The sky was sowhat gloomy.
Even so, sunlight still stread through.
A warm energy pushed back the chill that had seeped into our very bones.
There was no bone-chilling coldness, nor hunger gnawing at our stomachs.
“Now… it’s finally sinking in. We really… made it back alive…”
As always, returning to the city after a difficult expedition brought strange sensations.
We were happy to have survived, yet our hearts felt heavy.
Because of those who couldn’t co back with us.
“If only they had endured a little longer…”
If only…
Maybe a few more could have joined us.
“Miss Marone.”
Marone stopped muttering to herself as Sven Parab called her na and gritted her teeth.
Returning to the city didn’t an it was over.
It was too early to relax. Things might be even harder here than in the labyrinth.
But…
Clench.
She swallowed her complaints.
It wasn’t just because we were currently in the empty mansion where we had gathered for a few days before entering the labyrinth and had to be careful of what we said.
We couldn’t afford to complain.
No matter how high and steep the mountains we had to climb were,
We had to leave those who fought to the very end behind.
“Kaislan, are you feeling alright?”
“I couldn’t be better. But it seems like I was the last one to return.”
Kaislan had been summoned by a priest from the Marquis’s family and had just returned to the drawing room, where the other survivors were gathered.
“Why don’t we go for a walk? It’s a nice day today.”
“I wish we could.”
“You wish we could?”
“You saw the knights outside the drawing room, right? They’re stopping us from leaving.”
Marone grumbled at Akuraba’s explanation.
“Hah! It’s like we’re criminals! We risked our lives to complete the mission, and this is how they treat us? Shouldn’t we be treated like heroes?!”
“Um, Miss Marone…”
“What? Am I wrong?!”
Sven Parab looked at nervously, but it wasn’t sothing I had to intervene in.
Their complaints were understandable.
And besides, I had told them to do this.
“Well, we are technically part of the military now. The expedition isn’t officially over until we report to our superiors.”
“Even so, this is too much. Even in the military, they wouldn’t treat us like this.”
“Everyone, calm down. We achieved a great feat! We destroyed the Sky Eye! And after the reports are done, we’ll be rewarded handsoly!”
“Finally!”
Jas Kala whistled, his face beaming with anticipation.
The conversation naturally shifted to rewards.
They talked about what they would ask for, how much they expected to receive…
All for the benefit of those listening outside.
Our conversation was being recorded.
“Mister, at least they’re providing us with decent food. Here, try this.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I took the plate of at from Erwen and started eating, my mind replaying the events of the past few days.
I had to make sure there weren’t any mistakes in our story.
‘…The checkpoint guards didn’t seem to know anything.’
As soon as we returned to the Dinsion Plaza, we stored our backpacks in our Bonding subspace pockets.
We had carefully sorted the items we could show them and the ones we couldn’t.
And then we arrived at the checkpoint.
I declared that we were a royal special forces unit and demanded to speak with the Marquis.
It was intentional.
‘The checkpoint was crowded with explorers, so the rumors about the special forces unit must have spread by now.’
The checkpoint official was flustered, but he just kept repeating the Marquis’s orders, telling us to wait.
And then…
[We’ll escort you from here.]
The knights from the Marquis’s family arrived within 30 minutes.
They escorted us to the empty mansion in the Imperial City, the one where the founding ceremony was held.
[We’ll carry your luggage.]
[Our luggage…?]
[It’s the Marquis’s order. We swear on our honor as knights that nothing will be lost.]
They even took the backpacks containing the loot we could show them.
And then we received healing from the priests they summoned.
And that brings us to the present.
Knock, knock.
We hear a knock on the door.
Right, it’s about ti.
They’ve finally finished assessing the situation.
“The Marquis wishes to see you all.”
Let’s be careful.
_______________________
We followed the knights to a reception room similar to the one we had been in before. The only difference was that the seat at the head of the table was empty… Ɍά₦Ổ𝐁Ěs
And a crystal ball was placed there instead.
‘A ssage stone…’
It was so absurd that I couldn’t help but laugh.
We were so close to the Marquis’s mansion, and yet he was using long-distance communication.
Well, at least he seems to understand.
That he had done sothing terrible to us.
[I apologize for greeting you all this way. I have urgent matters to attend to.]
“Well, it happens.”
[Hmm, you’re not using honorifics… So the other mbers know?]
His voice is subtle, but I can sense his curiosity.
I don’t bother hiding it.
“It was inevitable. I already told you, I’m Bjorn Yandel. Ah, of course, I’ll just say that I had to hide my identity because I was working with the royal family.”
[I see. That’s good to hear.]
“But don’t you have sothing to say first?”
I cut to the chase.
My voice is laced with anger.
“Tell . Why didn’t the rescue team co?”
We had discussed this countless tis during our journey.
We knew how to react.
“You must have heard my broadcast. What happened?”
[…We’re still investigating the situation.]
“Investigating? You’re telling you’re still investigating, after all this ti? And you’re contacting through a ssage stone?”
[It seems like there were more enemies at Deadwood than we anticipated. We tried to rescue you, but we had to give up.]
It was the answer I had expected.
But I didn’t expect this.
[It seems like Noark realized we were sending a rescue team after you sent that broadcast.]
Wow, he’s blaming now?
This bastard…
“Then what about the first ssage? If we had been able to contact you from the beginning, none of this would have happened!”
[It seems like… my son made a mistake.]
“…A mistake?”
I ask again, as if I had misheard him.
And…
[I apologize. It was my fault.]
I explode.
“Behel—laaaaaaaaaa!”
Not at the Marquis or the royal family.
But at the one who was just a pawn.
“Etlora Terserion!”
[Calm down—]
“So it was all his fault! He was incompetent! He didn’t receive our ssage in ti!”
[That’s not—]
“Marquis! Where is he?! No, don’t tell . I’ll probably smash his head the mont I see him.”
[…….]
I slam my fist on the table, shattering it.
I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.
[…Are you feeling better now?]
The Marquis’s eyes are filled with curiosity.
Well, this isn’t like .
I’m usually more rational, making calculated decisions based on the situation.
So…
“Compensation.”
I calm down and speak.
As if my outburst was just a way to get his attention.
“You better have prepared a generous reward. I did everything you asked. I beca the expedition leader, and I completed the mission.”
[…Of course. I’ll compensate you accordingly.]
I glance at the other mbers as the Marquis makes his promise, and so of them nod in approval.
It’s all about the details.
[Now, we’ll discuss the compensation later…]
“…..”
[…Tell what happened.]
Right, this is the main event.
I take a deep breath and start telling my story. The Marquis interrupts with questions, so it takes longer than expected, but it’s still over within an hour.
[You went through a lot because of my incompetent son.]
That’s all he has to say?
"A lot"?
I feel a surge of anger, but I manage to control it.
[I’ll make sure you’re compensated for his mistake.]
The Marquis continues.
[And… congratulations on your survival.]
He doesn’t an it.
[I’ll contact you again.]
The call ends.
“We’ll escort you to your rooms.”
Did our story work?
Well, only ti will tell.
_______________________
We’re escorted to our rooms.
A large bed with a soft, fluffy blanket.
Warm sunlight streaming through the window.
It’s a luxurious room, especially compared to the icy ground we had to sleep on… but I can’t fall asleep.
My body is exhausted, but my mind is still racing.
The other mbers must be feeling the sa.
They’re probably worried that the knights will attack us in our sleep.
“…..”
I eventually drift off to sleep.
And…
‘My head is still attached to my body.’
I wake up the next morning, unhard.
Do I really have to live with this anxiety, even in the city?
This is going to be a long journey.
‘Well, it can’t be helped. I have to do it.’
Second day back in the city.
We receive our backpacks, which were confiscated yesterday.
I had asked why they took them, and the Marquis’s answer was absurd.
[My, my… Did I not make myself clear? I just wanted my n to assess the loot and offer you a higher price. I’ll make sure they don’t misunderstand my orders again.]
He actually kept his promise.
He bought the items we wanted to sell at a price much higher than the market value, and we sold everything we didn’t need.
Wow, we have a lot of money now.
[And one more thing. The public is very interested in the expedition force, thanks to your appearance at the checkpoint.]
Good news.
The broadcast about the Sky Eye being destroyed.
And the appearance of the royal special forces unit in the city.
Those two events combined had spread the rumors like wildfire.
[There will be a victory parade in two days.]
“A victory parade?”
[It will be held at the royal palace. We’ll officially announce your existence and comnd you for your achievents.]
Hmm, two days is a bit early.
Can they really prepare everything that quickly?
I’m suspicious, but I soon understand.
‘Ah, they were already preparing for it.’
They were already preparing for the victory parade.
Even if the expedition force had been wiped out, they could still hold the event.
They would mourn the fallen heroes and celebrate the destruction of the Sky Eye.
[So be prepared. I’ll send you the details and the schedule. Ah, and we’ll provide you with the necessary attire.]
“Okay, I’ll let the others know.”
[The public is very interested. Please stay here until then. If you need anything, let know.]
“Ah, then can I ask you a favor…?”
I made a request, and then ti flew by.
And so…
“Waaaaaaaaaaah!”
“It’s the heroes!”
The day of the victory parade had arrived.
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