After leaving the A rank party, I aim for the deep part of the labyrinth with my former students
"What do you mean, Grandfather…?!"
Silk raised her eyebrows and glared at her grandfather.
As for me, I couldn't quite grasp the situation and could only stare at the elf in front of me.
"To strengthen the unity of the elves, we have decided to take a groom from the western forest. This Lord Ilwen will become your life partner."
"This is outrageous!"
"This is an important and necessary matter for us. Do not act selfishly."
Hearing Elder Elran's words, even I had to speak up.
"Elder Elran, this is far too unreasonable. As an individual, I cannot overlook this."
"Cannot overlook it? Who do you think you are…?"
"At the very least, I am on Silk's side."
A gaze filled with hostility was directed at me, but I couldn’t afford to back down.
It was terrifying, of course, but Silk, as the one directly involved, must have been even more shocked.
If I wavered here, it would only cause her more distress.
"Heh, you… what exactly are you to my life partner?"
"Silk does not belong to you. I've conveyed my message, so I'll take my leave now. Silk, our mission is complete. Confirm the schedule for our stay and handle the procedures for our return. Also, inform the team."
"Y-yes! Understood."
I deliberately issued my instructions in a commanding tone.
After seeing her nod in slight fluster, I motioned for her to act, then bowed slightly and left my seat.
As a royal envoy, this might not have been the most commendable action, but at the very least, it gave Silk a legitimate reason to leave the scene.
After all, I was currently an A-rank adventurer from the Kingdom of Welmeria and a special envoy.
And she was my subordinate.
Which meant that if she left under my orders, it wouldn’t seem like she was acting on her own.
"Wait, Silk!"
"…I am disappointed in you, Grandfather."
Silk spat those words out without even looking back.
Her small shoulders trembled slightly—was it from anger?
"Sir Feldio, this will cause problems…!"
"I have spoken with proper words and courtesy. The rest is up to Silk’s decision."
I turned back slightly and gave a small bow.
I, too, had plenty to say, but it wasn't the right time to interfere in 'family matters.'
Everyone here needed to cool their heads and think rationally.
…As for this Ilwen guy, I had no idea what to make of him.
"Well, well, my bride seems to be quite a handful, doesn't she, Lord Elran?"
"I will take care of it, so be patient."
Just before the door closed, I heard those words.
But we didn’t stop walking.
We headed toward the only town on Vilmuren Island—the dark elf town of Amberle—where our companions awaited.
◇
"What the hell? I can't believe this!"
Jamie, dressed casually and sitting on the sofa, furrowed her brows and voiced her anger.
Since officially becoming a member of Clover, she had completely blended in with us.
"They've always been rigid, using tradition as an excuse, but to say something like that in front of Sensei…!"
"I… remember, too. It was tough, right, Silk?"
Rain stretched up slightly and hugged Silk tightly.
Since she was also from a noble family and had once been forced into an unwanted engagement, this was not just someone else’s problem to her.
"But at this rate, the investigation is going to be impossible, huh?"
"Is that… okay?"
Nene and Marina, who had been checking their equipment, turned to me. I nodded in response.
Yes, our purpose here wasn’t just about Silk.
—The Abyss Gate.
A few months ago, we sealed away that dangerous and powerful magical artifact—an interdimensional gateway. However, there were now indications that another one might exist here on Vilmuren Island.
Since this island was under the jurisdiction of the Dark Elves, it had remained untouched for a long time. But King Vincent had given us a secret mission—to verify the truth and ensure its safety through Silk’s connections.
"Regarding that, I'll go speak with my grandfather again tomorrow."
"No, I'll go. I don't know why, but something feels… off."
I knew it was rude to call Silk’s homeland—and her grandfather—"suspicious." But ever since we arrived on Vilmuren Island, I couldn't shake off this uneasy feeling.
Maybe it was just the tension of being a royal envoy. Or maybe it was the unfamiliarity of being in foreign territory.
But I couldn’t ignore the possibility that it was something more.
And more than anything, I didn’t want Silk to be anywhere near Ilwen, that insufferable man I had disliked from the moment I met him.
Was this jealousy? Or just wariness toward an unknown figure? Even I couldn’t tell.
Seeing me fall into silence, Marina turned toward Silk.
"Hey, Silk. There's a labyrinth dungeon somewhere on this island, right? Something like 'The Achromatic Darkness'?"
"Yes, I’ve heard that it's located in the center of the 'Amber Forest' on the island."
"Do the people here try to conquer it together?"
"No, I believe only my grandfather knows its exact location and how to enter. I’ve heard that it’s heavily sealed and strictly managed."
Even Silk, the elder’s granddaughter, didn’t know much about it.
That meant trying to gather information in town would be pointless.
And if the labyrinth was being concealed and managed by the elder’s clan, then it was likely considered sacred ground—or even forbidden territory.
If that were the case, as someone from a different race and kingdom, interfering would be blatant political intrusion.
With that in mind, I gave a small nod and turned to everyone.
"Alright. Follow Silk’s instructions and start preparing for our return. Tomorrow, after I speak with Elder Elran about the investigation, we’ll depart for Welmeria as soon as the ship is ready."
"Understood. But… are you really going alone tomorrow?"
Silk looked at me with concern, and I gave her a small, reassuring smile.
"After what we saw today? Yeah. Don’t worry, the King’s letter should have all the necessary details. And even if I can’t get an audience, I’ll write a message now so that at least something is left behind."
"Alright then, I’ll head to the port now."
"Yeah. Thanks, Nene."
Our ship was docked at Amberle’s harbor.
It was a royal vessel lent to us by King Vincent himself for this mission.
They probably weren’t expecting us to request an immediate return, so we needed to inform them as soon as possible to prepare for departure.
"…"
As Nene dashed out the inn’s door and Silk and the others began packing, I suddenly felt a small tug on my coat.
I looked down to see Rain, silently pulling at my sleeve.
"What is it, Rain?"
"There’s… something that’s bothering me. Can we talk later?"
"Of course."
Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Rain gave a small nod and then rejoined Silk and the others.
Watching them out of the corner of my eye, I turned and headed to my room—to write that letter.
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