Chapter 483 The Suffering of Gargantua
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Gargantua’s POV)
”‘The Grand Market’ is happening, so there aren’t many requests…”
I brought Hernando and Esperanza to the guild, but there was only the guild master and one receptionist there.
”Since I’ve never taken a request at the guild before, I thought I’d give it a try… Was it a bother?”
”No, not at all. But… requests for high-rank adventurers are quite something…”
Hernando and Esperanza have already registered as adventurers at the Royal Capital’s guild, so the Guild Master is struggling with their transfer process to the Raetia branch.
”Right now, ‘Great Labyrinth Raetia’ is closed too, so we’re all taking turns to get some rest.”
A receptionist named Miyori took a request slip from the bulletin board and presented it in front of me.
”If it’s your first request, how about this? It might be a bit trivial for a party of rank S and rank B.”
The content was ‘Delivery of Wild Boars.’
”Even though it’s a festival, we still need food.”
”Is there any limit on how many?”
”The more, the merrier. Normally, a party of Snow Wolves delivers it, but… they’re busy with tasks related to the Grand Market right now.”
In response to my question to Miyori, the Guild Master, who had finished confirming Hernando and Esperanza’s transfer, answered me.
”Unlike extermination requests, there’s no reward for success, but they’ll take them for 5 silver coins each.”
”For extermination requests, the success reward would be 5 silver coins, and the usual purchase price is about 2 silver coins per head.”
”If we take down 2, we can earn more than usual with extermination. Let’s accept it.”
Hernando said that, so I decided to go for it.
* * *
We made our way through the bustle of the Grand Market and headed for the ‘Goblin Forest’ on horseback.
It’s been about 30 minutes since we galloped to the edge of the forest.
Through the gaps in the trees, a beautiful forest landscape with soft sunlight filtering in.
I feel a ‘breath of life’ completely different from the turbulent winds of the extreme northeastern regions.
”First, let’s head to the branch office of the ‘Great Labyrinth Raetia’.”
Although it’s closed during the Grand Market, I heard there would be staff at the guild’s branch office, so I decided to drop by for a greeting.
* * *
”Lady Gargantua, right? I’ve been informed by the Guild Master. Welcome to the Raetia Adventurers’ Guild. I’m Camilla Brecker, in charge of this branch.”
A calm-looking guild staff member wearing glasses welcomed us.
”I know the Great Labyrinth is closed, but I thought I should at least greet you since we’ll be in your care from now on.”
”I’m Hernando Estevan Barrera! I completed my transfer procedures here this morning.”
Hernando stepped forward, slightly pushing me as I greeted Camilla.
──His enthusiasm towards this woman is as strong as ever.
”I’m Esperanza Jourquet Flores. We are both attendants of Lady Gargantua, the chieftain of Oni-kin.”
In contrast to Hernando, Esperanza offered a calm greeting.
──Lady Camilla probably isn’t in his age range.
”Ah, Sir Hernando and Sir Esperanza. A party led by an S-rank adventurer is a great asset here in Raetia.”
Even under Hernando’s pressure, Camilla responded with a polite greeting, a little flustered.
”──The Great Labyrinth will reopen tomorrow. Please lend your support for the expedition through the Great Labyrinth.”
”Thank you; I look forward to it. ──I will return soon.”
I lightly bowed my head to Camilla and left the branch office.
* * *
”Lady Gargantua…”
”It’s probably unconscious on my part…”
After missing a few wild boars, Hernando and Esperanza give me exasperated looks.
I’ve spotted wild boars multiple times, but they run away at an incredible speed before I can enter attack range.
”I’m sorry… I thought I was keeping my sword energy in check…”
Apparently, the killing intent I emit makes them sense danger from afar and flee.
”It’s not just about hunting, you know? When it comes to labyrinth exploration, you should at least learn to mask your presence.”
Hearing this from Hernando, I instinctively shrugged.
Having never even hunted, I haven’t acquired such skills.
──I had always only directly confronted enemies, so it wasn’t necessary for me.
”Lady Gargantua, please stay here with the horses. Hernando and I will go hunt.”
Leaving me, who felt a bit down, with the 3 horses, the two entered deeper into the woods.
(But… what a nice spot…)
I sat down beneath the large tree and gazed up at the forest.
Sunlight streaming down through the dense greenery felt comforting.
I closed my eyes and contemplated the ‘path’ I should take.
(First… I’ll aim to conquer the ‘Great labyrinth Raetia’ with Hiroya and the others.)
After freeing the god of light, Freyja… our ultimate wish is to free Lady Lilith.
I’ve heard that Azradelius has the same goal, but that probably isn’t his true intention.
(If I release Lady Freyja… will I understand the reason she was ‘sealed’ during the ancient civilization era?)
If I can figure that out… I may understand Azradelius’s aim this time as well.
As I let myself be enveloped by the pleasant sunlight, I felt a ‘surge of magical power’ around me.
(Is this sensation… teleportation…?)
I stand up, wielding my great naginata.
Perhaps the youma from Azradelius is teleporting here.
As the magical power’s surge settles, the usual youma stands before me.
”Lady Gargantua… when will you join the Demon King?”
The pitch-black, featureless youma asked.
”I have no intention of fighting alongside the Demon King. Please tell Azradelius that.”
I replied only that to the youma, and I sat down again under the great tree.
”…You have 2 choices.”
The youma raised a hand quietly, holding up 2 fingers.
”One is to join the Demon King and aim for the ‘deepest depths of Welnia Labyrinth.’ Then──”
The youma folded one finger down.
”The other is to abandon your comrades in Balthoga… and oppose us.”
”Wha…!?”
I straightened my back, leaning against the great tree, glaring at the youma.
Then, images flooded into my mind.
A squirt of wind howling through the Balthoga village.
Despite that environment, my comrades worked with smiles.
And high above, the floating ‘star’…
(Could it be… that?)
”An artifact of an ancient civilization. ‘The Star of Thunder.’ If it were to target a village of your scale… it would be blown away instantly.”
”Azradelius… that scoundrel, still using dirty tricks.”
”I will grant you time. Take Hiroya O’Brien’s life before he conquers ‘Great Labyrinth Raetia.’ Present that as a gift to us. The Demon King will surely be pleased.”
With that, the youma vanished.
(Still can’t find the ‘way’…)
Should I evacuate my clan?
But if I make such moves, the ‘Star of Thunder’ could be activated immediately.
(To take Hiroya’s life… is that really the only answer? If I do that…)
Not only would I lose my ‘lifetime friend’… they would become enemies once again.
And on top of that, they would harbor a deep grudge against me.
(Think, Gargantua Barurasa Antia… what can I do…!)
My thoughts have wandered into a deep maze.
I was so unaware of Hernando and Esperanza coming back from hunting wild boars.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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