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066 A Man
Named Grissom
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Translator : PolterGlast
It was the 90th day
since my reincarnation. Today marked three months since I came to this world.
Thinking about this made me almost think I missed Japan, but I believe I've
adjusted to this world. So, from now on, I'll stop counting the days.
I intended to enter
the dungeon today, but the first snow started falling in the royal capital. It
was powdery snow, not enough to accumulate, but it was cold. I walked along the
main street, holding the front of my mantle to seal any gaps, to avoid losing
body heat. Perhaps because of the snow, there were fewer people out than
yesterday.
Since I was going to
enter the dungeon, there was no carriage pick-up. I thought walking would warm
me up, but it wasn't warm at all. I should've taken the carriage.
The royal capital's
main street was paved with cobblestones, and most of the noble district's roads
were also cobblestone. They were probably easier to walk on than dirt or
gravel, but there were many uneven stones, making it surprisingly difficult to
walk.
Passing by the large
building of the Explorer's Guild, I saw a stone building like the Parthenon
surrounding the dungeon entrance. I looked up at it yesterday too, and I found
myself looking up at it again today. I worried that the roof, supported by many
thick columns, would collapse. Thinking about that is pointless, but without
rebar concrete, how do they support that seemingly heavy stone roof?
"Are you,
Anneliese!?" As I was looking up, someone called Anneliese's name. I
frowned at the man's voice and looked his way.
"Mr. Grissom...
It's been a while," Anneliese replied. He was an acquaintance of
Anneliese's. She had said she used to live in the royal capital, so it wasn't
strange for her to have acquaintances, but a male acquaintance was still not a
pleasant thought.
The man named Grissom
was by no means handsome. He was in his late twenties, plump, with dull
reddish-brown hair tied back, reaching his mid-back. He wore a gray robe and
carried a staff, suggesting he was a Mage. It was a metal staff, about 180
centimeters long, with a black jewel—no, a treasure magic stone—at its tip.
"You! What
happened to your appearance!?" To call my Anneliese 'you,' what's with
this guy? Who does he think he is?
"My curse has been
lifted," Anneliese stated.
"What!?"
Grissom exclaimed in surprise. Why the surprise? If he was an acquaintance, he
should've said "That's good" or something.
I hated guys like
this. I hated how familiar he was with Anneliese, but most of all, he lacked
consideration. His words were crude. His face was unpleasant.
"Is he an
acquaintance?" I asked, stepping forward, wanting to quickly end this
unpleasant encounter.
"Who are
you!?" Grissom said, his tone hostile towards me, a stranger. He clearly fancies
Anneliese, but that won't attract her attention. He's not a gentleman like me.
Hehehe.
"My apologies for
the late introduction. I am Toi Footscythel, Baron. And you?" I introduced
myself.
"Hmph. I am
Grissom Erbasil. Of the Erbasil Count's house," he replied. He looked like
he was in his late twenties, but he had a family name?
"If I recall
correctly, a noble's illegitimate child loses their family name upon reaching
adulthood, but are you a legitimate child or a knight?" I asked. Zaigen
had taught me about nobles, and apparently, there's a system where illegitimate
children are removed from the noble registry once they turn 15 and become
adults. They are noble's children while young, but after adulthood, they are
not allowed to call themselves nobles.
In this case,
"illegitimate child" refers to those who are not the highest in the
line of succession. Generally, the eldest son is the legitimate child, but it
seems a female can also be designated the legitimate child. These things are
apparently decided by the noble family's traditions and talents.
This man, Grissom,
seemed to be an explorer, and his appearance indicated he was past the age of
15. Unless he had an incredibly aged face. Even illegitimate children could use
their family name if they were knights. Some nobles also allowed bureaucrats to
use their family name, but Grissom didn't look like a knight or a bureaucrat.
And if he were a legitimate child, he would have proudly declared himself as
such. That was noble etiquette, I'd heard.
"None of that
matters!" he snapped.
"Eh... I don't
think that's right. It's forbidden by law for those who are not nobles or
knights to use a family name. As someone from a Count's house, you would know
that, wouldn't you?"
"Sh-shut
up!" he spluttered. This guy was useless.
"Should I report
this to my superiors?" I mused aloud.
"D-don't spread
irresponsible rumors!" Grissom hastily moved away from us. His behavior
alone made it clear he was neither a legitimate child nor a knight, but I
should have checked him with Detailed Appraisal. Then I would have known what
kind of person Grissom was.
"I'm sorry, it's
my fault," Anneliese said.
"It's not your
fault, Anneliese," I replied.
"But because of me,
the Erbasil Count's house..." she trailed off. When I placed my hand on
her shoulder, Anneliese was trembling. That bastard, to make Anneliese tremble
is unforgivable. I feel murderous intent rising. If I ever see him again, he's
dead. I'll send him flying. No, that's wrong. I can't let such a simple thought
dictate my actions. Just because I have power doesn't mean I should use it
lightly. If I did that, I'd be no different from him.
"Who is that guy,
Grissom?" I asked.
"He's someone I
used to party with for a short period," Anneliese explained. He partied
with Anneliese? Even for a short period, that's unforgivable!
"He repeatedly
asked me to go out with him, but since he was that kind of person, I
refused," she added. That's only natural!
"Since I was
cursed, I was only a party member for about a month. After that, I was expelled
from the party," Anneliese revealed.
"Huh!?" Is
that bastard looking down on her? If he was a party member, he should have done
everything to find a way to lift Anneliese's curse. I retract my previous
statement. For that guy, I can use my power. I'll drive him to ruin!
"If I ever see
him again, he's dead," I vowed.
"I don't mind
it," Anneliese said.
"No, I mind. Not
only did he do nothing when Anneliese was suffering, but he even expelled you.
He's trash. I will never forgive him!"
"Master..."
"Anneliese..."
Our gazes met. My reflection was in her emerald eyes. What beautiful eyes they
were. My eyes also reflected only Anneliese. It was a world for just the two of
us.
"Ahem!"
Gandarvan coughed.
""!""
(Both of us)
"I apologize for
interrupting such a nice moment, but is it appropriate to do that in
public?" Gandarvan's voice brought me back to reality, and I noticed the
gazes of the surrounding people.
"Ahaha...
ahahaha. It's a nice day today," I chuckled.
"It's snowing,
actually," Gandarvan pointed out. You should've just said, 'Yes, it is,
isn't it,' Gandarvan!
***
We entered the dungeon
and immediately used Dungeon Move to teleport to the 4th floor. From here on, I
would shake off any embarrassment and brace myself.
My goal was to reach
the 6th floor today, so we proceeded at a quick pace again. My main job was
Assassin, and my sub-job was Explorer.
We quickly advanced
through the 4th floor, and the monsters we encountered were instantly killed by
Gandarvan and the others. 4th-floor monsters were still no match for them. We
also instantly killed the 4th-floor boss and then dashed through the 5th-floor.
Then, I sensed a
treasure chest again.
"Are treasure
chests more common in the royal capital's dungeon?" I wondered aloud. No
one could answer this question. No one knew the ecology of dungeons (?).
It was an open area
surrounded by trees. I felt an ominous presence. A treasure chest was in the
center of the open area, and this entire area was a trap switch. I clearly
couldn't disarm it.
"This seems to be
a monster house," Gandarvan commented.
"I think so
too," Anneliese added. Combining their knowledge, they concluded that
there was a high possibility of it being a monster house. It seemed to have a
troublesome specification where if we stepped in, monsters would swarm out.
Since experienced Gandarvan and Anneliese said so, it must be true.
The monsters on the
5th floor were less than Level 20, so about 100 of them would be no problem.
More than that, and we'd get tired, so it would be dangerous.
"It seems we
can't disarm the monster house. What should we do?" I asked.
"Wouldn't it be
better to avoid it?" Gandarvan suggested.
"Should we
abandon the treasure right in front of us?" I asked.
"Our lives cannot
be replaced, after all," Gandarvan replied. Gandarvan voted for safety,
huh?
"Can't Anneliese
open it with Mana Hand?" I asked.
"My apologies. I
don't think it would reach at this distance," Anneliese replied. The
treasure chest was about 100 meters away, and Anneliese said Mana Hand wouldn't
reach it.
I instantly considered
my options and decided to avoid it. There was no need to risk our lives here.
The treasure chest was regrettable, but we would avoid it.
"Are you truly
sure?" Bath asked.
"I want the
treasure, but my life is more important. Don't you think exposing myself and my
comrades to danger unnecessarily is a disqualification as a leader, Bath?"
I replied.
"Master's noble
thoughts, Bath is deeply impressed," Bath said.
"You won't get
anything by praising me so much," I retorted.
"That wasn't my
intention," Bath quickly replied.
"I know," I
said. Gandarvan was the same, but everyone was very earnest. Only Lin
understood my humor a little, but she was still earnest.
"Alright, Bath,
I'm entrusting you with guiding us to the boss room," I commanded.
"Understood!"
he replied. We left the monster house treasure chest and hurried to the boss
room. It was a detour, but we managed to defeat the boss and reach the 6th
floor before evening.
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