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22. [Altora] Life’s Biggest Chance/Middle

The horse-drawn carriages that travel around town provide the best riding comfort thanks to a technology called “suspension” that combines the wisdom and skills of craftsmen. While enjoying the elegant driving style and luxurious design, Altora slowly smoked sweet wine from a lead pot. As if he was still in his hotel room.

Gordon used a two-person seat to stretch out his large body and enjoyed the sight of people walking hurriedly outside the window.

「It doesn’t feel like we’re heading to a monster subjugation area. Were treated like a noble.」

「I guess the reception has finally caught up to my “status”.」

「We’re moving fast. This is fun and exhilarating.」

Altora and the party were heading to a corner set up on the outskirts of town. They were on their way to the “Unveiling Party” for Duke and Duchess Abik, the lord who rules this entire territory, and a noble house which started with the second prince of that time, going back three generations.

「I feel increasingly more sorry for Marge. That guy will never get the chance to ride in a carriage like this.」

「Hmm, this carriage can hold five people, but it is already full for us four. Even if he was still in the party, there’s no place for him to sit.」

「Oops, that was careless of me. He wouldn’t be riding in this either way! Hahahahaha!!」

While laughing at the expense of the missing skill lender, Altora imagined his own glorious future.

An impregnable great labyrinth, an S-class dungeon.

It has a “King” at the center, and when it reaches maturity, it causes a phenomenon called “Monster Tsunami” or “Dungeon Break,” in which monsters overflow. It is a devastating disaster on par with a major earthquake or a major tornado, and preventing it by conquering dungeons is the adventurer’s guild’s highest priority and reason for its existence.

The “Unveiling Party” is a traditional event in which the hero who accomplished this task subjugates a monster in front of a nobleman, a duke, or other noble personages and receives a reward. For the guild and adventurers who have made a name for themselves, it’s a chance to be noticed by a nobleman, and for the nobles, it’s a chance to find someone strong enough to serve as an escort, or even a general.

If you look at the careers of the adventurers who later joined the ranks of the nobility, you will find that most of them achieved glory by successfully completing the “Unveiling Party” after conquering an S-class dungeon. It is no exaggeration to say that Altora’s party has truly set foot on the bridge of glory.

「When I heard that the venue for the party was a place that would take a whole day to walk, I wondered what the hell was going on, but… they sent out such a splendid welcome. Lord Abik seems to be quite impressed with me.」

「M-Maybe it would have been better if it was a little further away?」

「Hahaha, I’m sure you can ride in this carriage for a week if it’s this comfortable! What’s the matter, Tina? Are you nervous? I’m the one who’s going to perform anyway.」

While Altora, Gordon, and Eria seemed to be in high spirits, Tina seemed somewhat pale. Altora poured more alcohol while saying, “Maybe you got motion sickness” and laughed.

As the surrounding scenery gradually changed, the coachman called out to them.

「We are exiting the town now. There may be a little more shaking, but our carriage was built with the requirement that a cup of tea shouldn’t spill even while riding in the wasteland, so please don’t– Ohh!!」

The carriage suddenly swayed. The alcohol that shouldn’t have spilled spilled out.

「Hey! What are you going to do about this brand new armor I bought specially for this day!?」

「I-I am sorry! It’s a monster!」

A pair of poison boars were blocking the path.

「Damn small fries… Hey, Gordon. Go take care of it.」

「Sorry, I’m a little motion sick…」

「Tsk. Eria.」

「fuu…fuu…」

「How are you sleeping through this commotion?」

Not bothering to wake her up, Altora stretched his shoulders and got off the carriage.

「No matter. I’ll do some warm-up exercises.」

Poison boars, whose fangs are extremely poisonous, are monsters that can make even an A-class party face difficulties if they appear in groups of dozens. However, there were only two monsters in front of him. For an S-class adventurer, it’s as easy as taking candy from a baby.

That was how it should have been.

「[Sword Saint], activate!」

The usual acceleration. The usual swordsmanship. However, the scenery was different than usual.

「Gyan!」

Altora rolled across the grassland and let out a scream even he himself hadn’t heard in years. He stood up in pain, but he didn’t even understand what happened.

「W-What? I couldn’t see anything…?」

“Couldn’t see anything.”

For the human species, which relies heavily on its eyes, this is one of their greatest fears.

Altra, who had the skill [Hawk Eye], could clearly see enemy and ally even when he was accelerating. That’s why he was able to annihilate the enemy faster than anyone else, and he was also able to play around with Marge by cutting just right above his head.

But he couldn’t see now.

「I-I must have been drinking too much.」

There was another poisonous boar. After setting his target on it, Altora held his sword more carefully.

「[Sword Saint], activate!」

The result was the exact same. The sword somehow managed to hit the enemy, but it seems like he couldn’t control it and rolled across the grassland.

「Shit!」

He fell hard, causing him to vomit out the wine. The red liquid soaked into the soil and disappeared. The words of the man who was kicked out of the party ran through Altora’s mind.

【Return everything】.

「No way. No, that’s impossible..」

By any chance, even if that were the case, there was nothing he could do about it. Duke Abik had already been informed that the swordsman Altora will proudly display his [Sword Saint] skill.

There was only one day left until the Unveiling party.