Volume 3 - CH 15

Volume 3

Chapter 15-White clover and the true king 

(TL:By Rafael)

Running through the "valley of death" in the darkness.

I know how dangerous it is to force our way through a labyrinthine environment that is halfway under the influence of an overflow.

But if we don't move now, it could be too late.

"Two lizards are ahead on the right."(Nene)

Following the instructions of Nene, who has good night vision, I release a magic mist "sleep mist."

There are quite a few demons that stir in the night, but we don't have time to deal with them.

The correct way to deal with the "stampede" is to disable it by restraining it or putting it to sleep, and then let it pass through.

"Yuki-san"(Silk)

"Silk, what's up?"(Yuki)

"I found out during the night that the Valley of Death is still affected by the labyrinthine process."(Silk)

Silk had previously said that there was a difference in the presence of spirits inside and outside the labyrinth.

In other words. The "valley of death" has become uncontrollable and is now draining its atmosphere into "our world".

It may be the harbinger of a stampede, or it may be the growth of a labyrinth.

Either way, we are dealing with a labyrinth that was sealed and processed hundreds of years ago.

At any rate, we must first report this situation to the mastmasters and devise countermeasures.

Otherwise, La Jo, or even the whole of Salmutaria, might be affected.

After all, this is the only labyrinth in Salmutaria whose existence has been confirmed.

"Nene, come here."(Rain)

"Rain-san? We're in a mess over there, aren't we?"(Nene)

"It was uphill on the way there, but we can just jump off on the way back."(Rain)

Without stopping running, Rain starts a small magic chant.

No matter how low-level magic is, I never thought she would chant without stopping. ......!

Rain's talent always amazes me.

"─ ─ ─ Falling Control!"(Rain)

We reached the cliff at the same time Rain's magic was activated, and we threw our bodies out with the same momentum.

Here, there is no one who does not trust her.

There is a peculiar feeling of resistance, like diving under water, and we fall down the cliff at a slow speed.

Surely this is much faster than running down the maze of rocky caverns.

"Nice one, Rain!"(Yuki)

"Hmm. There are still a few places where we can use magic to take shortcuts. Leave it to me."(Rain)

I see, the magician had his own unique point of view on the way to here.

The same time we landed on the ground, we started running again. The "physical enchantment" that was chanted during the fall was given to all of us.

In addition, I also cast "Activation Activation" magic. This is a beginner-level magic that continuously restores physical strength, but it has a foolproof effect in situations where stamina is needed.

"Yuki, are you sure you can use this much magic?"(Rain)

"It's been a long time, but it used to happen all the time before. The  "Refresh Mana" that continuously restores magic power and also the "Mana Potion" that restores magic power are also available. There is no problem."(Yuki)

Marina worried me a little, but it was a usual thing when I was in "Thunder Pike" just a year or so ago.

I still remember those days as a somewhat bitter experience, but even so, I can say that everything was not in vain because I am now able to be of service to everyone.

"Now, we're almost there. Let's go!"(Yuki)

◇ ◇ ◇

It wasn't even dawn when we arrived at La-Jo.

The shortcut Rain had devised allowed us to move the time up quite a bit.

We met the gaurd and even though I thought it was disrespectful, but I immediately explained the situation and asked him to go wake up Mastoma, and we went around to talk to the main superiors from the guilds we were still working with.

Benwood was sleeping and would not wake up even when I shook him, so I forced him awake with an "electric shock."

We then went to the conference room in the Mastoma mansion.

This is where we all met.

During this time, only one hour had passed since our return to "La-Jo.

Thank goodness everyone's footwork is so light.

"...... is all we have to report."(Yuki)

"It's a messy business, isn't it?"(Mastoma)

Squinting, Mastoma checks the map.

"I also checked the video footage that Nene had taken, As I thought, this could be the harbinger of the "stampede."(Viscount)

Viscount Boardman put the tablet on the desk and nodded.

"The "gentlemen of Welmeria", How would your country deal with a situation like this?"(Mastoma)

"First of all, on this scale, we would send out a "court-appointed mission" to several parties of adventurers to thin out the ranks and determine the cause of the problem."(Benwood)

"At the same time, I would consider dispatching a national army and knighthood."(Viscount)

At the words of Benwood and Viscount Boardman, Mastoma's face clouded slightly.

Neither of them are here.

Salmutaria has never been considered a country without labyrinths, and there are no full-time adventurers here.

In addition, the "King's Mausoleum" is a secret known only to the Mastoma's people among the royal family of Salmutaria.

It would be difficult to request an army because of the "stampede" from the labyrinth, and it would undermine Mastoma's own initiative.

But...

"Good. I will send a bird to the father king. Mejaluna, take the brush."(Mastoma)

"Yes, my lord."(Mejaluna)

Mejaluna-san, who had been standing behind the mastoma, disappears from the conference room.

"Are you sure?"(Yuki)

"Yes, A king who does not protect his country and his people is no better than a lump of mud. I can see the astonishment in your face. ...... isn't this the most important  thing?"(Mastoma)

Prince Mastoma's confidence surprises him a little.

'Lord Benwood, is it possible to send adventurers across the country?(Mastoma)

"With your permission and money, yes. But adventurers are armed men, and the more of them we have, the more difficult it will be to cross country borders."(Benwood)

"I will ask my father for permission to do so.　I will take responsibility."(Mastoma)

He was quick to make a decision, and he was honest.

I felt my heart warm up a little at the sight of this leader.

I can see why so many people gather at La Jo.

If they knew who Mastoma was, they would think that he was the right person to be king.

"I am sorry, but I need your help."(Mastoma)

Mastoma bowed his head.

We all froze in shock.

The royalty of Salmutaria are famous for never bowing their heads "because it is in their royal blood."

"Mastoma ......?"(Yuki)

"I am not yet king, and there is not much I can do. But if I can save my people and my country with one humble bow, I do not care if my 'royal blood' is muddy."(Mastoma)

These were the very words of a king who was willing to give up being a king for the sake of the people.

TL Note-  Well there are many men but few like Mastoma.