In a study with a slight smell of old books, a nervous young man was making a report to a middle-aged man wearing glasses. «As a result of the final analysis, it is estimated that Belbev Ruingenes installed the magic circle and Lyranne Vivian activated it».
«Do you mean they're both in town?».
«Yeah. Judging by the fact that Noark's protective barrier works normally, it is very likely that they are inside Rafdonia».
«Its camouflage is definitely amazing».
«They are persistent. I will then continue with the casualty report compiled this morning». The young man reported the total damage from this incident in a sad voice.
However, the middle-aged man simply listened indifferently. «Yes, many have died».
Seventy percent of the scouts on floors four and above had died. The 1,600 survivors were those discarded and the explorers who did not enter the labyrinth. In reality, it was a huge loss equivalent to the collapse of a dimension.
«It's better this way». Rafdonia's prime minister, Marquis Tercerion, smiled satisfied and let the contents spill into his other ear.
At this, the young man tilted his head. «Excuse me?»
«It's nothing. I need to think. You can go».
«...Yes, father.»
«By position, in the palace.»
«Yes, Prime Minister».
Soon the man waved and his son bowed politely before leaving the studio.
Soon I will have to contact the magic tower.
Tercerion stood up and approached the window. He could see workers moving busily to prepare for today's event.
Shaaaaa.
When he opened the window wide, a strong wind blew. The sun was warm and the sky was clear, without a single cloud. «Your Majesty will like this».
It was the perfect day to start a new era.
***
The royal capital, Karnon, was a special district that commoners could not even enter without permission.
«Ohh, is that the royal palace?»
Passing through a giant Portal engraved with the symbol of the royal family, a path appeared that extended directly towards the royal palace. There were petals scattered all over the ground. On the boulevard, crowds of curious onlookers watched the parade. Of course, very few were nobles. Although the royal capital was called the city of nobles, 90% of the population was made up of workers who worked or resided here.
«Wow! Parade of heroes!»
«They spread the petals!»
I didn't know how much they were paid for this, but workers like that lined the boulevard and greeted us passionately.
After a long time had passed like this, the carriage stopped before the outer wall of the palace. «We have arrived. Were there any problems during the trip?» The same thing happened with the other hundreds of carriages.
«Let's go down».
«Oh wait! Let me catch my breath, okay?»
Are you nervous now?
Well, this was his first time in the royal capital, after all. «...Let me know when you're ready.»
«Ahhh, I think I'm ready.»
When I got out of the carriage, I saw familiar faces, survivors who crossed the death line with me during the last tragedy. Due to the distance that separated us, we only exchanged glances.
«I am Fert, the guide of today's heroes. Please come with me. I will guide you».
After a simple identification process in the Castle Portal, we follow the guide inside the palace. Its official name was Palace of Glory, a palace used to receive guests when banquets or royal family events were held.
In keeping with the name of the palace, the interior was splendid. Ainar looked at me dejectedly. «B-Bjorn...»
Gosh, this guy always acted like that in the strangest places. «Stay firm. You're here as a guest, remember?»
«…¡O-bien!»
«Come this way.»
Following the guide, we arrive at a private reception room of about sixty square meters.
«It is an honor to greet our heroes.» As soon as we entered, the ladies-in-waiting gathered to fix our hair and our clothes. Meanwhile, the dedicated guide informed us of the simple etiquette and order of the banquet process. After who knew how long, Raven and Abman, who had arrived ten minutes earlier, entered our reception room.
«¡Sr. Candle!»
«Oh, I almost don't recognize them like that».
They were also dressed differently than usual, Raven in a long, traditional dress that crawled on the floor and Mr. Bear in a clean suit.
«Ha, it's a little awkward isn't it?». Mr. Bear scratched his cheek, embarrassed. Apparently, his wife helped him get dressed, but they insisted that he change when he arrived. It was surprising that they had something of their size.
«All guest tailcoats are enchanted with magic». According to the guide, there were thousands of magical clothes that could be worn regardless of physique.
¿Ropa enchanted?
It was a reasonable but scandalous waste. How often did guests without banquet attire like us visit the royal palace?
«So Raven, have you changed your clothes here too?»
«No, I'm wearing mine».
«...I see.» As an upper-class magician, it seemed like she had at least one set of formal clothes like this.
«Wow, so cute. How much does something like this cost?»
«Hey... I'm not sure. To be honest, this was a gift from Master».
«Oh yeah? Anyway, you look like a fairy with that on. Not the fairy tribe, but the old fairies from the stories».
«Do you mean the pixies?»
«Oh yeah. To those».
«Hmm, you're not making fun of me for being short, are you?»
«¡Of course! ¡Es rrreally beautiful!»
Missha and Raven's girl talk started quickly. Mr. Bear, Ainar and I took a step back and had a different conversation.
«Hello, Yandel. Have you heard anything else about rewards? There is a rank 4 essence that I have wanted for a long time and I was wondering if it is possible.»
«I haven't heard anything until now either».
«Anyway, Bjorn, I'm hungry. When do they feed us?»
«If you can't wait, eat some jerky.»
«Oh, did you bring some?»
«Give one to me too. I want to chew something».
As we sat next to each other chewing jerky, the guide, who had left for a moment, returned. «Preparations for entry are ready. Let's go».
In a hallway outside the crowded guest room, the guides lined us up neatly. For reference, we were located in front, Melter Fend on the left and Kyle on the right.
«Oh, you're here.»
«The suit looks good on you too».
«Now, stop here.»
...Heavens, no pressure.
«Why am I in the middle?»
«Haha, isn't it weird otherwise? All of us here are people who were just following you behind.» I had nothing to say to that, but this man had a tendency to put me on a pedestal. As he was about to say something, Kyle looked ahead and spoke. «It's starting. Look ahead».
«The heroes are coming in!»
The door opened wide with someone's loud scream.
Booooooo!
A lively performance began with a thunderous trumpet sound.
«Forward».
When I walked through the door at Kyle's urging, numerous scouts followed me.
Step step.
The space beyond the door was a rectangular hall wide enough to accommodate thousands of people, and a red carpet stretched to the empty throne. I kept walking across the carpet. Walking without crutches was agonizing, but I suffered it because of the pride of a barbarian.
Step step.
As I continued in my footsteps, the knights drew their swords to pay respect and the priests did not hold back divine power and bestowed blessings. As for the nobles, they applauded from afar. It was too extreme a deal for a one-year-old explorer. He didn't feel particularly big. The others probably felt the same way.
We are not a show to watch. Or are we?
Squeeze.
When I stopped walking, the explorers behind me also stopped in line. It was different from the order of the soldiers. Since they didn't learn the exercises, the lines and rows didn't match and our clothes also gave a messy feeling.
«Pft».
Did you find it funny? In the distance you could hear a nobleman laughing, and that laughter spread little by little. At the same time, the sound of something tearing apart was heard.
Squeeze.
When I turned my head slightly to look behind me, a scout clenched his fists. He was a warrior who made his way with me in the cave. He used to be unstoppable when he crushed monster heads.
He's more shy than I thought.
It was another facet of warriors that I had not met then. I didn't know why, but I didn't like it. Maybe that was why. I let out an involuntary scream that echoed through the vast space. «Behell-aaaaaaaaaa!»
It wasn't my intention, but the subsequent screams followed. «Behell-aaaaaaaaaa!» It was the cry of the barbarians, as well as the warriors who were now addicted to our battle cry.
«These crazy bastards, even inside the palace...»
Most of the explorers looked shocked or let out graceless sighs. The nobles, on the other hand, were a little different. Did you think this was a promised performance? The nobles were silent for a moment, surprised, and then applauded and whistled.
These guys are funny sons of bitches.
It was kind of funny, but the atmosphere calmed down. The explorers uncomfortable with this place - the luxurious palace, the countless glances of hard-to-find nobles, the uncomfortable tailcoats, etc. - regained their leisure a bit.
Mhm, cheeky explorers should be like this. Especially after everything we went through to survive.
Looking at that with satisfaction, Kyle smiled. «I told you. Who else would stand in front if it weren't you?».
Well, maybe he was right. Who else would do something like that, if not a barbarian?
«S-silence! Please silence! His Excellency Ageni Lawton Tercerion, Prime Minister of Rafdonia, has arrived!»
The prime minister appeared in the middle of the heated atmosphere. He looked to be in his fifties, had a kind impression, and had gray hair. The prime minister, who conjured up the image of a director, stood in front of the empty throne and began his speech, beginning with a slight joke. «Haha, I apologize. I'm too late. Please don't be so angry with me, heroes. After all, it's such a beautiful day».
The speech drifted naturally toward the theme of time and continued gently toward the next theme. There was nothing particularly great to highlight. After reciting our hard work one by one, he explained to the nobles why we had been invited today.
«These people achieved something that not only famous clans, but also knights, could not achieve. If it weren't for them, we would never have known what happened in that place».
Returning alive with information about Noark was our merit in name. That was because they couldn't openly say that they gave us carrots to suppress the scouts' resistance.
«And so I, Ageni Lawton Tercerion, praise your achievements on behalf of the sick His Majesty, the king!»
The long speech ended and the prime minister organized the rewards on merit. Firstly, all survivors received ten million stones and the right to access the royal capital, Karnon. Apparently, additional rewards would be awarded based on achievements. For reference, we were first in the order of announcement.
«Founder Fend, commander of the Nartel Clan, steps forward. You have made a great contribution by leading the battle to victory by defeating the Blue Mane criminal of the Blue Wolf tribe». The information gathering had apparently already been completed, as the prime minister mentioned the achievements in detail. «The Silver Soul Depot will open for you. You can choose an essence and another object. Additionally, you will be awarded a reward of twenty-five million stones».
«Thank you.» Melter gained an entrance to the treasure chamber that held rank 4 essences and matching equipment.
Can I wait my turn?
In truth, Melter's achievement was the least of the three. The reason he was able to defeat the werewolf in the first place was because I took down the Corpse Collector.
Unfortunately, next was Mr. Kyle. «Iron Sorcerer, Sir Kyle Pevrosk, step forward.»
«It's been a while, Prime Minister.»
«Excuse my absence due to government matters.»
There were three achievements the Prime Minister mentioned for Kyle: using his wisdom to suggest a way for the expedition to survive, misleading Berzak with Mass Teleportation, and dealing damage against Fallen Scholar during the battle in the Goblin Forest.
«I heard you've been asking permission to study forbidden magic for a long time, correct? As of today, you are a proud royal sorcerer of Rafdonia».
«You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, Prime Minister. Thank you so much». Kyle was promoted to royal sorcerer. In other words, he now had the opportunity to learn and master all kinds of magic as he pleased.
«Barbarian warrior, Bjorn, son of Yandel, one step ahead.»
Finally it was my turn. Maybe I was a different case than Melter and Kyle, who already had reputations. The prime minister watched me as if to examine me before reciting my merits.
«Your merits are the following: stopping an internal conflict with noble will so that many knights could return to their families; fight with the greatest courage on the most dangerous front line and become a model example; act as bait to buy Berzak time so that other explorers could survive; bring Abed Necrapetus, the cursed soul of another kingdom, to a dead end and contribute decisively to victory».
Saying it like that, it sounded like nothing had really happened.
«This alone cannot express your hard work. But nevertheless, I congratulate you on behalf of the palace! The Golden Soul Depot will open for you. You will be able to select the essence or object you want and you will also be awarded fifty million stones. Besides». The prime minister continued: «You will be granted the title of baron».
…¿Eh?