The next day, Tuesday, after 9 o'clock.
Since there was no harm trying, Ryo went to the South Library in search of materials about Akuma.
After having breakfast with Ryo, the three from Room 10 were in front of the guild bulletin board.
Niles and Etho performed surface requests on Tuesdays.
Amon decided to follow them too.
After all, if he did not fulfill surface requests, he will take considerably longer to reach E-rank.
Besides, diving in the dungeon for two days in a row was not recommended for mental wellbeing.
Well, that's why they came to check the guild's request bulletin board to accept surface requests …
"That note, it says that entering the dungeon is prohibited, right?"
Amon read the note on the edge of the request board.
"Yeah … that's what is written …"
Yesterday, the receptionist Nina said she would put up a note saying, 'Be careful because a Goblin Archer was found on the 5th floor.' … For some reason, it turned out that entering the dungeon was now banned.
"I wonder if some additional information came in after that."
Etho also tilted his head.
Around the same time, at the dungeon in the center of the City of Rune.
In front of the ground entrance, there were four Crimson Swords and twenty White Brigades.
"Morning, Phelps. Twenty members are half of the Brigade, right? The other half aren't entering?"
"Good morning, Abel. The 20 of us are all C-rank and above adventurers. I can't take D-rank adventurers to a place that is known to be dangerous."
The White Brigade was like a party formed by forty people, a kind of 'clan' or 'mutual aid society'.
However, not anyone could enter and only those who were adventurers of D-rank or higher and who Phelps verified that they had no personality problem were allowed to belong to the society.
Among them, the six most elite members, led by the leader Phelps and the deputy leader Sheena, were all B-rank and formed a B-rank party that Hugh called the 'Core unit'.
That core unit was, of course, all present.
"Oh, Crimson and White are already gathered."
Hugh, who was usually holed up in the guild headquarters, came out of the branch office.
"It's unusual to see Guilmas at this branch office."
Abel looked at Hugh with a face that expressed he saw something very unusual.
"That's because I have to make a decision as soon as you all come back. I'll be in this branch office today. Just as mentioned yesterday. Well then, please go ahead."
Hugh then instructed the gatekeeper to open the door.
"Wait, Guilmas."
"Hmm? What's wrong with Abel."
"I have a slightly unpleasant feeling. Rin, explore the first layer with the wind magic
"Understood~"
Then, Rin stood in front of the entrance and chanted.
"Gather the heartbeat and existence of life and bring them to me
An investigative wave spread from Rin.
Rin's complexion changed when the wave reached the first-floor hall, beyond the door and down the hundred steps.
"There are a lot of reactions on the first-floor hall. It is beyond hundreds."
"Is the Great Tidal Bore already here?"
Abel frowned at Rin's report.
"Damn. Everyone evacuate! Evacuate to the first wall. Contact the Knights Headquarters and Guild Headquarters. The Great Tidal Bore has already started. Monsters will be coming out."
Hugh rapidly shouted out instructions.
They, including the staff at the branch office, headed to the stairs inside the defensive wall.
Those tasked to contact the Knights Headquarters did not go up to the ramparts and directly went out to the main street to rush to the Knights Headquarters in the north.
Those tasked to contact the Guild Headquarters went south.
"Master, everyone has evacuated inside the wall. The wall entrance has been sealed."
The moment the report was made, the door at the entrance to the dungeon blew off.
"They are here …"
Originally, on Earth, 『Great Tidal Bore』 often referred to the large-scale reverse flow 'Pororoca' of the Amazon River.
It's a magnificent and terrifying sight as if many creatures were swimming up the river at the same time.
The Great Tidal Bore in the City of Rune on 『Phi』 was just as terrifying.
Or rather, it was overwhelming in horror.
Near the entrance to the dungeon, the area surrounded by the walls was not small.
It was about the size of a 400 meters track.
A shape close to an ellipse with a length of 150 meters and a width of 75 meters.
However, monsters had overflowed to fill the entire area.
It was exactly what it meant to not have the slightest bit of space.
Neither the Crimson Sword nor the White Brigade spoke a word from the overwhelming sight.
And it was the same for Hugh McGrath, the Guild Master who should have experienced the previous Great Tidal Bore.
(What's with this number … the last time it didn't reach this point and there are even more stuck in the back.)
Unpleasant sweat dripped down Hugh's back due to the excessive number of monsters that was more than expected.
That said, the action to take was already decided.
Annihilate the monsters.
If that was not possible, the monster would flood the city and the City of Rune would be destroyed.
"Shave off as many as possible with ranged attacks. Attack with magic and bows and arrows. The vanguard will cut down any arrows from the monsters and protect the Magicians and Archers."
Although he spent most of his time wrestling with documents after retiring as an adventurer for nine years, he was still a former A-class adventurer even if he was out of his prime.
The number of bloodsheds he survived was greater than anyone present.
Although both the Crimson Sword and the White Brigade were a gathering of exceptional individuals, there was no clear hierarchy.
In that case, it was certain that orders from the "Guild Master" would cause the least confusion.
Unification of the chain of command was a protocol that was absolutely necessary for a battle.
Under Hugh's command, the battle began.
However, it was a one-sided massacre rather than a battle.
The Crimson Sword and White Brigade attacked with magic and arrows from the top of the wall, which was about 10 meters tall.
There were also sporadic counterattacks.
From a small amount of Goblin Archers mixed in the majority of Goblins.
However, most of the arrows did not reach the top of the wall.
And even if they reached, the Swordsmen and Shield-bearers would repel them all.
The Crimson Sword and White Brigade were stationed on the south side of the wall.
That was because another group was planned to defend the north side.
And ten minutes after the start of the battle, the long-awaited reinforcements appeared on the northern wall.
The Knights of the Margrave of Rune.
"Reduce the numbers as much as possible with long-range attacks."
Their basic plan was the same as the adventurers.
Of course, that was because Guild Master Hugh had a meeting with Knight Commander Neville Black the day before.
(We were busy but I'm glad I did it yesterday …)
Hugh thought seriously.
It would have been a serious blow if the number of allies decreased due to a sudden charge because of something like knight honor.
(Although Neville doesn't seem to have that kind of attachment.)
Going back in time just a little bit.
When the incident at the entrance to the dungeon was transmitted to the Adventurer's Guild, there were quite a few adventurers in the guild.
Those who were thinking of diving into the dungeon today.
Those who were thinking of accepting surface requests today.
Both felt that something unusual was happening.
Discussions and exchange of information with other parties were happening.
Everyone knew of the importance of information, regardless if they were A-rank or F-rank adventurers.
That said, there was currently no A-rank adventurer in the City of Rune …
Meanwhile, the messenger rushed in and shouted.
"The Great Tidal Bore is happening! Monsters are coming up to the surface."
With just those words, the C-rank and D-rank adventurers moved without hesitation.
Immediately, they took their weapons and ran toward the entrance to the dungeon.
The remaining E-rank and F-rank adventurers didn't have to hesitate for a long time.
This was because the voice of a guild staff echoed.
"The Great Tidal Bore is a phenomenon in which monsters overflow from the dungeon. This is an urgent quest of the highest importance. Everyone here should be able to attack from the top of the defensive wall around the dungeon entrance. Please head over immediately."
The adventurers, who were wondering what to do, started to move all at once after they heard the instructions.
Niles, Etho, and Amon, who were exchanging information in the guild, also headed for the dungeon entrance.
At the entrance to the ramparts, bows and arrows stockpiled by the guild were distributed.
Even though they were stored at the guild headquarters, it was moved in advance because of the considerable amount.
That foresight came to effectiveness now.
For the time being, they could shoot without worrying about running out of arrows.
That also played a large role in keeping morale high.
After all, no matter how many they defeated, there was no end to the monsters surging out …
"Damn, it's not reducing at all."
Abel complained but kept shooting arrows without resting his hands.
Abel was a Swordsman but when it came to adventurers at his level, they would have decent means of attack at all short, medium, and long distances.
Naturally, Abel's skill with the bow was also well above average.
Next to him, the priest Rihya was also firing arrows.
She was not as skillful as Abel but at this distance, she could hit the Goblins.
"It's an endurance battle. But if we don't defeat these goblins, the big shot won't come out, right?"
The big shot … it seemed that the Goblins were the core of this Great Todal Bore … That meant that it will probably end if the Goblin General was defeated in the end.
To put it the other way around, it won't end unless they defeated the general who had not come out of the dungeon yet.
"Rin, there's still a long way to go. In the end, we and Brigade will be rushing in to defeat them so save your magical power."
"Understood~"
"But if there is a magic that can wipe them out with a single blow, you can feel free to do so?"
"There's no way I have such a spell! Don't say that while knowing the answer!"
Rin, the Wind-Attribute Magician, sat down and devoted herself to recovering her magical power.
In that situation, her ability to continue the battle was significantly inferior to that of the bow and arrow.
A little further away from the Crimson Sword, Phelps, the leader of the White Brigade, a spearman, was also firing arrows as a matter of course.
Next to him, the Magician deputy leader, Sheena, was also firing arrows.
Twenty members of the Brigade who joined later were also gathered and all forty people took part in a corner of the wall as they launched long-range attacks.
About thirty of them were firing arrows.
There were only five professional archers but now it was a situation where quantity was more important than quality.
"Everyone, don't neglect hydration. Only Goblins and a few Goblin Archers have come out so there's a long way to go."
Phelps gave accurate instructions without stopping his hand that was firing arrows.
Some members of the brigade were already having difficulty pulling the bowstrings, probably because they have kept shooting arrows for tens of minutes.
As they were not professional archers, they probably applied strength to unnecessary places.
The priests would heal them with recovery magic and they would return to the front line.
But … the end was yet to be seen.
Hugh was in command as he waited for a report.
(Our talented staff should be back soon …)
"Master!"
Outside the ramparts, a voice calling Hugh was heard from the street.
"Are they here!?"
"We have procured arrows from all the weapon stores on the south side of the city. The number is about 80,000."
"Oh ~"
The guild staff around Hugh and the adventurers shouted in admiration.
"OK, assign them to the adventurers right away."
"Master, the procurement unit on the north side has also procured nearly 70,000 arrows. They have reported that they are now carrying them to the Knights."
"All right! We can continue the fight at long distances for a while."
What were Niles, Etho, and Amon doing during this time?
As a priest, Etho roamed between parties on the ramparts as he cast recovery magic.
And Niles and Amon were delivering arrows to each party.
"Abel-san, here are arrows procured from a city weapons store."
Niles carried two barrels of arrows to the Crimson Sword.
"Oh, Niles? That's a great help. We were about to run out of arrows."
Abel turned slightly toward Niles and nodded.
"Also, it's a message from Guild Master. The Crimson Sword will charge in at the end, or so it seems."
Abel laughed loudly when he heard that.
"I guessed it. Tell Guilmas that I understand."
"Yes. Then, good luck."
Then, Niles turned his heels back and ran to give Hugh Abel's reply.
"It really makes me appreciate the importance of resupply, even if I don't like doing it."
-x-X-x-
Four hours after the battle began, the waves of Goblins finally started to slow.
However, at about the same time, the adventurer's and the Knights' supply of arrows were about to run out.
Both sides were using arrows gathered from all over the city. There was no further replenishment.
In the end, it was approaching the situation where they had to descend the ramparts and settle the battle in close quarters.
"The vanguards will be Crimson Sword and White Brigade. Be careful as Goblin Mages are also appearing."
Hugh fired off instructions.
A Goblin Mage was a goblin capable of casting attack magic.
A type that was very rarely born.
"C-rank and D-rank parties will rush into the path pioneered by Crimson and White and expand the path."
"Master, the north wall."
Hugh looked at the northern wall pointed out by a guild personnel.
They had opened the date to the inside of the wall and started close combat against the goblins.
"Tch. The Knights have already depleted their arrow supply? Alright, we'll begin too. You lot, we'll be crushing the Great Tidal Bore!"
"Ooh!!"
The adventurers raised tremendous battle cries.
They knew it was necessary but they had been frustrated with just long-range attacks.
As expected, it boiled down to close combat in the end!
There were many such adventurers.
As such, the gate of the south wall opened, and Crimson and White plunged into the goblin swarm, with Abel and Phelps at the forefront.
Abel slaughtered the goblins with a swing of his sword without clashing with their swords.
Phelps used his spear to stab and mow them down, crushing goblins over a wide area.
Warren struck his shield against the goblins while Sheena created a path for Abel and Phelps to charge into with her highly penetrative Fire Lance.
"We're about to break through the goblins. The mages will be coming."
Rihya gave out instructions.
Then, at the same time as the goblin wave broke, a Fire Arrow was released by a Goblin Mage.
That was a spell used for area attacks, similar to the Wind Magic Sonic Blade.
That single Fire Arrow that was fired split into five arrows along its trajectory and attacked its targets.
Three were aimed for Abel and two for Phelps.
But then, Warren stepped out in front of Abel and used his huge shield to block the Fire Arrows.
As for Phelps,
"O Earth, become a shield and block evil, Claywall."
An earth wall by Deputy Leader Sheena, who could manipulate the two attributes of Fire and Earth, was formed in front of Phelps and blocked the arrows of fire.
At that time, only the Crimson Sword and the core unit of the White Brigade were able to reach the vicinity of the dungeon entrance where the Goblin Mage and others were.
The approache of the Knights, who had previously transitioned to close quarters, was stopped.
When Abel realized the situation, he saw a giant goblin come out of the dungeon entrance.
"Goblin General …"
Unlike the other goblins, the general had an unusually high fighting power, attesting to its name "General".
B-rank adventurers could barely manage to fight one-on-one against a general …
But …
"Three Goblin Generals …"
Deputy Leader Sheena murmured.
To tell the truth, Abel was surprised to hear her voice for the first time, but he didn't have the leisure to turn toward Sheena at that moment.
"The fact that there are multiple Goblin Generals …"
"Yeap, there will be a King behind them."
Abel responded to Phelps' statement.
Goblin King … a goblin mutant whose existence could be seen in the central nations once every few decades.
There were also records of them leading tens of thousands of goblins and annihilating cities.
The number of goblins this time would have exceeded 10,000, so they should have assumed the existence of a King … but so far, there had been no record of Goblin Kings being born in the dungeon.
"Honestly, I don't know the strength of a King. As long as we are in the dark, I want to defeat these Generals before he comes out."
"I agree."
Abel and Phelps confirmed each other's thoughts.
"Phelps and I will take one each and everyone else will take on the remaining one."
Under Abel's instructions, the battle with the three Generals began.
In close-quarters combat, both Abel and Phelps overwhelmed the Generals.
However, the spells of the Goblin Mages were aimed at them at critical junctures.
Therefore, they had difficulty dealing a fatal blow to the Generals.
Abel avoided the greatsword that the General swung down without parrying it with his sword.
Then, he struck with his magic sword during his dodge.
"Gishaaaaa."
The General's roar echoed.
Not only Abel but also Phelps and the others were pushing them back.
(It is going well.)
However, the next moment, he had an unpleasant premonition and Abel looked at the entrance to the dungeon.
There stood a giant goblin that even surpassed the size of the Generals …
It shook its arm.
(Danger!)
"Get down!"
Neither the Crimson Sword nor the White Brigade understood what it was.
However, they had survived many battles.
Everyone laid down on the ground at once.
At that moment, something split the torsos of the three Goblin Generals in half and passed over the heads of the prone adventurers.
(Did it try to kill us along with the Generals?)
Abel was horrified.
The invisible Wind-Attribute attack magic Air Slash … but the attack released by the King happened faster than an Air Slash, its cutting power was incomparable to an Air Slash, and unlike Air Slash, there was no chant.
(Maybe it's not magic … Is that possible? It just shook its arm … Either way, we can't keep our distance.)
"Phelps and I will charge in."
Then, Abel headed for the King.
Without hesitation, Phelps also headed for the King.
Abel practiced close-quarters combat while Phelps used a spear and could attack from medium range.
The King held a sword and a shield and engaged in extremely orthodox close-combat style.
What was unorthodox was the weight of its blows.
"Guohh"
A groan involuntarily leaked out of Abel.
When he tried to parry its sword after not being able to dodge due to the speed of the swing, his voice leaked from the weight of the sword.
However, while Abel was crossing swords, Phelps thrust with his spear and dealt damage.
Like Abel's sword, his spear also glowed red.
Magic spear.
Within the Crimson Sword and White Brigade, only Abel and Phelps had a magic sword and spear.
That was why Abel asked that they attack together.
He presumed that attacks from ordinary weapons would not damage it.
That was felt even when they were fighting against the General which was ranked below the King.
The attacks from Abel and Phelps went through but the attacks of others did not do much damage.
In that case, the King, which could be said to be a rank up from the General, would be even more likely to possess that characteristic.
And that was the correct answer.
Normal weapons could not deal any damage to the Goblin King's skin.
Abel's magic sword and Phelps' magic spear, they had no choice but to fight while relying on those.
The two had a slight advantage, but a single mistake could easily overturn the outcome.
And that mistake appeared.
The moment Abel stepped forward, his foot slipped.
"Shit."
He somehow managed to fall to one knee and prevent his posture from getting completely broken.
However, the King backstepped and took a distance accordingly.
And shook its arm.
"Get down!"
Abel screamed and plunged toward the King.
"Abel!"
Phelps was surprised.
But, he was already lying on the ground.
Why on earth …
"Sword Art: Absolute Shadow"
Abel released a sword technique.
Absolute Shadow … a technique to dodge all long-range attacks, including magic, with minimal movement.
With that, he fended off the invisible attack that the King fired.
He had completely entered the King's space.
"Combat Art: Perfect Pierce"
Normally, the technique would surely pierce through the throat or head, but he could not reach those critical areas against the giant King.
Therefore, he pierced near the heart from below.
But the resilient King hadn't died yet.
"That's within expectation. Rin, shoot through me."
"
Rin, who was hiding in the shadow of Warren's shield, vocalized the final trigger word.
Over a hundred invisible wind bullets headed for Abel and the King.
"Sword Art: Absolute Shadow"
And once again, the sword art Absolute Shadow.
He dodged his allies' long-range magic too.
But the King, who had suffered serious wounds, failed to dodge.
"Gugaaaaa."
The King's skin couldn't be scratched by ordinary weapons.
But that was not the case with
Just to prepare for this final card, Rin didn't cast any magic after she got off the wall.
It said something about her persistence.
The highest-class Wind-Attribute attack magic that boasts almost invincible penetrative power.
Even the King couldn't withstand it.
Countless wind bullets pierced its body and the Goblin King died.
Almost at the same time that the Crimson Sword and White Brigade defeated the Goblin King, the Goblin annihilation was wrapping up in various parts of the square.
-x-X-x-
"We've collected 32133 magic stones? … Although they are Goblin magic stones, that is still a considerable number. The City of Rune alone can't handle such a number."
Hugh breathed a sigh of relief.
The moment Abel defeated the Goblin King, he did a guts pose and was honestly happy that he managed to survive the Great Tidal Bore.
However, his work as the Guild Master in the City of Rune was not over yet.
Rather, his real work started then.
In the sense that no one could replace him for the tasks.
Reporting to the country and the Margrave.
Submitting further documentations.
Since the Great Tidal Bore occurred periodically, the country had established and accumulated funds to counteract the costs and these documents were needed for the application to use the funds.
Even if he applied, approval would only come half a year later, so he would have to pay out the rewards for the adventurers in advance.
Compensation for the weapon shops that supplied the arrows.
Condolence money to the bereaved families of the victims.
A positive assessment in the guild examination for those who participated.
Restoration plan for the equipment and facilities destroyed by the Great Tidal Bore.
Raising that sum of money.
And a lump sum payment to the guild staff.
Et cetera ....
Tasks which came out one after another with just a little thought that couldn't be delegated to anyone else …
(In any case …)
Hugh looked at the Goblin King's magic stone in his hand.
It was a light green magic stone that was about half a fist in size.
(Putting all else aside, this magic stone is already large enough and has a considerably high value. In that case, the Wyvern magic stones that Abel and Ryo brought in are … abnormal … or rather, can those monsters still be called Wyverns?)
The Wyvern magic stones were fist-sized and dark green.
They were probably from Wyverns that lived for a long time and had immense experience.
That was what the 『dark color』 signified.
(The fact that this King's magic stone is light-colored means that it hadn't been so long since it was born. It was not a monster that had lived in the depths of the dungeon for a long time.)
The Great Tidal Bore phenomenon was still shrouded in mystery.
All they knew was that it occurred periodically and that only one type of monster would display an explosive increase in numbers.
"Ah, shit … those researchers and scholars will definitely come to study … The dungeon will be closed for a month after the Great Tidal Bore. What is going to happen if those scholars come in the meantime …"
His anguish as Guild Master was not over yet.
Nobody spared a thought for the troubled Guild Master … A banquet was being held at the guild cafeteria.
They survived the Great Tidal Bore, which happened once every few years.
Moreover, it was the largest Great Tidal Bore ever recorded.
Even the guild cafeteria, which clearly stated that 『Alcohol is absolutely prohibited』, was serving alcohol as an exception today.
Only for tonight, all food and drinks would be paid for by the guild … or rather, it would be recovered later from the country's countermeasure funds.
In any case, the adventurers who participated in today's Great Tidal Bore, the adventurers who could not participate due to various reasons, or the adventurers who did not know that the Great Tidal Bore was happening in the first place, all participated in the big banquet.
That's when Ryo came back from the library.
Originally he wanted to go straight to the dormitory, but he could clearly hear the voices of drunk people from the guild cafeteria, which was supposed to be 『Alcohol is absolutely prohibited』.
When he secretly looked inside from the entrance, it was, as expected, in the middle of a huge banquet.
People seemed to have bought entire barrels of alcohol and were filling their mugs directly from the barrel.
And food was being carried one after another from the kitchen.
As he was taken aback by such a scene, Ryo found three people from Room 10 at the back gesturing him to come over.
Ryo avoided the central part of the big banquet and squeezed through the corner to reach the three.
"Ryo, welcome back."
Etho, who mentioned that he was weak to alcohol, greeted him half asleep.
Amon, who gestured Ryo to come over, seemed to be drinking juice because he was a minor.
"Ryo-san, you're in time for the banquet! It seems that we can eat and drink as much as we want! Everything is on the guild."
Amon commented ecstatically and seemed to have carried a large amount of food on his plate from the table where food was lined up like a buffet.
For a fresh adventurer who was by no means wealthy, that was heaven.
"Ryo, you're late. You can grab a plate and mug from over there and eat and drink as much as you like."
Niles, who had just came over with food piled up on his plate, explained to Ryo.
"This … What banquet is this for …?"
"Oh … you didn't know after all. It's the Great Tidal Bore. Today, the Great Tidal Bore happened. Remember, you were taught about it in beginner's class? The one that happens once every few years."
"I see … so it's a big banquet because everyone survived the Great Tidal Bore safely. Well, I should get my share first."
"Yeah, go get it. We have to eat like a week's share today!"
With that said, Niles laughed and began to eat with gusto.
Next to him, Amon also displayed the appetite of a teenage appetite, as if he was a hungry ghost from hell with a bottomless appetite.
When Ryo returned with a heap of food on his plate and wine in his mug, both Niles and Amon had finished eating for the time being.
Of course, it was 'for the time being' and they would probably go for seconds after that.
"At any rate, Abel-san was amazing!"
Niles explained how Abel played a huge role in the Great Tidal Bore.
Ryo listened while eating.
Although he was a Swordsman, he had skill with the bow that put Archers to shame.
After shifting to close combat, he actively led all the adventurers in front.
And in the end, he pretty much defeated the Goblin King.
"Pretty much?"
Ryo dexterously tilted his head while eating.
"W-well, to be exact, Rin-san's spell dealt the final blow but that was because Abel-san pierced the King with his sword and stopped its movements. That attack felt as though even I was pierced by it and left me with goosebumps."
Recalling that scene, Niles grinned many times.
It was a little creepy.
It could be said that a man could be charmed by another man, but Niles seemed to have fallen in love with him a little too much.
"It would have been serious if you actually were pierced. It sounds like the King would have a tough defense, was it Wind Magic that pierced through him?"
"Yeah. I heard that it's a spell with a horribly long chant that is rarely used on the battlefield."
"That was
Batan
After saying that, Etho fell asleep once again.
"Bullet rain … a rain of bullets … sounds so cool."
"It seemed to be a spell that fires off dozens of invisible blades. I'm really glad it didn't hit Abel."
"I didn't get hit because I dodged it with a sword art."
When Niles looked back in amazement, Abel was standing there with a jug.
This time, there were many people and Ryo was so absorbed in eating that he didn't even notice.
"Not a combat art but a sword art?"
Ryo asked Abel.
Abel once used a sword art during his trip with Ryo, but Ryo didn't see it because they were separated at that time.
"Yeah, a sword art. It's a technique dedicated to Swordsman, which is a stronger form of combat arts. 『Sword Art Absolute Shadow』. It's a technique to avoid all long-range attacks including magic."
"Absolute Shadow … Such a cool name!"
"I knew Ryo would comment on that …"
Meanwhile, Niles remained completely frozen, as Abel, who he now admired more than ever, suddenly appeared.
"Niles was praising Abel to the heavens for being awesome."
"Shut it, that's embarrassing. But Niles and the others were also running around without a break to replenish our arrows. Thanks to that, we won in the end. You can stand proud."
Those words finally caused Niles to return to consciousness, but he immediately froze once again because he was praised by the person he admired.
"Anyway … we could have won more easily with Ryo around. Where on earth did you go?"
Abel asked Ryo while drinking from his mug.
"Eh, I was in the library …"
Ryo also felt a little sorry.
Of course, Ryo had no responsibility to participate.
Therefore, there was no penalty for adventurers who did not participate in that battle.
But, even without a penalty, he was bothered by the fact that he didn't take part in a big event that all the adventurers took part in.
"Oh, the library … Then you couldn't help it."
"I'm glad I didn't snatch away Abel's spectacular show."
"Ass!"
Then Abel laughed out loud.
"Oh, I found Abel."
"See, he was with Ryo after all?"
It seemed that Rin and Rihya were looking for Abel.
"Abel cares a lot for Ryo, doesn't he?"
Rihya's words had a subtle tone of jealousy and were laced with a few dangerous thorns.
"No, it's not that I was worried about him … I was complaining to him that it would have been easier if he was around."
Then Abel nodded to his own remark.
"Well, putting that aside. There's a message from the Guild Master. I'll be reporting to Margrave tomorrow, so come with me at that time. Come to my office by the bell at 12 noon."
"Uge …"
"A great reward for your spectacular performance."
Ryo's quip at the end caused Abel to frown even more.
"It was Rin who dealt the final blow, not me …"
"Eh, don't try to escape. In the first place, my Bullet Rain could hit because Abel pretty much pierced the King's heart with your sword."
When he heard that, Abel not only frowned but also looked down.
"Oh right, I have something I want to ask Ryo."
Then, Rin enthusiastically turned her body facing Abel toward Ryo.
"Hm?"
Ryo, who had finally finished eating a large amount of food, turned to Rin while drinking wine from a mug.
"Abel said it but … is it true that Ryo can create an ice wall high in the air?"
"Yes, I can. About 40 meters up."
Ryo replied, recalling the scene.
"He actually can do it …"
"Although that is extremely difficult and it took me a long time to be able to do it."
"No … well … it normally can't be done …"
Rin's words, which she muttered, didn't reach anyone's ears.
-x-X-x-
Five days after the Great Tidal Bore was suppressed.
An inspector general arrived at the Adventurer's Guild from the royal capital, and various inspections were being conducted.
Since the guild staff had to fulfill all the inspector general's needs, the already busy guild staff were at the height of exhaustion.
An announcement that the dungeon would be closed for at least a month was not only released within the guild but throughout the City of Rune.
In the meantime, the adventurers had no choice but to accept surface requests.
Not many adventurers had enough money saved to take their time to rest just because the dungeon was sealed.
Usually, there would be one or two subjugation requests left on the bulletin board but now they would all be taken up.
Not to mention escort requests that were even more popular.
In the first place, requests open for F-rank adventurers … would be about collecting herbs and minerals that could always be found on the board.
Despite that …
"We're in a pickle …"
Niles took his eyes off the bulletin board, scratching his head.
The request for medicinal herbs and minerals, which previously would always be on the board, had been suspended.
"I'm sorry, Niles-san. Yesterday and the day before yesterday, E-rank and F-rank adventurers all seemed to have gone out to gather those … so we received instructions from the purchasing department to stop the request."
"Y-yes! No, it's not Nina-san's fault! The bad ones are the purchasing department, so …"
Niles was flustered, not realizing that the receptionist he had a crush on, Nina, was right next to him.
Etho chuckled at his action without stepping in to help.
And Amon was smiling wryly next to him.
The three of them were not so poor that they would have to worry about not being able to eat today or tomorrow.
However, with the announcement that they couldn't enter the dungeon for at least a month, they didn't want to cut into their savings as much as possible.
Ryo came out from the purchasing department and passed by the three of them.
"Oh. Are the three of you taking up requests?"
"Apparently even the collection requests had ceased."
Etho replied on behalf of Niles, who was still frozen and unable to react to others after talking to Nina.
"Is Ryo looking for something? You looked like you came out from the purchasing department."
"Yeah. I came to see if the ore used for practicing alchemy was sold, but they don't sell it … I couldn't find it in the general stores in the city and the alchemy workshop was closed … It could easily be found on the fifth floor of the dungeon so I was planning to get it from there and didn't focus on it. Now I'm stuck."
"Fifth floor … magic copper ore?"
"Yeah, that's it."
Ryo nodded.
"That would be quite expensive if sold in the city, isn't it …?"
"When I saw it at a general store before, just a fist-sized one cost 500,000 Florin."
"Fifty gold coins …"
Amon was stunned when he heard the exchange between Ryo and Etho.
"It's produced on the fifth floor of the dungeon, but the adventurer's guild doesn't buy it, right? It's said that it's because they don't get along with the alchemy guild in the city. That's why the purchasing department here doesn't sell it and it cost a surprising amount of money even in the city."
Etho explained why it was so expensive.
When he heard that, Ryo agreed and fell into thought.
And after thinking a little, he opened my mouth.
"Why don't the three of you take up a request from me?"
"Huh?"
Except for Niles, who still hadn't returned to reality, the other two unanimously sounded surprised.
"I heard that there is a possibility that magic copper ore can be collected nearby apart from the dungeon …"
"Yeah, at the abandoned mine in the village of Rusei, half a day's walk west of the City of Rune."
"Four gold coins per person, twelve gold coins for three people. I will pay even if you can't collect any. Twenty-five gold coins per fist-sized magic copper ore. I'll pay extra if it's bigger; if it's smaller … well we can discuss when that time comes. The condition is that all three of you return safely to the City of Rune. How about?"
"Ok, we're in!"
Niles, who had returned before anyone realized, replied.
"Well, the conditions are great, but is that okay with Ryo?"
"Yes. It is 37 gold coins even when totaled up. That's cheaper than buying it in the city. Moreover, it's out of stock now. But this doesn't go through the guild, so there won't be any achievement record …"
"No problem!"
The three bought preserved food and left immediately.
Ryo could have gone himself but money was what made the world go around.
Besides, it would be awkward if he had decent meals while the three of them couldn't earn any money …
Although it would be okay to treat them once in a while, Ryo thought that it wouldn't be accepted if it continued for days.
Of course, it would be even worse to give them money for no reason …
He felt that was a line that must not be crossed as a roommate.
However, there would be no problem if it was a proper request.
The three worked, collected what he needed, and Ryo paid them money in return.
A very healthy exchange.
Ryo was quite wealthy thanks to the Wyvern magic stones.
『Buying time with money』
That was an activity practiced by the wealthy class on modern Earth.
Ryo hadn't touched a millimeter of that lifestyle on Earth but at the moment he was able to experience what that meant on Phi.
While the three of them gathered that, he could do some research and perform other experiments with the materials he could buy at hand.
Ryo being himself, there was a feeling that he could spend his time meaningfully.
While the three from Room 10 left the City of Rune, Rin was in the library on the north side of the city.
While the South Library had a large selection of books for the general public and beginners, the North Library was a library with only specialized books.
Within the library, there were places where access was severely restricted.
A section called the 『Forbidden Archive』.
A special section where only those with special permission from the Margrave, aristocrats, and adventurers of B rank or above were allowed to view.
There were various books and materials that should not be shown to the general public.
For example, the advanced spellbook of Water-Attribute Magic, and the highest grade spellbook.
What Rin was looking at was a spellbook containing the sort of thing commonly known as the 『forbidden curse』.
"It is not listed after all."
But she couldn't find the spell she wanted.
Of course, she thought it wouldn't be there from the beginning.
The magic of creating an ice wall in a location far away from yourself …
In the central nations, all the spells used by Magicians were summarized in spellbooks.
Along with the chant to cast that spell.
Beginner, intermediate, advanced, and highest grade.
The 『Bullet Rain』 which Rin used to defeat the Goblin King was also listed in Wind's highest grade Spellbook. Along with a huge chant that was almost unrealistic.
Advanced magic and highest-grade magic require considerable magical power and could only be used by Magicians who were accustomed to magic.
If a weak Magician attempted to chant the spell, their magic would go berserk or the Magician would be swallowed by the magic and disappear.
Therefore, the advanced and highest-grade spell books were kept in places like that away from the general public eyes.
The magic used by Ryo was not listed in the advanced and highest-grade spellbook.
In other words,
"Original magic …"
Which was essentially impossible for magic.
Magic occurred by chanting a fixed spell chant and the determined magic would be activated or generated, which then causes the corresponding phenomenon.
If it's beginner magic, anyone who had an aptitude for magic could cast the specified magic by chanting the spell for the attribute that suited them.
As it moves up to intermediate and advanced levels, they could activate it if their body becomes 『accustomed』 to magic.
Magic had a predetermined framework in that way.
However, original magic lay outside that framework.
In the first place, it was unclear how magic could be generated without chanting, so original magic was even less understood.
In the past, she would have discarded the thought as 'some misunderstanding'.
However, in the current central nations, there was a famous Magician who manipulated what seemed to be original magic.
"He's like a Water-Attribute version of the Explosive Blaze Magician …"
The Fire-Attribute Magician who manipulates high-powered magic that the Magicians have never seen or heard of before.
His alias was 『Explosive Blaze Magician』.
The moment Rin sighed, she was called out.
"Oh, Rin, it's been a long time."
When she looked up from the spellbook, she saw a woman of unmatched beauty.
Large green eyes, platinum blonde hair, 170 cm tall, one or more heads taller than the petite Rin, and outstanding proportions.
Her characteristic ears were exposed because her platinum blonde hair that extended to her back was tied up.
Slightly pointed ears … a characteristic of elves.
She was, as Abel called her, the only elf living in Rune.
The only member of the B-rank party 『Wind』.
"Hello, Sera-san."
Rin wasn't good at dealing with Sera.
Sera didn't do anything in particular to her.
However, when facing Sera, she felt a variety of inferiority complexes.
As the same Wind-Attribute Magician.
As the same B-rank adventurer.
And as the same gender.
"You're in an unusual place looking at something unusual."
Sera was a bookworm so much so that she was even called the lord of the North Library behind her back.
Sometimes she could be found in the large reading room or sometimes she would be in the forbidden archives like today.
Of course, she knew that what Rin was looking at was the highest-grade spellbook of Water-Attribute Magic.
"I was doing some research. But I couldn't find what I wanted in the end."
"I see, that's a shame."
For a moment, Rin was tempted to ask Sera.
Elves were said to have a lifespan of over a thousand years.
She didn't know how old Sera was but at least she knew more about magic than Rin.
Even more knowledgeable than Rin, who could cast the highest-grade magic of the Wind-Attribute.
But Rin didn't ask.
She didn't know what the reason was, but somehow she didn't want to ask her.
She asked something else.
"Sera-san, I heard you were away from Rune at the request of the royal capital."
"Yes. I finally came back yesterday."
Sera said and smiled a little.
To Rin, that smile was dazzling …
"Ah, I'm sorry, I'm keeping the librarian waiting. See you next time."
Then Sera turned around and walked towards the large reading room.
After a deep sigh, Rin returned the book and left the library.
-x-X-x-
Adventurer's Guild Dormitory.
This was a dormitory where people could move into within 300 days of registering in the Adventurer's Guild.
Therefore, many beginner adventurers were living there.
Of course, even though they were beginners, many of those who became adventurers were strong-willed and had some skill … naturally, that was based on their own standards.
Room 10 of that dormitory was the innermost room on the first floor.
From there, it was possible to see the Adventurer's Guild outdoor Training Ground and the courtyard of the dormitory.
And now, in Room 10, Ryo had finally succeeded in compounding an antidote using Alchemy.
Apart from the collection request he put up to Niles and the others, Ryo was also experimenting with the basics of Alchemy.
He was able to find the detoxifying grass that he never found in Rondo Forest at a medicinal herb shop in the City of Rune.
Moreover, the leaves of the phosphorus flower grass were also sold right next to it.
By mixing these two with Alchemy, it was possible to make an antidote … that must have been God's guidance!
He immediately bought them and withdrew into his room, writing down the magic circles in 『Alchemy First Recipe Collection』 on paper.
In anticipation of this, he had already arranged the pestle, mortar, and other mixing tools purchased from the tool shop in the city on his desk and started grinding them.
After grinding, he weighed, mixed, and finally channeled magical power through the Alchemy magic circle.
However, it was difficult.
He couldn't allow too much or too little magical power to pass through.
However, the expression in the recipe collection was too vague, such as 'a certain amount of magical power'.
Well, it was not water or electrical power, so it would be difficult to quantify …
It took 30 minutes of wholehearted hard work to find the appropriate amount of magical power.
Finally, he succeeded in Alchemy.
It was his first moment of success in alchemy.
"Huhuhu, I won."
Yes, Ryo won … but no one knows what he won or who he won against.
It seemed that some trouble was brewing in the courtyard of the dormitory in front of Ryo while he was immersed in such a good mood.
The windows were open so he could hear their voices.
It seemed to have been going on since a while ago, but Ryo didn't hear it because he was so focused.
"Hey, you lot, she hates that. Stop it."
"We're knights of the Kingdom, and if you pour alcohol for us, you'll have a good time tonight. We can even keep you around while we're in the City of Rune."
"I-I don't want to, please let me go."
It seemed that the knights were hitting on a woman who had just become an adventurer.
That woman, by her looks, was still a minor about the same age as Amon and was a girl rather than a woman.
And somehow it was Dan and his entourage from Room 1 who were trying to protect the girl.
Well, Dan and his friends might have had their eyes on the girl first … but that's where Ryo, who wasn't familiar with the dormitory situation, couldn't judge.
"Girl, you're still an adventurer in the dormitory, right? You probably don't have much money so we're gonna give it to you, be thankful and pour alcohol for us."
"And as a night partner too."
The five knights laughed vulgarly.
"I don't want to, I refuse."
"See, she doesn't like it. Don't underestimate us and bite off more than you can chew."
A girl who was troubled and Dan who was trying to save her.
It would be too unfashionable for Ryo to jump in there …
However, the knights seemed to be stronger by all accounts.
Those were probably the knights who accompanied the Inspector General there to investigate the Great Tidal Bore.
(There are probably such shops in the city and they could just have their fun there … these knights have strange tastes.)
Ryo's impression was to that extent.
However, the tension was gradually growing in the courtyard.
And finally, it seemed that they were about to cross the line.
"Rascal … I'll teach you courtesy, you adventurer trash."
Then, the knight holding the girl's hand pushed the girl towards Dan and pulled out his sword.
"I won't kill you. I'll just teach you some courtesy."
After he said that, he took a large step … and slipped and fell.
"Ugu"
No one among the knights or Dan and his entourage noticed a fleeting Ice Bahn that formed under his weight-bearing feet.
"Damn … Don't move. I'll teach you courtesy …"
(
The knight slipped and fell once more.
"Ugo"
"Bastard, what did you do!?"
The other knights questioned Dan.
"No, I'm not doing anything. He's just tripping on his own."
Dan was bewildered.
He was thinking of fighting if it came down to it but the knight who was approaching suddenly tripped.
Moreover, he fell twice.
Of course, they stared at the people around him but they all shook their heads.
No one understood what happened.
"This … shithead!"
He abandoned the method of getting up and approaching slowly to be intimidating, and instead tried to cross the distance to slash … he tried to slash … but he slipped and fell again.
"Uget"
At this point, no one felt that it was a coincidence.
In the eyes of all the knights, there was fear as well as hatred.
It was true that the adventurers in front of them caused them embarrassment. That gave rise to hatred.
However, it was also true that something that they could not understand was happening. That gave rise to fear.
Just before that hatred and fear were about to burst.
"Okay, that's enough."
A voice broke them up.
Ryo didn't recognize the owner of the voice.
But Dan and his friends did.
"Phelps-san."
The owner of the voice was Phelps, the leader of the B-rank party White Brigade.
"Who the heck are you?"
The eyes of the knights full of hatred glared at Phelps.
"What are you doing as knights of the Kingdom? Know some shame!"
There was a word 'Rebuke' in the dictionary … to raise your voice to reprimand a person.
The final 'Know some shame' was essentially a rebuke.
The hatred of the five knights was blown away and was replaced by fear.
"Ju-just some adventurer … that is a discourtesy to knights of the Kingdom …"
Still, they put up a false front.
"Silence! Being an adventurer has nothing to do with it. If you're a knight, behave like a knight!"
This was exactly what it meant to be at a loss for words.
The knights couldn't even say anything back.
Nevertheless, the knight who grabbed the girl's hand, the knight who was repeatedly knocked over by Ryo's Ice Bahn, managed to open his mouth.
"What do you think will happen if you defy knights of the Kingdom? We can even ban the Guild Master in this city from the Kingdom."
Even after being cornered so far, he could still retort … it was admirable in a way.
However, the counterattack was also fierce.
"Sure, I'm an adventurer, but I'm also a nobleman of the kingdom. My name is Phelps A. Heinlein. I'm the next head of the House of Marquis Heinlein."
"Heinlein …"
"Yeah, the former captain of the Kingdom Knights should be Alexis Heinlein. The current head of the House of Marquis Heinlein. My father."
When they heard those words, the knights trembled as if they had been struck by lightning.
The knight captain of the Kingdom was notoriously stern to the point of being called a 'Demon', and at the same time, his upright personality was renowned throughout the kingdom.
His influence on the pillars of the kingdom was still enormous.
When glared at by the son of such a person, and the heir of the Marquis family …
After the huge shock, all five began to quiver.
"Do not defile the name of knights of the Kingdom! Leave!"
There was a dignity that could convince others even if he was called 'The Demon's Son'.
Although his appearance was that of a transcendent handsome nobleman.
After the five left, Dan was the first to speak.
"Thank you very much, Phelps-san."
It was a polite word of gratitude that was unthinkable coming from the same person as the one who was looking down on the three people from Room 10 the other day.
Dan's entourage and the girl who was the source of the disturbance joined along to thank him.
"Don't mention it. Their actions infuriated me. Dan, right, you acted well. You're a splendid adventurer."
Phelps said and laughed loudly.
When a handsome guy laughs, the atmosphere softens.
Phelps' laughter completely calmed the air.
"Now, take that child back to her friends."
With that said, Phelps sent Dan and his companions out of the courtyard.
Then, he walked toward the window of Room 10 of the dormitory.
In other words, towards Ryo.
"Hey, good morning. Are you Ryo?"
"Ah, yes, nice to meet you. Phelps-san?"
"Yeah, Phelps, the leader of the White Brigade. I heard from Abel but you really use some interesting magic."
Phelps said with a grin.
In other words, he knew that Ryo caused the knight to fall with Ice Bahn.
"Eh~ …"
"Oh no, you don't have to say anything. I don't intend to spread anything either. At least, the knight fell his own and Dan and the others weren't hurt. Thanks to you. I thank you as an adventurer of the City of Rune."
Then he bowed my head.
"No no, raise your head. Well, I've had a little connection with Dan, and honestly, he would probably be reluctant if I were to help him directly, so I just took that approach."
Ryo scratched his head and said.
"As Abel says, you're interesting."
"Abel, what did he …"
"It was at the banquet after the Great Tidal Bore. He complained dozens of times like a curse that 'It would have been easier if Ryo was around."
Recalling that scene, Phelps started laughing again.
"Abel …"
"No, you're great to be able to get Abel to say that much. It's also because of you that Abel was able to return from the other side of the Devil's Mountain, right? For adventurers in the City of Rune, losing Abel would be an incomparable loss. I'm truly grateful. Thank you."
"Don't mention it ..."
"Leader, it's about time …"
Before he knew it, Deputy Leader Sheena, who appeared behind Phelps, whispered.
"Oh, right. Ryo, I'm sorry. Let's talk again. Thank you for today."
Phelps said and left with Sheena.
"Phelps-san just now and the woman who appeared later are both strong. As expected of the City of Rune, there are various hidden strengths. But … is it okay for the heir to a Marquis family to be an adventurer?"
-x-X-x-
"That's unusual, why are you having dinner alone?"
At the guild cafeteria, a B-rank adventurer Swordsman came over to make fun of a Water-Attribute Magician quietly eating dinner alone.
"Yeah, the other three went to an abandoned mine in the west village for a request."
The Swordsman proceeded to sit in front of the Magician.
"Even if you sit there, I won't treat you, you know?"
"I don't expect my juniors to treat me!"
Of course, Abel was a Swordsman who paid for his food properly.
"Seniors can always treat their juniors anytime, you know?"
"I don't intend to treat a rich junior!"
Abel retorted and ordered a daily set meal.
"Such a cold world …"
"Is that a line to say at this timing …"
"By the way, this is unusual for Abel too. Having dinner in the guild cafeteria at this timing. What about the other members?"
"I like the food here so I eat it often, okay?"
As proof, Abel was eating the daily set meal that was served deliciously.
"No, well, it's delicious, but …"
"Just because we're party members doesn't mean we're always together."
Abel swallowed properly and only spoke when there was no rice in his mouth.
How refined.
"Hmm, I understand why Abel is out alone at this time."
"Yes?"
"You plan to fill your stomach here before visiting the red light district or something."
"I-idiot!"
Abel hurriedly closed Ryo's mouth with both hands and looked around.
It seemed that there was somebody who he didn't want to hear that.
"You never know if someone and who is listening."
"There are ears in the walls and eyes in the sliding door, right?"
"I've heard of 'There are ears in the walls', but what is 'shoji ni me ari'?…"
At any rate, Abel was relieved to see that it wasn't heard by those who shouldn't.
"I'm not planning to visit the red light district."
"No way, you're a regular for a specific woman …"
"Idiot. That's not it too."
"Abel … you would be called a pedophile if you lay your hands on Rin …"
"Hey, Rin is Warren's …"
Abel suddenly realized he spoke too much at that point.
"Forget what I just said …"
"That's an amazing giant-tiny combination."
A giant over 2 meters and a petite girl about 150 centimeters.
"Well, if there's love, height is just a number …"
Abel looked at the daily set meal that he had finished eating with a hint of loneliness while nodding.
"In other words, Abel's target is Rihya …"
"I-idiot, that's not it."
Abel denied it even though his face was bright red.
Is he a junior high school student?
(It seems that Etho will have to be heartbroken even before he confesses … that's a shame.)
But … Ryo suddenly looked back on himself.
Since he came to 『Phi』, his so-called libido had disappeared altogether.
In other words, he was no longer attracted in that direction to women or men.
Although it wasn't something to be troubled by so there was no particular problem with that, still …
When he thought of the bright red Abel, Niles, and Etho, they looked dazzling.
"Abel, you can have two sets if one meal isn't enough?"
"No, having two meals for dinner would be a little …"
"You just have to move as much as you eat."
"Huh?"
"You just have to work harder at night."
Ryo nodded repeatedly and said.
"Night work? Are you talking about the red light district or something like that?"
"No. The job of sneaking into the dens of villainous merchants, stealing their fraudulently stolen money, and handing it out to the poor!"
"Yeah, Ryo, that's called a thief. Even if you call it a chivalrous thief, it's still a thief after all."
"I see that Abel is on the side of pseudo-justice …"
"Don't call it pseudo."
Ryo's expression was dyed with despair while Abel argued back after he was called something unexpected.
"Abel, leaving that aside, I have something else to ask."
"Leaving that aside … Ryo was the one who brought it up. All right, what is it?"
"I didn't make any progress at the South Library, so I'd like to go to the North Library. Are there any usage restrictions?"
Ryo heard rumors that the North Library didn't accommodate ordinary people.
He was planning to go tomorrow anyway, but if Abel knew more, he wouldn't have to spend extra time.
"Oh, unlike the South Library, there are restrictions. If you belong to the Adventurer's Guild, you can use it if you are D-rank or higher. When you show your guild card at the reception, you will be given an admission card, and you have to wear it all the time around your chest while you are inside. If I'm not mistaken, the adventurer's guild admission card should be a black one."
Abel looking up and recalled as he answered.
"Then I can enter too."
"However, you can't enter the forbidden archives unless you're B-rank or above."
"Forbidden archives!"
Such an exciting word.
However, he didn't think that he'll have to go to the forbidden archives this time because he just wanted to find some material on 『Akuma』 and 『Alchemy』.
"See? Aren't you glad that you became a D-rank adventurer?"
"Yes, I'm thankful to Abel for that."
"Yeap yeap, that's fine then."
Abel nodded with satisfaction.
"I guess Abel sometimes does good things."
"No, I'm almost always doing good things, okay?"
"But at the Great Tidal Bore banquet, I heard you were crying that it would have been easier with Ryo … that's so troubling."
"Why do you know that!?"
Answer: Because Phelps told him.
Phelps, who told Ryo the facts, had dinner at his favorite store in the city and was slowly returning to the base of the White Brigade.
Without a companion. Alone.
Five shadows had been following him since he exited the store.
If a person was in the courtyard of the guild dormitory during the day, they would have noticed that the five shadows were cast by the same five knights.
That situation … five people attacking Phelps to repay the daytime debt … there was no other interpretation apart from an attempt to kill Phelps.
And they made a move when he approached a place where there was almost no human traffic.
At about the same time, the five men pulled out their swords and tried to attack Phelps from behind … but their bodies all turned stiff.
"Wh-what …"
"I can't move my body."
"Mugu …"
"Something stings."
"A needle..."
A female voice was barely heard within the audible range of the five people.
"Even though Phelps-sama went beyond the call and overlooked it … fools. Trash should be burned."
That was all they heard.
The spell chant was so soft that five people couldn't hear it, but the spell was definitely spun.
It was equivalent to a death sentence for the five people, and they had to experience a long, long time of dread.
"
The moment the trigger word was heard, a conflagration blew up and incinerated the knights.
When the people of the city gathered, there were only five lumps of ashes remaining.
"Good work, Sheena."
Phelps didn't look behind him and only smiled slightly.
Upon confirming that, Sheena, the deputy leader of the White Brigade, bowed and disappeared into the darkness.
-x-X-x-
Chapter 0060 Academic Research Team Part 1
-x-X-x-
The next day, Ryo's schedule was overturned since the morning.
Initially, he was planning to go to the North Library early in the morning, but when he tried to have breakfast at the guild cafeteria, his plan was derailed.
"You're sold out?"
He came to the cafeteria at the same time as usual after 7 am, but it was already sold out.
"Sorry, Ryo. The academic research team from the royal capital took all the breakfast portions. For the afternoon meals, we're going to go around the market to buy ingredients so it will be okay but … I feel sorry for the other guys too."
The chef, who always seemed to have fun cooking at the back of the kitchen, bowed apologetically.
The chef was, of course, a former adventurer, a former C-class adventurer of a generation slightly before the Guild Master.
From the perspective of young adventurers, he was like a father who always cooked delicious food.
If such a person bowed, they couldn't complain strongly.
On the contrary, the impression of the 『Academic Research Team』 that caused such a chef to bow his head had already reached the worst at this point.
The academic research team was a research team sent from the royal capital to investigate the cause, progress, and future outlook when something abnormal happened in the kingdom.
Scholars from the Kingdom Central University, researchers from the Magic University, or magicians from the Court Magic Group itself may form the core team of investigators to lead the investigation.
This time, the location was the only dungeon in the Central Nations and it was the first Great Tidal Bore in about 10 years and at an unprecedented scale at that so the size of the academic research team was also unprecedented. It turned into a huge group.
The Kingdom Central University, the Magic University, and the Court Magic Group sent out as many people as they could.
Their numbers were 5,000 in total.
The research teams were usually formed with about 50 people and the number would not exceed 100 at most.
When it reached 5,000 … the accommodation in the city was completely overwhelmed.
The people who didn't have a place to stay were often those at the lower rung of the study team who came along as luggage carriers and guards and were forced to camp just outside the city.
"What on earth is the meaning of this!"
Hugh's angry voice echoed in the Guild Master's office.
In front of Hugh were the three executives of the research team.
Clive Staples, President of the Kingdom Central University.
Christopher Bratt, Chief Professor of the University of Magic.
Arthur Verasis, Court Magic Group Advisor.
All of them were big names in the academic world of the royal capital.
In particular, the Kingdom Central University seemed to be putting in extra effort by having the president lead the research team.
President Clive Staples had an air of both a scholar and a bureaucrat.
He was undoubtedly one of the pinnacles in academia in the royal capital.
But that had nothing to do with Hugh.
No, he understood that showing hostility would lead to trouble but it was still too much.
"As soon as you arrived, you requisitioned all the food from the Adventurer's Guild. Moreover, since you're planning to enter the dungeon from today, you want us to lift the seal? In addition, you demand to have adventurers as guards? Even jokes have a limit to them."
But Hugh's shouts didn't seem to have had much effect on any of the three.
President Clive had a frosty look on his face, Chief Professor Christopher looked in a different direction, and Advisor Arthur was sipping tea with a feeling of exasperation.
"Master McGrath, in this investigation, His Majesty the King has appointed the Lord of Home Affairs, Count Harold Lawrence, as the Chief of the Investigation Team, and we have received a full power of attorney from the chief, Count Harold Lawrence."
McGrath was Hugh's family name. His full name was Hugh McGrath.
With that said, President Clive presented a sealed letter and a power of attorney.
"Full power of attorney …"
It literally delegates full power to the one who carried the power of attorney … that is, the three in front of him were not to be disrespected and were equivalent to the chief, Count Harold Lawrence, and in relation, the King who appointed him.
Hugh then looked at the sealed letter.
The seal was a stamped wax seal that showed who it represented just by looking at the seal.
And the seal presented was that of the Lord of Home Affairs, Count Harold Lawrence.
"… Sure, it says to accommodate your group as much as possible."
"I'm glad you understand."
President Clive replied with a smile, albeit it was somewhat cold.
"But there are still things I can and cannot do. I can't provide food from the guild."
"Master McGrath, do you understand the meaning of 『accomodate』?"
"Clive Staples, do you understand the meaning of 『as much as possible』?"
The glares between the two were interrupted by another voice.
"Clive, Hugh, why don't the both of you take a step back? We are all leaders of the same kingdom. Regarding the food from the guild, Hugh's claim is reasonable. I apologize for requisitioning food from the guild cafeteria. From now on, we will not enter the guild cafeteria or force the guild to provide food. We can talk about getting food delivered from the neighboring town of Kyradea or Acre. Is that okay?"
The conversation was placed back on track by Arthur Verasis, the eldest among the four of them and an advisor to the Court Magic Group.
He had a long white beard, wore a gray Magician coat, and held a large staff.
He looked exactly like a Magician and was a Magician.
"Yes … thank you very much."
Speaking of Arthur Verasis, he was still one of the top ten Magicians in the kingdom.
When he was young, he was also active as an adventurer, and as expected, Hugh could not slight the mediation of a great senior adventurer.
"Okay. If Advisor Verasis says so, we'll give up on the food. But the dungeon seal is the only thing we can't give up. After all, if the dungeon is sealed, there would be no meaning for us to come here."
President Clive would not give up on the lifting of the dungeon seal.
"We have no idea what's going on inside. To unseal up such a place …"
As if to ridicule Hugh's slight resistance, actually, President Clive was mocking him as he argued.
"Aren't we here precisely because we don't know? The research team is formed for that very purpose."
Hugh also knew that was true and could only grumble to that.
"… Okay. But when you dive into the dungeon, take full responsibility for your actions. No matter what happens, the City of Rune, the Adventurer's Guild, and adventurers will take no responsibility. Regarding that matter, I will ask that the three of you sign jointly to that agreement."
"Y-you."
"If you don't like it, I will not unseal the dungeon!"
Clive and Hugh glared at each other again.
"Clive, that can't be helped either. Hugh, it won't be a problem to hire adventurers for more than the regular amount as guards, right? As adventurers, they will still have to earn money in the end."
Former adventurer Advisor Arthur … He suggested a part that was acceptable to each party.
The basics for negotiations were in place.
Although for Hugh, that was just a nuisance.
"Okay. That is up to each adventurer. But don't forget this. There are almost no data on what goes on inside the dungeon after a Great Tidal Bore. You will encounter things you have never experienced before and it will be the same for the active adventurers. Please proceed with great caution."
Thus, the blockade of the dungeon was lifted on the fourth day after the Great Tidal Bore.
-x-X-x-
Ryo, who missed breakfast at the guild cafeteria, was walking down the street looking for a stall where he could eat breakfast.
When the dungeon was open, the street leading to the dungeon entrance in the center of the city was lined with many food stalls, but since it was closed after the Great Tidal Bore, only a handful was open.
That was partly because the number of adventurers around the dungeon had decreased leading to decreased sales, but more importantly, the supply of monster meat from the dungeon had also decreased.
Goblins were found on the fourth and fifth floors of the dungeon so the meat from those floors could not be used, but quite delicious meat could be obtained from the other floors up to the tenth floor.
And now that the dungeon was closed, the few open stalls weren't even ready at this time.
So Ryo looked for a restaurant along the street instead … but they weren't opened yet either.
"This … does this mean I have to skip breakfast …?"
Breakfast was important.
The energy for the day came from breakfast.
He had to eat it!
With that in mind, while looking for an open shop, he arrived in front of the Golden Wave Pavilion.
That is the place where Ryo got drunk at Abel's Return Celebration Party.
The taste was guaranteed.
And it was also the residence for Abels and the Crimson Sword.
When he entered the Golden Wave Pavilion from the entrance, there was an inn counter in front of him. And on the right side, there was a dining room.
"No way … the Crimson Sword is already out?"
"Yes, just … they left as a party about thirty minutes ago … they did not vacate their rooms, so I don't think it's a request to go far …"
At the inn counter, the inn's landlady and a guest-like person were talking.
The guest was as short as Rin, wore a black wizard robe similar to Rin, and had a large staff similar to Rin.
From the voice, it sounded like she was still a teenage girl.
But the girl was visibly depressed when she heard that the Crimson Sword was not around.
"Maybe you might meet them if you go to the Adventurer's Guild …?"
"Right, there might be a possibility."
Then, the proprietress noticed Ryo coming in.
"Oh, Ryo-san, welcome."
Hearing that voice, the girl turned around and looked at Ryo.
Then she ran to Ryo, grabbed his arm and said.
"Onii-san!"
"Onii-san?!"
The landlady cried out when she heard the girl's call.
"No, she's not."
She might have been thought that they were siblings who lived separately, but of course, Ryo had never seen the girl before.
"Onii-san, you're an adventurer, right? I have to go to the Adventurer's Guild right now. Please take me there."
"Huh..."
Will Ryo ever get the chance to have breakfast …?
Of course, he could ignore the girl's request and have a delicious breakfast at Golden Wave Pavilion, but Ryo was fundamentally a good person.
Therefore, he brought the Magician girl and walked in the opposite direction of the main street that he had just walked.
"As I said, if you go south on this street, you would see the guild …"
"Yes, but if I miss it, it would be a big deal. I've just arrived in this city and I really don't know my way around."
The name of the Magician girl was Natalie.
She said that she just came from the royal capital last night as a member of the academic research team with the court magic group.
The court magic group was staying separately in several inns around the area, similar to the Golden Wave Pavilion, but Natalie stayed at the Golden Wave Pavilion alone.
"My magic teacher's teacher, basically my grand teacher, sent me a letter to hand over to Abel from the Crimson Sword. That's why I have to go to the Adventurer's Guild …"
"I see, that's troublesome in a lot of ways."
While talking, the two arrived at the Adventurers Guild.
It could be said that their timing was perfect.
When they arrived, Abel and the Crimson Swords just came out of the guild.
"Abel, just in time."
"Ryo, what's wrong?"
"I heard that this lady wants to give Abel something. It's okay, it's not a fan letter."
"I don't know what a fan letter is, but for some reason, I feel like I'm being ridiculed?"
Abel then looked towards Natalie.
"A-ah, this is from the royal capital, Ilarion-sensei."
Natalie then handed Abel a sealed letter.
When they heard that it was from Ilarion, not only Abel was surprised but also the Wind-Magician Rin.
"It would be better to read this now. Let's sit down and read in the dining room. Ryo and you too … uh."
"It's Natalie."
Rin was even more surprised to hear the name Natalie, but no one noticed it.
"Yes, with Natalie, I might need you to send a reply."
Then, the Crimson Sword, Ryo, and Natalie entered the guild cafeteria.
However, at present, there was nothing to eat in the cafeteria …
After reading the letter from Ilarion, Abel scratched his head and handed the letter to Rihya.
Meanwhile, Rin asked Natalie a question.
"Natalie, Natalie Schwarzkopf?"
"Yes, that's right …"
"Speaking of Schwarzkopf, that's the Water-Attribute expert house …"
With that said, Rin thought a little.
(Water-Attribute Magician … Maybe this is the first time I've met a person with Water Attribute other than me …)
It was a secret that Ryo was a little excited inside.
"My magical skill is still not complete … I am working hard every day."
Natalie said and faced down.
The letter from Ilarion went from Rihya to Warren to Rin.
"I see..."
Whether Rin's short comment was for Natalie or for the letter … Ryo wasn't sure.
"In short, he wants us to support the court magic group diving into the dungeon."
"Dungeon? Even though it's blocked?"
Ryo asked a natural question.
"Oh, it seems that bigwigs of the research team will negotiate for it. Guilmas will eventually have to allow it. The research team was sent by the country after all. Then, of course, the research team will want to hire adventurers who are accustomed to the dungeon … so the current letter is to utilize personal connections first."
That made Abel look more troubled than ever.
"If Abel has such an expression, is the dungeon quite tricky after a Great Tidal Bore?"
"You are half correct. In the first place, diving in the dungeon itself is prohibited after a Great Tidal Bore. That convention began decades ago, after the A-rank party at that time did not return from the dungeon after a Great Tidal Bore. Furthermore, it was not just A-rank … the leader was an extraordinary Swordsman who was said to have reached S-rank. The rule was made because even such a party couldn't return."
"Isn't that troublesome? … Why am I only half correct?"
"No one knows what happens in the dungeon after a Great Tidal Bore, including why the A-rank party didn't come back. Half of the reason is that I hate going to places where I don't know what's happening."
Then Abel shrugged.
(Yeah, it's a good idea to stay away from this.)
Ryo firmly vowed to stay away from the dungeon for a while.