112 - - Episode 110 Profit Over Shame

The long-awaited report of the breakthrough of the 50th layer has finally arrived. Finally, one of my worries is solved.

"So, who is it?　Was it a well-known party you were working with?"

"That's why ......"

You're talking too much. You've got a serious look on your face, and now you want to rush me?　Maybe he's just trying to get back at me for urging him to get the information as soon as possible.

"Don't worry, the budget will pay a special reward for intelligence. Don't be in a hurry.

No, thank you for the special reward. The information was leaked by the commercial guilds and we do not take credit for it.

I see. So they were tight-lipped because they couldn't find out the truth on their own. It is true that I don't like the idea of being in the debt of a commercial guild, but I don't care at this point. If it came from the guild, it means that the raccoon dogs of the Pollius guild have spoken out.

"Fine. I'll give you a special reward for all the hard work you've put in. So, who are the breakthroughers?"

"Yes. According to the information from the ...... commercial guild, the one who broke through the 50th layer is a spiritualist, a man named Yuta, who had a trouble with Guilmouth."

"Huh?　What did you say?　Say it again."

Did you have a bad night's sleep or did you just hear something in your head?　I'm getting some unpleasant names.

"It's a spiritualist named Yuta."

Ha-ha-ha. That's impossible. He's a necromancer! He's the kind of pathetic guy who brings kids from the slums because he can't find any friends. It's rare for you to get a false story. Or perhaps the guild of commerce has been duped. It wasn't the chairman of the Polurius Chamber of Commerce who spoke out, was it?

Apparently, I'm still suffering from sleep deprivation. I could have been mad at him for getting his hopes up, but the report was too silly to relax him.

"No. The master of the merchant guild and the master of the apothecary guild all went to the Porrius Chamber of Commerce together and obtained this information from them. If this is a lie, the Guild of Merchants and the Guild of Apothecaries will become enemies. That is hard to imagine.

"...... but it's impossible. His hammer is very powerful, but he's an amateur. As for the spiritual arts, at his age, a spiritist who is not even known is nothing but trash. There is no way such a man can defeat a fire dragon.

I have received reports that he had spirit guards for his students. I guess he is not totally incompetent. But that does not mean that he can be trusted to defeat a fire dragon.

"However, it is a fact that the name of the sorcerer was mentioned by the Pollius Chamber of Commerce, and that materials from the Fire Dragon and the 50th layer onward have been circulating.

Except for a few talented people, the spiritualists are all incompetent and can only cause trouble for others. It is impossible to defeat the Fire Dragon alone even for a few talented people in the first place......, but there were battle scars in the 49th layer with only one man's footprints?

"It's hard to believe, but ...... the information is highly reliable, isn't it?　What is your judgment?"

"I'm probably right. In the course of our investigation of the Pollius Trading Company, we found that a necromancer had been in and out of the general store of the daughter of the chairman of the Pollius Trading Company. However, I am sincerely sorry ...... that I have not been able to connect the necromancer to the person who defeated the fire dragon."

"I see. ......"

It would be difficult to connect the spiritist with the defeat of the fire dragon, even if the information had come to me. But what do we do?　You think that man is capable of taking down the Fire Dragon single-handedly?　A dream?　Have you been under the influence of a lack of sleep lately, or did you fall asleep before you knew it?

I involuntarily pinch the back of my hand, but feel pain. If it had been a bad nightmare, it would have been a funny story, but it seems to be a bad reality. In any case, we should gather more information about this necromancer.

".................. research that necromancer thoroughly. Thoroughly."

Okay. Excuse me.

"Mm. You got it."

I guess it was a mistake not to let them investigate the details when they first got into trouble, as if they could handle a stray genie.

There was a subsequent report of an attempted kidnapping, but I was uncomfortable with the mere mention of the genie magician and let the story slide. I had learned the importance of information during my days as an adventurer, but the mere mention of a genie magician seemed to have blinded my eyes. I guess I deserved it.

Hmmm... What if that genie surgeon had really broken through the 50th level?　Even now there is skepticism about the Adventurers' Guild. Requests from those with status have been delayed, and if things continue as they are, there will eventually be a big problem.

As unpleasant as it is, we cannot just wait until we have more information. It is truly unpleasant, but we should move on the assumption that the necromancer has broken through the 50th layer.

But the relationship between the Adventurers' Guild and the necromancer is bad. What should we do? ...... Well, that necromancer is hiding his achievement for some reason. Is there a reason why he can't reveal it to the public, a reason why it would be bad for him if his abilities were revealed?

That would explain his silence after defeating the fire dragon. If he has a scar on his shin, it would be possible to get him to do our bidding if we get information from him.

If they can defeat the fire dragon solo, we can have them form a party and increase the number of adventurers who will explore the 50th layer and beyond. If you make use of the base we are building in the 49th layer, you can get a large amount of materials.

I can't stand the idea of having a necromancer in my guild, but if he's worth using, I can guarantee that he'll be treated well.

But first we must find a way to get to the bottom of the necromancer or trap him so that he will do our bidding. If he is hiding his abilities, it is he who will be in trouble if he gets into big trouble. If he knows his power will cause trouble, he will follow us.

Call Ertina.

He sends his secretary to call Ertina to see what should be done. There was a knock on the door, and when I gave the go-ahead, Ertina entered.

Ertina. What kind of a person is that necromancer?　Tell me what you know about them, including their personalities and abilities."

"You mean the genie surgeon?"

Yes. We have information that the sorcerer has broken through the 50th layer. I don't want to believe it, but it's highly probable.

"No way!"

Eltina's face is stained with astonishment. I fully understand that feeling.

"The information came from the upper echelons of the commercial guilds. We must take countermeasures.

"...... understand."

..................

We've heard the whole story, but there's nothing new.

"If the guild asks for help, do you think that the necromancer will agree to it?"

"It would be difficult to make a normal request. However, you can't rely on it because you don't have enough rank for a mandatory request and you can refuse a request for a nomination.

"Hmm. What about your desire for money?　Or are you particular about your rank?"

"He was happy when he rose in rank with his apprentice children and did not seem uninterested in money or rank. But I think the first thing he wants is an explanation for the harassment by the Adventurers' Guild and a public apology from the Adventurers' Guild and Guilmouth. When I asked him if he could prove his power, he gave me that condition, so I am sure of it."

It would have been easier if he could roll with rank and rewards, but a public apology? My gut is churning with anger, but I guess it can't be helped if it comes to this.

I would have liked to gather more information and seize the weakness of the necromancer before making my move, but the guild of merchants and the guild of apothecaries would move in due time. We have to do something before they surround us. An official apology would be an excuse to call the necromancer out. It's unpleasant, but we can't afford not to use it.

Call him and bow down to him. It's unpleasant, but let's take the low road and make the necromancer feel better so we can trap him. If our information is wrong, we'll be in trouble.

"Eltina. Do you know where the necromancer is?"

"Yes. If he has not gone out, he should be staying at Mr. Toruku's inn.

Then go get him. You can tell him I want to apologize.

"I'm giving him the cold shoulder, so I think it's best to send someone else."

"No. No. Sending someone else will only complicate matters. It pains me to make you bow down to me, but first you must apologize and show me that the Adventurers' Guild has changed its mind.

"...... understand. What would you do without him?"

"Ertina knew the Torques, didn't she?　Find out what the necromancer's schedule is and arrange to meet him as soon as possible. Let them know that I intend to apologize, and they won't have to hide anything from me.

I understand. Then I'll be on my way.

I'm counting on you.

I didn't see this coming. But if we can get through this, the Adventurers' Guild's position in the labyrinth city will be secure. No, we will be able to secure further concessions if we think that we will be able to obtain even rarer materials.

You will be rewarded for your humiliation, necromancer.

****

"Okay, let's level up in this sixteenth layer today. Sarah and the others are to train in combat while defeating the demons as usual. Sylphy will be with you to keep you safe, but don't let your guard down.

I understand. Master."

"Master. Can I fight the trolls too?"

"Okay. But don't be reckless.

"Okay."

"Okay. Is Kikka okay?　I know we rushed here, but aren't you tired?"

"I'm fine."

Looking at the three of them, fatigue does not seem to be a problem. Even though we took a break, we had come this far at a fairly high speed, but the effect of the level-up is amazing.

"Okay!　Good luck. Sylphie, take care of Sarah and the others."

"Okay. Yuta, be very careful. And just in case, summon Dory. She's our best friend in the forest. You never know what you'll find in the labyrinth.

"Yes, sir."

I leave Sarah and the others with Sylphy as my escort, and turn to Mel who is lying on the ground at my feet. He couldn't keep up with us, so Sylphy had to carry him by wind on the way, but he seemed to be mentally exhausted.

"Mel-san. I'm going to take a short break, so please get yourself in shape while you still can.

"Yes, yes."

While Mel is resting, we should summon Dolly. I think of Dolly and summon her, and she appears in front of me with a pop. She's as beautiful as ever.

"Oh, my. Are we in the labyrinth forest? You've been summoned to an unusual place.

"Yeah, I don't think I'll be doing anything in particular, but I'd like you to escort me as a precaution. Is that all right with you?"

"Yes, that's fine. We only need to intervene when there's danger, right?"

Yes. Yes.

As I finished, the belles who had been waiting for me came up to me with a "dolly" and greeted me in front of them in a well behaved line. It's a pleasant sight.

"Hmm?　Mr. Mel. Are you all right now?"

Yes, yes, I'm fine. Um, Yuta-san. Should I call you master like Sara?"

...... If I let Mel call me Master, the unis would be very annoyed. ...... I think that would be funny. We don't get along with each other anyway, so I guess I won't be punished for having fun.

"Yes, that's right. That would give me more energy for training, I guess.

I understand. Master, I'm looking forward to working with you. And you don't need to use honorifics, so please speak normally.

"Really?　I'm not good with honorifics, so that helps. I'm going to go level up.

"Yes!"

Mel replies enthusiastically. I check Mel's equipment again. A small body and leather armor. It makes me smile, but the hammer on his back is not quite right.

It's not as big as my magic hammer, but it's a pretty big hammer, and it's clearly out of proportion to his body size. Well, Mel is a dwarf and a blacksmith, and a hammer is basic. As someone who also uses a hammer, I'm a little glad.

The goal this time is to raise his magical power from D to C rank. I heard that you need more magic power to make a contract with intermediate level spirits, but Merle said he'll adjust it just like I was able to make a contract with Sylphy and the others at B rank. She's overprotective.

I guess that's the advantage of having a relationship with spirits from generation to generation. They can contract with spirits of ranks they normally can't contract with. It's a great advantage. Spiritualists aren't very popular...

Sara and the others seem to be able to fight with a little more time to spare since Sylphy is the mediator and they are able to make adjustments so that there is less burden on the human side and Fuchu and the others are able to make contracts. They are happy because they can eat a lot of food, though their growth is slowed down.

"Well then, I'll ask Belle and the others to make the demons immobile, and Mel will be in charge of putting a stop to them.

It's a true power leveling.

"What?　Is that okay with you?"

"Not as an adventurer, but Mel is a blacksmith. But you should observe the battle carefully, as it may be helpful."

Communicating with the spirits will be a bit of a learning experience while watching the battle.

"Okay. I look forward to working with you."

He nodded to Mel, who bowed to him, and began power leveling.