We finally arrived at our destination, Roils.
The roughly two-week carriage journey had come to an end.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but let me quickly go over what's next. Please listen."
At my words, the four who had been chatting fell silent and turned their attention to me.
"As I mentioned before, starting today we'll be staying in a noble's mansion. They know we're explorers, so as long as nothing extreme happens, it should be fine. But please be careful outside the rooms assigned to us."
The four nodded seriously in response to my words.
"As you become more famous, sponsors will start approaching you. To avoid panicking when that happens, let's practice here. Carol, when speaking with people from the count's family, please use polite language."
"Okay, got it."
Carol didn't refuse to use polite speech with everyone.
She properly used keigo (polite language) with people who required it.
However, she didn't seem to like using it, so she avoided it with anyone who wouldn't complain.
The fact that she could instantly judge the line with someone she just met showed how sharp her observational skills were. Impressive.
"And Rogue."
"Yes."
"I'll handle most interactions with the nobles, but there may be times when you need to join me. Normally, the party leader represents the group in talks with nobility, so it's good for you to get some experience now."
"…Understood."
Rogue's tension visibly increased after hearing my instructions.
To ease it, I gave him a reassuring smile.
"It's okay. Sure, some nobles are strict about etiquette, but in most cases, as long as you observe basic courtesy, they won't make a fuss. The clan taught you how to speak to superiors when you were a rookie, right? If you follow that, you'll be fine."
"Yes… I'll do my best…!"
While we were talking, the carriage entered the grounds of a particularly large mansion in Roils and came to a stop nearby.
When we stepped out, an elderly butler and two maids were already speaking with Elvis.
"Well then, our escort duty ends here. These two weeks were enjoyable. We'll probably be your escorts on the return trip too, so please take care of us again then."
"Thanks to you and Henry-san, we had a very comfortable journey. We're truly grateful."
After thanking Henry, Rogue stepped forward.
"Henry-san, thank you so much for these two weeks!"
"You're welcome. Rogue-kun, are you nervous?"
"Uh… yes."
"Haha! Don't worry. The lord is a wonderful person who treats commoners like us without discrimination."
As I watched Rogue and Henry's exchange, the butler approached, so I turned toward him.
Sophie and the others, called by Luna, also stood behind me.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Louis, and I serve the Eddington Count family. Thank you very much for coming such a long way."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Orun Dura of Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky. The four behind me are explorers from the same clan, belonging to Twilight Moonbow. We look forward to your hospitality."
After thanking Elvis once more for the past two weeks, we followed Louis inside the mansion.
After walking through the mansion for a while, we arrived in front of a certain room. Louis spoke up.
"Young master, the members of Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky have arrived."
"..."
His voice was loud enough that it couldn't have gone unheard, yet there was no response from inside.
Louis let out a small mutter of "…Again…?" then turned back to us.
"My deepest apologies, but please wait a moment."
He said that and entered the room alone.
Afterward, we could hear faint, frantic sounds—barely audible unless you strained to listen.
A short while later, the door opened.
Louis said, "Please come in," so we stepped inside.
◇
The room was a typical reception chamber.
At the far end sat a young man who appeared to be around twenty.
That much was normal.
But behind him was a massive stack of books piled nearly as high as he was while seated.
"Haha… Don't mind the books behind me. Come on, everyone, take a seat."
When my gaze drifted to the books, the young man gave an embarrassed smile and told us not to worry.
They were too conspicuous to ignore, but since I couldn't touch them, I had no choice but to pretend they weren't there.
Following his instruction, I sat in one of the prepared chairs.
I faced the young man directly, while the members of Twilight Moonbow stood back a little distance.
"Ahem. Nice to meet you. My name is Abel Eddington. My father is currently away on an inspection tour, so today I'll be handling things in his place."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Orun Dura of Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky. The ones standing over there are Logan, Sophia, Caroline, and Luna, all from the same clan. We are deeply honored by your invitation. Regarding the labyrinth investigation you requested, the five of us will handle it. Please treat us well."
"Yes, likewise. Your name has reached even here. You subdued the rampaging hero in the city and even quelled the simultaneous magic beast outbreak, right? Truly befitting the kingdom's hero."
"…I'm flattered. But the recent incident was not my achievement alone. It was only possible thanks to the cooperation of many people. My own contribution was very small."
"Just as Grandfather said—humble to a fault. Well then, let's get straight to the point."
As he spoke, Abel took out a booklet compiled from several sheets of paper.
"You've probably already heard, but about three months ago, three labyrinths suddenly appeared within the Reglif territory. We've asked one of our resident explorers to investigate the first, but we lack the capacity to handle the remaining two. That's why we turned to Silver Moon Rabbit of the Night Sky."
Some explorers are retained directly by lords.
In exchange for agreeing to explore only within that lord's territory, they receive support from the lord.
Naturally, not every explorer aims to conquer great labyrinths.
Many prefer to work only in already-surveyed, familiar labyrinths rather than dangerous places like great labyrinths.
For such explorers, this kind of contract is ideal.
Lords, meanwhile, want a steady number of explorers active in their domain.
Magic stones and materials can be purchased from elsewhere, but having one's own retained explorers ensures a more stable supply.
The system of retained explorers satisfies both sides' wishes.
"Understood. We will do our utmost. Regarding the details of the investigation…"
"Yes, sorry for tying you up for so long, but we'd like you to handle all of them."
"Understood. Are the labyrinths we'll be investigating close to here?"
"Yes. About twenty minutes east on foot after leaving the city. Oh, but during the investigation period, we'll prepare a carriage, so feel free to use it for travel. —And this is the report of yesterday's findings. It's a handwritten copy, so use it freely."
Abel handed me the booklet he had taken out earlier.
"Thank you. May I take a look?"
"Of course."
With his permission, I flipped through the pages.
After reading it all, I passed it to Luna, who had come closer.
Once Luna returned to her spot and looked down at the pages, Sophie and the others also turned their attention to it.
"It's very well organized and easy to read. We'll make good use of it. Thank you."
"Wait—do you read fast too?"
Abel asked in an excited tone.
The "too" implied that he himself could speed-read.
"Yes."
"Hey, the way you flipped through those pages looked really practiced. Do you read a lot normally!?"
"Uh, yes. I like reading books."
"To meet a fellow book lover in a place like this! Hey! Are you knowledgeable about history!?"
Abel's excitement kept climbing without limit.
Since he was a noble's son, I couldn't brush him off, but dealing with someone at this level of energy was tiring.
"W-Well… I read widely on various subjects, so…"
"Then—"
"Young master."
Just as Abel was about to continue, Louis, who had been standing by, interjected.
"…Sorry. That was unseemly of me."
With just one word from Louis, Abel's energy dropped back to normal.
Now I understood why he hadn't responded to Louis's call earlier.
"No, don't worry about it. May we return to the topic?"
"Yes, of course. But before that—could we set aside some time later for just the two of us to talk?"
"Understood. Then for now, let's discuss the plans moving forward."
"Yes, good idea."
From that point on, the conversation proceeded in a calm and composed atmosphere.
"So that's roughly the situation. Also, during the investigation period, the household will provide your food, lodging, and daily necessities. If there's anything inconvenient about your living arrangements, please tell us without hesitation. We'll accommodate your requests as much as possible."
"Thank you very much for everything."
"It's only natural. When do you plan to start entering the labyrinth?"
"We'll begin full-scale investigation tomorrow. Today, I intend to go in alone for a brief preliminary look."
"Will you be back late?"
"…No, really just a light look. I'll check the general atmosphere and return."
"Okay, understood. Father is scheduled to return tonight, so I'll introduce you then."
"Yes. Thank you."
"Louis, please prepare the carriage and guide the others to their rooms."
"Understood. —Everyone, please allow me to show you to your rooms."
◇
The area Louis guided us to was the guest wing, where the guest rooms were concentrated.
It seemed each of us had been assigned an individual room.
For now, all five of us plus Louis were in the room assigned to me.
"Please make yourselves at home in your rooms. —Lord Orun, we will now prepare the carriage. Once it is ready, please come to the main entrance."
After bowing deeply, Louis left the room.
"Phew… that was tense…"
Once only the five of us remained, Rogue let out a breath and muttered.
"Good job. The tension when dealing with nobles never fully goes away. You just have to get used to it."
"Master, were you nervous too? You didn't look nervous at all."
"I've dealt with nobles quite a few times, so I've learned how to manage the tension."
"I don't think I'll ever get used to it."
"That's normal at first. Don't be too hard on yourself."
As I said that, I patted Rogue on the head.
Then Carol shouted "Hey, no fair!" so with a wry smile, I patted her and Sophie's heads too.
"Well, like I said earlier, starting tomorrow you three will be entering the labyrinth too. Today, feel free to relax. Rest up from the journey. I'm going to take a quick look at the labyrinth."
"Okay." "Yay!" "Yes."
The three disciples replied.
"Orun-san, should I come with you?"
"No, I'll be fine alone. I'd like you to stay here in case something happens and the kids need backup. I think it'll be fine, but since this is a noble's residence, just in case."
"You're right. Understood."
"Thanks."
With that, I boarded the carriage Louis had prepared and headed toward the labyrinth we would soon begin investigating.