Chapter 96

Security Headquarters

Peterson, a deep-layer adventurer who is prominently mentioned as the next likely Director General of Security Headquarters and currently serves as Consul of Security Headquarters.

He was receiving a case report from Chief Security Officer Neko.

The identity of the 4th floor thieves, the four-person party including Ingelram, Rilwid who was distributing replicas, Plandor’s drug distribution case, the Golden Golem and Blacksmith that unusually appeared simultaneously at the steel mill. The battles fought after the steel mill’s structural transformation.

“……And finally, Wizard Caleb was able to escape by defeating the Blacksmith. That concludes my report.”

“Caleb.”

That guy again.

Consul Peterson immediately recognized the name from Neko’s report.

Lately, that name keeps being mentioned among Soren’s celebrities.

Peterson first encountered it from Cardinal Servan of Nataniel Temple.

‘We conducted a collaboration project with Magic University. It was research and field investigation into the possibility of preserving the souls of adventurers consumed by madness and its mechanisms. The university had a very smart freshman who did an excellent job.’

The name he heard then was exactly Caleb.

Next was Professor Meldini from Magic University.

‘Caleb? He’s a beloved student of mine. Our club? No…… Really……Unfortunately, he was stolen from me. By Isilof. But it doesn’t matter. After all, all university students are kids I’m raising.’

Next was Edward Berten, a reliable sponsor who handles a considerable portion of Security Headquarters’ budget.

‘There’s a freshman named Caleb. He’s in the same first year as our Abisson, but his skills are extraordinary. I suspect he’ll skip grades soon.’

Edward also added this story.

‘Security Headquarters is quite short-staffed, isn’t it? Try recruiting Caleb once. He’ll certainly refuse full-time employment, but he might accept part-time work.’

Next, he saw his name in the report on the Antonelli murder case that occurred on the 3rd floor.

Next, in the report on the investigation mission of security officers detained in Black Dog that Neko conducted.

Next, in the interrogation report of former Inspector Ennes, who was captured on suspicion of colluding with Black Dog.

‘Who would have thought that this Ennes, a former 6th floor adventurer, would be caught because of a low-layer wizard.’

Next, that name was mentioned by Chrome, the Orc Berserker who was a Black Dog executive and deep-layer adventurer.

‘A cunning little guy whose head works deviously well.’

When Enver was proven to be a possessor and released, Chrome also added this comment.

‘But he’s still a greenhorn.’

Given his personality, that was a kind of extreme praise for a rookie adventurer.

Consul Peterson simply couldn’t figure out what kind of person that man was.

It’s really not easy for a rookie adventurer to be simultaneously mentioned by such figures.

But this time, upon receiving the report, he learned new facts.

‘His party members are also quite extraordinary.’

Consul Peterson pointed to the Zoin tribe member in the report and asked Neko.

“Do you know who this Zoin tribe member is?”

He’s like Ingelram’s right-hand man. And he’s been wanted worldwide for a long time.

“Gulshan Kanad.”

A thief from the labyrinth city Madurai, who gained infamy as an assassin for hire in the north.

And according to this report, a low-layer rogue called Mister Backstab almost overwhelmed Gulshan in a duel and actually managed to defeat him.

One more thing.

According to the temple report that Neko compiled.

“A monk named Aimus subdued the barbarian from Ingelram’s party?”

“Although it was before the barbarian used Berserk.”

Neko’s answer deepened the Consul’s contemplation.

That barbarian’s name was Brold.

He was someone who won the low-layer champion belt at Ash Citadel, the barbarians’ sanctuary.

Not to mention someone like Ingelram, but the executives of that party, including the halfling druid, were quite famous skilled fighters among adventurers.

So Neko’s intention to request support from outside the labyrinth was a reasonable choice.

With Neko’s team’s strength, they could never subdue Ingelram’s party.

As a result, they ended up receiving support from Caleb rather than Security Headquarters’ inspectors.

No. Then that means Caleb’s party demonstrated inspector-level combat power.

“Just what kind of people are they.”

Consul Peterson’s interest deepened.

“I’d like to meet them directly.”

***

After meeting them directly, the feeling was somewhat different.

The Consul was quite flustered internally while personally awarding silver merit medals at Security Headquarters.

“A medal! Kyaa. I’m not interested in honor, but this kind of thing really works well with girls in back alleys, you know. You should try it too, brother.”

Backstab pinned the medal to his chest and giggled at Caleb.

“When you’re playing at tables and girls are like, ah, this brother is such a player, that’s when you pull it out. Right from your pocket.”

Just before the girls, somewhat disgusted by Backstab’s playboy nature, were about to leave, a suddenly appearing medal refreshes the atmosphere.

Wait, this man unexpectedly has this side to him!?

I thought he was a playboy and scoundrel, but is he actually a solid and serious type in his main profession?

So much so that he even received a medal from Security Headquarters?

“…… Brother is so cool!……That’s how it goes.”

“……”

“And if there’s a girl who’s my type but a bit timid and doesn’t know how to have fun? That’s when the medal works too.”

Don’t be scared. Little fawn.

I’ll just finish this drink and take you home. You don’t trust brother? Don’t worry. I’m the safest man in Soren. Really. Look at this, Security Headquarters gave me a merit medal. I’m not bragging. Usually I’m too shy to take it out.

Just…….

“Don’t be so scared. I want you to enjoy yourself more. You……Would look prettier when you smile.”

Backstab demonstrated his flirting-exclusive deadly gaze.

“Then most of them stay out of curiosity and drink a few more glasses. And then…… Want me to take you home? Even when I ask, sometimes they don’t go. Heh heh heh.”

The Consul genuinely wondered if he should give this bastard a medal.

“Um……Ahem. Consul sir. I looked into the medal a bit.”

The monk was also somewhat strange.

His face clearly showed extreme excitement.

“Is it true that with this, I really get 0.2% preferential treatment on home mortgage loan interest rates?”

“……Yes? Ah, yes.”

“Oh! Then bonus points for admission to private schools and kindergartens too?”

“Yes, there are.”

“Waaa! Property tax and inheritance tax reduction benefits, public facility admission fee discounts, and even free annual health checkups for medal holders and their direct ascendants – can I really receive all of these?”

“Yes, it’s true. However, health checkups are only available at public health centers.”

“Thank you so much! Although I didn’t fight at the steel mill expecting to receive something like this……! Thank you so much!”

The Consul felt somewhat dizzy as he handed the medal to Yernil.

An archer who played a key role in driving back Ingelam and the barbarian, and destroying the Golden Golem’s core nucleus.

However…….

‘Why is this one acting like this again.’

That Elf archer was somehow looking at Neko’s profile with a sullen expression.

“Yernil.”

When Caleb gently tapped her shoulder, Yernil startled and turned her attention to the Consul.

“Ah! Thank you. The medal.”

And Yernil pinned the medal to her chest, but she pinned it upside down.

“Yernil. You pinned it backwards.”

When the wizard pointed it out, Yernil hurriedly corrected the medal’s direction.

‘Are these really the people from Neko’s report?’

The Consul simply couldn’t believe it.

Only one person matched the image he had originally imagined.

Caleb, standing there calmly.

“Here’s your medal. You’ve really done great work for Security Headquarters and Soren.”

The Consul asked while awarding him the medal.

“Is there anything you need Security Headquarters’ help with?”

“There is one thing I’d like to request.”

Then the wizard immediately brought up his business as if he’d been waiting.

“Could I read the materials and records that Security Headquarters investigated regarding the labyrinth eruption 12 years ago?”

“……”

The Consul’s eyebrows rose slightly because it was an unexpected request.

“Of course. I’ll show you everything we can show you.”

“Could I also access Level 2 security materials?”

“Security materials can only be accessed if you become a security officer.”

While answering, the Consul thought he understood what Caleb was thinking.

Because the timing of the question was quite coincidental.

“Are you thinking of becoming a Civilian Security Officer?”

As Head of House Berten had recommended, security officers can work part-time.

For example, Priest Mikhail, who worked together with Neko’s team this time, is also primarily a priest of Nataniel.

He’s just working part-time as a security officer.

However, taking a job in such a part-time form requires full-time work as a security officer, but what Caleb wanted was more freelancer-like work.

“Civilian Security Officers have no obligation to work full-time. And you can refuse missions assigned by Security Headquarters. Instead, you don’t receive regular salary, but get paid each time you cooperate with operations.”

Consul Peterson explained.

It’s literally like a freelance security officer.

Security Headquarters doesn’t often propose such positions. For example, think about the Black Dog and Ennes case.

Bringing unreliable outsiders into operations would only leak information.

Therefore, only adventurers evaluated as considerably trustworthy can contract as Civilian Security Officers.

For example, someone who received a medal.

“If I become a Civilian Security Officer, I can access Level 2 information too?”

“Yes.”

The Consul nodded.

“However, some administrative processing is needed, so please visit in two days.”

“Yes.”

“Please sign the contract first!”

The Consul hurriedly pulled out documents, worried he might change his mind.

Magic University, Black Dog, Nataniel Temple, Adventurer’s Guild.

Lately, countless organizations in Soren are paying attention to this wizard. Now Security Headquarters is one of them too.

***

Jingle.

Coming outside, I fiddle with the coin in my pocket.

It was an item taken from the treasure room on the 4th floor.

What I wished for then was ‘a coin like the White Lion flag of the inter-floor village’.

It was to verify Chrome’s testimony.

If the White Lion monster really appeared when the labyrinth erupted 12 years ago, and if that creature is intelligent and capable of dialogue, it’s likely related to the inter-floor village, and wouldn’t a coin appear like with the Spider Doctor?

Experiment result.

‘A coin came out.’

A coin with the face of a male lion with a pure white, abundant mane appeared.

What if that monster really came out of the labyrinth and is now disguised as a human, leading Enver Club while living at Magic University?

At this point, it’s necessary to reconsider Henry’s dying message from the labyrinth eruption 12 years ago.

‘To all possessors.’

‘Beware of Magic University.’

Perhaps that wasn’t referring to something like Meldini’s lie prevention magic.

‘Then what should I do.’

Now I have a Watcher.

Honestly speaking, if I summon an assembly through Izel and put a Watcher in that place, it’s over.

But given the opponent, it would be better to be cautious before moving.

And there seems to be something else I’m missing…….

Pop!

A note arrived.

[This is Izel. Please let me know a convenient time to receive notes.]

I quickly ran to the magic tool shop and bought a Message Transmission wand.

The one I used before broke at the steel mill.

[Now is fine.]

5 minutes after sending the reply.

A message arrived from Izel.

[This is Izel. I investigated Caleb’s former party members.

I’m sharing the information I’ve discovered so far.

① Bipa

-Race: Spirit tribe

-Gender: Male

-Occupation: Sorcerer

-Said to be a deep-layer adventurer with considerable skill.

② Mugol

-Race: Tiger tribe

-Gender: Male

-Occupation: Warrior

-Similarly a deep-layer adventurer, famous since he and Bipa traveled as a duo.

Recently both have mysteriously disappeared……]

The following message is somewhat worrying.

[……there are rumors they went to Soren.]

Why did these bastards come to Soren again.

I want to go to the labyrinth again.