Volume 7, Chapter 65 – The Shaky Opening

After learning of Dominic’s visit, Yisi, Laxy, and Camilla went to the temple’s reception hall. Under the attendance of a nun, Dominic had already been waiting for a long time.

What made Yisi not know whether to laugh or cry was that the current Dominic had no noble air about him at all. Not only was he holding food in both hands, but his mouth was also puffed up like a frog’s. At first glance, he looked like someone who hadn’t had a proper meal in a long time.

He looks travel-worn. He must have just returned from his father’s.

Without pointing out Dominic’s table manners, Yisi pulled Camilla to sit opposite him. Laxy, as was her habit, stood behind the sofa.

“Have you just returned, Dominic?”

“Mph? Mmphh!”

Having not noticed Yisi enter the room, Dominic was startled when she spoke and immediately choked on his food. He clutched his neck with both hands, his eyes bulging as if they were about to pop out of their sockets. But even so, he tried to stand up to greet her.

“Lord Dominic, water, quick, drink some water!”

A nun in charge of receiving guests quickly handed him a cup. Dominic, who had nearly choked to death on a piece of bread, was thus barely saved. He patted his chest, gasping for air.

“Hah—hah—I almost thought I was going to see my grandfather in heaven. Thank you.” Giving the nun a weak smile, Dominic took a moment to catch his breath before formally greeting Yisi. “Good afternoon, Cardinal Yisi.”

“Instead of greeting me, you should fill your stomach first, Dominic. You look like you haven’t eaten in days.”

“Uh, I was just too excited, and I rushed back, changing horses along the way, so I forgot to eat. I only felt hungry after I sat down to rest properly…” Dominic glanced wistfully at the food on the table. Although hunger was a factor, another reason he was eating so ravenously was that he normally didn’t get to eat such good food at home. “But your matter is more important, Cardinal Yisi. Filling my stomach can wait.”

If I let him go hungry, I’ll feel bad. Besides, I’m not one to be a stickler for etiquette. Yisi smiled and gestured downwards with her hand, signaling for him to sit.

“You can eat while we talk, Dominic. I’m not one of those old folks who insists on formalities. I heard from your brother Derrick that you were summoned by your father, the Marquis of Taris, to the capital of the marquisate. At the time, I thought you would be kept at home to inherit the family business.”

“Haha, and that’s the reason I rushed back. You have been a great help, Cardinal Yisi.”

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Taking a large bite of a bacon and vegetable sandwich, Dominic swallowed and continued.

“The reason my father summoned me was not to settle accounts, but to praise me in front of the other family members. After I sent the Crimson Gold-grade weapon you gave me back home, my father immediately had it appraised. The result was that the sword you gave me does not belong to this era, but is a product from before the war between the Blood Clan and humans. Only in the legendary Age of Gods could such a powerful magic weapon be produced.

Although my father can’t use the sword, what he values most is its collection value. A magic weapon from several thousand years ago made him so happy he couldn’t stop smiling. When he summoned me back, he had just invited the dukes and counts from the surrounding territories to a long-planned exhibition of his collection. Duke Hebis and Duke Wozwal even started arguing over who would get to try the sword. After hearing that it came from the labyrinth, both dukes are now planning to send their own adventurers to explore it. With this, Gota will surely prosper in the future.

Ah, and that’s not even the most important part. The most important thing is that my father praised my achievements at the exhibition and finally acknowledged that my work in Gota is not a waste of time. He even said that as long as he is alive, I can continue to be the city lord of Gota and do as I please. This is wonderful! Cardinal Yisi, this is all thanks to your help!”

As he spoke, Dominic stood up from the sofa. Yisi even had the illusion that if there wasn’t a table between them, he might have walked up to her and excitedly grabbed her hands.

Is this what you call a person who pursues their ideals? If he fails as a city lord, he just goes home to inherit a marquisate. If you told that to those who dream of being born into a good family, they’d surely jump up and down in anger.

“As long as you’re fine with it, Dominic. It was an equal trade between us; it can’t be called help. You gave me Laxy, and I gave you a Crimson Gold-grade weapon. At least in my eyes, I’m the one who profited greatly from this exchange. Laxy is countless times more excellent than any Crimson Gold weapon.”

I can forge as many Crimson Gold weapons for Dominic as I want, but there is only one Laxy. As I am now, I cannot create an intelligent puppet like a God-Forged Angel. Besides, Laxy cannot be measured by value. She is both serious and cute, and at the same time, she knows her place and is very considerate. If I were as petite as Mary, I would surely not be able to resist dropping my dignity and acting spoiled in front of her—the softness of her thighs during a lap pillow is more addictive than any pillow.

Perhaps considering that Laxy was in the room, Dominic did not emphasize whose value was higher, but steered the conversation in another direction, speaking hesitantly as if embarrassed.

“Um… Cardinal Yisi, although I am very grateful for you giving me such a precious weapon, a normal Crimson Gold-grade weapon would have been fine. Yet you brought out a legacy from the Age of Gods. Such an expensive item must be rare even for the Church… But please rest assured, when I become the Marquis of Taris in the future, I will definitely not forget the help of the Ymir Church today.”

Not quite understanding the meaning behind his words, Yisi blinked. Seeing her confusion, Camilla quietly explained.

“Dominic sees your gift as a gesture from the Church to win him over. He is telling you, Onee-sama, that he will provide convenience to the Church in the future.”

Her mouth forming an ‘o’, Yisi’s face showed sudden understanding.

So that’s what it was.

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But I had no intention of winning him over; this is definitely his own assumption. Of course, there’s no need for me to explain it clearly either. Since the ultimate beneficiary is Evelyn, I’ll just go and get my reward from her later.

Yisi smiled and nodded.

“So, do you plan to stay in Gota from now on, Dominic?”

“Although I’d like to stay until we clear the final floor of the labyrinth with everyone, I don’t think that’s possible in my generation. A while ago, our group of Mithril-rank adventurers, who pride ourselves on our strength, watched Miss Camilla and Miss Edith subjugate monsters. The monsters we used to think were difficult are now all being swept away by your family, Cardinal Yisi. There were even some adventurers who wanted to defeat the Margaret adventurer team to prove their own strength, but in the end, they couldn’t even beat the dogs Miss Camilla is raising. If even their domestic animals are so strong, the owners must be even stronger. And some of us are even higher level than Miss Camilla and the others.

Perhaps, just as Nana said, level isn’t everything. Our group still has a long way to go. So recently, I’ve been thinking of taking my team to my family’s home and the royal capital to train, to see if we can study under any masters.”

“Indeed, level isn’t everything. The spells you’ve mastered and your practical combat skills are also very important.”

The reason I stopped power-leveling my companions was to slow down their leveling speed, to let them discover more useful skills in battle, and then to solidify those skills in their souls through leveling up. Dominic, on the other hand, only cares about his level. He’s level 28, but his number of skills is pitifully small.

By the way, have my companions had a conflict with the local adventurers? Although I don’t know the cause, from Dominic’s expression, it seems that the other party provoked my companions first, which is why they were bitten back by the Charleses. Although I don’t know which unlucky person it was, I still silently prayed for them and quietly asked Camilla.

“What happened to those people?”

“Just as Charles was about to use its fire magic, Mary stopped it. Hmph. They insulted you, Onee-sama. Their proper fate was to be turned to charcoal.”

A coldness filled Camilla’s ruby-like eyes. Yisi couldn’t help but think that if Mary hadn’t stopped her, Camilla would have just watched as those adventurers were burned by Charles. It seems I’ll have to keep Laxy by her side as a final insurance in the future.

“Eh… did Camilla start it?”

“No. When we came out of the labyrinth, those people took a fancy to the Charleses and wanted to buy them from us. But that is your property, Onee-sama, so I refused them. In the end, they tried to take them by force and insulted you, saying you only became a cardinal of the Church by seducing men… I should have gouged out their tongues right then and there and made them watch as Charles ate them.”

“Uh… I have already punished those out-of-town adventurers. They were actually trying to provoke Miss Camilla that day, then defeat her to increase their own fame. I have banished them from Gota and ordered that they are never to set foot here again.”

Dominic wiped the sweat from his forehead, cautiously peeking at Yisi’s expression.

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Yisi sighed. Even if she tried not to be famous, trouble would still come looking for her. The insults of those adventurers were really infuriating.

Also, for Dominic to be able to say something like, “they couldn’t even beat the dogs Miss Camilla and her group are raising”, it’s hard to imagine what he would think if he knew the true strength of the Charleses. They are just acting as bodyguards for Camilla and the others. If they were to fight the monsters in the labyrinth, they could chew through it in a matter of days.

In that case, would Dominic’s long-cherished wish be solved?

Yisi suppressed the strange thought that had popped into her head.

“Ah, thank you, Cardinal Yisi. Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. I was hesitating for a long time about whether to leave this treasure trove of a labyrinth. After all, the leveling speed is fast, and there are many treasures. Other places don’t have these things, so it was a difficult choice. Now, someone has finally given me some advice. Thank you very much. I will go back and discuss it with my companions.”

“Yes. But what about the affairs of Gota? As the city lord, it’s not so easy for you to leave, is it, Dominic?”

“I plan to leave it to my younger brother, Derrick. Although he can’t see the big picture, he is more than capable of governing a city. And it’s not like I’m leaving Gota for a long time. I’ll be back every so often to handle necessary matters. By the way, what’s the name of the sword you gave my father, Cardinal Yisi? Weapons from the Age of Gods usually have their own names. My father has recently put up a reward for its name.”

“A name…”

How could a sword I forged casually have a name?

But if I say I don’t know, I’ll lose face .

Yisi could only guiltily look at the ceiling and make up a name on the spot.

“If I remember correctly, that sword is called Durandal.”

I just took a name from a legend. I hope Dominic doesn’t see through it.

Yisi secretly glanced at his expression. The latter was looking down, deep in thought.

“Durandal… that’s a good name. I’ll tell my father when I get back. He’ll be very happy.”

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“Yes.”

“Ah, that’s right. And about the waterway. I heard from my subordinates before I came that you helped us solve the problem of the drying lake. I had originally taken the opportunity of being summoned by my father to ask him for a contingent of troops to assist in subjugating the monsters, to have the army protect the adventurers as they went deep into the forest to clear the waterway. I never thought that you and the angel lady alone would solve it. Combined with the help of the Crimson Gold weapon, I really don’t know how to thank you. After thinking for a long time, I decided to use my authority as city lord to publicize your achievement of clearing the waterway.”

“Guh…”

Yisi, who had just taken a sip of her tea, nearly spat it out. She managed to swallow it with great effort. Beside her, Camilla gently wiped the corner of her mouth.

“Th-thank you, Dominic…”

No, if I could, I’d like to sew your mouth shut with a needle. If [Solidify] magic could be used directly on living beings, I would use it now to stick your lips together.

He talks too much. Although he means well, he really talks too much.

I spent so much time explaining to the residents just to pass half the credit to Laxy. But with just a few words, Dominic has thrown the hot potato back to me. Before long, Laxy will just become a shadow in the story of the waterway incident. Damn it.

Suppressing the urge to beat Dominic up, she continued to exchange pleasantries. Then, the earth suddenly began to tremble violently. The tableware on the table rattled, and the chandelier on the ceiling swayed from side to side. The violent shaking even caused some of the nuns in the corridor to fall to the ground.

“An earthquake?” It was the earthquake ten years ago that had caused the labyrinth to appear in the mining city, and that time, it had led to the city being ravaged by monsters and nearly destroyed. Dominic shot up from his seat. “Cardinal Yisi, let’s get out of here!”

“Yes. Camilla, you and Laxy go to the courtyard and meet up with Edith and the others first. I’ll go and get the priests and nuns out.”

“Understood, Onee-sama.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The four of them quickly left the room.