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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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The city came into view, the massive walls and densely packed buildings of the dungeon city creating a vibrant, bustling landscape. The port and streets were teeming with adventurers and merchants.
“We’re finally here.”
Varis muttered in awe, his amazement shared by the other students on board, their faces filled with wonder as they gazed at the city.
“We’ve arrived~”
As the Magic Cruiser docked at the airship port, the passengers began disembarking. He and his companions followed suit, slowly making their way off the ship.
“It’s as impressive as the royal capital.”
Varis commented, the sounds of weapons being sharpened, merchants hawking their wares, and carriage wheels rolling against the cobblestones filling the air.
“S-Shall we go? Arnold.”
Lucy, still slightly flustered, stood beside him, while Eilly watched them with a cold, piercing gaze. Elisha and Melina, who had witnessed the scene in the airship, followed quietly behind.
He felt their gazes on him, but he ignored them for now.
“Master, what are our plans?”
Eilly asked in a low voice, staying close by his side.
He took a deep breath and replied,
“The dungeon exploration is scheduled for two days from now, so we need to gather information.”
He paused, taking in the panoramic view of the city, and added,
“And I’d like to… look around and see what this city has to offer.”
Belgarde, the dungeon city.
According to the game’s lore, this city housed the unconquered dungeon, the Shrine of the Depths. But the people of Belgarde saw it not as a threat, but as a source of economic prosperity.
As a hub for adventurers, the city was filled with guilds and shops of all kinds. Rare equipment and herbs were traded in the market district, the aroma of grilled meat wafting from street food stalls.
Travelers and adventurers bustled through the streets, checking their equipment and exchanging stories. The people here seemed to have accepted the dangers of the dungeon as a part of their daily lives.
The dungeon, while a dangerous place filled with monsters, was also a land of opportunity for adventurers, promising wealth and fame.
That’s why the academy included dungeon exploration as a key component of its evaluation process, a way to test and develop the students’ abilities.
“So, where are we staying for the next five days?”
Eilly asked, frowning slightly.
“It’s called a ‘hostelry,’ right? It’s a strange word.”
“Yes, it’s part of the Aifield family’s recent push into the tourism industry.”
Elisha replied, crossing her arms, as Melina tilted her head in confusion. As the name suggested, a hostelry was similar to a hotel in his previous world.
“An inn large enough to provide private rooms for an entire class… The upkeep must be enormous.”
Varis muttered in disbelief, and he replied quietly,
“Which means the price is also high. But for visiting nobles, there’s no better place to stay.”
Just then, a large building came into view. It was the Aifield family’s hostelry, its elegant facade and luxurious decorations clearly indicating that it was more than just an inn, a place designed for the comfort and relaxation of nobles.
Employees stood at the entrance, greeting guests with polite smiles, and passersby looked at the building with curiosity.
“It’s impressive how wealthy nobles invest in such… unique industries.”
“The Aifield family… As expected of one of the Ten Noble Families.”
He stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on something, a familiar name echoing in his ears.
“…….”
“Arnold? What’s wrong?”
Elisha looked at him curiously.
He ignored her and continued thinking.
The Aifield family.
The kingdom was founded by the king and the Ten Noble Families, who enjoyed power and prestige second only to the royal family.
The Aifield family, a dukedom with a long and storied history, was one of the most influential families in the kingdom.
“…Nothing.”
And… one of the ways Arnold was ruined in the original story was by the Aifield family.
The reason wasn’t explicitly stated, but the Aifield family harbored a deep-seated animosity towards the Stenman family, not just simple wariness due to their reputation, but a relentless hostility, like a long-standing feud, always seeking an opportunity to destroy them.
So, for Arnold, the villain of the game, the Aifield family was one of the most dangerous entities to avoid.
“Just something on my mind.”
He shook his head dismissively, trying to appear unconcerned. But he knew he had to be extra careful in this city, under the Aifield family’s influence, considering his already tarnished reputation.
“Oh, look…”
Just then, Varis stopped and stared at something.
They followed his gaze and saw a group of people walking down the street. They wore distinctive white and grey robes, the Aifield family crest emblazoned on their chests.
“Those people… their outfits are quite eye-catching.”
Varis muttered.
He recognized them instantly.
The White Hawks.
The Aifield family’s special operations unit, elite agents who wielded considerable influence in both political and military affairs, not just information gatherers.
They maintained order in the city and carried out various tasks to further the family’s interests, acting as the eyes and ears of Duke Aifield, sometimes intervening directly, even though their official duty was maintaining public order.
That’s why the White Hawks were always patrolling the city, watching for any suspicious activity.
“They’re agents of the Aifield family.”
He explained briefly, glancing at them. It was only natural for them to operate openly in this city, considering it was the Aifield family’s territory. But it wasn’t a welcome sight for him.
‘It’s best to avoid getting involved with them…’
While he was thinking that, his companions looked at them with interest.
“Oh… A group like that openly patrolling the streets. You wouldn’t see that in the royal capital.”
“They’re certainly… unique~”
Elisha and Melina also seemed intrigued, as if they were observing a rare spectacle.
“Let’s go.”
Fortunately, the protagonist’s group had no significant interactions with the White Hawks or the Aifield family in the game.
He hadn’t caused any trouble in this world, aside from his reputation as a villain, so he thought they could simply pass by unnoticed.
“Excuse me.”
But he was wrong.
Just as they were about to pass each other, one of the White Hawks stopped and addressed them in a calm, yet authoritative, voice.
“Yes?”
A man in a neat uniform approached them as the White Hawks’ gazes swept over them. Varis instinctively took a step back, and he watched their movements carefully.
‘Do they recognize me?’
As they passed by Varis and focused their attention on him, various possibilities raced through his mind. The Aifield family was openly hostile towards the Stenman family. If they knew his identity, it wouldn’t be a good situation.
“Excuse me, miss?”
Miss?
“Yes? Are you talking to me?”
But, contrary to his expectations, their attention wasn’t on him.
An awkward silence followed as the White Hawk’s gaze shifted towards Eilly.
“Yes.”
“May I ask your name?”
Eilly, flustered, pointed at herself.
The White Hawk nodded politely and asked,
“…Eilly Cassier.”
Eilly, puzzled, revealed her name. The man repeated her name a few times, as if trying to memorize it, then closed his eyes.
“I understand.”
After a moment, he nodded.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
And that was it.
“We apologize for the interruption.”
They bowed politely and walked away, as if nothing had happened.
“…Um, Master, did I do something wrong?”
Eilly looked at him, bewildered. But even he didn’t know how to interpret the situation. It hadn’t happened in the game.
“No, not really…”
They watched the White Hawks’ retreating figures, a sense of bewilderment washing over them. They hadn’t shown any hostility, but it wasn’t a simple greeting either. It was strangely… meaningful.
“It doesn’t seem like anything bad… but it’s unsettling.”
Lucy muttered, her arms crossed.
“There are rumors that powerful nobles sometimes scout for potential concubines this way.”
Varis’s words, spoken jokingly, were met with a sudden silence, followed by subtle nods of agreement.
“……W-Wait, that’s… not possible, is it?”
Eilly waved her hands dismissively, flustered, but the atmosphere had shifted.
Melina, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead, said wearily,
“Let’s go to our rooms first. I want to rest after carrying all this luggage.”
The tension finally eased.
“Yes, let’s go.”
Elisha took the lead, and they started walking again.
‘It’s strange, but there’s no immediate danger…’
His mind was still racing with possibilities, but for now, he had to focus on their plans in the dungeon city.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
