Volume 2 - CH 1

Volume 2

Chapter 1-New Labyrinth and Restart

(TL:By Rafael)

"Oh, you're finally here, huh?Yuki. It's quite a big deal that your first request for reinstatement is a court-appointed request mission."(Benwood)

"Don't make fun of me, Benwood."(Yuki)

In the reception room of the adventurer's guild, which is perfect for secret talks, I chuckle.

The day after the series of incidents at my former party, Thunderpike, ended and we, Clover, were suspended for about a month .......

I had visited Benwood to hear the explanation of the court-appointed mission that I had decided to accept after discussing it with the members.

"So?Can you give me another explanation about this court-appointed mission?"(Yuki)

"Sure."(Benwood)

Benwood spreads out what looks like a document on the table.

"The location is near the trading city of Duna, by the Rhine Lake. A new dungeon has been discovered there."(Benwood)

"What happened?"(Yuki)

"A local resident found it when he went fishing. It was reported to the guild, and a quick investigation revealed that it was a ...... dungeon."(Benwood)

It's true, I've never heard of a labyrinth in that area.

I've never been to Duna myself.

"So what's the status? If you know it's a dungeon, have you done any preliminary research?"(Yuki)

"The guild and the Royal Academy of Sciences have already checked the entrance and the environment inside. I'll leave the full-scale entry and investigation to you guys."(Benwood)

We're completely new to this without any prior research.

I was a little nervous as I looked at the still-very-slim information, and Benwood smiled at me.

"You've been in the Colorless Darkness and survived. There's nothing to be nervous about, is there?"(Benwood)

"It's true that that labyrinth dungeon is like the first time I've seen such a floor. ......"

I gave him a wry smile and put the information in my head.

The location is on a hill just a short distance from the lakeside.

The entrance is a downward staircase, and the interior looks like an underground canal.

Does the fact that it's near a lake mean that the waterway used to bring water into the city has become a labyrinth?

Or was there an ancient city with an underground canal?

In any case, there are many things that we can't understand until we step into the city.

"Please use the same method as in "Colorless Darkness.""(Benwood)

"We'll do a live feed, and then the Guild and the Academy will decide what to do with it?"(Yuki)

"Yes. And if you see any unfamiliar demons, please bring back as much material as you can."(Benwood)

"Yes, sir."(Yuki)

I nodded my head as I signed the request form for the court-appointed mission.

"If you can get some experience with this, it might lead you to Colorless Darkness again."(Benwood)

Benwood may have said this out of concern, but I couldn't help but feel that way right now.

The Colorless Darkness that had been my goal, my dream, and Clover's destination was now also Thunderpike's tombstone.

And it's a place where my childhood friend's vindictive voice is probably still echoing.

I still see it in my dreams from time to time.

I guess I'm under a certain amount of stress.

"...... What's wrong, Yuki?"(Benwood)

"No, no problem. Have you talked to the guild over there?"(Yuki)

"Yes. There are no A-ranked adventurers in Duna. Besides, this is a request from the center."(Benwood)

"From the center?"(Yuki)

I'm surprised that the center is aware of us, Clover.

In any case, we're now back to being a C-rank party, and there are far more high-profile parties in the center.

The reason is that the center has the most difficult and most important labyrinth in the country, the Royal Tomb Labyrinth.

"I think I'll head to Duna first thing tomorrow morning."(Yuki)

"While you are going  there, can you take care of one more request for me? I have a request to escort the guild carriage to Duna."(Benwood)

Benwood fluttered the request form and raised the corners of his mouth.

Benwood, you're abusing your authority by ...... using our carriage for a request.

"I'll take care of it. Thank you."(Yuki)

"I'm just making one more request, Don't look at me with those eyes."(Benwood)

I signed the second request form and left.

I know I'm being overprotective as usual, but I'm going somewhere I don't know.

I'll be grateful for the help.

"I'll be back and ready. You don't have to see me off."(Yuki)

"You're not very cute. Well, have a safe trip."(Benwood)

"Yeah, keep your eyes peeled for good news."(Yuki)

I nodded to Benwood, who raised his hand lightly to wave me off, and left the reception room.

The request is now complete.

I go down two flights of stairs and head for the tavern attached to the Adventurer's Guild.

I should have been the only one to accept the request, but it was the first time in a long time that I had been in an adventurer's guild, so everyone followed me.

I was a little surprised that Nene came along as well.

"The request is okay. I've got a request for a carriage escort to Duna as well."(Yuki)

"You're the man, Yuki!"(Marina)

Marina was excited and exaggeratedly happy.

"A trading city, right? Is there an adventurer's street or something?"(Silk)

Silk seems to be taking care of the practicalities right away.

It's important to be cautious, but it's also inevitable.

"It's not a labyrinth city, but it seems to have a good number of adventurers, and it's a trading city, so I'm sure they have everything we need."(Yuki)

"It seems that there is no bazaar for magical tools and artifacts. ......"(Rain)

Rain looks at me with a bit of a pout.

You've been going to the magic tools artifacts stall market bazaar almost every day for the last ...... while.

"It's a city close to the border, there might be some things brought in from outside the country. And not all magical artifacts come from the labyrinth."(Yuki)

"I see. ......"(Rain)

The next country, Salmutaria, is a country where alchemy is quite popular.

"　You can find the latest magical tools and artifacts in the stores."(Yuki)

"I'm starting to look forward to it."(Rain)

While Rain was excited, Nene was twitching her ears, looking a little nervous.

"What's wrong, Nene?"(Yuki)

"Are you sure about this? I can't believe a random guy like me is on a court-appointed mission as 'Clover'."(Nene)

"Don't worry about it."(Yuki)

I clapped her lightly on the shoulder and laughed.

"I'd be horrified to take on a labyrinth for the first time without Nene. I'm counting on you, my friend."(Yuki)

"Yes, yes!I'll do my best!"(Nene)

Nene's fluffy tail twitched and quivered, making me smile.

I wonder if I can touch that tail. ......

(TL: I have the same question)

"Now then, let's start getting ready. Again, let's be discreet and have some fun!"(Yuki)

Everyone nodded with a smile at my words.