Overlord (WN) Chapter 37

Overlord First Half Chapter 37: Investigation Part 2

24 000 characters, 50% more than the last one. 3 days. My brain is dead. Enjoy.

Investigation Part 2

Translators: Frostfire10

 

　Noon at the Guild—-Was not that busy for the reception on the first floor. It was also because adventurers did not meet at this time.

　Basically, adventurers that left the city due to work, left a bit of time before dusk and left early in the morning. Well, this was common sense of travellers.

　And the refreshing of quests typically happened in the morning. So people looking for jobs came early to the Guild.

　Thus noon was mostly empty. Of course, this was E-Rantel, if this were the Kingdom it would be flooded with a variety of jobs, and was a different story.

 

　The receptionist—-Wina Halshia, was stiffening her yawn to prevent others from noticing, and stared blankly at the door. This yawn was the tenth in three minutes.

　Feeling tired after lunch was an inescapable fact of being human, but there were occasions where one felt sleepy on an empty stomach. Of course, the blankness was not on purpose.

　She did not have much work today, and so finished most of it by then. Basically she was currently extremely extremely, to the point where this should be emphasised, bored.

　Moving her head slightly, she looked enviously at her coworker who was talking to an adventurer leader who came late. Being too busy was bad, but sitting down on a chair with nothing to do was bad as well.

　She moved her bottom, which could be said to be suitable for childbirth, Wina adjusted her position slightly on her chair. And stifled the eleventh yawn.

　While listening to her coworker and adventurer talking about repelling monsters that appeared near the Great Forest of Tob, and giving up—-.

 

　The door opened slowly.

 

　A man with the sun at his back slowly entered. Apart from the exquisite sword at his waist, he was an unattractive man that had nothing special about him. His clothes, while not poor or dirtied, it was not something that attracted one’s attention. It suited a new adventurer. However, the boorish gauntlets were loose, but adventurers were those types of people.

　The brass Guildmember card hung from his neck and followed his movements, jumping to and fro.

 

　Basically a novice or F Class adventurer. Wina understood, and looked at his movements.

　The man looked at his surroundings, matched Wina’s gaze like he was scanning her, and walked towards her counter.

 

　With a ‘Gatan’, reacting to the sudden sound from her side, Wina looked at her coworker who was explaining.

 

　—-Their eyes met.

　Ishpen’s eyes were spinning, looking at Wina. The adventurer in front of her was looking down at the paper in his hands, and did not notice, but it was an extremely disrespectful action.

 

　What is she doing.

　At the weird action, she was about to unconsciously speak out her words, but stopped. As the man that just entered was now standing right in front of her.

 

“—-I apologise. I have come later than the expected time.”

“Um.”

“Ah, I am Momon. I was called to the Guild today to meet the Guildmaster.”

 

　At those words, Wina recalled the words from her boss.

　Today, I have called a novice adventurer called Momon, when he comes, show him to the meeting room on the fourth floor. The time was—-Thinking up to there, Wina noticed that more than 30 minutes had passed since then.

 

“Momon-san was it? I have confirmed it. Then I shall guide you to the meeting room on teh fourth floor, could you please follow me?”

“Yes, please do.”

 

　Wina strongly ignored Ishpen who was waving her hand under the counter. She probably wanted to talk to him.

　But, Focus on the adventurer in front of you. Though imperfect, she had to do her job as a receptionist. What would she do if she did not focus on the adventurer.

　While thinking of telling her that when she returned, Wina stood up and walked ahead.

 

　Opening the door behind the counter, Wina who was guiding Momon to the fourth floor was thinking about why she was guiding a novice adventurer to a meeting room on the fourth floor, which had the heaviest guarded secrets.

　In addition, today the meeting room was occupied by the most important figures in E-Rantel. Thinking about the figures attending, she wondered why Momon would be there.

 

　And thinking about Ishpen’s strange actions, she recalled something she said.

 

“Ah, a rival….”

“Hah?”

 

　At the words she unconsciously muttered, there was an immediate response from behind her. At the words that she thought no one but her could hear, her ears turned red from the embarrassment of being heard. Looking over her shoulder, she waved her hand and made an excuse in a panic.

 

“N, no, it’s nothing!”

“Really?”

 

　Wina moved her gaze from Momon whose face was saying, I can’t say there is nothing.

　So embarrassing. It’s so embarrassing. I will hit Ishpen later. While having such thoughts, they both said nothing as they climbed the stairs, and she brought Momon to the meeting room.

 

“It is here.”

“Yes, thank you.”

 

　Knocking, Wina left after confirming that it was fine to enter.

 

　What greeted her when she returned, was the face of Ishpen biting her lip with an unpleasant expression.

 

“….What’s with your face.”

“Even though I was thinking of guiding him.”

 

　Ishpen inflated her cheeks and replied. It was like a girl in love—-.

 

“Your interest?”

“No way.”

 

　It was cut apart in one phrase.

 

“That person cannot be. I have predicted that he is my fated rival. Even though this time I thought that he would finally tell me….”

“What are you saying.”

 

　In front of Ishpen who was making a weird face, Wina sighed.

　Ishpen was not a bad person, but she had one quirk. But without it she would be a great friend.

　Thinking that, Ishpen’s curiosity filled eyes gazed at Wina.

 

“—-W, what is it, those eyes.”

“What happened?”

“Hm? About Momon?”

“Eh. Being called to the fourth floor where a novice normally does not go, and called together with the Mayor, it’s quite a bad problem?”

“Probably.”

“Well, I think that he was called because he is my rival—-”

“—-Your thoughts are weird.”

 

　If one thought about it normally, calling a new adventurer to the fourth floor was an unprecedented situation. The more she thought, the more her head with with ideas.

　For example, a great noble hiding his identity, or a warrior with amazing strength….Thinking that, Wina shook her head in rejection. No matter how one looked at him with a favourable light—-Excluding Ishpen—-He was not that much of an adventurer.

 

“Then why was he called?”

“This is because he is—-”

“I said this earlier, but your thoughts are weird.”

 

　While lightly replying to Ishpen, it was true that Momon had raised Wina’s curiosity. To the extent that she thought that she should ask someone—-

 

 

　To the man that entered late—-Momon, Pluton, the Guildmaster, acted as the representative and introduced everyone. The Mayor Panasolei should have been the first, but according to the man’s wishes, his turn was moved to the last.

　This was as he wanted time to examine the man called Momon. It was true that he got a broad sketch of the man from Pluton, but seeing was different from hearing.

 

　While Panasolei made a pig like face, he examined Momon.

　The first thing he thought was that he probably had a reason why he did not remove the gauntlets inside the room.

　But, there were strange people among adventurers. To the problem that he did not touch the Guildmaster Pluton, asking what type of people touched strangers would be bad.

　Deciding that, Panasolei kept silent, and looked at the details.

 

　His expressions and manner, and his air, but he did not feel anything surprising. Basically he was a normal person. However, to an extent, his posture and movements were beautiful. Panasolei thought that Momon had originally received a high class education.

　Actually, the third sons of nobles often became adventurers. Of course, most lost their lives on their first adventurers, and none succeeded.

　In summary, Panasolei’s evaluation of Momon was he was of high birth, but he still raised some questions. Unfortunately he could not grasp more than that.

 

　What surprised Panasolei more, was that Momon was extreme relaxed.

　The impudence to make the Guildmaster and the key position holders of the city to wait for 30 minutes. On the contrary, he was projecting an atmosphere that had a strange pressure, as if asking what was wrong to making them wait.

　Adventurers were basically strict with time. For promises or contracts, they would definitely never betray it. So to Panasolei, this Momon was a strange person.

 

　Was this because he was a beginner.

 

　Panasolei who was not familiar about adventurers decided so. No, he did not. As expected, he did not think that Momon would think himself to be more important than anyone else.

 

“—-And lastly, since the order was jumbled, the Mayor of E-Rantel—-Panasolei Gruze Vauna Rettermaier-dono.”

“Puhii. Nice to meet you Momon-kun. Puhii.”

“Nice to meet you, Mayor-dono.”

 

　Momon lowered his head slightly.

　Panasolei really raised an eyebrow at that.

 

　Scorn, apprehension, bewilderment, disappointment.

　He was extremely used to receiving stares like that during introductions. However, what he never experienced before was the feeling that he got from a quick flash in Momon’s eyes. This was something he was sensitive to from meeting lots—- a thousand mountains and seas worth of people. The proof of this was that no one in the surroundings felt it.

　What was that strange feeling. Panasolei thought, and hit upon a person with extremely similar eyes.

 

　Well there was one noble in the Kingdom. A great noble that was hated even by the shadows and snakes.

　It was like being looked at like a test subject, those wide pupils greatly resembled him.

 

　He once again looked at Momon’s eyes, and Panasolei was attacked by a chill. But why, he could not express how cold it was.

　If they based their impressions on his appearance, no matter how they appraised him, it was a normal reaction. They would never let Panasolei feel this chill.

 

　However, why—-He could not be careless. This was an impression that was important—-.

　Thinking so, Panasolei straightened his expression.

 

　The change was conveyed to everyone in the room.

　It was natural. At worst, the pig face, suddenly changed to that of a Mayor.

 

“N!”

 

　As if to cough out what was stuck in his throat, Panasolei’s voice reverberated through the room.

 

“—-Shall we begin, Pluton.”

“Yes Mayor.”

 

　As if pressured by the words of the attending Mayor, Pluton began talking to Momon.

 

“The reason why we called you is actually not that important. While a female adventurer was adventuring, she received a large wound. And used the potion you gave her, and said that it had an excellent effect. And so, we would like to see this potion.”

 

　Suddenly, ‘Pan’ would be the best sound, the sound of a hand hitting something reverberated in the room. Pluton who was pressurised by it closed his mouth. The gazes of everyone gathered towards Panasolei who was making a stern face.

 

“Now, Pluton….Do not hide anything. We should tell the truth.”

“That is Mayor….”

 

　Pluton raised an eyebrow. It was natural. If it was an adventurer they trusted strongly, it would be understandable. But this was a newbie to the Guild. Letting the information of a strong vampire near E-Rantel, classified information, leak was too dangerous. If this information was leaked, it would become a huge problem. Then it would be best to use a suitable lie to cover it up.

　And Theo, Lizzie and Gignal agreed. They were raising their eyebrows as well.

 

“….Momon-kun. We evaluate you highly. And so we will tell the full story, so can you keep it a secret?”

“Of course.”

 

　A reaction like a beat. However, the most unbelievable answer was right in front of them. However, it was someone the Mayor evaluated highly. And so it became difficult to make a direct rebuttal.

　Pluton, Theo, Lizzie and Gignal—-The four of them looked at each other, wondering who would speak up, but no one picked up the bomb.

　Pluton leaked out a breath that resembled a sigh.

 

“Understood. Then—-firstly is the miscellaneous items. This might be weird but it has entered our ears, and we would like you to understand that your position is a bit bad and listen.”

 

　Do you not mind? Pluton spoke to Momon with an expression wanting to say that.

　Momon moved his chin to indicate the rest to continue despite receiving a stare with the pressure of a former A Class adventurer. At that bold and brazen attitude, Pluton instantly swallowed. No, the ones who swallowed was not Pluton alone. All the ones excluding Panasolei and Momon, swallowed their saliva in surprise.

 

“—-Understood. If you are prepared I will speak.” Pluton then took a breath and continued. “Just yesterday, a party of adventurers patrolling the surroundings of E-Rantel was destroyed by a monster. The monster was a vampire. And since this vampire can use magic, we believe that it is far stronger than a normal one.”

“It is as Momon-kun knows, a monster with skills is dangerous.”

“To what tier of magic it can use, even if we know not much will change. Currently what we want you to remember is that the vampire that has skills is a dangerous monster you know.”

“Even an A Class like me cannot cleanse an undead of this level, please understand.”

 

　The mouths of the other three moved to support Pluton, and spoke to Momon simultaneously. At that act as if to hide something, Momon raised an eyebrow. And then Momon spoke out his thoughts.

 

“—-Basically you did not want me to know its strength. Am I correct?”

“!”

 

　Identifying the point they wanted to hide, someone groaned.

 

“If one thought about it the reason is easily—-”

“—-That is enough Momon-kun!” Pluton raised a single hand, and cut off Momon. “This time the reason we called you, I am sorry but it is not to hear you!”

 

　With Pluton’s voice infused with his rough feelings, he demanded silence.

　Momon and Pluton stared at each other, and said nothing. Everyone in the room felt the fireworks exploding in the space between the two of them.

　No—-Momon was still calm.

　At that scene, Pluton was trying to release a pressure towards Momon, but it was failing. Originally Pluton was a strong person with actual strength, and comparing himself to Momon a weakling, it could not be thought of as anything but a praying mantis raising its arms.

 

“….Is he….really a novice….”

 

　Theo whispered. And Lizzie and Gignal unconsciously shook their heads, and expressed their agreement.

　While old, his opponent was an A Class adventurer, but he did not step back. It was not like he was a person of great talent, but something else was felt.

 

　The one who sighed at the scene and watching it quietly was Panasolei.

　Panasolei himself, could not hide the feeling of trouble that this man Momon had a strange feeling, and for some reason was a strong person that was a novice. However, compared to the other four’s predictions, his spiritual shock was lesser.

 

“….Well Pluton. This Momon is not a person that can have ordinary methods used against him. As I said earlier, can we tell him everything?….Pluton, leave the rest to me.”

 

　Even without saying it, Panasolei had begun talking with a strong will.

 

“….So. Only one adventurer returned. It was a woman, and one that received a potion from you and threw it at the vampire. So Momon-kun. We called you in in order to see that potion.”

 

　Momon’s expression moved. While paying caution to the change, Panasolei chose his next words carefully,

 

“Of course, we understand Momon-kun’s suspicions. The price of a low grade potion is 50 gold coins. This time we promise 100. Could you sell it to us?”

 

　It should not be a bad talk. However, this was if this potion was made by Momon—-and he had several. If he found it in a ruin or for some reason only has a few, there was a chance that he would reject. If Momon was not related to the creation of the potion, the prediction that he was related to the vampire would have its chances drop drastically.

 

“….Understood.”

 

　Momon nodded lightly, and took out a small bottle from the bag he brought, and placed it casually on the table.

 

　The bottle was made of glass, and had extremely fine details on it.

　It was to the extent that Panasolei wondered if he had mistaken it for a perfume bottle for a great noble. Even though it would break easily in battle, there was no need for it to be this finely made. If there was, if it was broken, its owner would have to be quite a rich person.

　The liquid inside was red. By appearance, it seemed to be no different from a normal potion.

 

　Everyone’s eyes left the potion, and went to Lizzie.

 

“Then, excuse me.”

 

　Lizzie reached out with her wrinkled hand, and pulled the potion bottle towards her.

　At that instant, the colour of her eyes changed. A light danced in her eyes, and her eyes suddenly sharpened, her cheeks reddened, and the vigour she gained seemingly made her younger. The one there, was the figure of the pharmacist that everyone in E-Rantel knew.

 

“Hmm….Hmm.”

 

　Lizzie took a magnifying glass out of her pocket and seriously examined it. While checking for sediment by looking at the bottom, and checked the surroundings for any solids.

　While whispering words that were not words, she seriously checked its effects.

　The cap of the bottle was loosened, and its smell was fanned towards her and sniffed. Her sharp eyes got sharper. Lizzie hesitated, and then immediately dropped some of the potion on to her fingers and licked.

 

“tsh….”

 

　Did she notice something. Strained breaths left Lizzie as she covered the lid, and chanted magic.

 \n 

　Lizzie activated appraisal magic, and saw the effects of the potion. And did she know something, her face changed to one of shock as she activated another magic.

 

<detect></detect>

 

　Casting the two magic, how much was Lizzie’s shock. Her body shook, and—-

 

“Ku!”

 

　—-Collapsed on the floor.

 

“What is wrong! Lizzie-dono!”

 

　To be worried was normal. Gignal who was nearby ran towards her. It could be helped that it looked like a poison.

 

“What!”

“What is wrong! Is it really a healing potion?! What did you give to Lizzie-dono!”

 

　In the midst of the chaos—-

 

“Kuku….Fuafuahahaha!”

 

　—-Suddenly, a broken laugh reverberated within the small room. Lizzie slowly lifted her head. Plastered on it was the smile of a broken madman. Everyone—-Excluding Momon—-Was pressured by her sudden change, and could not lift a finger to speak.

 

“Kukuku! Look at this! Theo-dono! This, this is the completed form of the potion you know! We, the pharmacists and alchemists, the people related to making potions, cannot reach the level of the ideal potion right in front of us you know!”

 

　Lizzie’s face was flushed with excitement, and took quick and shallow breaths. And as if to express that she would never let go of it, she thrust the potion bottle she was gripping tightly to Theo.

 

“What happened? Lizzie-dono.”

 

　Lizzie’s wild eyes moved towards Gignal who was speaking normally. Her wide eyes seemed to be able to drop out of her face.

 

“—-Potions degrade right!”

“….Wh, it is natural. Isn’t it common sense?”

 

　As part of making potions, a special solution made using alchemy was necessary. This solution was made of herbs and minerals, and had to be processed by several methods.

　Of course, using herbs caused the potions to have a shelf life, and degrade. This was common knowledge.

 

“That’s right. It’s rightly so! Potions use a special solution depending on if it is made using alchemy or chemistry. And it is natural as time passes that it degrades! So we use