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038 Stunned
and Speechless
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Translator : PolterGlast
I returned from the
6th floor of the dungeon and exchanged items at the Explorer's Guild. While
exchanging, I felt a tickle on my back, so I thought someone was targeting me
and turned around, but there were too many people, and I couldn't tell who was
giving me unpleasant glances.
First of all, all
three of us are beauties. Reluctantly, all three of us, including myself, have
cute faces. It wouldn't be surprising to be stared at with unpleasant gazes by
rough explorers.
I waited, keeping an
eye on my surroundings, and successfully exchanged my items.
·
Gargoyle (Normal): 32 F-rank magic stones = 19,200
Grill.
·
Gargoyle (Rare): 2 Petrification Daggers = 50,000
Grill.
·
BOSS Sword Gargoyle (Normal): 1 Gargoyle Sword =
16,000 Grill.
※ Total: 85,200 Grill.
Two rare drop
Petrification Daggers dropped from the Gargoyles, making it a decent amount.
Since I already had one, I sold these two.
"We came back a
bit early today, so how about we grab something to eat before heading home?
What do you two want?" I asked. When I said that, their faces immediately
brightened. They weren't exactly gloomy before, but it was like their beauty
factor went up a notch.
"Anything's fine.
What do you want to eat?" I pressed.
"I'd like the Kuu
in Burgan stew from Jold's Tavern," Anneliese said. Kuu is a river fish,
but it's light and delicious. Kuu in Burgan stew is simply Kuu stewed in
Burgan. I'd never been to Jold's Tavern, but Anneliese said it was quite
delicious.
"I want grilled
pond squid!" Rosalina exclaimed. Grilled pond squid was Rosalina's
favorite, but it seemed she loved it enough to choose it even when told
anything was fine.
"Alright then,
let's stop by Jold's Tavern after buying some grilled pond squid."
"Yes," Anneliese
replied.
"Yes!"
Rosalina chimed in.
"Excuse me, may I
have a moment?" A stranger's voice interrupted.
A man around 40 years
old stood behind me, smiling. "I wanted to ask for a moment of your
time," he said, stepping closer while maintaining a certain distance. He
was quite bold.
"What is
it?" I asked.
"I serve His
Excellency Duke Arcaine-Gardland, who governs Kerniff," he stated.
"!" He's a
subordinate of that Duke, huh? Did he figure out who I am? How did he know?
"I heard that
Master Toi conquered the 4th floor, so I came here."
"4th...
floor?" What does he mean? Is it not about the bandits?
"Master,"
Anneliese whispered, tugging lightly on my sleeve. "Conquering the 4th
floor usually means you've surpassed Level 10. You're being scouted by the
ducal army." Her voice was soft, almost swallowed by the commotion.
I recalled hearing
about being scouted around Level 10. Oh, so that's what it is. I panicked for
nothing.
"Sorry. I haven't
been an explorer for a while, so I completely forgot."
"No, Anneliese,
it's not your fault, don't worry about it," I said. It was I who should
have been paying attention to such things. I should have looked around the
Explorer's Guild more thoroughly.
"How would you
feel about having a talk at the government office?" the official
suggested.
"I appreciate you
reaching out, but I don't think I'm suited for public service. And I'm not
strong. It's thanks to these two here that I was able to conquer the 4th
floor," I replied. My Traveler job doesn't level up in combat, so I
wouldn't be suspected at Level 1. However, since that would be suspicious, I
presented the stance that I could explore dungeons because of Anneliese and
Rosalina.
"I see, these
two... Excuse me, but would you be willing to transfer them?"
"You jest. I
wouldn't part with them for any amount of money," I stated.
"Is that so? What
a pity," the official said.
"If you'll excuse
me," I said, trying to walk past the official, but I froze.
From the guild's
entrance, that monster had entered. It was Barukan, the one who supported the
ducal house in military matters. Barukan's presence was unlike anyone else's.
He exuded an overwhelming aura. His presence was sharp like a sword, piercing
me.
"Master..."
Anneliese murmured.
"I'm
scared..." Rosalina whispered.
Both Anneliese and
Rosalina were affected by Barukan's abnormal presence.
Barukan stopped in
front of me, who was frozen in place. He was massive, but he seemed even larger
than his actual size. Ugh, this is bad. I have to escape somehow.
"E-excuse
me..." I stammered, trying to avoid Barukan and gather all my strength in
my legs to move.
"Wait,"
Barukan commanded.
"!? W-what is
it?" Terrifying! This guy is a walking weapon!
"Come with me.
You are not permitted to escape." He said, placing a hand on the hilt of
his sword. Why me? Did he come to scout me because he thought I was Level 10? I
can't imagine him showing up for something like that. Did the Duke find out
about me?
Escaping wasn't a good
idea. At least, I couldn't escape in front of him. "A-Anneliese and
Rosalina, go back to the house."
"But..."
Anneliese started.
"Master..."
Rosalina pleaded.
"It's fine... You
two, go home," I insisted, even though I didn't think it was fine, but I
couldn't think of anything else to say.
I sent the two of them
away and followed Barukan. Around him were six soldiers. The scout from earlier
was also there. Was this part of the scouting process? No, it wasn't. The scout
was buying time. He was buying time until Barukan arrived. I'd been had...
Thinking about that,
it was highly probable that Barukan knew my true identity. What was the Duke
planning to do with me? Was he going to kill me or capture me?
The castle was getting
closer and closer. I felt like I could hear the song "Donna Donna" playing
in the background.
I was ready to escape
at any moment. My Item Box contained weapons, food, and money. But escaping was
my last resort.
I entered the castle
silently, but the iron sword I had simply tucked into my waist was taken. It
didn't matter since it wasn't my Mithril Two-Handed Sword.
"Confirming your
record card," a slender civil servant chanted, and my record card emerged
from my chest. It was a mysterious sight every time. I was told it was fine,
and my record card was returned. A dead person's record card disappears in a
year, but a living person's record card disappears naturally in about 10
minutes, so I put it in my pocket. Even if it's stolen, it will disappear
naturally, so there's no problem.
I continued silently
through the castle. If I kept going like this... "Enter," Barukan
said.
It was the Duke's
office. Of course, the Duke was seated at his desk. I wanted to go home.
The Duke's facial
muscles were as immobile as ever. "This is His Excellency Duke
Arcaine-Gardland," Barukan announced, but I didn't know what to do. It
couldn't be helped; I'm a commoner. This was my first time formally meeting and
speaking with a Duke.
"Um... I don't
know the proper etiquette..." I began.
"It doesn't
matter," the Duke said in his deep, mellow voice.
"Now, since
Barukan brought you, it means it's true, doesn't it?"
"Yes. Without a
doubt," Barukan confirmed. What are they talking about? What does Barukan
mean? What kind of conversation are they having between them!?
"Your name is
Toi, wasn't it?"
"Yes," I
replied.
"Let's skip the
troublesome formalities. I will bestow a reward upon you. You understand the
meaning, don't you?" Troublesome? There's nothing more troublesome than
this, even if I ignore it... The fact that he's giving me a reward must mean he
already knows who I am.
"What are you
referring to?" I asked, unwilling to admit anything. I won't admit it, I
won't.
"The Shardina
Bandit Gang. You presented me with this ledger, didn't you?" He picked up
the ledger and showed it to me. I decided to make a feeble attempt to resist.
"I have no
knowledge of that, so I cannot accept a reward."
"It doesn't
matter. I have repaid my debt. That's all that needs to be. Your feelings and
circumstances are secondary," he said bluntly. But I couldn't take his
words at face value. This man was convinced that I had given him that ledger. I
wanted to ask how he found out, but if I did, it would be the same as admitting
it. What to do?
"I have no
knowledge of that, but you say you'll give me a reward anyway?" I asked. I
guessed it was Barukan. Since he brought me here, the Duke was convinced I had
given him the ledger.
How did Barukan
identify me? Even with Detailed Appraisal, he didn't have Appraisal or similar
skills. What did that mean...?! Could it be that!? Looking at Barukan's
description, I realized he had a "wild intuition." Was he saying he
identified me with his wild intuition!?
"That's
right," the Duke said. Even if I denied it, he would forcibly give me a
reward. That was his stance, so he wouldn't accept a refusal. Perhaps I should
deny it while accepting the reward. That might satisfy the Duke. If he's
satisfied, he won't bother me. I hoped so, but what would happen?
"I have no
knowledge of this, but since Your Excellency says so, I will accept it.
However, if you later say it was a mistake, I can do nothing," I stated.
"Hmm. Then, for
the contents of the reward..." The Duke said. I had received 500,000 Grill
from Golteo-san for helping with the bandit extermination. How much would the
Duke give me? I'd laugh if it was too little, but I'd also be put off if it was
too much. It was originally tax money, not the Duke's personal funds, so I
hoped he wouldn't waste it.
Come to think of it,
what was inside that safe in the Shardina Bandit Gang's mansion? If I asked
that, it would be a foolish self-incrimination. I was curious, but I decided
not to ask.
"Explorer
Toi," the Duke said.
"Yes," I
replied, straightening my back.
"I hereby bestow
upon you the title of Honorary Baron."
"H-huh!?" I
stammered.
"Did you not hear
me? I said I bestow upon you the title of Honorary Baron."
"...Is the reward
not money?" I asked.
"Who said such a
thing?"
"...No one
did," I admitted. Come on! No one would normally think something like
that!
"Zaigen. Begin
the procedures immediately. And teach him the mindset of a noble."
"Understood!"
Zaigen replied.
Did I just get screwed
over? Ugh, if it comes to this, I'll use my noble authority!
"From now on, if
anything comes up, consult Zaigen there."
"Y-yes..."
Seriously...? Did I become a noble? This wasn't in the plans. What should I do?
I stood there,
dumbfounded.
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