Chapter 49　New Request

“Collection of an item huh? What kind of thing is it specifically?” (Est)

“A ring. Actually, it’s a ring that is essential to get the legitimate throne inheritance rights.” (Chronoire)

From the princess’s explanation, there seems to be such a reason. For the Argos Empire’s throne succession, it seems that it is necessary to present the ring taken from the dungeon in front of the aristocrats and the subjects every time as proof of succession. The ring seems to be specially made with enormous magical powers, that when the magic power of the current emperor wearing the ring is cut off, it seems that a mechanism will work where a new ring will appear in the dungeon. Since a person that can perceive magic would be able to tell the strong magic of the real thing and a fake one with just a glance, there’s no use of bringing an imitation.

Although the succession rights has always been decided by lineage, that is only tentatively, as it seems that the first throne succession rights is given to the person who returns with the mentioned ring.

The given period is one month after the current emperor announced the abdication. If no one is able to take the ring home within that time, the succession rights is given to the top lineage. For the person allowed to retrieve the ring as the agents, the numbers allowed is a maximum of 5.

In other words, the prince’s side could interfere with the princess’s side without having the need to go all the way into the dungeon themselves. The throne will fall to him if the princess lose her life. For the princess’s side to be able to turn the table and secure her safety, she can do nothing but retrieve the ring and remove the prince.

Although she’s been looking for skilled adventurers for that, thanks to the Empire Capital as well as the surrounding guild already doing the interference work for the prince’s faction, it seems the princess can’t find any adventurers to cooperate. As it doesn’t go well even when the princess herself came to visit and persuades, it seems that she was attacked on the way back when we came to help.

“…I understood the story. However, there are some points I’m worried about.” (Est)

”Please ask me anything.” (Chronoire)

“First of all, why does it need to be adventurers? Although they might be a bit inferior, if it’s the princess’s subordinates….for example isn’t it okay if it’s those two guards there?” (Est)

Naturally after having me said this, the one who reacted strongly towards this is the knights at the back instead of Chronoire. It seems that they wanted to open their mouth to say something, but they could only fall silence with red face. Their appearance of biting their lips with mortifying look is a bit pitiful, it makes me wonder whether I really hurts their feelings that much.
[T.N: What do you expect, you just said a noble was inferior to a peasant you, and there’s nothing they could say to refute that.]

“I’m ashamed to say this, but the party of adventurers that my elder brother employed might be too much for the knight serving under me. According to what I heard, the adventurers that my elder brother employed is Adamantite-rank. There‘s only few people as strong as that in this country.” (Chronoire)

Adamantite…I’ve never actually seen any adventurers of that rank before. The condition to be promoted to Adamantite is pretty severe, where they need to subjugate dragon or other monster of equal strength. The degree of contribution to the guild seems pretty important too. It could be dangerous for us, even if we fight them from the front. I really want to refrain from dangerous opponents if possible…..…but it’s still a bit rash to refuse. There’s still one more point which I’m curious about.

“For the dungeon, is there any story about some special equipment aside from the ring hidden there? For example, legendary weapon or armor?” (Est)

That is more important to us than the ring. Strong equipment will raise the force and survival rate of the party. It’s worth obtaining even if running into a little bit of risk.

“For the throne succession trial for a few generations back, although I’ve heard story saying that the Dungeon Masters who appeared dropped some strong equipment…since it’s just an old story, there’s no definite proof. Since my father have no need to compete for the throne as an only child, I heard that he could recover the ring quickly.” (Chronoire)

Fumu, the possibility doesn’t seem that high. Still, I heard something interesting just now. Dungeon Masters huh? There’s more than one?

“For the appearing Dungeon Masters, from the record it seem for this dungeon they appear in at least 2 or 3 at once. But since you can take the ring even without having to fight with Dungeon Master, I think that you don’t need to bravely chose fighting it.” (Chronoire)

So she said, but treasure is the most important thing for adventurers above all else. If I go into the dungeon with so much effort, I want to get it by all means. The adventurers on the Prince’s side should think in the same way too. Since adventurers are the type of people that go into the dungeon for the treasure.

For the time being I was able to hear about the information that I want. Although there’s danger, and the difficulty is high, if we could obtain the reward and treasures, I should proceed with this.

“Then, let’s talk about the concrete reward. On what kind of conditions will you hire us?” (Est)

I have no intention of selling ourselves cheaply. If the rewards does not reach my expectation, we’ll just stand up from our seat and said good bye. Although it would be bad for the princess, I have no obligation to volunteer either.

“The reward is 150 gold coins. I’ll pay 50 gold coins in advance. The remaining 100 will be given once you retrieve the ring. I’ll think about additional reward depending on your work.” (Chronoire)

150 gold coins huh…how many billion would that be in Yen? Somehow or other this princess, she seems to evaluate us pretty highly. When I incidentally glance at my side, Claire and Diabell seems to have hardened imagining that excessive amount of money. It can’t be helped. For a normal person, it’s an amount of money where they can live without working for the rest of the lives. That’s the same as winning the jumbo lottery in Japan.

The conditions is not bad. Although I’m anxious about the interference from the Prince’s side and the opponent’s adventurers, the advantage if we could win here is considerably big. Putting money aside, it going to be pretty convenient in various ways in the future if we’re able to have a connection with the next emperor. Shall we take on this bet?

“Understood. Then, I’ll take this job with the mentioned condition.” (Est)

“Thank goodness! With adventurers like you on my side, I could see some winning chance for us.” (Chronoire)

The princess’s face brightens. Since she can’t find any adventurers to take her side, it seems that she had been cornered considerably. But well, she would feel relieve that a big boat(me) took her side. Let’s promise a voyage as stable as Titanic and Battleship Yamato.
[T.N: Spoiler, they’re both not a very comfortable voyage]