The Labyrinth Kingdom

Chapters 23. Rumors are Circulating

In the town of Bacau, inn [Tiger Claw].

The building has five floors, of which, the first and second floors are used as pubs and the third to fifth floors are used as lodging

This inn is usually used as a place for adventurers to hang out or as a place to rest if they are tired after carrying out missions. In addition, not only active adventurers who often come to this place even some retired adventures may come to this place to remember the past.

After the goblin village conquest expedition was completed successfully, the adventurers who had previously participated in the mission were gathering and telling each other stories.

They spend some of the money they get to buy drinks and have fun.

Usually every time adventurers completed their missions, the Pub would be filled with a festive atmosphere with sounds of laughter and reproach thrown at each other.

But the atmosphere in the pub was a little different this time, they seemed to be discussing something important with each other. Most likely, they were talking about a rumor that was circulating some time ago.

"Oi, have you heard it?"

“You mean about the labyrinth found by [sword valkyrie] ? "

"Yes, from the latest information I have, the remnants of the [holy sword] party also confirmed the news of the abundant treasure stored within"

The adventure party that previously participated in the conquest of the Goblin village [holy sword] and [sword valkyrie] coincidentally discovered the Underground Labyrinth.

Rumor has it that inside the labyrinth there are piles of treasures and terrifying monsters guarding the place.

[holy sword] had encountered the monster while they were exploring the labyrinth, but they lost the fight and almost perished.

[sword valkyrie] also lost two of their members while fighting against that monster, but somehow they managed to kill him.

The topic that adventurers are currently discussing is the treasure that is in the labyrinth.

They were well informed that the treasures obtained by the [sword valkyrie] had an enormous amount when they exchanged them for cash, even if they split them evenly, then, the amount each member gets is still quite large.

"How much do they get?"

“From the stories I heard, each of them got 300 dukat coins ”

"really, the story I heard, each of them got 500 ducats? "

“it doesn't matter which story is true, Even if only half of the story is true. With that amount of money, they can retire as adventurers and live their lives in peace. ”

None of them knew that all the information they got was wrong, If they knew the truth they would be shocked.

Because each of the members of the [sword valkyrie] earned over 2000 ducat coins.

Residents of the city usually spend about 1,000 ducat coins from the time they are born until they die. As for residents in self-sufficient farming villages, the amount they can spend usually ranges from 100 to 300 ducat coins during their lifetime.

{ket: self-sufficiency is an area that can meet its own needs, and does not depend on other areas}

If one of them intends to live their life quietly and simply, 2000 ducats coins are already more than enough to finance their lifetime. But if they decide to have a family or start a business or live in luxury, 2000 coins might not be enough.

"But hey ~, even though they have obtained a lot of treasures inside the place, there should still be remnants of treasures left there right?"

"Really, right. I've also been informed that they haven't explored the entire labyrinth yet"

Said the adventurer who was drunk.

However, his words were overwritten by his friend who was still conscious.

“There's also about that. There should still be more treasures inside the labyrinth ~ ”

"Treasure!?"

"Yes"

This kind of conversation has been discussed in many bars.

And, the figure of the person who gathered their friends and made an instant party could be seen at several tables.

"What about the location of the labyrinth?"

“It looks like [sword valkyrie] has sold that information to the ranger guild. ”

“OK, leave that side to me. ”

While watching the adventure full of energy and passion, the pub owner was delighted.

Recently, due to the massive attacks on the Goblin village one after another, which made their population decline and made some of the Barbarians scattered throughout the forest start to hide.

This makes, the number of jobs such as guarding the caravan decreases and customers who come to the pub also decreased.

He was quite happy to hear the rumors about the recently discovered underground labyrinth.

With the possibility of treasures remaining, most of the unmanaged adventurers who had a lot of free time started to gather their friends to challenge that Underground Labyrinth.

He prays for their success and when they succeed, they will come to his pub and spend their money there.

****************

Rumors about the underground labyrinth also spread to people other than adventurers.

Knight Order in town.

Private room of expedition captain.

There are 2 people in this room.

One of them is expedition captain Rick who is the master of this room.

he was a 40-year-old man with a seedy appearance with a neatly cut moustache, he waved his overdrawn brown hair lightly, his eyes light brown just like his hair.

The other is Rick's aide.

He's still young. This man is only 22 years old this year, he has yellowish eyes and bright blonde hair. To be able to become an aide to the Expedition captain at this age, there was no need to mention his skills using the sword, he was also highly educated and respected.

But, Since the wages for the Adjutant were not high, he was forced to take part in the bad actions his boss used to do. He often makes false reports to cover his boss's dirty work.

even though he knew it was dangerous, he had no choice but to do it.

And, he thought this time was also the same as before. He had to falsify the report that was to be submitted to the landlord.

While the captain of the Bacau expedition, Rick, played with his moustache which had been neatly cut, he asked his aide.

“There is a new labyrinth found near the goblin village that we previously attacked? Why have we never heard of it? ”

"Y, Yeah. I'm sorry!"

Rick asked his frightened aide as he assessed him, He walked slowly and gripped his shoulder lightly.

“It looks like the adventurers you previously ordered to chase the fleeing goblins have obtained a lot of treasures from that Labyrinth. ”

“…. I. that's true . ”

"Is it more than the treasure we have obtained from the Goblin village?"

Rick spoke as if he was teasing her, looking at the frightened face of his Adjudicator.

His face looked pale, he knew his body was shivering from the hand on his shoulder.

"What's wrong? why are you shaking?

"I'm, I'm sorry"

Hearing his aide apologizing, Rick narrowed his eyes and released his hand which gripped his shoulder.

“We must send an expeditionary force to that gold mine as soon as possible. I am not satisfied if I only get a small share of the spoils obtained from the goblin village. ”

"A, I will immediately send an expeditionary force once again!"

"Stupid! We can't move the expeditionary force many times! ”

Hearing the captain's furious roar, the adjutant covered his mouth hurriedly.

In fact, the expedition could not be sent many times. There are a few reasons for that.

First of all, it was necessary for the landlord to pay the expedition fee.

For this reason, without the god's permission, they would not be able to prepare for the march by securing food and re-recruiting the already dispersed militia, buying new weapons, and many other things.

Moreover, not too long had passed since the previous expeditionary force was disbanded.

For example, even if there was a gold mine right before their eyes, and the adventures in the bar did not know it. A city lord would not move their troops easily.

Lord Bacau in particular was a conservative man, he showed disapproval of attacking the Goblin village until the last moment before.

Of course, it was not because he showed sympathy towards the Goblins, this was because if he only moved troops, he was worried about the future tax returns and the expedition fees he would have to bear.

“…. . Go"

"Y, yeah!?"

"collect all your troops, lead them and go to the Labyrinth! collect the treasure as quickly as possible! ”