A light drizzle fell over the open space.
Aldein looked around then casually remarked,
“Quite impressive.”
The damp ground was scattered with lifeless bodies, yet Aldein wore a satisfied smile.
Jeong Yusin stared at Aldein,
“What’s going on here?”
“I came to help when I saw you struggling.”
“Judging by the looks of it, I’ve already taken care of them all.”
“True enough. My original plan was to wait for you in the forest near Dredbill Village, but I got bored and came over. Turns out you were having a grand old time dancing with your sword.”
“…”
Jeong Yusin leaned against the carriage steps.
Aldein turned to his subordinates,
“Clean up the bodies and tidy up the place. Do it neatly. Take the captured prisoners to another carriage and send them back to Labyrinth City.”
“Yes sir.”
The subordinates sprang into action at the command.
Aldein approached and leaned on the side of the carriage.
“Do you have any questions?”
Jeong Yusin blankly stared at the open space.
“Is Osvald one of your subordinates, Lord Aldein?”
“No. Though I did help him out of pity.”
“Without any kind of remuneration?”
“There was compensation, but I can’t disclose it.”
“Fuuh…”
Jeong Yusin let out a long sigh. His mind and body were too weary to think. How had he gotten tangled up in all this?
That Osvald. Now that he thought about it, the guy was different when they met in the Labyrinth compared to outside of it.
So there was a deal involved.
What a clown.
Was his nervous act all part of the performance?
The Labyrinth City was such a chaotic place.
“What happened to the Fifth Prince and his nanny?”
Jeong Yusin inquired.
“They’re safe under my care.”
“Wouldn’t it have been better to do that sooner?”
“Official but unofficial word came from the Lionnel Royal Family. If the Fifth Prince is in Labyrinth City, bring him back.”
“Why couldn’t you move earlier?”
“Are you saying I’m the kind of person who bats an eye when a brat from the palace runs away?”
Jeong Yusin managed a hollow laugh.
What a crazy elf. He had known for a while that the elf had only one eye, seeing the world askew, but this was something else.
Aldein continued,
“I had intended to leave things as they were. But since Lionnel Kingdom belongs to the Eastern Union, I thought I might as well help. He hasn’t even registered as an explorer yet.”
The Eastern Union.
The Eastern Union.
It sounded familiar but Jeong Yusin couldn’t quite remember.
“What is this Eastern Union?”
“…”
Aldein’s piercing gaze seemed to judge Jeong Yusin’s ignorance. But Jeong Yusin didn’t flinch.
“Why? Is it the first time you’ve seen someone so ignorant?”
“Um…do you at least know we’re in the eastern part of the continent?”
“Yes.”
“Various races live in the eastern part of the continent. To the west, there are empires and kingdoms where, to my knowledge, humans are the only ones living.”
“So?”
“The west has invaded several times. The east needed to unite in response. Thus, the Eastern Union was born. It includes the Federation of Fish-people, the Dwarf Kingdom, the Elf Kingdom, the Lionnel Kingdom among others. There are more, but we’ll skip those.”
“I see. Then wouldn’t it make sense to help? Isn’t Labyrinth City part of the Eastern Union?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Huh? It’s not? What is it then?”
“It’s a neutral city. Though it’s under the Eastern Union’s jurisdiction, the governance is more indirect. You could call it regency. That’s the gist.”
“Regency sounds like the city has a separate master.”
Aldein’s face suddenly twisted,
“Let’s stop there. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. The gist is, many people, including royal family members and nobles from other countries, come here. After all, Labyrinths that allow one to gain marks aren’t found anywhere else. Even princes with low succession rights aren’t something to lose sleep over. That’s it.”
Jeong Yusin tilted his head.
What a peculiar governing structure.
It was impressive how it had managed to endure as long as it had.
When he thought about Aldein’s words, it seemed the higher-ups treated Labyrinth City like a bomb.
‘This is difficult.’
Jeong Yusin shook his head.
It wasn’t his story. He had successfully saved the captives and saved Ahiman’s life. That was enough satisfaction for him.
Jeong Yusin stood up from his seat.
“Where is the Fifth Prince?”
Aldein pointed his hand towards the bushes.
Jeong Yusin walked past the open space and into the bushes.
There was a small carriage there. As he approached, he knocked on its wooden door.
Knock knock.
The carriage door opened to reveal the Fifth Prince, the nanny, and a knight.
“Scath, are you all right?”
the Fifth Prince carefully asked.
A prince who addressed others with honorifics. Jeong Yusin bitterly smiled.
“Yes. I heard you’re about to leave, so I’ve come to see you off.”
Jeong Yusin’s casual tone made the knight frown.
In contrast, the prince let out a bitter smile.
“That must be. Due to my thoughtless actions, I’ve troubled many people. I apologize.”
“No, helping each other is what we do. Farewell, then.”
Right as Jeong Yusin was about to close the door,
“Wait! Wait a moment!”
The Fifth Prince shouted out.
“Do you have something else to say?”
“I am searching for my older brother.”
An unexpected statement. The nanny and the knight were stunned.
“Prince!”
“That’s a secret of the royal house! How?!”
Jeong Yusin crossed his arms.
“An older brother?”
“I have an older brother. He had a critical illness and left the palace. He was someone who led people with gentleness… and one day, he silently disappeared.”
The prince’s eyes began to water.
Ah. So this young prince ran away from the palace out of longing for his elder brother.
Jeong Yusin thought the boy was bold and pure-hearted.
“What illness did he have?”
“Scath!”
The nanny’s eyes grew sharp.
“It’s a disease where the flesh rots. It’s called the Curse of the Elemental Deity.”
“He’s probably concealing himself, isn’t he?”
“That’s correct.”
“He must also be emitting the smell of rotting flesh.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to meet someone I know?”
The Fifth Prince’s eyes wavered.
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
The Prince opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it. When he spoke again, his voice was low and trembling.
“I’ve given it considerable thought while wandering around the labyrinth city. Why my brother silently renounced everything and left the palace. Because I’m still young, I hadn’t thought deeply about death. But…”
The prince wiped his nose once and continued.
“I believe there must have been a reason for my older brother to act this way. I will not meet him.”
‘He really loves his older brother.’
A deep younger brother who followed his elder brother dearly.
“Understood.”
“Just convey one message for me.”
“Yes. What should I convey?”
“This younger brother of his awaits. He looks forward to seeing his older brother’s healthy visage again in the palace. Please tell him that.”
“Understood.”
Jeong Yusin nodded.
‘Indeed, the child of a king? A sturdy boy.’
Though the sight of him wiping his nose was a bit pitiful.
“Well, see you later then. Scath sir.”
The Fifth Prince bid farewell, and the knight closed the carriage door.
Creeeak.
Bang.
Trott trot.
The Fifth Prince’s carriage galloped along the forest path and disappeared from view.
Aldein approached with hands behind his back.
“I thought the prince was naive, but he seems wise. He won’t live long though.”
Jeong Yusin’s expression darkened.
“Could Aldein-sama speak more kindly?”
“What’s the problem with stating facts? Even though he’s ranked lowest in the line of succession, the second prince is already glaring at him like fire. Talented people die young. Let’s go.”
Aldein got into a carriage he had prepared.
Delnaco, Maya, and Ahiman boarded another carriage.
The remaining subordinates stayed to clean up the open space.
Clunk clunk.
The carriage moved through the summer rain.
Jeong Yusin had his arms crossed as he enjoyed the view outside the carriage.
After passing through the forest, a vast plain came into view.
As he watched the green reeds sway under the rain from the sky, a wave of fatigue came over him.
Jeong Yusin spoke.
“Aldein-sama.”
“What?”
“What do you do? You’re not just the manager of the Demon Disassembly Site, are you?”
“Curious? Take this spear. If you do, I’ll teach you.”
Jeong Yusin observed the crimson single-edged blade.
What did it mean?
He felt it went beyond simply possessing the blade.
“Could you just tell me plainly?”
“Everything comes with a cost. To gain one thing, something else must be sacrificed. You understand, right? That’s the unforgiving truth of the world.”
“Fine. I’ll sleep then.”
Jeong Yusin closed his eyes.
And soon darkness enveloped him.
Aldein gently caressed the crimson single-edged blade and observed Jeong Yusin’s sleeping face.
‘The more I look, the more it’s clear you’re a tool.’
In fact, he had watched Scath’s battle from afar.
Without experience, it would be difficult to gain the upper hand. Yet he had compensated with madness, turning psychological warfare against him into an advantage.
He created his own opportunities, killing the Second Prince’s assassins and even Dark Elf Quelinn Kalhide, a wandering mercenary from the Underworld.
Though forced into retirement because the Hyper Sensitivity Mark drastically lowered his pain tolerance, the Dark Elf was a mid-tier explorer.
Certainly, he wasn’t as powerful as the top mid-tier explorers.
But the fact that Scath had killed a mid-tier explorer, regardless of means, held significance.
Aldein smiled with confidence.
Though Scath himself hadn’t realized it yet,
Beneath the consecutive battles, the madness Scath had kept bottled up was slowly resurfacing.
“Niece, truly excellent.”
Aldein caressed the single-edged blade as he murmured to himself.
As the sun set, the carriage ran through the plain.
*
Three days had passed since their return to Labyrinth City.
The Fifth Prince and his nanny had departed for Lionnel Kingdom,
while the captives had returned to Labyrinth City.
On the fourth day, morning came,
Jeong Yusin yawned as he fumbled with his food.
He had no appetite. Having been wildly active lately, his fatigue wasn’t dissipating easily.
Creeeak
The inn door opened, and Ahiman and Maya entered.
Ahiman had returned to his human form while Maya looked unusually deflated.
“Scath.”
Ahiman approached, sat down, and said,
Jeong Yusin smiled,
“Ahiman, you’re back in human form.”
“Reptilian form was good, but human form is still more convenient. I’ve come to thank you, though a bit late.”
“No need. What did I do? It was all your pupil’s doing. Nonetheless, I’m glad you’re doing well.”
At Jeong Yusin’s words, Ahiman’s face softened with a faint smile.
“I want to repay you. Is there anything you desire?”
Jeong Yusin thought for a while before speaking,
“I do have a question.”
“What is it?”
“Where do mid-tier explorers get information about the labyrinth?”
“Ah, so you’re preparing for promotion?”
“Yes, somewhat.”
He asked Oswald to find a quick and easy commission. He had requested it to be done under his own name, but it felt like forcing it, and he didn’t really expect much.
He didn’t head to the eastern district. He was tired and figured Oswald was busy dealing with the captured individuals.
Ahiman cleared his throat and began to speak,
“There are three methods. The first is receiving classes at the Dungeon Academy.”
“That’s a bit…”
“The second is learning from senior explorers. The third is visiting the library.”
“Is there a library inside Labyrinth City?”
“It’s in the central district.”
Library.
Isn’t that a treasure trove where you can obtain information if you can read?
“The second and third methods seem best. The Dungeon Academy must take a long time, right?”
“Yes, it takes time. But I see you’re reasonably well versed in reading.”
“…I’m diligently learning.”
Jeong Yusin scratched his head while answering,
Because of various incidents recently, he couldn’t visit the orphanage academy for a while. He should have been studying consistently, but problems kept coming up, not giving him time.
“Is that so? Though it’s hard to just talk like this and leave. Consider this a small act of gratitude. Take it.”
Ahiman took out a small pebble from his pouch and handed it over.
“What is this?”
“It’s an Intermediate Magic Stone. It’s inadequate as a payment, but it’s all I have. I’m sorry.”
“No, thank you. I’ll put it to good use.”
Ahiman and Maya stood up from their seats.
“Then, see you later.”
“Scath-sama, thank you.”
“Please take care, the both of you.”
Jeong Yusin escorted Ahiman and Maya outside the inn, then returned to his seat just as he was about to eat.
Right then,
Creeeak
The inn door opened and someone came inside.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes widened.
A teddy bear dressed in a white chef cap waddled in.
“Th… There’s a bearman who doesn’t rape, I heard!”
Jeong Yusin dumbly stared down at the teddy bear.
All his carefully laid plans in his head vanished as if wiped clean from a page.
In this world,
Could such a small teddy bear beenkin exist? This is madness!
“I… It’s me.”
Jeong Yusin’s voice trembled.
The teddy bear saw Jeong Yusin and flinched but bravely stepped forward,
“Th… There’s a commission, I say!”
After staring at the teddy bear for a long time, Jeong Yusin replied softly,
“Let’s hear the commission. Come here. Quickly.”
At Jeong Yusin’s gesture, the teddy bear’s body stiffened.
