The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 59
Chapter 59: The fat aristocrat talks with his friends
While carefully hunting smallblade rabbits and occasionally swordhorn rabbits, the two of them made their way towards the stairs to go downstairs. Even if there were unexplored areas, they could quickly reach their destination as long as they had the map.
The path towards the stairs splits in two directions. According to the map, one of the paths leads to a square room with an X drawn inside a shield that extends downward in a triangle shape.
“That one leads to the room of the ‘Guardian.'”
The labyrinth, also known as the ancient heritage site, had many mysterious phenomena that modern people could not understand or explain. One of them was the powerful monster called the “Guardian.”
Every five floors, the labyrinth changes its appearance. The guild divides it into layers, and its symbol is the “Guardian.”
“I wonder what kind of monster serves as the ‘Guardian’ of this floor?”
“Well… there’s no doubt that it’s a formidable enemy.”
Compared to normal monsters, the “Guardian” possesses incomparable qualities and abilities. The guild strictly manages its doors and limits challenges to those who pass the screening process by appointment.
Mitrof remembers the story he heard from Grace.
He did not see the “Guardian” of the first floor, also known as the “Scarlet Bear.” Another monster, the red-eyed troll, used the “Scarlet Bear’s” arm as a weapon to defeat it.
That arm was the only glimpse of the “Guardian” that Mitrof knew.
“I didn’t even have the intention to challenge it, so I didn’t buy any information about the ‘Guardian.'”
“Is it common to buy information?”
Canule asked Mitrof, who tapped his finger on the map in his hand.
“Information about the labyrinth comes at a fee; the accuracy of the map also depends on the price.”
The map Mitrof purchased had missing side paths and blocked areas. It takes time and money to update a map that has already been printed with new discoveries. There is a reason why cheaper maps have lower accuracy.
“Information about the ‘guardian’ is particularly expensive.”
“I think such information should be widely shared… It’s a matter of life and death.”
“I agree with you, but I hear that guild is all about making money.”
“Furthermore,” Mitrof shrugged his shoulders.
“You can go down to the lower level without defeating the ‘Guardian.’ Many adventurers will probably ignore the ‘Guardian’ and move forward.”
“I also think so… Mitrof-sama, over there.”
Saying that, Canule pointed to the end of the passage. There was an open space ahead, and the ceiling was even higher. From here, you could see the door that led to the ‘Guardian’s’ room, as the area around it was brightly lit.
The door that was closed earlier is now open. It looked like the adventurers who had defeated the ‘Guardian’ had just come out.
Even from a distance, Mitrof could easily recognize them.
“Isn’t that Mikel and the others?”
Mikel was a boy who fought alongside Mitrof when he battled the red-eyed troll. His age hadn’t changed much, but now he was a young adventurer with a reasonable amount of fame as the leader of ‘Wolves Wind.’
They noticed Mitrof soon after. Mikel hurried over in his light metal armor, carrying a large sword on his back. Despite its weight, he moved with great ease.
“Hey, Mitrof!—You finally made it to the 10th floor!”
Mitrof nodded, a little perplexed by the warm greeting.
Mikel was Mitrof’s friend. However, as Mitrof had never had a friend until his age, he always struggled with how to behave around Mikel.
“Well, we’re about to go down to the 11th floor.”
“What’s with the formal tone?!”
He was tapped on the shoulder. It was a gesture that was impossible between nobles. Mitrof was confused, but he felt Mikel’s relaxed attitude relieve the tension that had built up on his shoulders.
“… Are you doing okay? I’m impressed you’re challenging the “Guardian” immediately after recovering from your injury.”
Mikel had suffered a severe injury, breaking both his legs in the collapse of rubble during a battle with a red-eyed troll.
“Thanks to Leona and the medical facility, I’ve been sleeping all the time, and my body has gotten dull—I haven’t fought against the ‘Guardian’ yet, so I thought it would be the perfect comeback match.”
Mikel’s companions approached from behind, a dwarven warrior with a large shield on his back, a petite magician in a crimson robe, and a woman wearing a pure white priestly garb.
“I don’t see anyone injured—you guys emerged unscathed against the ‘Guardian’.”
“Well, yeah—we had good compatibility this time—we knew that, so it was easy to come.”
The three quickly approached. Mitrof looked their way and saluted first. Although they had never spoken before, he felt like they were acquaintances, having relied heavily on them in the recent battle.
The dwarven shield warrior nodded lightly. The magician averted her gaze. The priestess smiled faintly and bowed.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced them yet! This dwarf here is Viand, the magician is Sorbe, and the priestess is Leona.”
“I’m Mitrof—It’s nice to meet you—and this is Canule.”
Canule, who was standing a step away from Mitrof, also bowed. She was completely covered, even her face was hidden under her hood, making it clear that there was a reason for it. So, Mikel didn’t mention it.
Instead, he asked about the elf girl, who was not present.
“There was one more, the one with the weird accent.”
“Oh, Grace is out on a business trip—she went back home.”
“Haaaan?!”
Mikel squinted his eyes and smirked. He closed in on him and put his arms around Mitrof’s shoulder.
“Did you make her angry?—Did she reject you?—She’s incredibly beautiful, but she seems very strong-willed.”
He spoke softly.
“I didn’t make her angry, and she didn’t reject me—there are circumstances.”
“Alright, I understand—but I’m always here to listen to your troubles. I can even introduce you to a florist or something, just leave it to me.”
“…You seem experienced with that.”
“U shi shi.”
Mikel left with a strange laugh.
“Well, even if that elf archer were here, it’s better for you guys to stay away from this ‘Guardian.'”
Mikel quickly added a correction.
“It’s not because you guys are weak, it’s just a matter of compatibility. Arrows and rapier attacks won’t work on this ‘Guardian.'”
“Hard, you mean?”
“That’s right—thanks to Sorbe’s magic and Viand’s war hammer, we didn’t have a hard time.”
Looking closer, Viand had a one-handed war hammer hanging at his waist. It was a blunt weapon with a round head and a sharp beak.
Compared to that, Mitrof’s rapier was so unreliable. Though it was a durable thrusting sword capable of facing monsters, it lacked the destructive power of a war hammer or magic.
“Your great sword can’t land an attack either?”
Mikel’s great sword was as long as his body, and the sword width was just big enough for one hand to hold. It would have been challenging for Mitrof to wield it because of its weight. At that point, a blunt weapon would have had the same impact, and it would have been used to crush and slash enemies.
Mikel raised the corner of his lips slightly.
“I’m different.”
That was not boasting but rather unwavering confidence. Confidence sometimes emits the smell of looking down on others. But Mikel didn’t have that smell at all. He was refreshingly confident.
“…I’d like to see you fight.”
“Oh, then let’s have a match, shall we?”
“No, I’ll pass.”
“Aw, come on, I won’t hit you hard.”
Mitrof curled up at the corners of his lips.
“You just got out of the hospital—I don’t want you to get sent back to the medical center again.”
Mikel widened his eyes in surprise. Soon his eyes narrowed, and he burst out laughing.
“You actually said it!”
Mikel slapped Mitrof’s shoulder repeatedly. He wiped away tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes and took a deep breath.
“We can’t let Mitrof catch up to us—let’s continue our exploration—let’s go!”
Mikel called out to his waiting companions and passed by Mitrof’s side.
“Hey, Mikel—can I ask you something?”
Mitrof asked Mikel, tilting his head as he turned around.
“Why did you fight against the ‘Guardian’? It was dangerous and unnecessary, wasn’t it?”
“That’s obvious, isn’t it?”
Mikel laughed. His response could be likened to that of a boy who enjoys playing for the sake of fun, or a warrior who craves the thrill of danger.
“Because it’s fun!—That’s all!”
With that, Mikel raised his hand and led the way down the corridor.
“… Because it’s fun?—Is he stupid?”
Mitrof said dumbfoundedly.
Canule chuckled softly in amusement at his response.