Baron Tams’s troops seemed smaller than I’d expected, but surprisingly, every single one was an elite Soldier.
Other than the three Knights I had seen, there were two more.
Five Knights led the way, moving at the front, while about twenty who looked like Soldiers followed behind.
All of them rode on horseback, and the aura they exuded made it clear they were not ordinary Soldiers.
With their escort, our journey was exceptionally smooth.
Though we were attacked by monsters a few times, before Jenny or I could even step forward, they handled it in the blink of an eye, making for the most comfortable journey I’d ever had.
By alternating between riding in the carriage and walking at a brisk pace, our party managed to reach Viscount Filton’s territory in exactly two weeks.
On the way, Baron Tams hardly spoke with me except in special circumstances.
Or rather, it made sense, as he rarely left his carriage.
His carriage was much larger than mine, drawn by no fewer than six horses—a massive vehicle.
The Baron took care of everything inside the carriage, and the endless moans and screams that rang out at all hours tormented us throughout the journey.
He seemed to have all sorts of peculiar preferences; he would sway his hips at every opportunity, and what astounded me most was that even while eating dinner, he couldn’t keep his hips still.
When he wasn’t doing it himself, he would toss someone to the Soldiers and tell them to enjoy, sometimes even watching them.
Because of this, Jenny and I also naturally refrained from leaving our carriage.
Upon arriving at the Viscount’s territory, Jenny and I were assigned our rooms.
Leaving Jenny behind, I followed Baron Tams alone to meet Viscount Filton.
“Welcome. I never imagined I’d get to see the most famous man these days in person. You must be Akhran Filton.”
“Greetings. I am Solo.”
“Take a seat, Solo Baron.”
The Marquis’ Office was quite spacious.
Right in front of the door was the Viscount’s desk.
Beside it were rows upon rows of books, and next to them was a square table surrounded by sofas on all four sides.
It seemed to double as a conference room—the table at one end was long and large, with what looked to be a map spread out in the center.
Judging by the map, it was of the Londinium Empire, which sparked my curiosity, but I sat not at the conference table, but on a sofa by the smaller table.
As soon as we sat, the door opened again, and four young ladies came in carrying food and drinks.
As I was served and took a sip of wine, the Viscount finally spoke.
“I appreciate you taking the request. If you hadn’t, it would have been a huge headache.”
“Not at all. I am the one grateful for this opportunity, as a fledgling noble.”
“Haha, is that so?”
“That’s right. You’ve given someone like me, who only knows the battlefield, a chance, haven’t you?”
“Oh?”
I continued the conversation, deliberately saying things I thought the Viscount would appreciate.
My aim was to make myself seem like a useful card to play, not just one to be used once and thrown away.
There was a reason for this.
The territory I would be managing from now on was the closest to Viscount Filton’s lands.
That meant I would be visiting here frequently, and naturally growing closer.
Because my domain was a remote backwater, I’d have to procure most necessities from here, and would also have to stop by to sell goods produced in my own land.
Building a good relationship was essential for an easier life going forward.
“You must know how greedy I am, don’t you?”
“Well, that’s true. Otherwise, what Magic-user would run around doing mercenary work like this?”
“So I figured you’d give me a territory and test my abilities. And I assure you, I won’t disappoint.”
“Keh keh keh! Good, I like that.”
Watching Viscount Filton laugh heartily, I felt relieved.
At the very least, I was no longer just a card to be discarded immediately.
I could confirm this thanks to the Search Skill I had been using all along.
When I first met the Viscount, the color marking him was a pale red.
‘That’s the color of someone who could kill me at any moment.’
But now, through our conversation, it had changed to a pale green.
It meant I was safe.
Another sign was that the red dots surrounding the room, representing threats, vanished one by one when the Maid who had been pouring drinks briefly stepped out and then returned.
“Phew… now I can finally breathe.”
Until just a moment ago, I had been so tense that even breathing was frightening.
“Let’s drink comfortably today, and the day after tomorrow, you’ll set off for the Labyrinth. Baron Tams will guide you.”
“Yes, Viscount. I promise not to disappoint you.”
Thus, we shared drinks.
It was mostly the Viscount who spoke.
He gossiped about the First Prince’s faction, currently fighting for the throne.
I responded appropriately—nodding, feigning anger, laughing—catering to the Viscount’s mood.
After a few drinks, he seemed even more pleased with me, getting more and more excited as he talked.
The drinking party went on from evening until almost dawn.
Though it should have ended long before, it continued, and by then, naked Maids clung drunkenly to the Viscount, busily working their mouths.
I too, in accordance with the Viscount’s orders, found myself half undressed below the waist, but since his chatter wouldn’t end, I kept up the conversation in that state.
Finally, with a satisfied expression, the Viscount shuddered with intense pleasure and told me to end the drinking party.
“Huaa…”
I returned to my room and let out a deep sigh.
Then I immediately collapsed into a deep sleep.
“Life… is tough…”
It felt like I’d just entertained a business client after a long time, and I passed out right away.
***
After a full day of rest, the next morning, guided by Baron Tams, Jenny and I headed to where the Labyrinth was said to be.
The place with the Labyrinth was deep in the mountains, over a day’s journey from the Viscount’s territory.
It was truly a tiny village, with neither an inn nor a restaurant, so the Soldiers stationed there lived in tents.
As we approached, an armored man who had been waiting warmly greeted Baron Tams.
“You’re here, Baron Tams?”
“Oh, Baron Ens. Everything ready?”
“Preparations are done. I’ve only got aches from waiting around because of those damn Magic-users.”
“Haha, didn’t I send you some women so you could have some fun while you waited?”
“Heh heh heh. That’s why I came out to greet you, to show my thanks.”
The two began their greetings with lewd jokes.
I stood a little apart, observing the prepared troops.
About thirty Knights, fully armored, were waiting in formation.
Each wore Plate Mail marked with the crest proving they served Viscount Filton.
Plate Mail consisted of Chain Mail underneath, with iron plates tied on by straps, covering the torso, arms, elbows, calves, knees, and so on.
It was the usual armor worn by Knights—the very armor that had filled my pockets until now.
I was particularly curious because their armor looked even better than that of the Knights I’d seen so far.
My curiosity was soon answered by the two Barons, still chatting away.
“At least those dumb Magic-users managed to successfully enchant the armor with a spell that nullifies even 4th Circle Magic. Otherwise, they’d have been nothing but useless parasites.”
“Oh? How many suits did you manage to get enchanted?”
“Only thirty. That’s what we’re all wearing.”
My curiosity was satisfied at once.
And now I truly coveted the armor they were wearing.
“Damn, I really want that.”
Truly, I wanted it.
Behind those Knights were ten Soldiers who seemed to be porters, wearing light leather armor with Chain Mail layered over it.
Behind them, there were five wagons, each pulled by a person, loaded high with supplies.
Standing nearby, Magic-users looked supremely uncomfortable.
Their gazes were fixed on the two Barons, their faces full of discontent.
Still, they kept glancing at me, obviously not pleased by my presence either.
“Ah, introductions are late. This here is Solo Baron.”
At Baron Tams’s introduction, Baron Ens looked me up and down.
“Oh, to meet the famous one at last. Pleased to meet you. I’m Baron Ens.”
“I am Baron Solo. Pleased to meet you.”
I grasped the hand he extended.
Squeeze!
Perhaps trying to assert dominance, Baron Ens squeezed my hand tightly, but I was not the type to yield so easily.
Argh!
I also squeezed back with equal force.
Gradually, Baron Ens’s face began to flush.
‘Damn brat.’
He probably thought I was just a Magic-user, but to be exact, I was a Magic Swordsman.
Seeing his face turn more and more red, I quietly eased my grip and let go of his hand.
With a beet-red face, Baron Ens said,
“Haha. It suddenly feels hot.”
“Really? It feels cool to me.”
I replied with a smile, while Baron Ens, embarrassed and surprised, quickly averted his gaze.
In that atmosphere, Baron Ens rubbed his hand and ordered everyone to move.
“Let’s go!”
Baron Ens took the lead.
The Knights moved behind him, followed by the Soldiers.
I walked along with the Magic-users.
The looks the Magic-users gave me had changed completely since earlier.
No wonder, since they’d just seen me overwhelm a Knight with brute strength.
Their eyes brimmed with curiosity, which I found deeply unpleasant, so Jenny and I moved to the very back of the group.
***
After a three-hour trek from the village, we arrived at our destination.
Deep in the mountains stood a massive cave, its entrance covered by a transparent barrier.
Around the barrier, a Magic Circle was drawn in a script even I couldn’t decipher.
As I stared at it, Baron Ens spoke to me.
“This is the place. The Magic-users will explain the details.”
I turned to look at the Magic-user.
“Simply inject Mana into this Magic Circle. We cannot divulge any information about the Circle itself, so we ask for your understanding.”
That was all the Magic-user told me, and he pointed to where I should supply my Mana.
“Hmph.”
His curt attitude honestly irritated me, but I didn’t show it.
What did it matter? I’d never intended to get close to these people anyway.
I was here just to complete the request.
I placed my hand on the Magic Circle.
Immediately, I felt Mana draining from my body.
Wow.
I was a little surprised.
Though it was little by little, it was definitely my own Mana being sucked away.
So I began to pour all of my Mana into the Magic Circle.
Woooooom.
As soon as my Mana began flowing in earnest, the Magic Circle responded.
“Crazy…”
“Haha, you can do this alone?”
“Is he really a 5th Circle?”
They were shocked that the Magic Circle activated with just my Mana alone.
“Wow, insane. This thing eats up a ton of Mana.”
I was astonished.
My Mana had dropped to less than half.
Given my recovery rate, that was remarkable.
My Mana continued to dwindle.
Wooooom! Kwa-ang!
Right before my Mana was completely depleted, the Magic Circle finally activated.
The transparent barrier at the cave entrance disappeared.
“I’ll be on my way, then.”
This was exactly the extent of my job.
I coolly headed down the mountain.
I had no desire to interact with them further.
As I descended the mountain, I quickly found Baron Tams and informed him that I’d successfully destroyed the barrier at the entrance.
“I’ll be on my way, then.”
“Haha, safe travels.”
Baron Ens saw me off.
I walked away without the slightest hesitation.
Now, it was time to head for my own territory.
***
Baron Tams watched Solo and Jenny’s departing figures from a distance.
A Knight standing nearby spoke to him.
“Are you really letting them go?”
“Oh, the Viscount was quite taken with him.”
“Amazing.”
“I think so too.”
They were both surprised.
After all, killing them would have been the easiest way to protect the secret.
This village itself was scheduled to disappear once the Labyrinth investigation was complete.
Yet, the only outsiders involved with the Labyrinth—Solo and Jenny—would be spared.
“Then, I’ll report to the Viscount right away.”
“Ah, thank you.”
The Knight saluted and disappeared, but Baron Tams did not watch him go.
He just kept his eyes on the distant figures of Solo and Jenny as they grew smaller.
“I’ll see you again soon, I’m sure.”
Such was the feeling Baron Tams had.
He watched their backs for a moment, then turned and returned to his own carriage.
Setting aside his complicated thoughts, it was time to focus on enjoying himself from now on.