Chapter 25

This is the third update of the day.

The morning in the capital city.

After making love in the forest mansion, Lillisia and I returned to the cheap inn using the passage.

Then we went to the Adventurer's Guild to hear about the dungeon strategy.

The guild was full of adventurers.

We went to the large conference room on the second floor, which was also packed with adventurers.

Since we were a bit late, there were no seats left, so I stood with Lillisia at the back among the standing crowd.

In front of the conference room was a blackboard, and two people were standing in front of it.

One was a familiar face.

Milford, a man affiliated with the Knights, wearing imposing armor.

I had formed a hero party with him a few times.

He was a smart and tough man but a bit talkative.

He met my eyes but quickly looked away.

I must be a man of the past now.

The other was a girl with fiery red hair in twin tails.

She wore a red outfit and a cloak, and her entire body was adorned with jewels.

Rings on all her fingers, multiple necklaces, a belt, earrings, a circlet, and multiple anklets and bracelets. How many kilograms of jewels were on her?

The girl, jingling her layered necklaces, said:

"Is the party representative complete? Since we don't have much time, I'll be brief. I am Rubele Vermillion, the Master of the Adventurer's Guild Capital Branch. The man next to me is Milford, the Deputy Commander of the Royal Knights. We'll skip the formalities and get to the point. As you all know, a dungeon invasion has been confirmed in the capital's underground. Seven entrances have been discovered so far. Some of the recent thefts and disappearances are likely due to the dungeon. If left unchecked, the damage will increase. Therefore, the Adventurer's Guild and the Knights will cooperate to conquer it. —You will definitely crush it, got it?"

Her tone, which had been matter-of-fact, suddenly became intimidating.

Her red hair swayed as if in a non-existent wind, exuding the aura of a strong person.

I guessed that this Rubele was the guild master who broke the crystal ball.

According to rumors, she is the only human with an SS rank.

The adventurers shivered and nodded.

Next, Milford, looking at a piece of paper, raised his voice.

"I will explain the strategy decided at last night's meeting. Considering that this time we have no preparation period and must launch a large-scale conquest, we will proceed with the adventurers as the main force. High-ranked parties will be the main force, and the Knights will provide backup. Specifically, high-ranked parties will conquer the dungeon in sequence, and once a safe area is found, the Knights will be dispatched to establish and defend a base. High-ranked parties will not return to the city but will use the base as a foothold, taking turns to aim for further levels. Once a safe area is found, another base will be established, and this process will be repeated. Low-ranked parties will be responsible for transporting supplies from the ground to the bases."

Rubele, shaking her red twin tails, added:

"However, we have assigned tasks based on the party composition, number of members, and experience in dungeon conquest. This time, everyone will participate without exception. Please check your party's task at the reception on the first floor later."

Then, a tall, thin, and unreliable-looking man with messy black hair raised his hand.

Rubele looked at him sharply.

"What is it?"

"I have a question or rather a doubt. Is it okay?"

"Be brief."

"I'll try. I'm Edgar, a thief in an A-rank party. Theoretically, it makes sense that the Knights will provide backup. However, there's a perception that the Knights dislike adventurers, especially thieves. I wondered if they would really provide proper backup."

Rubele glanced at Milford.

He nodded deeply and answered.

"That's a valid concern. However, in this case, the Knights are here to protect the city. Allowing the dungeon to invade is a major failure for the Knights. Adventurers have no right to complain. I have already instructed the Knights to fully support the adventurers. If any Knight refuses to cooperate or complains, please let us know their name and affiliation. They will be severely punished."

Edgar nodded casually. His black eyes, hidden under his black bangs, gleamed.

"You seem serious. Got it. This time, I'll trust the Knights and dive into the dungeon."

"Thank you."

Milford bowed.

The adventurers murmured in surprise.

It was surprising to see a proud Knight bow to a thief.

Rubele clapped her hands. Her multiple bracelets jingled.

"Then, please confirm your tasks and prepare. The operation will start at noon! That's all, thank you—"

Before she could finish, the door at the front of the conference room opened with a bang.

"Wait a moment!"

"What is it?"

Rubele narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

A tall, blond man with burning eyes entered the conference room gracefully.

It was Marius.

"Hello, everyone. I am the hero, Marius. I am deeply concerned about the current emergency. Therefore, I would like to lead the charge into the dungeon!"

"What?!" The adventurers voiced their doubts, almost in protest.

"I cannot stand idly by as a hero! For the sake of protecting the citizens, I want to use my hero powers! The hero party will lead the charge!"

Rubele glared at him with her red eyes.

"Unfortunately, Marius, we don't have any remaining thieves or explorers with the necessary skills to form a hero party for this mission."

"I understand, but this is an urgent situation, and we don't even know the full extent of the enemy's strength! We should use every resource available! Therefore, I will recruit my own party, and once it's formed, there will be no complaints, right?"

"Your words sound reasonable, but the plan has already been decided."

Milford, dissatisfied, rattled his knight armor.

Marius smiled brightly, holding a document.

"Changing the already decided plan at the last minute would be difficult for you two. Therefore, I have already obtained the approval of the minister, the Knight Commander, and the three dukes. Here is the document. —If a hero party capable of exploring the dungeon is formed, the hero will lead the charge."

"…You are quite skilled at lobbying."

Rubele, frowning, said with disgust.

Milford, checking the document, scowled.

"Understood. Once the hero party is formed, you will lead the charge."

"Don't look so glum. Supporting a hero is more honorable for the Knights than supporting adventurers, isn't it?"

Marius said with a carefree smile.

He didn't mean to belittle the adventurers, but the superiority in his words irritated them.

The atmosphere in the conference room became very tense.

Marius was the only one who didn't notice.

Rubele's red twin tails swayed, and deep wrinkles appeared on her forehead.

"Is the hero worth supporting? You couldn't even defeat a B-rank Wyvern?"

The adventurers chuckled.

Marius, flustered, forced a smile.

"…That was just bad luck. I have achieved better results than the previous hero."

"Numbers and eyewitness accounts are not the only measures of success."

Marius tilted his head.

"What do you mean? Heroes are only evaluated by what monsters they defeat and how many they defeat, right?"

"True, but you haven't achieved any significant results as a hero yet. If you can't even defeat a Wyvern, can you really defeat a Demon King?"

The adventurers laughed louder.

Marius's smile didn't waver, but his cheeks were flushed with embarrassment.

"I can. I've defeated many monsters. I am a real hero, unlike the previous one."

"That's interesting—well, in this world, there are possibilities for great achievements in areas that aren't recognized."

Rubele glanced at me for some reason.

Does she know I was a former hero?

Despite being almost unknown.

In my early days, I was the young hero Alec, and I was somewhat adored as "cute" and "try your best."

As an adult, I was no longer a topic of conversation.

Due to my lack of achievements, people would say, "Who is the current hero?" or "Is there even a hero now?"

Marius, with a tense smile, said quickly:

"I don't understand. Please support me."

He left the conference room as if fleeing once his business was done.

The adventurers in the conference room whispered to each other.

"What's with him?" "He's a rude hero." "It felt like he was picking a fight." "It's a matter of honor." "Is he strong?"

I was also puzzled.

—Why is he so anxious?

The previous Marius would have read the room better and handled things more diplomatically.

Forcing himself into an already decided plan.

Besides, the adventurers can handle this, and the hero should take on other tasks for the people's benefit.

Well, it doesn't matter.

I don't care about the hero's achievements.

I will just do what I need to do.

Then, Rubele, shrugging, said. Her jewelry jingled.

"Dismissed—by the way, the person who defeated the Wyvern and noticed the dungeon invasion is standing at the back."

All the adventurers turned to look at the person she pointed to.

It was me.

Everyone's eyes widened when they saw me.

"What? No way!" "The Hellrich killer!" "The one who defeated Berial with one hit?" "The man who shows A-rank parties hell" "The Crystal Ball Destroyer, Alec?" "He looks so unremarkable but is so capable" "Isn't that kind of cool?"

Everyone praised and gossiped about me.

It felt a bit ticklish to be praised.

—But.

"Wait, he's still in a two-person party?"

A casual comment changed the atmosphere of the room.

"What?" "Really?" "A capable person and a healer pair?" "I want him in my party!" "In mine!" "No, in mine!"

Everyone's eyes turned predatory.

I hurried to defend myself.

"I just happened to be able to achieve those things! I'll keep working with my two-person party for now, so—!"

—If I joined a party, Lillisia might be exposed as a fallen angel.

Or she wouldn't be able to use her angel powers in adventures!

Feeling the atmosphere turning, I quickly pulled Lillisia out of the conference room.

Being at the back was fortunate.

After that, we received a paper with the mission details at the reception and hurriedly left the Adventurer's Guild.

Daily overall 16th place! It's gone up again!?

Thank you for the bookmarks and star ratings!

I'm glad you're enjoying it!

The next update will be tomorrow, preferably in the morning, or by noon at the latest.

→26. Honesty is Essential for a Hero