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Chapter 265 part 2

In the Baron of Berne’s territory, Caravis Tower became a colossal source of concern. Still, the people of the Baron of Berne, possessing an indomitable and resourceful spirit, began utilizing it as a cornerstone for territory management, marking the start of its full-fledged use as a tourism resource.

At the entrance to the barrier of the Great Gods Keios and Mairahl that surrounded Caravis Tower, which could not be seen from a certain distance, an administration facility directly operated by the Barony of Berne and various facilities associated with it were built.

In addition to the publicly operated establishments, individuals who deemed the distorted labyrinth bearing the name of the of the Great Evil God as the utmost and most perilous settlement, featuring unprecedented dangers and attractions, congregated there. Inns, taverns, restaurants, blacksmith stores, hospitals, great temples, and even churches were arrayed in this place.

While numerous accommodations catered to tourists drawn to the tower itself, a growing number of merchants and individuals from research institutes also established businesses to procure rare precious metals, plants, and animals, or entirely unknown substances extracted from the tower’s interior. The town had already evolved into a functioning small town.

Throughout history, lucrative labyrinths had been traversed and exploited by adventurers and national armies laying claim to them. In the case of Caravis Tower, the Barony of Berne strongly asserted its ownership.

Originally, the Adventurers’ Guilds lacked strength in the Arkrest Kingdom, and adventurers were viewed as independent laborers with combat skills. Therefore, it was decided that access to Caravis Tower and the management of items obtained within the tower would initially go through the Barony of Berne.

If a city akin to Mazelinth were to be established with Caravis Tower at its core and gained autonomy, the dynamics might change. However, presently, the Barony of Berne held the most influence.

After the Barony of Berne, the next most powerful groups were the Keios Order, which worshiped Keios, and the Mairahl Order, which worshiped its supreme goddess.

Although both distanced themselves from secular power struggles and wealth, it was only natural that they would react strongly to the visible miracles of the gods they espoused.

To access Caravis Tower, visitors had to register personal details, pay an entrance fee, and don a designated accessory called Ariadne, as mandated by the Barony of Berne.

Ariadne, available in various forms like rings, bracelets, earrings, forehead ornaments, and necklaces, served as a safety measure. It automatically aided in healing wounds to some extent and transported the wearer to an emergency room within the tower’s entrance hospital if their life was endangered inside.

Upon entry, the safety device was provided and had to be returned when leaving Caravis Tower. Failure to comply resulted in penalties for the individual and their affiliated organization, be it the Adventurers’ Guild or any other group. A stringent approach to handling the device was imperative.

The functionality of the safety device was confined to Caravis Tower; once taken outside, it transformed into a malfunctioning magical device.

Despite this limitation, the technology that automatically transported the wearer to a specific location, ensuring their safety, and the magical power-filling mechanism required for this purpose made some contemplate taking it beyond the tower. The Barony of Berne anticipated potential violators in the future.

While it was true that the Adventurers’ Guild, along with some affiliated adventurers and merchants, expressed discontent over the Berne side’s monopoly on technology and ownership, Caravis Tower undeniably harbored immeasurable wealth, treasures, and the accompanying prestige.

Although the Barony of Berne wielded significant real power, individuals who were less concerned about such matters and newcomers lacking the position to think ahead enthusiastically challenged Caravis Tower. They experienced a range of emotions as they pursued daily achievements.

The Barony of Berne administered those tackling Caravis Tower separately from ordinary adventurers. Ranks were assigned based on achievements, and distinct special requests were issued, separate from general quests.

These individuals were referred to as 「explorers」 and, given the early stages of the Caravis Tower exploration, everyone was essentially a novice explorer.

Newcomer explorers, possessing varying abilities, could rely on Ariadne, provided they followed the proper procedures, and Inraen, the city of the Dragon Succubus, was designated as the absolute safe zone on the first level.

The Dragon Succubus, enjoying strong ties with the Barony of Berne, venerated the Ancient-Celestial Dragon and held great respect for the gods Mairahl and Keios, who were allies of the dragons. Furthermore, they displayed friendliness toward humans.

Typically, the Succubus exhibited hostility towards one another due to their predator-prey dynamic. However, the Dragon Succubus was an exception, representing an exceptionally formidable species. The fact that their cooperation had been secured was a source of great reassurance in the ongoing quest for Caravis Tower.

The pathway leading from the entrance of Caravis Tower to Inraen was a spacious road, accommodating six carriages side by side. Along the route, unmanned huts and lounges provided resting spots, and a ward ensured protection against hostile entities from infiltrating the tower.

Explorers were instructed in the pre-entry course that escaping to the street might offer salvation, even if confronted by demons. In Inraen, magical creatures crafted by the Dragon Succubus inhabited the city. Explorers utilized the inns and blacksmith shops run by these creatures, as well as the Inraen branch of the Tower Management Center, directly overseen by the Barony of Berne.

Apart from the central headquarters at the tower entrance, this branch handled requests from private parties through the barony and facilitated the exchange of goods collected within the tower for monetary compensation.

Presently, explorers could access the second level of Caravis Tower. However, the second level was primarily in the proximity of the expansive spiral staircase rising from the first level. The first level was confined to the vicinity of Inraen, reachable within a few days.

The initial layer also had unexplored regions, and no one had ventured to the other Dragon Succubus cities positioned beyond the second level. The Barony of Berne prioritized the exploration and development of the first layer, intending to delve into the higher layers only when a sufficient number of skilled and experienced individuals were available.

As a result, the majority of explorers settled in Inraen, concentrating on uncovering the mysteries of the first layer. Even then, novice explorers relentlessly strove for a promising future.

Among these rookies, Dreissen and the other five formed a party unparalleled in combat ability despite being explorers for only fifty years. The identity of Dreissen and the others, previously unknown in the Arkrest Kingdom and neighboring regions, held true as adventurers from across the southern seas.

Highly respected among their fellow explorers, Dreissen and his companions established a base in Inraen for long-term exploration and frequently visited the Inraen branch office.

The Inraen branch of the management office was a prominent ten-story building, standing as one of the largest structures in Inraen. It housed various facilities for explorers, including a training center, a treatment facility, a resource center, and a bar.

The management of the Inraen branch was entrusted to the Dragon Succubus, and everything, from accounting and sales to reception duties, was expertly handled by these enchanting beings.

While their magically created creatures were fully competent in these tasks, the Dragon Succubus, desiring interaction with outsiders, took the lead in all interpersonal responsibilities. Adorned in plain white and gray uniforms with no exposed skin, the Dragon Succubus were remarkably beautiful women, each with unique personalities. Despite suppressing their enchantment powers to coexist with other species, they captivated explorers, regardless of age, race, or gender, resulting in cheeks dyed in various shades of admiration.

Even with magical tools and special techniques to resist charms, they often proved ineffective against the allure of Dragon Succubus. While they reacted to external interference, in the presence of Dragon Succubus, individuals were simply entranced by their own beauty and innate allure.

Admiring Dragon Succubus was akin to being moved by the sight of magnificent nature or an outstanding work of art. To remain composed in their presence, one’s mind and reason had to possess the toughness of steel.

Within the attached bar at the branch office, adventurers frequently found themselves in awe of the Dragon Succubus serving them, occasionally almost spilling their drinks or misplacing fork pokes. Despite some explorers being seasoned warriors, evident from their weapons and appearance, most appeared disheveled in front of these captivating beings.

The gentle sound of the bell at the entrance of the branch office rang out, and the appearance of the group of people who emerged from inside caused all of the explorers, who had been looking sloppy until then, to feel a sense of tension, greater or lesser in degree.

Among the explorers, who included those renowned as adventurers and mercenaries, a party led by a white Dragonian, known as one of the strongest, returned unscathed as usual.

However, for some reason, they were accompanied by a thin, brown-haired boy who gave the impression of a puppy.