Chapter 233: Chapter 233 New Age (3)

New Age (3)

New Age (3)

A study filled with the faint scent of old books.

A young man was reporting to a middle-aged man wearing glasses, looking very nervous.

“Based on the final analysis, it’s presumed that Belvev Ruinjenes installed the magic circle and Liranne Viviane activated it.”

“So you’re saying they’re both in the city?”

“Yes. Considering that Noark’s protective barrier is functioning normally, it’s highly likely that they’re inside Lafdonia.”

“They’re masters of disguise.”

“They’re a nuisance. Then I’ll report the casualty statistics that were compiled this morning.”

The young man reported the total damage from the incident in a regretful voice.

However, the middle-aged man just listened without any reaction.

“Right, many died.”

70% of the explorers above the 4th floor had died.

The only survivors were the 1,600 or so explorers who were left behind as sacrificial pawns and the dissidents who didn’t enter the labyrinth from the beginning.

It was a huge loss, practically equivalent to a dimensional collapse.

“It’s for the best.”

Marquis Terserion, the Prime Minister of Lafdonia, chuckled as if brushing it off.

The young man tilted his head.

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing. I have things to think about, so you can leave now.”

“…Please rest, father.”

“Use my title within the palace.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

The young man bowed politely and left the study as the man waved his hand.

‘I should contact the Magic Tower soon.’

The man got up and walked towards the window.

He saw servants bustling about, preparing for today’s event.

Swaaaa.

A strong wind blew in as he opened the window wide.

The sunlight was warm, and the sky was clear without a single cloud.

“His Majesty will be pleased.”

It was a perfect day to start a new age.

_________________

Karnon, the Imperial City.

A special district where commoners couldn’t even enter without permission.

“Ooh, so that’s the royal palace!!”

A road leading to the royal palace appeared as we entered through the giant gate with the royal family’s emblem on it.

The ground was covered in flower petals.

Crowds of people were gathered along the road, watching the parade.

Of course, there were hardly any nobles.

Even though Karnon was called a city of nobles, 90% of the population consisted of servants who worked or lived here.

“Wow! It’s the heroes’ procession!”

“Scatter the flower petals!”

The servants, who were probably paid handsomely, lined the streets and greeted us enthusiastically.

After some time…

“We’ve arrived. Was there anything uncomfortable during your journey?”

…the carriage stopped in front of the outer wall of the royal palace.

It wasn’t just our carriage, but hundreds of other carriages as well.

“Then let’s get off.”

“Uh, wait! Let me catch my breath first, okay?”

Is she nervous now?

Well, this was her first time in the Imperial City.

“…Tell me when you’re ready.”

“Ugh, I think I’m ready.”

I saw familiar faces as soon as we got off the carriage.

The survivors who crossed the line of death with me during the recent disaster.

But we were far apart, so we just exchanged glances.

“It’s an honor to be escorting the heroes today, I’m Pert. Please come this way.”

We went through a simple identification process at the gate and then entered the royal palace, following the guide.

Its official name is the Palace of Glory.

It’s a palace used to welcome guests during banquets and royal events.

“Bjo, Bjorn…”

Ainar looked intimidated by the magnificent interior, as expected of a royal palace.

Geez, she’s always like this in strange situations.

“Straighten your shoulders. It’s weirder if you act like that when we’re guests.”

“…Ah, okay!”

“Please come this way.”

We followed the guide and arrived at a private reception room, about 20 square meters in size.

“It’s an honor to have you here, heroes.”

As soon as we entered, maids swarmed us, styling our hair and adjusting our clothes.

And the guide explained the basic etiquette and the order of events for today’s banquet.

After some time…

“Mr. Yandel!”

“Oh, I almost didn’t recognize you all dressed up.”

Raven and Avman, who arrived 10 minutes early, visited our reception room.

They were also dressed differently from usual.

Raven was wearing a traditional dress that dragged on the floor, and the bear-like man was wearing a neat suit.

“Haha, it’s a bit awkward, isn’t it?”

The bear-like man scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.

He said his wife helped him get dressed, but they made him change here.

I wonder how they even had a suit that fit him…

“The tailcoats for guests are all enchanted.”

According to the guide, they had thousands of enchanted clothes that could be worn by anyone, regardless of size.

‘Enchanted clothes.’

It seemed both rational and a ridiculous waste.

How often would guests without formal wear visit the royal palace?

“Then Raven, did you also change here?”

“No, I brought my own.”

“…I see.”

As expected of a mage from the upper class, she had a formal outfit.

“Wow, it’s so pretty. How much is something like that?”

“Uh… well, I actually received it as a gift from my master a while ago.”

“Ah, really? Anyway, you look like a real fairy in that outfit. Not that fairy race, but the fairies in fairy tales.”

“Are you talking about Fae?”

“Ah, yeah, those.”

“Hmm, you’re not making fun of my height, are you?”

“No, of course not! I’m serious, you’re really pretty.”

Misha and Raven started their girl talk.

Avman, Ainar, and I stepped back and had a separate conversation.

“Hey, Yandel, did you hear anything more about the reward? There’s a 4th-grade essence I’ve always wanted, so I’m wondering if it’s possible.”

“Well, I haven’t heard anything about that yet.”

“More importantly, Bjorn, I’m hungry, when are they going to feed us?”

“Eat some jerky if you can’t wait.”

“Oh, did you bring some?”

“Give me one too. I’m bored.”

We sat side by side, chewing on jerky, and then the guide who had left for a while returned.

“They said everyone is ready to enter. Let’s go.”

The hallway outside the reception room was crowded.

The guides lined everyone up in an orderly fashion.

For reference, we were at the very front, in the center, with Melter Pend on our left and Kyle on our right.

“Ah, you’re here?”

“That suit looks good on you.”

“Here, stand here.”

…Geez, how embarrassing.

“Why am I in the center?”

“Haha, wouldn’t it be stranger if someone else stood there? Everyone here followed you.”

Uh, hmm…

I didn’t have anything to say to that, but this man tends to overestimate me.

That’s when…

“It seems like it’s about to start. Look ahead.”

…Kyle spoke, looking straight ahead.

“The heroes are entering!”

Someone shouted, and the door opened wide.

Boooooooo!

A lively performance began with a loud trumpet sound.

“Let’s go.”

I followed Kyle’s urging and stepped through the open door, and countless explorers followed behind me.

Thud, thud.

The space beyond the door was a rectangular hall.

It was large enough to accommodate thousands of people, and a red carpet was laid out leading to the empty throne.

I continued walking along the carpet.

Although it was a pain to walk without crutches, I struggled to maintain my barbarian pride.

Thud, thud.

The knights drew their swords and saluted, and the priests showered us with blessings as I walked.

Ah, and the nobles clapped from afar.

It was an overwhelming reception for an explorer with a little over a year of experience.

I wasn’t particularly happy.

And the others probably felt the same way.

‘This is like a spectacle.’

Ah, is it a spectacle?

Thud.

The explorers behind me stopped in line as I stopped walking.

It was different from the orderliness of soldiers.

They hadn’t learned formations, so their lines weren’t straight, and their clothes were mismatched, creating a messy atmosphere.

But could it be that it was funny?

“Pfft.”

I heard a noble laughing from afar.

And the laughter spread.

And at the same time, I heard something being crushed.

Clench.

I subtly glanced back, and an explorer was clenching his fist.

It was a warrior who had cleared the path with me in the cave.

Geez, he was so reckless when he was smashing monsters’ heads.

‘He’s surprisingly timid.’

It was another side of warriors that I didn’t know about.

For some reason, I didn’t like it.

Maybe that’s why I couldn’t help but shout.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

My shout echoed through the vast space.

And a chorus followed, although I didn’t intend it.

“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!!”

It was the warriors who were addicted to our battle cry, including the few barbarians, who shouted.

“These crazy bastards, even in the royal palace…”

Most of the explorers had dumbfounded expressions or sighed as if they couldn’t believe it.

But the nobles were different.

Did they think it was a planned performance?

The nobles, who were momentarily surprised and silent, started clapping and whistling.

‘These guys are also ridiculous.’

Although it was funny, the atmosphere had improved.

The magnificent royal palace, the gazes of the nobles, the awkward tailcoats, and so on. The explorers who were uncomfortable with this setting regained their composure.

‘Damn right, this is how shameless explorers should be. How else did you survive?’

Kyle chuckled next to me as I looked at them with satisfaction.

“I told you, didn’t I? Who else would stand here besides you?”

Well, he might be right.

Who else would do something like this besides a barbarian?

“Attention! Attention, please! His Excellency Ageny Rotten Terserion, the Prime Minister of Lafdonia, is entering!”

The Prime Minister appeared in the midst of the heated atmosphere.

___________________

He looked to be in his early fifties.

Gray hair and a kind face.

The Prime Minister, who reminded me of a principal, stood in front of the empty throne and started his speech.

First, a lighthearted joke.

“Haha, I apologize. I’m late. Please don’t be angry, heroes. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

The speech naturally flowed to the weather and then to the next topic.

It wasn’t anything grand.

He praised our efforts one by one and explained to the nobles why he had summoned us.

“These people achieved what the royal knights and even the famous clans couldn’t. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t even know what happened there.”

Returning alive with information about Noark.

That was our official contribution.

After all, they couldn’t openly say they were giving us carrots to appease the explorers.

“Therefore, I, Ageny Rotten Terserion, on behalf of His Majesty the King, who is currently ill, commend you for your service!”

The long speech ended, and the Prime Minister announced the rewards based on the explorers’ contributions.

First, all survivors would receive 10 million stones and permission to enter Karnon, the Imperial City, and there would be additional rewards depending on their achievements.

For reference, we were the first to be announced…

“Melter Pend, leader of the Nartel Clan, please step forward.”

…but Melter was the first to receive his reward.

“You made a great contribution to the victory in the Goblin Forest battle by defeating the Blue Wolf criminal, Blue Mane.”

The Prime Minister, as if he had already gathered information, mentioned his achievements specifically.

“I’ll grant you access to the Silver Treasury. You can choose one essence and one item.”

“Thank you.”

Melter Pend received a ticket to the treasure vault where 4th-grade essences and equipment of similar value were stored.

‘…Can I look forward to my turn?’

Actually, Melter’s contribution was the lowest among the three of us. In the first place, they were only able to defeat the wolf bastard because I knocked out the Corpse Collector.

‘Phew…’

Unfortunately, Kyle was next.

“Sir Kyle Pebrosk, the Iron Mage, please step forward.”

“It’s been a while, Prime Minister.”

“Please forgive me for visiting so late, I’ve been busy with state affairs.”

The Prime Minister listed three of Kyle’s contributions.

Using his wisdom to guide the expedition party to safety.

Using Mass Teleport to evade Verzak.

And buying time and inflicting damage against the Ruin Scholar in the Goblin Forest battle.

“You said you wanted permission to research forbidden magic? From this day forward, you’re a proud royal mage of Lafdonia.”

“You don’t know how happy I am to hear that, Prime Minister. Thank you.”

Kyle was promoted to royal mage.

He now had the opportunity to learn and master all kinds of magic.

“Bjorn, son of Yandel, warrior of the barbarian tribe, please step forward.”

It was finally my turn.

Could it be because my case was different from Melter and Kyle, who were already famous?

The Prime Minister stared at me intently and then listed my contributions one by one.

“Your contributions are as follows.”

“Stopping the internal conflict with your noble will and allowing more knights to return to their families.”

“Setting an example by fighting bravely at the most dangerous forefront.”

“Buying time from Verzak by acting as bait for the explorers to survive.”

“Making a decisive contribution to the victory by cornering the cursed spirit of another world, Abet Nekrapetto.”

It sounds like I didn’t do much.

That’s when…

“These words can’t express your hard work. But even so, on behalf of the royal family, I commend you for your service!”

“…….”

“I’ll grant you access to the Golden Treasury. You can choose one essence or item. And I’ll grant you a reward of 50 million stones. And!”

The Prime Minister continued.

“I’ll bestow upon you the title of Viscount.”

…Huh?