Chapter 58

After settling things with Lucius, Roland and his companions took Chial home and reported the incident to the police.

Since it was already late at night, the investigation was to be carried out the next day.

Roland and his companions were also told to come the next day.

The next day, Lucius's body, which had fallen in the cave, was recovered, and Roland and his companions were released after a brief interrogation.

As Roland left the police station, he passed by children running around.

Ladies were gossiping, and workers were diligently working.

With the root of all evil removed, the entire town seemed to have regained its peace.

However, Roland's heart was still heavy.

A new month had arrived.

The old dungeon was closed, and a new one had appeared.

A new battle had begun.

Adventurers, eager for unseen glory and spoils, headed for the dungeon.

At the same time, the battle between Roland's "Guardians of the Magic Tree" and Ist's "Golden Eagle" began.

Ist's second team, as Roland had predicted, ran out of steam before reaching the fifth floor.

Monica and her team, expecting a fierce battle, were surprised by the lack of resistance.

Despite the clear signs of defeat, Ist's team stubbornly pursued Monica's team, only to run out of strength halfway and be stranded.

The "Golden Eagle" had to send a rescue team for them.

Roland, having no choice, ordered Jil to form a team and head for the rescue of the second team.

Thus, as expected, the "Dungeon of the Mines" fell into the hands of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree."

Monica and her team received the people's blessings as the strongest team in town, while the second team, having lost face, became the subject of ridicule and mockery.

The second team was reportedly to be disbanded soon.

In any case, the dungeon was successfully conquered, and the "Adventurer's Town" was enveloped in a celebratory mood for the month.

A well-dressed man was looking around at the carriage stop with a map in hand.

As he did so, another well-dressed man called out to him.

"Oh, you must be the banker..."

"And you must be Count Elsen..."

The two were not particularly close, but they were acquaintances.

They had met and shaken hands a few times at upper-class parties.

"It's rare to see a lord come to the free city of adventurers."

"I heard there's a parade to celebrate the dungeon conquest. Even though it's a free city, it's still within my territory. I thought I'd come for an inspection."

"I see."

"I want to see the brave adventurers. By the way, what brings you here?"

"I'm here to hear the monthly report of the 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Ah, I remember your bank invested in the 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Exactly."

"So our destinations are the same."

The banker looked a bit puzzled, and Count Elsen smiled mischievously.

"Roland. I'm on my way to meet him. How about sharing a carriage with me?"

The banker showed a slightly wary expression but shrugged.

"I can't refuse an invitation from a lord, given my position."

Count Elsen laughed heartily.

"There's no need to be so formal. This is a free city. Let's forget about our positions. But if you accept my invitation, I'll be grateful. Oh, here comes the carriage. Let's get in."

The two got into the carriage that had just arrived.

The driver took their trunk cases and stored them in the luggage area.

Count Elsen and the banker chatted while the carriage rocked.

Then, cheers could be heard approaching from a distance.

"Wow, what a loud cheer."

"The parade must be getting closer."

"Oh, this is the victory parade in the 'Adventurer's Town.' Let's see if we can watch it from here."

Count Elsen opened the window and looked in the direction of the cheers.

Since the carriage was on a slightly elevated road, they could see the adventurers marching through the town and the people cheering from the side of the road.

The teams that had conquered the three dungeons—Roland's team, Lilianna's team, and Alik's team—were being celebrated by the townspeople.

Among them, Monica was the most popular.

Nearly twice as many people were gathered to cheer for her team.

She was becoming a new symbol of the "Guardians of the Magic Tree" and the "Adventurer's Town."

Leading the parade, she waved a banner with an emblem, basking in the cheers of the townspeople.

"That's Monica Vermare, the famous archer of the 'Guardians of the Magic Tree.'"

"She recorded the highest number of kills this season, just like last season."

Count Elsen cast a slightly lecherous glance at Monica.

"She's a cute girl. She's still a bit immature due to her youth, but in a few years, she'll be a fine beauty, perhaps even rivaling Jil and Lilianna."

The stern banker frowned at Count Elsen's words.

Count Elsen chuckled.

"Don't look so serious. That's Roland's power. He finds diamonds in the rough and polishes them until they shine."

When Count Elsen said this to cover up, the banker crossed his arms and sat back, looking unamused.

"The 'Guardians of the Magic Tree' are unstoppable. They've conquered the dungeon and produced popular adventurers. I'm out of business."

"Will it take a long time for the 'Golden Eagle' to rise again? I heard Roland became the guild leader..."

"He resigned as the guild leader of the 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Resigned? Why?"

"He seemed to have some thoughts about Lucius's changes. I can understand his feelings. I've been in this business for a long time, and it's difficult to raise leaders. When given great power, they often become arrogant and overconfident. Especially young leaders. They act as if they can do no wrong, thinking they've already achieved something. But their position is just the beginning. The real battle starts from there."

"So, what is Roland doing now?"

"He's focusing on training. He's still listed as a special advisor to the 'Golden Eagle.'"

"Hmm, I see..."

Count Elsen propped his cheek on his hand and looked out the window.

(Well, the guild leader of the 'Golden Eagle' is vacant again.)

Count Elsen looked at the building of the 'Golden Eagle.'

The eagle statue, the symbol of the 'Golden Eagle,' which usually gazes sharply from a great height, now seemed to stand there sadly, as if it had lost its master and was wandering aimlessly.

---

Thank you for reading this far.

I apologize for the frustrating developments.

The next chapter will begin soon.

I am currently working on the plot, so it may take some time for the next update.

Once I have a clear schedule, I will announce it on my activity report or Twitter.

I hope you will read it again.