Chapter: 177
The day after I kicked Sandbag’s third leg and sent him flying, I was tackling the dungeon like any other day.
The level was already 39th.
Originally, I planned to only reach level 34-35 today and then take a rest, but ever since I achieved my goal, I was moving my feet like a maniac.
I had no clue how the Georg family would react.
Sure, Sandbag is a perverted idiot with a brain in his lower half, but he’s still the eldest son of the Georg family.
After stomping on that loser, wouldn’t the Georg family at least show some reaction?
Knowing the tendencies of their side, I could roughly guess how the course of events would unfold.
First off, the current head of the Georg family is capable but timid and cowardly.
When faced with choices, he’s the type to fret and ponder until the deadline is right upon him before he picks the best option.
He probably wouldn’t be able to decide easily this time, either.
The problem is quite complicated, but mostly because the opponent is the Allen family. If the head of Georg acts like a regular human, he might agonize over it for at least a week.
So, isn’t that a comfortable time for me?
No. There’s another problem.
The matriarch of the Georg family.
This person is the exact opposite of the head of the family.
Impulsive, incompetent, and the type to shout that whatever her son does is right. She’s the one who had the biggest influence on Sandbag turning into a worthless human.
That woman would definitely raise her voice in anger after seeing her son’s state.
The head of the Georg family is weak against the matriarch. If she pushes him every day, the decision-making time would be cut down significantly.
That’s all I can guess.
I can’t predict what decision the head of Georg will make after all that consideration.
Well, honestly, I don’t care much about the miscellaneous stuff.
But depending on the case, there’s a chance I might not be able to enter the Menestel dungeon.
That would be a problem. I don’t know what would happen if I couldn’t clear the quest given by the sloppy God. I don’t even want to know.
So I was desperately rushing to finish everything before the head of Georg moved.
Today’s goal was the 46th floor.
It’s where the hidden section of the Menestel dungeon exists, and where Alsatine’s master had been.
After reaching there today, I’d wrap everything up tomorrow and leave Menestel.
It would be a forced march, but it’s fine.
I’m pretty used to rolling around like I’m dying.
*
We exited the Menestel dungeon just as the sun disappeared and the moon took its place.
We informed the exhausted guard that we were out of the dungeon, and instead of stopping by the Menestel Guild, we headed straight to our lodging.
The gains from processing the loot were minor, so I thought it better to rest a little more during that time.
After all, we had to continue a forced march first thing tomorrow morning.
“You’re late.”
The person who welcomed us back to the inn wasn’t Nick. Nor was it the usual guy at the counter.
It was someone I expected to meet someday, but I never imagined it would be under these circumstances.
The current head of the Georg family.
Mev Georg.
A man who revitalized the Menestel dungeon street with his exceptional abilities; a genius wizard recognized in the magical empire filled with powerful wizards.
With his usual indecisive temperament aside, he could have made a famous name across the continent.
He sat alone on a shabby chair in front of the counter, and upon seeing my face, stood up.
Why is this guy here?
He’s someone who always struggles to make decisions and can’t take action until something is right in front of him. Why now?
Was the matriarch’s prodding that serious?
Damn. The fact that he moved without a escort means he deemed this matter serious!
“I apologize for the sudden visit, Lady Allen. It’s a pressing matter, so please excuse my lack of manners.”
Feeling flustered, I chewed on my lip.
As long as he didn’t touch on the matters related to the Menestel dungeon, I didn’t care what happened on other topics.
It’s also because my backing is Benedict, but my connections aren’t lightweight either.
The Ducal Young Lady of the Partlan family. The Third Prince of the Soladin Kingdom. The current Saintess of the Jushin Church.
These people could ease serious troubles quite easily.
So I just had to ensure that I didn’t bring up the topic regarding the Menestel dungeon.
I’d talk things over after consulting grandpa.
“I’m sorry, Lady Allen. Our stupid son has caused a great disturbance.”
The rapid thoughts in my head froze the moment the head of Georg bowed his head.
Huh? You didn’t come here to discuss the violence inflicted on your son? Why are you suddenly bowing?
Of course, I think it’s self-defense, but they certainly don’t see it that way.
“Fortunately, thanks to Lady Allen, this incident can be seen as a small mishap between the two of them. Had it not been for your quick judgment, Lord Benedict Allen would have descended upon this place.”
My frozen mind snapped back into action the moment Benedict’s name was mentioned.
Benedict.
Haha. What on earth did you do that’s making this genius of the Georg family stammer at the sound of your name?
Anyway, thanks. It seems things are going to unfold easily because of you.
“I will provide the utmost convenience while you are within the territory in the name of Georg. It is only natural to properly educate our stupid son. So please, could you explain this matter well to Lord Benedict Allen?”
‘Now that you mention it, I’ll make sure to communicate it clearly to Benedict.’
“Knowing that the cowardly Count fears our foolish father, it can’t be helped. I’ll make sure that the Count doesn’t embarrass himself in front of our foolish father.”
Due to the Mesugaki Skill, the head of Georg became a cowardly Count, but he only awkwardly smiled without showing any anger.
Since he sees himself as the inferior, he can’t take a strong stance.
“Thank you for understanding, Lady Allen.”
‘It’s nothing serious. Don’t worry about it.’
“Just seeing the Count’s pale face… Hehe. It looks pitiful. Don’t worry too much.”
If it were my usual self, I would have cursed the Mesugaki Skill while looking at the trembling lips of Count Georg.
After all, it’s not a trivial matter when you’re a Count with power, status, and actual strength.
But right now, it doesn’t matter. Since I wouldn’t be coming back to this city after this.
Certainly, there won’t be any need to meet Count Georg ever again! So even if I take his disdain, it wouldn’t be a problem!
Ah, it all worked out.
If it’s like this, there’s no need to go back to the dungeon tomorrow.
Having run around all day, my body was worn out, so I’d take a couple days off to fully prepare myself before heading back into the dungeon.
Yeah, that sounds like a plan.
*
With Count Georg expressing his apologies, the unexpected evening rest began.
Maybe because she was exhausted in every way, Lucy quickly went off to sleep, while Alsatine was alone, sipping alcohol in the living room.
It was a tough day.
Alsatine wasn’t someone who would waste his training.
The one who took him in and taught him always emphasized the importance of being prepared, and having been saved by his master, Alsatine never once went against her teachings.
However, that was only training to live as an informant and someone in the underworld.
It wasn’t the kind of training knights put everything into.
It’s not surprising to have a sword with amazing stamina like Karl.
From the time he was enrolled in the Soul Academy, he was deemed a promising candidate, and right after graduation, he entered the strongest knight family, Allen, and grew.
It’s rather strange for him not to show that kind of ability.
But still, what about Lady Allen?
How could she, who had been a rogue just a year ago, possess such extraordinary stamina!
No matter how much she has the Allen bloodline, this is… this is too abnormal, right?
Alsatine, who had desperately followed the two to see their master, was now half-melted.
At least the good news for him would be that he wasn’t going back to the dungeon tomorrow and could take a break.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had a moment of such little leisure.
“Can’t sleep?”
After returning from the dungeon, Alsatine gaped at Karl, who had entered the training room and had been moving around for a while before washing up.
Is every knight from the Allen family like that? Or is this guy exceptional?
Considering Lady Allen, the former is more likely.
“I’m resting. I found a little time to spare by pure luck.”
“Hmm. Alcohol. It’s alright to have a sip after such a long time. Mind if I join?”
“Do whatever you want.”
As soon as Karl pulled out a chair to sit down, Nick appeared with cups and snacks as if he had been waiting.
Being in a similar line of work, Alsatine could roughly gauge Nick’s level.
She was a talent that could be welcomed anywhere she went.
Undoubtedly, the Newman family had a strong interest in Menestel Street and must have sent someone competent.
Why is someone like her getting the creepy reputation of being associated with Lady Allen?
People are simply unknowable.
“Alsatine. Do you drink well?”
“I’m not at the level of collapsing first wherever I go.”
“Well then, how about we have a little duel?”
“Me? With a knight like you?”
What kind of nonsense is this?
Why does a monster wanna challenge a human to a drinking duel?
When Alsatine expressed his disgust, Karl burst into laughter.
It was a very human side of him that he didn’t show when Lucy was around.
“I get it. Let’s scratch that drinking duel and ask something else. Until when do you plan on calling me knight?”
“But you’re a noble, and I’m…”
“Even so, under the Young Lady, we’re all just the same. Feel free to treat me as you like. Looking at the situation, it seems I’ll be with you for a while.”
That’s… right. After this is over, I’ll have to stick around with Lady Allen for a long time.
Alsatine, glancing at Karl, took a big gulp of his drink and spoke.
“Alright. Karl. Make sure you don’t complain later?”
“Hah. What would I get by complaining about that to my fellow comrades?”
Having spent the last few months together under Lucy, the two didn’t take long to bond over their drinks after dropping the formalities.
As they chatted about trivial things, more and more cups accumulated on the table, when suddenly Karl lowered his voice.
“Hey. Alsatine.”
“What? Why the creepy tone?”
“There’s something I wanna ask you. But if I just ask, it wouldn’t be fair.”
“…Well, if you have a question you want to ask, just go ahead.”
“Sure! I’ll answer anything.”
Hearing that, Alsatine raised an eyebrow slightly.
It was obvious what he wanted to ask.
It’d be about why I followed them all the way here.
Normally, I would have kept it a secret, but since this guy is someone I’ll be with to the end, it doesn’t change anything to tell him.
So it’s alright to answer.
Now the problem is what to ask.
…I thought of something fun.
“Just right! I actually had something I wanted to ask too.”
“Speak.”
“This might be a bit of a sensitive topic, you know.”
“Oh come on. Did you forget what you just said about answering anything? A knight doesn’t go back on his word.”
Karl declared that and, for emphasis, chugged his drink.
Alsatine looked at him, grinning mischievously, and then went straight to the point.
“Karl. Do you perhaps have a fetish for being beaten by a girl?”
“Puhuh!”
As a reward for my honesty, I had to catch the beer that spilled from Karl’s mouth all over my face.
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