181 Underground Side Story ①

The Ostrava Royal Capital was a truly dazzling place.

Tons of citizens lived there, and tourists and famous Adventurers flocked to the city in droves. They were all chasing a dream, of course.

Just a short walk through the streets revealed a world of splendor. S-class Adventurers, Court Mages, Royal Knights, Special Class Summoners—and the political world went without saying. There were heaps of nobles with more money than they could spend in ten lifetimes. Everyone could convince themselves that just by being here, they could make their dreams come true.

But reality was a cold mistress. Most people simply vanished from the Royal Capital. Yet, even so, the city’s allure never faded. The losers slunk away in silence, while the winners shouted their triumphs from the rooftops.

It was the same in my original world. The only difference was that in this world, the Darkness of Noblesse ran far too deep.

◇

"Pardon me, but your name?"

"……Weiss Fancent."

It was two in the morning. I was standing in the underground passage of a certain decrepit building, facing a man with a hood pulled low over his face. I’d had Zebis handle the arrangements, so my "reservation" was already in the books.

"—Understood. And your companion?"

"He’s my follower. Surely one extra person isn't a problem?"

"……Understood."

We passed through the door and entered an even longer hallway. Belk, my follower, spoke up without removing his hood.

"This place is locked down tight. Was it really okay to give your real name?"

"Yeah. Apparently, my reputation as a villainous noble still carries some weight."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You don't need to know. Just keep your hood down. Technically, it's impossible for someone like me to even be here."

"Got it. —Honestly, though? That mask really suits you."

"Shut it."

He didn't seem to be smiling, but his joking nature hadn't changed. Then again, in this world, that was a good thing. It was the same with Teacher Milk and Eva; having nerves of steel was a prerequisite for being strong. You had to be able to laugh no matter what happened. If you couldn't do that, you wouldn't survive this world.

Beyond the passage, we emerged into a space that looked like a massive warehouse.

The place was packed. It was the middle of the night, yet here they were, wearing trendy glasses or masks, sipping from crystal glasses.

Good grief. If I were just reading about this in some story, I’d think it was par for the course, but seeing it in the flesh? Nothing makes me want to puke more.