twenty-five million stones."
"Thank you." Melter had obtained a ticket to the treasure vault containing rank-four essences and equipment of the same caliber.
Can I look forward to my turn?
In truth, Melter's accomplishment was the smallest out of the three of us. The reason why he'd been able to defeat Wolf Man in the first place was because I took down Corpse Collector.
Unfortunately, I had to wait, as next was Mister Kyle. "Iron Sorcerer, Sir Kyle Pevrosk, step forward."
"It's been a while, Prime Minister."
"Forgive my absence due to governmental affairs."
There were three achievements the prime minister mentioned for Kyle: using his wisdom to suggest a way for the expedition to survive, throwing off Berzak with Mass Teleport, and inflicting damage against Fallen Scholar during the battle in Goblin Forest.
"I hear you have been requesting permission to study magic forbidden to you for a long time, correct? Starting today, you are a proud royal sorcerer of Rafdonia."
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, Prime Minister. Thank you very much." Kyle had been promoted to royal sorcerer. In other words, he now had the chance to learn and master all kinds of magic to his heart's content.
"Barbarian warrior, Bjorn, son of Yandel, step forward."
It was finally my turn. Perhaps I was a different case than Melter and Kyle, who already had reputations, because the prime minister seemed to take a moment to study me before reciting my merits.
"Your merits are as follows: nobly stopping an internal conflict and allowing many knights to return to their families; fighting most courageously on the dangerous frontlines and inspiring others; acting as bait to buy time from Berzak so that other adventurers could survive; and driving Abed Necrapeto, a soul cursed by another realm, to an impasse and making a decisive contribution toward victory."
When he put it that way, it sounded like nothing had really happened.
"These words alone cannot truly capture your hard work. But nonetheless, I commend you on behalf of the palace! The Gold Soul Repository will be opened to you. You will be able to select whatever essence or item you desire, and you will also be granted fifty million stones. Moreover!" The prime minister continued, "You will be awarded the title of baronet."
...Huh?