268 265. Blood collection.txt (1/2)

The Maze Confederacy is made up of a series of five countries.

When asked which is the richest country among those five, everyone says 'Hoozeyers'.

The reason - first of all, simply because it has the most ancient history, in addition to its outstanding military and financial power. As a result, it has a large voice in the Allies and can easily become the center of the nations. The more influence it has over the policies of the Allies, the more likely it is to become the natural center of the economy.

That's a very simple reason, but one that is very hard to overrule.

Thus, the Hoosiers are overflowing with famous aristocrats, and the constant circulation of people and money keeps the continent's top position rock solid.

As if to prove it, the street I'm walking on now is bustling with activity and gleaming to the point of annoyance.

Just a quick glance at the road will tell you that there are many colors.

It is not often that you see people wearing brightly colored dyes such as red, blue and green in other countries. However, most of the people I see in front of me now are wearing clothes with conspicuous colors.　A casual observer could easily discern the logistics and average income of this country.

Of course, not everything is like this, from one end of Hoosier's country to the other.

The road I'm on now is a little special among them.

The name of the road is ”Crossroads 11”.

It's an intersection in the northern part of Huzjaz, a place known to the rest of the country as a bit of a landmark.

There are many layers of ”magic stone lines” running through the intersection, and the cobblestone ground has been transformed into jewel tarmac.

The width of the road is wide enough for about 20 adults to walk hand in hand, and the roads are neatly crossed.

It is plugged.

The natural intersection is so large that you can enjoy riding - there is a fountain, a couch and a ”stone statue” being built.

This knight state loves to build symbols, and there is always a stone statue of someone or something standing in such a place. To be honest, I've always thought that they should remove them because they are in the way.

I sat on a couch at the 11th Crossroads and glanced at the statue.

It's a statue of a youthful man and a woman as a couple. As I recall, he was an aristocrat who was very active before I was born and was a great man who connected the trade routes between the mainland and the frontier. He wanted to boast about his great achievement, so he donated a large sum of money to the government, which allowed me to install the statue.

Frankly, it doesn't matter.

I'm sure that the Hoosiers walking around here, like me, don't care about the aristocrat who made a fortune by taking advantage of the time.

However, there is a little anecdote about this couple's image. There's added value to it, and that's what people on the street are looking for.

That added value is the 'unfounded jinx' associated with the fact that this is a rare image of a married couple. Nowadays, that is the only reason for the existence of this statue.

There are many aristocratic couples around me now.

Anyway, the ratio of male to female couples is high, the age group is young, and the atmosphere is sweet.

I don't know what happened, but before I knew it, ”Crossroads 11” had become famous as a place for romantic encounters, and there was even a rumor that if you confess your love to someone here, you will definitely succeed.

I took the rumor out on myself as I sat on a couch at the 11th Crossroads and bit into a piece of hard bread I had bought for lunch.

'd*mn, why would I be here ....... Mostly because of the location of the cathedral, ....... The place is, .......

I also resent my place of work.

Right now, I am a knight of the Fouzeyards, and my immediate superiors live in the cathedral. So when I have to do some work or report back to them, I usually have to go to the cathedral.

And naturally, after finishing some work in the cathedral, I have to have lunch.

Of course, there are places to eat in the cathedral. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.

I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about. Although I am the youngest brother of a great nobleman, my actual origin is unknown. If I were to become a Celestial Knight, or a knight for the Senate, or if I thought that I was going to become a Knight of the Cathedral again, that would cause a lot of unwanted rumors.

It's not a nobleman who is seriously working as a knight and trying to get ahead, but if you see me in the dining room with such a stinky person, you'll want to throw a bone to him or her.

As a result, I've lost my place and am having lunch in the public square closest to the cathedral.

Huh. ......

When I finish my meal, I leave the room with a sigh.

The couples around me are staring at me as I eat my meal by myself. Maybe they are being watched by a boy who is depressed because his date has been skipped out on.

My unlucky Lord is enough for that kind of thing, I think, as I head south through the streets of Hoosier's, trying to escape the gaze of my surroundings.

I'm not sure if I'll ever see the Lord again, but I'll be able to turn my thoughts to work, harassing him with the idea of introducing him to the Eleventh Crossroads.

--I'm on a mission.

It's also treated as a knight under secret orders from Rustyala Fuzzyards, the head of the Fuzzyards Cathedral.

The task is to 'collect the blood of Saint Tiara from a thousand years ago'.

For the past week, I've been moving for that very reason.

The mission has been going well.

The Jewelculus, which was given that blood, tends to be talented and easy to identify. However, due to their brilliance, it's difficult for ordinary knights to negotiate with them. That's where my high level of expertise comes into play.

It's my job to intimidate the ”Jewelculus” who are getting tougher thanks to the blood, and get them to talk. However, since what I do is a contest of borrowed power, it's a task that is damaging to my spirit.

However, the labor is worth it, and the mission is almost over.

It's not surprising that things are going so well, since they were originally only ten percent of the remaining blood needed, and they had a good idea who possessed the rest of the blood.

I walked through the city and headed for the labyrinth of the United Kingdom.

There's information that there's a labyrinth explorer of the Jewelcrus, who possesses the last of the Blood.

From what I've heard, the kid and I have met.

Along the way, we carefully buy the necessary items for our search at the Hoosier's store.

I pack an emergency ration in a small backpack behind my waist and follow the town's ”magic stone line” to the front of the labyrinth.

The entrance to the labyrinth in Huzzya's is a little unique, decorated by the state and cleaned regularly. There is an aqueduct nearby and a guard is always on duty. Not only cleanliness, but also security is perfect.

On the way through the clean entrance, the guard sees the armband on my shoulder that proves that I am a knight of the cathedral, and his expression is set with tension. We bowed lightly to each other and then entered the labyrinth.

Then, a familiar sight opened up into view.

A dark stone corridor with a vague, faintly glowing 'Shodou'.

The dimness isn't noticeable since we've only just entered, but the smell of mold, characteristic of the labyrinth, is noticeable.

This is where I was trapped a week ago because of Titi and her friends. I was lightly traumatized that I didn't want to go back to the labyrinth again, but when I entered, I felt a strange sense of security.

If I'm honest, this world where I don't know when I'm going to die is probably where I belong. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

''You're back ....... Now, it's been a while since we've explored the labyrinth, but let's get this over with. --Wind Wind (Skyrunner)

Build Wind Magic.

The one I activated was the basic magic, WIND.

However, it's not an ordinary 《Wind》.

I made the most of the basic training in magic that I learned from Aide, skillfully handling the magic control I learned from Titi, and practicing the mindful shouting of the name of the technique that I learned from Christ.

Ignoring the knowledge of magic I learned in school - the common sense that creating new magic is impossible - I invoked my own new magic.

'Run through!'

I sublimate the Basic Magic 《Wind》 to a running aid and start running.

With the increase in level, my leg strength, which is becoming even more inhuman, is further amplified by the power of the wind.

As I run, my stride gradually expands.

One to two meters, two to four meters, four to eight meters, the word running no longer fits. Gliding would be a more appropriate term for a sprint.

We are going many times faster than normal on the ”right road”, and along the way we find a few searchers. They are in the way of my running, so I am forced to run along the wall. As long as you have the assistance of the wind, even if you run on the ceiling, you will never fall down.

My current wind magic has evolved to that point.

Of course, this is not my power.

It's not just me, it's my brother, Hailey, Rowen, Titi, and the other Aids.

...... Just, Titi and Ayde will be gone by now. It's been a week since Christ left the Confederacy. If things were going well, it would have been settled on the mainland.

.............

I don't know why, but I feel that only people who have done me a great favor are disappearing.

I'll miss them and build more magic.

WIND

It's also basic magic, but of course, its purpose is different.

The wind is stretched around the labyrinth, expanding the sixth sense of magic, the sixth sense of magic.

This is an application of the teachings of Mr. Rowen, the sword teacher, not the magic teachers.

Perhaps it's because of the example of Christ, who has always been close to me. I haven't mastered Mr. Loewen's skill of ”sensitivity,” but I've grasped at least the edges of it.

I can sense a moving object with the wind and guess the details of it with my 'intuition'.

Now I'm looking for a pair of boys and girls.

I find people dressed similarly to them, check their faces from a distance, and proceed to the depths of the labyrinth, making mistakes again and again.

Then, after a few hours or so, when I came to the front of the labyrinth's twenty layers, I found the two people I wanted.

''-- I finally found them: ......!　The information and the stature match. And it has a 'blood' feel to it!

Far away from the ”path of righteousness” at the nineteenth layer, a pair of searchers who are probably younger than me were fighting a boss monster.

Both of them are dressed so shabbily that it is hard to believe that they are searchers who have reached the 20th layer. The armaments involved in battle are splendid, but the everyday items such as cloaks and shoes are cheap.

It seems to be true that both of them are in need of money due to the large amount of medical bills they have to pay due to their hospital visits.

The reason why they are fighting the boss monsters in this dangerous area away from the 'right path' is probably because their goal is to make money through rare magic stones rather than experience. I am relieved to see that there is much that matches the information I heard beforehand.

We are dealing with a young searcher who is in need of money.

It's going to be easier to negotiate than I thought.

After all, the source of funding here is the cathedral. I've heard that the amount of money that Rastiara personally can move is quite a bit. Worst case scenario, we could slap him across the cheek with money.

I watch the two of them fight from a distance and think ahead to the negotiation procedure.

But even if I continue to watch, the battle doesn't come to an end - on the contrary, the flag is getting worse.

My opponent is the boss monster, the Gorgon Undet.

It's a monster I've heard of in the academy. As I recall, it was a corroded, humanoid monster with countless snakes inside its body. Its characteristic must have been its extraordinary regenerative power.

A long-term battle against a zombie-type monster with an inexhaustible supply of physical strength would be a disadvantage.

Most importantly, the two people fighting right now were young in age and their bodies were not yet built (・・・・・・). Furthermore, if the prior information about 'sick' is true, they will be many times harder than adult explorers.

'Haha ......'

I thought with a sigh, it would be too much trouble to watch.

Let's forcefully intervene now.

If they complain about something, we can just pretend it's work.

Immediately I run out of the corridor and leap in front of the two men.

Leaving the two surprised, I unleash my magic against the Gorgon Andet.

''-- 《Tauschus Wand》!

Generate multiple giant wind stakes in the air and let them attack the Gorgon Undet from all directions.

It's best to wipe out zombie-type monsters with maximum firepower.

The magic I learned from Titi is very draining of magic power, but it's useful in these situations.

As a result, the enemy is crushed by the great magic of the wind, and magic stones become light particles as they fall. I picked it up and threw it to the two boys before speaking to them.

''Sorry for the interruption. I just wanted to talk to you in a hurry. ...... Of course, the magic stone belongs to you, so don't worry about it.

In the meantime, I'm working as a knight, so I'm respectful even to younger people.

The boy takes the magic stone and replies while staring at me without letting his guard down.

'...... No, I was struggling more than I expected, so I'm grateful. Are you a ...... knight over there?

'This is still a high ranking knight of the Hoozeyards. Armband and sword, here you go.

It's helpful to be a knight in these situations because you can gain a certain amount of trust.

Of course, there are some guys in the Confederacy who cheat on knights, but there aren't many of them since it's set as a felony.

The boy checks every detail of my appearance.

The armband on my shoulder, and the sword provided by Hoozeyer's in my right hand. And the three remaining swords that are held at my waist. I was looking at the swords in the center.

Now I have a total of four swords.

The ”Knight's Sword” that was provided to me, the ”Holy Twin Swords of the House of Helvirshain” and the ”Sylph Luff Bringer”.

He made sure that all of them looked expensive, and he decided that he was at least a person of high status. The boy relaxed his guard a little.

Seeing this, I introduce myself.

''My name is Rainer Helvirshain. This is still the direct knight of the Cathedral's current human god Rustyala-sama. Are you sure that's Al and Emily over there?

The boys and girls - Al, a former slave, and Emily, the 'Jeweled Human (Jewelculus)' - answer.

''Yes. There is no doubt about it.''

'I'm Emily. But why do you want our name ......

They backed away a little, perhaps confused by the fact that their names were known.

'I heard we've met before, do you remember?　I was out of it, so I don't remember this one: ......

From what I heard, the two of us had already made contact. However, I was so hungry that I was unconscious at the time, so I'm not sure.

''Ah!　That time!　You're the one who was dying!　He was a senior party member!

Even though I didn't understand, Al's face lit up and he reminded me.

'Yes, that's correct. I'm glad you remembered.

This will make the conversation go faster. It's also going to be even easier to negotiate, thanks to the fact that I adore Christ as my senior.

'You're the example (...) -- really (...) ......!

Emily was just as surprised as Al was.

However, her surprise was bigger than the boy next to her, and more importantly, she seemed to be 'different'. I don't know why, but there's a ...... strange feeling of discomfort.

'Yes, that example ...... fits, though. Why are you so surprised?

'Yes, no, it was stronger than I thought it would be: ......

'You're seeing the power of those two in the labyrinth, aren't you?　I don't think it's that strong compared to that one: ......

That ......, to us, Mr. Reiner was the image of someone who was carried on his back by his seniors, so .......

Emily insists that she's surprised because I'm a pathetic image, but I beat the boss lightly.

I still can't shake the feeling of discomfort, but I can't question my negotiating partner without a second thought, so I decide to let it go.

'...... Sorry to startle you. Next time I'll intervene with a bit more quiet magic.

'Oh, no, I wasn't complaining. It was really helpful. Thank you.

Emily hurriedly lowered her head. I respond to that with a wave of my hand, ”No problem,” and end the pursuit.

That's when Al cuts to the chase.

'So, you said earlier that you wanted to talk to me in a hurry, but what the hell is the story about ......?'

'It's not a bad story. It's just that it's not technically a story to bring up to the two of you, it's a 'deal' to bring up to you there.

I turn to face Emily, not Al.

'Me, sir?'

Emily is surprised by this and rolls her eyes as she puts her hand on her chest.

'Yes. I'm here to buy the 'Saint Tiara's Blood' inside you.

I'll be frank.

But Al and Emily couldn't keep up with that too frank negotiation, or maybe they were just tilting their heads and waiting for my next words.

It can't be helped.

We'll explain the rest after we take you to the cathedral.