MV – Chapter 160 – A Suspicious Story and the Minor Villain

“It was only recently that earthquakes like these began.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus rose from the sofa, reaching for the whiskey on a shelf.

“Would you like a drink, Lanpeach-dono?” (Bacchus)

It looked like a high-end whiskey, since it is stored in a crystal glass bottle of all things. Bacchus looked dandy holding the whiskey in one hand and deftly balancing two crystal glasses in the other.

“Then I’ll take you up on the offer.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach crossed his legs and smiled coolly, determined not to be outdone in sophistication. When a minor villain smiles coolly, others might suspect betrayal, but surely that’s just paranoia.

Bacchus poured whiskey into the glass on the table. Lanpeach, watching the clear brown liquid, was surprised to see whiskey served at room temperature.

He wasn’t fond of whiskey. He liked beer, wine, sake, and even shochu, but whiskey’s strong barrel aroma had always put him off. He even avoided highballs. So he wasn’t very familiar with how to drink it.

“What did you think of this earthquake?” (Bacchus)

Lanpeach accepted the glass and took a reluctant sip, enduring the smell he disliked, and swirled the glass in his hand. He may not enjoy whiskey, but in this kind of scene, it was a cool choice, so he had no other option but to drink it.

“Well… I’d say it’s a sign of the dead Vapula’s revival.” (Lanpeach)

An event triggered as soon as Lanpeach arrived. It feels like a game, he thought as he took another sip. Couldn’t they at least add ice? He’d be able to drink it if it were cold.

“That’s what I thought too… Especially since nothing else but this building is shaking.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus himself was not surprised either. He sighed and slumped his shoulders.

“Everyone has a faint suspicion of this as well, right?” (Lanpeach)

“Yes… Though many believe things will work out somehow. Some are moving their assets just in case, but relocating high-value assets is risky even if it is in the Surface District, so it is not that much.” (Bacchus)

Many are willing to risk their lives when seeing wealth that allows them to live in luxury for life. This is even more pronounced in times of chaos. Even the supposedly safe Surface District would probably see people turning to robbery, evading the police and wielding weapons.

“The Surface District isn’t much different from a slum once you tear a layer off. So, you have an idea, don’t you?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach pretended to drink, and secretly poured the whiskey into a Dimension Pouch. If he couldn’t handle drinking it, he should have just refused, but that would have been second-rate. Lanpeach wasn’t about to spoil the cool atmosphere here.

“This Vapula is a rare facility where we can mine endless ores and isn’t affected by spirit powder. With Vapula’s infinite resources as a backdrop and our superior technology, the Onodera family held near-top power in the Surface District.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus gave him a sideways glance for some reason. Lanpeach didn’t understand why he was being glared at.

“But recently, someone has started bringing out things like food and Artificial Spirits for public safety. People think what’s coming next might be weapons and daily necessities.” (Bacchus)

Now he understood the reason for the glare.

“The Underground District won’t go as far as weapons. I don’t think the Onodera family will be troubled by it.” (Lanpeach)

This was true. Weapons required EXP. Who in their right mind would want to start selling them, knowing it would reduce their own EXP?

Bacchus drank his whiskey as though it were water, his sharp gaze checking Lanpeach’s sincerity before relaxing.

“Well, that’s probably right. The Underground District wouldn’t compromise its own advantage. But still, there are those everywhere who act out of fear of that slim possibility.” (Bacchus)

“A classic case of the elder’s dilemma, huh?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach raised his empty glass, pretending to admire it to avoid a refill.

[S-Soldier. You mean the prisoner’s dilemma.] (Libra)

“A prisoner wouldn’t trust a neighbor even when they become an elder after all.” (Lanpeach)

Thanks to Libra’s whispered correction, Lanpeach tried to brush it off. It sounded like a stretch, but Bacchus nodded in agreement.

“A cynical remark, Lanpeach-dono. But quite accurate. Few truly trust others, no matter how old they get.” (Bacchus)

Bacchus furrowed saying that’s how society is.

“And they’re the cause of this uproar. They ventured to the forbidden altar deep within Vapula, seeking unknown technology. They never returned. These earthquakes began soon after.”

“A forbidden altar? What’s that?” (Lanpeach)

An intriguing keyword. He wanted to enter a place that’s forbidden for sure.

“It’s a facility built 1,200 years ago when this corpse came to be. We’ve never entered, so we don’t know the interior. All we know is that the outer door couldn’t be broken by any attack.” (Bacchus)

They apparently tried to break it. Dwarves seeking technology wouldn’t be able to hold back.

“So you did try to get in. Well, that’s fair. Only people blinded by superstitions wouldn’t try.” (Lanpeach)

“We’ve aimed to break the door for generations. But responsibility lies with the one who opened it once it’s opened. It’s like a joker card you desire but don’t need once you hold it.” (Bacchus)

Lanpeach gave him a baffled look, but Bacchus, with a thick-skinned poker face, remained unphased.

“A terrible story. So, you still have more to say, don’t you? You’re not just twiddling your thumbs because they didn’t return from beyond the door, right?” (Lanpeach)

“We’d be honored if they broke it, but it seems they acquired a key card from somewhere and just opened the door and went in. We dispatched a fully equipped elite team after them, but they didn’t come back either.” (Bacchus)

“Let me guess, you want to hire me to investigate.” (Lanpeach)

“Umu. We’re not foolish enough to keep sending more teams into such a dangerous place even elites didn’t come back from. We were just considering forming a joint investigation team with you when we heard about the duel.” (Bacchus)

“A joint team?” (Lanpeach)

“Yes, joint. I doubt you’d want to end up as a pawn of the Underground District, would you? It would be wise to take any options available. A technological alliance with the Onodera family would surely be a benefit to you.” (Bacchus)

“What a bold move. If Vapula revives, the Onodera family is finished, you know.” (Lanpeach)

“Exactly. If Vapula revives, our family is doomed. So it’s not unreasonable to prepare to act in a way that maximizes our benefits if we succeed in preventing its revival or removing another cause.” (Bacchus)

“Very well said.” (Lanpeach)

Bacchus laughed heartily with a ‘gahahaha’. His composure and rationality, even with the risk of ruin, was impressive. He was fully in control, fitting of the head of an Armed Family. If Lanpeach were in the same position, he might just grab his fortune and flee.

[Libra, can you analyze this Vapula?] (Lanpeach)

Of course, that depended on Vapula’s revival. Lanpeach kept a poker face as he sent his thoughts. Libra, meanwhile, looked at the whiskey with a grimace after licking her finger, but then she flashed a grin.

[Leave it to me. Time to show you the wonder of Libra-chan!] (Libra)

Libra, who had turned into just a stupid girl lately, spun gracefully through the air and held out her hand.

[Libra E~ye! Beep beep beep! I’m seeing it! I’m seeing it!] (Libra)

The stupid shrine maiden struck a pose with sound effects to match, and a log appeared in the air.

[Vapula, the Deceased: Charging energy for revival, 28% complete.] 

What’s this? Energy charging? Lanpeach almost asked Libra about the unfamiliar display, but she tilted her head, so he refrained. It was likely something the Space Library was responsible for.

[Stop the revival of Vapula! Enemy level fluctuates with energy charge rate. Currently at Level 3.]

A new quest was added to the log. During the last dimensional rift incident, the network connection to the Space Library was down, so no quest was issued, which was vexing. But this time, it seemed okay.

(A quest with enemy strength increasing with energy charge rate? So, the longer we leave it, the stronger the enemy will become.) (Lanpeach)

It is currently Level 3. It is extremely obvious that it would have turned pretty bad if he hadn’t noticed this.

[This is a growth-type quest. Vapula was the type of demon that absorbed energy after all.] (Mira)

Mira’s hologram floated down gracefully. She must have heard about the quest and arrived immediately.

[If we hadn’t found this, the demon would have revived and it would have been a big disaster! We’re lucky, Soldier! We’ll stop it right here!] (Libra)

Libra shadowboxed, looking all pumped. At Level 3, it should indeed be an easy win. They were lucky.

Libra was right; there were enemies like this in games. The kind that grew stronger if left alone, like the Yamate Line Boss. Over time, the strength of the enemy boss would reach a whole new level.

[The enemy’s energy level increases every time it exceeds 10%. Once it passes 90%, it’ll reach level 9, transforming into the ultimate boss.] (Mira)

Mira nodded with a serious expression, conveying the enemy’s strength.

[I see… that’s dangerous.] (Lanpeach)

[Alright, then! Time for Soldier and me to fuse! Come on, let’s go take it down!] (Libra)

He looked at the enthusiastic Libra, then at Mira.

[The enemy’s level increases every time it passes the 10% threshold. Once it passes 90%, it’ll reach level 9 and become the ultimate boss. I estimate we have about a month.] (Mira)

Yes, they were indeed lucky.

“Understood. Let’s follow your suggestion and start the joint investigation, Bacchus-san. However, we need to prepare on our end too. Let’s plan for about a month ahead.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach smiled and directed his classic villainous grin at Bacchus.

[Eeeeeeh?! Why!?] (Libra)

[To ensure we get the maximum experience points and drop items, of course.] (Lanpeach)

[To ensure we get the maximum experience points and drop items, of course.] (Mira)

The replies of the two overlapped at Libra’s protest and they showed nonchalant expressions.

It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine. They’d set up insurance and make every necessary preparation to ensure no harm came to anyone.

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