The Hero Becomes the Duke’s Eldest Son

Chapter 86

It had been about fifteen days since Aden’s party arrived in Kartan City.

Recently, a hot topic was circulating within Kartan City.

“This time, they conquered the dungeon in the northern district!”

“Crazy, how many times has it been already?”

“They’re sweeping through all the active dungeons!”

Dungeon conquests involved killing the boss monster chosen by the dungeon core as its guardian and clearing out the monsters within the dungeon.

Originally, dungeon conquests required a team of dozens of people.

No matter how well-prepared they were, they had to accept the loss of equipment and the casualties or injuries incurred.

For this reason, most of the mercenaries residing in the dungeon city couldn’t even think about conquests. Instead, they stayed near the entrances, defeating monsters and harvesting magic stones and by-products.

Although there were many dungeons in the dungeon city, only one or two were conquered every two to three months.

However, once they managed to conquer one, it was common for another dormant dungeon to wake up somewhere else.

But that was a story of the past.

The people of Kartan City were astonished.

“It’s unbelievable! Eight dungeons conquered in just fifteen days!”

Eight in fifteen days.

This meant that a dungeon was conquered almost every other day.

It was unprecedented.

It was all thanks to a mercenary party that had recently arrived in the dungeon city.

A party of four, led by an impressive warrior who looked almost like an ogre.

“Unbelievable, conquering dungeons with just four people!”

“But if you see that big guy, it makes sense. Is he a half-ogre?”

The presence of Bali the priest was so overwhelming that everyone naturally assumed he was the leader.

But there were also some curious eyes.

“Why are such strong people going around conquering dungeons?”

In a world full of powerful beings who used magic and mana martial arts, there was only one reason why dungeon conquest was slow.

It was troublesome.

Killing the numerous monsters like pests and collecting the bodies one by one was tiring work.

The rewards were minimal compared to the effort.

Occasionally, one might be lucky enough to find a rare artifact, but that was like winning the lottery.

Strong individuals who could easily conquer dungeons would make more money going to the four great wildernesses of the continent and hunting large monsters.

For them, dungeon conquest was unnecessarily troublesome and not profitable.

With such skills, it was standard to have already established a guild or become a knight for a noble family and live grandly.

Although it was honorable, it was not profitable, so there were very few who were passionate about dungeon conquest.

“We don’t know why they’re doing it, but isn’t it a good thing? The dungeons were a headache anyway.”

Indeed, the dungeons brought wealth to Kartan City.

But they were also ticking time bombs that could go off at any moment.

Because of this, the ordinary citizens of Kartan City always lived with a sense of worry.

“You’re right. We were always worried about when a dungeon break might occur. We should be grateful to them.”

Thus, Aden’s party gradually built up their reputation.

* * *

Meanwhile, the protagonists of the rumors, Aden’s party, were conquering a dungeon again today.

– Grrrr!

The boss monster of the gnoll nest, the Gnoll Tribe Chieftain, fell miserably to Aden.

– You have defeated the boss monster, Gnoll Tribe Chieftain.

Aden removed the golden bracelet from the gnoll chieftain’s arm.

‘Good, now I’ve got the Bracelet of Protection too.’

The Bracelet of Protection.

An artifact that wouldn’t be known to the world for another three years. It generated a shield when imbued with divine power, aura, or mana.

– Um… sir?

The summoned spirit merchant, Rabbits, looked longingly at the Bracelet of Protection.

– Could you sell that to me…?

“No way. I have no intention of selling this. Elise, take this bracelet.”

Since the Bracelets of Protection came in pairs, it was good to give one for protection.

Elise was delighted to receive the bracelet.

“Wow, it’s pretty! Thank you!”

– Darn it.

“In return, I’ll sell this dungeon core at a lower price.”

– … Thank you, sir!

Rabbits forced a smile, his lips twitching.

He briefly reflected on how he got involved with such a human.

‘How does he know the locations of all the hidden artifacts and cores in the dungeon? Is he really human?’

He even suspected Aden might be a spirit disguised as a human.

Regardless of Rabbits’ inner turmoil, Aden calmly gave instructions to his party.

“Bali, there’s a treasure chest behind that rock. Lowe, take three steps forward from where you are and dig the ground there. There’s an artifact buried. Elise, you…”

“Oh! There’s really a treasure chest here!”

“I see the artifact buried here! Sir Aden!”

Rabbits trembled with rage.

Most humans didn’t know if artifacts or treasures were hidden right under their noses.

Spirit merchants typically made a living by collecting the things those humans missed.

But this human, Aden Remes, was finding all the treasures and artifacts.

It drove Rabbits insane.

“Rabbits. I’ll sell this artifact for 100 gold. You can sell it later for about 110 gold, right?”

He even knew the value of the items!

Rabbits couldn’t cheat and buy items cheaply.

This was the ninth consecutive time.

Rabbits could never understand, but Aden was a dungeon expert.

In his previous life before the regression, he had conquered numerous dungeons and knew the origins of artifacts found by others.

And even if he didn’t know where an item was hidden, he found it through educated guesses based on his experience.

So there was no artifact or treasure in the dungeon city that could escape Aden’s eyes.

“Oh, Lowe. Break down that wall over there. There’s an artifact behind it.”

“Yes, sir!”

– Noooo!

Leaving behind the desperate cries of the rabbit spirit merchant, Rabbits, Aden’s party cleared their ninth dungeon, the Gnoll Nest.

* * *

The day after clearing the Gnoll Nest dungeon, Aden’s party visited the Maedala Mercenary Guild.

As they entered, mercenaries who were already there whispered among themselves.

With Aden’s sharp senses, he heard the murmurs of the people around him.

“Look over there. Are they the famous dungeon conquerors?”

“That big warrior is one thing, but the others are so young. Amazing…”

“Does that little priest go into dungeons too?”

“Hey, watch your mouth. I saw what happened to the last guy who picked a fight… trust me, you’ll regret it.”

Most of the voices were filled with admiration and awe.

There were a few envious glances, but not many.

Bali the priest seemed to notice this as well and puffed up with pride.

“Elise’s reputation is certainly growing well. Coming to the dungeon city was a great choice, young master.”

Conquering the most dungeons in Kartan City was an honorable achievement that would greatly help Elise build her reputation.

‘Well, it seems like you’re becoming more famous.’

Bali the priest’s overwhelming presence was the cause.

A female employee recognized Aden’s party and greeted them warmly.

“Welcome to the Maedala Guild. Ah, it’s you. Hello. And hello to our little priestess!”

“Hello!”

“Aww, how cute.”

She smiled warmly at Elise’s polite bow.

She adored Elise, whose appearance was as cute as a doll.

“I heard the news. Congratulations on your ninth dungeon conquest!”

“Thanks.”

By now, Aden’s party had become a well-known dungeon-conquering group in Kartan City.

Thanks to this, their rank, which started at E-grade with a bronze badge, had risen to C-grade within fifteen days.

Aden also understood how the mercenary guild system worked.

Today was the time to advance to the next grade.

Achieving such a promotion within fifteen days was difficult.

However, the guild’s grading system was based on achievements and performance.

Considering they had conquered nearly ten dungeons in fifteen days, it wouldn’t be strange if they reached A-grade.

“Due to your accumulated achievements, you will be promoted from C-grade to B-grade…”

“Wait!”

At that moment, a male employee came down and interrupted the female employee’s actions.

He approached her and whispered something in her ear.

“What? Really?”

Her eyes widened at what the male employee conveyed.

She turned to Aden with a bewildered expression.

“Mr. Marcus, the guild master, wants to meet you personally and give you the promotion.”

Marcus, the guild master of the Maedala Guild, had finally taken notice of Aden’s party.

* * *

Aden’s party cleared dungeons at an unprecedented speed.

Achieving such results so quickly, the guild master had to come out and commend them; otherwise, his reputation would suffer.

As they entered the guild master’s office, a middle-aged man working on documents at his desk came into view.

“You’re here.”

His broad shoulders and a scar running vertically across one eye were striking.

His neck also bore scars, hinting at a past filled with rough battles.

Although he had left mercenary work long ago, his body was still muscular and well-trained.

His formidable appearance exuded an undeniable aura of intimidation.

‘Marcus Maedala.’

A man who once made a name for himself as an S-rank mercenary.

Aden admired the subtle aura of a semi-master flowing from his body.

‘It’s rare for a mercenary to reach this level.’

It was an inevitable fate due to the harsh physiological characteristics of mercenaries.

In that sense, Marcus was one of the few strong individuals, ruling from a position equivalent to a sword master in the eyes of mercenaries.

Yet, such a man stood up and bowed to Aden’s party.

And the one he bowed to

was…

“Marcus Maedala, guild master of the Maedala Mercenary Guild. I greet the saintess of the Sacred Fire Order, Elise.”

“…!”

It was Elise.

“Huh, wh-what…?”

“Hmm…”

Elise and the others were unsure how to react.

The fact that Elise was a saintess was still undisclosed.

He also bowed to Aden.

“I also greet Young Master Aden Remes. Congratulations on reaching the semi-master level at such a young age.”

“Ha.”

Only Aden chuckled lightly.

“It seems you’ve done your homework on us, Guild Master Maedala.”

He probably knew the personal details of the entire party, not just Elise.

Marcus gave a slight bitter smile.

“Mercenaries are everywhere in the world. I’m a notable leader of a place where such mercenaries gather, Young Master Aden Remes.”

Indeed, as the leader of a large guild that divided the city, his information network was exceptional.

Aden’s party had rapidly conquered many dungeons in a very short time.

It was inevitable that the leader of a guild would investigate the emergence of such a new powerful group.

‘This was expected.’

It was convenient not to have to hide their identities, but there was a concern.

“I understand that the mercenary guilds do not mention a person’s past or true identity casually?”

It was an unspoken rule. Even if they investigated, they shouldn’t reveal it.

But Marcus broke that rule.

“You must have a request for us, Guild Master Maedala.”

The guild master wanted something from the Sacred Fire Order.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bowed so low as the leader of the city.

Marcus’s eyes widened in surprise at Aden’s words.

“…Indeed, you’re sharp.”

Aden Remes.

As far as he knew, half a year ago, he was famous as a wastrel noble.

Then suddenly, news came that he had changed.

Until now, he wasn’t sure of the truth, but seeing him now, it was clear.

He was no wastrel.

He needed to reassess all the information he had gathered about Young Master Remes.

With a serious expression, he spoke.

“Yes, you’re right. I need your help. Specifically, Elise’s help.”

“Me? Why me?”

Elise blinked in confusion, pointing to herself.

Desperation filled Marcus’s eyes.

“Saintess, if you could possibly… help my daughter…”

Just then.

Knock, knock!

Someone urgently knocked on the office door and burst in.

It was one of the Maedala Guild’s staff.

“Mr. Marcus!”

Marcus frowned slightly and asked.

“James, what’s the matter?”

“It’s your daughter, Miss Charles. Her condition has worsened! Another fever…”

“What…!”

His face turned pale and hardened.