Several issues were raised, but all were dismissed.
I was made to join the party of the knight's guild and was taken to the castle of the Earl Selmar. The place we moved to using Field Walk was like a lobby. It seemed to have a similar structure to Bode's castle.
"Six people, including Duke Halts, have arrived."
A party member knight informed the other knights of our arrival.
"We have been waiting for you. Please allow me to guide you."
The other knight responded politely. It seemed that everything had been arranged properly. Otherwise, it would have been troublesome. Since the arrangements were made by Cassia and not the Duke, it should be fine.
"Please."
"Adventurers, please wait here. Five people, excluding the adventurers, please follow me."
The guiding knight led the way. I am also an adventurer, but...
"Shall we proceed?"
The Duke nodded at me and walked further in. Was that nod indicating that there was no problem?
Cassia followed. I couldn't afford to be left behind, so I entered as well. After walking for quite a while and climbing several stairs, we arrived at a large door.
"The Earl is waiting inside."
"Yes. You two, wait here."
The Duke handed the Orichalcum sword to the party member knight. It seemed that only the Duke, Cassia, and I would enter. It appeared that even the Duke was not allowed to carry a weapon inside. I had already put my sword in the item box, and Cassia didn't have one to begin with.
The guiding knight opened the door. The room inside was not very large. It was a cozy audience chamber. There was a single chair in the center, and a plump elf was seated there.
This was Earl Selmar, 40 years old and Level 21 as a knight. His level was not particularly high for his age.
Even elves can be plump, it seems. It's frustrating that even plump elves can be handsome.
A large curtain hung behind the chair. The pattern on the left curtain was familiar. It was the emblem of Duke Halts. The Duke walked straight towards that emblem.
"Come, Michio-sama."
Cassia called out. I thought the order would be Duke, Cassia, and then me, but it turned out to be Duke, me, and then Cassia. I walked to the back of the Duke and bowed.
I was told to bow, so this should be fine. The Duke didn't bow, but I couldn't do the same.
Cassia lined up next to the Duke. As I passed by, I caught a whiff of perfume. I felt relieved to be hidden behind the two of them.
"Duke Halts, you have come. It has been a while, Cassia."
"Yes, I am glad to see that you are in good health, Uncle."
Cassia and Earl Selmar conversed. Cassia had mentioned that this was her family, and Earl Selmar was her uncle. The conversation continued with some pleasantries.
"By the way, who is this?"
"This is Michio, who valiantly defeated the notorious bandit Heinrich."
The conversation eventually turned to me.
"It was a matter of luck."
"Given this person's abilities, defeating Heinrich would be a trivial matter. Michio has also been helping to clear the dungeons within our territory."
"That is enviable. My territory is in chaos with the knight's guild."
The Duke and Earl Selmar had a rather cold conversation. Their tone was unusually sharp.
It was just luck. After all, he is on our side. We don't need any help.
Is it really okay for someone like this to be the top of the territory? Well, at least they don't engage in direct arguments like children. Perhaps they are just being polite. It's hard to tell if their mental age is high or low.
"Of course, we are also watching to see if the knight's guild, which failed to defeat Heinrich, can conquer the dungeon."
"The knight's guild's failure to defeat Heinrich is the same on your side, is it not?"
"Would it not be wise for Earl Selmar to also seek assistance from Michio?"
"Would it not be difficult for a knight's guild that needs to rely on others?"
The conversation was gradually becoming more low-level.
"By the way, I heard that Heinrich's gang was equipped with rings. Was that the case, Michio?"
"Yes."
I answered while still bowing, in response to the Duke's call.
"The appraisal of the armor revealed it to be a Ring of Resolve. Does Earl Selmar have any idea about it?"
"No, I do not know anything about it."
"Is that so? Then I will keep the ring. If it is needed, I will consider selling it."
I had heard that the Ring of Resolve was stolen from Earl Selmar by Heinrich, but it seemed that this was not made public. It was a matter of public knowledge, but not officially acknowledged. After all, it would be embarrassing for a lord to admit that he was robbed by a bandit.
Furthermore, if the ring was sent as a betrothal gift and then stolen, it would be even more awkward for the sender to reclaim it. Was this the reason the Duke brought me here? To have me testify that Heinrich had the Ring of Resolve?
"By the way, I heard that the notorious bandit Heinrich was defeated by an adventurer. Is that true?"
Suddenly, the tone of the conversation changed.
"Such a thing..."
"Would not be the case. It must be a misunderstanding."
"Of course."
The Duke seemed flustered. It seemed that adventurers were not acceptable. Even the knight's guild adventurers were stopped in the lobby.
Adventurers can use Field Walk to move anywhere. They cannot be allowed to wander around the castle. The Duke must have ignored this fact.
"If adventurers were sent to the audience chamber, it could be interpreted as an intention to invade the Selmar territory."
"That could be the case."
"Checking the Intelligence Card is simple, but I cannot suspect the people the Duke has brought."
Earl Selmar pressed the issue. He must have heard from somewhere that I was an adventurer. Given that he is Cassia's family, it's likely that he heard it from one of her maids.
"That is true."
"However, it would be appropriate to show some sincerity."
If one truly feels sorry, one can prostrate oneself anywhere. Sincerity is that strict.
"Are you suggesting that I..."
"Of course, I do not suspect you at all. Not in the slightest."
"If that is the case..."
"Yes. There is a matter of concern that I have been considering."
Earl Selmar must have become convinced that I was an adventurer from the Duke's attitude. He seemed to be trying to use this opportunity to demand some concessions. The Duke had me testify that Heinrich had the ring, and Earl Selmar pointed out that I was an adventurer who should not have been brought. It seemed to be a compromise between the two.
"Uncle..."
"Of course, I do not suspect you. Not the Duke, nor Cassia."
Earl Selmar brushed off Cassia's attempt to stop him. The conflict between Duke Halts and Earl Selmar was irrelevant. The outcome of their conflict did not matter.
However, it would be bad if Cassia was affected. I raised my head.
"I understand. To clear the suspicion, I will have my Intelligence Card checked."
I slowly walked to the guiding knight who was standing behind.
"However, it would be embarrassing for Michio."
"It should be fine."
"Checking Michio alone would be an insult to me and Cassia as well."
While conversing with the Duke, I realized that the Duke did not know I was an adventurer from the beginning. His initial attitude suggested this.
In other words, the Duke's statement was a bluff. He was trying to raise the stakes by pretending that I would not be troubled by the Intelligence Card check, while in fact, it would be Earl Selmar who would be troubled. He was trying to force Earl Selmar to back down.
The Duke, being a lord, seemed to be familiar with political maneuvering. He quickly agreed to my suggestion.
"No, it would not be necessary for the Duke and Cassia to bow for me. Please check the card."
However, my statement was not a bluff. I extended my left arm to the knight.
Cassia looked worried, and the Duke maintained a poker face while silently watching me.
"...Do it."
Earl Selmar, either reading the bluff or unable to back down, gave the order. The Duke looked up slightly. The knight read my Intelligence Card.
"Michio Kaga. Job: Explorer."
The knight announced. Of course, it would not say "adventurer" since I am not an adventurer. The Duke and Cassia showed surprised expressions, and Earl Selmar bowed his head.
"I will discuss this matter another day. For today, I will take my leave."
The Duke strode over. Cassia followed quickly. The guiding knight, who had read my Intelligence Card, hurriedly opened the door. Two knights quickly attached themselves to the Duke as his guards.
"Sword."
The knight handed the Orichalcum sword. The Duke took it and walked forward. I followed. We returned to the lobby, and the Duke did not say a word until we returned to Bode.
"Michio, I am sorry. Of course, the Selmar castle uses shielding cement. Not allowing adventurers is just an old tradition. I did not expect you to bring one."
The Duke complained as soon as we arrived.
"One of my maids from my family must have told them. I should have warned them."
"It's too late now. I was also careless."
"I did not expect Earl Selmar to cause such trouble."
Cassia seemed to agree. It seemed that the Duke and Cassia were also caught off guard by this unexpected accusation.
"Still, I was surprised that Michio had changed his job to Explorer. I was sweating when the Intelligence Card was checked."
"Preparation is key."
"Changing from an adventurer to an explorer is not impossible. Some noble residences still have the old custom of not allowing adventurers. You must have anticipated this. Indeed, Michio, you are impressive. That's why you didn't appear on the wall when we arrived."
The Duke made his own judgment and was satisfied with it. It was a good thing I came from the outside, considering the worst-case scenario.
"It just happened to work out."
"Excellent. By the way, how will you return? If you need someone to escort you, I can arrange it."
"I have companions outside."
I politely declined. To change back to an adventurer, one typically needs to change jobs at an adventurer's guild. If a specific guild is identified, it would be revealed that I had not changed jobs.
"Regarding the ring you entrusted to me. It is indeed the Ring of Resolve. I will pay 20 gold coins as compensation. Is that acceptable?"
"Thank you."
20 gold coins. That is a considerable amount. Considering the prices of other equipment, the market value should be around 100,000 nals at most. Offering double that amount...
Perhaps it was prearranged, as another knight quickly brought a pouch. The Duke handed it to me.
"Thank you, Michio. I appreciate your efforts today."
Cassia took the pouch and thanked me before retreating, leaving a pleasant scent behind.
"Then I will also take my leave."
"Yes. Thank you for today. I will repay this favor another time."
With Cassia gone, there was no reason to stay any longer. I walked out of the castle and moved to Bode's dungeon, making sure I wasn't being followed.
"How far has the exploration progressed?"
"Up to the 10th floor."
I spoke with the explorer at the entrance and entered the dungeon. No one was following me, and once inside, it was impossible to know which floor I went to. I had only entered the 1st floor before, but I immediately returned home from the small room at the entrance.
"Sorry for keeping you waiting."
"No, it's fine."
When I returned home, breakfast was already prepared. I had intended to return quickly after hearing about the schedule. I didn't expect to be taken away suddenly.
What a day. The Duke was also gullible.
I sat in a chair and exhaled deeply. I was tired, even though it was still morning. It felt like my lifespan was being shortened.
Since I couldn't rest, I entered the dungeon. I gained two new jobs from that day's hunt, likely due to reaching Level 30 as a Warrior.
Bounty Hunter and Knight. Both jobs can be obtained by training as a Warrior.
If the timing had been a bit earlier, I could have set my first job as Knight when my Intelligence Card was checked at Earl Selmar's place. The Duke would have been surprised.
But there's no need to take unnecessary risks for such a trivial matter.
To become an adventurer, one needs to be an Explorer Level 50. All adventurers have the Explorer job. Since I was thought to be an adventurer but turned out to be an Explorer, the Duke didn't say anything. If I had been a Knight, he would have certainly been suspicious.