Chapter 86: Baron Martoin (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 86: Baron Martoin (2)
The Mozlan were swift and efficient.
"Keke, I am... the great wizard—hmm? Who are you guys...?"
"This is him. Take him." After lifting Dwalkie's head by the hair to check his face, the knights quickly restrained his arms.
"Um, e-excuse me, is there a problem...?" Only then did the drunken dwarf come to his senses and try to figure out what was going on, but to no avail.
"You guys don't need to know."
"B-But..."
"Are you dissatisfied with our handling of the situation?"
It seemed to me that if he nodded his head, they would take Hikurod too. I covered his mouth and answered in his stead. "No."
"...Are you Little Balkan? You are wise for a barbarian." The tone of voice and look in the knight's eyes made it difficult to take that as a compliment.
As soon as they left the pub with the drunken Dwalkie, the dwarf began to fuss. "Bjorn! There must be a misunderstanding. Th-that guy would never do such a thing!"
He definitely wasn't wrong. Contempt of nobility? Maybe identity theft, but contempt? That was hard for even me to accept.
"We have to help!"
What should I do to save a comrade who had been taken away by the authorities? I closed my eyes.
"Hikurod, c-calm down. When Bjorrrrn is like that, it means he has a solution!"
Whew, and I thought I'd get to rest today. Why was it that something like this always happened? Before I could do anything, I needed a clearer picture of the situation. We didn't have any information yet. I didn't even know whether Dwalkie had insulted a real noble, if they'd just misunderstood, or if he'd been framed. So, I left the pub and headed for Mozlan's headquarters.
"Wait until the investigation is officially closed."
Even in the game, the closed-minded and arrogant Mozlan had never released any information. So, I went to Shavin.
"He was taken away by Mozlan? I'll look into it. I can't guarantee I'll learn anything, though..."
"That's good enough. Thanks."
"It's nothing."
Since Shavin was a civil servant, I decided that she would have an easier time accessing information than an adventurer on the ground.
"...He'll still be alive, right?"
"Hikurod! I underrrstand that you're worried, but stop saying things that will bring bad luck and sit still!"
"A-All right."
We were all waiting for word from Shavin and spent all day outside Mozlan's headquarters.
"Huh? Isn't that Dwalkie?"
"Looks like it."
Dwalkie came out through the front door with slumped shoulders. Despite what the dwarf was worried about, there seemed to be no signs of torture on him, or even any injuries.
Hikurod burst forward. "You! Are you okay? How did the investigation go? I-If they released you, that means there was a misunderstanding, right? I knew it!"
"Ah, well..." For some reason, Dwalkie just bowed his head, not even happy to see us. "...Let's move somewhere else. I'll tell you everything there." For now, we obeyed Dwalkie's wishes and relocated ourselves to a tavern that we often visited when holding labyrinth-related meetings. After a few snacks and the beer we ordered arrived, Dwalkie started in, his tone sad. "It seems... I will have to leave the team."
After Erwen and Ainar, this was the third time I heard something like this. The dwarf gasped. "No, what are you talking about?! Explain in detail!"
"Well..." Dwalkie began, then let out a long breath. "It would be ridiculous to try and hide it now. To be honest, there is something I have kept hidden from you all."
"Hidden?"
"My older brother... is Baron Martoin."
"What?" Missha gasped.
"S-So you're saying you really are nobility?"
Everyone's mouths fell open in shock, but Dwalkie closed his eyes and continued speaking. "That's half-true. I am the child of the last Baron Martoin and one of his maids."
An illegitimate son of a noble family. This story wasn't unfamiliar to me, as I had been exposed to many modern-day soap operas. The story that followed was not much different than those, either.
"Because I was the family disgrace, I was adopted away to the third younger brother of the baroness as soon as I was born—my adoptive father, Tirva. Of course, that was just a formality, and it was my mother who actually raised me." Still, the baron had regularly sent him money, and thanks to that, he was able to learn magic and grow up comfortably. It was a complicated family history just hearing it.
The dwarf didn't seem to have the time to wait patiently, though. "So what does that have to do with leaving the team?"
"A year ago, my father, Baron Martoin, passed away. And my second brother took his place."
"Hmm, not the first?" Brown interrupted with a question.
"That's right," Dwalkie continued frankly. "The second son. That's the problem."
"I don't underrrstand, why is that a problem?"
"After the late baron died, a lot of other people died, from the first son to many others in the line of succession..." Those words were enough explanation to determine that the cause of this incident was a bloody power struggle on Baron Martoin's part. "It was my second brother who sent the Mozlan."
"Makes sense. Perhaps as a warning: live a quiet life like you always have," I suggested.
"But why now?"
"I think my becoming an explorer bothered him. I've been learning a lot of magic lately, too... He must have been concerned because there is even a famous person on my team."
Ah, uh... um... Are you blaming me right now?
Honestly, that was kind of a stretch, but I summed up Dwalkie's story. "Anyway, does that mean that you can't go into the labyrinth anymore because you're afraid of your second brother?"
"You really... don't know how to beat around the bush. You're not wrong. But no matter what I want, things would be the same either way."
"What do you mean?"
"Instead of punishing me for insulting a noble, they took away my access to the labyrinth." Simply put, that meant that even if he wanted to work with us, there was no way for him to do that anymore.
"Bjorn, is there no other way?" The earnest eyes of Hikurod and Missha turned to me.
I quietly closed my eyes. Rather than looking for the answer to a problem that could not be solved, I thought about what day it was today.
What a headache.
Nine days left until the labyrinth opened again. Would I be able to find a new team member before then? Honestly, nothing in my life was ever easy. "For now, let's think this issue over individually, and then we'll meet again tomorrow and discuss it."
After Erwen and Ainar, this was the third time I heard something like this. The dwarf gasped. "No, what are you talking about?! Explain in detail!"
"Well..." Dwalkie began, then let out a long breath. "It would be ridiculous to try and hide it now. To be honest, there is something I have kept hidden from you all."
"Hidden?"
"My older brother... is Baron Martoin."
"What?" Missha gasped.
"S-So you're saying you really are nobility?"
Everyone's mouths fell open in shock, but Dwalkie closed his eyes and continued speaking. "That's half-true. I am the child of the last Baron Martoin and one of his maids."
An illegitimate son of a noble family. This story wasn't unfamiliar to me, as I had been exposed to many modern-day soap operas. The story that followed was not much different than those, either.
"Because I was the family disgrace, I was adopted away to the third younger brother of the baroness as soon as I was born—my adoptive father, Tirva. Of course, that was just a formality, and it was my mother who actually raised me." Still, the baron had regularly sent him money, and thanks to that, he was able to learn magic and grow up comfortably. It was a complicated family history just hearing it.
The dwarf didn't seem to have the time to wait patiently, though. "So what does that have to do with leaving the team?"
"A year ago, my father, Baron Martoin, passed away. And my second brother took his place."
"Hmm, not the first?" Brown interrupted with a question.
"That's right," Dwalkie continued frankly. "The second son. That's the problem."
"I don't underrrstand, why is that a problem?"
"After the late baron died, a lot of other people died, from the first son to many others in the line of succession..." Those words were enough explanation to determine that the cause of this incident was a bloody power struggle on Baron Martoin's part. "It was my second brother who sent the Mozlan."
"Makes sense. Perhaps as a warning: live a quiet life like you always have," I suggested.
"But why now?"
"I think my becoming an explorer bothered him. I've been learning a lot of magic lately, too... He must have been concerned because there is even a famous person on my team."
Ah, uh... um... Are you blaming me right now?
Honestly, that was kind of a stretch, but I summed up Dwalkie's story. "Anyway, does that mean that you can't go into the labyrinth anymore because you're afraid of your second brother?"
"You really... don't know how to beat around the bush. You're not wrong. But no matter what I want, things would be the same either way."
"What do you mean?"
"Instead of punishing me for insulting a noble, they took away my access to the labyrinth." Simply put, that meant that even if he wanted to work with us, there was no way for him to do that anymore.
"Bjorn, is there no other way?" The earnest eyes of Hikurod and Missha turned to me.
I quietly closed my eyes. Rather than looking for the answer to a problem that could not be solved, I thought about what day it was today.
What a headache.
Nine days left until the labyrinth opened again. Would I be able to find a new team member before then? Honestly, nothing in my life was ever easy. "For now, let's think this issue over individually, and then we'll meet again tomorrow and discuss it."
"Yeah, I'm sure even you won't be able to come up with a plan of action right away. Let's do that."
After setting up our next meeting, we parted ways. Hikurod and Dwalkie decided to have a drink in a quiet place, and Rotmiller went home. I decided to head to the library.
"Huh? You're going to the librrrary?" asked Missha.
"I have business with the librarian from yesterday."
"...At this late hour?"
"If I hurry, I'll get there before it closes."
"I see... d-do you want me to go with you?"
What was this kid talking about? "It's fine. You go rest."
"It's not like I have anything to do back home..."
"What do you mean? If you have free time, swing your swords one more time. You played around the whole day today."
After sending off Missha, who tried to insist on following me, I hurriedly headed to the library. Originally, I had planned to get a good rest today and go tomorrow, but there had been a change of plans.
***
"Parsytie—" When I arrived at the library, the librarian was about to mechanically cast her spell on me when she flinched. "You're..."
"Come to think of it, I never formally introduced myself. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"...Of course I know your name."
That was fair. Anyway, after that bit of conversation, there was silence. I always felt awkward around this one.
"...We're closing soon. Are you heading in?"
"No, I didn't come to read today."
"Then...?"
How should I explain my situation? After thinking about it for a while, I just got straight to the point, like a barbarian. "Ragna Litaniel Peprok."
"You don't have to call me by my full name."
"Ragna, what rank are you as a wizard?" I asked casually, but there was no answer for a while. The look on her face seemed to be asking, "What kind of rude bastard is this?" True, Raven had also been angered by this question.
"Let me ask you this first: why are you suddenly curious about that?" Ragna asked calmly, apparently a milder type than Raven.
I answered honestly. "Something has happened and the wizard on my team cannot enter the labyrinth. I want to ask if you'll take a break from your work here and go into the labyrinth toge—"
"I refuse."
Uh-huh, so it's a rejection. At her resolute refusal, I shook off my inhibitions. "I see. If your rank is so low that you can't enter the labyrinth, there's nothing you can do about it."
"...When did I say that?"
"Then you are skilled enough."
Realizing that I was feeling her out, Ragna stopped in the middle of getting angry and put a blank expression on her face instead. "Because... you're curious about my skills?"
"...What are you talking about? Anyway, this conversation ends here. If you don't want to, there's nothing I can do." I changed the subject. "So what is it? Shavin Emoor told me you would have something prepared for me."
"...I beg your pardon? Something prepared for you?" Ragna furrowed her brows like this was the first she'd heard this, then put a hand on her forehead as she figured out what was going on. "Ha... is that what she said?"
"Yeah, I'm sure even you won't be able to come up with a plan of action right away. Let's do that."
After setting up our next meeting, we parted ways. Hikurod and Dwalkie decided to have a drink in a quiet place, and Rotmiller went home. I decided to head to the library.
"Huh? You're going to the librrrary?" asked Missha.
"I have business with the librarian from yesterday."
"...At this late hour?"
"If I hurry, I'll get there before it closes."
"I see... d-do you want me to go with you?"
What was this kid talking about? "It's fine. You go rest."
"It's not like I have anything to do back home..."
"What do you mean? If you have free time, swing your swords one more time. You played around the whole day today."
After sending off Missha, who tried to insist on following me, I hurriedly headed to the library. Originally, I had planned to get a good rest today and go tomorrow, but there had been a change of plans.
***
"Parsytie—" When I arrived at the library, the librarian was about to mechanically cast her spell on me when she flinched. "You're..."
"Come to think of it, I never formally introduced myself. I'm Bjorn, son of Yandel."
"...Of course I know your name."
That was fair. Anyway, after that bit of conversation, there was silence. I always felt awkward around this one.
"...We're closing soon. Are you heading in?"
"No, I didn't come to read today."
"Then...?"
How should I explain my situation? After thinking about it for a while, I just got straight to the point, like a barbarian. "Ragna Litaniel Peprok."
"You don't have to call me by my full name."
"Ragna, what rank are you as a wizard?" I asked casually, but there was no answer for a while. The look on her face seemed to be asking, "What kind of rude bastard is this?" True, Raven had also been angered by this question.
"Let me ask you this first: why are you suddenly curious about that?" Ragna asked calmly, apparently a milder type than Raven.
I answered honestly. "Something has happened and the wizard on my team cannot enter the labyrinth. I want to ask if you'll take a break from your work here and go into the labyrinth toge—"
"I refuse."
Uh-huh, so it's a rejection. At her resolute refusal, I shook off my inhibitions. "I see. If your rank is so low that you can't enter the labyrinth, there's nothing you can do about it."
"...When did I say that?"
"Then you are skilled enough."
Realizing that I was feeling her out, Ragna stopped in the middle of getting angry and put a blank expression on her face instead. "Because... you're curious about my skills?"
"...What are you talking about? Anyway, this conversation ends here. If you don't want to, there's nothing I can do." I changed the subject. "So what is it? Shavin Emoor told me you would have something prepared for me."
"...I beg your pardon? Something prepared for you?" Ragna furrowed her brows like this was the first she'd heard this, then put a hand on her forehead as she figured out what was going on. "Ha... is that what she said?"
"Speak in a way I can understand."
"I'm warning you in advance to not misread this." Ragna only confessed to her actual situation after I promised not to misunderstand her. "Shavin said her position in the department has risen thanks to you. So she asked for my advice on a way to repay you, and... I told her you like to read books."
"And?"
"That was all. All of a sudden she mentioned I owed her something and asked me to pay you back instead. So this is not coming from me, but Shavin. Do you understand?"
"...Understood."
To put it simply, she had something for me, although I didn't know why she was exerting so much energy emphasizing that it wasn't coming from her. If it were me, I would be giving myself more credit.
"Did you really understand me correctly?"
"I did. So what is the gift?"
"It's a book."
"...A book?"
When I cocked my head, Ragna closed her eyes and chanted a spell. "Bierdo Parsytiev."
When the spell was completed, my body shined with a dazzling golden light. The chant was even a little different than usual. "What is this?"
At my question, Ragna uncharacteristically explained in detail. "There are high-security books in this library that do not respond to normal book recognition magic."
"...I didn't know something like that was hidden here."
"Originally, accessing them was a privilege granted only to nobles or a select few with permission."
A kind of secret library for the establishment. I felt like I'd received an unexpected gift, and I was dazed. "Is it okay for you to grant me access to something like that?"
"As long as you don't go around telling everyone, it won't be a problem. Since... I took over as librarian, I've only used this spell a handful of times, anyway." When Ragna continued, her voice was slightly gloomy. "Who would be interested in this place?"
I was beginning to get curious about her story too.
***
Click, clack.
In the empty library with only the clicking of shoes resounding through the silence, I was reading a book thanks to Ragna's thoughtful gesture.
"—In that case, why did you come so late? Hah, fine. I will allow it just for today."
When it was closing time, all visitors were kicked out, but Ragna allowed me to remain until the books were all organized. It felt a little strange as if I had entered an authorized-persons-only area.
Click, clack.
I set down the book I was reading for a moment and glanced at Ragna.
I was wondering how she organized this place. I guess it's all done by magic.
Books fell into place on the empty bookshelves each time she moved her wand the slightest bit. I suddenly wondered if they were going to the right places, but... Come to think of it, the books in this library didn't need to be in a particular spot since magic allowed you to find the books you wanted.
Wait. "Ragna?"
"Tell me."
"When we first met, didn't you tell me to put all the books I read in their original places?"
"I usually say that when I'm too lazy to give a detailed explanation. Because it's magic, there are a lot of people who ask unnecessary questions."
"...I see."
Those were very hurtful words for a barbarian, but I didn't let it show and continued reading. The books' high security level was obvious just from their contents.
Rafdonia Organization Chart
There were books dealing with the public institutions in this city, describing groups that included the Ministry of Security—i.e. evil spirit hunters.
World of Evil Spirits
Some books even dealt with the Ghost Busters in depth. This book spoke of an agent who had entered their spiritual dimension and returned half-dead.
With a system like that in place, I wouldn't be in any danger.
Thanks to this, I was now convinced that I could take the pill in my possession when the right time came. I switched my focus to another book. But just when I finished one and was about to start the next, my hands froze as I read the title.
The Complete Book of Rifts II
Wasn't this the name of the book Raven had mentioned? I quickly opened the first page to check the contents and soon understood why she had acted the way she did.
...I see why she was so obsessive.
It was a kind of strategy book. All of the hidden information that I had discovered through countless experiments and tricks while playing the game was written down, although only four rifts were described due to the physical limitations of the book.
This must be a treasure trove to the people here.
The contents were so perfectly outlined that even I couldn't see any gaps to fill. And because this copy was so well-maintained, contrary to Raven's assumption that the book was written by an anonymous source, the author's name was also written on the last page.
"Auril Gavis...?" Without realizing it, I read the name aloud and promptly froze like a statue.
Shit, why is this bastard's name here?
Auril Gavis was the name of the creator of Dungeon and Stone.
"Speak in a way I can understand."
"I'm warning you in advance to not misread this." Ragna only confessed to her actual situation after I promised not to misunderstand her. "Shavin said her position in the department has risen thanks to you. So she asked for my advice on a way to repay you, and... I told her you like to read books."
"And?"
"That was all. All of a sudden she mentioned I owed her something and asked me to pay you back instead. So this is not coming from me, but Shavin. Do you understand?"
"...Understood."
To put it simply, she had something for me, although I didn't know why she was exerting so much energy emphasizing that it wasn't coming from her. If it were me, I would be giving myself more credit.
"Did you really understand me correctly?"
"I did. So what is the gift?"
"It's a book."
"...A book?"
When I cocked my head, Ragna closed her eyes and chanted a spell. "Bierdo Parsytiev."
When the spell was completed, my body shined with a dazzling golden light. The chant was even a little different than usual. "What is this?"
At my question, Ragna uncharacteristically explained in detail. "There are high-security books in this library that do not respond to normal book recognition magic."
"...I didn't know something like that was hidden here."
"Originally, accessing them was a privilege granted only to nobles or a select few with permission."
A kind of secret library for the establishment. I felt like I'd received an unexpected gift, and I was dazed. "Is it okay for you to grant me access to something like that?"
"As long as you don't go around telling everyone, it won't be a problem. Since... I took over as librarian, I've only used this spell a handful of times, anyway." When Ragna continued, her voice was slightly gloomy. "Who would be interested in this place?"
I was beginning to get curious about her story too.
***
Click, clack.
In the empty library with only the clicking of shoes resounding through the silence, I was reading a book thanks to Ragna's thoughtful gesture.
"—In that case, why did you come so late? Hah, fine. I will allow it just for today."
When it was closing time, all visitors were kicked out, but Ragna allowed me to remain until the books were all organized. It felt a little strange as if I had entered an authorized-persons-only area.
Click, clack.
I set down the book I was reading for a moment and glanced at Ragna.
I was wondering how she organized this place. I guess it's all done by magic.
Books fell into place on the empty bookshelves each time she moved her wand the slightest bit. I suddenly wondered if they were going to the right places, but... Come to think of it, the books in this library didn't need to be in a particular spot since magic allowed you to find the books you wanted.
Wait. "Ragna?"
"Tell me."
"When we first met, didn't you tell me to put all the books I read in their original places?"
"I usually say that when I'm too lazy to give a detailed explanation. Because it's magic, there are a lot of people who ask unnecessary questions."
"...I see."
Those were very hurtful words for a barbarian, but I didn't let it show and continued reading. The books' high security level was obvious just from their contents.
Rafdonia Organization Chart
There were books dealing with the public institutions in this city, describing groups that included the Ministry of Security—i.e. evil spirit hunters.
World of Evil Spirits
Some books even dealt with the Ghost Busters in depth. This book spoke of an agent who had entered their spiritual dimension and returned half-dead.
With a system like that in place, I wouldn't be in any danger.
Thanks to this, I was now convinced that I could take the pill in my possession when the right time came. I switched my focus to another book. But just when I finished one and was about to start the next, my hands froze as I read the title.
The Complete Book of Rifts II
Wasn't this the name of the book Raven had mentioned? I quickly opened the first page to check the contents and soon understood why she had acted the way she did.
...I see why she was so obsessive.
It was a kind of strategy book. All of the hidden information that I had discovered through countless experiments and tricks while playing the game was written down, although only four rifts were described due to the physical limitations of the book.
This must be a treasure trove to the people here.
The contents were so perfectly outlined that even I couldn't see any gaps to fill. And because this copy was so well-maintained, contrary to Raven's assumption that the book was written by an anonymous source, the author's name was also written on the last page.
"Auril Gavis...?" Without realizing it, I read the name aloud and promptly froze like a statue.
Shit, why is this bastard's name here?
Auril Gavis was the name of the creator of Dungeon and Stone.