She was talking about what some neighbor woman had done.
Right, the one from the hardware shop.
It looked like things would wrap up without any further complications.
"I am truly grateful to all of you for taking the time to enter the Northselm Labyrinth," Cassia said, offering her thanks.
Then came the problem.
This was bad. Very bad. We hadn't actually entered the Northselm Labyrinth—the Duke himself had specifically told us not to.
"Is this dish not to your liking?" the Duke interrupted hurriedly.
"What is this?" I asked, immediately jumping on the lifeline he'd thrown.
The dish in question looked a bit like a frog dissection specimen, simply grilled as it was.
"It is Roasted Thrush, prepared specifically for today," the Duke answered.
"It is a luxury dish served for hospitality," Sherry added helpfully. "It is considered one of the finest ingredients."
"I see," I replied.
The topic had shifted. Good. It turned out to be a bird, not an amphibian.
Gosler was holding his portion with his hands, biting into it without even bothering with a knife. Was this meant to be eaten whole? I followed his lead and took a bite. It tasted like yakitori glazed in a savory fish sauce. The tender meat practically melted in my mouth.
The flavor was excellent, but there wasn't much meat on the bones. It really was just the whole bird, roasted.
"Is that the labyrinth where the Marbrim appears on the twenty-second floor?" Roxanne asked.
Roxanne, please don't steer the conversation back there.
"Marbrim... yes," Miria chimed in.
Miria, don't you start either.
"Indeed," Cassia said. "The area around the twenty-second floor is quite punishing. It is far from the city, which makes it unpopular. Especially the monster combinations."
"The combinations?" I asked.
I felt the conversation drifting back into the danger zone.
"It is the Flytraps, Pig Hoggs, and Marbrims," Sherry said, providing cover.
Come to think of it, Sherry had ensured that the monsters in the West Forest Labyrinth near Zabil matched the ones in Northselm, not just on the twenty-second floor but on the lower floors as well. It was all thanks to her. We were safe.
"One must not be intimidated by mere Marbrims or Pig Hoggs," the Duke remarked.
"Easy, it is," Miria said.
"The twenty-third floor of the Northselm Labyrinth is also quite notorious," Cassia added, persistent as ever.
I hadn't thought that far ahead. Cassia was tenacious. I suppose for her, this banquet was a gesture of gratitude for us visiting her hometown's labyrinth, so she naturally wanted to discuss it.
"How about trying this dish as well?" Duke Harz tried to pivot again, but she brushed him off.
"That place is truly unpopular because of the twenty-third floor—"
"Now that you mention it, we did not actually fight on the twenty-third floor," Sherry said.
"No, no. Having you go as far as the twenty-second is more than enough," the Duke said.
"Because the monster on the twenty-third floor was a Drive Dragon, we opted not to engage it. I am afraid we were not of much use. I apologize," Sherry said with a bow.
I see. So that was her angle.
In the West Forest Labyrinth we’d actually visited, we hadn't fought on the twenty-third floor. If we had, the discrepancy would have been exposed right then and there. Sherry must have purposefully avoided combat on that floor specifically to keep our cover story intact.
She was brilliant. The Duke really owed her one.
"Even so, your efforts are appreciated," Cassia said.
"Sherry, you may have a little to drink today," I said.
"Yes, Master."
Sherry joined in the spirit of things.
"So you can hold your liquor after all? Excellent. I have some fine wine. Let us open a bottle," the Duke said.
"Fine wine?"
"Indeed. I happened to acquire it recently."
"That sounds wonderful."
"I look forward to it."
With the Duke turning the conversation toward alcohol, the talk of the Northselm Labyrinth finally faded away. We were in the clear. Seriously, the Duke needed to thank Sherry.
"Michio-dono, a moment if you please."
Once the food on the table had dwindled, the Duke stood up, holding only his cup. I stood as well, clutching my herb tea, and followed him to the side of the room.
The moment had arrived. I knew this wasn't just a social dinner.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Michio-dono, are you familiar with the Empire Liberation Society?"
"No, I'm not."
It sounded like some sort of shady underground organization. The Duke had lowered his voice significantly, as if he didn't want to be overheard.
"It is a mutual aid organization for those who fight within the labyrinths. Our goal is the liberation of humanity from the labyrinths and the monsters within."
"I see."
So that explained the name. It wasn't an anti-government group.
"It is effectively the parent organization of the Imperial Knight Order, which serves the Emperor directly. I would like to invite you to join us."
"Invite me?"
"If you intend to make a name for yourself in the labyrinths, there is no better choice. I have seen the strength of your party members. I can recommend you with total confidence."
So that was the reason for the sparring match earlier. He wanted to make sure that recommending me wouldn't make him look like a fool. Having Roxanne in the party certainly helped.
"Is strength a requirement?"
"Our purpose is mutual aid among warriors. There is no point in admitting those who cannot fight."
"That makes sense."
"Membership offers various benefits. You can receive diverse forms of support. Reporting the labyrinths you explore makes it easier to gain official recognition when you clear one. The Society also facilitates the trading of high-end equipment and provides access to classified labyrinth intelligence."
The Duke was selling it hard. It certainly sounded beneficial; otherwise, no one would bother. The equipment trading was particularly enticing. Normal weapon shops didn't carry Orichalcum swords, and buying through Luke at auctions made it nearly impossible to verify empty skill slots.
"Trading equipment, you say?"
"There are some restrictions, of course. But there are no disadvantages to joining, and very few obligations. Because we seek the liberation of all people, discrimination against other races is strictly forbidden—though I imagine that won't be an issue for you. Aside from that, there is a strict confidentiality agreement regarding the Society's information and its members."
A few rules, then. Confidentiality was par for the course.
"If that's all..."
"I thought you would agree."
"But why me?" I asked. I was still looking for the catch. Why was a Duke going out of his way to recommend me?
"With your level of power, you would have joined sooner or later anyway. It is only natural that I be the one to sponsor you. Given your party's capabilities, you may one day clear a labyrinth and join the ranks of the nobility."
"Nobility?"
So he was trying to secure my loyalty early on. In this world, clearing a labyrinth granted noble status. The Duke had decided I had that potential just from watching Roxanne fight. Or perhaps it was less about my current power and more about my future prospects. He figured it was worth a little investment now on the chance I succeeded later.
"I am glad you have reached the thirty-fourth floor. With my recommendation, any party capable of fighting on that floor can take the entry exam. You reached that point faster than I expected."
So that’s what he meant when he told me to come back once I reached the thirty-fourth floor. He was waiting until I was eligible for the Society.
"What does the entry exam involve?"
"It is a simple confirmation of whether you have the strength to clear the boss room of the thirty-third floor. The test will take place in the Quratar Labyrinth."
"I see. A test against the Land Dragon."
It made sense. If a party could handle a Level 33 Land Dragon, they could survive on the thirty-fourth floor. The Drive Dragon was actually the bigger threat on thirty-four, but the boss was the standard metric.
"I will ask an acquaintance of mine to serve as the examiner, so we can arrange it immediately. If you are already active on the thirty-fourth floor, it should be a formality."
The Duke was steamrolling ahead. I felt like I was being swept away by the current, but I didn't really have a reason to refuse.
"Hmm..."
"Do not overthink it. Simply come here tomorrow morning."
I’d been successfully cornered by Duke Harz. Was this really okay? Well, it was just an exam; nothing was set in stone yet. Since the Duke was the sponsor, I doubted it was a scam. It wasn't like they were going to try and sell me a magic pot.
"Sherry, have you ever heard of the Empire Liberation Society?" I asked her later that night after we had returned home.
"I have heard the name. It is said to be an organization only elite labyrinth explorers can join. However, it functions as a secret society; the identities of the members are never made public. It is supposedly to protect them from being targeted."
I see. That explained the Duke’s secrecy. He couldn't explicitly tell me he was a member because I wasn't in yet. He was following his own confidentiality rules. Naturally, if I joined, I would have to keep my membership quiet as well.
I wondered if I was supposed to keep it a secret from Roxanne and the others, too. I hadn't clarified that. If I couldn't consult with Sherry, that would be a problem. It felt like a professional tactic to isolate a target.
But wait—how would the exam work? Would I have to do it alone? The difficulty would be insane compared to a party effort, so that seemed unlikely. Maybe I’d have to party with the examiner? If things got weird, I could always fail on purpose, though that might insult the Duke.
"I see. Well, it's late. Let's just wash up and get to bed."
I changed the subject before I said too much. Sherry had been drinking, so she was a bit flushed and alluring.
Since I hadn't heated the bath and it would be too much work now, we skipped the soaking and just used hot water to wipe down. I took charge of the cleaning, as was my duty.
I lathered the soap and started with Roxanne.
"You did well today. Was the sparring match okay?"
"Yes. It was hardly more than a warm-up. He was likely holding back since his only goal was to test my potential."
I wasn't so sure about that, but Roxanne’s confidence was reassuring. Her skin was glowing and her breasts were as firm as ever; she clearly wasn't exhausted.
"And the food?"
"The Duchess was beautiful, but her manners were so refined it was breathtaking. Every movement was perfectly calculated."
"I see."
"What's more, she fights in the labyrinths herself. I find that truly admirable."
So even Roxanne thought Cassia was a beauty.
"The wine was delicious—not too strong, but very smooth," Sherry commented. She didn't smell like alcohol, so she hadn't overdone it, but the slight intoxication made her look lovely. I found myself stroking her skin a little longer than usual.
"I suppose the nobility drinks the best stuff."
"It seems to come with its own set of burdens, though. The Knight Captain appeared to have many things on his mind."
Sherry had been seated across from Gosler, so they’d probably shared some interesting conversation. I didn't think I was adding to his burdens, at least.
"Fish... delicious... it is," Miria muttered.
Sherry probably had her hands full keeping Miria from eating nothing but fish. I wiped down Miria’s skin, which was as supple as a fresh catch. She stayed perfectly still while I washed her, which was charming in its own way.
"How was it for you, Vesta?"
"I was a bit nervous, but I enjoyed it. Since Master purchased me, my life has been one surprise after another. I feel like a different person."
"I'm glad you had a good time."
Vesta's figure definitely hadn't changed, though. I took my time massaging the impressive weight of her breasts as I cleaned her.
The next day, after Roxanne pushed us to clear one more floor, we headed to Bode Castle.
"The Commander and the others are waiting in the office."
The receptionist waved me through with a casual air. When I was alone, they treated me with a certain level of familiarity. I walked through the halls of the castle as if I lived there, though I really only knew the way to the office.
I knocked on the door.
"Enter," Gosler's voice called out.
"It's Michio."
"Ah, Michio-dono. We've been waiting for you."
The Duke welcomed me. Aside from Gosler, there was another man present—a tall, gallant Paladin with large, drooping dog ears. He looked a bit like a Saint Bernard.
"So, you are the man who defeated Sabo Baradam?" the man asked abruptly.
"Uh..."
"He is the one Michio-dono defeated in the duel," Gosler clarified.
Right, the guy from the Baradam family.
"Sabo was a crude man, but his strength was respectable among our kin. If you could best him, you should have no issues here."
"There is no doubt about it. I witnessed the duel myself," Gosler added.
The dog-eared man must be the examiner.
"Michio-dono, this is Estel. He will be overseeing your entry exam," the Duke said.
"I am Estel," the man said.
"I'm Michio."
"His official title is—"
"No need for that," the man cut the Duke off. "In the Society, worldly titles are irrelevant."
My Appraisal told me he was Baron Estel Ritz Anestela. Quite a mouthful.
"Well, if Estel says so..." the Duke trailed off.
"Michio, you may call me Estel. No need for formalities. I shall call you Michio as well."
"Understood."
It was strange calling a Baron by his first name, but he seemed serious about the Society’s lack of hierarchy.
"To explain briefly, the Empire Liberation Society is an organization for those fighting to free the Empire from the labyrinths. As a member, your primary duty is to fight daily and strive for self-improvement. That is the only major obligation."
It sounded straightforward enough. I was going to keep exploring labyrinths anyway.
"And the minor obligations?"
"Michio is a special case, entering by Brocken's recommendation. Typically, members must be capable of fighting on the forty-fifth floor or higher. We allow recommended individuals to join at the thirty-fourth floor, but we expect you to reach the forty-fifth as quickly as possible."
Brocken? So he even called the Duke by his first name.
"The forty-fifth floor..."
"Don't look so worried. We don't expect you to clear it in a year or two."
"I'm not particularly worried about that."
Actually, we were almost there. Roxanne’s pace was relentless. Though I did plan to take a breather at the forty-fourth for a while.
"Regarding prohibited acts, discrimination against other races is strictly forbidden. We seek the liberation of all people. We expect you to uphold this."
"I understand."
"One more thing: you must not leak Society business to outsiders. Specifically, never reveal the identity of other members, and do not publicly declare your own membership. This is to protect explorers from retaliation. Some may call it paranoia, but one cannot rule out cowardly tactics like assassination."
So that was why they were a secret society. It seemed like overkill when dealing with labyrinths, but I couldn't say it was impossible.
"When you say 'outsiders,' how far does that go? I’ll need to talk to my party members."
"Usually, only the party leader joins. It is assumed the leader can ensure the party’s silence."
So I didn't have to hide it from the girls. Looking around, I realized Gosler must be a member too.
"Will the exam be with my entire party?"
"Usually, yes. As long as you can clear the floor, we aren't strictly concerned with who is with you, but we prefer to see the party you actually use."
"Can I hire helpers?"
"Absolutely not."
"I see."
It seemed like there were ways to cheat, but Estel seemed to read my mind.
"We do not worry much about cheating. If someone lacks the strength or the will to fight, membership is useless to them. There is no point in forcing your way in."
True enough. You couldn't brag about it, so there was no social benefit to lying.
"How does the exam work?"
"I will observe your combat briefly to see your style. Then, we go to the boss room on the thirty-third floor of the Quratar Labyrinth. If your performance is unsatisfactory, I may disqualify you before we even reach the boss. I will watch you enter the boss room, then I will wait on the thirty-fourth floor. If you defeat the boss and meet me there safely, you pass."
Since only one party could enter at a time, he wouldn't actually see the boss fight. And he wasn't joining our party, which made sense—entering a labyrinth with a group of strangers was a good way to get stabbed in the back.
I had to pass the test to satisfy the Duke's recommendation, and honestly, the Society sounded legitimate.
"When do we start?"
"Whenever it is convenient for you."
"I'm ready now."
I didn't need any special preparation. I fought without magic whenever I used Durandal anyway.
"Can you meet me at the entrance to the thirty-third floor in Quratar?"
"I can. I frequent that labyrinth."
"Then let us meet there shortly."
"Understood."
I felt a little guilty since I'd led the Duke to believe I mostly worked in his territory, but he didn't seem to mind. If I hadn't already reached the thirty-third floor, getting there would have been a pain and expensive. Meeting at the floor entrance saved me the entry fee.
Wait. If I used Dungeon Walk to get there, I’d appear at the floor entrance from a fresh black wall, whereas someone who walked from the entrance would come through the permanent door. Estel would see how I arrived.
I decided it was safer to pay the entry fee and walk from the first floor like a normal person.
"I'll go on ahead. Brocken, I'm off," Estel said.
"Good luck," the Duke replied.
Estel vanished quickly. I bowed to the Duke and Gosler and followed him out. By the time I reached the hallway, he was gone. I returned home and told the girls to finish up their cleaning.
"Duke Harz has recommended me for the Empire Liberation Society," I told them once we were all together. "It's an organization for elite explorers."
"The Empire Liberation Society?" Roxanne asked.
"I've heard of it," Sherry said. "It's a group where only the strongest are allowed to join. That's incredible, Master."
"As expected of you, Master!" Roxanne added with a proud smile.