Chapter 38: Humiliation Returned (3)
Devon and I moved to the tent they used to discuss plans and strategize.
I told him straight to the point, "I won't beat around the bush, Sir. I'm here to tell you that I already have the treasures from the dungeon."
"How did you manage to get it?" Sir Devon asked in surprise.
I explained to him the top floors that I never knew before. The difference between the underground and top floors, and lastly, the strategies.
"Top floors test the people's intelligence, decision making, and common sense. There are riddles that are hard to answer for a normal person, there are no trial and errors and they only have one chance. On the other hand, like I described in the booklet I gave you, underground floors test the people's strength, will, stamina, and teamwork just like you've experienced."
"If we aren't lucky enough to find a person on the 1st floor, we will be stuck there until we die." I bitterly smiled, when I recalled the five keys from that fox and snake.
"So you also felt it…" Devon worriedly looked down.
"…"
"…Please don't be disappointed if the knights looked at you and your party like that." He continued, "It's because they poured almost all of their efforts and even witnessed the deaths of their comrades, just to get back empty handed."
*sigh*
"I understand. That's why I didn't say anything." I answered. "We all entered the same door, experienced the same hardship but different trials, but only our party stayed complete and reached the goal. The sense of defeat from the other party is bound to turn to jealousy and hatred for us."
"I apologize on their behalf." Devon looks troubled but he sincerely apologized.
"Why are you apologizing? I'm not offended at all haha… it's fine. I told you that I understand them. What I wanted to ask is, have you ever thought that I gave you the most difficult path so that I could conquer that dungeon before you?" I asked with a smirk.
"If you're asking me that, I would answer 'Maybe'."
A man entered the tent, it was Valentine with a humble smile. I almost deny the fact that it was him that I saw laughing like a maniac before.
"And why is that?"
"My first reason, so that you can better Prince Polestar when it comes to decision making. My second reason is that you can show Prince Polestar, who belittles you, that he's a loser. My third reason is that you must have already set your eyes on the goal, so you planned beforehand by giving us the intel for the most difficult route and taking the easiest route for yourself."
Valentine grinned and had a look that said 'he saw through my plan'. Devon frowned when he realized Valentine's point.
"Pfft…" I covered my mouth and suppressed my laugh. "Nice theory detective, but that's wrong you just rubbed more salt into my wound."
"T-That's right. He can't devise a plan that is accurate without connection from the inside and thorough investigation, he's only given a short amount of time to prepare everything from the appearance of the dungeon to the day our raid is scheduled." Devon pointed after he saw the flaws in Valentine's theory.
"So how will you explain the intel from his said connections? Isn't he part of Cavelier House? Maybe the Lord of the House spilled the plan to him?" Valentine tried to guess
"That can't be. The King and Marquess Cavelier are best friends, he won't betray his majesty for some treasures when he himself is already one of the wealthiest nobles in the Kingdom itself."
'Are they really talking about my family like this in front of me?'
"Haa… enough already. You still are not answering my question, Sir Devon. Sir Valentine, well, you could say I really want to better Prince Polestar because of what he said to me before the raid, it became one of my motivations to not give up inside. But still none of your theories are correct. You're making me a bad guy huh." I massage my head in frustration.
"Well, even if you're a bad guy, you're still cool hahaha." Valentine commanded with a thumbs up.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes and just look at Devon who got stuck in his train of thoughts.
"I don't think you'll do something like that. Remember you told me while handing the booklet? You said to look after your cousin and family knights on your behalf before entering the dungeon, but you never expected that three knights would follow you. In addition, you just told me that you and that three knights would've died if you're not lucky enough to find that young man who was with you, that archer. That only shows you have no idea about the route you took." Devon said after a moment of thinking.
"Ahh… that's why. You know that you lack the number to take the route you already knew, so you choose something that is unknown to you. Haa… what a gutsy person."
I smiled. "Well, thank you for answering honestly."
"Now that I see you closely, you really are a Cavelier." Valentine commented and tried to get his face close to me to see more closely.
"What do you mean? I really am a part of Cavelier even if I am surnamed Artenza." I said in confusion.
"Yeah. But what I meant is your appearance." He pointed out, "You looked somewhat like Sir Keaton, but in closer look, you looked like the eldest Lady of the house."
'…it's because that is 'me' to begin with.'
"You saw the Lady in person?" sir Devon asked surprised. "When? I heard she only went out to go to the palace to visit her fiancé and nothing more, aside from her personality."
"Yeah, but I saw her when she visited my Armory to buy a knife and I also heard rumors about her being evil. But after seeing her, those rumors seemed untrue." Sir Valentine told him.
Now now… It seems like not only girls are gossipers, but also boys. And on top of that, these guys who're more unlikely to talk rumors. Don't judge a book by it's cover, Randall.
"Sir Randall, if I haven't yet to tell you this then just ignore it. You are so amazing back there, if Prince Polestar just saw how you fought, I bet he won't go after you with insults anymore." sir Devon said, shaking his head.
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"There's no need for that. I think the Prince saw him saving him after taking that blow. And to remind you, those knights have eyes and mouths. For sure Sir Randall's bravery and strength will reach his ears. He will come to acknowledge your strength in no time" Sir Valentine said with dignity. "For me, I don't overlook status, but strength. So let's spar some time, okay?"
Haa…
"Anyway, I don't want to criticize you or anything but I just want to ask why did the number of knights decrease more than expected? Did you not follow the booklet I gave you?" I asked in a concerned manner. I don't want to come out like a superior who's disappointed over a given rule that wasn't followed by his team.
The two of them went silent. I was confused when they looked at each other and then took out their copies of the guide. Hmm… so they disturbed it wisely, so what caused the problem?
"That… I thought everything was in this book already so I only skimmed through the pages, but it turns out some information is blank." It was Devon who answered and turned it to the page where it was blank.
I frowned. "What?" I took the booklet.
Why is this like this? I swear it was complete except for the 0th floor and the 50th floor.
"Eh? Why is that blank to you? Mine's floor -27th, -35th and -32nd." Valentine showed us his copy.
All three of us turned serious and said nothing. Only then we know what's going on here, that also means Keaton's and Polestar's copy are incomplete.
"Leave the investigation to me regarding this. Now that we know you have no idea about this, you're now safe from suspicion." Valentine reassured me then he took the booklet from me to keep.
"Then I hope you get to the bottom of this for the justice of the knights that died." I heave in disappointment.
I really thought I could at least prevent the death with me intervening. Though the count of casualties is lesser than indicated in the original book… At least my actions bore fruit this time.
Moments later when the atmosphere lifted up a bit. I took five spatial bags from my mini spatial bag. Two bigger bags and three smaller bags. I looked at the spiral symbol attached on each bag, "You know that symbol, right?"
"Spatial Bags! Oh, shit. That's hella expensive, that bigger bag had a space of two acres while the smaller bag had a space of a normal sized balcony." Valentine blurted out shockingly.
'Huh? Balcony?'
"Do you really...?" Sir Devon asked in surprise.
"Young masters, I am not heartless to let everyone who suffered and risked their lives just to get these treasures, only to go home with nothing." I think this is the only way I could do for those pitiful knights to go home at ease and feeling success. "We will depart before sunset."
"But Sir Randall, won't you wait for the Prince to wake up?" Sir Valentine asked, "He might have apologized to you."
I snorted. From the book I read, the Prince Polestar can't lower his head to anyone but the king. He won't probably give me an apology, so I better keep my distance from him.
"Do you really believe so?"
"Hmm… He might, he might not. Haha. Why don't you see for yourself then?"
'Tch.'
"Nah, I don't care about him. My only concern for now is Keaton's safety, you all must thank him, because if I hadn't seen him there fighting. I won't come and save anyone." I smirked as I said that, "oh, I apologize if it did come out harsh, but compared to the humiliation I got from the Prince and harsh judgements from the knights, I still chose to do the most humane thing."
Devon sighed in relief, while Valentine clicked his tongue. For now I need to secure Keaton's safety.
"Too bad, I wanted to see a fight between you and the Prince." Valentine murmured. Haa… this two faced man.
"No thanks. I don't want to have Menalia and Cartania broken up into a war. Instead of a fight, please tell Prince Polestar when he wakes up. 'Sorry, If he was saved by a mere model like me, I didn't mean to, but still did otherwise'." I said with a grin.
"Umm… Excuse me. Master. It's me, Efren. I'd like to report that the Lord's carriage is about to arrive in fifteen minutes."
'…Shit.'
-----
I excused myself and went outside. From afar, I could see an incoming carriage. It has a Cavelier's insignia, no doubt, it really is the Marquess. There's no way the Marquess will come here, this isn't included in the book.
What should I do? What should I say? I forgot that I escaped from the window, actually, I don't know when his patience will run out. But I do know how scary that man is when angry. Haha. And here I was, been acting like a spoiled bitchy brat since I first met him.
I was so caught up in my own thoughts that I didn't hear someone calling me. It was from a tiny voice of a girl, she was a ponytailed girl, sister of Theo.
"O-Oh yes? How can I help you?" I greeted.
"Sir, thank you very much for finding my brother!" She happily said, "I will make sure to repay your kindness someday!"
I patted her head and looked at Theo. He is stiffly standing all flustered, he must be thinking with something.
"Theo, what are you gonna do from now on?" I asked, he once said he won't be an adventurer again or accept missions that are dangerous.
"Captain. I will quit being an adventurer and live as a writer instead. It was the dream I always dreamed of. I will tell everyone with my pen about the adventure we had in this dungeon!" He said, full of inspiration in his eyes. I hope he won't include something silly in his story, "Captain! Are your rewards still valid? I didn't get to earn enough points, I guess my request won't be happening…"
"Ahh… About that. You don't need points, instead, I want to invite you and your sister to my cousin's birthday party." I rummage through my mini bag and take out the invitation from Vega, "Anyway, what is your wish?"
His eyes widened and received the invitation. His cheeks blushed and his eyes twinkled like he's expecting a nice reward.
"Captain, I want to share with my sister the taste of your dishes, i-is that possible?"
"Haha! I knew you would like my cooking, it wasn't your ordinary dishes from anywhere though."
I felt proud, Mom's recipe and my world's blessing is being acknowledged in a different world. "You just have to ask my cousin Tania at the party, ya' know I'll be the one who'll cook the dishes to share with the guests."
I really need to start a food business here, hehehe, I'll definitely beat Fredrick's business in no time once I start hehehe…
"Thank you very much, Captain. It is my luckiest day of my life meeting you!" He bowed 90 degrees. That made me chuckle… there's no need to bow like that, though.
The two of them went back, he said they are just close to Dabe Village, a walking distance.
"Umm… Sir Randall." I heard Amelia's voice and turned to her, she's hiding behind the tree while holding the two cubs.
"Miss Amelia, I'm glad you're fine." I approached her then, "I thought that Yoren gave you a hard time, how is he treating you?"
She bit her lip and looked down, there's no hint of sadness or regret on her face. Even so, she looks hesitant.
"I'm fine. Yoren however… threw me away." She replied, hesitating.
The bastard can't forgive her after that humiliation. Of course he would throw her out, but it's his loss the moment he let go of Amelia. I remembered the carriage of the bastard took off already, so he left her here alone.
"I see. I can give you a ride if you like." I smiled. "I assumed you don't know anyone here except for Yoren."
"Really, sir Randall? Thank you." She said embarrassed
"You're always wel-"
"Ehem."
My body stiffened and I could feel something ominous behind me and I gulped. The carriage slipped my mind, a dark aura stabbed me from behind and I tried countering with mine but I seemed to have no will to do that, so I tried activating my Dominator but…
*dingg!*
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'H-Haha. Wrong timing!'
I slowly turned around, and I came to see some knights gawking at the Marquess, including Devon, Valentine, Jullian, and Venter. Only the Cavelier Knights had their faces worried while looking at me. Sweat trickled from my face and I smiled awkwardly.
"So you were here all along."
Chills ran down my spine and I could visibly see the red aura emitting from his body and a large vein bulging on his face. His… definitely angry this time. But I can't
"Fa- U-Uncle…" His anger intensified and I stepped back. Shit! I had no choice! My disguise will blow out if I call him Father… I haven't even called him 'Father' all this time since I met him!
"…You cheeky brat!" The Marquess stepped forward, my heart raced. I'm nervous, really.
I snatched Amelia by the arms and ran away. I took out the Carpet and hopped on.
"Get them!" The Marquess yelled.
"Miss Amelia please get on!" I told her, and behind her were some Cavelier knights following us. I could still feel the glare of Marquess Trastius from his spot.
I drove the carpet and when we passed over Marquess, I told him, "…U-Uncle, I'll see you at home later after I drop Miss Amelia in her house. And take Keaton with you, he's hurt!"
-*-
While we were in the sky, a bit of awkwardness was between me and Amelia. That was really embarrassing. It was her who broke the silence.
"Sir Randall… ummm… I-I… I don't know why you did that but I really admire you!" She blushed, closing her eyes…
"…!"