Volume 1 Chapter 65 Broken Peace
At noon the day after the feast, we gathered in a room at the guild to discuss our next objective.
There were only three of us present: me, Fatina, and Mel. Unlike yesterday, both of them were now dressed in their usual adventurer clothes, sitting on chairs.
Elliot and Chester had gone to a meeting with the merchants who lead Trasverum.
They were going to discuss the dungeon exploration report and decide on the punishment for Dolthos, who had forced unfavorable contracts on other merchant guilds.
Finally, his evil schemes would come to an end.
"So, our next destination is the western dungeon to the west."
"Yes, the dungeon called Inferno Pathway, where the third key rests, is located near a town called Metis."
Metis town was southwest from our current location in Trasverum.
Looking at the map spread out on the table, I could see that a single road had been built from this city, cutting through a large forest in the west. We would have to pass through that forest to reach our destination.
"There's something else you need to do at Metis besides getting the key."
"Huh? Isn't it over once we have all the keys?"
"That's true, but after collecting all three keys, we have to destroy them. There's a method for that in this dungeon."
"Huh? Is it in the same dungeon?"
"Yes. According to ancient documents, the keys can be completely destroyed by throwing them into a place called the 'Goddess's Altar,' which is further inside the location where the guardian of the Inferno Pathway resides, where the flames burn fiercely."
Previously, Mel told me something.
There is a method to destroy the three keys in the Inferno Pathway, and it is said to be located after defeating the guardian.
In other words, once we have the keys, if we immediately head to that place, Mel's goal will be achieved, and this battle should be over.
However, although it may sound easy when listing the tasks, I don't feel like things will go smoothly.
"Can't it be destroyed normally? Like, cutting it with a sword or something?"
"At least I tried to physically destroy it before, but it was impossible."
"This key seems to be made by some kind of magic. Currently, information about its manufacturing method and such has already been lost, so it's hard to say..."
"Hmm... What exactly is a key, anyway?"
Fatina's question is valid, but neither I nor Mel have the answer.
I have no idea who made it or for what purpose, but there is something mysterious about its power to twist the very laws of this world, which is to 'raise the predetermined Level Cap'.
"We will have to travel by carriage from here to Metis. It seems that it will take about twelve days if we move without pushing ourselves too hard on the road."
This time, Chester cannot use [Teleportation Magic].
It is because if he were to teleport us and the carriage together, it would become quite heavy, and he cannot teleport very far, as well as the fact that Chester has never been to Metis.
"Moving a longer distance than before is inevitable, but the biggest issue is the Kingdom Knights. They must be stationed somewhere along the road, waiting for inspections."
Iria's dragon is significantly faster compared to a carriage. If our whereabouts are discovered, we will have no choice but to flee, perhaps by entering the forest.
"If we are found, it will either result in being caught up to or our destination, Metis, being realized and preempted."
"Hmm... In that case, I think we have no choice but to enter the forest again."
If that happens, it will take even more time for travel. However, there is no other way, so we have no choice.
"We have no choice but to foolishly move through the forest alongside the road."
"That seems to be the case."
Although I don't intend to say it out loud, there is actually one more option.
That is to defeat the unit led by Iria.
This method is surely something Mel doesn't want to take, and I don't want to either.
"Even though it's not the best idea, let's go with this for now. It seems that the Clow Merchant guild will provide the carriage."
"Yes, understood!"
We have already informed Chester and the others that we will be leaving today or tomorrow.
They said they will prepare a two-horse carriage for our departure. It's their way of showing gratitude for helping us conquer Aquaflow Cavern.
"Let's talk to Chester and the others when they return."
"Oh, in that case, how about we go out for lunch today and do some shopping?"
"Ah, yes, let's do that."
After leaving Trasverum, we can assume that we won't be able to go shopping until we reach Metis. We left the guild and decided to have a meal and prepare for the journey.
The main streets of the city are still bustling with many people.
The fact that it's safe here, even though it's an autonomous (self-governing) city, is thanks to the good governance of representatives like Elliot.
After that, the three of us went to various street stalls to get our equipment.
"Mel-san, how about this hair accessory? It's so cute!"
"Oh, no... I'm fine, really."
"Ladies, it suits you so well! Oh my, having so many admirers is quite enviable, isn't it?"
"N-no, it's not like that!"
The two of them were chatting happily with the merchant at a stall selling accessories.
Me, Fatina, and Mel, we never should have met like this, it's strange.
"Hey! You guys! You did a great job the other day!!"
Suddenly, a loud voice was heard, and everyone turned around at once.
Standing there was Dolthos from the Wiol Merchant Guild, who had previously visited Toto's shop.
Behind him were other adventurers who looked different from before.
Fatina recognized Dolthos and stepped in front of Mel, placing her hand on the hilt of her sword.
"Do you still have something to say?"
"Ugh... well, whatever."
When I asked, Dolthos immediately had a pained expression on his face.
I thought he was going to fight us again, but it seemed like that wasn't the case.
"I don't have time to deal with riffraff like you right now. But tell me! If you happen to see the S-Rank adventurer Allen, tell me honestly!"
"Allen?"
Dolthos shouted at us, telling us that.
We only met Allen and the others at Aquaflow Cavern. We don't know where they are.
Besides, Dolthos not knowing seems more suspicious since he's supposed to be the one who hired Allen on behalf of the Wiol Merchant Guild.
"You're the one who hired them, right? Just search for them on your own!"
"Shut up! Just answer my question already!"
Dolthos shouted angrily, not listening to Fatina's words at all. The adventurers behind him looked at each other in silence.
"Huh? What's going on? Did something happen over there?"
This time, instead of Dolthos, the commotion suddenly got louder from the main street in the distance.
And just when I thought that, the people who had been looking in that direction suddenly started running towards us.
"What on earth...?! Aren't those Cretia soldiers? Why are there soldiers from another country in my city?!"
Dolthos exclaimed in shock.
Right behind the running residents, a large group of Cretia soldiers, who shouldn't be in Trasverum, appeared.
As the soldiers advanced towards us, they destroyed the stalls and everything in their path.
"This, this is bad! Customers, please run away before you get hurt! It's not a time for business anymore!"
The stall owner said, running away into the alley.
"Why, why...?"
Mel widened her eyes and stared at the soldiers in disbelief.
"Why are the Cretia soldiers in this city!?"
"Didn't the king recognize our autonomy!?"
Many people screamed in disbelief and fled in confusion.
It was just like when Mel was being chased in Voltana.
Suddenly, a large shadow appeared on the ground.
When I looked up, I saw the sight of Iria, a royal knight, riding a blue dragon, circling above the city.
The fact that Iria is here means that the information about Mel being in Trasverum must have come from somewhere. The only ones who could know that are――
"Hey, you lot! Who gave you permission to enter this city!? Take them down!!"
Dolthos pointed at the soldiers and ordered his party of adventurers.
But they grimaced and didn't move a step.
"This is no joke! We didn't sign up to fight the kingdom's soldiers!"
"And they have a dragon in the sky! There's no way we can beat them!"
"Hey! Wait! Don't run, fight them!!"
The adventurers ignored Dolthos's warning and ran away.
Soon, Iria's dragon, soaring in the sky, slowly descended in front of us, flapping its large wings.
As the dragon created a gust of wind, the decorations that were placed on the abandoned stall where the owner had fled were scattered and destroyed.
"──I have come to pick you up, Princess."
Iria, the knight of the kingdom, quietly announced as she landed on the cobblestone.
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