Dark Fantasy Guide for the Summoner - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 42.
Royal Capital Ⅱ
The Delver’s Eleven Articles refer to eleven provisions established by the Founding Monarch, who is called the first Delver.
And the Seventh Article I mentioned just now…….
“All Delvers may use the possessions of another Delver who has died or become unconscious—unable to manage their own belongings—in order to survive and return. However, the scope of such use is limited to water, food, medicine, cold-weather gear, equipment, tools, and items necessary for survival and exploration.”
“…….”
“The Exploration Crystal you mentioned was already the personal effect of a deceased Delver. I merely recovered it. To survive.”
Strictly speaking, the crystal was found in the front compartment—that is, where the control cabin was located.
In any case, since the conductor had recovered the effects of a dead Delver, there’s nothing false about that.
“However, Kaindle, you are not registered as a Delver.”
“That’s right. Before we set out, I was a Fire Mage.”
“A Fire Mage, you say?”
“Is that a problem? Or would you like me to recite the First Article right here?”
“…….”
At my curt reply, the man who had been silent for a moment murmured aloud.
“……’Delver’s First Article. Anyone who pursues the exploration of the unknown may become a Delver, and such qualification disregards age, gender, social status, and race.’
By regulation, it is even possible to receive Delver status posthumously, though this is not mentioned here.
It’s just an extremely rare case.
“I was a Fire Mage, but we were attacked by shadows on the journey, and the train was overturned.”
“A train overturned? You don’t mean the <Armano> that departed in the fourth quarter?”
That was the name, as I recall.
I nodded instead of answering, and the area murmured again. All sorts of incidents occur during forest expeditions, but a train being capsized is rare.
“When I came to, the surviving Delvers had all vanished into the forest.”
“Ah.”
The man let out an exclamation.
It sounded like both admiration and a sigh. His ice-cold face seemed to be touched briefly by bewilderment and difficulty.
I spoke from the heart—not as if I were aggrieved, but because I genuinely was.
“What could a mere Fire Mage have done in that situation? I rifled through the wreckage of the broken train, salvaged one intact Exploration Crystal, and headed straight into the forest. I survived by exploring, and eventually made my way back to the Royal Capital alive. That’s all there is to it.”
“…….”
The man’s gaze turned toward Cria and Seigrena, who stood to the side.
Both nodded quickly.
“That’s all true. If Kaindle hadn’t been there, we would have all died…….”
“His manner of speaking is a bit tactless, but he’s not the type to lie.”
I would have preferred more logical reasoning, but it seemed that was enough.
“Mm.”
The man, who had been exhaling slowly, looked at me and promptly bowed his head.
“My apologies.”
“…….”
“It seems we were under some misunderstanding on our end.”
“……Think nothing of it.”
I felt the sharp gazes around me fade away.
I thought for a moment that the misunderstanding had been cleared.
“That fellow’s pretty capable, isn’t he?”
But it seemed there was more to it than that.
“For a Fire Mage, his quick thinking is impressive. Far better bearing than the one we brought into the party this time.”
“Kaindle, was it? I wonder if I should spar with him sometime and see his actual skill…….”
“Well, if he survives, that is.”
[You have proven your innocence before multiple Delvers.]
[Your Reputation increases slightly.]
……My Reputation rose.
It’s a stat that barely increases in the forest, but it’s different in the city.
Here, even the smallest gesture or word becomes the subject of public judgment.
‘Higher Reputation is always better.’
The higher it accumulates, the wider my range of action becomes, and the broader the scope of what I can cover up if things go wrong.
Put in somewhat extreme terms, if I exceed ten thousand, I could even bury the act of killing another Delver.
It would cost some money, though.
“Then let’s settle the payment first.”
“Pardon?”
“For the exploration—the amount we quoted.”
“Ah. The assessment has already been completed. Let’s head to the counter together.”
I headed to the desk with the man.
The attendant greeted us with a pleasant smile.
“The Lowest-tier Exploration Crystal has the ID number E-18870312-423. The crystal’s new owner has been registered as Kaindle in place of the deceased Albert. The discovery verification process is complete. Here are 35,000 Seeds, but…….”
“Have you deducted the return magic fee as well?”
At my question, the attendant looked somewhat taken aback.
“Ah, there’s no need for that.”
“No need?”
“We’ll waive the return cost from this settlement.”
When I fixed him with a skeptical gaze, the attendant smiled again.
“It’s an apology for the rudeness our guild has committed. Though it’s a modest gesture, I hope you’ll accept it.”
Even as he said this, the attendant’s eyes remained fixed on the man standing behind me.
‘Keeping an eye on his superior, is he.’
All that posturing for a mere thousand Seeds per person.
“Thank you.”
Of course, digging graves didn’t yield a thousand Seeds, so I decided to accept the kindness graciously.
“There’s something else I’d like to purchase separately.”
“Yes, please tell me.”
Basic supplies needed for Delver activities could be purchased here as well.
I listed what I wanted to buy, and the attendant promptly handed the items over. Just as I was about to leave after settling the accounts―
“My name is Kamiyou.”
The man bowed to me again.
“Kaindle. I apologize once more for today’s rudeness.”
“……It’s fine. Mistakes happen when you’re working.”
“It’s my responsibility to ensure such mistakes don’t happen. I’m truly sorry.”
There was something oddly familiar about the way he clung to his apology.
I studied the man for a moment, then nodded and spoke.
“That’s true. Then next time, please handle things more carefully. So that victims like me don’t appear again.”
Only then did Kamiyou’s expression improve.
He was the type who felt better hearing a reproach than being let off easy.
“Well then, welcome back once more. I hope you have a pleasant stay in the Royal Capital.”
Kamiyou departed with a precise bow.
“…….”
So that was Kamiyou. I’d had a nagging sense I knew him from somewhere.
A talented staff member of the Delver Guild and a first-class Delver in his own right. Depending on the choices I make, he’s an A-rank NPC I could even recruit as a colleague.
‘He’s a holder of the Principle trait.’
In other words, when he makes a mistake like this, it’s better to deliver a sharp reprimand than to tell him it’s fine.
Since he doesn’t forget his own errors, he’ll be on my mind going forward.
With the right timing, I could get some small favors out of him.
“Done? Finished? Then you’ll hand over the crystal, right?”
As I returned to our table, Seigrena spoke in an urgent voice. Instead of answering right away, I showed her the item I’d bought at the desk.
“First, sign this.”
What I handed her was a single sheet of paper.
Seigrena took the paper and tilted her head in confusion.
“What is this?”
“A contract.”
“What kind of contract?”
“Sign here in exchange for the exploration crystal.”
Seigrena shrank back.
“What, what are you asking for? Surely not the Montrie House’s assets―”
“Of course not.”
Scamming a noble in the middle of the city would require a Reputation of over ten thousand.
“Just read through it once, and if there’s anything strange or uncomfortable, tell me.”
Naturally, there were no problematic clauses.
This was a standard contract that a Delver party coming out of the forest would use. Every clause was standard.
If I had to sum up the content in a word…….
“……A confidentiality agreement?”
“That’s right.”
All information obtained from the Eternal Forest was both power and wealth.
For that reason, temporary parties like ours would typically sign a confidentiality agreement after completing a single expedition.
‘Information about the Safe Haven and the state of the Woodman Colony, among other things.’
I glanced at Cria. She tilted her head, seemingly oblivious as always.
She probably hadn’t realized that I’d brought this contract specifically because of her.
…….
That’s right. Cria was now a Necromancer, and it was best to keep that fact hidden for a while.
‘Necromancers don’t face the same open rejection as black mages, granted.’
To be officially recognized as a state-sanctioned Necromancer, there were annoying bureaucratic procedures to navigate—none of which I was prepared to handle right now.
Even official recognition wouldn’t rid people of their prejudices. In other words, keeping it secret was the wisest course for now.
“I’ve finished reading it.”
Seigrena, who had skimmed through the contract, looked at me and asked a question.
“What happens if someone breaks this clause?”
I bit back the urge to say ‘It’s written right there, you idiot’ and answered instead.
“You die.”
“Gasp…….”
“Not really—but since you’d be breaking the contract, depending on circumstances, you might have to pay compensation of tens of millions of Seeds. If you’re unlucky, you’ll serve prison time too. In short, you’d be branded a criminal.”
“A, a criminal…….”
Seigrena’s face went pale in an instant.
True to her noble bearing, the disgrace of becoming a criminal seemed to trouble her far more than the prospect of losing tens of millions of Seeds.
‘Information about a Woodman Colony wouldn’t fetch more than a few hundred thousand Seeds at most.’
Scaring her like this couldn’t hurt.
“Oh, as long as I don’t tell anyone, it’s fine, right? Right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Perfect……!”
Apparently still coveting the Exploration Crystal, Seigrena ultimately signed the contract.
The Delver Guild would keep the signed contract on file, so I could finally relax.
Only then did I hand the crystal over to Seigrena.
“There. With this alone, I can…….”
Seigrena, trembling as if she’d just grasped her long-awaited jewel, suddenly cleared her throat and spoke.
“Ahem. You.”
“What?”
“……Well, a lot happened, but still. You’ve been through quite an ordeal.”
Seigrena smiled.
Whether smiling was unfamiliar to her or whether expressing gratitude embarrassed her, her expression looked thoroughly ridiculous.
“……Yeah. You’ve worked hard too.”
I suspected I’d never see Seigrena again.
There was no reason for a noble-born young lady to venture into the forest twice.
“If you ever come by Montrie House later, I’ll at least buy you a meal.”
“Sure. I’ll drop by once I run out of money for food.”
“What kind of thing is that to say.”
As Seigrena laughed, she spotted Alon approaching and rose to her feet.
“What are you doing? Moving like a sluggish caterpillar. You did finish everything properly, didn’t you?”
“Y, yes…….”
“Then hurry up! Don’t tell me you don’t know where Montrie House is?”
“Ah, I understand…….”
Now that we’d reached the Royal Capital, Alon’s expression had grown even more sour, but what could he do? It was their own karma, after all.
I’d been curious about how that party would end up, but now wasn’t the time to worry about others.
After parting ways with Seigrena, I finally turned to Cria and spoke.
“By the way, where’s your home?”
“I don’t have what you’d call a home.”
“Then where were you staying before going into the forest?”
“Hmm. There’s a lodging house where I stayed long-term…….”
A lodging house…….
I nodded and spoke.
“Let’s go there then.”
“Okay.”
I left the guild with Cria. Outside, night had already fallen, but the night of the Royal Capital wasn’t as dark as the forest. Instead, it was filled with light so bright it hurt the eyes.
…….
I saw well-maintained roads, lampposts spaced at regular intervals, and crowds moving peacefully beneath their glow.
For a moment, I fell into the illusion that I hadn’t been pulled into a game world at all—that I’d simply come on a foreign trip to some famous tourist destination. The memories of wandering through the wild forest and risking my life felt like nothing more than a dream.
Tap.
The illusion quickly faded. Blades hung naturally from people’s waists as if it were the most ordinary thing…….
Such distinctly unconventional figures passed by me that they barely seemed like they were in disguise.
An elf woman with pointed ears, a dwarf no taller than my waist, a reptilian humanoid with scales running across his skin—
……
The surreal spectacle, layered with exhaustion, left me feeling as though I’d been drinking.
“You alright? Want me to carry you?”
I shook my head at Cria’s offer.
Wandering behind Cria in that daze for some time, I finally opened my mouth at the sight of a three-story building that looked like an inn.
“This seems like it might not be cheap.”
“Really? I’m not sure.”
Now that I thought about it, these people had enough money to carry several High-rank Potions around with them.
This is what comes of bourgeois types.
“Kazen will probably wake up fine with some rest. If his condition gets worse, we’ll need to head straight to the Temple, so let me know. For today, get some proper sleep and we’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Where should we meet again?”
“I’m staying here too, so how about the restaurant on the first floor around one o’clock in the afternoon? How does that sound?”
“Sounds good.”
In any case, I’d be making a formal offer to join forces, so there was plenty to coordinate—reward distribution, future guidelines, and so on.
After parting ways with Cria and Kazen, I paid for my room and headed upstairs. For reference, the daily lodging fee here was three thousand Seed.
‘Disgustingly expensive.’
Though it was worth the price.
The room was spacious enough, and it even came with its own private bath. Perhaps I should be grateful that the game’s time period wasn’t entirely antiquated.
Exhale.
After washing up, I collapsed facedown onto the bed.
Having slept on bare ground with only a blanket for weeks, the bed cushion felt almost uncomfortably soft.
……
But sleep wouldn’t come.
I was exhausted, certainly, yet I had the distinct feeling that even if I kept my eyes closed for a long while, sleep simply wouldn’t arrive.
“…… Like I’ve chugged an energy drink on an empty stomach.”
Eventually I rolled out of bed and sat down at the desk.
Pen and paper lay on its surface. Using them would probably incur an extra charge, but at the moment I wanted to scribble something down and organize my thoughts.
‘What I need to do going forward.’
Now that my first expedition was complete, there was an avalanche of things to handle starting tomorrow.
My class was decided, my direction roughly set—now was the moment to craft a refined growth build.
‘There are more than a few things to verify.’
First, I needed to precisely understand what had changed now that reality had shifted. That would expand my options considerably.
“Options, huh……”
Suddenly I recalled what had happened at the guild.
The moment I’d rebutted Kamiyou and blocked what should have been a mandatory Forced Event.
Thump.
My heartbeat grew sharper.
Only then did the precise word to describe my situation occur to me.
“…… High risk, high return.”
By gaining choice, I’d raised the probability of clearing the game.
And that was, in fact, the very essence of the Path of Opportunity.
‘Easy, Normal, Hard, Hell.’
Four difficulty levels in total.
Naturally, the higher you climbed, the exponentially greater the gameplay difficulty became—yet paradoxically, the clear probability rose alongside it.
From weak enemies and safe maps, the items you could obtain were pitiful. Growth had its limits with only that.
In that sense, I was now attempting a new difficulty I’d never experienced before.
‘What should I call it.’
Muttering to myself, my gaze suddenly drifted outside. A crescent moon hung in the sky.
The moment thoughts of the Frost Sun and ashen moon flitted through my mind, my lips parted of their own accord.
“Lunatic.”
Difficulty: Lunatic.
If there existed a place more brutal than hell, perhaps its name would be madness itself.
I set down my pen and, for a long moment, let the cold moonlight fill my eyes.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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