TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 77
Today, the Estate Yard was peaceful as always.
The Young Lady was staring nervously at Perry No. 1, parked in the yard.
A week had passed since her birthday.
After completing the verification of the Protection Magic’s performance, the historic moment of the Young Lady’s test ride had arrived.
From Butler to owner.
The Young Lady had become the owner of Perry No. 1.
Though I worried she might become a reckless driver, fortunately, I could sense the tension of a novice driver in her gaze.
“Hmm…”
The Young Lady, looking at Perry No. 1, which had been redesigned from black to red to reflect the Empire’s rapidly changing trends, widened her eyes and spoke.
“Oh… Oh… Oh my goodness…”
A sleek body.
A luxurious red paint job and a chair made of premium memory foam gave the wheelchair an impressive look.
Though the footrest, backrest, and handles were cluttered with complex buttons, perhaps due to its astronomical cost, the wheelchair didn’t seem messy.
I lifted the Young Lady into a Princess Carry and carefully seated her in Perry No. 1.
The Young Lady widened her eyes at the soft cushioning she felt.
“Oh…”
The Young Lady couldn’t stop expressing her amazement.
She wiggled her hips to feel the cushion and tested the sturdiness by pressing her back against the backrest, then raised her Thumb with approval.
“It passes…!”
Seeing the Young Lady’s satisfied smile, I nodded and placed a Helmet on her head.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes.”
“I’m glad.”
“Then, let me go over a few things about the main controls. I mentioned them yesterday, but I doubt you remember.”
“Yes. I forgot everything.”
As expected, the Young Lady did not disappoint.
I held up Three Fingers and began explaining.
“First. No driving under the influence.”
“Okay.”
“Second. No hitting people.”
“What about people who make me angry?”
“Hmm… Should we allow that?”
“Okay.”
Nodding at the Young Lady’s reasonable suggestion, I continued.
“Lastly, the third.”
Fastening the safety belt around the Young Lady’s waist, I said.
“No over-speeding. Especially, do you see the flame symbol next to the lever?”
The Young Lady glanced at the armrest.
“This one?”
The Young Lady, looking at the button with the flame symbol, had a Question Mark on the Head.
Nodding, I affirmed her curious gaze.
“Yes, that one. That button is…”
“Hah!”
-Press.
Before I could finish speaking, the Young Lady pressed the button. She looked at me with a proud expression, as if asking if she had done well.
I gave her an awkward smile.
“Uh… You shouldn’t press that.”
As Perry No. 1 vibrated with a ‘Vroom,’ the Young Lady, realizing something was wrong, looked at me with startled eyes.
“I shouldn’t press it?”
I nodded.
“Yes…”
“But I pressed it…”
“Uh… Well… Good luck?”
Looking at Perry No. 1, which roared like a bull, I waved my hand. Believing in the Protection Magic, which should ensure safety even if it crashed into anything, I bid farewell to the panicked Young Lady.
“Drive safely.”
-Vrooooom!!!
“Eek…”
The Young Lady flew off into the distance.
“Aaaaaaaaah!!!”
The Young Lady’s wheelchair sped across the yard.
With a satisfied smile, I nodded.
“Magnificent…!”
It was a touching moment.
Tears welled up as I chased after the majestic figure of Perry No. 1, finally unveiled to the world.
“Aaaaaaaaah!!! Hic… Hiiic!”
Hearing the Young Lady’s shrieks of excitement, I fell into thought.
‘Now… a different Episode will soon begin.’
As the 2nd Year at the Academy neared its end, I thought about Yuria, who would soon confront the Heretics, and smiled bitterly.
‘Well, she’ll figure it out.’
It’s an Episode where she will be utterly trampled.
A defeat for Mikhail.
A shock for Yuria.
And helplessness for Ruin.
Hoping they would grow through This Episode, I chased after the Young Lady.
“How is it? Perry No. 1!”
“Aaaaaaaaah!!!!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“Hic… Hiiic!!!”
I’m glad she likes it.
*
Underground of the Capital.
Three silhouettes descended into the damp Dungeon floor.
“It’s dark, so be careful, Yuria.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Mikhail, you be careful too.”
“…Alright.”
Yuria, with her pink Hair.
Mikhail, who had awakened his Aura.
And Ruin, with his hands in his Pocket, were descending into the dark depths of the Dungeon.
Ruin, with his hands in his Pocket, grumbled to himself. His muttering, seemingly fueled by irritation, echoed loudly through the Dungeon.
“Why does the Magic Department keep reporting things to the Imperial Family that they can handle themselves…”
“Quiet, Ruin. The Student Council President must have their reasons.”
“That’s exactly what I don’t like. You sword-obsessed fool.”
Mikhail and Ruin bickered back and forth.
Standing between the two mismatched individuals, Yuria awkwardly smiled as she tried to mediate their fight.
“Everyone, don’t fight… Let’s get along.”
“What did you say?”
“Why, you want me to hit you?”
They were not on good terms.
*
The beginning of the matter originated from the Student Council meeting.
This morning, the Student Council President, Chartia, gathered the Student Council Members and brought up a rumor circulating within the Academy.
-You’ve all heard the rumor, right? That a 2nd Year from the Magic Department went missing in the Underground Dungeon.
-Isn’t that a lie? Maybe they just skipped class because they didn’t want to study.
-Ha… I wish that were the case… but a witness came forward saying they saw them enter the Dungeon at the end.
Chartia, with Dark Circles under her eyes, spoke to the Student Council Members.
-It seems almost certain. Something strange was also found in That Guy’s Dormitory room… No, for now, just make sure no odd rumors leak out. The Academy’s atmosphere is already bad because of the last incident.
-Especially you, Ruin.
-Why me.
-Don’t go around looking for Magic Department students like last time. Just wait. The Imperial Family said they’d dispatch a search party.
Chartia had warned Ruin, saying, “You never know what might happen,” and told him to stay put.
However, Ruin, who was both a fellow Magic Department student and a Close Friend of the missing person from the Magic Tower, was not the type to sit idly by.
After the meeting ended, Ruin went to find Yuria. He asked if she would join him in searching for Hans.
He assumed that Yuria, who had been friends with Hans since their 1st Year, shared the same feelings as he did.
-Yuria. I’m going to look for Hans. Want to come with me?
-The Student Council President told us to stay put.
-Who knows when the search party will arrive. And you know Hans isn’t the type to skip class. I think he must’ve found an Undiscovered Region in the Dungeon.
-But…
-Come on. I’ll buy you something tasty.
The missing 2nd Year from the Magic Department, Hans.
He was from the same Magic Tower as Ruin.
A timid student with few friends.
Since childhood, Ruin had often brought him along, and that’s how Yuria got to know him. Because of this, Yuria decided to follow Ruin’s suggestion.
Yuria was known for her Unnecessary Interference.
And she was confident in her abilities.
Though her skills were lacking compared to Ricardo, she knew that as members of the Academy’s Golden Age, they were far superior to any ordinary search party.
Thus, the search party for the missing person was formed.
Ruin, the Top Ranker of the Magic Department.
Yuria, a prodigy from the Healing Department.
And Mikhail, who joined out of concern for Yuria.
A party that symbolized the Academy’s Golden Age was assembled.
*
-Step.
As Yuria descended into the damp Underground, sticky mud clung to her shoes.
‘Phew… It’s okay. It’s already been over a year.’
The place held terrible memories of being abandoned by trusted friends. As she descended into the Dungeon’s depths, Yuria repeatedly clenched and unclenched her Fist in tension.
‘It’s okay…’
Even after a year, Yuria vividly remembered the fear of that day.
-Guys…?
-Where did you go…?
Unable to shake the memory of being left alone in the Dungeon, Yuria shuddered and tried to erase the negative thoughts.
“Are you cold?”
Ruin, standing beside her, asked as he noticed Yuria trembling. He tried to offer her his clothes, but Yuria Shook Her Head, refusing his gesture.
“No, it’s a bit chilly, but I can manage.”
“Really? If you get cold, let me know. I’ll make a Fireball for you.”
“Yeah, I will.”
An awkward silence fell again.
Though they had boldly ventured into the Dungeon, they had no information to go on.
As they continued their uncertain steps deeper into the Dungeon, Ruin spoke to break the awkward atmosphere.
“Oh, right. Did you meet That Guy last week?”
“That Guy?”
“I mean Ricardo.”
-Flinch.
Yuria and Mikhail flinched at Ruin’s sudden mention. It was the name of The Man who had recently helped them but also given them Sharp Criticism.
It was a name difficult to mention lightly.
It was uncomfortable as well.
Though he had helped them.
Hearing the name of someone who had tormented them in a place filled with terrible memories wasn’t pleasant.
Oblivious to Yuria’s cold expression, Ruin rambled on about what had happened recently.
“I went to Hamel for Magic Tower business. On my way back to the Academy, I saw a nice Bracelet and tried to buy it. But guess what? That Guy was there.”
Ruin recounted the events in Hamel.
He mentioned how Ricardo had said harsh words to him and how he couldn’t buy the Bracelet because the store owner and Ricardo were acquainted.
Ruin grumbled about how he had wanted to give the bracelet as a Gift but couldn’t, expressing his disappointment.
“I’m never going back there. I’ll spread the word all over the Magic Department.”
Ruin was plotting a childish Joke.
As Ruin chattered on.
“Huff… Huff…”
Noticing Yuria’s increasingly pale complexion as they descended deeper, Ruin exclaimed in surprise.
“Yuria, are you okay!?”
“I’m fine, just feeling a little nauseous.”
Inside the Dungeon, Yuria was haunted by the harsh words of her friends.
-You were a nuisance from the start.
-Why does a Commoner like you act so arrogant?
-Friend? Who said I was your friend?
Bad memories churned her stomach.
Friends who had hurt her with their words and then disappeared.
And herself, left alone.
She remembered fleeing into the depths to escape the sudden onslaught of Monsters, but everything after that was a blank.
She had been told Ricardo rescued her afterward, but she had no memory of it.
Past memories of resentment and the belief that Ricardo had orchestrated everything began to flash through Yuria’s mind.
-Stop it already! I… I trusted you…
-I thought you were different…!
-Get lost… Don’t ever show up in front of me again.
It was a past she didn’t want to think about.
Because it made her angry and scared.
Recalling the moment she was left alone in the dark Dungeon made Yuria feel nauseous.
Seeing Yuria’s pale face, Ruin gritted his teeth.
“Ricardo, you son of a b*…”
Muttering under his breath, Ruin, worried about Yuria’s condition, suggested they turn back, but Yuria Shook Her Head and continued walking toward the Deep Layer.
“…I’m fine. It’s just a little nausea. It’s nothing serious.”
“Sigh…”
Ruin grew to dislike Ricardo even more.
The three continued descending deeper underground. Occasionally, Monsters like Undead Knights or Ghouls appeared, but Yuria’s simple gestures made them vanish, allowing the group to proceed without significant danger.
“Huff… Huff…”
Noticing Yuria’s pale complexion again, Mikhail voiced his concern.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah… I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”
“This isn’t good. Let’s turn back.”
Mikhail glanced at Ruin, signaling with his eyes that they should give up for now due to Yuria’s condition.
Ruin also nodded in agreement. Though finding the missing person was important, Yuria’s health took priority. He removed his hands from his Pocket and began to support Yuria.
Yuria Shook Her Head.
“No, I’m fine. It’s just a little suffocating… I’ll feel better as I keep walking.”
“Still…”
Yuria, shaking off the eerie feeling, marched forward with determination.
“I said I’m fine.”
“Let me know if it gets too much.”
“Okay.”
Unpleasant memories kept surfacing faintly in Yuria’s mind.
Yuria Shook Her Head repeatedly, trying hard to dispel her thoughts.
“Let’s find him quickly. Hans must be waiting for us right now.”
That was when it happened.
-Aaaaaargh!!!
A Scream from The Man echoed nearby.
Yuria turned her head.
She looked toward the end of the dark Corridor that stretched ahead.
Unlike the Dungeon Corridor illuminated by torches, a Black Hole in the wall, devoid of any light, caught Yuria’s eye.
It was the location where The Man’s Scream had come from.
Yuria stared at the Black Hole with a puzzled expression.
‘Why… does this feel familiar?’
It seemed like a place she had never seen before.
Yet, strangely, it felt familiar.
As if she had been there once before.
Though she hadn’t visited the Dungeon since the day she was left behind, Yuria had enough experience from countless assignments to roughly know its geography.
And.
She was certain that the hole before her was something she was seeing for the first time.
Even Mikhail and Ruin, who had frequented the Dungeon for training, would have been well-versed in its layout.
They, too, would say that the dark hole before them was new.
However, Yuria felt an oddly familiar sensation.
As if she had been there before.
Suddenly, a hazy memory flashed through Yuria’s mind.
-Run.
-…
-I said run.
As the Silhouette of the Red-Haired Man flickered in her thoughts.
“Was this place here before?”
Mikhail’s question snapped her out of her tangled thoughts.
“What? You don’t know either?”
“Yeah. This is my first time seeing it too.”
“Wow… Damn.”
Ruin gazed at the Black Hole with a Small Smile. Excited at the prospect of an Artifact in an Undiscovered Region, he was already speculating.
At the same time, all three of them felt it instinctively.
That Hans would be here.
With an Instinctual Hunch and growing certainty, a Glow of Hope began to appear on Ruin’s face.
“Let’s go.”
Swallowing hard, Ruin spoke as he looked at the Black Hole.
“There’s nowhere else to go anyway.”
Though tense, the three couldn’t ignore The Man’s Scream and nodded at the Black Hole.
Supporting Yuria, Mikhail asked.
“Yuria, can you manage?”
Yuria nodded weakly.
And then.
-A Quest has been triggered.
A Blue Window appeared before their eyes.