Take my daughter as a wife, and your beloved as a concubine.

Making this unexpected proposal, the Count continued:

"The Abyss Seeker, Limenin, was the first to reach the 10th floor. The Great Navigator, Picma, who explored and mapped all areas of the huge 6th floor, and the Iron Hero, Juggernaut.

—…

"In addition to them, there were many other heroes. Do you know what they had in common? Their travels have always been supported by strong sponsors.

In the end, I had no choice but to ask. I understood perfectly well what he wanted to say, but still...

— What do you get when you become my sponsor?

"There is always a lack of talent in this city. I planned to sponsor you even if this incident hadn't happened.

These were not empty words.

"What exactly do you mean?"

"Usually, nobles sponsor promising explorers because it helps the family's reputation.

Family Vacation Tours

 

I knew about it. Should we call it a noble hobby of the highest class?

Compared to modern times, it was like collecting supercars. But here's what I didn't know.

"Sometimes this becomes a measure of the power of the family. If a family does not have supported researchers, then they are despised, and if these researchers do not have significant achievements, then this is also assessed as low insight.

Now I realized that it went beyond a simple hobby. For aristocrats, the social world is the arena of politics, and the evaluation of others is a real force.

"The wealth of the Ferdehilt family is not inferior to that of any major nobleman or knightly order. But there is one thing that we are missing.

I knew little about the Count's family, but it seemed to me that I knew what exactly.

— Despite numerous efforts, for a long time there was no outstanding researcher.

"So that's why you said you'd contact me when I'm ready?!"

"Why should I hide it?" At the time, I wasn't sure about you. If the researcher I sponsored died soon, it would also damage my family's reputation.

And yet, not wanting anyone else to snatch me away, he warned me not to accept the invitation of other nobles. With this, he kind of feasted on me.

"If I had known it was going to happen, I wouldn't have hesitated to sponsor you back then.

I couldn't help but smirk when I heard the regret in that voice. If he had done so, the Earl's reputation would have risen as high as the value of my shares, and he would not have had to offer his daughter in this way.

"Now I have no doubts. You will become an even more significant figure. Many researchers have died, but this is not the end. As always, time will pass and vacancies will be filled. You will undoubtedly be the protagonist who will lead a new era.

—... You're overestimating me.

"Well, we'll find out in time." In any case, it should explain my benefit enough. Maybe you can give me an answer now?

I thought about it in silence for a while. More precisely, I pretended to think, because he would be upset if I refused immediately.

"I'm sorry, but such a relationship will be difficult.

It was a refusal in which there was as little room for negotiation as possible.

"Think carefully. Everyone will want to be friends with you, but who wants blood relations? I can do more for you than you can imagine.

That was the end of the conversation with the Count. After a brief goodbye to his daughter, I returned to the street. As soon as I got out, Misha found me.

"Bjorn!" Where have you gone?! I went to look for you because you had been gone for so long, but I couldn't find you anywhere!

"Ah, there was a nobleman there who wanted to talk.

There is no need to talk about what has just happened. Justifying myself, I returned to my seat and drank more. The more I laughed and chattered, the more I remembered the Count's words.

"You will undoubtedly be the protagonist who will lead the new era."

And so the banquet ended.

***

The performance ended, the riot stopped.

The tiring banquet was finally over.

"Bastards."

At first, he did not understand what kind of banquet it was. Since his only source of information had been cut off, he was no different from a blind man. Communication with the outside world was impossible.

"It's been a long time since we've met face to face."

However, thanks to a conversation with the Prime Minister some time ago, he became aware of a recent event.

"The Noark scoundrels pulled off a trick. There were many victims."

Trying to hide the growing excitement, the man asked:

"Are there many victims? How much...?"

The Prime Minister replied:

"Everything you imagine and more."

70% of the researchers on the 4th floor and above died. Of course, something else was important to him. Most of the explorers on the 7th floor and above—the major clans that could have lived happily without climbing for the rest of their lives, but were preparing to climb even higher—were also dead. How long will it take to repair this damage?

"Oh, I'm sick of everything. It was necessary to crush his skull when there was an opportunity.

The man gnashed his teeth. When he heard the news, the first thing that came to his mind was, "They've got me."

With difficulty suppressing the murderous energy in himself, he asked:

"You... did you do it intentionally?"

The Prime Minister replied with a smile:

"We didn't know about it either. If you want, you can use this ability to see if it's true."

It was true that he did not know, but he had been deceived more than once by such a clever manner of speech.

"Damn. Obviously, everything would have ended like this, even without this incident." Well, what do you think would have happened?" Shut up, damn it. If you had allowed me to kill them all during the conquest, this would not have happened."

It seemed that the issue was finally resolved. At the time of the conquest, Raphdonia had a much greater advantage. The damage was great, but if they had advanced a little further, it might have ended once and for all. However, the royal family did not do so. They gave time, and eventually Noark activated the ancient barrier and locked the gates of his castle.

"Why don't you be honest? You weren't going to keep your promise from the beginning." Don't be disrespectful. His Majesty the King has put the honor of the royal family on the line for this promise. Do not doubt that it will be fulfilled."" Don't doubt, damn it."

At that moment, it dawned on the man, or rather, he admitted that these bastards had no intention of letting him go.

I guess he's acting so arrogant because he thinks I don't have a way to escape.

After this conversation, the prime minister left. The reason why he did not crush his skull, but allowed him to leave, was simple: because night was about to fall.

Ha... Where should I dig now?

He thought there would be some clue in the palace, but he found none.

Or rather, he only realized that there was no answer here. It was safe to say that he had lost 10 years because of this judgment, but he didn't give up.

… Since I have nowhere to go, I'll just go to Noark.

Although they are weaker than Rafdonia in strength, they probably have determination for their goals.

Well, okay. I'll think about it outside.

The man closed his eyes, stretched out his hand in the air, and slowly began to visualize.

[Star Dissolution]

It was the skill of the Dark Lord Dedred, the essence he had obtained on his last entry into the labyrinth, one that even the palace did not know he possessed, as there were no witnesses.

*Crackle*

A dark sphere swirled over the man's hand and absorbed the surrounding mana, including the sealing magic circle located in his room.

*Crackle*

In the end, the magic circle broke.

*Bach!*

The dark sphere exploded and dissolved everything within a radius of 100 meters.

*Ding! Ding! Ding!*

At the same time as the explosion, the bell rang and he felt the approach of the knights standing in the area.

God, how quickly they reacted.

"S-escape!"

"Stop him!"

The man grinned.

"Hey, come here, die."

The knights flinched at the murderous energy emitted by the man. Even though they shouted every day about king and loyalty like fanatics, they seemed to know that their lives were precious. Seeing this, he felt a little better.

"Idiots.

The man grinned and jumped high. Then, as if enjoying his freedom, he used [Spatial Interference] to step through the air and left the palace with ease. The height of hundreds of meters was reached in less than a minute.

This cursed city has not changed at all. Wherever you look, north, south, east or west, you can see high walls pulling everything around like bars.

So, wait. I won't be able to enter Noark right now because of the barrier.

After flying for quite a long time, the man belatedly realized this fact and stopped in thought in the air.

… Maybe I should go to Bifron? This is the best place to hide. Yes, it will be better this way.

But...

Let's take a look at the Magic Tower first.

He had to visit a certain place before he went into hiding. He had to restore the channels of information supply so that he could at least know what was happening in the world while he was in hiding.

I wonder what happened to my brother...

… He's alive, isn't he?

I hope so.

Thinking about someone for the first time in a while, Lee Baek Ho crossed the night sky.

***

5 days have passed since the banquet. During this time, I did almost nothing. I just sat at home, recuperated, and when I felt much better yesterday, I went in search of a family.

This is what I promised.

"Tell this news to my son. I'm sure you'll be famous when you get out of here. The child will love it."

His family consisted of a 10-year-old child and a young wife. Despite what he said, the kid didn't smile when he saw me.

And how could he?

"I've heard a lot about you. Thank you for coming..."

Despite the fact that it took me 4 hours to get there by carriage, I managed to talk to my wife only briefly. Apparently, she planned to open a store with the money received as compensation for the families of the victims. According to her, it was an old dream of the spouses.

"If you have any problems with raising a child or in everyday life, please contact me at any time." Why... Are you so kind to us? I heard that this was the first time you met my husband that day..."Because if we had met elsewhere, we would have become friends." I... I understand..."

The stoic woman, who in 10 days pulled herself together for the sake of the remaining child, shed silent tears.

"From early childhood... There was something childish about him. He always admired heroes. Thank you very much, thank you. He will also be very happy if a person like you remembers him..."

What does a person like me matter?

These words rose to my throat, but I suppressed them. Whether it's true or not, it had to be. If they wanted it, then I had to do it.

"Bjorn!" When the next day I was calmly thinking about these thoughts, Mike burst through the door. "Ervena!" Ervena is here!

It means that she came to her senses.

As I hurried downstairs, I saw Ervena standing blankly in the living room. It was our first reunion since that day. I pondered what to say, and finally squeezed out of myself:

"Welcome back."

If I lived a more dignified life, I would be able to say better words of comfort in such moments.

"Yes...

Noticing Ervena's gloomy face, Mike approached her.

— Ты ела? Ты голодна?

"I'm fine. Thank you, Ms. Karlstein.

"Miss?!" Just call me sister-! Misha stepped on a mine. "No, no, just Misha, that's enough..."

Mike quickly corrected her name.

Ervena closed her eyes tightly. Then she slowly opened them and forced herself to smile.

"You shouldn't be so careful. Really. But thank you anyway, sister...

"Oh, yes... Oh, yes. Come here. I vacated the room, thinking that you would come...

"What?" Vacated the room?

"You have nowhere to go. You can stay here as long as you want, so stay until you pull yourself together. It will be hard alone...

Ervena's eyes widened at Misha's words, as if she had just heard a sentence she hadn't expected to hear.

"Can I really...?"

Soon Ervena looked at me as if asking for my opinion, and I shrugged my shoulders.

"I told you. It was your sister's wish. Now I am your guardian.

Ervena clenched her small fists and almost forcibly spoke.

—... Thank you for your attention. I really... there's nothing left...

— Of course, it remained. Misha, take her to the room. Since you have arranged the furniture, you know it better than I do.

"Oh!" Ok!

Soon Misha took Ervena to show her the structure of the house and other things. It seems that Ervena has not slept at all lately. Saying that she would rest for a while, Ervena lay down on the bed and immediately fell asleep.

—... Well, well, fighting a monster, I would be calmer.

"I agree...

After that, the two of us ate dinner prepared by Misha. Einar was going to spend the night in the Holy Land. In general, after dinner I chatted about this and that with Misha for a long time, and when it was already about midnight, we went up to our rooms and went to bed.

[23:59]

I felt my heart pounding. I was wondering how many people would come.

[Your soul has resonated and is attracted to a certain world].

Clown, is that son of a bitch going to be there? I really hope so.