Chapter 173
“Eiyaa!”
“Too bad. This makes Melt’s score go into the negatives, so that’s a loss.”
“Eeh! Ah, oh, I see…so it’s not enough to just get high scores.” (Melt)
Three days after coming to Yasha Island, Melt and I had been frequenting the current base of Glory Knights -the game room of a former tavern- every single day.
That said, of course, we weren’t just lazing around and playing.
Both Melt and I accompanied patrols around the city and properly contributed to maintaining public order.
Recently, I’ve even started being called things like “the demon-faced pretty boy,” and just walking through the streets now earns me a flood of hostile glares…and an equally large number of seductive looks from women.
…Yeah, well, Seimu’s looks are pretty good.
I was just doing normal enforcement work and people were already squealing. Because of that, I ended up getting approached even more often.w
Meanwhile, Melt was apparently being taken along by veteran members of Glory Knights to focus on patrolling the encampments of those challenging the dungeon. Since everyone there is at least a certain level of competence, unnecessary conflicts don’t tend to happen.
Still, disputes over distribution of spoils or trouble arising from private trades between individuals do occur, and at times incidents arise where the tension is even sharper than in the city.
In fact, on the very first day Melt joined the patrols, a dispute broke out between two Ruby adventurers, escalating into a duel at the campsite…but Melt instantly subdued both of them, punished them equally, fully restrained them, and escorted them to the clan house.
…Honestly, even if they’re the same rank, Melt’s actual strength is several levels above theirs.
The requirements to be promoted to Sapphire Rank are strict, and unless you’re involved in some major incident, no matter how skilled you are, you’ll remain Ruby forever.
“Alright! This time I hit exactly 0 points! That makes it a tie with Seimu.” (Melt)
“Oh, nice one. Same number of throws too… It really is a draw.” (Shizuma)
So, the reason we’re playing here like this is because it’s a legitimate right earned after doing plenty of work.
“You two… I mean, don’t get me wrong, but is it really okay for you to help out with our work like this?”
“Of course. You’re letting us use this place to play, and it’s pretty much the only place where we can eat in peace too.” (Shizuma)
“…Honestly, that part’s kind of Seimu-san’s own fault, though…”
“…Haha.” (Shizuma)
Bad news: It turns out Seimu became famous because of his overly savage behavior and fighting style.
Yes, I used [Crimson Howl] to quickly suppress a mob.
For some reason, maybe because of the number of opponents, the surrounding atmosphere, or the location, I was really on a roll.
I’ve realized something. This is just like Hash’s [Auto-Poet]… It’s probably Seimu’s inner scream, his will, at work.
In other words, Seimu’s suppressed emotions -the side of him that was both a former noble and a denizen of the underworld- are manifesting as a skill…
Seimu is usually a calm, gentlemanly type, right? Maybe he’s terrifying when you really make him angry…?
“The rough types really have it out for you. On the other hand, the women seem to like you.”
“That’s why I’m holed up here like this. Well then… I’ll head out on patrol soon. Today it’s fine if I take the dungeon side, right?” (Shizuma)
“Yeah. I don’t think much will happen, but be careful.”
“Seimu, the grilled shrimp shells they sell at the campsite stalls are fine as a souvenir, okay?!” (Melt)
“Hahaha, got it. Sorry, then please keep Melt company.” (Shizuma)
“Give me a break… if it turns into a betting match, I’ll be stripped of everything I own…!”
Ignoring the clan member’s lament, I headed toward the campsite spread out around the shallow sea that led to the dungeon known as the Dead Sea That Corrodes the Land in the southern part of the island.
—————–
“Seimu-samaaa! Insult me too!”
“Seimu-saaan! Let’s drink together!”
Around four in the afternoon, as the sun began to set, voices from women called out to me as I walked through the city.
And then…
“Seimu! Look over here, Seimu! Don’t get all high and mighty on us!”
“Hm? As long as you don’t cause trouble, there’s no reason for me to crack down. Just drink quietly.” (Shizuma)
Drunken heckling flew my way.
I won’t engage. For now, I’m in the position of assisting Glory Knights, who have police authority.
…If I weren’t, I’d be sinking them into the sea and planting a lifelong trauma.
Passing through the city, going by the pier, I arrived at an area where the sea became extremely shallow.
The shallow water reflected the evening sun, shining even more beautifully than the rest of the ocean.
At the end of the path leading out over that sea stood the dungeon entrance, like a massive serpent emerging from the water with its jaws wide open.
Whether due to the dungeon’s power or not, the water level in this entire area doesn’t rise even at high tide.
There’s even speculation that “the entire sea area may be in the process of becoming a dungeon.”
A small hill overlooking that sea has been opened up as a campsite.
I walked through the maze of tents set up by countless adventurers, keeping an eye out for trouble.
“…Yeah, the number of adventurers really doesn’t compare to Lindblum Lair.” (Shizuma)
The announcement that a Dungeon Core had been used likely inspired many people with thoughts of “I’ll be next.”
On top of that, with the disappearance of Lindblum Lair -the artificial dungeon- those who used it as their base must have all moved here.
“…And because of that, rank disparities have become more pronounced, huh.” (Shizuma)
Those who holed up in the artificial dungeon can’t really be called strong compared to people based in natural dungeons.
To be honest, they’d been soaking in a pretty cushy environment, so they sometimes get looked down on.
Open conflicts don’t break out, but that kind of atmosphere definitely exists.
Well, it’s not something that can really be regulated…
“Mm…but even so, that is a bit much.” (Shizuma)
I quickly ran toward the scene of a dispute that was probably rooted in a sense of superiority toward people from Lindblum, tightening my resolve just a bit.
—————–
“We were lined up first, weren’t we!? What’s your problem!?”
“Hey, hey. Our level of fatigue’s different, y’know? Don’t lump us together with people splashing around in the shallow floors. Just get back in line already.”
Problems like this happen fairly often.
And when you encounter it right in front of you, you can’t just ignore it.
The situation was probably this: Adventurers who came from Lindblum Lair were lined up at a standing bar stall, when adventurers who treat Yasha Island as their turf cut in line and forced them out.
Alright then…you’re coming with me to Glory Knights.
“From where I’m standing, you’re both the same. Hey you, looks like you’re the one who disturbed public order, so you’re subject to enforcement. Come quietly.” (Shizuma)
“Hah!? Who the hell are you, that adventurer clan!? Don’t stick your nose into our business!”
“Hostile intent confirmed. Suppressing now.” (Shizuma)
Yes, educational stomach punch. Purifying stomp.
Done.
“So, does this idiot have any other friends? Collective responsibility. Step forward quietly.” (Shizuma)
“…!”
Alright, you there who already started drinking. Let’s talk.
“You’re his companion, right?” (Shizuma)
“N-No! I don’t know this guy!”
“Then show me your guild tag. I’ll check it later.” (Shizuma)
“…!”
“If you give false information, the penalty gets worse. I’ve got no intention of punching or kicking you. We’re taking this idiot in, so you can just handle the paperwork. You cut in line too, didn’t you? Come along quietly.” (Shizuma)
“O-Okay…”
So yeah, that’s the kind of days I’ve been having.
Bathed in jeers and words of gratitude alike, I left the campsite long after night had fallen.
With a man carrying an unconscious man in tow.
…Right, today Shuris-san is apparently at the guest mansion discussing the concrete schedule for the banquet.
Once today’s work is done, I hope we can talk details…
Oh, but before that, I need to buy shrimp. Shrimp.
—————–
At night, after finishing dinner and handing over the troublemaking adventurer to Yasha Island’s Adventurer Guild staff, I sat across a desk from Shuris-san, who had returned from the guest mansion, in what seemed to be a former VIP room now serving as a temporary captain’s office.
“Three days from now, the Consold Empire’s delegation will arrive on the island. After one day of rest, the banquet will be held on the night after that.” (Shuris)
“You already know the exact arrival date? I’ve heard long sea voyages can shift their arrival times.” (Shizuma)
“That’s true, but this time the report came via hawk post managed aboard the ship, so it’s reliable.” (Shuris)
“I see…so that’s how it is.” (Shizuma)
Since long-distance wireless communication hasn’t been developed yet in this world, they use birds like this to relay information.
Come to think of it, I heard something similar in the Kingdom of Golda as well.
“And then there’s this. Apparently, among the empire’s adventurers, there’s someone with quite a lot of problematic behavior. And…they are skilled, too. A free adventurer not affiliated with any clan, who’s cleared two natural dungeons in their home country. If there’s going to be trouble, they are probably the one.” (Shuris)
“I see… Sounds troublesome. And two dungeon clears, huh.” (Shizuma)
“Most likely, they deliberately brought someone clearly stronger than me. According to what Father told me, my assignment here may also have been influenced by pressure from other countries.” (Shuris)
“I see. So that means the person I might end up facing as a source of trouble on the day itself is them. Do we know their name?” (Shizuma)
“He’s a man named Angares from the Imperial Adventurer Guild. Age unknown, but reported to be in his thirties. Apparently he started a brawl on the ship and left members of another adventurer clan bedridden.” (Shuris)
“What a rough individual. Understood. Angares, right? I’ll stay on guard.” (Shizuma)
“…Well, I’m not really in a position to say this, and it’s not that I doubt your ability, Seimu-san…but please be careful. In terms of achievements alone, he surpasses you.”
That’s true. I’ve cleared one dungeon; he’s cleared two.
But…
“That’s just because he has more dungeons in his country, right? If I crossed over there, I’d have cleared three or four by now.” (Shizuma)
“Fufufu, you’re quite confident, Seimu-san… Honestly, I feel frustrated too. If only I had more strength myself, this wouldn’t be happening. But I’m not in a position where I can go on a warrior’s training journey to strengthen myself. That kind of dilemma always follows a clan leader.” (Shuris)
Shuris-san muttered that, looking slightly frustrated and vexed.
But I don’t think that’s quite right. This person may be in a position where she can’t act freely…but she’s also surrounded by many reliable allies.
“…Please don’t worry. I’m already a resident of Lindblum, and right now, I’m your partner. Helping you is only natural, and so is making up for what strength you lack. We’re comrades living in the same city. Borrowing strength from your allies is only natural. You don’t need to become strong all by yourself anymore, Shuris-san.” (Shizuma)
“Fufu, that’s right. I’m not alone anymore… I suppose I forgot, since I was acting not as a clan leader, but as just one individual named Shuris. I’m also in a position where I can freely borrow strength.” (Shuris)
“Yes. So let’s face the banquet with peace of mind. Shall we draw all the men’s gazes in the hall? I feel like that would greatly satisfy the self-esteem of the man standing beside you.” (Shizuma)
“Hahaha, same here. I’ve heard, you know? That you’ve been very popular with the girls in the city lately.” (Shuris)
“Hahaha… Well, looks like we’ll both be attracting attention, so it’s probably best to assume trouble is inevitable.” (Shizuma)
“Indeed. Then…I’ll be counting on you that day, Seimu-san.” (Shuris)
For this friend, I’ll go all out this time.
Most of all, we need to make it known to the empire…
That the Holy Principality of Lendia has warriors who don’t even consider their country’s adventurers a threat.
This country is my home now.
I can’t let them look down on it.
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