3 bar menu

Volume 11 Chapter 4 Part 6

Which means that I should have seen it already, bur I don’t actually remember it, so I looked at the Duke with surprise, which only grew when he nodded at me, saying:

「I did that with you as well.」

I seemed to be tested as well, even though I don’t remember when exactly did he showed it to me, though. It does not help that this sign is cryptic and not exactly easy to understand.

If you didn’t know whether the person is a member of the society or not, you would feel unease since it would be unwise to leak the secret of being a member to the outside world.

「When someone shows you this sign, you return the same sign to them. When you are called for help, respond positively. I want you to support other members to the best of your ability for the sake of camaraderie amongst the members of the Empire Liberation Society.」

「I understand.」

For the time being, I should just nod and agree to everything they are saying.

It is possible that I may need help.

It is possible that I may need help. I doubt that I will be using it much though.

「However, it is strictly prohibited to abuse this privilege.」

「I will be sure to remember that.」

「Also, there is a general meeting of the Society’s members held every winter. Although there is no obligation to participate in it if you do not want to, I strongly encourage you try to actively participate in them whenever you can anyway.」

So even after you become a full-fledged member of the Empire Liberation Society, there will still be such a troublesome thing to attend to as the general meeting of the members?

Oh well. I should have expected something like that, so there’s no reason for me to ne worried about it too much, especially since there is no obligation to attend those meetings.

「We have heard it is held around the same time as the lords’ conference.」

「That’s right. It is convenient since we gather at the same place and many of us are also members. If you are interested with it, you can drop by the lodge and enquire from the clerk there about the exact date.」

「Will it be difficult for Us to participate in it?」

The Emperor interrupts.

Is there such a thing as the lords’ conference? It is the first time I am hearing about something like that.

Many from the noble circle seem to be the members of the Empire Liberation Society as well. I guess there are many nobles like Cassia and the Emperor who have a strong sense of duty towards getting the world rid of the Labyrinths for good.

The nobles’ children create Parties when they are still infants; however, only the rest of the members enters the Labyrinth, forging purely onwards purely for the sake of the cultivation of the child.

Only the children of the nobles and the rich can become Wizards. It is also the reason why the nobility and the affluent are stronger than the members of the other social groups in this world.

The nobles seem to gather for the lords’ conference. At the same time, the members, who are part of the Empire Liberation Society, meet.

Because of the existence of the 「Field Walker」Skill, they can gather pretty much anytime they want; however, since they will already be in the Imperial City because of the lords’ conference, it will be more convenient for them to meet there, because the schedule has been already aligned conveniently for them.

The lords’ conference must be held in the Imperial Capital, of course. However, the Emperor tends to seemingly be busy at that time, sohe probably didn’t have many chances to attend it.

Come to think of it, he would most likely be the organizer of the lord’s conference, so at the very least, he would have various reports to listen to.

Being an Emperor is not an easy task, that’s for sure.

「Is there anything else that you would like to add, Brocken?」

「If you are able to challenge the Labyrinths beyond the 50th floor, you should inform the Secretary about which of the Labyrinths you are going to be entering.」

The Duke adds such an information, but it doesn’t concern me, or at least not yet.

As a member of the Empire Liberation Society, it will be easier for me to gain recognition if I ever manage to subjugate a Labyrinth.

If the Emperor were to defeat a Labyrinth, no one would doubt even if they didn’t know as to which Labyrinth he entered.

「Is there anything Vice President Bruno wants to add?」

The barcode Earl, the police officer, seems to be the Vice President of the Empire Liberation Society.

Will this organization be alright with someone like him as the President’s right hand man?

「Nothing in particular. The Empire Liberation Society welcomes its new members with open arms. Let’s work together and hone our skills in order to eventually exterminate all the monsters and the Labyrinths from this world.」

「With this, the initiation ceremony and the admission ritual come to an end.」

The President and Vice President concludes the ceremonies, after which someone opens the door and brightens the room.

It really seems to be over, finally.

「Bring the clothes you borrowed over to us.」

The Earl, who had taken off the Dalmatica, quickly calls out to us.

I take the Dalmatica off and hand it over to the Earl as prompted.

「Now then, let’s move to another room and have a celebratory toast. All the new members, come with me!」

Ester shouts after taking the Dalmatica off.

It is time for the communication while drinking, it seems. So they even have something like that here, huh? Who would have thought? The 21st century Japan had it, and this world seems to have this practice too.

「Because We lack time, excuse Us.」

「It is alright.」

The Emperor and the Earl talk while he was handing the Dalmatica over.

「Although it tends to be a big banquet, we will only be having a light toast today.」

The Duke comes beside me and explains the Emperor’s and the Earl’s conversation in private.

I see. Indeed, since the Emperor is a busy man, he probably won’t have time for a big banquet.

Being an Emperor is tough after all.

「Is that so?」

「Because Michio has joined safely, I want to host a small banquet at my house. How about holding it tomorrow?」

「Sure.」

「Then, in the evening tomorrow, and be sure to bring all of your Party Members along.」

While following behind Ester after leaving the room, I talk with the Duke.

He is the one who recommended me, after all, so it would be impolite if I refused his invitation now. And besides, it isn’t like I have a reason to refuse him in the first place.

「I was waiting for you. Did the initiation ceremony end without any problems?」

After we pass through the corridor and descend downstairs, Sebastian was already there, waiting for us.

「It has finished without issues.」

「The room has already been prepared. This way, please.」

Sebastian guides us to the designated room quickly. The General Secretary then opens the door to the room, and all of the members present at the ceremony follow him inside.

It is the same wide luxurious room we used when I first visited this place. If the Emperor is going to be present, it will of course be this magnificent room that is going to be put to use.

Ester moves to the other side of the table. The Duke also leaves me side. I wonder if the other side of the table is reserved just for the guests of honor?

The three nobles are on that side, and the new members are on this side, huh? There really doesn’t seem to be any special treatment for the Emperor. At the very least, the Emperor is seated in the center of the table, while I am at the very edge.

「I will be having Dunkel for myself. Ask Brocken and Bruno for what they would like. And one each of Dwarf Killer and Stark Seltzer for the new members.」

Baron Ester is seated in the center at the other side of the table. Well, he is the President, after all, so that makes sense.

「Of course.」

Having received the orders, Sebastian leaves the room.

Is there such a drink as Dwarf Killer in this world?

「As for the new members, if you can drink alcohol, drink Dwarf Killer. If you can’t, Drink Stark Seltzer instead. Take it home with you if you don’t want to drink it right away.」