Dignity, honor, and magnifice. These three values gleamed from the figure of the middle-aged man as he ehe room. His eyes were full of noble brilliand authority as he g his guests.

  The moment they saw the lord entering, Grey, Yuna, and Eliza immediately stood up as a show of courteousness. Both Grey and Yuna evaluated the lord as the former was also doing the same.

  "Father!" ［Eliza］

  With the marance, Eliza quickly rushed to his side and tightly embraced him with a bright smile blooming on her face.

  "Liz, calm down. We have guests ht now." ［Lord］

  "Yes!" ［Eliza］

  Heeding her father's words, Eliza mannerly returo where she previously sat with her face still full of happiness. Following her lead, the lord headed trey and Yuna's dire.

  The butler, Sebastian, stood still silently by the room's entrance. He was listening in carefully and would act accly with a word from his lord, only making minimalistients as he guarded the door.

  "Your Excellencies, t Grey, tess Yuna, I bid you wele to my manor. Please feel free to ask the servants if you need something." ［Lord］

  "We're grateful for your offer, and ologize for the sudden intrusion.... Also, if it's alright to you, I wish to talk with you casually. We're not really good with formalities, you see." ［Grey］

  Grey was aware that it was rude to ask such a thing on the first time meeting a lord, but it was something he had to y down before anything else. Grey and Yuna had experienced enough formalities for the day. They don't need more.

  Of course, not just anyone could request that to a noble. Grey carefully made that request in sideration of their respective ranks and authority. He requested it because he could afford to.

  Merusia's caste system is divided into 4 main ranks. From top to bottom, they are the royalty, the nobility, the gentry, and the peasantry. Each rank could still be divided into even finer subdivisions.

  The royalty are those who rules the try. The nobility are vassals of the monarch which ruled rge territories within the try. The gentry are vassals of nobility that sist of baros, knights, and the nded gentry which are mostly of noble dest. Then there's the peasantry which sist of the on folk.

  Nobility sists of 6 noble ranks. From the bottom, there are the barons and vists which are sidered as "Low Nobility" and addressed as "Your Lordship". Then es the ts and marquesses, also called the "Middle Nobility" and addressed as "Your Excellency". , there are the dukes or "High Nobility", addressed as "Yrace". And stly, there's the archdukes which are "Semi-Royalty" and addressed as "Yhness".

  Even amongst the he rank of "Archduke" is a special o is a rank which ranks even higher than the lower ranks of royalty. A rank which is only below that of a "King" or an "Emperor".

  Grey and Yuna bearing the title of "t" and "tess", respectively, were ranked higher than Eliza's Father who held the rank of "Vist". It was the reason Grey could request the lord without much hesitation.

  "Is that so... Then please feel free to talk casually." ［Lord］

  Following Grey's request, the lord loosened up his tense shoulders and breathed out a sigh of relief. He was now wearing a more fortable and friendly expression.

  "I believe you already know my daughter, so I'll just introduce myself. My name is Fritz von Landevar, current head of the Landevar Visital house and also Moterno's feudal lord, pleased to meet you." ［Fritz］

  "I'm Grey of the B-rank party "Aster", it's our pleasure." ［Grey］

  "I'm Yuna of the same party, o meet you." ［Yuna］

  "Now that the introdus are done, I ask for the reason as to why the two of you were with my daughter?" ［Fritz］

  "Well, you see..." ［Grey］

  Fritz reached out his hand to shake Grey and Yuna's. Following that gesture, he then asked the reason for the unusual alig. He couldn't his head around the fact why his daughter suddenly brought home two high-rankers.

  In order to expin what happened in full detail, Grey asked Eliza to expin the flow of events herself. Starting from the moment they were ambushed up until when Grey and Yuna rescued them. There was ail left untold.

  "What!?" ［Fritz］

  A furious yell resouhroughout the whole room. Fritz's eyes were full e and his fists trembled as he ched them tightly. He was like a tiger who was ready to rip apart its enemies.

  It was just the expected rea from him. There was no saher who would stay calm when their daughter was attacked. It was only natural for him to be furious at whoever itted such grave as.

  "To think that that happened while I wasn't watg..." ［Fritz］

  "I know what you're feeling right now, but before that, I want to ask if you have any idea who might have been behind the ambush. It's very likely that this situation will repeat itself if no proper measures are taken." ［Grey］

  Fritz froze for a moment as soon as he heard Grey's question. It was a valid point that he had no way to deny.

  "Sebas..." ［Fritz］

  "Yes, Your Lordship." ［Sebastian］

  He didn't even need any further expnation. As soon as the butler heard his name being called, he immediately knew what to do. He was tasked to take Eliza outside the room for a moment.

  Heeding his lord's order, Sebastialy took away Eliza outside, leaving only Grey, Yuna, and Fritz ihe room with a serious atmosphere about them. It was easy to tell they were going to talk about an important topic.

  "So... It looks like you do knoas behind this." ［Grey］

  "It's only a suspi. There is only one person I know who's despicable enough who would pull this kind of scheme." ［Fritz］

  "And that is...?" ［Grey］

  "... Goldstone pany's President... Algerio!" ［Fritz］

  Fritz ched his fist tightly once again as he mentiohat was clear that he was on hostile terms with the said person. His anger only grew when he recalled what just happeo his daughter.

  Acc to Fritz, ever siwo weeks ago, Algerio had been currying favor with him in order to obtain early access to the Labyrinth of Death. But of course, as a lord, he o be fair to his subjects. That is why for that period of time, he had been deing Algerio's gifts.

  Then, three days ago, Algerio suddenly stopped sending gifts to him. That time, Fritz thought that he had given up already, but that wasn't the case at all. Since he couldn't wihe lord with gifts, he resorted to more drastic measures.

  Just yesterday, Fritz had an assassination attempt on his life. Thankfully, Fritz survived the assault unscathed and the assaulters were caught. They tried to iigate but other than the request letter for Fritz's assassination, there weren't any evidehered.

  The only reason why Fritz suspected Algerio was because the handwriting on the request letter and the letters attached to Algerio's gifts were the same. He wao arrest Algerio, but with just the simirity of handwriting as his evidence, he would not be able to. He also iigated Algerio but all his efforts had only goo waste.

  Having heard Fritz's reasoning, Grey and Yuna uood where he was ing from. The timing of the events were just too perfect for it to be called a ot to mention the simirity of handwriting.

  From those bits of information alo was obvious that Algerio was the type of mert who would do anything for wealth. And with a headstart in expl the byrinth, one would be able to collect a lot of treasures. A byrinth won't regee its treasures until the activation, after all.

  "Despicable..." ［Yuna］

  Even Yuna, who was silent ever since Fritz had entered, couldn't help out but voice her disgust towards the man named Algerio. He was someone who could be deemed trash amongst trash.

  Fritz wao protect his daughter, but when even his guards were outsmarted by the enemies, he didn't know what to do anymore. It was then that a sudderuck him like a bolt of lightning.

  "Grey, Yuna,,, I know this is unreasonable of me, but I would like to make a request for the two of you." ［Fritz］

  Fritz lowered his head as he spoke his words. His as were so out of the blue that her Grey and Yuna had anticipated it.

  Of course, Grey and Yuna made Fritz lift up his head without wasting any time. While they were of higher rank, the man before them was still a respectable lord. It felt wrong when such a man lowered his head towards them.

  "So umm... This request, what is it about...?" ［Grey］

  "This might e as a surprise, but I want to hire the two of you to bee Liz's personal bodyguards." ［Fritz］

  "Huh...? But don't you have bodyguards here already?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah. And isn't it the same as saying that they're not trustworthy if you hire other people to do their job?" ［Grey］

  "I am aware of that, but you witnessed what just happeoday. If it weren't for you two, Liz would have already been abducted. And if they send stronger men, then I'm afraid..." ［Fritz］

  A moment of silengulfed the room as Fritz expressed his reasoning towards his request. It was the only solution he could think of in order to protect his beloved daughter.

  With Grey and Yuna being B-rank adventurers, it was only reasoo request aid from them. After all, a single B-rank adventurer was enough to fight against hundreds upon hundreds of knights.

  "Haah... Alright, we'll take the job. You're also fih it, right, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Un. It's a nice ge of pace." ［Yuna］

  vinced by Fritz's determination to protect his daughter, Grey and Yuna were left with no choice but to take the job. It was their first time handling an esc job so the two were also quite excited.

  As an agreement was formed betweehree, they then decided about the terms of the tract. It was decided that it will bee a formal request through the guild and that the reward will be given at the end of the tract.

  Since Grey and Yuasked to protect Eliza, at least one of them has to stay by her side all the time. Fritz would provide aodation trey and Yuna ahem stay in the mansion. They were also free to do what they wanted as long as they could protect Eliza.

  "Are you doh your talk...?" ［Eliza］

  Just as the tract was signed, Eliza suddenly opehe door with a meek attitude. She didn't e inside and just peeked from the doorway.

  "e in, Liz. I have something to tell you." ［Fritz］

  "Hm?" ［Eliza］

  With her father's permission, Eliza ehe room in a timid manner. Curiosity ainted on her face as she approached his father. She didn't know what to expect from him.

  The moment she was within his grasp, Fritz extended his hands aly stroked Eliza's head. It was a se where a father gently showered her daughter with his love and affe.

  "This might be a bit sudden, but I've decided to hire new bodyguards to protect you. For the time being, Grey and Yuna will be in charge of your safety." ［Fritz］

  "R-Really, Father?!" ［Eliza］

  "Yes. Make sure you don't trouble them too much, okay?" ［Fritz］

  "Yes!" ［Eliza］

  Eliza's eyes glimmered brightly as excitement and happiness appeared on her face. She wasn't happy because she would be safer, but rather, because she'll be able to spend more time with Grey and Yuna.

  While Eliza wasn't an only child, her older sister was in the capital with her mother. She only has her father with her, and even then, he was busy most of the time. She was happy to have more people in her pany.

  "Elder Sister Yuna, Elder Brrey, I'll be in your care!" ［Eliza］

  "Un. We'll also be in your care, Liz." ［Yuna］

  Although it wasn't part of the pn to get involved in a noble's affairs, Grey and Yuna were happy to receive a quest from Fritz. It was a good opportunity to improve themselves as adventurers.

  While they've only met Eliza just retly, after seeing her bright and i smile, they khey made the right choice. As adults, it only felt right for them to protect that precious and i child.

  Time passed after that and evening has arrived. During the few hours they were together, Eliza listeo Grey and Yuna's adventures with ahusiastic attitude. She looked up to Grey and Yuna as heroes.

  It may have been because she has mostly speime alone, or with her maids only, but when she had the ce to i with other people, she was like a little child who never ran out of energy.

  "Grey, are you done?" ［Yuna］

  "Just a minute. I only o add some honey." ［Grey］

  As it was already evening, the time for dinner had also e. After hearing stories about Grey's cooking from Yuna, Eliza asked Grey if she could also have a taste of the cooking Yuna was so proud of.

  Grey decided to cook curry with the use of red-eyed boar meat, courtesy of Yuna's request. She has been craving for it sineither of the two had any lunch due to the sudden flow of events.

  Grey wasn't cooking aloher. Along with him was the Landevar household's head chef. It was because the chef wao learn something new while also making sure nothing stras into Liz's food.

  "Mister Rhodes, could you che the rie?" ［Grey］

  "Oh, sure." ［Rhodes］

  Following Grey's words, Rhodes checked on the rice Grey briefly told him about. He wasn't just helping Grey, he also helped out the other chefs who were also preparing other dishes.

  Some more minutes passed, and it was finally time to serve the food. Everyone headed to the dining room where Fritz aian were waiting. Eliza in particur was very excited to try out the curry.

  While it was unon for servants to join in on the meal, Sebastian and Rhodes had always eaten with them since Fritz's wife and eldest daughter were absent. It made the table feel livelier.

  """"Thanks for the meal!""""

  Without waiting for another sed to pass, Eliza quickly took a spoonful of curry a to her mouth. She was very excited because of the stories Yuna told her about it.

  "Delicious!" ［Eliza］

  Eliza ented as she savored the curry. Her rea was just like Yuna's when Grey first cooked it for her. Even their eyes were sparkling the same way.

  After the first bite, the rate at which Eliza fed herself sped up drastically. Even when her mouth was full, she kept feeding herself, making her look like a chipmunk with nuts is mouth.

  "Liz, mind your manners. The food isn't going anywhere" ［Fritz］

  "But ish shoo dewicioush!" ［Eliza］

  "See, didn't I tell you, Liz?" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, stop encing her. And Liz, listen to your father. You don't want to choke yourself, now do you?" ［Grey］

  "Alright..." ［Eliza］

  "Sorry..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna and Eliza replied with a slightly crestfallen voice as they were scolded by Grey and Fritz, respectively. Though evehey had a little sad tone in their voices, their hands still tinued moving.

  While Eliza had slowed down, it was worth noting that the rate fed herself was still amongst the fastest iable. It was only sed to one person, and that person was Yuna.

  "Grey, this... curry, is it? It really is delicious." ［Fritz］

  "I agree with His Lordship. In my thirty years as a chef, I haven't tasted anything like this. Lrey, where did you learn to cook like this?" ［Rhodes］

  A slightly troubled expression loomed on Grey's face as he heard Rhodes question. He didn't know how to respond to it. After all, he just couldn't say that he lear from the i.

  "Umm... Trial and error, I guess...?" ［Grey］

  Grey decided to go with the safest option. He wasn't lyiher as it took him a few trial and errors to create the perfect curry powder which resembled the store bought ones oh.

  With the differen avaibility of resources betweeh and Merusia, it isn't an exaggeration to say Grey "created" curry ier. After all, it was a dish whily existed a few weeks ago.

  "Trial and error... Lrey is a cooking genius..." ［Rhodes］

  Rhodes' eyes were painted with admiration as he looked at Grey. His warirey was now pletely gone. He now looked at Grey as a fellow chef.

  After dinner, Grey and Yuna were brought to their own rooms by a maid. The rooms selected were just a few doors away from Eliza's so that they could easily respond if ever there was a threat.

  "Wow..." ［Grey］

  As soon as Grey entered his room, a luxurious se greeted him. There was a fancy king-size bed, plete with drapes and opy, high-quality chairs, desks, and drawers, full of intricate designs, and even the curtains looked very expensive.

  While Grey could probably afford it, the thought of damaging something expensive in the room made quite the toll to his mind. It was mentally exhausting to think how much he'll have to pay if ever he got himself in such a situation.

  "Ah!" ［Grey］

  As Grey saw the bed and the bedroom appliances, a sudden realization came to him. It had totally slipped his mind due to the happenings he had experienced.

  Grey had remembered that they were still lodging in the "Blue Spring". He realized that he still o inform the inn that they'll be g their remaining stays aurn the keys to them.

  "... Nah... Let's leave that problem to future me..." ［Grey］

  Deg to leave things be, Grey ged from his advetire into his casual clothes and ed himself with magic. He then jumped towards the rge bed as he decided to retire for the day.

  As soon as he id down on the bed, a feeling of fort and sleepiness started to envelop him. He could feel the fatigue he had accumuted during the day leave his body slowly.

  While the fort of the beds from the "Rabbit's Den" and the "Blue spring" were already terrifying, a bed in a noble's household was on another level. It was as if one was lying down on the clouds.

  As the fort of the bed slowly engulfed him, Grey's eyes started to close and his sciousness started to fade. In just a few minutes, Grey was already sn as he peacefully drifted into dreamnd.

  CHAPTER 40 END