Chapter 871: Novice (1)
The Primordial Dragon Rapir.
Chief of the Dragonkin, and the seemingly absent-minded father of two daughters.
But that good-natured old man was trying to kill one of his own daughters…
“Mmph.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Just as I was about to ask what that meant, the Dragon Brat covered my mouth with her pebble-sized hand.
Then, slowly letting go, she repeatedly pointed at the first note she had given me.
[Don’t stop talking. Read this while you talk.] (Pen)
Right.
If I wanted to hear the story, I had to keep the story going.
First, I was very curious as to why she was writing these notes, so I played along and continued the story.
Then, as if finally relieved, the Dragon Brat resumed sending her notes.
[A year ago, my sister came to see me in secret, without Father knowing. She said she came because she was worried about me, and told me not to tell Father she had been here.] (Pen)
[When I asked why it had to be a secret from Father, she said Father was trying to harm her, so she had to stay away.] (Pen)
[I asked her what on earth she was talking about, but she wouldn’t answer in detail. She just said she came because she wanted to see me one last time, and for some reason, she said she was sorry….] (Pen)
[That was all she said. Suddenly, my sister’s face went stiff, and she said this room was also being watched, and left in a hurry. Not even a few minutes later, Father arrived here.] (Pen)
[He told me he just stopped by for a moment because he missed me, but his face told a different story. He looked truly frantic. The way he looked around as soon as he entered the room, as if searching for something, also confirmed it…………] (Pen)
[The whole situation was so strange, but I couldn't ask Father anything. Because before my sister left, she told me not to trust Father too much.] (Pen)
And so, the Dragon Brat’s story came to an end, returning to the very beginning.
[Please, save my sister.] (Pen)
To be honest, when I first received this note, I had no idea what she was talking about.
But after hearing the whole story, my head hurts a little.
Hmm, at this point, could there really be a secret within the Dragonkin that I don't know about?
'I can't just not believe it, but it’s hard to believe it either.'
I have no idea what to do.
Seeing that desperate expression makes me wonder if it’s real, but then I remember the Dragon Uncle, who was so kind and cherished his daughters, and the thought that there must be some misunderstanding comes first.
Join Discord
However……….
'There is something that bothers me.'
After hearing today’s story, that thought suddenly occurred to me.
After all, the first time I met Lavian was during the ‘Ice Rock expedition.’
I only learned the truth later, but that expedition was a massive scam.
The disposable ones.
The sacrificial pawns.
Beyond that, those whose deaths would be beneficial.
A thorn in the side.
The Ice Rock expedition was more than ninety percent filled with such members.
Naturally, Lavian was one of them.
[I received a promise from the Marquis in exchange for this task. However, he… it seems he had no intention of keeping that promise.] (Lavian)
That was what Lavian had said while the members were gathered, sharing why we had been dragged into this expedition.
Of course, I didn't think much of it then.
To me at that time, Marquis Terserion was a villain heinous enough to do such a thing just to back out of a deal.
So, I just let it go back then.
'But thinking about it now, what happened next was a bit strange.'
Could Lavian, who returned to the city alive, really get that 'one thing' she was promised by the Marquis?
No, in the first place…
'Does it make sense for the Marquis to send the Dragon Uncle’s daughter to her death just to back out of a deal?'
When I think about it carefully, it’s not plausible at all.
Unless, of course, the Dragon Uncle was behind it.
“That son of a…” (Bjorn Yandel)
“……?” (Pen)
“Never mind, I accidentally bit my tongue.” (Bjorn Yandel)
Concerned for the Dragon Brat’s mental health, I didn’t voice all my thoughts honestly.
“I’ll be going now. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry too much.” (Bjorn Yandel)
At my words, the Dragon Brat couldn't say anything and just gave me a troubled look.
I simply nodded quietly, as if telling her to leave everything to me.
To be honest, what’s happening within the Dragonkin is none of my business, but……….
'I should look into it once.'
For some reason, it feels unsettling.
—
Time flew by quickly after my visit to the Dragon’s Holy Land.
I promised the Dragon Brat, Pen, that I would look into it, but I had no luck.
I mean, really?
'How am I supposed to find a daughter that even the Dragon Uncle can't find?'
Even when I tried to look, I was at a loss as to where to even begin.
If the Ghost Busters were still around, I might have been able to get a clue through the players' information.
But that’s not possible now, is it?
'First, I’ll keep looking, and if it really doesn’t work out, I'll have to have a frank talk with the Dragon Uncle.'
Therefore, I put finding Lavian on hold for a while.
After all, there really wasn’t much time left until the Labyrinth reopened.
Accordingly, I set aside my other duties and devoted myself to preparing for the expedition.
Ah, to put it simply, I focused on recruiting talented people.
First, there’s me, Ainar, and Misha.
The three of us, plus the five from Armin's expedition, made a total of eight.
It was a big blow that some members had left Armin's expedition.
Some felt disillusioned by the recent events and considered retiring, and the original Priest had to leave the Clan due to a call from the church, which was suffering from a manpower shortage.
'The fact that he halfway agreed to my proposal must have been largely due to that lack of personnel.'
Anyway.
On top of that, the GM also confirmed that he would be joining the next expedition.
'That Priestess is a bit of a waste…………'
The Priestess from the Three Gods Orchestra whom I had a connection with during the Dimensional Collapse.
I thought the composition would be perfect if she joined, so I even went to the church, but I was flatly rejected.
She said that if I needed her help, I should build up Merit Points at the Temple and make a formal request to the church.
'Damn religious folk…'
The stubbornness of the Three Gods Church was truly beyond words.
Even if you become a noble, establish a large Clan, or even become the chief of a tribe.
To get a Priest, you have to diligently complete quests given by the church and accumulate Merit Points.
Well, from their perspective, it was only natural.
In a way, it was thanks to that unyielding principle that their position in this Labyrinth city could become so strong.
'I was trapped on the Underground First Floor, fought a war, and went through a Dimensional Collapse. How am I supposed to clear Temple quests on top of that?'
In the end, am I fated to not have a Priest in this life?
…
It’s a relief that for the (New) Shield Barbarian, the presence of a Priest isn’t that crucial.
“This is Jackson. Thank you for choosing me. I will do my best.” (Jackson)
Ah, I also found a new navigator.
With information that a new island has been added to the Sixth Floor, I judged that the presence of a navigator was essential.
He’s not as skilled as Auyen, but where would I be lucky enough to find a navigator of that caliber again?
I just picked someone decent from the navigator guild.
A sort of mercenary contract, you could say.
It’s a contract where he receives a navigator’s share of the profits.
'That makes nine people for now.'
I wanted to find three more to make a team of twelve if possible, so I went around looking, and in the end, one more person was added.
“Abman. I didn't think you'd agree." (Bjorn Yandel)
"Did I seem like a man with that little conscience?" (Abman)
“Conscience or not, don’t you have a family?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Because of that family, I have to enter the Labyrinth anyway, so it’s better for me to get help from my connections.” (Abman)
That’s what the Bear Uncle said, but it wasn’t particularly believable.
“Of course… this is a secret from my wife. Understood?” (Abman)
What else could it mean when he added such a thing?
It’s obvious the Bear Lady was strongly against it.
Saying things like, hero or not, if he hangs around with me, he’s bound to not live long.
'With Bear Uncle, that makes ten people.'
Even considering the GM would join, the one remaining spot weighed on my mind, but I decided to end the recruitment of additional members here for now.
It’s better to have an empty spot than to take just anyone.
Besides, in [Dungeon & Stone], the minimum party size was originally five, not six.
With that in mind, I was focused solely on preparing for the next expedition when an unexpected person threw in their resume.
“Malid Kevron.” (Kevron)
The Vice-Captain of the Jagged Tooth Clan.
Ah, should I say former Vice-Captain now?
I heard a rumor that the clan disbanded not long after returning to the city.
“You want to enter the Labyrinth with us. Are you serious?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Yes. I heard you were looking for people. Am I wrong?” (Kevron)
Having made a firm decision, there was no hesitation in Kevron's voice.
That made it even stranger.
Well, seeing as he held his ground until the very end during the battle with the Lord of Tears, he seems trustworthy, but…
'Honestly, I thought it would all be over once we returned to the city.'
That’s just how people are.
In the heat of the moment, they get swept up by emotions and make irrational decisions, but once that moment passes, they start to calculate.
“If you’re doing this out of a sense of debt to me, there’s no need. You did what you had to do, and with that, our deal was concluded.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“It’s not because of that.” (Kevron)
“Then why? Ah, you can’t find anyone to enter the Labyrinth with?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“There have been few times in history when high-rank Explorers were as sought after as they are now. I hear that once you’re above the Fifth Rank, you get calls from all over.” (Kevron)
“And you?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“I won’t say I received few calls.” (Kevron)
Hmm, if that’s the case, I understand even less.
I just asked him straight out, like a Barbarian.
“Then why?” (Bjorn Yandel)
Kevron didn’t answer right away.
He took a brief pause as if to organize his thoughts, then said in a slightly awkward voice.
“Because it won’t happen.” (Kevron)
“Huh? What was that…?” (Bjorn Yandel)
“I judged that it won’t happen if I’m with you, Viscount. A day where I am abandoned, or a day where I have to abandon someone.” (Kevron)
“Ah…” (Bjorn Yandel)
It certainly won’t happen.
Because if he did something like that, I wouldn’t let him get away with it.
Hmm, to sum it up, after facing a life-threatening crisis, he reflected on his life, and now he’s had a moment of clarity…
After a moment of thought, I said.
“It’s not Viscount Yandel.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“……?” (Kevron)
“From now on, call me Captain.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“Ah…!” (Kevron)
In times like these, it’s incredibly difficult to find a Third-Rank Explorer.
There’s no reason to stop him when he wants to join.
Of course, it would be a lie to say nothing bothers me.
'This is already the second former Vice-Captain of the Jagged Tooth Clan…'
Somehow, this is also a strange connection.
“I look forward to working with you.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“I look forward to it, Captain.” (Kevron)
And so, all the members for this expedition were decided.
Afterward, we spent our time gathering to practice together and make expedition plans.
And time flew by quickly…
“It’s already today.” (Armin)
“It feels unfamiliar after resting for a few months.” (Bjorn Yandel)
“The last one was after a very long time in the first place……” (Misha Karlstein)
Finally, the day of entering the Labyrinth had dawned.
