01x06 - Judge's Grandfather

[bunniefuu]

"Judge's Grandfather"

Oh, how unusual.

You're up early.

I'm sorry. Did I wake you?

I always get up around this time.

You should sleep in.

You had quite the scuffle yesterday.

It's fine.

What is it?

Nothing.

Hey, look.

Huh?

Is he a noble?

He's not the local lord, right?

Nah, look who's next to him.

That's the Blade.

Then that's him?

Who should I tell if I have

information to share?

Don't ask me.

Good morning!

Good morning.

How can I help you?

I'd like to update a map.

Certainly. For which labyrinth?

The Crystal Ruins.

The Crystal Ruins?!

That old labyrinth's been

thoroughly explored.

The map hasn't been updated in years.

I found something.

You found something?

Wait a minute.

Lying's a pretty risky play.

Are you that desperate

to show off to Layla?

Is that your name?

Yes.

That's a cute name.

Thank you!

Stop trying to seduce her!

A twink like you has new information

on the Crystal Ruins of all places?

That's impossible!

So?

S-So? So, uh

Sh-Show us the proof!

Is proof required to update a map?

No, that's not necessary.

Any lies would be exposed anyway, and no

one would risk the loss of credibility.

So go right ahead!

Well, I don't believe you!

That's fine. As long as

the guild believes me.

Oh, but since I do have proof,

I might as well show you.

What?!

A-A strategy guide?

Does this satisfy you?

Th-There can't be anything new in that.

There was a hidden room and

even a treasure chest.

Naturally, we took it.

But it's still worth entering.

There's a very rare monster inside.

W-Wait!

Please don't share more than that.

Don't worry. That's all I'll say.

By the way, this is my first

time sharing information.

This is it.

That's a very accurate map.

Should I tell you about

any traps as well?

You'll receive a greater

reward if you do.

In that case

One moment, please.

I'll get set up right away.

Come closer to the counter, please.

I see. A sil*ncer.

The ones you have here also

block out outside voices.

Depends on the sil*ncer.

Go ahead.

This looks like an ordinary wall at first

glance, but this section can be destroyed.

I see. A destructible labyrinth wall

would've been overlooked.

Gil kicked the wall down.

He kicked it down?!

It was about this thick.

That's a proper wall!

Oh, but it's made of crystal.

That would be really hard!

It's like kicking down a brick wall.

That's not something people can do.

Beyond that, there was an altar.

Opening the treasure chest there

triggered a teleportation spell,

and then

I see. That sends you to this room.

Actually, we fell.

You fell?!

A magic circle transported us into a

crystal pit about two meters across.

Was it a bit less than two minutes?

That sounds right.

It felt long, but it really wasn't.

W-Were you all right?

Do we look like we weren't?

Well, no.

Also, there was a subterranean

dragon at the bottom.

It attacked with its breath

weapon as we fell.

Also

Wait!

You fell several kilometers,

a subterranean dragon

was waiting at the bottom,

and you took a direct hit

from its breath weapon?

That's absolutely brutal!

You knocked this over.

I can't believe I did that.

Since we've already come this

far, I have one other thing

What kind of scale is that?

A subterranean dragon? It's huge.

Do you believe me now?

Uh, yes.

Here you go.

What?

I thought I'd give this to you.

After all, it seems some

people don't believe us.

You're giving?

You could probably sell

this for a lot of money.

That's all right.

We harvested plenty more.

I-In that case, could I see your guild

card to certify your information?

Certainly.

Rank F?!

Is everything all right?

Um, I feel like you're ready

to apply for a promotion.

But it's been less than two months

since I became an adventurer.

B-But

Besides, I know someone who'd be

unhappy if I raised my rank here.

What?

It's nothing.

He's coddling him again.

This is your reward.

Thank you.

Stop by anytime to offer more

information or take on jobs.

Would it be better if I raised my rank?

What?

It can't look good for

your leader to be rank F.

Doesn't bother me.

I don't care what people say about me,

but I wouldn't want others to doubt

your achievements because of me.

Idiot. It wouldn't bother me if they did.

It doesn't matter if your rank is S or

F or if you're a king or a criminal.

I'd be here either way.

You should probably avoid criminals.

This is it.

That's a big shop.

This is nice, but I believe Judge's

shop carries higher quality products.

They serve different customers.

True.

Excuse me.

Are you here to meet Mr. Judge?

Yes.

I've been told to take you to him.

This way, please.

Mr. Judge, your guests have arrived.

Mr. Lizel and Mr. Gil, I am so sorry!

I planned to wait for

you downstairs, but

You can relax.

You're our client. You can throw

your weight around.

I'd never do that.

Did we arrive early?

N-Not at all. My grandfather has

been giving me gifts, and

Judge! Take this, too.

You've already given me enough.

Oh?

Gil, huh?

Judge told me about you,

but you really haven't changed.

Shut up.

You've been putting that to good use.

You better not be slacking

on maintaining it.

Of course not.

Good. And you must be

It's a pleasure to meet you.

My name is Lizel.

I'm terribly sorry for dragging

your grandson into our trouble

and ruining your family's time together

on the first day of our visit.

I was thinking about giving

you a piece of my mind,

but you apologized before I could.

Um, Mr. Lizel, would you

like to have lunch with us?

Are you sure?

My grandfather said he'd

like to speak with you.

I'm honored. Please allow us to join you.

The name's Insigh.

I hear you've been helping my grandson.

I receive far more help from him.

I always stop by his shop

anytime I need anything.

You're an adventurer, right?

You don't look like one.

Grandfather!

Aren't you a mighty adventurer?

Then eat like one.

Grandfather!

I've been working on my appetite.

By the way, was it two

years ago that you met?

Yeah.

And he recommended that sword to you.

I wouldn't say he recommended it

You can't even tell what

weapon's right for you?!

Are there any swords that would suit me?

What? You've never properly swung a

sword in your life. Don't be absurd.

Show me what you're using now.

This is it.

You want a sword when you can use this?

I didn't want to waste the opportunity.

Honestly, you're screwed up in the head.

The head?

Oh, you're curious?

His g*n uses mana control.

Few mages can manage such

precise control over mana.

Then Mr. Lizel must be amazing.

Yeah, amazing for even considering it.

He uses mana control to

aim and position the g*n,

control the recoil,

and even pull the trigger.

Let me give you an example.

Try singing a song in

your head. You got it?

Yes.

Now add another song.

Keep playing both at the same time.

It's like that.

Mr. Insigh, I can't do that either.

It's just a comparison.

I'm saying your head's just that crazy.

I'll prepare for our departure.

Make yourselves at home.

You're not having dessert with your

grandpa on your last day here?

We had lunch together because

you said the same thing.

By the way, I have a request.

Huh?

Could you give this to someone?

These are the tunnels beneath Marcade.

Where'd you get this?

It was a coincidence.

A coincidence?

It happened to be stuck in

a book I won at an auction.

So, who am I giving this to?

Count Shadow. You know him, don't you?

What makes you say that?

It was written in this book.

You sure love books.

The Marcadia Company was involved in

Marcade's development, wasn't it?

And you think I still work with

them because my grandfather did?

I'm certain you do.

Judge is a good and very dutiful boy.

The man who raised him

undoubtedly is as well.

Well, you got me.

Since you know his name,

have you met him?

Yes. He treated me to dinner.

You mean you extorted him.

You did that to Shadow?

Speaking with a worthy opponent must've

been a nice breather for him.

Here.

I'm not eating this.

What a waste.

I'll make sure this map

gets to him. Don't worry.

I appreciate that.

Should I mention your name, too?

If you'd like.

I'm certain he'll make

a sour face, though.

Well, that's no good.

I'll be sure to tell him.

Mr. Insigh.

Huh?

I'd like to ask you for something else.

You trying to charm me?

They're pretty big.

Judging by the shape, are they

a subterranean dragon's?

I'm impressed.

They're a beautiful jade color.

So, what about these?

I'd like to sell them to you.

If possible, could you run a large-scale

advertisement and put them up for sale?

What?

I acquired them in the Crystal

Ruins just yesterday.

From a subterranean dragon of this size?

Well, you had Gil with you.

I'm not surprised.

So that labyrinth's boss was a dragon?

It was the boss of a hidden room.

Oh? There was still one left

in that old labyrinth?

I reported it to the guild this morning.

I see you understand the

concept of influence well.

By putting a few scales on the market,

you'll show adventurers that the

subterranean dragon is real.

Some people don't trust the

word of a mere rank F.

Who cares if anyone chooses not to

believe you and gets themselves k*lled?

That labyrinth is a famous

tourist spot, isn't it?

I've never heard of anywhere else where

you can see the inside of a labyrinth.

If people went missing there,

you'd lose a valuable attraction.

How nice of you to worry about that.

Okay. Let's get these appraised.

Judge, come here!

I'm almost done getting

ready, Grandfather!

Just for a moment, please.

Okay!

What? You acquired these?

It was mostly Gil.

Were you hurt?

Why the change in tone?

Here, for the scales.

Thank you.

You make bank like it's nothing.

I'm lucky to be an adventurer.

Shut up.

I finished packing everything.

The old man made you take

a bunch of gifts, didn't he?

Of course I did.

Such as items incompatible with spatial

magic that you mentioned on the way here?

I have some of those.

I managed to acquire them for cheap.

Please show me them later.

Cheap?

From the high-quality shop

you mentioned before.

Their business practices

are a bit questionable.

Yeah. They might be pushing it with

how they acquire some of their items.

But because of that,

I paid hardly any markup.

You're a good businessman.

And surprisingly assertive.

He gets the job done.

Thank you for accommodating

my sudden requests.

It's for the good of Marcade.

It wasn't insolent in the slightest.

Lizel.

Look after my grandson.

I don't have to. He's a fine merchant.

If anything, I depend on him.

Yeah, I know.

See you next time, Grandfather.

You sure you don't wanna

stay another day?

Another time.

May I take first watch again?

Sure.

I'm glad I bought so many new books.

You'd better actually keep watch.

I'll do my best.

So you'd better get some

proper sleep, too.

I know.

Well, good night.

Yeah.

Were you actually asleep?

Yes.

And Judge?

He's asleep.

I hope he's sleeping soundly.

I don't want to scare him.

You're being overprotective.

They're using cheap bows.

Bandits?

I've only seen monsters

use bows in labyrinths.

Then they must be human.

Oh? Did I miss one?

No, he dodged it.

So one of them is skilled.

Well, he's gone now.

It does seem that way.

How does it feel to be used as pawns?

Big talk coming from a twink.

Will you withdraw?

We're not letting an

easy mark like you go.

Then there's no deal to be made.

You'll regret catching the

eye of the Forky g*ng!

Your boss's name isn't Forky, is it?

Eyes on the enemy.

My apologies.

Is that everyone?

We'd better move camp.

I'll do it.

But it's not your watch yet.

I'm telling you to go

coddle him all you want.

Judge.

I apologize for scaring you.

It's not that.

I'm glad you're safe.

You stayed hidden, didn't you? Good boy.

Can you sleep?

I

It's all right. You can

keep holding my hand.

Close your eyes.

Okay.

Good night.

Is he asleep?

I'm sorry. Could you handle the rest?

It's fine. You should sleep, too.

You really coddle them too much.

Next Time

"The Night of the Promotion"

Next time: "The Night of the Promotion."