Chapter 21 A Scene In A Certain Tavern, Part Three
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”I may not look like it, but I am one of the most senior soldiers in Babellion. When Babellion was first created, I was created as a [Cat Warrior (Werecat)] under the leadership of Felshiol-sama, who led the only army at the time. The Liutenant at that time was Raffanie-nee-san, who was still just a [Dark Spirit (Dark Elf)].”
Gardreo reminisced about the scenes of the past, thinking back to the early days of Babellion and sharing his memories.
”No way.”
Melissa’s eyes widened as she leaned forward.
”I don’t lie. It’s different from telling stories to some random kid. You can understand the answer with just one word, so there’s no point in lying.”
Raffanie and Melissa are close. Melissa is a reliable warrior, but when it comes to getting close, her straightforward personality can be selective. However, the accommodating Raffanie adores Melissa like a little sister, and Melissa appreciates their relationship.
So if she wants to confirm the truth, just ask Raffanie directly, “Do you know Gardreo?” and the answer will be clear right away. Although Raffanie might simply respond, “Just a store owner, nothing more and nothing less.”
”But I can’t believe it. And to think that Felshiol once led the army.”
Melissa mused about Gardreo’s past with her chin resting on her hand.
”I’ve heard about it. Plus, such stories are common in rapidly growing dungeons. They may not be lies.”
”Hohoho, indeed.”
Sarikir stroked his chin as he nodded vigorously, agreeing as if he knew as much as Melissa. Rigalvan also didn’t know about Gardreo’s past, but he seemed to understand as if he did.
Melissa is the “Princess Maru” of the ‘Mofumaru Kingdom’
Rigalvan is the “†carnage†” of the ‘Great Monastery, Proud Bodhisattva Sanctuary’
Sarikir is the “Brajerianwocks” of the ‘Ark of the Undead’
They, like Felshiol, Esmeralda, and Faelrith… are ancient warriors who have commanded their underlings, Monsters (Mamono), as the right hand of the Dungeon Master in the highest level dungeons.
Even if they do not know the early days of Babellion, they know better than anyone how the dungeon grows.
”I don’t remember when exactly, but at one point, we were deeply invaded by the ‘Dalkia Dragon Empire.’ Felshiol-sama was defeated in a surprise attack by the ‘Three Evil Dragons (Sankaryu)’, who had just been created and had no information about them, and the army was annihilated. I was quickly turned into ashes by Faelrith-sama, so I don’t know what happened afterward… Well, the defense was strengthened at that time, and Shinoa-jou and Azuriela-jou were created. At the same time, Felshiol-sama also took up the defense.”
”…I remember that too. I mean, I became the [White Holy Tiger] because those damn debuffs from those guys wouldn’t stop, so I wanted to be completely immune to abnormal conditions.”
”Our ‘Great Monastery, Proud Bodhisattva Sanctuary’ and the ‘Dalkia Dragon Empire’ have never fought each other, so I don’t know. But I have crossed swords with Babellion many times…though, by that time, Shinoa was already on the 1st floor. We have fought each other many times. There were also times when it was the other way around.”
”As for me, we have never fought against the Three Great Dungeons before. We have fought against the ‘Mofumaru Kingdom’ and the ‘Great Monastery, Proud Bodhisattva Sanctuary’ many times…and also with ‘Hallelujah Mountains and Rivers’ of Lord ‘Kamo☆Nira’ and the ‘Tomb of the Destroyer God’ of ‘Hidden Hunter, Sun-King Slayer-sama’…oh, how nostalgic it is.”
”But Sarikir was the Defense captain (Final Boss), right? You didn’t have many opportunities to fight against enemies, did you?”
”I’m just like Felshiol-dono. I used to be in the attacking army and eventually became responsible for defense.”
”I remember when Sarikir started defending, the difficulty of the conquest increased.”
”Is that so?”
”Yeah. From the first room, there were a large number of [Undead Soldiers] spawning. No matter how many we killed, more would appear. With Sarikir’s powerful buffs and status effects added to that, it was a threat even to me.”
”Hohoho, I’m honored to be praised. By the way, the first floor of Babellion’s ‘Reception Hall (Acheron)’ was created with our ‘Ark of the Undead’ as a reference.”
”Really… Ah, but the concept is indeed the same.”
Both ‘Ark of the Undead’ and ‘Saint Tower Babellion’ had in common that the first floor was the most difficult challenge.
”But in terms of annoyance or difficulty in battle, there is no one who can surpass the ‘Mofumaru Kingdom’.”
Rigalvan glared at Melissa, who looked like she had just bitten a bitter bug. Sarikir and Galdreo, who had memories of it, nodded seriously.
”What’s up, Galdreo? Have you attacked us too?”
”Just once before retiring, but yeah. By that time, Goldgang and Vacherise had been promoted to commanders… with all those pink, light blue, and yellow… it was so pop and pastel-like… it was really frustrating and difficult to fight.”
The three of them reminisced in their own memories. It suddenly became like a gathering of old people sipping tea and nostalgically reminiscing at the table. Melissa was the first to return to reality.
”But if that’s the case, it’s even more of a mystery. Why is someone like you, an old veteran soldier, working as a tavern master? You should have become a captain at Raffanie’s place even now, right?”
”That’s right. Well, I actually served as the vice-captain of the Raffanie platoon. I guess it wouldn’t be strange if I held off Blackback as the vice-captain.”
”Then why did you quit? Did you do something wrong?”
”No, it was my will to quit the military.”
Gardreo looks at the battle ax on the wall. It is his life, the embodiment of his pride, the battle ax that allows him to continue to be himself, a battle ax made just for him.
”I am a veteran soldier. I have fought in countless battlefields since I was created as a low-level foot soldier, and I have transformed from just a ‘Cat Warrior (Werecat)’ to a ‘Dark Lion (Pultreve)’. Battle ax hanging on the wall is a gift from His Majesty as a reward for my military achievements. I also take pride in the fact that my life is something not everyone can achieve.”
Gardreo is a warrior who has supported the early days of Babellion. Babellion was not always the strongest from the beginning. They have conquered numerous dungeons, defeated countless enemies… It is with pride that he has built and supported the glorious staircase that Babellion and Charles have climbed to the top.
”But I am a private soldier. Even though I intend not to lose to the juniors who were created strong from the beginning, I didn’t lose, but I was quickly caught up. I’m not saying I wanted to be created strong from the beginning. I just felt my limits.”
Gardreo laughed, looking a little sad.
”Ah, damn. I also feel an uncontrollable urge to fight!?”
In the somewhat melancholic atmosphere, Melissa, who still couldn’t read the air, howled. But they didn’t long for the past or feel lonely, and Melissa’s attitude was a saving grace in this situation.
”When is it my turn? I want to pay my respects to His Majesty as soon as possible.”
”Rumor has it that Goldgang received kind words from His Majesty when paying respects.”
”Huh? Where’s the kind element in that muscle-brained gorilla?”
”Muscle-brained gorilla…”
Rigalvan swallowed the words “Isn’t it you?” But it was wise to think that it might have led to a fight if he had said it out loud.
However, because no one is stopping her, Melissa’s cries are escalating little by little.
”So they’re favoring the hereditary line? Are they telling us outsiders like us to stay quiet?”
”Hey, you’re going too far with your mouth.”
”Hohoho, as long as Felshiol-dono and Satsuki-dono are scolding us, we can still turn back. But if we’re found by the ‘Interrogation Officer,’ we’ll be killed instantly.”
”Stop the noise. I want to be of service to His Majesty too, I want to receive praise from His Majesty.”
As Melissa, who is a tiger but is starting to make howling sounds like a wolf, Rigalvan and Sarikir nod.
The Special Forces Army understands that they are not used in ordinary battlefields because of their strength, but they don’t have a peaceful personality that can accept that situation willingly.
However, at that moment, someone arrived as if they understood their feelings completely.
The doorbell of the shop rang, clanging, and as Gardreo reflexively turned around and said,
”Welcome. I’m sorry, but we’re already closed for today───”
What appeared in Gardreo’s field of vision was the figure of a young man whose two to four black wings quivered with anger.
”…Are you playing around with drinking at such an hour?”
As soon as he entered the shop, Felshiol, with a demon-like expression, glared at Melissa and the others. Even Melissa, in the face of his furious appearance, took a step back.
”You are supposed to be on standby, not off duty… At the very least, how about informing me of your whereabouts?”
It was a quiet anger. Not raised voice, not swinging fists in a rage. But terrifying enough to make one shudder.
Felshiol’s gaze, moving from one person to the next, pierced through Gardreo. And it was there that Felshiol’s eyes widened ever so slightly.
”…Oh, aren’t you Gardreo? Is this your shop?”
”Sorry, it’s been a long time.”
It felt like the cold air of hell was seeping into the pores of his entire body. However, Felshiol, sensing that Gardreo was frightened, smiled gently.
”Don’t worry. I’m not angry at you. I’m angry at those three.”
Then, he looked at them sharply again. But perhaps due to her instincts as a carnivorous boss, Melissa barked in defeat.
”What’s the point? We are overstretched and are away at home anyway, so it doesn’t matter what we do, right?”
It’s like a tired child.
”Well…I guess that’s true about you.”
However, Felshiol’s next words were not a sneer. Ignoring Melissa’s reply, Felshiol looked at another Special Army commander at the table and said,
”Rigalvan. You and the Dragon Army are ordered to march.”
Right after that, Melissa transformed into a giant tiger and pounced on Felshiol, and Rigalvan, in his excitement, nearly transformed into a dragon and almost destroyed the shop, but Sarikir managed to restrain him.
Panicked, Sarikir used a powerful debuff skill to stop Rigalvan, but this had an unexpected effect on the customers in the surrounding shops, turning the scene into a chaotic hellish spectacle. However, no one, including Felshiol, noticed this amidst all the chaos.
Regarding the question of whether there is a past for the created units, I believe it is important for the story. It has been revealed that the soldiers have memories of where they attacked, which makes sense since they are actively operating as units.
However, the problem arises with the civilian units. In the game, it was possible to explore the city floor, but it was not depicted in detail. The units they placed would randomly walk around the city, so there is no past that can be called a past.
However, it would be strange if all the citizens suddenly developed self-awareness the moment they were transported, which would cause great confusion. Therefore, I don’t know if we will delve deeper into this in the story, as it could become too complicated.
But the Monster units, including soldiers and civilians, have their own lives and memories. There are even friendly relationships, and they might even be married. Rather than suddenly developing self-awareness, it is safer to think of it that way when incorporating the setting of the game becoming a real world. It is also something I wanted to convey in this chapter.
On the other hand, having memories can have significant implications later on… Oops, let’s not go any further. Although the fact that civilian units have a past beyond the game is something the protagonist still doesn’t know.
By the way, the information about Gardreo is entirely Charles’s doing. The concept was created under Charles’s supervision, based on the idea that it would be cool if a high-ranking military officer retired and became a master. The battle-axe was truly bestowed during his active duty.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.