Volume 2 Chapter 8 Expected Top Pass
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kian and his party returned to the large plaza at the entrance of the dungeon 2 hours after defeating the boss.
Of course, during that time, they had 0 battles, and the party was in perfect condition, having not exhausted themselves at all outside of the boss fight.
As they emerged into the plaza, the receptionist in charge of recording the time of their return and the ‘proof of defeat’ stared at Kian with wide eyes.
”Huh, you’re back already?”
”Yes. Here is the ‘proof of defeat.’ It’s the head of Shield Cain.”
The blond, handsome young man──Oswald──handed the leather pouch containing the head to the receptionist.
After confirming the color of Kian’s examination ticket, she turned her sparkling eyes toward Oswald.
”Amazing. As expected of the knight accompanying you! I can’t believe you’re back in just 4 hours… You used only about half the average time.”
”I’m not doing anything.”
”Huh──?”
”Lady Maribel.”
From the simple waiting area in the plaza, the guild leader Friedrich arrived with his entourage.
Seeing him in the light of the torches, he appeared almost like an undead monster due to the shadows.
This was because his eye sockets were unusually sunken.
His cheeks were gaunt, as if the flesh was too thin.
Friedrich directed his brightly shining eyes toward the masked girl.
”Are you satisfied with your playtime?”
”Yes! I had a lot of fun, Friedrich.”
”That’s good to hear. If possible, I would like you to use the arena inside the fortress next time. ──Staff, there were no issues, right?”
Friedrich’s sharp gaze was directed at the 3 martial staff members who had been following behind.
The staff members nodded.
”Nothing at all.”
”Seriously, there was only one battle with the boss.”
”We just followed behind and went for a walk. Honestly, it was boring.”
”If it hadn’t been boring, it would have been a serious problem… Sir Oswald, thank you.”
At Friedrich’s words, Oswald shrugged his shoulders.
”But I really didn’t do anything. Please assess Kian as fairly as possible. That man is not someone who should remain at the lowest rank of adventurers. If you plan to keep him at the lower or intermediate rank, could you hand him over to me? I would definitely like him as part of my team.”
Before his words finished, the area near the stairs to the surface suddenly became noisy.
Soon, a group holding torches came tumbling down from above.
Oswald winked at Kian and explained, “These are my subordinates who were on standby.”
”Sir Oswald,” “Lord Oswald,” “Sir Oswald”
A dozen or so men and women approached Oswald in a line.
They were all clad in armor primarily colored silver and red.
They were heavily armored.
From the group, a glamorous silver-haired dark elf stepped forward.
She wore a battle skirt that covered her ankles and held a silver-glimmering bow in her hands.
Given the extraordinary magic power she exuded, it was likely a magic bow, perhaps even a divine one.
”────”
The group knelt before Oswald, placing their weapons on the stone floor and performing a knightly salute.
The sound of metal scraping echoed simultaneously.
It was a trained and refined movement.
(They are not bowing to the masked girl, Manon, but to Oswald instead.)
’It seems they are pledging their loyalty directly to Oswald. This handsome blond with a buzz cut was just called ‘lord,’ and it appears he comes from a noble lineage among knights.’
Oswald stood beside Manon, ensuring that his subordinates’ salute reached her as well.
The dark elf at the front, who had placed her bow on the ground, quickly lifted her face.
”Sir Oswald, did you enter the dungeon without your ‘Holy Sword of the Sun’? “
”I returned that to the ‘Knights of the Sun.’ I’m strong even without it. There’s no way I would fall behind against monsters of this level.”
”That’s too reckless. Especially with the princess present.”
”Aisha, I’m fine. There was only one battle deep inside, and it wasn’t dangerous at all.”
”Princess, please refrain from such actions. Even if it’s a dungeon for lower-rank adventurers, it can still be dangerous.”
”Ahaha…, I’m sorry.”
”So? Can I finally go home? My whole body is sore, and my robe is covered in dust. It was my favorite one too.”
Christy said this while fussing with the hem of her skirt.
Kian let out a quiet sigh.
(In the end, she seemed to want to go home from the beginning to the end…)
Reading between the lines, it seemed she had been reluctantly brought along by Manon.
She had been scolded by Oswald, and perhaps she was the real victim of the day.
”Kian, aren’t you going to ask us anything about our true identities?”
Oswald asked this, but Kian shook his head.
”There are many things in this world that are better left unknown… especially for commoners like me.”
”Oh, what a good mindset, you poor thing.”
”Christy, please… and Sir Kian, thank you for today. I had a wonderful time.”
”Not at all.”
”Now, my lady, Sir Oswald. The carriage is ready for you, so please follow me. It’s dark, so watch your step.”
”Thank you, Aisha.”
”Aisha, have you informed the other lords already?”
”Yes, without fail. Everyone has returned to the fortress.”
”Good. Protect Your Excellency. Let’s head back.”
”Everyone, form up! We’re heading back!”
The dark elf with the silver bow shouted.
”Yes!” “Understood!” “Got it!”
The knights answered and crowded around Manon, forming a barrier that not even a cat could pass through.
”Kian”
Oswald turned his golden eyes toward him.
”Farewell. I hope to see you again soon.”
”Yes, indeed. Goodbye.”
Kian said with a smile, and Oswald gave a silent bow before escorting Manon and leaving with his companions.
It took a while for the sound of their armor to fade into the distance.
Finally, when the Catacombs’ plaza became quiet, several of the staff members present let out a noticeable sigh of relief.
”Phew, guarding the nobles is exhausting.”
”Hey, stop it. We’re in front of the Guild Master.”
”Ha, Sir Friedrich thinks the same, doesn’t he?”
”Gottman, don’t say any more. Given my position, I might have to punish you.”
”Okay, okay.”
The swordsman who had been guarding shrugged and walked toward the waiting area.
The scouts followed behind him.
”Hey, you──Kian”
The last magician, a man, patted him on the shoulder.
”Yes, what is it?”
”That was some impressive scouting.”
As he quickly retreated to the break area, glancing at his fellow staff members receiving warm drinks, the magician whispered.
”I can’t say this too loudly, but you were better than our scouts.”
”Haha… Thank you.”
”I hope you pass the exam.”
The man said with a smile and patted him on the shoulder once more.
As he walked away to join his companions, Friedrich muttered,
”That man is the administrator of this labyrinth.”
He glanced back at the magician who was receiving a cup of tea over there.
Then he turned his gaze back to Kian.
”Today’s test site was also prepared by him. To be precise, by him and his subordinates. How was the test? Was it difficult?”
”Yes, well, I think it was a well-made labyrinth.”
”For intermediate-rank and above tests, we use actual labyrinths. It won’t be as simple as today’s attraction, so be prepared.”
With that, Friedrich bowed silently and turned his back to Kian.
In his place, the receptionist girl came forward, clutching a binder to her chest.
”Sir Kian, thank you for your hard work! The Lower-rank Adventurer Qualification Exam is now over. We will conduct individual evaluations, and the results will be posted at the Guild entrance in 2 days. Please check your results there. If you pass, there will be a promotion procedure. We will make a Rank 8 Adventurer ID for a fee, so please prepare 5 silver coins by the day after tomorrow.”
”Understood. Thank you very much for your kindness.”
”No problem, it’s my job!”
Her tone suggested that she wouldn’t want to talk to him if it weren’t for work.
Well, from one perspective, it was Kian’s fault that her colleague, Sophia, got fired, so those who don’t know the full story would likely react like her.
Kian, unfazed, smiled gently and stepped back.
’It is still early afternoon, so what are you going to do? Are you going home to sleep?’
In response to ‘glasses’ question, Kian took out some dried meat from his pocket.
”I’m waiting for Serena to come back. We talked about having a drink together at the tavern after the exam.”
* * *
The second party reached the goal about 3 hours later.
They finished an hour earlier than average.
The party consisted of a scout, a swordsman, and a priest from the Western Church, making for a well-balanced combination.
Perhaps the luckiest combination in today’s second exam was this trio.
The second-place team was covered in dust and mud, and their equipment showed signs of wear and tear.
They likely fought not only the boss monster but also encountered other monsters wandering through the dungeon along the way.
The male healer looked slightly pale from overusing his spells, but he was celebrating the finish with his impromptu party members.
After that, the third and 4th teams finished almost in a cluster──
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply