The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter

They all were equally speechless at the large number of petrified people.

Actually, not every person in town was turned to stone, there were plenty of those that ran away and hid. Those are the good news.

「Noir-kun, you did it. Both your father and I are very proud. That aside, I want to ask for alchemy.」

Looks like Perido-san successfully explained everything to the lord of Hornest.

Large amounts of materials required to make the petrification remedy are being transported into the town.

I diligently perform the work. In the process, I realized, that if I have a large container, I can put there a lot of holy water and magic stones, and produce a great quantity of petrification remedy at once.

Thanks to it, the work took less than two hours.

After that, soldiers split up and proceed to rescue residents.

We leave for Hornest as planned. As one would expect, I was tired and fell asleep inside the carriage, then I felt a gentle touch on my cheek.

When I opened my eyes, Emma and Laura-san were lightly kissing me.

「Eh, what?」

「Ah, sorry for waking you up. I thought maybe you need to accumulate LP.」

「Noir-san, you spent quite a lot in that town, aren’t you? Actually, I was about to do a lot of various things by myself, but a hindrance appeared.」

「Don’t call me a hindrance.」

It seems that they both were concerned about my LP. Certainly, consumption is heavy these days, so replenishment would be appreciated.

With a big smile, Laura-san whispers in my ear.

「I came up with a really good way. Let’s give it a try when we get to Hornest. But this is a secret from everyone.」

She gave me a wink. I nodded and tried to go fall asleep once again, but suddenly I’ve got nervous and lost all sleep.

◇ ◆ ◇

In less than a day we arrived at the entrance of Hornest.

The size of the town seems to be quite big, as can be seen from the length of the outer wall and the number of guard towers.

After Perido-san spoke with the gatekeeper, we entered the town without paying the entry tax. The attitude of the gatekeeper shows that we are very welcome.

Landan’s case already became quite well known inside the town.

Leaving the carriage outside, for now, Perido-san guides us inside.

「Let’s visit Shoen-sama, the lord of this place. He wants to see you.」

It seems that he is a duke with quite a good lineage. Despite him being from a foreign country, I feel pressured by the difference in status. Well, that is inevitable for a third son of the baronet house.

Along with the guidance, we are introduced to the town. The first thing I felt was that the road was wide. Besides, there is almost no trash, even on the main road. This is actually pretty amazing.

Countless shops and multicolored diverse clothing of people walking by drew my interest.

There were adventurer-like people, and also those that appeared like dancers. Next is races, it seems that there is a lot of beastkin. There are almost none of them in our town so it makes me excited.

Well, we arrived at the duke’s house, but it’s a smaller house than I imagined. Of course, it’s better than Stalgia’s house but if you compared it to Emma’s house… It might lose. Reading my thoughts Perido-san says.

「Surprising? Shoen-sama is famous for not indulging in luxury. He tries to live as close as possible to the common folk.」

「It’s wonderful.」

Among nobles, there are some that think it’s better to live as extravagantly as possible. He is much more trustworthy than such folk.

We were allowed inside without having to wait. After idling for a few minutes in the spacious living room, a man, around sixty years of age, comes in a bit flustered.

A long gray hair tied into the braid. He runs up to us as soon as he sees Perido-san. Is this Shoen-sama?

「Perido! You came back? What about that matter?!」

「Please rest assured, Shoen-sama, Landan is already safe. The monster was defeated and petrified residents were returned to their original appearance.」

「What? A miracle happened?」

Perido-san shakes his head, making it known to the delighted Shoen-sama that it was not a miracle. Putting his hand on my shoulder he reveals his white teeth.

「My friend’s son, Noir Stalgia. He solved most of the problem.」

「Such a young child?!」

After looking at me from the front, from the side, and from the back, Shoen-sama shakes my hand. I as well extend a greeting doubling as self-introduction. For the whole time, he won’t let go of my hand…

Shoen-sama was quite excited after receiving a series of explanations from Perido-san. I was asked about my abilities, but as would be expected I obscured that part.

「You are the savior of Landan, no, perhaps a savior of this country. Are you tired of your travel today? Let’s arrange accommodation.」

「Thank you for your concern.」

「There is a matter I want to discuss with you in the future, is that fine with you, Noir-kun?」

「If it is something I can do, please tell me anything.」

I said that but what is the subject? It seems that Perido-san will stay here to talk a little more. Being told the location of the inn we get moving.

We find it without any problem, and leave our baggage in the room. I’m glad that it’s a good inn. When I give the letter from Shoen-sama to the innkeeper he informs us that the price for our stay here is free.

「As expected, the duke is generous.」

「You saved Landan. This much is only natural. That aside, how about going somewhere with the two of us?」

I’m happy about Laura-san’s invitation, but I have things to do. Emma immediately refused in my stead.

「Noope, Noir is going now to meet his brother.」

「Since it’s Noir-san’s brother, he must be a wonderful person.」

I wonder about that… I and Emma could not help but to make dubious expressions. He wasn’t a universally acceptable person. Depending on the person he might be wonderful.

We didn’t make any particular agreements for the meeting, so I visit the commercial school with everyone. He should be there during the daytime.

On our way there, Layla-san points out something.

「Don’t you think that there are too many various schools in Hornest?」

「Looking at the posters, there seem to be a lot of martial arts related schools.」

Starting from swordsmanship, a variety of different style for various weapons was offered, the next target appeared to be people aiming to advance in magic arts.

This place is even called the city of education, chances are, they get some subsidies from the lord.

We left the merchant area and entered the residential area. It seems that commercial school is in this part. It’s unusual for it to be here.

It was four hours past midday, and I felt that during this time there might be people going home from school.

We wait at the gates. After thirty minutes, people started leaving school in small groups.

I asked one of them, a woman in her twenties if she knew my brother.

「…Gillan what?」

「Well, I wanted to meet him.」

「Do you have some business with him?」

「Ehm, Gillan Stalgia is my older brother.」

The moment I answered that, I’ve got slapped on the cheek, it prickles. IT HURTS… How did I offend her?

「To think you are related to such a disgusting man! Stay away from me.」

The woman in her twenties angrily walks away. Emma chases after her and complains.

「How awful of you to just hit him out of nowhere! Noir didn’t do anything.」

「Be quiet. The fact that he is related to that guy makes him just as bad. If you get any closer I will hit you as well.」

She was very unruly so it would be better not get involved with her any further.

「Noir-dono, do you need healing shot?」

「It’s okay. It’s not a big deal.」

Pain already went away. In truth, I could avoid it, but didn’t do so on purpose. Maybe because I had a hunch that brother caused her some troubles.

For Luna-san and others, who didn’t know my brother, it seemed quite bizarre.

「To get that upset, what is this all about.」

「My older brother has always been popular with girls. He always had multiple girlfriends, at times when he had a lot the number could go over dozen.」

「But, wasn’t that accepted by the girls?」

「Well, it was…」

Such harems are not uncommon among nobles and people of high standing. Both my country and this country allow polygamy. Brother should be telling his girlfriends that he goes with such style.

Then why she got that mad?

The reason lies in the way he breaks up. While they are dating brother says things like「I will protect you as long as I live」,「You will be my first wife」,「When I will become a great merchant, you will be by my side」implying future marriage and getting the other party in such mood.

And then, one day, without any forewarning he just dumps them.

All his previous girls were absolutely enraged by this approach.

I presume that woman was the same.

「Gillan-san, you are as trashy as always, I’m relieved.」

「Emma… You shouldn’t feel relieved there.」

However, my brother, after coming here you didn’t change at all. The future looks bleak.

As I was sighing heavily, the main source of those problems finally showed itself.