Volume 1, Chapter 33: Earl Aubock②
Lambert and Co. ran through the passage that was on the verge of collapse. Their goal was the entrance of Ainsaz’s Underground Labyrinth. f(r)eeweb(n)ovel
Although Fiona, Lloyd, and Lily were terrified running through the crumbling and narrow passageway, Lambert, who was accustomed to this kind of situation, was moving as if it was just a walk in the park. Occasionally, he swung his sword to get rid of the fallen debris, protecting the trio.
「Get ahold of yourselves…」
Lambert stopped the debris that looked like twice his weight to protect Lily who had fallen on her butt, unable to stand.
It was his way of warning Lily to not lose focus, especially in this kind of place with so many heavy objects falling down from above. A single misstep could spell their demise.
「…」
But… That didn’t mean that Lily was entirely at fault.
The one who forced them to be calm yet swift while running in the collapsing building was none other than Lambert with his distorted commonsense.
The Underground’s situation on the first floor that they were currently in wasn’t as precarious as the floor below them. It was only due to following Lambert that they were able to make it this far.
「L-Look, the gate is just over there…」
Fiona was pointing at the stairs that led outside while gasping for breath.
Their simple material-gathering mission had turned upside down when the strongest guild of Ainsaz began chasing them. This, compounded with the fact they were on the constant run, the trio’s stamina and mental strain had reached their limits, so just to be safe, they asked Lambert to take the lead.
Lambert—the man who trampled down everything in his path from demonic beasts, those members of『Dragon’s Enchanted Metal』’s ambush, to the evil plans of the mysterious person named Domiliune—was walking calmly with a steady gait.
And that wasn’t the sole reason; it was also thanks to him being an undead that he could move until his mana ran out.
Due to a tremor that shook the building’s foundation, they found out that there were a lot of people hurriedly going toward the entrance.
When Fiona and Co. were still waiting, Lambert raced ahead to open the path for the trio.
Although the others were stunned for a while due to Lambert’s appearance, as if suddenly recalling something, a man walked toward Lambert.
「Y-You over there, just what in the world happened in this dungeon…?」
「Sorry, but you need to get out of this place as soon as possible.」
Lambert glanced at the man who asked him that question, but he didn’t falter his step as he replied.
The man was astonished by Lambert’s forceful attitude, standing there with a dumbfounded look on his face.
「H-Hey Lambert, you old man!」
「Is something the matter?」
He didn’t even stop to look at Lloyd when the latter called out his name.
Since it couldn’t be helped, Lloyd ran to Lambert’s side to let the other see him.
「N-No, I think you should explain the situation… I mean, we also have no idea what’s going on… Everyone here is dying to know the situation.」
「Since we were sent here by orders of our boss, our highest priority is reporting back in case something unexpected happens. The current me is working as the temporary member of your guild, and the same goes for you guys too, right?」
「E-Eh, no, I mean…」
Lloyd was too flustered to sort out the information presented to him.
He was speechless after hearing Lambert’s reply.
「S-Shall we wait until the situation calms down first? He should be heading to this place right now after hearing about this commotion to confirm our safety…」
Lambert’s steady gait suddenly stopped after he heard Fiona say those words.
Fiona’s shoulders quivered because she thought that she had somehow angered Lambert with her comment.
It was only natural for her to consider that possibility since Lambert, who didn’t even stop no matter who called to him, halted right in his place.
After all, Fiona really had no idea about the reason for the labyrinth’s collapse, and the reason behind 『Dragon’s Enchanted Metal』 hunting them all the way to the fourth floor.
But she was sure of one thing: Lambert had saved their lives again from that dangerous situation.
However, his reaction to her words made her feel as if she had stepped on a landmine.
Unbeknownst to her, Lambert was thinking about a completely different matter.
『Lambert, you seem to be rather tired today. As your lord, I’m happy to see such diligence in you, but… Can you stay awhile longer here?』
He recalled his conversation with his former lord, the one whose face resembled Fiona, Aurelia.
At that time, Aurelia’s strategy backfired on her when the kingdom that they had a ceasefire agreement with betrayed the Kingdom of Regios. The resulting conflict caused massive casualties for their army.
Rather than Aurelia’s naive ideals, the cause was mainly due to the unscrupulous means of their enemies’ officers during the Eight Countries Unification War Ear. Even so, it didn’t mean that the heavy casualties didn’t weigh on Aurelia’s mind.
Aurelia’s expression at that time was overlapped with Fiona’s current expression.
「U-Uhm…」
「… You’re right. Let’s split for the time being since I want to meet Germain as soon as possible to confirm something.」
「Eh?… Y-Yes!」
「… Old man, the way you treat Fiona is clearly better than me, right?」
Lloyd was clearly vexed about the difference between Fiona’s treatment and his own.
Lambert turned around as if he hadn’t heard Lloyd’s complaints.
「W-Why are you guys the only ones who come back in one piece…!」
The officers who managed the adventurers entering Ainsaz’s Underground Labyrinth gasped while glaring daggers at Lambert.
However, that officer faltered and shut his mouth as soon as Lambert’s gaze locked on him.
Although I felt that something was fishy even before entering the labyrinth… It turned out that this was truly a trap laid out by Earl Aubock.
Lambert drew such a conclusion after he saw the officer’s reaction upon seeing him.
Earl Aubock was clearly targeting Lambert ever since the incident in the village.
However, Lambert was delighted by this development since the big shot finally took the bait and made the first move.
The officers fell to their rear when Lambert sent his weakened miasma toward them. They were already too scared to get up.
「HIIIIIIIII…!」
Scared sh*itless, they had long since lost their will to fight Lambert, the man who overpowered them with his aura alone.
「I have decided that it’s time for me to meet face to face with the Earl, so get up and tell me the direction to his home!」
「W-W-What the…?」
Lambert sent a sidelong glance toward the officers as he ran ahead of Fiona and Co. toward the『Spirit’s Dusk』 headquarters.
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