Chapter 58 I'M Not Going To Be Swayed By Money
It had been about 2 months since the "Great Outbreak" occurred in [God's Remains Labyrinth].
I was summoned by Lady Eva to Kirke's mansion, where I faced her in a luxurious reception room filled with extravagant furnishings.
The commotion related to the "Great Outbreak" was far-reaching, and as one of the [Four Great Families of the Seals], we couldn't stay out of it. There were countless things to adjust in various fields, such as commerce, politics, governance, and diplomacy. Even from my perspective as an outsider, I could imagine how busy they must be.
Lady Eva, whom I hadn't seen in a while, was trying to cover up the dark circles under her eyes with makeup, making a pitiful effort to hide her fatigue.
Despite that, she still maintained a serious face, not showing any signs of exhaustion.
"Mr. Aaron, I have something to ask you."
"...What's going on all of a sudden?"
I asked, puzzled, as Lady Eva gazed at me with an unusually serious expression.
It was unusual for her to look so serious... I wondered if something big had happened. Even though the peak of the chaos had passed, the emergence of Unique Individuals was still ongoing. And on top of that, other troublesome issues kept popping up, making it feel like we didn't have enough hands to deal with them.
However, what Lady Eva said next was not what I had expected.
She suddenly looked embarrassed, averted her gaze, and opened her mouth.
"I heard a rumor about you and Fiona... that you're living together?"
"Living together? No, we're not."
What was she talking about all of a sudden?
"But the rumor is that Fiona often stays overnight at your house."
"Well, it's true that she does stay over sometimes."
I knew that Fiona was using my atelier, and sometimes her work would continue late into the night. It would be a hassle to make her go back and forth, so I let her use one of my spare rooms. It was a small house, but I lived alone, and there were extra rooms anyway.
So, it's not like Fiona stays over frequently, but it does happen a few times.
"I mean, are those rumors spreading or what...?"
If those rumors are spreading, we need to be a bit more careful. Fiona is an unmarried woman, and it's not good for her to have weird rumors about her. I mean, it's not like it's okay just because she's married either.
"From now on, it's better if I get her to head back a bit earlier..."
Lady Eva told me, "I think it's already too late for that, though."
"Fiona's fame was already high to begin with, and now Mr. Aaron's fame is high too. Just walking around town, the two of you are already drawing attention, you know?"
"My fame, huh..."
I'm well aware that the fame being referred to here isn't about my reputation as a Wooden Swordsmith.
I was already well-known in the wooden sword industry, but now I'm also becoming famous as an explorer. And to be honest, there's still a big gap between the general public's recognition of me in the wooden sword industry and as an explorer.
In Labyrinth City, Necronia, high-ranking explorers can sometimes gain idol-like popularity. Despite being a high-risk occupation with a terrifyingly high death rate, it's a glamorous job in this city. There are many people who admire the flashy side of high-ranking explorers.
And Fiona is a female solo explorer who awakened to Unique Jobs and has exceptional talent, plus she has a stunning appearance that draws people's eyes. She's got all the elements to attract attention.
From her perspective, it might be frustrating, but her 'Sword Dance Maiden' persona is getting more attention than her actual skills as an explorer, thanks to that idol-like popularity.
On the other hand, my fame has been rising recently because I'm part of the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫ and have been getting attention from other explorers due to my Unique Individual subjugation achievements.
"And, this isn't about meddling in your relationship or anything, but..."
And, Lady Eva's face turned bright red as she averted her gaze.
"It's a busy period right now. I'm aware that it's a blessing from heaven, but I'd like you to be careful not to make Fiona unable to work as an explorer... I mean, try to find a good time, and all that..."
"Huh?"
Lady Eva's vague words left me puzzled for a moment.
But I quickly caught on.
"...Ah, I see what you mean!"
"Yes, that's right..."
A blessing from heaven――in other words, the wooden sword.
When I'm making the wooden sword, sometimes I create something so amazing that I wonder if I really made it myself. It's as if a supernatural being from heaven created it through my body.
And when I'm in that zone, I often forget to eat and sleep, completely absorbed in my work.
Lady Eva is probably worried that Fiona might end up exhausted or sick from overworking in that state.
It's strange that Fiona is so knowledgeable about craftsmanship and expresses it in a mysterious way, but perhaps it's because of our master-disciple relationship... and she's hesitant to meddle in matters related to her training progress.
I nodded in response to Lady Eva's awkward nod.
"Don't worry, I won't push Fiona too hard."
"T-thank you..."
Lady Eva looked relieved, yet still a bit embarrassed, and nodded. "By the way," she said, trying to change the subject.
"I'm sure it's unnecessary, but please be careful at night, Mr. Aaron."
"...Why?"
Be careful at night? I've never done anything to earn someone's hatred...
"I've heard that some people are saying you're a 'corrupt master who laid hands on his disciple'... Even Fiona looks good, so there are some extreme fans out there..."
"...What's with that rumor?"
I didn't want to hear that... Rumors are scary...
"Well, I don't really care about this story."
"No way, it's not like that."
"Anyway, the main topic is..."
She smoothly changed the subject!
"...So, the main topic isn't about verifying the rumor that I'm living together with Fiona, right?"
I don't have that kind of free time either.
"No, I just got curious personally, so it's just small talk."
"..."
"So, the main topic is, I have a request for Mr. Aaron..."
Lady Eva straightened her posture and faced him directly.
"Mr. Aaron, do you know that there's a rumor going around that you're ≪Extreme Sword≫?"
"...No, I've never heard that before."
Is that rumor really going around? Why?
Well, it's not like it's a baseless rumor or anything.
"It's because Fiona's master, your unseen skills, your high combat ability, your unknown true identity as a Job, and how you didn't become famous until recently... When you put all those facts together, it's natural to think that you might be one of the ≪Extreme Sword≫..."
"......"
As Lady Eva explained, I glanced down at my left hand.
The 'Basic Limit Mark' was clearly visible. I've never hidden it before, but no one believes that I'm just a 'Beginner Swordman'. The rumor-mongers probably think the same way.
"Hmm...so?"
Where is this conversation headed?
When I prompted her, Lady Eva said,
"I want Mr. Aaron to claim the title of ≪Extreme Sword≫..."
"What? Why?"
It's like she wants me, the real ≪Extreme Sword≫, to pretend to be ≪Extreme Sword≫. Lady Eva doesn't know that I'm the real deal, but it's getting complicated.
"Don't make a face like you dislike it, please."
"I do dislike it."
Lady Eva continues to speak to me, who's being honest about my true intentions.
"Isn't it about time the 'Great Outbreak' comes to an end? If that's the case, the problem will still be the lack of power in the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫."
"I think it's still too early to say that..."
But I agree with Lady Eva's words. Even though we still haven't found the main body, the 'Great Outbreak' will likely end in a few months.
On the other hand, if it doesn't end within a few months, that's a problem in itself.
"That's why I want to strengthen the clan's power as soon as possible, and I'd like to recruit ≪Extreme Sword≫ to our team."
"You still haven't given up, have you?"
The number of people who can explore the depths of the labyrinth is limited, even in Necronia. When we formed the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫, we'd already gathered almost all the capable personnel. So, it's understandable to put our hopes in the unknown group ≪Extreme Sword≫ to secure new members... but I'm the only one who knows that such a group doesn't exist.
"If Mr. Aaron is rumored to be ≪Extreme Sword≫, and claims to be so, the public will likely believe it. And if the real ≪Extreme Sword≫ finds out about it, what will they do..."
"What will happen...?"
I ask Lady Eva, who's giving me a meaningful glance, my throat dry and making a strange noise.
"Optimistically speaking... if they're even slightly concerned about their reputation, they might try to make contact with you, Mr. Aaron."
"No, if they're that concerned about their reputation, wouldn't they have already come forward?"
"No, it's not that simple."
Lady Eva denies my obvious conclusion without hesitation.
"It's possible that there's a catch to their reputation, and they might have a reason for not showing themselves to the public. However, if they're proud of their achievements, then Mr. Aaron's existence can't be ignored, right? If they're just fakes who are obvious liars, then we can just ignore them, but Mr. Aaron is different. Among the explorers, you're rumored to have the skills of an ≪Extreme Sword≫. If we just let it be, then their hard-earned achievements will be stolen by someone unrelated...? It's not strange to think that someone among them might find that amusing... don't you think?"
"That's true... there's definitely a possibility."
No way, though.
I know it's not true, but I nodded seriously.
"But, Lady Eva, isn't it possible that not just the real deal will come forward, but also people who are attracted to the reputation of ≪Extreme Sword≫ and claim to be it?"
However, I brought up another possibility.
"There might be people who are charmed by the reputation of ≪Extreme Sword≫ and claim to be it themselves."
I heard from Fiona that there are actually quite a few people who claim to be ≪Extreme Sword≫.
Even Judas from back in the day did it.
"Of course, we're considering that possibility. So, we want Mr. Aaron to fight against those who come forward and claim to be ≪Extreme Sword≫. Additionally, as the Kirke family, we will declare the winner against Mr. Aaron as the ≪Extreme Sword≫."
"Ugh, no way..."
This is such a pain. Why do I have to do this?
"And even if they can't win, if there's a strong person, we'll welcome them into our clan. We might be able to supplement our battle power, and the real ≪Extreme Sword≫ might come forward. It's a win-win strategy, right?"
"Ugh, Lady Eva, are you okay?..."
Maybe she's just tired and not thinking straight.
...I really got that feeling, though.
"For the clan's sake, I'll do it, okay?"
"Ugh, this is ridiculous..."
"Of course, I won't say it's free. I've prepared a suitable reward."
"Hmph... whatever, it's not like we're having a conversation or anything."
I changed my carefree attitude, let out a deep sigh, and shook my head.
There's no way I'd do something so troublesome. What's in it for me, anyway? A reward?
"I'll tell you, Lady Eva, do you think I'd do something just for the money? Do you know how much I'm making? Do you want to know?"
"...You're not going to accept it, right?"
"Even if Lady Eva can prepare a ridiculous amount of money, it's not like it's going to make a difference to someone like me. I'm already making enough to live comfortably. If I got even more money, I'd just be stuck with it."
For an individual, having a lot of money only makes a difference up to a certain point. After that, the amount doesn't matter.
"Sorry, Lady Eva. I'm not going to be swayed by money."
With that, the conversation was over.
I stood up, implying that I was leaving.
And I started walking out of the room――――when...
A "clunk" sound echoed.
I turned around, wondering what the sound was.
I saw Lady Eva taking out something big from her storage ring and placing it on the round table.
It was a half-transparent, dark blue object that I'd never seen before, but it caught my attention in an instant.
"Mr. Aaron, you're underestimating the power of the [Four Great Families of the Seals]. You think money is the only form of power... You don't know what real power is, do you?"
Lady Eva spoke quietly, but her voice was intimidating.
Her face, slowly turned towards me, was filled with absolute confidence in her victory.
"W-what...!?"
I gulped, my eyes wide open, and my body trembling with fear.
Cold sweat poured down my entire body. My fingers, feet, and shoulders were shaking.
I thought I had become strong. I earned a lot of money, achieved success as a Wooden Swordsmith, and thought I wouldn't be intimidated by anyone's wealth... or so I thought.
But that was just my arrogance. In the end, I was just a frog in a well, unaware of the true power of wealth.
There are things in this world that no amount of money can buy.
And being able to obtain those things is what true wealth is all about.
Lady Eva said calmly, as if declaring checkmate.
"――It's the 'Gravity Elemental Treant's Core Wood'."
She continued.
Her words were information I already knew, but I couldn't help but listen. That's how much magical power was hidden in them.
"This was obtained from the guardian of the 45th floor of [God's Remains Labyrinth] about 500 years ago. As Mr. Aaron knows, the ≪Gravity Elemental Treant≫ is an extinct species on the surface, so the only way to get this material is through the labyrinth... However, it's impossible to obtain it unless you reach the unexplored regions beyond the 47th floor. And even if Mr. Aaron lives to see the ≪Transition Period≫ of [God's Remains Labyrinth], it's uncertain whether the ≪Gravity Elemental Treant≫ will appear or not..."
"Phew... Phew..."
I felt suffocated by Lady Eva's "pressure," and my knees felt weak.
But she didn't stop talking.
"This material has been stored in my family's collection without being sold... At the time, there were hardly any explorers who could defeat the ≪Gravity Elemental Treant≫, so the number of materials that made it to the market is extremely low. The possibility of any other materials remaining is almost 0, I assure you."
"Guuuu...!"
Lady Eva gazed down at me, who was on my knees.
Her eyes were inorganic, radiating an icy, transcendent light, as if a superior being was looking down on a fool from the heavens.
And then she said this.
"Mr. Aaron, if you really want it, I'll cooperate with you. Is that okay?"
This is...!
This is the "power" of Eva Kirke, the top candidate to be the next head of the Kirke family!!
"......"
I was...
Just, I could only yield before that overwhelming power....
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