Chapter 37: Openness“Sherry, please grab a wax ste for notes. I have several questions, but I don’t expect that they can all be answered in one day. Other things will come up ter and you might have some ideas as well. First, I need some information regarding formal hearings. The duke promised to brief me tomorrow, but I want to know if he’ll hide or miss anything important.”

  Sherry grumbles, “How can you trust that guy at all?”

  “I don’t have to since I already know he wants to use me. I just don’t know if he pns to throw me away afterwards. Next, is a list of the monsters on the 12th through 23rd floors. It doesn’t need to be perfect but collect relevant facts regarding special attacks, sensitivity and resistances.”

  “Do you already know this for the earlier floors?”

  “Well enough. I mainly tracked the order in each byrinth. Details on the byrinth order might be easier to find at the explorers guild in town, assuming they’ll tell us.”

  “Got it, I can do this.”

  “Good, as long as you don’t overdo it. We’ll talk about your findings afterwards and if the library is even the right pce to use.”

  “I’ve wanted to go there for so long. Thanks for entrusting this to me.”

  “Perfect. Also, how much do you know about skill crystal types and effects?”

  “I’ve read quite a bit, actually.”

  “Please compile a list of skill crystals you know, their effects and how they change in combination with a kobold crystal. Any others can be researched ter.”

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  When everyone was ready, we warped back to Nordselm’s Labyrinth to continue on the 10th floor. We reached the boss room and defeated the boss bull by lunch time. This was our third time and I could no longer tolerate these bull names. My ‘mino is short for minotaur’ theory seemed solid until I saw that the boss was called ‘hachinos’. What the heck does that mean? Well, the kobold boss’ name is in German so maybe the bull’s name is in Spanish or Portuguese. Could it be Greek? [1]

  I needed a distraction. Time to visit the vilgers? No, too soon. Well, maybe just a little peek. I opened a portal a bit off to the side of the vilge and saw three visitors. Hmm, who are they?

  Thieves! I quickly jumped out and asked my party to surround the criminals along with a rather surprised Bernhard. But, there was no fighting or threatening. Bernhard was just standing there passing out bread rolls to a few innocent-looking teens who didn’t seem to be thieving at the moment.

  Putting away our weapons, I had Alina tell Bernhard that I needed a moment with these kids. Through Alina, the kids cimed that some actual brigands coerced them into stealing. They haven’t willingly committed any crimes and have never done anything violent, or so they say. Well, they certainly didn’t appear to be doing anything wrong today. The brigands that had abandoned them were quite likely the same we fought earlier so they won’t be coming back.

  The apparently unwilling criminals swore to live a virtuous life so we told them that our Priest would absolve them — sounded like a good lie even if there’s no religion here. They were instructed not to tell anyone since we would otherwise have to charge a huge fee — another pusible lie. I pulled the kids into a party with Alina and then switched their jobs to Vilger while Alina performed a group heal — both for the drama and the physical benefit.

  We went back to talk to Bernhard about which vilge might be kind enough to take the kids. He got the hint and accepted them without compint. I tried to pay him for the trouble, but was ftly refused. I reformed our party, walked out of view and warped us back home.

  “Sorry folks. I need to take a little break to calm down.”

  I’d kept myself together as long as possible and now couldn’t do anything but sit on the couch with my head in hands. The gals sat next to me in silence.

  Damn, I nearly cutdown those kids based solely on their criminal jobs. Seeing that they were just Thieves made it easier to pause — I might not have stopped if they’d been Bandits. OK, new rule, which is rather obvious, criminals who are not currently involved in violence deserve a chance. I’ve pretty much followed that rule anyway and the exceptions weren’t far off, such the thug guarding the door for the actively-violent criminals. At least I never attacked anyone in their sleep, unlike the manga.

  My retively merciful stance on criminality, as far as this world is concerned, is still so much harsher than I would have advocated back in the old world. My general state of self-delusion can’t obscure this simple fact. Sure, w enforcement is basically medieval, but I don’t have to act that way.

  OK, time to get back to invading the byrinths to mercilessly sy the monsters. Where should we go though? Better to wait on Curatar’s byrinth till we have more data so I decided to take us back to Nordselm’s 11th.

  Here, we faced ants. I gave Sherry some antidote pills and warned her against their ranged attacks. Without a rge shield or the agility of the others, Sherry got hit. I jumped in to help her before realizing that I’d left out the detail that you generally need very direct help to take the antidote orally. She was understandably astonished when I suddenly kissed her, but she accepted the cure.

  It was close to dinner time so we decided to stop for the day. On the way back, we bought the necessary building supplies in Vale — further away, but we already know where to go. We returned to have Sherry and Theo make dinner. They made two, completely different dishes, which worked together just fine.

  After dinner, I asked Sherry to make another Cord of Substitution. The skeptical look on Sherry’s face was undeniable. It worked, of course.

  “Sherry, let’s discuss fusion success rates after you’ve made a few more. Of course, this one is for you.”

  I ceremoniously tied it onto Sherry’s ankle. We skipped going out for a night shift and I prepared the baths. We used the new soap and I joined the gals… to save water.

  ────────────────────────

  Day 35

  I woke early to admire Alina’s cute ears. It’s not pervy since they are objectively cute. It seems that Alina and Sherry will generally alternate. Sounds suspiciously like a duty. They tell me that I’m being shared fairly, which technically doesn’t answer the question of duty versus privilege. Alina soon woke and we went down for breakfast.

  After we ate, Alina announces, “David, we’ll try out the new tools. You come too Sherry.”

  Took me a moment to figure out what she meant before she pulled out the new grooming set. I had already tried to forget that I actually bought something so fancy. Alina shaved me and trimmed my hair with the new scissors, all while talking to Sherry about me like I was a mannequin.

  I told Sherry, “I believe that the library has an entrance fee and a rge deposit in case any books are damaged. Since you have an Item Box, I’ll give you extra money for anything you might need and I want you to take weapons as well. If I’m done early, I’ll drop by to see if you’re ready to leave. Otherwise, I’ll assume that you’ll want to stay all day. Good to get our money’s worth, but stop if you get too tired.”

  Of course, I left money for the others as well, though they probably won’t need it. After breakfast, I put on my fancy armor and took Sherry to the capital. After making sure she was admitted, I walked back to the adventurers guild and paid for a ride to Bode, just for respectability.

  Looks like they haven’t quite finished their supply operation. At the gate, I asked a guard to point me in the right direction since it was somehow fine for me to walk around unescorted. I knocked and entered to see Gosr and the duke in their usual spots — still looks fake.

  “Ah, good morning, David. Nice to see that you’ve come here early this time.”

  “Yes, Your Grace, I’ve learned my lesson.”

  “Back to formal address, huh? David, why won’t you rex?”

  “Because I’m speaking to Your Grace as a commoner. Of course, I could pretend, My Lord.”

  “David, I want to have an honest conversation.”

  “As do I, but I don’t know how to avoid the risk of offending.”

  “Ack, how stubborn. OK, David, let’s ignore social rank for today. This conversation is completely open.”

  “Thanks, Brocken. Tell me what I need to know about the hearing.”

  “Ha ha, David, you really jump in with both feet!”

  “Yes. It’s my way to show honesty, though I must apologize to Captain Gosr.”

  “Ha ha, you’re terrible. Alright, the procedure is rather simple. The charges will be read and you’ll give a very brief response. There will be no arguing or discussion. You are to answer with confidence while remaining respectful. Your options are to surrender to the count or make your plea, which could lead to combat.”

  “Thanks, this seems pretty simple, though it probably isn’t. Why are you allowing this hearing and possibly even want it to happen?”

  “Even if we’re speaking casually, that doesn’t mean I can tell you everything.”

  “OK, then allow me to specute on a completely unreted case. Let’s say that a certain noble compins about a party fighting his byrinth. That compint will probably end up working against him. He may have to expin why he wasn’t taking care of it or why it wasn’t necessary. On the other hand, allowing him to simply punish the party without a formal hearing basically validates his position.”

  “David, I’m not saying that you’re right, but how did you reach such a conclusion?”

  “Brunhild, the fallen Knight, practically exploded when I suggested that byrinths should be subjugated for the sake of public safety. Before we met, Lady Rutina was taught that byrinths were to be avoided as horrific and filthy. Those attitudes came from somewhere. Of course, I’d never suggest that source was the Count of Selmer, especially in front of his duke. That would be foolish.”

  “Duly noted. Let’s say that it’s true. What’s next?”

  “Simply holding a trial weakens the Count’s position, but it’s best if he loses.”

  “Yes, David, that would certainly have a bigger impact.”

  “Well, it’s best for you. Winning is actually a loss for me. A commoner winning a trial against a noble will probably be seen as an insult.”

  “That danger does exist. Much will depend on how you answer the charges. You’ll need to accept the action, but deny the intent. If you accept the intent, that would be a direct challenge of the count’s authority. Not even I could protect you from that. Of course, you could avoid it all by surrendering yourself to the count’s mercy. That would be a bad outcome for me and potentially terrible for you.”

  “I will not simply surrender. So, is trial-by-combat likely?”

  “Yes, very. You wouldn’t normally be allowed a champion, but I’ll make an exception for you. Do you have someone in mind?”

  “If fighting becomes necessary, I will do it myself.”

  “No, David, that would be reckless. You have a fantastic party, but a Mage can’t possibly stand against a Knight in direct combat.”

  “Well, remember Heinz and Simon? My two vanguard members took down Heinz together while I fought and killed Simon alone.”

  “As incredible as that is, it’s still not the same situation.”

  “All I need to worry about is how to stop his champion without killing him or exposing my technique.”

  “What technique?”

  “I can demonstrate if you swear not to expose my secrets. Captain Gosr must promise as well or stay behind.”

  “Oh, now I’m really curious. Yes, I promise and so does Gosr, right?”

  “Yes, Your Grace. I swear not to share Lord Moreau’s secret.”

  “Thanks. Do you have a private area we could use?”

  We walked to a small clearing.

  “OK, David. We’re alone now.”

  We weren’t alone.

  “Captain Gosr, do you agree that we’re alone? Should we treat anyone else here as a possible threat to His Grace?”

  “Lord Moreau, you must understand…”

  “Gosr?”

  Gosr apologizes to the duke and pretends to do the same for me. As far as I can tell, the duke didn’t know about the spies.

  After a brief silence, I said, “Well, maybe this is for the best. Please just trust that I’m good enough to defeat his champion without killing him.”

  “Alright, David, you’ve at least demonstrated acute battle sense.”

  “Has a date been set for the hearing?”

  “Yes, David, the hearing will be held here, three days from now, at noon.”

  “Thanks for all your help.”

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  I left and paid for a ride to Selmer’s Castle. At the gate, I introduced myself as Mr. Teacher and asked to see Lady Rutina. A few minutes ter, she came down to see me and took me to her study.

  “Teacher, I can’t believe you’d dare to come here. My father will kill you if you’re caught.”

  “Yeah, why is he so mad at me anyway?”

  “I think he feels threatened. I don’t really understand why though.”

  “Your father is being set up. His only chance to survive is to publicly acknowledge that the byrinths are dangerous and then he needs to start attacking them.”

  “Teacher, I understand that you’re looking for a way out. It’s only natural since you really are in serious danger.”

  “I’m not the one in danger.”

  “Now that’s just absurd. Father won’t just send an inexperienced servant.”

  “Why is a commoner, even a Mage. being given a hearing against a count? Why would the duke personally coach me? Why the push towards a duel?”

  “Why are you telling me all this? What are you actually trying to convince me to do?”

  “The duchess is an Anselm so she can govern till you’re old enough. Or, if you support your father’s side, they may choose someone else to become the next count.”

  “That’s absurd. No, it’s insane. Why are you trying to make me doubt everything and everyone. Life was so easy when magic was weak, byrinths were filthy, humans were vile. Do you have any idea what it’s like to wake up in a different world?”

  “Yes, it makes you question reality itself. Fortunately, that pain helps you become your own person. It helps you find your own truth — not your father’s, not mine nor anyone else’s.”

  “Now you sound simply ridiculous. You can’t possibly know how I feel.”

  “Yeah, I know, but it still doesn’t make me wrong. Good night and good luck, Lady Rutina.”

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  [1] These names are actually Japanese terms for the first and second stomachs of a cow. The direct transtions to English, rumen and reticulum, are too awkward. Using food names (e.g., honeycomb tripe) is even worse. These Japanese names are better for the story, even for the boss’ boss, which appears much ter.