Living as an Unemployed in Another World

70 – 3. Two Adventurers (23)

23.

Boy, Lucas crossed his arms and let out another yawn. Heck, this was the number of yawns, and I wouldn’t have wished for it if I could open my mouth wide and cool it down, but considering the possibility that passers-by would peek at the roof of my mouth and carefully look at my clothes, I didn’t have the guts to do so. He rubbed his dark eyes, lowered his head, and let out another long breath.

This is all because of bad habits. Lucas sincerely thought so. Ever since he became a squire (knight apprentice), he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep. He couldn’t understand why he had to polish the metal armor he didn’t even have with all his heart and soul.

There were several peers in the Knights who were in a similar situation to him. On the day the lord suddenly died of illness, after the elite knights and senior squires were heavily injured, those who were mere workers to replenish the knights’ forces were able to raise enemies to the knights, even as apprentices, if they wished.

It was truly a pity for Lucas, who somehow managed to snoop around the knights with such a mindset that he could vaguely become a knight someday. What about when the daughter of a dead count visits the barracks by hand to boost the morale of the new recruits?

Clear skin without any blemishes, refreshing beauty, and wavy blue hair. What a beautiful girl she was. To the extent that the hearts of innocent boys gathered there were moved greatly. After that day, many people must have sworn to dedicate their lives for their master, but after receiving the appointment, every day was hell. It is difficult to follow the training of knights to make up for their lack of skills, but in the barracks, a night awaits them, longed for by seniors who cherish them for easily becoming squire. That’s right, he must be confident that he can lie down and sleep anywhere, anytime.

Of course, since he was an apprentice knight even if he was rotten, he couldn’t do anything that could be criticized by others as long as he had the Lou Ver family crest engraved on his chest armor. Because of this, he couldn’t unfasten his arms covering the crest, and he had no choice but to hang his head down and let out a weary breath.

Looking down at the shabby breastplate with oil stains on his own while cleaning the armor of his seniors, Lucas leaned his back against the carriage. It had only added very little weight, but his horse whimpered and stamped his hooves on the floor. Damn, why do I have to be here? He complained and straightened up again. When the women passing by whispered, he pressed down his hat for no reason.

──The lord’s daughter personally commissioned adventurers to explore the labyrinth where the knights withdrew. It was said that they had been close friends before, but if they were close to the extent of getting to know the owner of a territory, he would surely be a big man among adventurers. Lucas contemplated and remembered the stern face of a knight who was begging him for trust.

I thought it would be better to have a real knight greet me if it was such an important person, but I didn’t dare to argue with the knight’s words. The knights are busy protecting their territory, and the squires who joined before them have recently been mobilized for expeditions due to lack of manpower. In the end, among the squires left in the barracks, the one with the best evaluation was chosen as the representative…… Lucas vaguely thought that he would have chosen someone who was weak and couldn’t say anything bad.

Anyway, no matter how strong he was, he wouldn’t be the ‘red’ that swarms in the royal capital. It’s plausible to say that it solves problems that the Knights couldn’t solve, but it’s just because there’s no time to devote to labyrinths. Even though he hated the territorial seniors, he still harbored a vague longing for knights. He gave Lucas a weary face and bad impressions of those who didn’t show up no matter how long he waited, and finally they turned around the alley and showed up.

Even from a distance, Lucas could tell at a glance that these were the people he had chosen to serve. The half-orc’s green body and large size were never the kind to go wrong with. In addition, the appearance of four people walking side by side created an aura enough to make passers-by step aside from side to side, if not just silk.

The first thing he recognized was the half-orc’s large body and tusks, but once he got used to its appearance, his eyes immediately went to the two women walking side by side. First of all, one had rare pink hair up to his waist, and the appearance of walking was cool with long and slender legs, but there was no sound of footsteps even when he approached. Her tight-fitting leather pants immediately revealed her feminine curves, and yet her beauty, which does not feel vulgar, is impressive.

The other one also boasted a slim body, but the naturalness of the rapier clad in her waist seemed to show off her skills as a swordsman, and her soft light green hair, plus her tiny features, tugged at the heart. Her most notable feature are the pointy ears that stick out of her hair, shorter than elven ones but not human’s. Then she must be a half-elf.

Lastly——Lucas set his eyes on the envious young man walking this way, clinging to a pink-haired woman. Indeed, if it weren’t for the somewhat comfortable outfit, it wouldn’t be awkward to say that it was the son of a prestigious family, just like the lady he serves. He didn’t like hanging out with such beauties, but when the elimination method was applied, it was clear that he was nothing other than the ‘adventurer with whom he had a close relationship’ as the senior knight said. Lucas straightened his back as soon as he found them and himself leaning against them, bowing politely.

“Welcome, adventurers. I came from Rue Louvre. I will take you to the labyrinth.”

“Ah, this is embarrassing. However… ….”

The young man inspected his own complexion, and then suddenly put his ear closer, looking alternately at the chariot horse and the half-orc guarding his back. Looking at it like this, it looks so annoying.

“The wagon won’t tip over on the way, right? Well, one friend is a bit heavy.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Even so, I brought only the best quality horses. After all, you have to run at least a full day to reach the labyrinth.”

“Well, well, if so.”

Lucas answered sincerely, but inwardly he snorted. Yes, his physique is quite good, but there are knights of comparable size in the knights’ order. Even if the horses aren’t warhorses, there won’t be any spread on the way of the chariot. It looked like a young boy, so it was hard to guess how strong the horses were.

But ── Lucas received the young man’s glance and saw a half-orc tied to the back of the half-orc who was about to mount first, and his complexion turned pale in an instant. Can you wield an ax like that? No, more than that, how much does it weigh if you add the axe to it?

“Hee hee hee!”

“… ….”

“Uh, that will be fine.”

Both horses trembled from the shaking, putting what I had said earlier into disrepute, but the half-orc sat down on the inside of the wagon anyway. The remaining people faced each other, shook their heads, and entered the carriage in turn. When they all got into the carriage, Lucas signaled to the driver and entered the carriage himself.

In fact, when he saw the beauty of the women who came to the carriage, he was immersed in the imagination of seeing them face to face or sitting next to them. Anyway, there will be empty seats anywhere, so if you can face those beautiful faces throughout the trip, it won’t be a very losing business.

But when he steps inside the wagon, Lucas abandons his remaining hope when he realizes that two women are sitting next to each other, with a young man at the end of them, and a half-orc staring at him with his arms crossed beside him. . In the end, he had no choice but to sit with his legs together, putting both his feet between the hideous axe.

Hee hee! Following the driver’s hand, the wagon began to move with a cry. Indeed, the wagon with five people and a gigantic ax on it was much slower than usual.

※

Looking at the rapidly changing scenery outside, I honestly couldn’t help but admire it. Aside from the comfortable riding comfort of the wagon, for Alphonse and his favorite ax to ride, it still rolls so vigorously. Indeed, it occurred to me that the breed was different from the horses in the stables that are sometimes kept at the inn.

Anyway, Mira, she must have looked a little downcast and gloomy even during the day. I don’t know why, as soon as I got into the carriage, he took the seat next to me and put his hand on my thigh. Do you think you won’t notice? Thanks to you, Chloe is staring at us like an abandoned puppy on the edge of the seat.

“Kuhm.”

“… ….”

Ah, come to think of it, Squire was also with me. His name was Lucas. He had forgotten his existence as he had not said a word since the carriage had started, under the pressure of Alphonse’s flag. As if he finally realized his duty, he gave us a look of mischief——no, did he just do it out of envy? Anyway, I cleared my throat and focused my attention on myself.

“I have something to tell you about the Labyrinth along the way. Of course, the young lady——you must have heard the story from the lord. There are also things I have been asked to explain to you.”

“Oh, yes. Mira, please.”

“Umm… ….”

She reluctantly pulled her body away from me and glared intently at Lucas, who had caused the situation. He looks like he’s still around 15, and he looks like he’s about to burst into tears at her cold gaze, and I understand that. There is nothing more sad about him as a man than being hated by a beauty.

“Stir…… How much do you know about the history of the Empire?”

“Empire?”

“Yes. As I have heard, it is said that originally this frontier area, that is, the land beyond the Akel River, including the Louver Territory, was the territory of the Empire. Now, the capital is located in the southern part of the continent alone, but at the time, it boasted a much larger size than the current kingdom, so it is said that huge forts were spread all over the continent.”

“You are suddenly talking about that…… What is that labyrinth?”

“Yes. I haven’t been there myself, but…… The labyrinth, that is, the identity of the dungeon to go to, I guess, was said to be a fort that collapsed as a result of the ground sinking a long time ago. So, the treasure that is supposed to be under it is…….”

He paused and spoke to me in a somewhat fearful voice.

────It is a piece of the crown, a treasure that symbolizes the lineage of the legitimate ruler of the empire, which the kingdom is still looking for.