Chapter 12: “If I were killed, what would you do?”
The entrance of the Hysterm Family home.
“Today is the day I bid farewell to this home where I’ve lived for over a decade. I will finally grow and embark on the long road of learning.”
“Fate has treated me with pain, and I will repay it with a mournful cry, with my iron-like fangs, with my heart tempered thousands of times over.”
“A young boy will eventually set sail, towards an unknown destiny and the blue sky.”
Standing before thecarriage, Will looked back at the grand Hysterm Family estate with a mix of emotions.
Only Iaar…
“Th-that Young Master… May I confirm, we… we are truly just going into the city to study, right?”
“Yes, what’s wrong?”
“Then, why are you dressed like this, Young Master!?”
“Oh, no need to mind it. This is the inner barrier of a boy leaving home for the first time.”
—Wearing a helmet and thick knee pads on his hands and feet, Will said.
“Then, why are we putting armor on the horse too!?”
“Oh, no need to mind it. Forging a new path forward often requires the mud churned by heavy hooves.”
—Stroking the white colt wearing armor with a +10% heat resistance, Will said.
“Then, why are we driving an armored vehicle!?”
“Oh, no need to mind it. This is the most solid shield the family, sending me off, has given me, so I won’t fear the hardships of the journey.”
—Pointing at the heavy-duty armored vehicle for dungeon expeditions, Will said.
“You don’t need to worry about him, Iaar. You should be used to it by now after all these years.”
Aunt Susan said, patting Iaar’s shoulder.
“Mm. Yes… Yes, right, I have to convince myself that what Young Master does is always the right thing!”
Iaar said, shaking her ears and nodding.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was early spring. The apple trees by the river were sprouting new buds, casting swaying reflections on the shimmering lake.
This road was the Hysterm Family’s private path to the city, so it was quiet and peaceful.
However, on this road now, an armored vehicle was moving slowly, pulled by a strong white horse that was panting even in its youthful vigor.
Will, clad in almost full armor, sat inside the vehicle, looking out the window. It was a little hot.
But…
Iaar had changed out of her maid outfit and put on a black dress.
The off-the-shoulder neckline of the dress perfectly exposed her delicate shoulders, which were slightly red from the heat after her recent training.
The low neckline also accentuated her well-developed bust, giving her a mature look, while the small bow tie at her neck added a touch of cuteness. The inside of the dress’s hem was red, adding a hint of wildness to the all-black attire.
Even Iaar’s beast ears were adorned with small black bow ties.
Iaar repeatedly said that she could just go out in her regular maid outfit, but Will had stopped her, saying, “After entering the city, you might need to attend school social events, so it’s good to get used to it.”
Oh, actually, on this important day, Will chose this formal outfit for Iaar with a personal motive.
Iaar’s black little dress had a yandere vibe, as if she might pull out a kitchen knife at any moment.
She was very dark, which he liked.
Will was quite looking forward to seeing Iaar’s state in her first battle.
So he made her dress in a way that fit his imagination.
“Young Master… this road is so empty.”
“Mm, of course. It’s the Hysterm Family’s private transport road. Most people don’t even know about it. It’s usually only used when important dungeon equipment is being sent to the city.”
“Hmm… So the Hysterm Family is that powerful? This is their private road…”
“Ah, that’s where you’re wrong. Because of my dad… Oh no, the Master’s new systemic reform for dungeon adventures, we are now likely the object of flattery for the Royal Family and various dignitaries. Perhaps we’re at the top of the food chain.”
“Ah… so hard to understand.”
Iaar tilted her head and ears.
Although the character of Will was both a comedic relief and cannon fodder, the Hysterm Family behind him was anything but.
Because the Hysterm Family, as “merchants” who operated dungeon adventures and owned several large Adventurer’s Guilds, were the ones who controlled the most resources and productivity in this world.
In the basic setting, dungeons in this world were an efficient and versatile “production site.” If we were to use an analogy, while goods in the modern world are earned through the labor of workers, here, most raw materials, goods, and circulating items are obtained by adventurers exploring dungeons.
The raw materials and goods found through dungeon exploration are obtained much faster than producing them in their own world, but the risks are not small.
Therefore, in this world, the level of “productivity” depends on the efficiency and cost of dungeon exploration (especially the cost of human lives).
These dungeons, which inexplicably appeared on the continent, silently provide various raw materials for this world—whether it be minerals, timber, medicinal herbs, or weapons, they can all be obtained from dungeons, and sometimes finished products can be directly acquired.
For various countries, dungeons are important strategic resources.
This is also the reason for the Hysterm Family’s rise. More than ten years ago, the Hysterm Family discovered some secret, their exploration efficiency skyrocketed, and the risks were drastically reduced. In the future, the family will develop related industries around this, such as adventuring team rankings and dungeon tourism.
This directly led to changes in power within the Empire, especially the decline of the Royal Family, and also spurred a series of subsequent reforms in various countries.
It can be considered the “industrial revolution” of this world.
There must be some hidden threads behind this vast and mysterious family, but unfortunately, before Will came here, the original work had not updated to this part.
Now, all the information about the Hysterm Family is held only by him, this Young Master who will be killed by a Slime…
Thinking this, Will looked out the window.
He could already see the rooftops of the tallest buildings in the prosperous capital. It was an old clock tower, its spire glinting in the afternoon sunlight.
If that’s the case, then danger is probably approaching.
Will turned his head and looked at Iaar.
“Iaar, since there’s nothing else to do. How about I test you with another question that wasn’t taught in class or written in books? It requires quick thinking.”
“Yes, Young Master, Iaar will answer any question.”
Will thought that Iaar had become much more lively. He couldn’t imagine she was the obedient and cowardly maid from his past life.
“For now, just pretend I’m someone you like—though I know that’s difficult. Assume… assume a scenario like this.”
“Mm.”
“Your Young Master, after all, is the Young Master of the Hysterm Family. He will inevitably encounter ‘assassination attempts’ in his life.”
“Mm, I learned about that in maid training.”
Will thought that the Hysterm Family indeed trained combat maids.
Then his own training wasn’t too far off.
“If one day, I encounter a very strong assassin and receive a severe blow, falling into a pool of blood…”
“Young Master, what kind of blow would it be?”
Will paused, imagined the scene, and then slowly began:
“Imagine, it’s like a few days ago, when you and I saw that… that Extreme Flame Meteor in the training grounds.”
“It suddenly appeared before us…”
“But it was actually prepared.”
“It disrupted our plans and our lives, and instantly ignited the air around us—”
“And I was like a feather, gently falling into a pool of blood and ruined ruins…”
Will turned his head and looked at Iaar.
It was the first time Iaar had seen his smile so profound, as if he were joking, yet so eager for her answer—as if if the answer didn’t please him, he would abandon her mercilessly.
She saw “danger” in her Young Master, who, although often erratic, was undoubtedly gentle.
“…What would you do?”
“I…”
Iaar had never prepared for this question.
Hearing Will mention it, she began to imagine the assassination scene in her mind, but only the image of Young Master Will injured appeared…
Perhaps it was because Will had described it in such detail that her imagination became clearer.
The image of this elegant and dignified Young Master in front of her, with a gaping wound and blood gushing out…
Her mind began to go chaotic.
Cannot, cannot, cannot let Young Master get hurt.
Don’t, don’t, don’t want to see him bleed.
Don’t, don’t, don’t let this happen.
“I… *pant*… *pant*…”
Why, just thinking about such a trivial matter, did an inexplicable emotion well up within her?
Her heart beat very fast, and her breathing became rapid.
All the blood in her body seemed to rush to her brain, hotter than when she was in the sauna.
Cannot die, cannot die, cannot die.
Who did it, who did it, who did it.
Kill them, kill them, kill them.
Dismemberment, burning at the stake, water torture, slow slicing, being torn apart by horses…
Bring it all on, wouldn’t you?
Initially, her mind could form coherent words, but in the end, it was filled with overflowing emotions and a single purpose—
Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill.
But…
If he were seriously injured…
Just like it says in “Blackening 300 Questions”…
Would he be able to stay by her side forever?
