Chapter One Hundred and Fourty-Two: Mission from Her Brother
It was said that if a dungeon weren’t obstructed by monsters, it would take one day to cross each floor. So if it were just one floor, even Karen might be able to cross it in a day if she were lucky. If she were unlucky, she would die, so she had never tried it.
As one descended each floor, the monsters became stronger, so the number of days required would increase. However, as expected of a group composed of the Royal Guards, the Royal Knights, elite units of nobles and other individual forces like Waltride’s, as well as adventurers of D-rank and above, it only took ten days for everyone to reach the seventh floor, the "Mountain Foot Forest.”
The monsters were apparently killed instantly by adventurers who secured the left and right flanks of the formation, most often before Karen could even spot them. The problem wasn’t the monsters, but the conflicts between humans.
Karen withdrew the hand she had stretched toward a dandelion and was appalled at the sight of a young Royal Guard staggering backward through the ranks like a broken man.
This was the aftermath of a young nobleman from the Royal Guards who had made advances on a beautiful female adventurer, been rejected, flew into a rage, and attacked her, only to have his head severed in return. The Royals Guards had immediately used a stockpiled major healing potion, so his temporarily separated head had been reattached, but his spirit appeared to be completely broken.
He was apparently leaving the unit to return home. Incidentally, that female adventurer was completely pardoned for trying to cut off the head of a high-ranking nobleman.
Why? Because she was a B-rank adventurer.
Not because she was the victim—Karen felt there was something dark about that distinction, though legally speaking, there would be no crime even if a nobleman forcibly attacked a commoner woman. Still, such behavior would, at least, earn contempt from other nobles. And probably hatred from the goddess as well.
“They should have mistakenly used a medium healing potion instead and let him die. That family is to be pitied. They’ll be at a loss when such an utterly disgraceful man returns home.”
Irmlinde, who had been accompanying Karen as she walked around the nearby area for gathering, spat out these words. Karen had no objection to that opinion.
But a slight chill ran down her spine as she remembered how she had confronted that female adventurer who had been strangely close to Julius the other day, without even knowing her true identity. If that female adventurer had been high-ranking and in a bad mood, Karen’s head might have been separated too.
When high-ranking adventurers hurt others, they were usually pardoned regardless of the reason. Why? Because they were high-rank adventurers recognized by the goddess.
Of course, having been born and raised in an adventurer district, Karen knew that adventurers took strong pride in being recognized by the goddess and had their own unique sense of ethics, so they wouldn’t go completely out of control.
But Karen’s interactions were mostly with D-rank or E-rank adventurers, with C-rank being rare. And she knew almost nothing about those above that level. She had only heard mid-level adventurers rambling in taverns speak of high-level adventurers with admiration and awe.
Even knowing all this, when faced with a woman embracing Julius, the uncontrollable maiden’s heart couldn’t simply withdraw quietly.
With a sour expression, Karen returned to the princess’s camp with Irmlinde, carrying the dandelions she had picked. Then Waltride, who had returned from the regular meeting, called to them:
“Irmlinde, Karen, come to my tent.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When Karen set down the dandelions and entered the tent, inside were Waltride and Dorotea, as well as Julius. Though Karen glanced over at him with a sullen look, Julius seemed to be lost in thought, keeping his head down, and their eyes never met. Waltride looked around at everyone present and began:
“You all know that since the investigation team entered the dungeon, troubles between adventurers and nobles have been occurring frequently.”
Karen turned her gaze away from Julius and recalled the face of the young man who had just departed with a pale complexion. Though he was the only one who had his head severed, she had heard rumors that various other problems had occurred as well.
“To ensure the smooth progress of the investigation and prevent frequent conflicts with adventurers before they happen, my brother has assigned me the mission to manage and supervise the adventurers. Since I cannot remain hidden in my tent forever, I intend to fulfill this mission entrusted to me by my brother.”
Waltride declared sonorously.
“Irmlinde, Dorotea, Karen, please help me with my work.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
“I shall serve you with complete devotion, Your Highness Waltride.”
Irmlinde and Dorotea responded solemnly.
Karen’s expression became thoughtful as she considered the difficulty of the assigned task.
“Will Mr. Julius also be helping you, Lady Waltride?”
“Yes. As a bodyguard.”
When Waltride spoke, Julius added a clarification:
“I will be guarding you, Karen, rather than Her Highness. I transferred units to be with you.”
“Yes. Therefore, Karen, you must always accompany me. It seems I can get protection as a side benefit since you’ll be there.”
Waltride’s words were matter-of-factly pragmatic.
“In other words, under this pretext, Master Julius is actually protecting Her Highness Waltride while slipping past the Second Prince’s notice, right?”
“It seems safer to leave it at that, don’t you agree, Lady Karen?”
Karen bristled at Dorotea’s interpretation, but Irmlinde quietly patted her shoulder. With a sigh, Karen shifted her train of thought.
“If you are with us, Mr. Julius, the adventurers should show at least some respect.”
Dorotea frowned at Karen’s words:
“Are you suggesting there’s a possibility that adventurers might not show respect to Her Highness Waltride?”
“Since my father was a D-rank adventurer, most of the adventurers who were kind to me were also D-rank or below, so I’m not sure how accurately I understand the reality of the adventurers currently in the investigation team… but I have heard that higher-ranked adventurers tend to show less respect for social status.”
“If they don’t show respect to Her Highness Waltride as royalty, then what do they show respect to?”
While Dorotea raised her eyebrows, Karen recalled what she had heard about high-level adventurers in drinking establishments.
“To ability, or perhaps to the goddess’s blessing.”
“And if one has neither?”
Unlike Dorotea, who showed clear displeasure, Waltride asked straightforwardly.
“…I don’t know either.”
“Could it be that Your Royal Highness has been assigned a mission that’s the second most difficult in this dungeon investigation team, after identifying the cause of the dungeon’s anomaly?”
At Irmlinde’s observation, everyone fell silent.
Julius, who had been silent from the start, was the first to regain his composure and speak:
“The First Princess’s unit originally brought only us, a few guards, and servants—a unit not suited for combat from the beginning. If we’re not fighting, we must take on other work, and being assigned an important mission could be considered something to celebrate.”
“Should it be celebrated?”
When Waltride tilted her head, Julius nodded.
“If you can complete the mission successfully, this dungeon expedition will serve to enhance Your Highness’s prestige.”
“I see. That is one way to think about it. Though if I fail, I’ll have to take responsibility for that. My brother likely intends the latter.”
Waltride smiled bitterly.
Karen and the rest widened their eyes. The princess had apparently accepted this mission, knowing all of this.
“I will do my part as best I can, but from now on, any trouble caused by adventurers will be laid at my feet. You must conduct yourselves wisely so as not to be dragged down by my responsibility. Understood?”
That bitter smile was painful to see, and Karen, Dorotea, and Irmlinde exchanged glances and nodded to each other.
They would do everything they could for this princess.
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