Chapter 544 Going Through The Tunnels
?We were back in the Rejmar trade outpost again, this time all of us armed to the teeth and looking like we were ready for war.
Balin was there and he raised an eyebrow when he saw us.
"Oh, hello there... Err... Did someone do something to you guys?" He asked, looking visibly worried.
Sebastian answered him with a wry smile, "Worry not, sir Balin. We are merely headed to the Dungeon in the tunnels."
"Oh... Oh good. Because I don't think... Ah... I guess I shouldn't say anything more than that. G... Good day to you all then."
"Of course. Please keep up the good work."
The Rejmar simply nodded in response and went back to watching the gate, probably to see if any other of our maids who were on break comes along to serve as their guide.
I wonder what happened before to make him have that kind of reaction?
Sebastian remained in the lead and led us towards the Meeting Hall, the Head Butler giving the receptionist a nod in greeting before moving straight to the tunnels.
The guard there did not even stop him and even pretended not to see him, allowing all of us to pass through unmolested.
I wonder if this was a frequent enough occurrence for them to react like this?
Something tells me that it probably was.
Continuing into the tunnels, Sebastian stopped unexpectedly before pulling out a map from within his suit jacket and handing it to me.
"You are now the navigator, Aster. Guide us to the Dungeon."
Err... Ok?
I opened up the map and quickly inspected it.
It was a crude drawing of the tunnels and was most definitely not drawn to scale. There were a few markings here and there about notable landmarks like "Carving of a Rejmar pissing himself", "Some loose rock shaped like a face" and "Dead Spider stuck to the wall".
I could see that the Dungeon lay at the very bottom of the page while the trade outpost was at the very top.
No, there's no straight path down there so I probably will have to decide the best path based on the crude drawings of this map that I was given.
The others tried to approach me to look at the map but Sebastian stopped them, "No, this responsibility is Aster's alone. No one is to see the map at all except for Aster. Aster, you are also not allowed to ask the others for advice or opinions. You will lead them to where you think is the right path based on your own decisions."
The others backed away from me, albeit unwillingly.
It's ok girls, I know how to read a map. Even if the map looks like some kind of kids' drawing.
I traced my finger along the paths and tried to find the most optimal path one can take to reach the Dungeon from here.
There were a few other interesting markings that served as a warning for me so I knew that those areas should be avoided for less problems. Even as crude as it was, it was still well drawn enough to be understood.
I then noted that once I factor in those warnings, the route was pretty straight forward and it was just a matter of being able to reach there without getting lost.
I checked the map, "Hmmm... The map shows that it's a dead end ahead with nothing remarkable about it..."
"Then we're not going there," Katsuki said with finality.
Sebastian maintained a neutral face, "May I know why?"
Katsuki gestured at the wall, "Clearly some unsavoury sort had created that illusion to hide something, especially since we aren't in a Dungeon right now. Right now our priority is to get to the Dungeon and my Mistress is here as well. I will not put Mistress in any danger unnecessarily."
Sebastian nodded, "Very well. Then let's return back on track. Aster, if you would?"
I looked down the path that curved at the end, wondering what lay there that made someone try to hide it with an illusionary wall?
"Should we tell someone about this?" I asked, pointing at the wall. "This is quite close to the trade outpost after all."
Sebastian smiled at me, "I will handle that, Aster, you do not need to worry."
Ah, then there's really nothing for me to worry about in that case.
We stepped out from the wall to return to the intersection where Tiara and the others were waiting for us.
They immediately crowded around me when they saw me emerge from the wall, all of them asking me if I was alright.
I had to assure them that I was fine again before I was allowed to lead the way again.
Once more, I consulted the map and went to the tunnel that I had predetermined was the right path.
But not even ten steps later, we heard a rumbling sound coming from behind us.
All of us turned back and we saw, from behind the illusory wall, a thing came walking out of it.
It was... A... Robot?
Or I guess, more specifically, an automaton?
Unless it was one of those mechanical races in this World, then they should be called Autos.
"Drat! Failed again! I guess that was a little too much..." The robot cursed, only to stop when it saw us.
It didn't have a face so I don't know how it was feeling at the moment, but I'm guessing from the angry clicking sounds that was coming from its body, it was probably not happy.
"What are you looking at? Never seen an Auto trying to fix itself before? Shoo! Shoo!"
A few of the maids stepped forward but Sebastian raised a hand to stop them, "Remember what you are here for, ladies."
That made them return to their positions quickly.
Sebastian turned back and inclined his head at the Auto, "Apologies for disturbing you, we shall be on our way."
"No, no, no. You pissed me off now, I'm going to take my anger out on you!"
...
No offence dude but... Really?