The major Clans of Dungeon City embarked on their investigations, delving into the Dungeons surrounding the Royal Capital, but the first day passed without any particular discovery. While these Dungeons differed in layout from the God’s Dungeon they were used to, the environment itself exhibited a remarkable constancy. The location that Infinite Helix explored this time resembled the Forest biome layers.
“How painfully uneventful.”
Despite the major Clans’ collaborative efforts, no monsters were encountered. Towards the latter part of their exploration, even Garm found the dungeon to be overwhelmingly tranquil. Many within the group started lowering their guard.
“Teach, you’re looking pretty scary... Are you angry?”
“...What? No, I’m not.”This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.
Diniel was doing her job properly, helping other major Clans search for enemies, and while Garm was relatively relaxed, he still maintained a preparedness to confront monsters at any moment. As such, it seemed unnecessary for Tsutomu to remain on constant alert, but he found himself compelled to do so.
In these Dungeons, once someone died, it spelled their end right there. As such, a Healer had to ensure recovery before anyone bit the dust, and issuing instructions was also undoubtedly essential. Tsutomu, driven by such a sense of responsibility, found himself achieving a level of focus surpassing his usual explorations.
However, the constant vigilance required to be aware of his own mortality and that of his comrades proved to be immensely draining. Tsutomu, even without engaging in battles with monsters, was the only one visibly fatigued. The members of his Clan, upon seeing him like that, regarded him with expressions suggesting confusion.
The Dungeon investigations continued for several more days without any notable anomalies. The abnormal situation of monsters not existing within these Dungeons persisted, and the days in the Royal Capital passed without incident.
“Hey, Tsutomu. We’re here to pick you up.”
“Sorry about this — could we have a moment of your time?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Well, well... Sounding friendly today, Master Babenberg.”
At one point, Tsutomu was once again invited to dine with Brooklyn Kantjelucia. Owing to the consideration of the head of House Babenberg, who had been summoned to the Royal Capital at this time, Tsutomu felt a slight relief in the burden on his shoulders.
Seated before a table laden with an impossibly large offering of food, the three of them were served red wine by the waitstaff. After Brooklyn finished her light meal, the conversation shifted to the previous Stampede.
“You were most impressive during the Stampede, Tsutomu. As I’ve been told, while I was unconscious after the shield was broken, you managed to defeat that strange giant monster.”
“...I only gave out general commands. Besides, I don’t understand magic all that well... but it seemed like you and your children had anticipated the monster’s attack and concentrated all sections of the shield in one place. Without that instantaneous decision, Dungeon City would likely have been obliterated.”
“Huh... well, doesn’t change the fact that the shield was destroyed, though,” Brooklyn spoke with a detached gaze, directing a cold stare at the head of House Babenberg. “As a result, Dungeon City has incurred a huge debt to the Royal Capital, leading to the current situation... isn’t that right?”
“......”
Apparently, even as fellow nobles capable of using the same defensive magic, the relationship between the two houses was not particularly amicable.
“And I’m gonna say this again — The fact that your shield magic is synchronized with your own senses is a blatant flaw. Also, relying on the help of so-called Explorers will be your household’s downfall, you know?”
“If we fight here, I’ll win. Tsutomu is with me.”
[Don’t drag me into your personal battles, you silly old fool!] Internally cursing the sudden involvement, Tsutomu managed to maintain a stoic expression.
As a White Mage, he did not possess much brute force. There was likely no effective countermeasure against the nobility’s shield magic, so he would most likely be helplessly killed.
Glancing at Brooklyn, who was likely holding a Magic Stone as she had her hand slipped in her pocket, Tsutomu broke into a cold sweat. The tension in the air, verging on an explosion, persisted in a prolonged silence, compelling him to hold his breath.
As Tsutomu was just about to succumb to the sensation of his stomach tightening, Brooklyn finally withdrew her hand from her pocket. Then, with a resentful click of her tongue, she spoke,
“You’re not a noble anymore. Remember that.”
“I know.”
“I swear, once this Stampede passes, I’m gonna...” Brooklyn trailed off as she turned her gaze towards Tsutomu. Internally flinching, Tsutomu stiffened, but surprisingly, Brooklyn’s expression softened. “...You know, I’ve never seen anyone quite like you before. Judging by appearances alone, you seem weaker than anyone. You’d normally not be worth any consideration, but just because you’re here, I couldn’t make a move... It’s a strange feeling. A feeling I can’t hope to understand. Other people are like grass to me, yet I hesitated to trample on you...”
“......”
“Well, what I’m getting at is... I want to keep you here. Now here’s the plan — after I crush House Babenberg, I’ll take you under my wing,” Brooklyn declared, twisting her mouth into a crescent moon shape. “Now that’s something to look forward to, yeah?”
After saying all she wanted to, she casually walked away. Tsutomu, visibly relieved only after her figure vanished, let out a sigh and silently looked at the head of House Babenberg.
“Sorry for involving you like that. But the truth is, I alone can’t win against her. I actually did need your assistance.”
“...She would have instantly killed me in a real battle...”
As the worst at anti-personnel combat within Absolute Helix, likely unable to defeat most other White Mages, Tsutomu would undoubtedly be swiftly defeated. However, the head of House Babenberg shook his head.
“As Master Brooklyn said, you’re exceptional. Your bold attitude and insensitivity to magic make you appear unfathomable to us nobles... Moreover, this makes it the second time that you’ve saved me.”
“No, no, I was just bluffing, sir. I really felt a chill down my spine.”
“Still, I’m grateful. And I have high expectations for your contributions to the defense in the coming Stampede as well.”
“Please don’t expect too much. It feels pressuring.”
And with that, the conversation concluded. After thanking the sommelier-like staff who came to clean up the spilled red wine, Tsutomu returned to his room.
And then, a week later, news arrived at the Royal Capital from a city to the south, delivered by a courier astride their fastest horse.
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