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Chapter 424

What lay before them was a mansion that could only be described as enormous.

It wasn’t much different in size compared to the Lord’s residence in Gilm. If there was a difference, it would be in the mansion’s construction.

It was clear that the mansion in front of them was built from very good materials. However, perhaps due to the excessive usage of so many good materials, it seemed obnoxiously good.

(What to say……this is unexpected? No, I guess it’s expected in a sense. The carriage was quite tasteful, but this mansion……is tasteful in a different sense.)

That was what Rei thought as he and Elena entered the mansion.

Of course, Set couldn’t enter the mansion, as previously said. However, he was still guided to the garden, where he lay down in the shadow of a growing tree.

In addition, Yellow stayed with Set.

「This way. I’ll tell you in advance, Schaffner-sama is a man with many difficulties to deal with. It would be a great help if you could understand and respond with that knowledge.」

「……I understand what you mean, but if that’s the case, I think it would be better we didn’t meet at all.」

「I’m sorry, but as long as my master tells me to, I have no choice but to guide you to him. ……This way.」

Entering the mansion, the man who had guided them to this point continued to lead Rei and Elena down a hallway rather than call a maid.

However, the reason he didn’t bother to call a maid was probably because he didn’t have to guide Rei and Elena very far. In less than a few minutes, they arrived in front of a door, which he knocked on as he called out.

「I have brought your guests.」

「Enter.」

With those words, the door was opened. What came into Rei and Elena’s eyes was a room about 82 square meters in size. Despite how big it was, there was only a table in the middle of the room. ……It could be called a lonely room, but as if to fill in that loneliness, many works of art, such as paintings, statues, and other art works decorated the room.

「This is……」

It was probably a dining room as there were many dishes on the table. However, the numerous artworks that that were placed around obnoxiously seemed to contradict that.

At the very least, it was clear that Rei wouldn’t have been able to eat comfortably in a place like this.

On the other hand, contrary to Rei’s surprise, Elena showed no change in her expression as she just gave a small nod towards the old man in the room.

Normally, it would be polite to say a few words out of social courtesy, but as the daughter of Duke Kerebel, it was necessary for her to maintain a certain attitude towards someone who only held a third of the power in the autonomous city due to the difference in status.

「Welcome Elena Kerebel-sama. Crimson-dono as well.」

Rei already knew who the old man in his 70s or 80s was as he greeted them with a big smile.

From listening to the rumours that circulated in Exil about the Levisor family, it was clear that the old man in front of them was Schaffner Levisor.

However, if there was anything different compared to the rumours……

(Short-tempered, hot-headed, and arrogant……was what I heard. No, is this just a facade he’s putting up right now?)

Rei thought to himself as he looked at the old man wearing a happy smile.

Although he might not have noticed Rei’s thoughts, Schaffner invited Rei and Elena to the table in the large room.

「Well then. First of all, let us finish our meal first. You’ve just come out of the dungeon and you must be hungry. I’ve prepared some food that is better than what you would normally buy.」

「……I see. Rei, let’s take up Schaffner-dono’s offer.」

For a moment, Elena raised her eyebrows as she prompted Rei.

Nodding at her words, Rei sat silently in a chair.

Although it was just a short exchange of words, he was able to obtain some information from just that.

(If he knows we’ve buying and eating on the way back to the inn from the dungeon on a daily basis, he must have had someone check up on us beforehand. Well, I can understand that. In the first place, Elena had used the name of Duker Kerebel when entering Exil. But, why place priority on his own convenience?)

They had just come back from the dungeon……from a desert floor. Even though they had barely worked up a sweat thanks to the Dragon Robe and desert cloak, it was still natural to want to get rid of it.)

However, Schaffner had still placed his own wants first and ignored them. In other words, he was probably self centered.

(In that case, it’s not so strange that his smile is so shallow.)

That was what Rei thought. Still, it was true that he was hungry, so he reached out for the food as prompted.

There was roasted meat with a sweet and sour sauce, a white fish wrapped in pie crust and baked, and a lightly salted soup with the flavour of meat and vegetables.

Another unusual dish that caught Rei’s attention was a terrine like dish.

The rich taste of liver spread through Rei’s mouth, delighting his tastebuds.

Elena was also thoroughly a salad, which was made with a generous serving of fruits and vegetables found from the dungeon.

「What do you think? Of the food?」

Elena’s eyes widened slightly as she took a bite of the salad and nodded in satisfaction.

「Mm, it’s very delicious. As expected of a labyrinth city.」

「Oh, so you know?」

「I’ve had some several times before.」

There were certain plants and animals that only existed inside dungeons due to the specific environments required. For example, the Desert Rose that was collected by Pleiades party, that Rei and Elena had met on the 11th floor.

The deeper the floor, the more likely that unique plants and animals would appear due the the magical influence of the dungeon’s core.

Plants such as what was used to make the salad Elena was eating and the monster liver, vegetables, and spices used to make the terrine that Rei was digging into. In addition, all the other dishes on the table were also made from ingredients found in the dungeon, cooked by a chef reputed to be the best in Exil.

Even the artworks in the dining room, while they might be an eyesore to Rei and Elena, were very eye catching with each one definitely bought at a high price.

That said, the careless collection of valuable artworks only served to make it feel meaningless.

Anyhow, even in a labyrinth city, such ingredients were undoubtedly expensive. The fact that Schaffner used such ingredients in the dishes served suggested that he attached great importance to Rei and Elena.

Understanding that, Elena gracefully finished eating her salad with a fork and knife and took a sip of wine before turning her gaze to Schaffner.

(It’s true that the dishes are all delicious, but when it comes to drinks, it can’t compared to the water from Rei’s Dagger of Flowing Water.)

As she thought of that.

「Now then, Schaffner-dono. Could you tell me why you called Rei and I? I think you understand that we would normally not need to respond to such a sudden invitation.」

「Well, that is……my apologies. As you can see, I can’t easily go out due to my age, so I would be grateful if you could understand that.」

Elena was a duke’s daughter……and the daughter of the leader of the Aristocratic faction.

He must have known that. Schaffner gave a small gulp before nodding.

If Elena had been someone with the misplace pride of a noble, she would have continued to push here. Fortunately, she didn’t have such pride. That was why she spoke out straightforwardly.

「So, you invited us to dinner because you had something you wanted to talk with us, right?」

Elena changed her words to imply that while Schaffner had invited someone with a higher status to dinner……it wasn’t going to be a problem.

Schaffner probably realised that as well. Giving a small sigh of relief, he sipped some wine to calm himself done before placing his glass on his table and speaking up.

「That’s right, since Elena-sama has said that, I’ll be frank. I’ve heard that Elena-sama has frequently entered the dungeon. Of course, you’ve also sold many magic stones to the guild. ……So, if it’s okay, I was wondering if you could leave the purchasing of your magic stones and materials to the Levisor family……what do you think?」

His gaze was only directed towards Elena as he spoke. He trated Rei as if he hardly existed.

To Schaffner, Rei had a title and was well known. However, even with a title of Crimson, it had only started spread after the spring war. It held a different weight compared with Elena’s title of the General Princess. In addition, there was also the difference between the daughter of Duke Kerebel and an adventurer. It was inevitable that they would be treated differently.

It was Schaffner’s misunderstanding that Rei was just following Elena. It wasn’t an unreasonable misunderstanding considering there positions, but it turned out to be a fatal one.

「……What would you like to do, Rei?」

Elena asked Rei, who was reaching out with his fork and knife for a the fish covered in pie crust.

Hearing that, he thought for several seconds before shaking his head lightly.

「I’m sorry, but it’s impossible as we have a prior agreement with the guild. Why are you collecting so many magic stones now anyway? I heard from the guild that their magic stone reserves are running low.」

At Rei’s words, Schaffner frowned slightly.

However, he immediately shook his head as he gave a smile.

「I’m sorry, but that’s a top secret of the Levisor family. I cannot talk to you about it, even if you are Elena-sama’s party member.」

「I won’t force you to answer, but it seems that the residents of Exil are suffereing from various inconveniences due to your collection of magic stones. Is that okay with you as one of the three rulling families of Exil?」

「We are certainly concerned about this, which is why we have increased the amount of magic stones purchased from adventurers, albeit only slightly. However, if the collection of magic stones is an issue, it’s not just the Levisor family. No, the Marschel family is collecting even more than us. If you really want to solve the magic stone shortage of the residents of Exil, you should talk with the Marschel family and tell them not to collect as much, and most importantly, the Silva family, who should be taking the initiative to head into the dungeon to find more magic stones.」

Rei and Elena both frowned at Schaffner’s response of giving them a ‘better idea’.

Schaffner’s words were basically telling them that he wasn’t the only one doing bad things and there were others as well.

At the same time, they could start to see his facade as a good natured old man start to peel.

As he talked about the other families, there was a hint of hatred that started to creep into his eyes.

Yes. He was sure that Elena, the daughter of Duke Kerebel, would side with him over the other two families.

As for Schaffner himself, he gave a smile as if it were the absolute truth.

Even though it was a smile, it was a kind of sticky smile that made you want to call it a smug smirk.

(Sure, if Elena were to intercede, it would have the effect Schaffner wants. ……Yes, if she actually did it that is.)

Rei thought to himself while reaching for more food as Schaffner spoke only of a future that was convenient for himself.

They were dishes made from ingredients found in the dungeon and, until a little while ago, they had seemed delicious enough. But, when thinking that they were sitting with Schaffner, he started to find the food less appetising.

Did Elena sense Rei’s feelings or did she have the same feelings herself? She spoke bluntly after placing her fork and knife on the table.

「I’m sorry, but I have no intention of getting involved in Exil’s power struggle. At the very least, I’m not here as Elena Kerebel, representing Duke Kerebel, but as an adventurer entering the dungeon.」

Flatly refusing, she left a stunned Schaffner in his seat as she signaled Rei with her eyes and stood up from her seat.

「W-Wait!」

「Too much talk.」

Further cutting off Schaffner from saying anything, Elena left the dining room.

With his proposal dismissed, Schaffner was left with his face dyed red with anger.