Chapter 7: An Adventurer’s Resolve (Shifa’s Perspective)
“To think, another Stampede. What’s the situation?”
My father, who was elderly to begin with but now looked even older than his years, lamented.
Hearing the news of the Stampede, he had pushed his old body to come to the guild.
“Yes. Several dozen monsters have already emerged, but they were all from the upper floors, so the adventurers present on site have defeated them all.”
The one who answered was Guildmaster Gundos.
His complexion, naturally, was poor.
A Stampede is a phenomenon where monsters emerge from the dungeon, originating from the lower floors.
Monsters ascend from the lower floors to the middle floors, from the middle floors to the upper floors, and from the upper floors to the outside.
Therefore, the first ones to appear are the weaker monsters from the upper floors.
The fact that a Stampede is occurring undoubtedly means that monsters from the middle floors, and then monsters from the lower floors, will ascend next.
Adventurers will be forced into an all-out battle.
This is truly a struggle for survival between the town and the dungeon.
At the guild’s call, adventurers are gathering.
After all, if a Stampede is left unchecked, what awaits is the town’s collapse.
And any adventurer who was in town yet didn’t participate in dealing with the Stampede would be pointed at and scorned.
They would lose credibility as an adventurer.
“That one’s a deserter,” they’d say.
“How is the adventurer turnout?”
My older sister, Elanda, who is also the acting lord, seemed anxious.
“Looks like most of them have gathered. About a hundred people. Claire and I will lead them to intercept the monsters on the upper floors.”
“Jekyll…”
And so, the conversation between that scum and my sister.
I can’t imagine that scum Jekyll being able to fight monsters from the middle or lower floors, but for some reason, he has a confident look on his face.
My sister gazes ardently at such a Jekyll.
In the first place, I’ve never heard of Jekyll or Claire being able to fight lower-floor monsters.
If they were capable, I think if they had gone exploring sooner, a Stampede wouldn’t even be happening.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright? Without Lux.”
Naturally, Father seemed to have the same doubt.
But, as if they had prepared for it, my sister and Jekyll answered.
“I’ve given Jekyll the weapons and items he inherited from Lux.”
“Look at this sword. I’ve inherited other powerful items too. I’ll use them to scatter those monsters!”
Will they really be okay?
Can they manage with just items?
I feel doubtful, but since I’m not an adventurer, no one would listen even if I said anything.
“Well, if that’s the case… With Lux gone, we can only rely on you two. I’m counting on you.”
I thought, Huh? Could it be that Father doesn’t know about Lux-san?
However, before I could point it out, Father, perhaps from exhaustion, sat down, and the conversation ended.
“Alright, let’s go! Everyone, listen up! This is a battle to protect our town! Naturally, it comes with danger. But we have to see it through! Lend me your strength, everyone!”
“YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!”
With Jekyll’s spirited shout, many adventurers entered the dungeon.
To minimize damage to the town, they would intercept the Stampede on the dungeon’s upper floors.
I have my reservations about Jekyll and Claire, but as the daughter of this town’s lord, I pray for the safety of the adventurers heading into battle.
It’s a dangerous Stampede.
It’s unlikely everyone will return unharmed.
Still, I pray that as many adventurers as possible will return.
That the number of sacrifices will be reduced.
“Let’s pray for their valiant efforts and success, and then we move on to our next response.”
“Indeed. Measures for if they fail to annihilate it and the Stampede gets outside.”
The Guildmaster and my sister began their next discussion.
“Elanda. Guildmaster. We must somehow avoid any impact on the outside.”
The one who interjected was Alessandro Hornero.
He’s the third son of Duke Hoherneld and the manager of the casino next to the guild. Despite the urgent situation, he wore a faint smirk.
From this man’s perspective, the Stampede getting out equals his casino taking damage.
It’s understandable that he wouldn’t tolerate it, but is he really saying that to the acting lord now?
This is a crisis for the entire town, you know?
“Alessandro-sama. Naturally, brave adventurers have just entered the dungeon to prevent the Stampede from getting out. However, it is also natural for the Riophendal Domain to prepare countermeasures should they fail.”
“Of course, I’m not denying that. I’m just saying it would be better not to displease my father if that happens.”
What is this man saying?
If the Stampede gets out, the casino will undoubtedly be destroyed, but that’s what will displease the Duke?
There’s no way they can do something as foolish as protecting only the casino.
“Are you saying we should compensate for the damages?”
“You catch on quick, that helps. As expected of Elanda-chan.”
“Kuh…”
That’s absurd.
If the Stampede gets out, what awaits is the town’s annihilation.
There won’t be any assets left.
And yet he wants us to compensate for the casino’s damages? Isn’t it the other way around? Since he’s from a patron family, shouldn’t he be supporting us?
“Well then. I’ll be going, so I’ll take the assets I’m holding. If this town makes it through, I’ll return them.”
What does that mean? What assets is he holding?
What is this man saying?
“That is…”
“You wouldn’t refuse, would you? That’s your younger sister over there, isn’t it? Is that alright, I wonder?”
“Kuh…”
“That’s right. It’s a simple job of just keeping quiet, isn’t it? Well then, I’m off. Do your best.”
Unbelievably, he then rudely embraced my sister, who not only has a fiancé but is also pregnant.
What a vile human being.
This is a Duke’s son?
Still, my sister said nothing.
After the man left, she just shot me a glare and went off somewhere.