Volume 1 - CH 34

Volume 1

Chapter 34-Benwood's excessive expectations and court-appointed request

(TL:By Rafael)

"...... what?"(Yuki)

I ask back.

Benwood, sitting in front of me, pointed with a pen to a map on his desk with a bitter look on his face.

"It's a bad situation," he said. 

"Here, here, and here. After ......, we've also observed temporal anomalies in the Ione Ruins Labyrinth that you reported."(Benwood)

It's been a week since the investigation of the Colorless Darkness Labyrinth officially began, and daily updates have begun to appear.

I was invited to the reception room of the Adventurer's Guild, where I was told that they wanted to talk to me privately.

I was expecting it to be no more than small talk, but I didn't expect to be asked to talk about this.

"There's a high possibility of ...... overflow."(Benwood)

"Damn, how can a nasty prediction be so accurate!"(Yuki)

I looked up at the sky.

I've heard from time to time that the adventurer's guild has been investigating various places since we defeated the demon beast Zalnag in the Lake Ordan Forest.

But I never thought I'd hear the results like this.

Damn you, Benwood.

What am I supposed to do with this information ..... I'm just an adventurer.

"What do you think?"(Benwood)

"You want me to tell you?"(Yuki)

The question was answered with a question, and Benwood spat out his conclusion with a sigh.

"The Great Stampede is coming."(Benwood)

"Of course."(Yuki)

I agree.

If you're talking about a dungeon that overflowed a little bit, you might be able to get away with attacking the dungeon and thinning out the demon monsters.

However, it's a different story when there are several dungeons in the vicinity that are experiencing abnormalities.

It is rather natural to think that this is a sign of a large scale "stampede".

"What about the Royal Academy of Sciences?"(Yuki)

"They said they can't rule out the possibility..... If you can't deny it, you should send someone to confirm it. Fuck."(Benwood)

"Wait, ....... Could it be, that survey request?"(Yuki)

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that, too. I'm sure that's part of the reason why the request to investigate the Colorless Darkness was so easily approved."(Benwood)

Freeing the blocked labyrinth requires a certain amount of effort and screening.

Even though it's an A-rank party, I thought it was strange that "Thunderpike", which seems to have been failing for some time now, would break the blockade with a "Yes, I see" at the drop of a hat.

"So?Is this what you mean by a personal story?I can't help you with this, can I?"(Yuki)

"No, it's something else. It's related, though."(Benwood)

After a short pause, Benwood looks at me.

He looks at me as if he's trying to figure out something, trying to find the right words to convince me of something that's hard to say.

Say it quickly, because thinking about it won't change the outcome.

"Yuki. I'd like to submit a request for you to ...... or even Clover. It's a request to investigate the colorless darkness."(Benwood)

(TL:See, I told you guys)

"Don't throw an impossible task at a C-rank party, Benwood."(Yuki)

The head of the guild, who is supposed to be in charge of the safety of adventurers, is being ridiculous.

"In addition to the Thunderpike, there are other A-rank parties participating."(Yuki)

"They are not to be trusted. I want the information you saw with your own eyes. In the first place, none of them ...... have ever requested disclosure of this."(Benwood)

Benwood tosses the stack of papers on the table.

This is a valuable item that should not be treated like that.

"Did you read it?"(Benwood)

"Yes. Yeah. It's one of my treasures."(Yuki)

This is a log of the attack on "Colorless Darkness".

This is the record of the strongest people who have stepped through the most difficult dungeon in the Kingdom of Elmeria, "Colorless Darkness".

The only official record that proves that the Abyss Gate is the only existing door to the Abyss, and viewing it itself is restricted by your Adventurer Credibility Score, so you can't even touch it until you reach B rank.

"I knew it. That's why I want to leave it to you, my friend. I'm not talking about attacking. It's research."(Benwood)

"We need to conquer it in order to proceed. It's too dangerous."(Yuki)

"That's why I'm asking you, Yuki. That place needs someone who can be flexible. We need someone like you who can do it all. And ...... you can use this."(Benwood)

Benwood puts a magic scroll on the table.

"This is ......."(Yuki)

"It's the 'Scroll of Retreat'. It's for you."(Benwood)

The scroll is a treasure that can only be found in the treasure chests of the labyrinth, and it is also a disposable magical artifact.

As the name implies, it is a type of scroll of magic law, and can only be used by alchemists who are familiar with magic tool artifacts.

Its effects are rough, but powerful. It allows you and your companions to escape from the labyrinth at once.

In a way, it is the best safety measure.

"Did you go there?"(Yuki)

"I would have gone to see him, but my position prevents me from moving from my chair. There is a high possibility that there is something wrong with the Colorless Darkness this time. The most important thing is to get a report from a reliable source."(Benwood)

I can't just say no to Benwood now that he's said so much.

"I know what you mean. I'll bring it back and discuss it with my friends."(Yuki)

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. 'Showing off' in front of the guildmaster."(Benwood)

"It's not that I have a requisition form." (Yuki)

Benwood chuckled when I made a joke of it.

While I was wondering what was going on, I heard familiar footsteps approaching and knocking on the door without hesitation.

"Come on in."(Benwood)

"Excuse me, sir. Yes, Mr. Yuki. Here."

Mamaru-san, who had just entered the room, put the request form directly into my hand without going through Benwood.

Benwood and Mamaru-san, ...... who are so quick to turn tricks like this, sometimes scare me.

I wonder if they ever think about what would happen if I refused right away.

I've been looking over the request form that was handed to me.

──────────────────────

Type of request: Court-appointed request mission

Nominated request: Party "Clover

Description of request: "Colorless Darkness" investigation and report

Time limit for completion: None

Special note: The party in question is tentatively ranked A while accepting the mission.

Items to be completed will be evaluated by the guild leader in charge.

Remuneration will be set at the standard remuneration for court-appointed requests.

Client: King Vincent V of Elmeria

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"I feel like a big shot now that I'm the receiver for a court-appointed mission....I'll be back."(Yuki)

"Oh. I know it's a lot to ask, but ...... please."(Benwood)

I nodded lightly to Benwood, who was  bowing down, and headed for the party base where Marina and the others were waiting.