The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 66
Chapter 66: The fat aristocrat fights ants
Even though they had the right to use the Great Elevator, not many people actually did so because the usage fee was high. Even if they had hesitated a little bit, the answer was still clear. Mitrof and Canule ended up walking down the labyrinth.
Even if they reached the 11th underground floor as quickly as possible, it was unclear whether they could earn enough to pay for the use of the Great Elevator.
Even with the rabbit hunt, they would only make enough for a one-way trip on the Great Elevator. Since the difficulty of the monsters and the rewards below the 11th floor were unknown, they decided to save money while observing the situation, even if it took more time.
If they could reach the 11th floor without unnecessary battles, they would not even need lanterns due to the overall brightness. Without getting used to the crimson light, the two of them advanced beyond the checkpoint.
Unlike the upper levels, the third level corridors were high-ceilinged and wide in width. Yet the walls were made of smooth rock like that of a giant hole. They felt like they were crawling into a huge nest.
(TL: Ever 5 floors is a Level)
“…It’s nice to have good eyesight, but I can’t seem to get used to it.”
“Yeah, a labyrinth filled with brightness is unsettling—I get confused about whether I’m on the surface or underground.”
“On this floor, there are monster ants, right?”
When reaching the 11th floor, Mitrof had gathered information from the guild.
“A giant ant called ‘paraponera’, apparently—It seems to act alone.”
“A giant ant…”
Canule muttered in a flat voice.
“I’m not good at it.”
“I can’t say I’m good at it either—just thinking about it gives me the chills… Mitrof-sama seems to be completely unfazed, though.”
“I have less imagination than Canule—it’s hard to say until you see it in person.”
They’ve seen small ants lined up in the garden or by the window. However, it’s difficult to clearly imagine them being magnified.
The information he purchased from the guild included simple drawings and size information, but they were just flat fragments. Imagination always exceeds or falls short of reality.
“It seems they have very strong biting power, and their stingers have poison in them.”
“Is that why you bought an antivenom potion ?”
In Canule’s bag, there was a small bottle that Mitrof had just purchased from the guild store. It was an antivenom potion specially formulated for the paraponeras.
“It’s not an instant death poison, but it causes quite a bit of pain—even big men will cry and scream, according to what was written.”
Mitrof grimaced as he spoke.
He didn’t know who wrote the information, but it provided more explanation about the poison than the paraponera itself.
Even though the poison of the paraponera did not cause death unless ingested in large quantities, it caused severe pain at the site of the sting. As a result, the collected poison from paraponera was also heavily used for torture purposes.
The enormous ant’s venomous sting was unpleasant enough, but no one wanted to experience the agonizing pain of torture. If there was an effective antidote available for sale, there was no reason not to buy it.
“I hate the poisonous stinger alone, but what’s even more depressing is defeating the paraponera…”
With that, Mitrof stopped and gripped the handle of his thrusting sword.
On the gently sloping walls of the cave, where the shades of red and pink overlaid each other, a black shadow was sticking out.
The smoothly connected body had six disproportionately thin legs. The antennae that stretched out from its head were constantly moving, and while there was no expression on its face facing towards them, the sharp jaws clacking together clearly showed that it was trying to intimidate them.
“…I’m getting chills.”
Canule murmured quietly from behind.
Agreeing with her, Mitrof drew his sword.
“Mitrof-sama, let me——”
Canule, who had set down her luggage, stepped forward with a round shield made of metal. As the smallbade rabbits usually act in groups, each of them has to handle the battle individually when it comes to combat.
However, there was only one Paraponera. With Canule holding the shield and Mitrof wielding the sword, they could use their original fighting style.
In the cave, with a peaceful sunset created by the luxuriant light moss on the walls, Canule, dressed in all black, advanced with her shield in hand.
The paraponera ran swiftly along the wall, without making any noises, and leapt towards Canule like a bouncing ball.
Compared to what rabbits were used to seeing, it was a slow movement.
Canule was waiting and prepared for its approach, and he sent the paraponera flying with a punch in midair. The collision sound that was between dullness and lightness was unlike any animal or metal.
The paraponera hit the wall and fell, turning over on the ground.
Although the impact seemed to send shivers down Mitrof’s spine, the paraponera got up immediately. It crawled closer to Canule, trying to thrust its jaw into Canule’s leg.
Mitrof chased and passed Canule, and he swung his sword towards the paraponera.
The sword hit the paraponera’s back and bounced back. The hard feeling made Mitrof’s hand tingle.
The paraponera shook its head to drive Mitrof away. The movement without fangs or horns was not terrifying.
Mitrof calmly stepped back, adjusting his stance to stand next to the paraponera. He aimed and struck the joint connecting its body.
The sharpened blade cut sharply and severed the paraponera’s body in two.
Mitrof quickly stepped back to assess the situation. He looked at the body of the paraponera split in half on the ground and sheathed his sword.
“The only part of the paraponera that can be sold to the guild is the poison needle, but it is difficult for amateurs to collect poison, and the purchase price is not that high.”
“…I see. So it’s all risk and no reward.”
Canule held her round shield with both hands and watched the paraponera from a distance.
“If you get stung by the poison needle, the exploration will end there, and if you have to return through the Great Elevator, you have to be prepared for a deficit.”
Fighting monsters always involves a risk of life, but in the case of the paraponeras, there is also a financial risk. A single sting of the poison needle could bankrupt them, and defeating it would bring no benefits.
Mitrof advanced along the path with a folded map in one hand, and the paraponera was seen on the walls and ceilings.
Thanks to the light moss, the path was clear, and even from a distance, they could easily spot any obstacles.
If there had been only the unreliable light of lanterns, as on the upper floors, the vigilance would have slowed down the pace of their steps considerably.
Even so, it cannot be said that the search is progressing as smoothly as on the upper floors.
“… I’m sorry, I wish I could be of more help.
Canule says as they continue down the straight passageway.
“You’ve done more than enough.”
Without nodding to Mitrof’s response, Canule’s hood swung gently from side to side.
“Attacking with a shield doesn’t work on Paraponera.”
Up until now, Canule had primarily used an attack method involving a shield.
Due to the curse, Canule’s strength exceeded that of a human. With this extraordinary strength, she could usually send monsters flying by hitting them with a metal shield.
However, the paraponera was tough and light. No matter how hard she hit it with her shield, the impact would just bounce off.
“… I wish I could hold a sword.”
From the way she spoke, as if spilling words at her feet, it could be inferred that there was a reason behind it.
Mitrof is at a loss to decide how far to go.
While he had learned negotiation tactics for seeking profit and conversation etiquette that avoided offense, he didn’t know what words to say in times like these.
Should he speak up, or should he meddle in Canule’s circumstances?
Thinking about such things, he hadn’t brought up the approaching end of the month. He hadn’t even talked about meeting Canule’s brother last night.
“…”
“…”
“…Can’t you use a sword?”
“…!”
Mitrof asked with determination while gazing at the dent in the wall.
Although there was no need to ask, he felt an uncharacteristic nervousness.
Canule nodded and drew closer to Mitrof from behind.
“In fact, following an old tradition, a knight dedicates their sword to their lord—of course, unlike in the past, knights are now employed by lords for their services, but it is still a ritual to show trust.”
“…It’s like something out of a knight’s tale.”
“Does Mitrof-sama know about it?”
“I vaguely remember seeing a play when I was young—a kneeling knight offered his sword.”
Canule nodded in agreement.
“If the lord takes the sword offered and taps the knight’s shoulder with its tip before returning it, it indicates recognition of the knight as their vassal.”
“Will Canule do the same?”
“Well… in my case, it was something that happened when I was a child, so I don’t remember it vividly because of nervousness.”
“If you were a child, does that mean you didn’t choose your own lord?”
While talking, Mitrof continued to search for any dark shadows around him without stopping his gaze from moving left, right, up, and down.
“It’s kind of a family relationship—you could say—when I was born, it was already decided that I would serve as a knight.”
“Like an engagement.”
Mitrof found something to relate to unexpectedly and chuckled.
Noble families think of their children’s engagements in a politically meaningful way. There are even stories of signing formal engagement contracts before a child is even born.
“Did it happen to you too, Mitrof-sama?”
“Engagement? Yeah, I had one. But it was annulled many years ago.”
Engagements can be arranged for family convenience, and if circumstances change, the contract becomes a mere piece of paper. It is a common story.
“So you are still subject to a contract with your lord?”
Mitrof brought the conversation back.
“No. On the day we parted ways, I was released from my position as a knight. Since my brother came to retrieve me, I believe that the contract was formally dissolved. The sword that was offered has already been returned. But to wield a sword that I swore to protect in the labyrinth is related to the dignity of being a knightess…so I am resisting.”
“I think that’s a good reason.”
Just as nobles value appearances and decorum, knights cannot ignore their honor. The symbol of this is, of course, the sword.
Even if they don’t have much money, aristocrats must serve the highest quality tea to their guests. There are even families that cannot marry off their daughters because they don’t have enough money to cover the necessary preparations.
You must walk beautifully with a calm face, even if your shoes are covered in blood. If that’s impossible, then you shouldn’t let anyone see you walk. Even though it may seem irrational and foolish to outsiders, that is the society of the aristocrats.
“I honestly don’t know how much a knight must invest in a single sword, but if Canule feels that this is the way it should be, then I guess it’s okay.”
There was no response from Canule.
Turning around, he thought it was unnatural and saw that Canule had stopped.
Although it was a labyrinth, the bright reddish color that filled the area made it easier to see the white bone fragments hidden inside Canule’s black hood.
“…Mitrof-sama is a strange person.”
“What’s wrong suddenly?”
“Knights were required to make sacrifices like offering their swords, or else they wouldn’t be trusted.”
“I’ve heard that in the past there used to be a lot of saddling up.”
Canule nodded.
“…In the past, knights were merely tools for fighting. Knights were like mercenaries who would flow to places where there was better treatment and better lords. It was a strategy to survive, but it was also an act of betrayal that lacked trust—to pledge a sword for the vow of never betraying no matter what, the ritual was born.”
Canule cut off her words there. She breathed in, thinking about how to continue.
“To earn people’s trust, such evidence and compensation are necessary—yet, Mitrof-sama trusts me, even though I am not even human.”
Canule gently stroked the edge of the round shield she held in her hand. Her hand was covered in black leather gloves.
“I am no longer a knight—I have received a curse upon me, and I can no longer live as a knight—I was raised to live as a knight from birth, but the curse has killed me as a knight… I no longer have a role or a place.”
Mitrof stroked his chin, picking at the soft, sagging flesh as he remembered talking with the knight, who was Canule’s brother.
“So, the person you were serving let you escape?”
“Yes, she did—she said there might be a way to lift the curse here in this city’s labyrinth.”
“Did she say anything else?”
Canule chose to remain silent, her mind wandering through memories as she tried to recall the words she had heard.
“…She said not to come back.”
“And you interpreted that as being dismissed from your duties.”
“Yes.” Canule nodded.
“Hmm,” Mitrof also nodded in agreement. Until now, Canule had never revealed her lord’s identity. From her evasive mannerisms, Mitrof speculated that the person was someone who held a position of power and should not be known by too many people.
“It’s possible that your Lord wanted to protect you. If she let you escape, then there must have been a compelling reason—perhaps someone with more authority than your lord, like the head of the family, wanted you eliminated.”
“…”
“Nobles are always concerned about their appearance—I don’t know the details of why you ended up in that state, but it’s not something nobles would willingly accept.”
It was a harsh way to put it, but it was the truth. When they first met, Canule was being chased by people, and had a strong aversion to monsters.
From Mitrof’s cultivated values as a noble, no matter how much gratitude you owed, placing a knight who had taken on a skeleton’s appearance beside you was impossible.
“Perhaps your Lord learned something. At that point, it might have been a matter of bringing you back home, or something worse—regardless, she would have understood that your future was limited if you stayed like that.”
Mitrof looked at Canule. It was difficult to read her emotions from the faintly bowed hood over her head. Underneath the hood was a skull, and her appearance was no different from that of a monster.
However, it was Canule’s character that allowed Mitrof to trust her without feeling aversion.
“Your lord trusted you—that’s why she wanted to help you—but there were limits to what she could do.”
Mitrof spoke from the perspective of a nobleman.
“That’s why she secretly let you escape and told you not to come back—it’s not because of what you’ve become; you’re trusted because you’re a good person.”
Canule looked up with her hood slightly.
“…I still think Mitrof-sama is a strange man, after all.”
“You think so?”
“Yes, I do—I have never received such kind words before.”
Canule laughed softly.
Mitrof felt embarrassed by her warm laughter and averted his gaze.
Although he had just said it himself, he began to wonder if he had done the right thing. He was not used to such conversations.
Even so, he thought it would be too empty if Canule remained at cross purposes with her former lord, who probably missed Canule as much as she could.
——A sound of something running on the ground was heard.