Chapter 117 : Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Banahan was bustling from early morning.
Not only were merchants already awake, sweeping and scrubbing the streets with diligence, but groups were moving about everywhere, and quite a few people with dark circles under their eyes—who had evidently not slept at all—were visible as well.
“There are as many people as there were on the third morning of the Great Old Dust Release.”
“That is a rather specific comparison.”
“The scale of the cities is different, after all.”
Though Banahan was considered a small city, it could not compare to a metropolis like the Grand Temple of Portplum’s surrounding capital district.
In any case, just like near the Black Forest Dungeon, adventurers armed with all manner of weapons could be seen wherever the eye turned.
They were all headed to the same place.
The Adventurers’ Guild.
Aquila and his group were going there as well, meaning they were all moving in the same direction.
“……If this is the East, should there not normally be residents of the forest around here? I do not see any.”
Aquila looked around at the humans with rounded ears filling his view.
Though Banahan was not deep within the East, it was still eastern territory.
Moreover, during his previous regression, when he had come here, he had at least occasionally seen members of other races.
Yet now there were only adventurers.
Being dragged along by Dalia with an expression of annoyance, Merdin turned his head at Aquila’s remark.
“Ah, that! It has been some time now, but there was a fierce clash recently. With people pouring in from all over, some who had no sense of propriety behaved like complete louts, and it finally exploded.”
Merdin let out a deep sigh.
“Those who used to come and go once a day no longer leave the forest, so it has been quite a while since we have seen them. You might spot a few in the outskirts where there are fewer people, but they hardly come to places like this anymore.”
“That is right. That is why I was surprised by the Sun Knight’s attire. I wondered whether a resident of the forest had returned after so long.”
“Exactly.”
At Dalia’s agreement, Merdin nodded.
So that was the reason. Aquila had wondered why people who were supposedly familiar with other races reacted as they did.
It likely also explained why some of those walking the streets were casting sidelong glances at Heinen.
“If only the dungeon would return to normal quickly, the residents of the forest might come back as well, but there is no sign of that happening. Tsk.”
“And we cannot even obtain Black Metal anymore. It is truly worrisome.”
As natives of Banahan, Merdin and Dalia voiced their concerns.
Banahan produced various goods from the byproducts of the Black Forest Dungeon, so the longer the dungeon remained uncleared, the greater the damage they suffered.
‘We have to get inside somehow. The question is how to enter the dungeon with these two in tow…….’
Aquila cast a subtle glance at Heinen and Porzelin walking behind him.
They were speaking in low voices, though he could not hear what about.
Perhaps because they shared similar dispositions, their solemn expressions looked serious as ever.
In any case, if Aquila declared that he intended to enter the dungeon, they would certainly oppose him.
He had managed to insist on dealing with the magical beast Fenrir because it was blocking the path, but entering the dungeon was a different matter altogether.
Moreover, to enter a dungeon managed by the Adventurers’ Guild, one had to obtain a registration certificate.
Which meant joining the Adventurers’ Guild.
‘……There is the option of slipping myself into an existing registered party, but whether anyone would accept me is another matter.’
Sneaking in might be possible if there were few people, but with a long waiting line, it would be difficult.
Or would it be better to conceal his presence and follow someone’s party inside?
Aquila briefly furrowed his brow.
As long as the Demonic Dragon remained inside the dungeon, it was unlikely to repeat its previous method of destroying the land and slaughtering people.
It had no way to emerge from the dungeon on its own.
However, this was a regression overflowing with errors.
If something that did not belong had already entered once, might it not escape again at any time?
That was what Aquila feared.
If, through some distortion caused by error, the Demonic Dragon escaped once more, the catastrophe of the previous regression would begin again.
Even if they were overwhelmed and powerless to stop it, there was no knowing what might occur in the next regression.
The unknown.
Aquila found himself recalling a distant sensation he had believed long dulled after countless repetitions.
Anxiety.
Rather than carrying that emotion with him, he judged it safer to complete the subjugation as planned and proceed to the next main scenario.
Moreover, Black Metal was an item required for events that would unfold later.
With its supply cut off, the dungeon had to be cleared by any means necessary.
Otherwise……
‘Ark Batchel is certainly here. The place he said we would meet again must be here. So before he throws me into the dungeon in some absurd manner again, I will enter of my own accord.’
Aquila had no desire to experience something akin to the incident at the central plaza.
It was true that endless repetition had once led him into boredom and ennui.
There had been a time when he had wished for something entirely new and unpredictable.
Yet in the very next regression, after nearly reaching the end only to be thwarted, he had faced an unfamiliar situation that diverged from what he had always repeated.
And he realized then—
He needed circumstances he could control.
Even if errors occurred, if he advanced step by step, defeating what was familiar, everything would surely fall back into place.
This world had not been completely overturned.
The coexistence of what he knew and what he did not was proof enough.
‘……It is still within range. For now.’
After confirming that the bag slung over his back was secure, Aquila continued walking.
***
The Adventurers’ Guild of Banahan was unbearably busy.
Adventurers who had come in hopes of hearing new information about the dungeon, those applying for entry, those who had quarreled with former companions and were seeking new ones with burning determination……
For various reasons, people had gathered in great numbers despite the early hour.
The line for dungeon entry applications stretched all the way outside.
Standing before the guild building, they gazed at the long queue extending beyond its doors.
That was precisely where Dalia’s target lay.
The men who had attacked Merdin yesterday would surely stand in that line again to reenter the dungeon.
“There are four witnesses here alone. Just let them show up. I will make sure they cannot set foot in the dungeon they want so badly.”
This was the Adventurers’ Guild of the East.
Though unpleasant rumors clung to it, one thing was certain: those who caused trouble were shown no mercy.
Dalia cracked her knuckles with both hands clasped.
Her sturdy, well-built arms, befitting someone who handled weapons, carried an unmistakable air of menace.
“So we simply need to identify the man from yesterday? I am quite confident in my memory. If I see him, I will inform you.”
Porzelin spoke with confidence.
She had not forgotten the rude man’s conduct from the previous day.
And had he not glared at her young master as though he meant to kill him?
Since they would inevitably remain in Banahan until Shen completed his preparations to come here, it was better to eliminate any potential threat swiftly.
“Then I will look through the line with Merdin.”
“Will the two of you be all right on your own?”
“If we cause a disturbance here, that would be the most foolish thing we could do. We would immediately draw unwanted attention. If you handle it that way, I would prefer it.”
“What are you saying? That fellow’s fists were sharper than they looked.”
Merdin rubbed the spot where his skin had split the day before.
Though the wound had already healed, he knew the pain and shock he had felt were no illusion.
Had it not been for Heinen’s Divine Power, he would certainly have faced grave trouble.
“……The more I think about it, the angrier I become. To disparage my goods? And to interrupt my valuable time!”
Realizing that, had he lost consciousness completely yesterday, he might not have finished repairing the Communication Bracelet, Merdin suddenly clenched his fists and dashed forward.
“Wait, do not go alone…… I am coming too!”
Startled, Dalia hurried after him.
From where they stood, they could see the two of them scanning the faces of those in line one by one.
Heinen watched their retreating figures briefly before turning his head.
Aquila was already looking elsewhere—gazing steadily through the open doors of the guild building.
It seemed he was contemplating what he would do first once inside.
“……You said you had an interest in the dungeon.”
Heinen stepped closer to Aquila and spoke.
“Is there a reason you are particularly concerned with the Black Forest Dungeon this time?”
“For the same reason as everyone else. When a new boss monster appears and remains unsubjugated, is it not natural to be curious?”
Aquila answered smoothly for the moment.
He had not yet decided how to explain matters regarding the dungeon.
The Dragon’s Prophecy.
Even if he mentioned it, only Heinen would understand it fully, and he had never explained it to Porzelin.
Yet Heinen did not stop.
“……The medicine in your bag. I believe there is still some remaining.”
Only then did Aquila shift his gaze to him.
The poison he had brought to kill the Demonic Dragon.
He had used only half of it to neutralize the magical beast Fenrir.
It merely needed to enter the body; there had been no need to use much.
“And when you fell into a deep sleep in Senetalia, I noticed that one more arrowhead remained. I had no intention of rummaging through your belongings, but the box was out in the open…….”
That day, after defeating Fenrir and collapsing into near-unconsciousness due to Mana Exhaustion.
They had shared a room, and it seemed Heinen had glimpsed the item protruding from the bag.
“I apologize,” Heinen added, as though confessing.
“If you have something to say, then say it.”
Aquila spoke evenly.
Yet he could roughly guess what would follow.
He knew what question this holy knight, who always seemed to have much to say yet swallowed his doubts, wished to ask.
“……I informed Lady Porzelin of what I saw. Knowing that, and after discussing matters among ourselves until the present situation, strangely enough only one conclusion remains.”
Heinen exchanged a brief glance with Porzelin.
When she nodded, his coffee-colored eyes returned to Aquila.
“Are you intending to enter the dungeon?”
Aquila considered his answer.
He expected opposition to follow.
But Heinen’s next words were entirely unexpected.
“If you must, is there anything I—no, we—can do to assist you?”
They were saying that they would go with him.
***
“Your adventurer registration is complete. From now on, you may purchase goods at discounted prices from shops affiliated with the Adventurers’ Guild. As for byproducts obtained in the dungeon, we ask that you first visit the guild, where transactions can be handled at the counter over there for a price including a small commission. Should you lose your registration certificate, you will no longer receive guild benefits and will be unable to verify your identity, so please take care not to misplace it.”
The staff member, reciting what was clearly a memorized speech, extended three registration certificates toward them.
“May the blessing of a great existence dwell in the steps of you who have newly become adventurers.”
He narrowed his eyes at the certificate bearing the name ‘Quil.’
‘……To think that I have returned to this wretched place once again, all for the sake of a mere dungeon.’