Gacha Addict in a Matriarchal World-Chapter 187: Intention (3)

Lydia was taken back to her homeland. The charge was, surprisingly, treason.

“What, what is that all of a sudden?!”

I was feeling proud after trying various things all night, pondering what to ask for breakfast today.

“It’s exactly as I said! The knights rushed in, claiming Lydia was a traitor, and took her away!”

“I don’t understand from the start… Did they mobilize a force capable of taking a high-ranking adventurer by strength? Was Miss Lydia from the Empire?”

The Empire. Known simply as the Empire, is the strongest nation on the Pan continent.

Of course, it is weaker than Pangrave, which has a Labyrinth and countless superhumans…and adventurers drawn to it.

That’s why they are always scheming to conquer Pangrave and monopolize the Labyrinth.

They actually possess the power to make it possible, too.

The Labyrinth itself is open to everyone unless you’re a criminal, so they send loyal knights and mages there to gather strength.

Or they scout adventurers who have already reached higher levels by offering them money and status.

Thus, a special unit is formed, and they live under the decree of absolute loyalty to the Emperor but receive treatment that befits their power as they grow stronger.

For the day when they will invade Pangrave.

If Lydia were from the Empire, and lately, she’s been infatuated with some boy, avoiding the frontlines and only lingering in the lower levels.

Then the Empire might have seen Lydia as a recruitment target. Especially considering her fallen knight family background, she could be a recruitment target subjected to quite strong pressure.

Well. Benny’s answer upon returning was completely outside of my concerns.

“No? Lydia is from Istoria.”

“Ah….”

Although it’s not the Empire, mentioning Istoria makes Lydia’s usual demeanor mostly understandable.

Istoria was originally a northern barbarian tribe, but as civilization developed and warriors began to be called knights, the tribe became a nation that has continued to this day.

The God of Barbarism and Duels whom they worshipped naturally became the God of Knights and Honor over time.

Since ancient times, they have been known as a nation of knights, obsessed with duels and mastering aura.

Although the God of Knights met death in the War of the Fallen Gods, it did not signify the downfall of Istoria.

Of course, having gone through the Age of Barbarism, the Golden Age, and even the War of the Fallen Gods, the nation has developed a highly advanced aura management technique, allowing it to survive and continue its legacy.

“Wait a minute. Then what exactly is this accusation of treason in Istoria? It’s not like Miss Lydia’s family hasn’t fallen long ago, so it can’t be for political reasons…”

It’s highly likely that they want something from Lydia herself, rather than for any external reason.

At my words, Benny sighed deeply and shook his head.

“I don’t know either. Lydia never really talks about her homeland, and even when she does, there’s nothing particularly significant. No matter how much I think about it, nothing seems to add up.”

“Even though Istoria values honor no matter what, it’s essentially a nation that despises trickery… But how did they manage to take Miss Lydia away in the first place?”

Istoria is a fairly powerful country, but to confront Lydia, they would need to mobilize the core forces of the nation.

Moreover, it’s located very far from Pangrave.

Were they willing to risk a gap in their defenses just to capture Lydia?

“Hmm. That’s a bit different. I could’ve alone, taken down the ones who came. But they whispered something to Lydia, and she gave up resisting and boarded the carriage willingly! They must have caught onto some kind of weakness!”

“Miss Lydia’s weakness…enough to bear the disgrace of treason.”

Of course, if Lydia is also from Istoria, it makes sense why she was so obsessed with noble behavior.

And treason is the greatest dishonor for a knight. No matter how much I think about it, I can’t find anything Lydia would risk that for, just like Benny said.

“Sigh….”

A sigh escapes involuntarily.

Unlike Ellie or Eve, Lydia is someone I never set up myself.

Considering the previous Benny assault incident, Lydia was probably destined to lose her life there as well.

However, with my intervention, both Benny and Lydia survived, and this talk of treason is an extension of that event.

This matter is difficult to infer by revisiting my existing settings.

Istoria wasn’t even that significant to begin with.

For a moment, I pondered with Benny, foreheads pressed together, about where to start solving this.

Naturally, our conversation continued from Fairy and Silver Coin, and Ellie, who was preparing a simple breakfast nearby, was also listening.

Ellie extinguished the fire in the stove for a moment, then brought out a ‘Closed’ sign from somewhere and set it up in front of the door.

Then, very casually, as if she were just going out for a stroll, she spoke.

“Alright. If we turn Istoria upside down, something will come out.”

“…Huh?”

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Ellie continued, lightly clenching and unclenching her new prosthetic hand.

“Literally. Go make a mess, find out what’s going on, and if it seems like she’s been framed, beat them all up and bring Lydia back.”

“Uh, um. What if it’s not a frame and it’s real?”

“Then beat up Lydia and bring her back.”

“……”

Oh my.

The sheer audacity left me momentarily speechless. But more concerning than Ellie’s brash move was the confidence she subtly exuded.

Ellie seemed genuinely confident about causing a ruckus in Istoria, the so-called land of knights, and returning safely.

“Of course, Jonah, you’ll have to wait here.”

“What? No, I’m going to rescue Miss Lydia. How could I stay behind?”

“But Jonah…you’re, weak.”

“……”

That stings a bit.

Of course, it’s true that I’m weak compared to the two of them. High-ranking adventurers who reached the 7th Floor. Even when Ellie was missing an arm, she was stronger than most high-ranking adventurers, so imagine her strength now that she has regained it.

The strongest adventurer is set aside as a different character, so I might not be on that level… Still, it’s certain that I’m among the top five in Pangrave when it comes to combat prowess.

Yeah. It’s true that I might appear weak in Ellie’s eyes. But isn’t it only natural to feel a bit indignant when someone says you’re a hindrance?

Even so, I’ve managed to conquer the 3rd Floor, I’ve drawn quite a few things from the gacha, and above all, the masculinity from Earth that I can’t completely discard quietly raises its head.

“I don’t want to.”

“Jonah. This isn’t a joke…”

“If I prove that I won’t be a hindrance, that’s enough, right?”

“How? I’ll grant almost any request, but anything that endangers you is an exception.”

I blurted out before Ellie’s sermon mode could drag on.

“The 4th Floor.”

“Huh?”

“The Floor Guardian of the 4th Floor will appear in three days. I’ll take it down within those three days. That should be proof enough, right?”

“…You’re saying you’ll clear the 4th Floor? At best, an adventurer at the beginning of the 5th Floor would be on par with Istoria’s knight commanders. If you’re at that level, there’s no need to worry. But do you really think that’s possible?”

The 3rd Floor is harder than the 2nd, and naturally, the 4th Floor is harder than the 3rd.

Especially since the monsters on the 4th Floor, the undead, have an overwhelming number, and there are many mentally exhausting traps, making it a place that cannot be cleared in a short time.

Yet I declared that I would clear such a 4th Floor in just three days.

No matter how unbelievable my actions have been so far, it’s hard to easily believe. Indeed, Ellie continued with a doubtful expression.

“Jonah, I know you have the Unicorn Dagger, and it’s effective against the undead. But taking down the Floor Guardian in just three days with that alone is too much. If you overexert yourself, you could end up in danger in the Labyrinth, not Istoria.”

“Attach Shadow to me. Then it’ll be fine. No matter how reckless Ellie is, you wouldn’t invade Istoria without any preparation. I’ll prove myself while you’re gathering up your things.”

“……”

Ellie started pondering in silence. After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“No matter how much you exaggerate your specs, facing the Floor Guardian with just that is impossible.”

“Then…”

“Yeah. If you succeed in the upcoming 4th Floor Floor Guardian subjugation as you claimed, let’s go to Istoria together.”

“Yes! You made the right decision, Ellie!”

With a joyful giggle, Ellie sternly points her index finger at me.

“However, you should take Benny instead of Shadow.”

“Well, I’m fine with it, but doesn’t Benny also have a lot to prepare?”

When I turn my head towards Benny, she shrugs proudly in response to my gaze.

“I’m different from other mages, so I don’t have much to prepare. Of course, it’s not like there’s nothing at all….”

“If you let me know, I’ll get it together for you.”

“Thank you, Ellie. Yes, it’s always better when someone else helps out.”

Since it’s all good, I guess there’s nothing for me to worry about.

I suddenly stand up and grab Benny’s hand roughly.

“Huh? Uh?”

Ignoring Benny’s startled reaction, I confidently address Ellie.

“Then I’ll head to the Labyrinth right away. We don’t have much time, so we should hurry.”

A 4th Floor speedrun?

I mentioned it because I thought it was possible.