Chapter 54: Alfred and Talcott
They raced through the twilight forest using water gliding.
Approaching with a loud buzzing sound was a swarm of hornets about the size of puppies.
Gigahornets, highly territorial and aggressive bee-like monsters. They immediately attack if you enter their territory. They are dangerous due to their strong poison.
With magic infused into Ouroboros, the incoming hornets were struck down as they passed by. Their destination was the hornets' nest. There seemed to be no end to them if left unchecked.
As they approached the nest, the density of hornets increased.
"Aqua Wall!"
Ashley's magic support came from behind.
Walls of water emerged to my left and right, limiting the direction from which the hornets could approach. They either came from the front or the back. Swinging my staff like a windmill, I smashed the incoming hornets into splinters as I advanced.
I made use of Ashley's created water walls. Manipulating water currents, I pulled them to create a path in the air.
Riding on the water rail, tracing a trajectory like a roller coaster, we slid towards the nest in the treetops without any pause, not even for an instant.
"Freeze Jail!"
The remaining hornets were trying to crawl out, but they, along with the nest, were enclosed in an ice prison. Honey and larvae could be sold for a good price, so I wanted to recover them as intact as possible.
I cleared the trees supporting the nest with Ouroboros, sending it crashing to the ground. Descending in a wide arc, we approached the ground. There were still some hornets that had already left the nest, but it was no issue.
"Lightning Cloud!"
Furious, I released a thundercloud, capturing the remnants of the hornets heading towards us.
"Ashley, perfect timing."
"Thank you!"
Ashley returned a smile and elegantly returned the incoming Whispermash attacks, as if she was swinging a golf club. She's become quite composed. A good trend.
"Now."
"Understood."
Sheila and Ilmhihld fought in pairs, their movements synchronized. Sheila would strike with her dagger and withdraw, then Ilmhihld's arrow would hinder the enemy's movements. Or Ilmhihld's arrow would be followed by Sheila's surprise attack from a different direction.
Grace faced a new creature.
Facing her was an Angrymash. It was a huge mushroom-like creature about my height, with a squat, robust body.
Unlike Whispermash, Angrymash played a front-line role. It relied on physical attacks such as strikes and crushing using its weight, so its strength and power were noteworthy. By the way... its taste was similar to shiitake mushrooms. While they weren't numerous, they provided a satisfying meal.
Grace easily dodged Angrymash's swung arm.
"I'm slow."
Even though it was a front-line with strong physical strength, it wasn't Grace's match. A chain connected to an axe thrown in an arc wrapped around Angrymash's leg, depriving it of freedom, and then the main axe struck down from above.
"Um... can vertically split mushrooms be eaten...?"
"No, that's a superstition. Whether they can be eaten or not doesn't really relate."
Ilmhihld denied Sheila's words, who had been observing Angrymash's fate. Impressed by the existence of such superstitions here as well, I followed Sheila's lead.
"What just happened was this creature called Angrymash... well, it's edible. I think you can also vertically split Scarletmash, but be careful because that one is highly poisonous."
Straightforward folks like her are good. However, identifying types of mushroom-like monsters is difficult, so you need to be cautious when dealing with such tiers.
Both the hornets' nests and Angrymash were quite bulky, so as I contemplated which ones to teleport, we found a stone monument and returned to the temple.
"Any injuries?"
"We're fine."
"Us too."
After confirming, I checked today's loot and such, and a group armed for battle descended from the temple's upper floor onto the square by the stone monument. About thirty people in total, all equipped uniformly.
They seemed to be planning to enter the labyrinth in groups of six, with each group led by a knight, accompanied by four soldiers and one healer.
Once the groups were ready, they formed ranks and headed into the depths of the labyrinth.
Among them was... Chester. He briefly glanced in our direction, but without saying anything or changing his expression, he led his soldiers into the labyrinth.
"Knight Order venturing into the labyrinth...?"
Ashley tilted her head in confusion.
Perhaps some investigation had taken place at the royal palace. It seemed they had found a reason and arrangement to set the Knight Order in motion.
What kind of situation led Chester to this point? I had never imagined the Dragon Riders would have a role in the labyrinth.
As I headed towards selling the spoils of war, it appeared Heather had heard that the Knight Order would enter the labyrinth. However, she seemed to know very little beyond that. While the guild's upper echelons were informed, it seemed there was a strict gag order in place.
Well... if something does come my way, King Melvin might approach me about it.
"Hey, long time no see, Theo."
"Oh?"
Upon returning home, I noticed a carriage parked. Prince Albert—or rather, Alfred— disguised prince—stepped out of the carriage.
"Have you heard anything from His Highness Albert? I aspire to become a magician, and if it's alright with you, I'd like your assistance."
"Yeah, I've heard about that."
"Alright. That's the idea, so let's work together."
He offered a handshake with a smile, and I responded in kind.
"Also... I've brought someone today who really wants to talk to you."
"Who might that be?"
Alfred lightly knocked on the carriage door, and a familiar face emerged from within.
"Long time no see."
Talcott said with a wry smile. His demeanor was somewhat different from before.
"Yes, it's been a while."
"I caused you trouble before. I wanted to apologize for my father's actions as well."
Talcott closed his eyes and bowed his head toward me.
"I understand."
Acknowledging Talcott's gratitude and apology felt a bit uneasy.
"You don't need to concern yourself with me. My father's actions were his own doing."
Talcott seemed to notice my expression and spoke those words. It seemed like he had some knowledge about my involvement in the kidnapping incident.
When I tried to cooperate with the authorities, I was there too. Information would have reached the royal palace from there.
"Yes, I understand."
"That's right. I was convinced by someone and have decided to start thinking for myself from now on. In my own way."
Talcott squinted his eyes and smiled somewhat sadly.
"At the very least, if it weren't for the incident involving you, both my mother and I probably wouldn't be here."
"I never thought about it that way. I act for my own sake, so there's no need for gratitude."
So, being thanked felt even more awkward.
I thought it would be fine because the prince was involved, but that's probably the kind of gratitude that should be directed towards Prince Albert.
"If that's the case... it's for my sake too. If the situation had been revealed through a different source, we might have all faced punishment together."
Or perhaps... I might have been used and discarded for the sake of the eldest son, even if it wasn't revealed. Considering what Maurice did to Talcott, there might have been conflicts between them from the start.
Talcott said with a small nod, scratching his head, then turned to Alfred.
"I'm done talking from my end."
"Is that so? Are you alright now?"
"Yes. As for the remaining escort, until Alfred-sama's business is finished, I'll wait inside the carriage so as not to disturb."
Placing his hand on his chest, Talcott bowed. His attitude towards Alfred was that of a noble. He had the manners down, but he still struggled with subtlety.
Or rather, his thoughts and actions remained straightforward. At least, it's clear he respects Prince Albert.
Though Alfred seemed troubled, he understood the situation and nodded with a wry smile.
"Understood. Well, my matter isn't something too complicated or crucial. Just wait there for a bit."