Your Majesty, Dinner Is Ready. Chapter 140 - C-Rank Labyrinth – South Continent Expedition (1)

Chapter 140 — C-Rank Labyrinth – South Continent Expedition (1)

 

The Southern Continent. An unknown land that had remained buried within a mystical fog for ages.

Thanks to remarkable advances in detection technology, the continent that had previously existed only in imagination and speculation had finally revealed itself to the world.

“A land more precious than tens of thousands of jewels has finally walked into our hands.”

Those were the words left behind by the Master of the Green Mage Tower, the one who announced the existence of the Southern Continent.

 

***

 

On the deck of the large sailing ship Solmiran’s Hammer. A dwarf climbed up a ladder at the bow and spread both arms wide.

“I’m not exactly fond of those colorful pointy-ears… Ah, pardon me, I mean Jewel Elves. But for that one moment, I agreed with the Green Mage Tower Master’s words with all my heart!”

His speech was comparatively polite for an Eastern Continent dwarf.

Yet his voice and gestures burned with the fiery passion that perfectly embodied an Eastern Continent dwarf.

“I, Brinya Kalvrak, hereby make an official declaration before all of you!”

The dwarf slowly looked around at everyone who had boarded the ship as expedition members before continuing his solemn speech.

“This expedition will be extremely dangerous. You may go for months without eating properly. We won’t be able to pay you much. We don’t even know what dangers await us. And we cannot guarantee that any of you will return alive.”

Thud!

Jumping down from the ladder, the dwarf raised one short arm high into the air.

“But! If this expedition succeeds… We shall earn immeasurable honor and glory!”

“WAAAAAH!”

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted. Shouts overflowing with enthusiasm. Feet stomping the deck with excitement.

Even after being told they were heading toward almost certain death, not a single person looked nervous or afraid. There was no reason for them to be.

“Our South Continent Expedition will become a symbol of glory!”

“Even if we fail, history will remember us!”

Those who preferred passionate challenges over stable lives were never the type to treasure their own lives.

“That’s a pretty tempting proposition.”

Bartimir chuckled quietly, wearing a white sailor’s cap over his bandaged head.

“If this were reality instead of a labyrinth… I would’ve joined too.”

“Same here.”

The younger of the Ires sisters, the Stalker-class explorer Tilda, nodded.

“Honestly, we’re not that different. Explorers are people who pursue dreams over safety.”

Heh. Tilda struck a dramatic pose.

“You’re saying something surprisingly cool for someone like you.”

“…What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What? You seriously don’t know?”

“……”

“Ahhh! Stop pulling my bandages! They’re precious!”

While waiting in the city for the public recruitment of expedition members, the two explorers of similar age had become close remarkably quickly. Perhaps because they both possessed a childlike innocence or childishness that didn’t quite match their ages. By now, they were practically best friends.

“They’re basically soulmates.”

“I know.”

Watching the two bicker, Pendrick smiled before turning toward the expedition leader, Brinya.

“Members of the expedition! Our adorable Solmiran’s Hammer is an incredibly sturdy ship built by the combined efforts of the master craftsmen working under me!”

Bang! Bang!

Pulling out a hammer, the dwarf repeatedly slammed it against the deck. Despite being made of wood, it didn’t receive even the slightest scratch.

“As you can see, it won’t budge against ordinary impacts. And since wind spirits propel the ship, we can sail smoothly even through windless zones! If I may brag just a little… I personally oversaw its construction!”

The pride in his voice was unmistakable. And rightfully so.

It truly was an extraordinary vessel. It would undoubtedly survive the coming attack without issue.

“I suppose things are proceeding according to the strategy.”

“So far, yes.”

At Pendrick’s words, Veldora, the older Ires sister, replied cautiously.

“I still can’t bring myself to trust the Golden Crow’s strategy completely… But it’s definitely detailed enough to be worth following.”

Karr’s guide for conquering the South Continent Expedition was unbelievably specific.

A lengthy, detailed document. Even filled with plenty of unnecessary personal commentary.

“But then why didn’t he explain everything?”

Some sections were written only vaguely. Considering how, during the conquest of Tower of Trials, he’d even prepared personalized assignments for every party member… It seemed he’d intentionally left certain details out.

While idly gazing at the sea, Marlin answered Veldora’s question.

“That’s just how he is.”

“…Just how he is?”

“Yes. Karr probably knows every little detail about this labyrinth. But he simply didn’t feel like writing it all down. He always acts according to whatever he feels like.”

Was it because he served Lidni, the Pioneer of Twisted Truth? His knowledge surpassed anyone else’s.

Yet… Rather than using that vast knowledge to live wisely, Karr tended to entrust both body and mind to whatever emotion or impulse struck him in the moment.

“So… Was borrowing my sister’s and my appearances during the guild tournament also just a spur-of-the-moment impulse?”

“Probably.”

Marlin answered with complete confidence.

Honestly… She was convinced no one understood the psychology of that half-elf named Karr better than she and Abel did.

Veldora’s expression suddenly became grave.

“How does someone end up that broken…?”

“…Please don’t use the word broken so casually. Even if it isn’t exactly wrong.”

“So you admit it.”

“Well… It’s a little difficult to insist someone perfectly normal would voluntarily board this ship as a slave.”

“A little.”

No one yet knew why Karr had boarded not as an expedition member but as a slave assigned to dangerous work. His notes had merely contained the obvious nonsense:

“I’m setting off in search of love.”

“Captain definitely has a plan.”

Pendrick spoke without the slightest trace of doubt.

“I’m sure he’s dreaming up another incredible expedition beyond our imagination. Just like always.”

“Exactly!… How can you all believe in the Golden Crow so blindly?”

“If you keep exploring with him, Lady Veldora… You’ll understand.”

Marlin’s tail swayed as she looked around the sailors and expedition members gathered on deck. Approximately 200 crew members aboard Solmiran’s Hammer. And 27 expedition members were selected through public recruitment, including Expedition Leader Brinya.

“South Continent Expedition! Let’s all give it everything we’ve got!”

At Brinya’s shout, sailors and explorers alike roared together.

“Yeahhh!”

“WOOOOOO!”

Bartimir and Tilda enthusiastically waved both arms. Caught up in the excitement, Marlin joined the cheering, steeling herself as an explorer.

‘I’m a real explorer now. No matter what Karr ends up doing… I won’t be surprised anymore!’

 

***

 

Inside Solmiran’s Hammer. The constant sound of waves echoed throughout the ship. Every now and then, cheerful laughter from wind spirits could be heard.

I was bound.

“……”

Not merely restrained. A sturdy iron collar encircled my neck. My hands were cuffed behind my back. Heavy shackles bound my ankles.

In that state, I was confined inside a warehouse reeking of salt, packed shoulder to shoulder with others dressed just like me.

“…This is awful.”

“Mom…”

“I want to go home…”

Whining and quiet sobbing echoed from every direction. I didn’t particularly feel any sympathy.

 

[Leon (Human, 42). Convicted thief… 57 prior offenses. Doesn’t even feel guilty anymore. He’d make a perfect offering!]

[Nails (Fox Beastman, 19). Serial killer. Cooked and ate his victims’ livers. I want this one too!]

[Fabiel (Fire Elf, 77). Arsonist. This place is basically an offering warehouse!]

 

Every last one of them was a serious criminal with a long history of evil deeds. Expedition Leader Brinya had purchased these criminals as slaves to throw into dangerous missions.

As for my own crime… Attempted Arson of World Tree No. 32. Starting a fire anywhere near a World Tree was enough to make one a criminal.

A quick and convenient route: Arson → Arrest → Prison → Slavery.

“…Heh.”

Overnight, I’d gone from an ordinary citizen to a slave. It was such a pitiful situation… that laughter kept escaping my lips.

“Heh… ha…”

Former criminals-turned-slaves weren’t afforded humane treatment.

My butt hurts. Yet my head burned with excitement.

Expedition Leader Brinya treated me as nothing more than property.

My waist ached. Yet my chest burned hot.

The supreme hardship on the path toward the ultimate reward… clearing this dungeon.

[Everyone thinks you’re a bizarre, insane half-elf. Please stop smiling….]

I did try to restrain myself. I was a cultist who cared about appearances, after all.

But it wasn’t easy. Ever since the guild tournament, I hadn’t experienced proper stimulation or dopamine.

At this moment, I honestly felt like I could even endure being tied beneath the hull and dragged through the sea.

“…What are you so happy about?”

The half-monster beside me muttered quietly.

A teenage boy. He looked gentle enough… yet he was a murderer.

“What’s there to be happy about? We’re basically marching to our deaths.”

“Then why are you smiling…?”

A summer day that remained vivid in my memory. No matter how painful life became, Yoonji had always smiled.

She once told me:

“It may be hard right now, but someday you’ll be happy. The hardships you’re facing now are just the foundation for that future. So, of course, I can smile.”

You’re still living in the past.

Yet somehow… you’re more mature than I am.

Still, if Yoonji saw me now, she’d surely smile warmly.

I’d finally learned how to transform today’s hardships into tomorrow’s happiness and fulfillment… just as she’d said.

“……”

The half-monster boy fell silent.

I, too, quietly continued enduring every bit of suffering and misery that came with being a slave.

 

***

 

[Smooth voyage — 3 hours elapsed]

Three hours later.

[For some reason, Earth Avatar has advanced to Tier 2…!]

I smiled faintly. There was nothing mysterious about it. One of the hidden advancement conditions for Earth Avatar was: Maintain an unmoving posture while all four limbs are restrained.

Normally, it took much longer. But thanks to the stacking effects of the three Corrupted Trial Marks obtained from Trial Underground Waterway, the process had accelerated considerably.

[Congratulations! Earth Avatar has advanced to Tier 3!]

Another three hours later, it had smoothly reached Tier 3.

Originally, Earth Avatar, the innate Mystery of Earth Elves increased Strength by 3 every time its tier advanced. Although the Cursed Seedling immediately reduced Strength back to 1, the combination of Rolling Thunderclouds and Copying Mirror redirected half of the lost value into Vitality instead.

[Your Vitality has increased by 3, reaching 19!]

Finally. Only one step remained before I became a transcendent in the field of Vitality.

Suffering as a slave. Advancing a growth-type Mystery. Could there possibly be a more enjoyable expedition than this?

‘…This is only the beginning.’

If this were all there was, the Saint personally chosen by Artein would never have foreseen it.

The conquest of the South Continent Expedition had only just begun.

Tap.

By the time silence had fallen over the ship as everyone grew exhausted…

[The sailor whose appearance you mentioned earlier is approaching.]

It was finally time to move on to Step Two of the strategy.

Tap. Tap.

Footsteps slowly approached between the rows of slaves.

“You. Raise your head for a second.”

The sailor grabbed one slave by the hair, forcibly lifting his face to inspect it before clicking his tongue. Then he began examining everyone’s faces one by one.

“What’s he doing?”

The half-monster boy beside me quietly asked. The explanation wasn’t exactly appropriate for a minor, so instead of answering, I merely smiled.

“There’s nobody suitable….”

When the sailor finally approached me, I slowly raised my head. Activating the Mystery the Demon King had granted me… Sin: Lust.

“Ah…”

The sailor’s mouth slowly fell open the instant our eyes met. Naturally. He had just witnessed the beauty of a half-elf who had fallen in love.

[Through the effects of Sin: Lust, you have entered a state of Enchantment, and your presence has become so overwhelming that the people around your target seem to disappear….]

Sin: Lust was not a Mystery that seduced others. Rather… I became enchanted with the person whose eyes met mine.

“Sailor…”

I spoke shyly in a soft, alluring voice.

“How about… taking me with you?”