Chapter 97

A few days have passed since the large-scale request at the "Graveyard of Lament."

During that large-scale request, we managed to slay the Skull Road that had been born through the evolution of existence, preventing a major incident.

However, the fact remains that the city of adventurers, Lakorina, is being targeted by someone.

The abnormality in the "Dream Hole"... particularly the evolution of the "Dream Lord," was brought about by a vicious catalyst known as the "Weeping Trapezohedron."

Normally, in a long-lasting "Dream Hole," the accumulation of magic stones from the remains of monsters and human corpses gradually intensifies the abnormalities due to the influence of their mana.

To prevent this, one of the main objectives of adventurers is to slay the "Dream Lord" and end the "Dream Hole."

The "Weeping Trapezohedron" is a crystallization of dark mana, refined to high purity and density by the grudges of monsters.

Someone had deliberately spent a large sum of money to scatter the "Weeping Trapezohedron" inside the "Dream Hole" to cause the abnormality.

It's likely that this wasn't just happening at the "Graveyard of Lament"... but also at the "Centipede Mine," where I and Lucie clashed with the Death-Armed.

I tried to exchange information with Carlos, an A-rank adventurer, and Harein, the guild master from a branch of the Howlrod family, but I didn't get much useful information.

Lucie and I are just ordinary adventurers.

We don't have a strong position, nor do we have the luxury to continue investigating for the city without being asked.

As a minor noble and someone who knows the underside of this world, I want to stop a major incident if one is about to happen.

However, for that to happen, I need to become stronger.

For these reasons, Lucie and I visited the Adventurer's Guild to look for a good "Dream Hole."

"Peaceful, isn't it? It could have been a major disaster for this city if things had gone wrong..."

I sighed amidst the noise of the adventurers.

"The adventurers who didn't directly see the Skull Road during the large-scale request don't seem to have a strong sense of crisis..."

Lucie replied with a wry smile.

Using spies within the Adventurer's Guild to tamper with the map of the "Dream Hole"... the actions of the other party seem rather crude.

While they are currently hidden, they don't seem to fear their existence being exposed.

The identity of the enemy remains unclear, and it feels disjointed.

"Well, today's purpose is to select a 'Dream Hole.' Let's put the incident aside for now."

"Hey, it's Elma and Lucie."

A man in his early thirties, carrying a bow, approached us.

He is an adventurer of the Hunter class, Celt.

"Celt..."

"I heard an interesting story. Good adventurers are quick on their feet and have fast information. Let's talk somewhere else, not here."

"Good adventurers are quick on their feet and have fast information... Indeed, you are a good adventurer."

Celt awkwardly cleared his throat at my response.

"A, Ah... Sorry about that."

I thought he was self-deprecatingly referring to the incident where he tried to run from the patchwork monster during the large-scale request and was almost killed by the second one that suddenly appeared, but it wasn't that.

An interesting story... I confirmed with Lucie and nodded at Celt.

"Alright, I'd like to hear it."

"Hey, Celt is trying to trick newbies into making a quick buck again. Watch out, kid."

A large man passing by interjected with a smirk.

...I thought Lucie and I had become a bit famous since we became B-rank adventurers.

Celt blushed and glared at the large man before quickly heading towards the entrance of the Adventurer's Guild.

"Tch! C, Come on, Elma!"

"...I don't think you'd try to trick us."

"Kind of... Celt seems to suit the role of a petty rogue..."

Lucie muttered, sounding exasperated.

We ended up hearing the story from Celt at a tavern.

It was still mid-afternoon, not mealtime, so there were hardly any other customers.

The bartender wasn't rude enough to eavesdrop on our conversation.

"So... how much do we need to put in for this profitable deal?"

"...Don't tease me too much. I'm not trying to rip you off or anything."

Celt scratched his forehead awkwardly.

"The Howlrod family seems to be a bit off."

"The Howlrod family...?"

I asked, and Celt nodded.

"It's common among the nobility of our kingdom... The Howlrod family prioritizes ability over bloodline. While outsiders can't join, even the youngest son can be a candidate for the next head... and even a relative's child can be a strong candidate. As a result, factions have formed in the struggle for the next head, and they're having quite a bit of conflict behind the scenes. The current head considers this necessary for the family and apparently tolerates some deaths."

"I've heard about it, but it's that bad..."

As a minor noble, I was somewhat aware of these matters.

However, it's a dangerous situation if they tolerate deaths.

"Snow Howlrod... the current head's first child and a genius swordsman. She's apparently cunning, cold, and rarely speaks, but she's been actively building her track record and making connections with other nobles to appeal to the current head and the people. I understand she's desperate to avoid being crushed by other candidates, but... to be honest, it seems a bit suspicious."

"Suspicious... indeed."

The abnormality in the "Dream Hole" couldn't have been caused by an individual.

Naturally, the focus turned to the Howlrod family, who control the city of Lakorina and the Adventurer's Guild.

However, as a whole, the Howlrod family has no reason to cause unnecessary incidents that endanger their territory.

"It's not impossible that a faction of the next head candidate, who has gone rogue, caused the abnormality in the 'Dream Hole' to control the situation."

If that were true, it would be a ridiculous situation.

For a noble candidate to endanger the people they should protect for personal gain.

"You catch on quickly, Elma. I thought I'd let you know since you seemed concerned about the incident. Also, Snow has been rampaging through nearby 'Dream Holes' to level up and build her track record. If you run into her, it might be a bit troublesome."

"Right, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, it was useful information."

You don't want to run into nobles in the "Dream Hole."

Especially if they are cold and unscrupulous in achieving their goals.

Nobles are prepared to risk their lives for their territory in times of need.

As a result, many of them have a strong sense of privilege.

My father, Aizas, is that type, and the current head of the Howlrod family is said to be the epitome of that.

Being his first child, it's not hard to imagine what kind of person Snow is.

"So... what's the other thing?"

"Ah... don't be surprised. The guild is keeping it secret, but a rare 'Dream Hole' has appeared a bit outside the city."