97人人模人人爽人人喊谢绝

Vol 5: Chapter 6

★ Lev Magic Empire Tent Quarters ★

The Labyrinth Capture Division 4 was steadily proceeding with the recapture of the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions” with the cooperation of the adventurer party Silver Balance.

The first meeting to exchange the capture results was held on this day.

Naturally, Lulusha, who is the head of Division 4, participated in the meeting. And Dante also participated as a representative from Silver Balance.

The director of the Labyrinth Management Bureau, each division of the Labyrinth Capture Divisions, large companies which specialise in magic tool research, and major ministers of the government were assembled in a large tent. It was a crowd of almost 50 people.

Most of the participants were Levs, and only a few humans and other races.

「Director, I would like to present the capture results of Capture Division 1. We even have a dedicated team of researchers who have made their analysis.」

「Wait. In terms of the number of researchers, our Division 2 has more.」

「Hahaha, members of the Labyrinth capture division. It was researchers of our company who actually analyzed the sorcery mechanisms.」

Each made their individual claims. The discussion did not proceed forward.

In order to close the red crack in the sky, the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions” was captured again. An undiscovered labyrinth was also found. They overcame all sorts of traps in that labyrinth, and hauled in a great number of magic tools.

However, there were monsters which poured into the labyrinth from the “Undeveloped Land Canion”, causing a number of casualties. Even so, the availability of a huge amount of magic tools within the dungeon has greatly reinvigorated the Levs’ desires.

They know the nation is in crisis. However, they still want to secure the magic tools for themselves. If they could, they want to secure the magic tools found by the other teams too.

「Ah, umm… His Majesty the Emperor has told me to proceed with the research on this matter promptly…」

The director of the Labyrinth Management Bureau who was supposed to reign in the situation was just shaking helplessly. Although the city had fallen, his fat body was still fat. Rather, he became fatter due to overeating from too much stress.

(He’s the exact opposite to how Abba gave up syrup and became thinner.)

Lulusha thought while casting a sideways glance at the director. On a side note, Abba was still discussing various issues that needed to be resolved with representatives from different countries in another place.

「Isn’t it okay for Division 1 to take over the results of the 4th Division since they do not have researchers?」

The age of Levs, who look like reptiles, is difficult to grasp. But the chief of Division 1 is over 50 years old. As an old man, it is difficult to claim rights to the results of every team, but he tries to grab rights from places where it is easy.

「Excuse me, Division 1 chief. But we do have researchers in Division 4. The monsters coming out of the Red Gate are still unabated, and it is difficult to bring in a lot of equipment and materials, so the progress on research is slow. Nevertheless, we are currently analyzing the labyrinth control mechanism in the innermost chamber of the “Labyrinth of Fear” and “Labyrinth of Wrath” at a rapid pace.」

「Oh, that’s good, Lulusha. How soon will the results–」

The director sounded happy, finally hearing positive information, but the chief of Division 1 interrupted him.

「The researchers in Division 4 are probably ones from that rundown, shabby company. How can we leave such an important task to unqualified people? Or did they rely on the human sitting behind them? Then it would be a leak of confidential information and a serious act of betrayal.」

The Levs in the tents grew noisy after the chief stated that. You can hear voices saying, “How can we leave it to another race?”, “For what reason do you think we didn’t invite the other countries to this meeting?”

The representatives of the troops of each country fighting the monsters falling from the Red Gate were not invited to this meeting. That’s because the Lev representatives present here fiercely opposed the notion. Inviting another country would mean you have to give a share to them.

「What nonsense.」

A voice echoed from a large body sitting on a chair at the back. It was Dante’s.

「…Did you say nonsense? You’re just a mere adventurer!」

Division 1 chief shouted, banging his fist on the table. And then everyone started rebuking Dante.

「Dante-dono.」

「Ah, sorry, Lulusha-san. These guys here just don’t get it… They’re trying to claim your results while sitting in the safety of their tents.」

「How dare you!」

The Levs stood up from their chairs in anger, but Dante simply glared at them.

「The ones protecting this little town of yours are the human race you belittle. The one who is fighting at the forefront is a little girl who won’t live past this year. You’re not going to say you don’t know, are you?」

「Guh.」

Division 1 chief clenched his teeth hard. And Dante pushed further.

「Lulusha-san, I think it’s better to say this here. You put your life on the line to investigate the “Labyrinth of Wrath” that no one else wanted to investigate because of the danger of collapse. Some of your staff were seriously injured. There were so many monsters that even I barely survived. We had worked hard to obtain several… Heroic Gears. So I think that only Division 4 should have the right to use it.」

「Heroic Gear!?」

「Several of them!?」

At the core of the technological revolution of the Lev Magic Empire are the numerous magic tools found in the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions”. Among them, what is called “Heroic Gear” brought about significant technological innovation.

Some “Heroic Gear” brought the power to fly in the air against gravity, some “Heroic Gear” brought the power to transmit information through air, and some “Heroic Gear” brought the power to distort space. Many of them were “weapon-like”, but many others were used to simply put on appearances because their uses were unknown. But each of them looked amazing.

So far, only 20 “Heroic Gear” have been discovered in the “Labyrinth of 9 Emotions”. They are strictly controlled by the Empire. This is because the analysis of those “Heroic Gear” has not been completed yet, and a number of incomprehensible technologies are being tested.

After all, “Heroic Gear” is the strength and core of the Empire.

「…It’s just a bluff. No one has confirmed these several “Heroic Gear”…」

Division 2 chief said, trying to put on a brave front.

「Director, I have a suggestion.」

Lulusha ignored the chief, and raised her hand toward the director.

「U-um. Go ahead.」

「Let’s release this “Heroic Gear” to the other countries.」

「Wha!?」

The whole tent was in shock.

「The level of researchers in the Empire is top class, but the number of researchers is limited, and the facilities in the checking station are also limited. Let us lend a piece to the Keith Gran Federation, the Saint Knight Kingdom, and the Kruvan Holy Kingdom each and have them proceed with their research.」

「Have you gone mad!? Lending the Empire’s treasure!?」

「These humans were trying to betray us from the beginning!」

The Levs screamed and stood up, but when Dante stood up behind Lulusha with his arms folded and glared at them, their voices became quieter. However, the noise did not stop.

「Ah, uh, Lulusha. Please stop those provocative jokes…」

「Director. I am not joking or trying to betray anyone. Even if it is a calculated move, shouldn’t we at least do that much for the countries which lent us its troops? Since it is “Heroic Gears” that has not been fully analyzed by our researchers even after many months and years, it will not be possible for them to analyze everything immediately. All we have to do is analyze them thoroughly once they are returned, whether that is in several months, or perhaps even several years. Our technological superiority is unrivaled.」

「B-But, we don’t know if the “Heroic Gears” will even be returned…」

「That is why we will lend it to the three countries at the same time. If one of the countries does not return it, we can put pressure on that country.」

「But if all three do not return it…」

「Director.」

Lulusha stood up and leaned forward.

「Without those three countries, it’s highly possible that even our temporary shelter wouldn’t exist anymore! Our current priority should be to obtain new technology as soon as possible and to fix the situation! If we don’t, we will not be able to stay in the labyrinths for a long time, and the investigation on sealing the Red Gate will not be able to proceed further!」

The director was at a loss for words, but the other division chiefs and the Levs of large companies hatefully glared at Lulusha.

「My goodness… This conference should be discussing the ultimate goal of sealing the Red Gate, and yet it seems that many people are working diligently to claim rights to Magic Gears.」

An elderly Lev with deep wrinkles entered the tent.

Everyone here knew who that person was.

He is the director of the Foreign Affairs Bureau, which is single-handedly in charge of all communication with foreign countries.

Although he looks like an easy-going old man, the director of the Labyrinth Management Bureau knew that the old Lev was a master of negotiations. He wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing that the old Lev appeared at this meeting.

「Abba-kun. Lead in the guest.」

「Yes. –Right this way, please.」

Behind the Director of Foreign Affairs, was Abba, who followed in like an attendant. Everyone in the meeting blinked in disbelief at the guest who was brought in — a rabbit.

It was a huge rabbit.

And the rabbit was wearing a hat and ritual clothes.

「Eh, everyone, I am El-Gu-Larun, a high priest of the Kruvan Holy Kingdom’s Altar Administration Office. Nice to meet everyone present here.」

The rabbit bowed down.

「Eh, I am here today to explain about the connection with the “Back World” and help destroy the crack that connects the world.」