Chapter 62

"You bought a house, I'm told,"

"Yes, a place that I happened to have some connection to was on the market, so I decided to purchase it,"

The morning following our house purchase, Viscount Siemmen took Satou, Sara, and myself to meet with the general of the labyrinth army. We wanted to express our gratitude for his efforts in organising troops to rescue us. Together, we rode in a carriage to our destination.

"Have you already hired help?"

"Not yet. We'll be spending a lot of time away from the house. I'd like to at least hire someone to watch the place while we're gone,"

"Then I have a vassal who might be perfect for you. I'll introduce you before the banquet tonight,"

"Thank you very much. That would be a great help,"

"If you don't get a good impression, feel free to decline,"

The Viscount expressed his concern that hiring the wrong person could result in the theft of our belongings or misuse of the house and other potential issues.

"I apologise for bringing this up while we're travelling in a carriage, but..."

Satou presented Viscount Siemmen with a set of documents outlining the incantation for Pixie Light, a new spell he had developed by merging Magic String and Mana Light.

"I cannot read spells, but judging by the confidence on your face, I have no doubt that this one is very fine indeed," Viscount Siemmen smiled at Satou. "Are you suggesting the same conditions of sale as the Fireworks spell? If this sells as well as that one, you'd be better off asking for a commission fee, in my opinion..."

"No, the same conditions as before are fine,"

Satou was already swimming in wealth, much like myself. He saw no need for any excess wealth and thought this was his good deed to the Viscount for all the ways he had assisted him. For Satou, this act of gratitude was more than sufficient. As we continued our journey, Satou requested scrolls of two spells he created while we were travelling the sugar route and three others that we believed would aid us in navigating the labyrinth. As we discussed these matters, our carriage arrived at the garrison of the labyrinth army's general.

"Put that mithril sword from Elder Dohal on your waist," As he spoke, Viscount Siemmen put a thin magical sword in a delicately carved scabbard around his waist. Satou had sold at the black market in the old capital. We didn't know he was the one that brought it. "General Erthal tends to look down upon anyone who is not a fellow warrior."

I was already wearing both my holy swords. Sara was the only one of us who didn't have a weapon on them right now, but she would probably be fine. At that moment, an officer materialised to lead us, accompanied by a handful of subordinates.

"Oh? Hello again, young master and ladies,"

The guide was the foxfolk soldier we'd met at the labyrinth entrance.

"You know each other?"

"Yes, he was kind enough to educate me about many things when I first entered the labyrinth,"

The foxfolk man led us to General Erthal's office, with some young underlings carrying the gifts we'd brought. And when we entered the room...

"Welcome. I am Honorary Count Arueton Erthal, the commander of the labyrinth army,"

In appearance, General Erthal was a robust and mature gentleman. Yet, his demeanour did not seem to match his physical build. Instead, he exuded an air of conceit akin to that of a haughty aristocrat, with a prominent curved nose reminiscent of a Roman soldier portrayed in a painting.

"Thank you for your assistance a few days ago, General Erthal,"

"Not at all. If you consider us even for your having indulged that selfish nephew of mine, that is more than enough for me,"

"I do wish Duke Vistall would stop this foolish rivalry with the Ougoch Duchy,"

"Impossible. Putting on such airs is a noble's birthright,"

Although I couldn't comprehend their conversation, Viscount Siemmen and General Erthal appeared to have a close bond. Following Viscount Siemmen's greeting, I, along with Satou and Sara, introduced ourselves and expressed our gratitude. General Erthal responded with a gracious smile.

"So you are Sir Pendragon, eh? The Viscount says you are a living legend who carries the future of the Shiga Kingdom on your shoulders,"

Oh, what a surprise. It looks like Satou's attempts to lay low have wholly failed. Who could have predicted that? After all, he only fought beside the hero of the Sage Empire, travelled with me, another hero and got involved with every situation that arose whenever we came across it. The most surprising thing is that Satou still thinks he has been keeping a low profile all this time.

"Indeed. It is thanks to him that the Muno Barony was saved from becoming a hotbed of demons, and he defeated lesser hell demons in Gururian City and the old capital with shockingly few casualties," Viscount Siemmen listed even more of Satou's achievements for General Erthal. Satou, meanwhile, looks like he is finally realising the impression he is leaving on the world. "His individual strength, as well as that of his party, is on par with any order of knights. And he excels at the magical arts as well as in battle. He has developed many new spells, even Fireworks, a dazzling spell that delights all who witness it."

"Oh? So this is the fellow who created that Fireworks spell, eh?"

"Why, thanks to his cooking and overall character serving as a balm on our people, the clashes between our political factions in my lord's territory have simmered down. One hardly ever hears of assassinations and other such violence,"

That's new. I didn't hear of Satou gaining those achievements. The only assassination attempts I know of were carried out by the demon lord-worshipping cult Wings of Freedom.

"If cooking is enough to change such things, I would have him do something about Marquis Ashinen, too,"

"You might be surprised. He even repaired the friendship between Marquis Lloyd and Count Hohen,"

"What?! Those two? But they fought like cats and dogs!"

Rumours had circulated that the noble pair, both renowned for their love of gourmet cuisine, had a strained relationship. However, in all the time I had known them, Marquis Lloyd and Count Hohen had always appeared to be the best of friends.

"But it is true,"

"I'll just have to take your word for it," The general replied before turning to Sara and me, who had been standing quietly off to the side as Satou was promoted to the general. "Lady Sara, it is a pleasure to meet you once again."

"The pleasure is all mine, General Erthal," Sara gracefully bows. "I am glad to see you are still doing well."

"Yes, thanks to the Holy Woman's magic, I am still able to perform my duty," Sara would later explain that the general was taken to her temple a few years ago after being wounded in a chain rampage started by plunders. "I trust that she is still doing well."

"Yes. She may not be able to leave the temple sanctuary, but she is still able to live a happy life,"

"I glad to hear that," The general smiled before turning to me and looking me up and down. "That must mean you are the hero… I expected someone stronger after all the stories I heard about you."

"Don't let looks deceive you, general," Viscount Siemmen said in my defence. "She defeated multiple Greater Hell Demons and even the legendary flying monster fish that even dragons are said to struggle against."

"So I have heard," The general huffed, looking at me closely before the foxfolk man whispered something in his ears. "It seems I misspoke."

The foxfolk man had the 'Analyse' skill, so he saw my level. But even with him backing me, the general still looks at me sceptically. The way I see it, this could go any one of three ways: first, the general won't believe the foxfolk gentlemen. Second, he would believe us and not question it further and last but not least, the general might challenge me to a duel to prove my strength.

"Level eighty-four and with the titles to back up everyone's claims," The general says, looking excited. "It seems you are as strong as the stories claim you to be."

The general then sighed and whispered. "It's a shame I couldn't test that strength myself," but I pretend I didn't hear it. Afterwards, we went through the usual routine of nobles gushing over my holy swords. Still, it turns out my swords weren't the only ones to catch the general's attention.

"By the by, is that the Magic Sword I asked about? Let me see it at once,"

"You may look but nothing more. It's on loan from His Majesty the Duke, after all,"

"Yes, I know,"

As General Erthal unsheathed the Magic Sword Akatsuki, his face lit up with the giddiness of a child discovering a new toy.

"What a beautiful sword," The sword was crafted from brilliant blue steel and coated with mithril. Satou had forged it while experimenting with his 'Metalworking' skill. "Is it a mithril blade?"

"No, according to Sir Ipasa, it lacks the unique weight variation of a mithril sword,"

"Just plating, then..." Marquis Lloyd's son, Sir Ipasa, was an imperial knight from the Ougoch Duchy. We had become friends with him during our journey from the Muno Barony to the old capital. "...This is incredible. I've never seen a magic blade that produces 'Spellblade' so easily," General Erthal produced a red light around the Magic Sword. "I should love to fight even one strong monster with such a wonderful sword as this..."

"My apologies, but I'm afraid I don't have the authority to permit that. You'll have to ask Duke Ougoch directly at the kingdom meeting on the dawn of the new year,"

"Our factions are different, after all. I suppose I shall have to give up... Hmm? Sir Pendragon, is that sword of Elder Dohal's make?"

As Viscount Siemmen spoke, General Erthal's expression soured significantly. However, when his gaze landed on the fairy sword hanging at Satou's side, a glimmer of excitement resurged in his eyes.

"Yes, it is a mithril sword Elder Dohal was generous enough to forge for me,"

Satou willingly handed the fairy sword over to the general as it was clear that he desired to touch it.

"Oh-ho, a fine sword worthy of Elder Dohal's seal. And a beautiful one, at that. It might even surpass that Magic Sword," The fairy sword created a 'Spellblade,' as it was wielded by the general as he gracefully swung it through the air. "However, a mithril sword chooses its wielder."

While he spoke those words, I couldn't help but observe that General Erthal wielded a mithril sword created by Elder Dohal, despite it lacking his official seal.

"A mithril blade is light without magic, but if one lacks the strength, it is impossible to swing it while putting enough magic into it to produce 'Spellblade.' And it gets heavier when it is supplied with more magic, so it is quite difficult to use. In the hands of a master swordsman who can use a mithril blade properly, this sword would likely be stronger than the other," With that, General Erthal put the fairy sword back in its sheath. "However, if one can use 'Spellblade,' the Magic Sword would be the better choice. Its magic circuits are almost too perfect. I would recommend such a sword for anyone. If we had such a blade in large quantities, the Shiga Kingdom could fight even a demon lord's army."

I hoped he wouldn't utter such foreboding words. What if an army commanded by a demon lord did indeed launch an assault? However, that seemed improbable given my victory over the Golden Boar Lord in the old capital, and the labyrinth has already been investigated.

"Have I displeased you? If you have the skills to wield this mithril sword, then you would be more than a match for the duke's Magic Sword. You'll have to study hard,"

"I will. Thank you for the advice,"

"Lesser men would be sorely tempted to steal such a sword. Be careful not to let too many people see it,"

The general added as he handed Satou's fairy sword back to him, but just then, there was a knock on the door.

"We brought you some food, General,"

"It's from the gifts the viscount brought you,"

The man the foxfolk soldier called "Captain" in the labyrinth entered. Surprisingly, the captain seemed to be the number two man in the Labyrinth army.

Satou had gathered an assortment of snacks to accompany the sweet wine, filling the plate before us. I noticed servants pushing wagons overflowing with food and casks of wine. Clearly, they had diligently planned for a day of drinking, as there was plenty to go around for everyone.

"...You two, eh?"

"I'm the poison tester, so I have to taste everything first,"

"Don't you have the 'Analyse' skill? Just looking at my cup should be plenty,"

"Not a chance, Captain!" These two were as entertaining as ever.

"Very well. We can't well drink all those casks with just the four of us here anyway. You two can join us if you'll stop the comedy act,"

The captain and the foxfolk officer appeared elated, nearly tossing their plates in the air. It seemed that General Erthal was more kind than his appearance suggested.

"This must be Zetts County red wine and this Eluette Marquisate fruit wine. But what is this clear liquor here?"

"I don't know, either. It's a gift from Sir Pendragon,"

Both of the men turned to look at Satou.

"It's rum from the Lalagi Kingdom called Paradise and liqueur from the Ishrallie Kingdom called Calm Seas. Both have a light sweetness and are easy to drink…"

"Paradise from Lalagi, you say?" In a sudden start, General Erthal rose from his seat and snatched the bottle of Paradise rum into his grasp. It triggered a wave of memories from my time in the Kingdom of Sorcery Lalagi. "But it is said that this liquor never leaves the Lalagi Kingdom."

It was not hard to see why some may hold this belief. The Kingdom of Sorcery was known for its indulgent nobles who had a strong affinity for alcohol. As a result, it is likely that they were not keen on exporting quality liquor.

"The Ishrallie Kingdom is famous for the Heaven's Teardrop gems, but I've never seen this liquor before. And this red wine is in a different bottle. Is it not also from Zetts County?"

"No, that's called 'fairy wine'..."

"What?! The drink of the elves that the guild master is always bragging about?! Now then, a toast to our friendship!"

General Erthal's toast had ignited a festive atmosphere, spurring a drinking spree. Naturally, the captain and the foxfolk officer couldn't resist joining in on the fun.

"Okay, no poison in this one,"

"You didn't really need to drink it to figure that out, did you?"

"That's not true, captain. Even 'Analyse' isn't perfect, you know," The foxfolk man correctly stated that an observer's 'Analyse' skill would be rendered ineffective if a recognition-inhibiting item with a higher level was used. "It's even mentioned in the tales of the great ancestral king. When King Sharik the Second took over the throne and the ancestral king travelled the world, there was word of a mysterious skill that even the original Yamato stone couldn't identify."

"That's just made-up nonsense that some writer added on later,"

The captain aggressively struck the foxfolk officer's head. Despite this, the foxfolk man continued to speak, demonstrating his resilience.

"What about the green greater hell demon that appears in history books, then? He fooled a Yamato stone and infiltrated the ancestral king's army, then made an assassination attempt, didn't he?"

"I've heard about that one. But the ancestral king saw through him, right?"

When I heard the words 'green greater hell demon,' it immediately brought to mind the image of Counsellor Poputema, a noble who wore a lot of green and frequently used the word 'indeed.' However, Satou assures me that he is human and not under any demonic possession. But it has me wondering whether Satou was fooled. Maybe the ancestral king had a skill Satou lacked, allowing him to detect the demon.

No. I have no proof that Counsellor Poputema is a demon or possessed by one. For all I know, he is just a human who happens to be a bit weird and creepy. Still, I make a mental note to be careful around him, just in case.

"Hmm. I thought I'd tasted all the delicacies of this world, but this is truly delicious,"

General Erthal praised Satou's culinary skills as he indulged in the delicious food she had provided. Alongside the sweet wine, he had prepared a mouth-watering selection of canapés, three types of crispy gyoza, and the classic favourites, pizza and fried orange chicken, with assistance from Lulu and Sara. Although the pizza may have been unfamiliar to some and left untouched, the fried treats and canapés were being devoured at a rapid pace.

"I've never seen such golden food,"

"It's known as 'fried gyoza.' Try it with this sauce here, if you please,"

"I've never had anything this tasty! They don't call this guy the 'miracle chef' for nothing. Hey, captain, don't hog all the fried goodness!"

"Quiet, you. Why don't you stick to the mouldy cheese or the toasted jerky?"

"That's mean, Captain,"

"Hmph, that's supposed to be mouldy! Here, I thought I'd be kind enough to offer the famous cheese of the Nolork Kingdom..."

"Might I try a little?"

"S… Sir Pendragon, I wouldn't if I were you..."

Although Viscount Siemmen attempted to deter Satou, it appeared to me as nothing more than ordinary cheese. The scent was indistinguishable, but the flavour was pretty good.

"...This is delicious. What an excellent cheese," Satou commented.

"Indeed. Nobles from the Nolork Kingdom brought it, along with this one,"

As his mood lifted, General Erthal presented yet another cheese. This particular one was a typical variety.

"Mozzarella, is it? This is delicious, too,"

"Mosserella'? This one is from the Garleon Alliance. They only called it 'white cheese,' so I did not know it was called 'mozzarella,"

According to the general, the cheese resembling mozzarella was available for purchase in other areas of the city. He provided Satou with a basic introduction letter that allowed him to procure excellent quality white cheese. However, the cheese resembling Camembert was only delivered on occasion and in conjunction with shipments of 'Nolork thorn.' The general was uncertain when they would receive another shipment.

"This wine is delicious,"

There's nothing like the combination of good cheese and good wine. General Erthal generously continued to present us with his cherished collection of cheeses, accompanied by equally prized wines.

"Duke Vistall's red wine is the best in the Shiga Kingdom. Unlike Lessau County's bland red wine, it has a luxurious scent and depth of flavour,"

The general insulted the wine of a different location. Yet, I recall that Lessau County boasts a delightful, robust red wine on its own merit. I refrained from voicing my grievances and instead opted to try a couple of glasses of Zetts County white wine and rosé. They proved to be ideal beginner wines, smooth and pleasant, if not particularly noteworthy. As a result, we spent the morning together, savouring the drinks and snacks like long-time drinking companions.

Viscount Siemmen was known to have a liking for liquor. However, he had a low tolerance and often ended up passing out early during gatherings. His vassal noted that this was a common occurrence and assured that it would not ruin the festivities of the evening. On the other hand, Sara proved to be a bit of a handful, just like her sister.

"Just… one more… glass…"

"You've already had too much,"

Sara was all over me, trying to regain the wine glass I took from her. She couldn't even sit without swaying or talk without slurring her words, but Sara was surprisingly fast as she tried to reach for her glass. It doesn't help that everyone else is sitting back, finding the situation amusing instead of helping me.

"I… I can have just… just one more…"

Lulu can't get here fast enough. I already sent word to the others thanks to the general lending me one of his men to act as my messenger. Lulu should be here soon with the carriage, so I can take Sara back to the house and try and sober her up for tonight.

"Sar … wow…"

This just keeps getting worse. Sara tried to snatch the glass from me, forcing me to lean back, but as Sara leaned close, I fell from the chair, and Sara came with me. Now we are on the floor with Sara straddling my waist, trying to pry my fingers off her glass.

"Hero Kura, I have come to assist you, I report,"

But at least Nana arrived with Lulu at that moment, and someone finally lent me a hand. We managed to get Sara into the carriage and back to the house between the three of us. She was more of a handful than her sister was.

<0>

"What in the world is that?"

Prompted by Satou, I quickly became aware of the peculiar sight in the overgrown field beside our house: the unmistakable heads of children. Though initially resembling a scene from a horror film, the heads were indeed connected to bodies. Doubtful that this was a simple game of hide-and-seek, I couldn't help but wonder what these kids were up to.

After being brought home by carriage by a vassal of Viscount Siemmen, Satou expressed his gratitude and proceeded to enter the house.

"I'm back,"

"Welcome home, master,"

Arisa wasted no time in welcoming Satou upon his arrival. As he approached, she told him of the busy activity of the beastfolk girls cleaning the gutters, Lulu and Nana sorting through the pantry contents, and Mia diligently caring for the sick children. Meanwhile, Sara was still asleep, recovering from the drinking party.

"Do you have any idea what those kids outside are doing?" Satou asked, nodding towards the kids out the window.

"Ah, they heard about the food last night, so they're waiting around in hopes that there might be work today, too,"

"They haven't come asking for work themselves?"

"They did, but Liza said us slaves couldn't hire them of our own accord, or we'd inconvenience our master,"

"I see. In that case..."

Satou made the decision to employ the local children for various tasks, such as clearing out the untended fields, getting rid of waste, tidying the roadside trenches, and inspecting their covers. As soon as he finalised his plan, Nana suddenly appeared at my side, appearing unusually thrilled. Despite her typically nonchalant demeanour, her wildly flapping arms revealed her genuine excitement.

"Hero Kura! The empty plot has become a field of larvae, I report!"

She likely spotted the children playing outside as she returned from the pantry. Satou and I took Arisa and Nana with us to recruit the kids for the mentioned tasks. I could have hired them sooner, but getting Sara to lie down was more challenging than it should have been.

"...First, please cut the weeds on the empty plots, then dispose of the garbage. I'll hire all of you, so make sure you work hard and listen to instructions from Nana and Arisa here,"

"Yes, sir!" The kids chorused.

Like the previous day, our payment to the children consisted solely of food and a single copper coin. However, even this tiny gesture elicited an exuberant chorus of gratitude from the youngsters. We entrusted Nana with overseeing their activities while Satou assisted Tama and Pochi, and I made my way to check on the sick children.

I received a speedy update from Mia, who was responsible for keeping an eye on the ailing children and staying in communication with Lulu. She provided me with the latest information while the kids were still resting. Even if her one-word answers were a little hard to understand. But the kids look a lot better than before. Their pained expressions have faded, and they look less pale now.

Once that was done, Satou, Liza, Arisa, and I went to greet our new neighbours.

<0>

"Goodness! You bought that cursed mansion? You've been fooled, my boy. If you know any nobles or government officials, you'd better go to the viceroy's office and complain. You three can stay here for the night if you have nowhere else to go,"

The initial homeowner we visited resolutely attempted to dissuade us from taking up residence. He divulged that unsuspecting individuals had been lured into living there for years, only to face unnatural demises or be forced to flee due to insurmountable curses. However, this changed a decade ago when the explorers' guild swooped in and acquired the entire property, halting these unsettling events.

"I pass by that place from time to time, and it always leaves me feeling sick. Lots of little birds and bugs die just by getting too close, you know!" The man's wife was quick to warn us, too.

"I appreciate your concern, truly. But I had a skilled priestess from the old capital dispelled the curse, so it's all right now,"

When I answered, I did not mention I was a hero and gave Sara the credit. She was the one who did most of the work, after all. I can tell them who I am after we assure them we are safe staying in our new home.

"But no one's ever been able to…"

"Besides, we spent the night in the mansion last night safely, and not one of the kids we hired for odd jobs has gotten sick," Satou added.

"...Really?"

Satou successfully reassured the neighbour and his wife with his 'Negotiation' and 'Fabrication' abilities working in perfect harmony.

We concluded our negotiations with a delightful offering of a variety of honey pastries that Lulu prepared and proceeded to our next destination. This sequence repeated as we continued to visit several more homes, with similar reactions as the first property. Some warmly welcomed me, while others quickly closed their doors upon hearing about our new home. Fortunately, the majority fell into the former group.

Prior to our trip to the ranches, we made a stop at the nearby farms to purchase some freshly grown fruits and vegetables. During our visit, we were convinced to subscribe to a recurring delivery service. Despite knowing that we would be spending most of our time away from the mansion, we decided to pay for multiple months in advance and arranged for the produce to be left at our front door for convenience. This should not pose any issues. Especially if we hired the person Viscount Siemmen would introduce us to.

"Th… the mansion behind us...?"

As we made our way to the ranch located behind the estate, we informed the farmer and his wife that we had recently moved in. Their initial reaction was one of horror, but after we provided them with the same explanation that had appeased the first family we met, their demeanour changed.

"A recurring order?"

"If possible. Once a month is fine for cheese, sausage, and other preserved goods, but I'd love to get milk and eggs delivered every morning,"

Satou asked for this favour because he was under the impression that they provided delivery services. However, when he inquired, they gave him a perplexed look as if he had multiple heads. We assumed they could supply us with a sufficient amount of eggs for baking pastries since they seemed to have a substantial amount of chickens. However, it is possible that they already had an agreement with another party.

"T… truly...?"

The farmer's words triggered my recollection. Due to its proximity to the infamous 'cursed mansion,' I had heard that the ranch had struggled to sell its crops at fair rates.

"Yes, if you don't have any other contracts. Would that be all right?"

"Contracts? Heavens, no! That would be wonderful!"

"All right, then,"

Despite its surprisingly low price, Satou decided to make an offer that was only marginally lower than the going rates for other ranches. He wasn't offering them a price that was low enough to be considered taking advantage of them, but he still made a good bargain.

Furthermore, there were no existing policies for cancelling the contract. Still, Satou included a clause stating that a penalty fee of three months' worth would be required if we decided to terminate the agreement. He also made an advance payment of that same amount as a deposit. In addition, we enlisted their services to care for the runosaurs and horses during our absence from the mansion. It seemed like the farmers were pleased with the deal, as they gave us an abundance of dairy and meat products that we could barely carry and even went to the effort of seeing us off at the roadside.

<0>

"My name is Miteruna. Ignorant as I may be, I will work my very hardest under your employ. Thank you for your consideration,"

"Of course. Nice to meet you,"

The lady we encountered at Viscount Siemmen's residence exuded exceptional manners. Her composed countenance and poised stance were a clear reflection of her sincere commitment and professionalism.

At twenty-six years old, Miss Miteruna was a human with a slim, attractive figure. Her eyes were a warm rust colour, peeking out from beneath thin, arched eyebrows. Her long braid of reddish-brown hair matched her delicate features perfectly. Miss Miteruna had experienced marriage, but unfortunately, her husband had passed away. Since then, she has returned to live with her family and dedicated herself to her career. Despite her humble self-description as 'ignorant,' Miss Miteruna was actually quite knowledgeable, having graduated from the prestigious royal academy in the royal capital. Satou would later tell me she was level 9, with skills like "Etiquette," "Service," "Negotiation," and "Education."

"She was working as another family's maid until recently, but the head of that household was a bit...difficult,"

Although initially hesitant, Viscount Siemmen eventually shared that she had lost her job for refusing the advances of her employer, who had been making inappropriate sexual advances towards her.

"Since that barone… I mean, that family relieved her of her duties. She's been working as my maid. However, she's far too talented to be wasted on such a position, which is why I thought to introduce her to you,"

The Viscount almost revealed that the harassing jerk was a baronet, but he caught himself. Among the wealthy elite of Labyrinth City, there were numerous baronets, but only two who resided in the prestigious noble district: Mr. Jelil of Red Dragon's Roar and a certain man known as Dyukeli. Baronet Dyukeli! Yes, that was the name of the individual to whom the innkeeper had attempted to sell Satou's carriage.

Miss Miteruna was scheduled to begin her work at the mansion the next morning. We aimed to employ two or three maids or butlers to assist her. However, the cursed mansion's notoriety made it challenging to find willing individuals. Once the rumours surrounding the mansion were cleared, we could attempt to recruit again.

<0>

"No wonder they call him the miracle chef,"

"Yes, I've never had such delicious pastries,"

Following our meeting with Miss Miteruna, the commencement of dinner was announced. It was a welcome change to indulge in the traditional cuisine of the old capital. The castellas Satou presented for the post-dinner tea gathering were a definite crowd-pleaser among the female guests. As a gesture of camaraderie, I gifted the women with light stone accessories and pastries reminiscent of the offerings in the old capital.

"I thought that rum was only a drink for lowly sailors, but this is on another level,"

"It's a little too strong for me. I like this orchid mead,"

"Isn't that the stuff that's made with monster materials?"

"Yes, but it's been completely purified. It's not a problem anymore,"

I hesitated on whether to serve the orchid mead or not. Still, after receiving approval from Viscount Siemmen, I decided to proceed and bring it out. Fortunately, the majority of the guests had a refined palate.

For the gifts for the men, I carefully selected white pen holders crafted from the majestic narwhal horns and a variety of exquisite Lalagi rums. As the orchid mead is quite strong, I made sure to only bring enough for us to enjoy at the party.

"Hmm, so you clashed with Sokell, eh?"

After establishing a rapport with the nobles introduced to me by Viscount Siemmen, I took the opportunity to inquire about the current state of affairs among the aristocracy in Labyrinth City.

"He's from a royal capital family, but he couldn't get a decent governmental position there, so he crept into Labyrinth City on Counselor Poputema's request,"

"Though at the time, all he had going for him was that he was the viceroy's lover,"

Perhaps same-sex relationships were not uncommon in the Shiga Kingdom, considering how openly they discussed it. I knew that Mia and the other elf had no issue with it since Mia kept calling me her fiancée.

"...But when he offered a medicine that worked on the viceroy's daughter's illness, the viceroy's wife took a liking to him, too. That's why he's even trusted as the acting viceroy now,"

"Under Counselor Poputema's supervision, of course,"

Ah, so that explains Sokell's apparent dislike for Poputema. However, the wording seemed to imply that the viceroy's wife held more influence than the viceroy himself. This struck me as unusual since the Shiga Kingdom was known for its chauvinistic beliefs. I inquired further and discovered that the viceroy's wife was actually the heiress of the Ashinen family. In contrast, the viceroy had gained his title through marriage. As a result, the wife held more political power.

"In Labyrinth City, the only people who might be able to speak on equal footing with the viceroy's wife are the leader of the explorers' guild and General Erthal,"

It was reassuring to know that there were options for handling the viceroy and his wife, if the situation called for it. I had not yet had the chance to meet the guildmaster, so if any issues arose, I would have to turn to General Erthal for assistance. Based on his conduct earlier, obtaining a copy of the Magic Sword Akatsuki would likely be sufficient to gain his support. I am confident that Satou will craft it for me once I explain the urgency of my request.

"But with the viceroy's level of power, would he not be able to acquire any medicine he needs for his daughter?" I couldn't shake off a lingering doubt, so I turned to someone who appeared to have insider knowledge and asked for their perspective.

"Any ordinary alchemist can transmute that drug-ogredrink potion-but the only way to get the ingredients is to send a party of garnet badges deep into the labyrinth,"

"Not only that, but the ogredrink potion is only a suppressant, not a cure. And neither the potion nor its ingredients keeps for long, so it's necessary to continue doing those expeditions on a regular basis,"

So, no amount of money would be enough, then.

"There is a cure that can be made with the powder of the bloodstone that can occasionally be found in the Blood-Sucking Labyrinth of the Saga Empire, but the imperial family of the Saga Empire has a monopoly on it. And bloodstone powder can only suppress the symptoms like the ogredrink potion,"

Overall, the medicine was highly prized and beneficial. Given that Sokell was providing them with the ogredrink substance, it was understandable why they would place such value even on someone as rude as him.

"f I only knew his source, I could get in the viceroy's good graces, too...," a corpulent baron muttered enviously.

"I doubt it. I looked into it when he first brought in those potions, but all I could figure out was that he has an alchemist protégé make it in his house,"

"There's even a rumour that Sokell is the one who makes the demonic potions in Labyrinth City, although that might just be out of jealousy,"

"I'd say that's inevitable since ogredrink potions, corpse potions, and demonic potions are all made with similar main ingredients,"

"True. If Sokell's alchemist is as skilled as they say, he could make corpse and demonic potions just as easily as ogredrink potions,"

Upon reflection, I had noticed a few explorers who possessed the Demonic Potion with the Addicted status. Of course, no one would openly confess to possessing an illegal substance. Still, with Satou's assistance, it was a straightforward task for me to uncover the truth.

"Even if Sokell couldn't do it alone, Baronet Dyukeli might be able to help him, since he's got medicinal and alchemy guilds under his thumb..."

"In that case, couldn't Counselor Poputema be part of it, too? I hear he's well-connected in the underworld,"

"Sokell's one thing, but I wouldn't stir up trouble with the likes of Dyukeli and Poputema if I were you,"

"It's true. Counselor Poputema controls Marquis Ashinen from the shadows. He plays at being an eccentric now, but not long ago, he was as feared as a poisonous serpent. Who knows whether he's really retired, too?"

"And Dyukeli might not have high status, but he's the viceroy's right-hand man. Plus, since he has control over the sale of magic potions and tools in Labyrinth City, his influence is nothing to sneeze at,"

Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but feel hesitant. This was not a situation I desired to be a part of. However, in the future, if necessary, I could always seek aid from the Shigan king. After all, I had saved him during the yellow-skinned-demon attack in the ancient city, so I was hopeful he would be willing to assist me if the time came.

"The explorers' guild probably could make demonic potions, too, since they've got an alchemist from the royal capital, but that's unthinkable as long as the current guildmaster's in charge,"

"Yeah, that old woman hates demonic potions,"

Upon learning that this guildmaster was opposed to harmful drugs, my admiration for her immediately grew, even though we had yet to meet.

"Lady Kura, you ought to avoid Sokell, too, and try to curry favour with the viceroy and his wife instead,"

"The viceroy's wife loves jewels and rare, delicious sweets, so once she hears about the pastries and accessories you brought today, I'm certain she'll invite you over for tea," One of the noble's wives informed me.

Both individuals were acquaintances of Viscount Siemmen, hailing from a prestigious family in the current royal capital rather than the former capital like most of the other nobles in attendance.

"The viceroy enjoys sculptures from the Flue Empire era, especially those of muscular men,"

"If you like, Lady Kura, I can introduce you to an art dealer from the royal capital,"

"Thank you very much. If I can't procure anything through the friend I usually trade with, I'll be sure to take you up on that offer,"

Actually, I already had an abundance of those types of items from the recovered cargo of ships that had sunk in the Seadragon Islands. Since Satou and I had divided up the goods, I could easily find something from that collection instead.

"The viceroy and his wife are doting parents. I'm sure anything their children would like would make them happy, too,"

"Lady Kura, you're not terribly far in age from their third son, Gerits. I've heard he wants to become an explorer, so that might be your best bet for getting close to the family,"

"If you can deal with that selfish boy's whims, that is,"

The youthful aristocrat flashed a wry grin and patted my shoulder in a supportive manner. Enduring a bratty noble's antics is not something I enjoy. I think I'll pass on that opportunity, as I've had my fair share of dealing with arrogant nobility.

Despite the circumstances, I managed to gather a plethora of information while forging connections with the noble crowd. As the evening progressed, Viscount Siemmen's heavy drinking led to him passing out once again, signalling the conclusion of the gathering. Before bidding farewell to my newfound noble acquaintances, I made sure to see them off from the Viscount's lavish mansion.

I also parted ways with Satou, who was going for more drinks with some noblemen he met. I'm sure it is going to be more than drinking when I notice the number of brothels in the direction they are heading. I'm sure Arisa will give Satou hell in the morning when she finds out about this. I was offered a ride home in the Viscount's carriage but decided to walk home in the cool night air as I processed the information I learned tonight.

To begin, Sokell was intimately involved with the viceroy and had earned the favour of both the viceroy and his wife through his assistance in healing their sick fourth daughter with an ogredrink potion. He was also suspected to be the main supplier of demonic potions within the city. However, there were two other individuals of concern: Counselor Poputema, a wealthy noble dressed in green, and Baronet Dyukeli. Poputema seemed particularly perilous, and I made a mental note to steer clear of any involvement with him.

The viceroy and his wife were deeply attached to their children, with the wife holding more influence than her husband. According to Princess Meetia, the pair had recently returned to Labyrinth City and most likely received the letter from their second son, Rayleigh.

As I thought about Princess Meetia, her face appeared in my mind. Her Breath of Purification could potentially render the ogredrink potion obsolete. This led me to suspect that Sokell was the mastermind behind the attack on Princess Meetia yesterday. However, I had no concrete evidence to support this theory. It was simply a suspicion at this point.

<0>

I had a feeling of being watched as I made my way home, and my suspicion was confirmed when I noticed someone following me. Determined to lose my tail, I stopped at several bars and dealt with the unwanted attention from drunken admirers, but my pursuers showed no signs of giving up.

As I persistently attempted to evade my pursuer, I gradually narrowed down the list of potential suspects. It seemed highly probable that the perpetrator was in the employ of either Sokell or the green-clad noble. Surprisingly, there were two individuals tailing me who appeared to be unrelated. While pondering this at the counter of a nearby bar, I happened to overhear some inebriated patrons exchanging information. This particular establishment was situated in a shopping district quite distant from the heart of the city, making it a hotbed for intriguing rumours and conversations.

"You got paid? Buy me a drink, then,"

"Shut up… all I got was a producer price for magic potions. All thanks to that cheapskate Dyukeli!"

"Yeah, he's got all them alchemy guilds and the like under his thumb. Can't get nothin' for nothin',"

"Wish the guilds would try a little harder,"

The explorers had plenty to say about Baronet Dyukeli, but it was mostly complaints. However, there was one exception: they all agreed that his eldest daughter, Mary-Ann, was stunningly beautiful. She was known to dress in men's clothing and even carried a longsword while venturing near the labyrinth. They also discussed Sokell.

"I heard the viceroy's lover tried to put the moves on that 'thee-thou' princess and got totally rejected,"

"Yeah. She's a princess from some small place, right? But she's friendly even to folks like us, so I think she's a good kid,"

Princess Meetia was the 'thee-thou' princess.

"I heard from my bro who works for the government that he proposed to her and got rejected,"

"For real?!"

"Yeah. First a married man, now he's proposing to a child... Did a woman mess this guy up, too?"

"What do you mean, 'too'?"

The topic of discussion among the explorer friends suddenly changed to giving romantic advice, but what caught me off guard was finding out that Sokell had made a proposal to Princess Meetia. To make matters even more surprising, there were even whispers about me, Satou and the rest of our group, too.

"Did you hear about that noble who got mixed up in the chain rampage?"

"Yeah, the kid who travels with a bunch of girls, right?"

"I heard the guildmaster arguing with some angry lady about it. Since they all survived that rampage safely and brought back garnet-level numbers of cores, they think there might've been foul play involved,"

"It is crazy that no one was hurt. What kinda foul play, though?"

"Yeah, if there's foul play that can keep you from being injured, I wanna do it, too,"

"The angry lady was sure she must've used tons of demonic potions while hunting,"

"Yeah, right. Demonic potions only strengthen you and stop you from feelin' pain, plus they make it easier to level up. They don't let you fight without gettin' hurt,"

"Are you talking about that young noble? Let me join in!" Another explorer pushed his way into the conversation, beer stein in hand. "...Yep, goblin beer is still gross."

"Don't ask to join and then change the subject!"

The rest of the group groaned as the carefree explorer chugged his beer.

"Right, right. What was I saying? Oh yeah... What's his name, Penpen? I heard he's the lover of some big-shot hero who saved the old capital,"

I stood up and strolled over to the relaxed explorer with a smile.

"That's a misunderstanding. I just happen to be friends with Sir Pendragon,"

"M… my lady…"

I was unfamiliar with our previous encounter, but this man seemed to recognise me.

"I'm Kura Suou, a knight in the service of Earl Seiryuu and a hero. It is a pleasure to meet you all," I grinned and made a polite gesture of respect as the room grew still. The explorers gazed at me in disbelief, so I gestured towards the bartender. "Excuse me, barkeep! I'll pay for everyone's drinks tonight. Let's have another round for my fellow explorers and let them drink till morning!"

With my already noticeable presence, I made the decision to buy drinks for everyone. Knowing the inexpensive nature of this bar, it would only amount to approximately ten gold coins. Essentially, it was a show of generosity. Still, it also served as a means to prevent any potential adversaries and potentially spark favourable gossip about me.

"Since you're all more experienced than I am, I hope you'll share some of your wisdom,"

"Lady Hero?"

Amidst the boisterous cheers of the bar, the waitress turned to me with a questioning look. In my distraction by her alluring barmaid attire, I hadn't realised she was actually a close acquaintance of mine.

"Good to see you again, Miss Ayaume. Is Mr. Kajiro well?"

It was Ayaume, a skilled female samurai who had instructed our vanguard team in the ancient city alongside Kajiro, a samurai from the Saga Empire. Why would she be working as a waitress in a bar when she took part in the martial arts tournament in the old capital? She could have easily earned money in the labyrinth if she needed money.

"I'm afraid Lord Kajiro injured his leg... I've been temporarily going into the labyrinth with an all-women party called Silverlight and working here at the bar on my days off,"

She explained that the money she earned exploring the labyrinth paid off Mr Kajiro's medical bills, so they covered their cost of living with her earnings as a barmaid and money from Kajiro's side jobs.

"Ayaume! I'll pay ye a silver coin if ye'll give me some private services!"

"Get out of here, you bum! And don't come back!"

Ayaume's voice rang out harshly as she rebuked the drunken man. As a noble and principled samurai, she refused to engage in the unsavoury practice of prostitution that was often associated with barmaids in the Shiga Kingdom. Coincidentally, Kajiro's supplementary occupation was crafting delicate paper parasols. The image was so perfect that it seemed to materialise in my mind. Yet, I refrained from commenting due to the current situation.

But an idea also came to me at that moment. I checked with Satou to see if he was okay with it, and he agreed. I wish he hadn't answered while in the middle of certain… activities, but he approved my plan. Zena, Lulu, Arisa and Aialize would probably be in tears if they heard what I just did.

"Actually, Satou and I just bought a house in Labyrinth City. If you like, perhaps we could hire you two as security? If you wish, It can be until Mr Kajiro can practice martial arts again,"

"R… really?! Yes, of course, we'd love to!"

A surge of excitement overtook Ayaume as I proposed my idea, causing her to dart closer to me in anticipation. I braced myself, thinking she might even plant a kiss on my lips. In agreement, she eagerly took hold of my hands. With Ayaume and Mr. Kajiro as live-in security, our mansion would be under top-notch protection during our absence.

It is possible that Kajiro's leg could be healed with a lesser elixir unless the injury is severe. If this is the case, Satou may be able to fashion a prosthetic leg for Kajiro to continue his activities. While waiting for treatment, Kajiro could potentially teach self-defence to the children who frequently visit their house for odd jobs.

"I don't suppose we could start tomorrow?"

"Yes, of course. You're always welcome,"

As soon as I disclosed my living situation to the rowdy group of drunks surrounding me, they made a commotion. However, Ayaume's response was simply, 'Exorcising evil is part of a samurai's job,' Her words could potentially provoke backlash if any Japanese samurai were to overhear them. After concluding my conversation with Ayaume, I discreetly exited through the rear of the bar to head back to my residence.

"There she is!"

Although I believed I had lost the individuals following me, as I entered a secluded alleyway, I was confronted by three armed goons. To my surprise, there were also some prostitutes positioned between us. I gesture for them to get inside as the men start to charge towards me.

"Found you!"

Charging recklessly towards me was a group of hoodlums. I could have easily bested them, but there was an unexpected complication. Not only were the three delinquents actually young nobles aligned with the viceroy, but it was also highly suspicious that Sokell was leading a cohort of guards in our direction. Coupled with the individuals who had been trailing me earlier, it was clear that someone was setting a trap for me.

"Die!"

The rapid movement of their swords caught me off guard. Yet, it was clear that their swings lacked finesse as their blades collided with the ground and walls. As mere iron swords, they inevitably suffered chips and bends. Surprisingly, the three assailants seemed oblivious to this.

"So… why are you guys attacking me?"

"DIE!"

Their movements were stiff and calculated, their voices devoid of emotion as they slashed their swords towards me. It was no surprise, however, as they were under the influence of a dangerous and illegal substance known as corpse potion. This drug took away all sense of pain and pushed their strength beyond human limits. Unlike other methods of enhancing abilities, it completely disregarded the body's limitations, resulting in excruciating recoil once the effects wore off.

According to ancient records from the former capital, the mad king Gartapht had developed this drug during the demi-human wars four hundred years back. It was said that he had brutally forced prisoners of war to take it, stripping them of their free will and turning them into mindless soldiers known as corpse soldiers.

"DIE!!!"

As I deftly avoided multiple attacks, I quickly escaped into a nearby side street. Luckily, I had inside knowledge from some indiscreet chatter at the general's drinking event on where to find the individuals who could aid me in getting out of this predicament. Of course, I kept the would-be killers on my tail. It wouldn't do to let them escape when the real fun is about to begin.

I chose a quiet alley, free from the presence of prostitutes or drunk individuals. As I made my way, I witnessed an elderly man shooing away a group of young vagrants rummaging through trash. I observed some children huddling in the corners of the alleyways. While I felt concerned for them, I knew involving them in my current predicament would be unwise. Thus, I continued to race onward without calling out to them. Eventually, I reached my desired destination.

Walking through the bustling business district were three figures: a captain of the labyrinth army, an officer of the foxfolk, and a mysterious soldier whose face was concealed, who I knew would be my secret weapon. All three were disguised with dark cloaks draped over their official attire, implying they were heading towards some evening amusement.

"Hey, watch it!"

"I'm sorry, captain," I not so accidentally bumped into the captain of the Labyrinth City army. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"It will take more than that to hurt me," The captain proudly grinned.

"D…die"

The three men pursuing me drew near, gasping for air, ready to strike.

"Oh dear, that won't do,"

"Hmph, what kind of fools swing their swords around in the middle of the street?!"

The foxfolk officer and the captain swiftly incapacitated two of the attackers. The remaining assailant charged towards me with a drawn sword, but a sudden burst of red light beside me intercepted the strike.

"Did you piss off some noble brats or something?"

General Erthal, the third member of the trio, brandished a Spellblade, a mithril sword clad in a red glow. As the final assailant lunged forward, his attack was swiftly deflected by the skilled swordsman. The captain swiftly incapacitated this opponent with a swift and powerful move reminiscent of a brain-buster, sending him crashing to the ground. In a world where monsters reigned as the biggest foes, it was a rare sight to come across someone with such exceptional hand-to-hand combat abilities.

"I don't even know who these people are," I shrugged.

As General Erthal stroked his beard, his mind filled with contemplation. The deafening noise of numerous hoofs and feet suddenly resounded from the very alley I had just departed.

"There they are! Capture those bastards who attacked young nobles!"

At Sokell's shout, the guards readied their short spears, breathing heavily.

"Just a moment, guards! These men on the ground are the only attackers here!" the captain roared.

"What?! I recognise these young men. They're from distinguished noble families!" Sokell shouted exaggeratedly, like a bad actor. "You're the ones wearing black, with your swords out in the street, harming these young men. You must be the attackers!"

"Is that right?"

"L… Lord Sokell!"

General Erthal's hood concealed his face, but his savage smile was still visible. A soldier spotted the ominous red glow emanating from the general's sword and attempted to alert Sokell. Now, the fun's about to begin.

"Silence! If you must speak to me, do it later!"

The soldier, taken aback by the abrupt reply, quickly withdrew and was joined by several of his comrades. It was evident that they had recognised General Erthal and knew they were not to be trifled with. Gazing over Sokell's shoulder, they assumed postures indicating their reluctance to engage in a conflict.

"Come now, guards! Don't hold back-capture them! If they resist, cut them down!" The oblivious Sokell kept shouting orders, but none of the guards responded.

"Hmmmm? This is strange, captain,"

"What is it?"

The foxfolk officer smirked unpleasantly, addressing his captain loudly with convenient timing.

"These attackers seem to be under the influence of corpse potions,"

"Corpse potions?! The forbidden drug that forcibly controls people like slaves?!"

The streets were filled with the captain's booming roar, causing the brothels to quickly close their windows while curious faces peeked out from the nearby bars. I even spotted Satou peeking out of an upper-floor window. It was clear that the foxfolk officer was intentionally provoking a reaction, but the captain's anger appeared genuine.

"Wh… what?!" Obviously shaken, Sokell responded instinctively. "You accuse my friends of having used corpse potions?!"

Sokell's frantic state caused him to admit that his companions were the ones attacking us. Good job digging your own grave, Sokell. You're such a clever little boy.

"Oh-ho? So these scoundrels who drank corpse potions are friends of yours, Acting Viceroy Sokell?"

The foxfolk man's purposefully boisterous proclamation incited murmurs of Sokell's name among the drunken patrons nearby.

"How dare you make such a baseless accusation to these well-known nobles!"

At this point, it seemed Sokell was too deep to back out. I noticed that he wasn't calling them his friends anymore.

"It's not baseless. He may seem a fool, but Kinkuri is actually our army's deputy analyst, since he has the 'Analyse' skill,"

At the word analyst, Sokell turned deathly pale.

"Don't call me a fool, Captain,"

The foxfolk officer complained, and he got another bop on the head for his troubles.

"Fine, then! I'll use my authority as acting viceroy to arrest you! Drop your weapons!"

As desperation consumed him, Sokell began shouting in a nearly incoherent manner. It was rather amusing to witness him embody the role of a stumbling, insignificant antagonist.

"You think you have the right to arrest us, eh?"

"Silence, fool! You're all criminals!" Sokell shrieked at the general. "Guards! Seize them!"

Despite Sokell's angry spittle accompanying his commands, the guards remained unmoved. Instead, they exchanged looks as they silently deliberated on who should be the one to inform Sokell of the individual he was up against.

"What are you doing?! Useless men! Who do you think is paying your salary?!"

The men averted their gaze, their expressions inscrutable. Most likely, each of them was silently musing, 'Well, it certainly isn't you.'

"Enough foolishness, brat," General Erthal lowered his hood and stepped forward.

"B… brat, you say?! Who do you think…?" Mid-sentence, Sokell's shout faded as he finally recognised the general's face.

"So you're the scum who's been borrowing the viceroy's power,"

"S… scum...? General or not, I'll have you rescind those words at once!"

"The labyrinth army will take care of these scoundrels until the judicial police from the royal capital arrive," General Erthal snorted at Sokell's bluff.

"Preposterous! Apprehending criminals is the viceroy's duty! The army has no such authority!" The general glared at Sokell, who was yapping like a tiny dog.

"Have you forgotten? You stated yourself that this would be a conflict of interest,"

"Right, since the guys who attacked us were friends of Lord Sokell's and all..." The foxfolk officer, Kinkuri, seemed to be enjoying this immensely.

"Besides, these criminals raised their swords against General Erthal, a commanding officer of the labyrinth army. Noble families or not, they won't get off without a punishment,"

Sokell seemed to finally register the captain's words, his response coming in the form of a low growl. With the three of them closing in, it appeared that Sokell's mental fortitude was reaching its breaking point. As the foxfolk officer prepared to continue his torment, a sudden arrival interrupted the tense scene.

"That's quite enough, indeed,"

Amid the throng of people, I could not catch a glimpse of him. Still, his distinctive way of ending a sentence left no doubt in my mind: the esteemed Counselor Poputema, dressed in a dignified green, had arrived.

"Hmph, so you're behind this?"

"Whatever do you mean? I was just out for a stroll when I heard a commotion, indeed,"

"Lord Poputema! The fake hero Kura, there is the culprit who assaulted General Erthal and unjustly injured these young nobles!"

Is he stupid enough to think that anyone would believe that when this fight had plenty of witnesses?

"Is that right? But Lady Kura is unarmed, indeed,"

Poputema's lips stretched into a sinister grin as he gazed at Sokell, giving him an eerie, devilish look. It was almost as if he took pleasure in the fact that he had found a trapped Sokell.

"But a demon slayer like Kura could surely defeat three youths unarmed,"

While it is true that I was capable of defeating three or even three thousand of those men, it was not the most important aspect at the moment. The real issue was that Sokell's constant chatter had caused the bystanders to dub me as 'Kura the Demon Slayer'...

"Well, Lady Kura, you have heard Sir Sokell's accusation, indeed. Did you injure these men, indeed?"

"I did not lay a finger on them,"

"What she says is true. This I swear on the name of the ancestral king Yamato and on the Erthal family name. Though perhaps I should share on the family name of Duke Vistall as well?"

"That will not be necessary, indeed,"

General Erthal's testimony seemed to have cleared my name.

"Sir Sokell, go home and calm yourself awhile, indeed. Guards, carry these unconscious ruffians to the jail at the viceroy's offices, indeed,"

"...That won't do," The noble in green tried to take advantage of the confusion and make off with the men, but General Erthal stopped him. "I can't have you disposing of the evidence."

"How preposterous, indeed. I intend to investigate the source of the corpse potions," The noble in green shook his head.

"You swear on your family name?"

"On the name of the ancestral king Yamato and the house of Duke Poputema, indeed,"

"Very well," General Erthal nodded.

"Corpse potions are quite troublesome, indeed. I wonder if the remnants of the Cannibal Snakes group have resurfaced, indeed,"

Although his words carried a serious tone, the distinguished man in green wore a smile as if he had confused his expressions.

"Time to drink this off! Let's go, Hero Kura,"

General Erthal placed his arm around my shoulder and guided me away, causing some people to whisper about the potential of us two hooking up. It was likely that the drinking proclamation was simply a ploy to appease the noble dressed in green. In actuality, he appeared to be attempting to avoid any further complications. Taking advantage of the situation, I took the opportunity to ask him a question.

"Is this Cannibal Snakes group very well-known?"

"They're a criminal organisation that brought drugs like demonic and corpse potions into Labyrinth City long ago," The general responded. I make a note to remember that name and ask Satou to do a search for them later. "They tend to reemerge whenever the season of the demon lord draws near."

"Bringing down criminals who've used demonic potions is troublesome enough, but now there are corpse potions, too? Truly, it's as if the city of Celivera is cursed," The captain groaned.

"It makes sense, since you can get the ingredients in the labyrinth..." The foxfolk officer got another punch for pointing out the unnecessary.

Despite the potential for a long night of drinking, I remained quiet, looking forward to forgetting the night's events. Sokell's actions seemed like a ploy to lure me into a trap, but the use of a mysterious drug to incite the attackers left me puzzled. It could be that he sought revenge on behalf of Prince Sharorik, or maybe he simply held a personal grudge against me. However, it seemed like an excessive effort for such motives.

In the back of my mind, I recalled Princess Meetia's encounter with well-dressed thugs in masks. My suspicions grew as I questioned Sokell's overall objective behind these incidents. I recalled additional details, such as Sokell's use of an ogredrink potion to gain the favour of the viceroy and his wife. I also recalled hearing that Princess Meetia possessed a Breath of Purification, which may have had a similar effect. However, I was uncertain of the connection between these pieces of information.

"Oh-ho... So you're treating us, miss Kura? Even if I order some expensive sake?"

"Of course, go ahead. Order whatever you'd like," I smiled at the shameless foxfolk officer.

It would be wise to focus on developing a closer relationship with the three individuals who saved me from my difficult situation, at least for the time being. Together, we spent an entire night drinking until the break of dawn, during which I acquired valuable knowledge about the army's labyrinth. The foxfolk man continuously purchased expensive beverages, but it was worth it as I gained insight into some high-quality brews.