Chapter 7: Freinir’s Past 01
Soushi Okuno
D-Rank
Adventurer Level: 15
Weapon Skills
– Mace: Level 19
– Longsword: Level 8
– Dagger: Level 4
– Hand-to-Hand: Level 10
Armor Skills
– Buckler: Level 15
– Large Shield: Level 3 (new)
Physical Abilities
– Stamina: Level 18
– Strength: Level 23
– Speed: Level 16
– Explosive Power: Level 16
– Reflexes: Level 14
– Body Control: Level 6
Sensory Skills
– Vision: Level 12
– Hearing: Level 10
– Smell: Level 7
– Touch: Level 7
– Dynamic Vision: Level 15
– Presence Detection: Level 12
Mental Skills
– Composure: Level 10
– Thought Acceleration: Level 7
– Excitement: Level 2
Special Skills
– Regeneration: Level 4
– Stability: Level 8
– Herculean Strength: Level 10
– Steel Body: Level 6
– Honshin: Level 6
– Heavy Impact: Level 8
– Grasp: Level 3
– Poison Resistance: Level 2
– Hallucination Resistance: Level 4
– Paralysis Resistance: Level 1
Unique Skills
– Bad Luck: Level 10
Freinir
E-Rank
Adventurer Level: 10
Weapon Skills
– Staff: Level 7
– Spear: Level 3
– Hand-to-Hand: Level 3
Armor Skills
– Buckler: Level 3
Physical Abilities
– Stamina: Level 8
– Strength: Level 5
– Speed: Level 8
– Explosive Power: Level 5
– Reflexes: Level 5
– Body Control: Level 2
Sensory Skills
– Vision: Level 7
– Hearing: Level 6
– Smell: Level 4
– Touch: Level 4
– Dynamic Vision: Level 4
– Presence Detection: Level 6
Mental Skills
– Bravery: Level 5
– Mental Concentration: Level 7
Special Skills
– Holy Attribute Magic: Level 8
– Divine Attribute Magic: Level 5
– Life Attribute Magic: Level 3
– Consumption Reduction: Level 5
– Charge: Level 2
– Poison Resistance: Level 1
Unique Skills
– Saint’s Eye: Level 3
Larni
E-Rank
Adventurer Level: 11
Weapon Skills
– Longsword: Level 13
– Dagger: Level 4
– Hand-to-Hand: Level 6
Armor Skills
– Buckler: Level 5
Physical Abilities
– Stamina: Level 9
– Strength: Level 10
– Speed: Level 14
– Explosive Power: Level 13
– Reflexes: Level 13
– Body Control: Level 6
Sensory Skills
– Vision: Level 6
– Hearing: Level 10
– Smell: Level 14
– Touch: Level 6
– Dynamic Vision: Level 8
– Presence Detection: Level 12
Mental Skills
– Bravery: Level 5
– Thought Acceleration: Level 2
Special Skills
– Enchantment Magic: Level 4
– Swift Run: Level 4
– Steel Body: Level 4
– Herculean Strength: Level 3
– Vital Strike: Level 3
– Jump: Level 2 (new)
– Paralysis Resistance: Level 1
– Cold Resistance: Level 1
Unique Skills
– God of Plague: Level 3
Note: Skills are estimated.
After completing the assault on the Undead Castle, we returned to the town of Euron.
Two days later, I was informed of my promotion to D-Rank, granting us the qualification to enter D-Class dungeons.
This would allow us to grow even stronger, and I found myself thinking about returning to Tolson to meet Kaim and the others while standing in front of the guild counter.
“Soushi-dono, Viscount Barius has requested your presence. You may remain in your current attire, but all party members are to board the carriage,” a sudden voice interrupted my thoughts.
It was Anatoria the Crimson, who had appeared out of nowhere, and we three were escorted to a splendid noble mansion located in the center of Euron.
As we sat on a sofa in what seemed to be a reception room, the door opened, and a man in luxurious noble attire entered. He appeared to be in his thirties and was accompanied by Anatoria and a middle-aged man I recognized as the steward from when I had seen them in Tolson. This nobleman must be Viscount Barius himself.
He had a robust physique that made him seem more like a warrior than a noble. His brown hair was slicked back, and his gaze was sharp, exuding the aura of a former adventurer.
Freinir and I stood up and bowed our heads, while Larni hurriedly followed suit, bowing vigorously.
“I apologize for the sudden summons. I, too, was once an adventurer. Please, do not mind the formalities and feel at ease,” Viscount Barius said in a surprisingly gentle tone, contrasting his imposing appearance as he took a seat on the sofa opposite us. Anatoria and the steward stood behind him, creating a scene that felt quintessentially noble.
“I am Macruhan Barius, a viscount of the Vermilian Kingdom. It seems you have made significant contributions to the recent assault on the Undead stronghold. First, let me express my gratitude.”
“It is an honor,” I replied, recalling the etiquette I had learned as a working adult. However, I had never dealt with nobility from a class-based society, so I hoped for some leniency.
“Hmm…”
Viscount Barius raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by my manners. What kind of reaction was that?
“As Anatoria mentioned, you seem to be well-versed in etiquette, Soushi-dono. Were you perhaps from a prominent merchant family?”
“Yes, I was once a merchant. However, I was not responsible for dealings with nobility, so I apologize for any shortcomings.”
“Ah, there is no need to be so formal. The reason I called you here is not only due to your recent achievements but also because I am quite curious about the magic she used. Could you tell me what kind of skill enabled that magic?”
Ah, so that was it. If it were merely a matter of performing well in a subjugation mission, there would be no way the viscount would personally summon us. However, it seemed that the matter of “Divine Attribute Magic” was significant enough to warrant his attention.
I nodded at Freinir, who looked anxious beside me, before responding.
“That magic is known as ‘Divine Attribute Magic,’ specifically ‘Divine Halo.'”
Anatoria and the steward exchanged glances, and the viscount let out a thoughtful sigh.
“I see… Thank you for sharing such important information about your party.”
With that, the viscount turned his attention to Freinir.
“Freinir-sama, is what you just said true?”
“…Yes, it is indeed true,” Freinir replied after briefly glancing at me. However, the viscount referring to her as “Freinir-sama” was…
“Is it correct to say that no one else is aware of this matter?”
“Yes, aside from Soushi-sama and Larni, no one else knows.”
“That is fortunate. However, I never expected Freinir-sama to be in my domain. Naturally, your father is unaware of this as well?”
“I believe he is unaware. To that family, my existence held little significance.”
“Such a thing… But this matter must be conveyed to your father immediately…”
“Please do not tell him. I am now Freinir the adventurer.”
“But that is…”
From the exchange, it seemed that Freinir was originally a high-born noblewoman who had been cast aside for some reason. Judging by her demeanor, she genuinely did not want to return to her family, suggesting she had endured some harsh treatment.
The viscount closed his eyes for a moment, appearing deep in thought. If my assumptions were correct, he was indeed facing a very difficult choice. For a noble, it was likely that the option of “not informing her father” was not available…
“Rodan, what should I do? The fact that Freinir-sama has manifested ‘Divine Attribute Magic’ is significant news for that family.”
The viscount called upon the steward’s name, and Rodan spoke up, “Indeed… Given your position, it is not an option to remain silent. However, considering the circumstances of that family, even if you were to inform them, it is highly likely that Freinir-sama would be met not with a warm welcome but with assassins. I fail to see the merit in conveying this information.”
Rodan’s words were shockingly provocative. He had just mentioned “assassins.” Was the “Divine Attribute Magic” something that could attract the attention of assassins?
“I see… Very well. Soushi-dono, and Larni-dono, I would like to keep this conversation strictly between us. We will not speak of it further, and I ask that you do the same.”
“Understood.”
“Of course.”
After hearing the current discussion, we had no choice but to agree.
“Let us refer to the earlier magic as a higher-level form of ‘Holy Attribute’ magic. ‘Divine Attribute’ magic has been kept secret, so there should be no one who knows its effects. It is unlikely that anyone would recognize the magic Freinir-sama used as ‘Divine Attribute.'”
At the viscount’s words, Freinir let out a sigh of relief and tightly grasped my arm. The three people across from us reacted slightly to this. Huh? Did they misunderstand something?
“Hmm, so it seems that Freinir-sama wishes to continue her activities as an adventurer with her current party?”
“Yes. I have decided to follow Soushi-sama wherever he goes.”
Freinir tightened her grip on my arm even more. Wait a moment, the expressions on the faces of the three of you are starting to look a bit scary… Larni is giggling, but this is not the time for that!
“Understood. If there is anything you need to continue your activities as an adventurer, please let me know. I will do my utmost to assist you. Also, Soushi-dono, I would like to speak with you in another room, if that is alright?”
“Y-Yes, understood.”
Following the viscount, who wore a serious expression, I exited the reception room.