Chapter 59 –  [Side Hero Party: Oliver] Distortion

　Currently, we have come to the 76th floor of the Great Labyrinth. 

　It’s a snowy mountain area, and it’s extremely cold.

　The 76th floor doesn’t pile up with that much snow, but as we progress further down, a blizzard begins to blow. Even without fighting demonic beasts, if we don’t take measures to protect ourselves against the elements, it’s a place where we will lose our lives 

　And as for the reason why we are here, it’s to collect magic stones. 

　Due to our recent failure, we have been instructed by the Guild to make up for the large amount of magic stones for using Deportation.

　The best place to collect many magic stones would be the 91st floor, but we were forbidden to enter the deep layers until we finished compensating all the magic stones.

　Because of that, we had no choice but to head to the lower layer, to the 76th floor where there are comparatively more demonic beasts. 

“Ooraaah!”

　Derrick charges alone into a horde of Snow Bears, white bear demonic beasts that appeared.

“Idiot! You’re still getting too far from the Rearguard! We can’t coordinate.”

　I warn Derrick as I chase after him.

　Since our blunder from the other day, this guy has been considerably irritable. 

　In order to vent his frustrations on demonic beasts, whenever they appear, he rushes in at full speed to attack.

“Shut up! Guys like these are enough for me alone! You think I’m gonna lose to some small fry from the lower layers!! Oooraaah!”

　With his physical abilities boosted by Philly’s support magic, he forcefully defeats the Snow Bears.

“Oliver, you’re in the way!”

　I hear Aneri’s voice from behind and turn around to see a [Fire Javelin] approaching.

　Although I promptly dodge it, if I’d done it poorly, I would have suffered a huge injury.

“Isn’t that dangerous!”

“But Philly told me to shoot!”

“I did tell you to watch your line of fire, didn’t I?”

“Huh? Did you? Sorry, Philly.”

　Apologise to me too!

　Philly no longer allows buffs to expire after grasping the effective buff period that Orn had mentioned previously. 

　But according to Philly, he hadn’t mentioned the actual durations.

　I guess he switched in some dummy information since the Guild executives were there.

　He did something unnecessary. 

　Philly’s instructions have also reached a good level, and as that guy said, I think she’s an excellent Enchanter. 

　But what I’m concerned about is that Aneri listens to everything Philly says, to the point where I feel she’s charmed. 

　For better or worse, Aneri is a person who is self-obsessed.

　She’s not the type of person to listen to others much. 

　Well, Philly’s directions are precise and trustworthy.

　–Hm? Trustworthy? Trustworthy, right? What’s up with this discomfort? Well, it’s fine.

　Our cooperation was terrible.

　Derrick charging in by himself, Aneri misfiring a lot. 

　Luna doesn’t mix in with our battles and is silently defeating the demonic beasts that we let leak.

　It’s impossible to conquer the 94th floor under such conditions.

　This may require radical reform.

　　◇

　After returning from the Great Labyrinth, we deliver the magic stones to the Explorer Guild and return to the mansion. 

　And in front of the mansion is a magnificent carriage with a familiar crest and an elderly man in a tailcoat.

“Master Oliver, I have been waiting for your arrival. My Lord has summoned you. Apologies for intruding on you so soon after your return, but please get ready immediately.”

　A steward in the service of the Marquis Forgas, a major sponsor of our Hero Party.

　Is he calling for us because of this morning’s article?

　I’m sure we had properly reported it to Marquis Forgas the other day.

　Speaking of which, to begin with, why didn’t he suppress that article?

　Someone like him could have easily done that.

“Oliver’s the only one the Marquis wants?

“Indeed.”

　The steward affirms Derrick’s question.

　Only me?

　The less I understand what he wants.

“If that’s so, I’m gonna head out to eat. Oliver, take care of that old man!”

　Derrick says and enters the mansion alone.

　Recently, Derrick has been taking it too far.

　He’s always been self-confident and condescending to others. 

　But it’s gotten even worse these days.

　He’s not supposed to be such a terrible guy.

　Since when? Since shortly before we decided to kick Orn out?

“Well then, I have some business to attend to at my parents’ house, so I will take my leave here.”

　Following which, Luna, without even going into the mansion, walks off towards her parents’ place. 

“Ermm………. What should we do? Philly.”

“Wouldn’t it be better if we also accompanied Oliver?”

“Eh, they’re just going to nag anyway, you know? Well, if Philly says we should go, I don’t mind going I guess.”

　Philly is trying to go with me.

　But Aneri is right. I think I’m sure to be nagged, and I don’t want to take Philly, who has only just joined us to a place like that.

“Philly, thanks. But I’m heading there by myself so the two of you can have dinner.”

“Ah, but–“

“It’s fine. This is also the duty of a party leader.’

　With that said, I get on the carriage alone.

　　◇

　After being shaken around for a few minutes in the carriage.

　I arrive at the residence of Marquis Forgas.

　As usual, it’s ridiculously large.

　I follow the steward and am led to a room where Marquis Forgas is.

“You’ve done well to come. Mr. Big Blunder Hero.”

　Once I enter the room, Marquis Forgas says sarcastically. 

　Clive Forgas.

　The head of a large noble family that owns this region, including Tutril.

　He may look like a good-natured old man, but he is quite black-hearted.

　That being said, Orn did once tell me that aristocrats need to do this in order to survive in high society, so it is normal for aristocrats to be like that.

“What business do you have with me today?

“‘Business’ you’re asking? Surely it can’t be any other business than this.”

　He says while throwing this morning’s newspaper at me.

“What an unsightly outcome you’ve achieved. Is this the result of my support for you? It’s already all in the newspapers and the people are aware of the mess you made, you realise? How will you address this?” 

　Marquis Forgas furiously glares at me.

(Shouldn’t you have stopped that newspaper? I reported everything to you before this article was published. There’s no way you wouldn’t have known.)

　Thinking of this, I stare at Marquis Forgas.

　He is angry, but I feel he has something else up his sleeve. 

　Judging by this turn of events, is he going to stop investing in us?

　For me, that’s the most important thing.

　While we have received support from other aristocrats, in the end, Marquis Forgas has significant leverage.

　If he withdraws his investment, the other aristocrats might revoke their investment as well.

　That would be a matter of life and death.

“I will definitely show you how I will make up for this.”

“Hmm, if that’s what you’re thinking then fine. Currently, the interest of the people has been directed towards Orn Doula who was kicked out of your party and consequently ‘Night Sky’s Silver Rabbit’. If you and Orn were to engage in combat through swordsmanship alone, you would surely prevail, would you not? Since you’re enough to be called a Sword Saint.”

　Why are you asking me such an obvious thing?

　I don’t know how Orn defeated the Black Dragon, but I have never lost to that guy even once……

　Furthermore, I can’t find any reason I would lose to him if it’s just swordsmanship.  

“Yeah. A hundred percent victory.”

“The people surely think that Orn is stronger than you. So smash that person! Let the world know your true strength. I will set the stage for you. For now, you just hold still and work for the Guild. Hahaha!”

　……If that is necessary, then I will not hesitate. 

　I must stay as the strongest.

　If not, I will end up losing the people I care about again. 

　If Orn is an obstacle to that, I will crush him.

“……Understood.”

“Hmph, isn’t that a good look in your eyes? Today, I just wanted to know your resolve. There seems to be no issue. You can head back.”

“…………Pardon me.”

　　◇ ◇ ◇

“Are you sure this was good?”

　After Oliver leaves, Marquis Forgas mutters in the quiet room.

“Yes. There is no issue.”

　The space from where the voice emanates suddenly shakes, and a woman appears.

“Hmph, even though if I had just applied some pressure, articles like that wouldn’t have circulated. Sure enough, they took a mile and wrote whatever they wanted. This could even ruin my reputation.”

“Fufufu, humans are beings that only truly grow when they are pushed into a corner. In order to bring out his inherent potential, he must be pushed even harder.”

“A woman with poor taste. Playing with my pawns as you please.”

“Ah, when you agree with that individual’s ideas, aren’t you just like us?”

“Tch, don’t lump me in with you lot. I’m satisfied as long as I win in the end. This being so, isn’t it only natural to follow the ones that… dominate the world?”

“That’s right. I don’t understand what thoughts you might have, but as long as you don’t do anything that contradicts that individual’s will, you won’t lose. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“Ah, from now on too, keep working so that I can keep winning.”

　With those last words, the woman’s presence disappears from the room.

　　◇

　Suddenly, in an unfrequented alleyway, the woman who had just been talking with Marquis Forgas appears. 

“Phew……, it sure is hard to use [Space Leap]. Why is so much support magic this troublesome? Enchanters must be masochists after all. I can’t understand those who actually seriously accomplish all the requirements of this position. –Still, fufufu, the one who dominates the world, huh……. I wonder if he really understands what that individual is trying to achieve? Well, it’s not often you find someone that easy to handle and wielding that much power, so let’s continue to use him like this.”

“Ah-! There you are!”

　As the woman mutters to herself while walking down the back alley, she runs into someone she knows. 

“Oh, Aneri. What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing wrong. Somehow I lost track of you, so I was just looking for you. So? What were you doing in a place like this, Philly……?”

“Fufufu, I was just taking a walk.”