Chapter One Hundred and Fourty-Three: Adventurers’ Problems
The seventh floor of the Earthfill’s Royal Capital’s Dungeon, the Mountain Foot Forest. As the name suggested, it was a forest at the foot of a mountain, where the monster ranks were higher than in the forest right after entering the dungeon, and the frequency of encounters also increased.
Since Karen never left the noble tent area set up in the open space at the edge of the forest, she had never seen any monsters except for bird-type ones that flew through the sky.
The adventurers had pitched their tents in a location deeper within the forest to maintain distance from the nobles’ tents.
When Karen’s group approached the adventurers’ tent area with Waltride at the front, a clearly unwelcoming atmosphere began to drift around them.
When they got halfway there, a stern-faced middle-aged adventurer blocked Waltride’s path.
“What business might the nobles have this time?”
Unfazed by the sharp tone, Waltride responded with a smile:
“I would like to speak with the adventurers’ representative. I am Waltride Earthfill. I am the First Princess of the Earthfill Kingdom and commander of the First Princess Unit.”
“…Not a noble, then. That was rude of me. I shall guide you.”
“I appreciate it.”
The adventurer seemed taken aback by Waltride’s smile, and his manner appeared to soften somewhat after that.
Waltride was a stunning beauty, gentle by nature, and easy to get along with. Karen could guarantee that she wasn’t the type to look down on someone for being a commoner. Perhaps this personnel choice wasn’t wrong after all, Karen secretly thought.
“Gunther, we have visitors.”
“Let them in.”
When they were guided into a tent about three times larger than the others, there were already three adventurers inside. One was a woman, two were men. The man in the center stepped forward.
“I’m Gunther. I’m a C-rank adventurer assigned by the Adventurers’ Guild to serve as the adventurers’ representative, and I’m also the leader of the C-rank party, Jet Black Hawks.”
“I am Waltride Earthfill.”
“I’ve heard about you. So you’ve been chosen as our supervisor? You’ve been stuck with a troublesome job.”
Gunther smiled sardonically. The eyes that the man and woman on either side turned toward Waltride also showed distrust.
“I don’t think of it as troublesome at all. Adventurers are precious and indispensable to the nation. I intend to approach this work with pride, hoping to become a bridge between you and the nobles.”
Without revealing any hint of what had been discussed in the tent, Waltride spoke amiably. Since it looked to Karen’s eyes like genuine enthusiasm was showing through, Gunther wore a confused expression.
She’s quite good at acting, Karen thought, gaining new respect for Waltride. It wasn’t for nothing that she had continued acting the part of a proud princess for years.
“A bridge, eh. That would be appreciated if you could manage it, but to us, you folks just look like the nobles’ representatives.”
“It’s understandable that you would think so at first. We intend to work hard so that you will come to trust us. Therefore, if you have any trouble in the future, please consult with us.”
“Troubles, huh.”
Gunther exchanged glances with the man and woman on either side of him. There was clearly an atmosphere that something was going on.
“…There’s nothing in particular at the moment, so could you please return for today?”
“Very well. If anything comes up, please send someone to my tent anytime. I’ll also come check on things from time to time.”
“How kind of you, Your Royal Highness.”
Waltride spoke matter-of-factly without pressing Gunther further.
Gunther put on a forced smile and waved his hand lazily as he saw the princess’ group off.
“They definitely had the look of people in the middle of some problem.”
“But they weren’t inclined to tell me about it. Since we haven’t built a trusting relationship yet, it can’t be helped.”
Karen turned off the fire on the magical stove that used fire magic stones set up in Waltride’s tent, then poured the black liquid inside into a cup and handed it to Waltride.
“Here’s some hot dandelion coffee.”
“So, a detox potion. Ahh… warmth really seeps into the body in a dungeon.”
Waltride began drinking the steaming dandelion coffee, blowing on it to cool it.
Since she was detoxing regularly, she no longer had situations like at first, where she had to rush to the bathroom, but Julius and the other attendants had left just in case.
“Karen, you mentioned having family among adventurers. Did you notice anything?”
“Well… I don’t think those other two people in that tent were members of Mr. Gunther’s party.”
“Is that so? I had assumed they were members of Jet Black Hawks.”
“I don’t think so. The woman was wearing red armor, and the other man was wearing silver armor, wasn’t he?”
“Hmm, I think that was the case, but what about it?”
“Their party name includes ‘Jet Black,’ right? I’m sure the party members’ equipment is all coordinated in black.”
“Is that your only reason?”
“Only? That’s important! Many adventurers have delusional tendencies, like a protagonist complex! They definitely coordinate in black! Unless some incredibly amazing artifact dropped—no, even if something did drop, the goddess often matches the color to the equipment they usually use!”
“Really?”
Waltride looked at Karen with complete suspicion.
“Really. That’s why adventurers say they feel the goddess is always watching over them.”
That’s exactly why the higher-ranked adventurers were, the less they would do anything shameful before the goddess. Especially never inside a dungeon.
“If you say so, Karen, then perhaps it’s true. Speaking of which, I only heard the names of the C-rank or higher parties joining the adventurer corps: Jet Black Hawks, Crimson Dancing Maidens, and Twilight Knights. ‘Knights’ is just a name—apparently, no noble has actually knighted them.”
“The woman was wearing red armor, so she’s probably from Crimson Dancing Maidens.”
“Then the other man was from Twilight Knights… There’s a high possibility they were holding a meeting with the party leaders gathered together.”
“Isn’t it awful that unless we figure out what the problem is and stop it before it blows up, it’ll end up being your responsibility, Lady Waltride?”
“Well, it can’t be helped.”
Waltride answered nonchalantly.
“…Lady Waltride, you don’t seem to fear becoming responsible for problems at all. Why is that?”
“Ugh.”
For some reason, Waltride flinched awkwardly.
When Karen stared at her intently, Waltride said, "hehe.”
“If I’m busy handling internal affairs now, I won’t have to defeat monsters or be sent to investigate deep in the forest, right?”
“No wonder you seemed enthusiastic.”
It appeared to be work she had proactively taken on, rather than work forced upon her.
There was no doubt that Boromias had pushed this troublesome job onto Waltride. But if Waltride had eagerly accepted it, then to Boromias it must have been utterly baffling.
“Lady Irmlinde and Lady Dorotea are both worried about you, Lady Waltride! Really!”
“S-Sorry… But it is without doubt an important duty, and I intend to do my absolute best.”
Waltride spoke with determination.
“But well, even if I can’t fulfill my responsibilities, in my case, they won’t take my life. At most, I’d get punishment like house arrest. But if you all become accomplices, I don’t know what punishment you’d receive, so please conduct yourselves so that doesn’t happen.”
No one expected anything of Waltride. Not even Waltride herself.
With an exasperated sigh, Karen made up her mind about the course to take from tomorrow.
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