56 In Beginner's Labyrinth (Dungeon), Part 4 - Scholars and Mercenaries

"... So, what can I do for this ruin? If you want to explore, you have to hurry. It's over, right?

"No, the ruins are good either way, and I don't know if you'd say you're here to see Alfi"

"... creepy"

Alphilis looked sincerely disgusted and turned his heels back toward the ruins. Miranda and the others couldn't swallow it for a moment, but rushed back to me to chase after Alphilis.

Later, a man put his hand on his hips and was sighing lightly.

"Did they hate you?"

"That's Mr. Rhine's fault. I don't know how to go about it in detail, but that woman looked like a very honest person. Anyway, I don't think there's a serious response to women like that."

"... very honest opinion, Dr. Kazas."

Not to mention that your sermon is depressing, but the line snaps with expressions like "ahhh" as you tongue out. Normally I would also be frustrated with this look, but Kazas has been used to treating this man in the last few days.

Actually, these two met only a few days ago. Kazas is like a boy because of the wind, but he was 18 the same age as Alphilis. At that age, he named himself as a monument and archaeologist in the eastern city centre, and was one of the other scholars who earned degrees in geography, geography, astronomy, physics, etc. and now pulls at various academic institutes. There is a wandering in Kazas like that, and sometimes this is how I travel alone pretentiously. I would divide it into pretty dangerous areas as well, but that's something I'm used to not by appearance, and I know exactly how to avoid the danger. I've avoided the danger by hiring mercenaries if I have to.

It was the line that Kazas hired to explore when he heard rumors about the ruins that had fallen on his ears this time, commonly known as the "Beginner's Dungeon" - officially the "Abandoned Capital Zea". Zea, the abandoned capital that often appears in the literature, is said to have existed as a land where other races live together as Nia and Lisa stared. It seems that Zea was a small city with a population of less than a thousand inhabitants, but its unique culture and lifestyle also tells the Archaeological Society that it would be one of the highest honors if it could solve the mystery of Zea. Because the location of Zea is unknown, because all the residents disappeared for unknown reasons, and because the city seems too much common sense today, it can only be described in the books as a legendary existence at any given time. It's not really that old a city.

I didn't know that was becoming famous as a 'beginner's dungeon', but the lighthouse is also a good place for dark. Well, even in Kazas, I just stumbled across a report from a technician who was dispatching me to the region to do surveys, geology, and nature.

The reason for hiring the line was the intuition of the Kazas customer and the impression of the line when we spoke. Kazas thought this man, who seemed seemingly light-hearted, could really judge things reasonably without alarm. His street name shows why.

"Yes, I will." Mercenaries with 100% success rate. "

"Isn't that hard to call? Call me 'Line'. And I have a purpose."

"I understand. Formally, I was supposed to hire you, but I think we're in a reciprocal relationship, Mr. Rhine."

"I hope so, but I don't even need you. Well, let's go."

Both Kazas and Rhine took them to the ruins.

And what was left at the entrance was Romeo and his surroundings. But what Miranda said in a joke wasn't even off target.

(Pfft! He's a colored man with that face. (Romeo) Right?

Because he wasn't named Romeo or anything like that. Yes, he's a vagrant who doesn't even know his name. To put it further, it was a vagrant, should I say?

Upon confirmation that everyone had entered the ruins, Romeo and his surroundings collapsed on the spot with Dosadsa. And two shadows that appear.

"Are you glad this is it?

"... enough..."

"It's a good idea to get into Doom's work and gather materials."

"... just because we did it flashy this time... some guys will have noticed, and the boulders will be suspicious... I wonder if we can use the same M.O. for a while..."

"But isn't it enough as the number that we get simultaneously? Annomarie will be delighted."

"... right..."

"Then I'll pull it off, but what about you?

"... I'll be watching Doom... because he'll run wild as soon as he takes his eyes off..."

"Totally, like a child. I didn't mean to bother your hand."

"... in fact, I think it's a child..."

"So was that. You're in trouble, too, and I'm sorry to interrupt. I'll see you later."

"... oh..."

And the tall, beautiful shadow and the silent boy's shadow disappeared. At the same time, we no longer found any trace of Romeo and his surroundings as if they were misty.

Around that time, on the first basement floor of the ruins, the Alphilis and the others had been briefed by Miranda. The first basement floor is quite large and has a large cavity-like space. There are lots of sparkling lights on the walls, apparently putting people's hands on natural caves. There is a slightly elevated platform in the center, and the staircase leading to the second basement floor is visible in a punctuation.

"Is this place from Arnelia Church?

"Kind of different, to be exact"

Explain as Miranda removes the dust from the wall. The crest that came out does resemble that of the Arnelian Church. Miranda explained it to me as she compared it to her church chapter.

"I wonder if it's exactly a branch muscle, something like that. The Arnelian Church doctrinally prohibits idolatry, but when praying, it places statues of Arnelian the Virgin in each church because it is easier to do so with clear objects. However, it is forbidden to place Arnelia statues in each household. It seems to have a strong connotation that what you're putting in the church is reporting your deeds to the Virgin Arnelia and creating an opportunity for reflection. But some of them wanted to worship Arnelia, the Virgin, in the same way as God and the Spirit. I'm talking about being broke a long time ago."

"From me, I don't think it's okay to worship Arnelia otherwise?

"Normally, yes, but a faith that's too strong anyway can no longer be called fanaticism. Hopefully fanaticism is purely geared to prayer only, but power and other comparisons with other faiths can lead to rebellion, division and internal collapse if you look at them one wrong step. After all, because Arnelianism wasn't that strong a foundation as a group at the time, either, or those people wanted to keep it as tight as possible. Looking at the factional feud at Western Olimpus Church, I think you were right. Well, Arnelianism is more of a charity than a religion."

"Speaking of which, Miranda said the mission of the pilgrimage was to correct the injustice,"

"With Soyuko. The name is the pilgrimage, but what you're doing is an inspection. Sadly, even philanthropy, like the Atasis, keeps coming after those who do dirty things."

I'm tempted to say if Miranda is okay with rambling and playing in the liquor store, but that was an alphilis to put up with. In fact, she's not sloppy about that, but because when you look at the injured and lost, it's totally unassuming. What a sister around here. Fenna comes into the conversation as Alphilis comes to mind for a while.

"So does Miranda know what this place was used for?

"Hmm, you don't know that. But as far as Nia and Lisa are concerned, there's a chance that some other species lived here, right? In terms of the number of people, there seems to be room for nearly 1,000 people... and it could have been in the assembly hall. I don't know what it is, but I think it's a gathering of stickers."

"I'm interested in that story."

It was the boy and mercenary who came in earlier. Soon they were walking behind the Alphilis.

"We've heard some stories, but I'm sure your ideas are true. The name of this strip is officially 'Zea the Abandoned Capital'. It is told only in books, and we are not sure when it was done or when it was destroyed. It just remains a legend that it was the ideal place for other races to live together, such as humans, elves, beasts, dwarves, phantom beasts and giants. Well, it was only about 300 years ago, and it was probably just treated like a legend because it had too few records."

"... who are you?

Miranda shows discomfort. She hates scholarly little men, and chatting is tougher. This boy, no, he wouldn't be a boy to look out of his talking mouth, but he would be the type of person Miranda hates in the middle of nowhere. On second thought, Miranda is also originally like a scholar, but she may also be close to compatriot disgust. Or do you hate being reminiscent of yourself for not being able to do anything old?

But he doesn't care about Miranda's blatantly disgusting expression, and the boy replies with a little courtesy.

"I'm sorry about this. My name is Kazas-Lowe Torrentisk. He is a professor of archaeology and geography at the University of Triade in Mayer, the academic capital to the east. Go ahead and get to know him. This is the mercenary line. I'm getting your help in this quest for Zea.

Kazas to be polite and the line that for some reason remains flabby. I'm pretty sure Alphilis is trying not to look at the line, but Miranda also got in an even worse mood to hear Kazas' name.

"Even the Kazas of Triade!?

"Oh, you seem to be an Arnelian Sister to observe from a fit, do you know me?

"Okay, I know you!

Miranda looks at Kazas with hateful eyes in polite intent words and back.

"How much Arnelian Church got annoyed because of you a few years ago"

"Oh, did I do something?

"It's a big ant! How annoying were the Atassis because the Triades, starting with you, published papers everywhere saying, 'Arnelianism should limit its actions as an organization'! Some of those ambulances are closed because of that, right? Were you guys going to take care of the orphans, the sick and the old people that were tightened up there, yeah!?

"You don't admire that dirty tone in Sister. Are you really a Sister?

"What?

As Miranda is likely to fly by now, Alphilis rides her body out half way between Miranda and Kazas.

"First of all, I'll tell you because there seems to be a misunderstanding... that I didn't publish my thesis as a college separately, each with a different content. They all criticize Arnelianism, though. What I wrote was" About the liberation of Arnelian books ". Arnelianism is one of the largest and oldest forces on this continent, so it's like a mountain of books. It's a mountain of treasure for a man who wants to learn like me. [M]

Yet Arnelianism does not open books to the public. It is almost secret and exclusive even in connection with methods of treatment and purification of the sacred system and witchcraft. Of course, you can help Arnelia Church, if you don't belong, you can learn. This was a huge loss to society, and I just criticized that. Well, it must be true that there are people who abused only part of it, including other papers. "

"That's a mouth that goes around a lot... it's not your fault, I guess you guys happened at the beginning? How much are you willing to take responsibility?"

"No, not at all"

"What!?

"Regardless of the direct impact on what I wrote, you can't announce anything if you even think about the aftermath. You can think about those things later, and evaluating what you announce is something that future generations should do. Otherwise, there will be no academic progress."

Kazas answers shabby. As far as the look on his face goes, that would be his true meaning, he doesn't look bad at all. The opposite Miranda had blue muscles piqued on her forehead, and she clearly found herself angry.

"... let me hit you once."

"I don't want to be beaten up"

"Kono!

"No, Miranda."

"Don't stop, Alfie"

"No, the head of this hand will harden the extra attitude if you hit him."

"Is that what you say even to you, lady swordsman?

Listen, Doctor Scholar.

While Alphilis holds Miranda back, he turns to Kazas with a calm look.

Continued