Chapter 7: Gebbel’s Gift
Hilbert was in his study, flipping through a stack of papers. What could he possibly say? He rubbed his temples in frustration.
“You have not contributed even a millimeter to the conquest of the Sealed Labyrinth. Moreover, you have failed to gather sufficient information about the Sealed Labyrinth, yet you dare to speak the truth? What kind of reasoning is that?”
Upon seeing the grandiose and shameless title, Hilbert felt the words rise to his throat. However, he quickly regained his composure and managed to swallow them down with his iron will.
Just glancing at the title and skimming through the contents was enough to feel its overwhelming power. Its full extent was beyond what an ordinary person could comprehend.
“What am I supposed to do with this pile of garbage…?”
Hilbert muttered to himself.
Hero Ryuguin never asked, “Have you read it?” His pride got in the way. Instead, he casually inquired, “Hilbert, what were you doing yesterday?”—a question he usually wouldn’t bother with. Hilbert couldn’t help but snicker inwardly at the absurdity of his pride.
“By the way, Hero-sama, I read the script for the stage performance you sent the other day.”
“Hilbert, how was it?”
“It was absolutely magnificent!!”
“Don’t praise me too much. There’s still time before we head to the Royal Capital, and there’s room for improvement.”
As Ryuguin tousled his hair in response to the unrestrained praise, Hilbert had something he desperately wanted to ask the Hero. He had already been informed by Gilbert about the events that were to unfold. Therefore, while their relationship could have remained superficial, he prioritized his curiosity just this once.
“If this work spreads, everyone will surely praise your glorious heroism and the beautiful bonds you share with your companions! It was truly a remarkable piece!!”
“Of course, of course,” Ryuguin said, puffing out his chest.
“However, there is just one thing that concerns me—”
With just those few words, the atmosphere around Ryuguin shifted to something dangerous.
“What? Go ahead, say it.”
Hilbert realized he had made a mistake. But there was no turning back now.
“I’ve heard that Saintess Mika, Sage Angelica, and Sword Saint Eris were involved in the conquest of the Sealed Labyrinth, but—”
“Since you’ve come this far, don’t hold back. Finish what you were saying.”
“I understand that Ryuguin-sama has been in the Town of Lemone all this time, but in this work—ugh!!”
A glass thrown by Ryuguin struck Hilbert squarely on the forehead.
“It seems I overestimated you. I thought you were capable of more as my friend! What a grave miscalculation!”
Blood flowed freely from the gash on Hilbert’s forehead. He regretted letting his guard down in front of such a fool.
“Hero-sama!! I beg of you!!”
Ryuguin was a volatile individual; if left unchecked, he would only create more victims. Hilbert realized he should not have relaxed his grip on the reins.
He could not allow any more victims to arise. With a sense of self-punishment, he prostrated himself on the ground, pressing his aching forehead against the earth.
“I apologize for my rudeness… I am truly sorry.”
A merchant, known for his shrewdness and who had lived twice as long as Hilbert, was not just bowing his head but pressing his bleeding forehead to the ground. Ryuguin let out a satisfied huff, “Hmph.”
“I understand your feelings. Everyone makes mistakes. So I will forgive you. But there won’t be a second chance, got it?”
Though he seemed magnanimous, the fact that he had exploded in anger at the slightest provocation nullified any notion of generosity.
“Well, I suppose I can share my thoughts with you…
Yes… just like this work, in reality, my three women were involved. I don’t know what this Sealed Labyrinth is, but they undoubtedly share my views. My words, along with theirs, carry more weight than the ramblings of the masses. Do you understand? If I say I was there, then I was there. That is the truth.”
This was madness. Hilbert swallowed hard. He reaffirmed the insanity of the Hero before him.
“However, of course, a person like you would show up.”
“Huh?”
“That was all part of my calculations. That’s why I’m putting on this stage performance. Throughout the Arcana Kingdom, I will stage my script for my own sake. Over and over again. As many times as possible, in various towns. One or two times won’t mean anything. But if I continue this a hundred times, two hundred times, the ignorant masses will come to recognize that my words, and the performances they witness, are the truth.”
This was turning into a one-man show by Ryuguin. He continued to explain with great enthusiasm.
“To achieve that, I need to hire the finest actors, make as much noise as possible, and create extravagant productions. I already have a good idea of how the fools will react to the previous performances. After watching, they will eagerly discuss our story, unaware that their own words contribute to the creation of the truth.”
“Truly, Hero-sama!”
“And you know what? Even if, by some chance, it doesn’t go well, it’s not a problem! Because even if it fails, with just a little effort—”
Hilbert noticed the madness in Ryuguin’s expression—his eyes concealed an insatiable cunning. He couldn’t stop his spine from shivering.
Truly, Hero-sama!
Truly, Hero-sama!
Truly, Hero-sama!
Yet, somehow, he managed to continue shouting.