Chapter 96

In a grand hall that was usually off-limits even to guild officials, many people had gathered. Not only the blood relatives of the marquis family and high-ranking guild officials, but also nobles from the regions who wanted to gauge the conqueror, and major merchants who controlled the flow of goods, had assembled. The guild staff, including Reiji, whom Worm was indebted to, were running around to attend to them. After all, they were all people of blue blood and heavyweights in various fields, and any mistake was not to be tolerated. Nevertheless, the staff managed to complete the reception and preparations within the time limit. Thus, they watched the ceremony from a corner with restraint.

While praising the efforts of the guild staff, Worm switched his focus. The seat assigned to Worm was a few rows back from the front row. In contrast to the worn-out Worm, the people around him were all dressed in fine and noble attire. Apart from military personnel, only Worm and a few adventurers were in armor. Worm, who had no decent clothes, would have been mistaken for a commoner and turned away by the guards if the repair of his armor had not been completed in time.

In stark contrast to the splendid attendees, the security for the grand ceremony was extremely tight. Except for the attendants and guards of the participants, all weapons were entrusted to and managed by the guild. Although Worm had nothing to hold, he had no doubt about the security. A squad-sized contingent of soldiers was stationed in the venue alone. Their demeanor suggested that they were well-trained elite troops. Furthermore, an equal number of guards were hidden in the concealed areas. Worm estimated that, including the outside of the venue, the number of mobilized soldiers had swelled to a company size.

Marquis Orfeo de Borgia, the head of the Borgia family, stood on the dais and began to greet the attendees. Behind the marquis, the next head of the family, the legitimate son, was waiting. Although it was a celebration for the conqueror, it was clear that it also aimed to solidify the position of the successor. No one criticized this as impure. Demonstrating the maintained martial prowess and high prestige both inside and outside was also required of those at the top of the labyrinth city.

However, when the talk began to touch on the introduction of the next head, the family lineage, and history, the mood changed. While Worm found it boring, the majority of the attendees were listening earnestly. One of the aims of the ceremony was to gauge the conqueror. The rest were mainly those with existing interests, who attended to strengthen their ties with the marquis family. Those without such connections aimed to seize the opportunity to gain a foothold in the power structure. Worm could easily imagine that, after the ceremony, there would be a dazzling exchange of money, negotiations, and secret agreements at the banquet. No world runs on pretty words alone.

Worm's ears picked up a muffled, wet cough. Whether it was due to the unfamiliar crowd, the high prestige, or the long speech, some of the attendees and guards looked quite ill. Among them was even Bergana, the deputy branch manager of the adventurer guild, a big shot in the guild. A shorter speech would have increased the marquis's popularity.

The seemingly endless speech finally came to an end, and the party of the Three Magic Strikes, the conquerors of the labyrinth, was finally revealed. The pleasant and colorful sounds of the pipe organ alone added a touch of splendor to the ceremony. The sound pressure, which seemed to shake the bellies, continued to be played from the pipes that stretched almost to the arched ceiling. The sound's intensity changed with their steps, transforming the familiar faces into heroes of a foreign land.

"... This is no joke, no fooling around."

What a grand performance. Even Worm, who was used to seeing them, was captivated by their majestic and dignified appearance. The sunlight streaming through the stained glass in the skylight illuminated their path in vivid colors. The design, which made the path of light float depending on the duration of sunlight, was nothing short of brilliant. Worm speculated that the precise time management of the ceremony was to ensure that the path changed with the sun's position.

The visual and auditory performances were a success. All the gazes in the grand hall were focused on the Three Magic Strikes and Marquis Orfeo, who welcomed them. Their elegant posture was so graceful that even a famous theater actor might have been driven to jealousy. The marquis himself lavished them with generous blessings and praise.

Then, the awarding of the medal, symbolizing the crimson grass, the emblem of the labyrinth city Bergana, began. Meryl, with her already striking hair and eyes, became even more vivid with the sunlight and the medal hanging from her chest. It was a moment of overflowing glory.

Just as the excitement reached its peak, an inharmonious sound, unlike a blessing, echoed.

"What... is this sound?"

It was a dissonant and metallic sound, like clogged sewers reversing. It was so tasteless that, from the confusion of the soldiers and staff, it was clear that it was not part of the schedule. From the murmuring crowd, Worm pinpointed the source of the noise. It was not one, but several. Unbelievably, it was coming from the throat of the guild's deputy branch manager. Not only the deputy branch manager, but also the guards, guild staff, and attendees were affected.

"What's going on? Is it a seizure!?"

"First, drag them outside!"

The soldiers shouted with anger. As the guards rushed to remove the affected individuals, the disjointed sounds began to resonate and align. Then, they swelled up like balloons and exploded from the inside simultaneously.