Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

When he brought the matter of yesterday night, many people couldn't help but scowl at him. It was obvious that they still remembered the contradictory words of his and blamed much of it on his head.

Bignosio maintained his composure even while the corner of his mouth twitched.

"After the investigation around the campsite, to my surprise, I found some interesting discoveries that can lead us to the mastermind behind yesterday's attack".

These few simple words were enough to spark gasps of exclamation from everybody. They all stood up from their seat and looked at him sceptically.

Bignosio did not shy away from those gazes, he further commented to solidify his words.

"It was indeed my fault to not have recognised that the place was a lair of battle bears. However, given that the place was empty, the monsters were out hunting. Normally, the battle bears are too lazy to hunt but when they do, they stock up food for multiple days worth. For a pack that large, it would take multiple days for them to finish their hunt. However, they just had to rush back as soon as we set our camp there".

Finally someone who couldn't take his long and winding explanation impatiently spoke up.

"So what are you suggesting, get to the point".

The sickening smile at the corner of his face deepened; Bignosio said in an exaggerated manner.

"Isn't all this too much of a coincidence? After the battle, I found out that the battle bears were lured to our campsite. The question is who could have done it and for what purpose?".

He inwardly laughed, there was no such thing as tracks and most of the things he had spun was a lie to get the situation rolling. At this moment, multiple footsteps of people approaching came from the direction of the wagon and everybody could see Simon and Chuck being among them.

Bignosio when he spotted his group bringing over the provisional adventurer, he gave them sneaky nod before all of them spread around and encircled the three people of Simon, Adalinda and Chuck in the centre.

Naturally, all of this was observed by the other members of the convoy and they couldn't help but tilt their heads in confusion as to what was happening.

"I believe that only someone who knows the location of our campsite can lure the battle bears there".

"What?".

Alvara locked her brows, a little irritation flashed in her eyes. The man was really up to no good, didn't his words just now suggest that there was a traitor among the members of their convoy.

"Please listen to me before you start spouting words of denial. The perpetrator behind this, clearly had a purpose… and that was nothing but to solidify the story the person had spun in the beginning".

At this moment, his eyes darted towards Simon who was currently being encircled by his teammates. By now, everybody could see that the person the big nose man was targeting was none other than the young provisional adventurer.

<br/>Cynthia observed all of this farce with a calm expression and her deep violet eyes would sometimes stop on Simon's figure who seemed as composed a lake.

"Everyone I believe that you are all being deceived. My action right now may seem forceful but I guarantee you that after this everything will be clear in your eyes".

"Don't you all feel that it is weird for a newbie adventurer to know all this information? Even knowing the race of the monsters just by their habits and few traces is something that even us veteran adventurers might be unable to accomplish".

"So how is it possible for a provisional adventurer, a newbie no less to know all of this? Unless he is already very familiar with this part of the land, the northern outlaw forest. I believe that he is a spy planted by the brigand to slowly sow dissonance among us".

Bignosio revealed a malevolent smile as he stared at Simon.

"Bullshit, he is someone who was recommended by that old man from the adventurer's guild. Are you saying that the old man who had recognised him is also someone associated with the bandits of the Northern Outlaw Forest?".

Chuck barked out loud when he saw that the man was trying to frame Simon and isolate him out.

Bignosio's composure crumbled when he was confronted by Chuck but nonetheless, he still pressed forward.

"You are mistaken Sir Chuck, I'm not doubting the integrity of the guild manager of the adventurer's guild and instead just saying that even he might have been deceived by this horrible person into recommending this job. Don't you feel weird that a weakling adventurer was assigned such a risky task where only veterans like us have the ability to come?".

"Load of crap, what rights do you have to say that he is a weakling adventurer? His ability is something that even the old man Gill had recognised and even without me stating it, hasn't everyone already seen how powerful he is?".

Chuck pointed out while looking at the big nosed man with a disdainful look. He was a man who valued relationships and goodwill greatly, it was also because of this quality of him that he was able to become a renowned person around this region of the kingdom.

From what he could see, although Simon mostly isolated himself from everybody and interacted less, he was not the kind of person who would do that.

"Haha, it seems that detestable person has even managed to trick. In that case, saying anything more will be of no use let me prove that the young man is nothing but a hoax with no ability to speak of. I kindly ask you to stand down and let me deal with that person".

Bignosio declared, grabbing a big axe resting on his back. Similar to his armour, the blade of the axe was made of Whitesilver, however, the body was created from a material from the body of a treant.

Everybody revealed shocked exclamation when they saw Bignosio taking out his weapon that was comparable to a [D] tier armament.

Chuck who ran out of patience, finally had enough of this man and took a simple long sword from his space ring. While it may not be his business to stick his nose, in someone else's affairs, but after conversing with Simon these past few days, he felt like it wouldn't be bad to befriend a person such as him.

Never would have Chuck imagined that this decision of his would become a great turning point in his life and affect his future in a way that even he couldn't have imagined.

Although he was not wearing any armour, Chuck still had enough confidence in him to face the man without needing one.

"It seems that you have made your decision, in that case, please do not mind if I use the numbers to my advantage" Bignoiso had a dark and solemn eyes with which he stared at Chuck. With a nod of his head, the members of his team encircling the three, took out their weapons.

"Who said so… if you are hell-bent on opposing our leader then you should better look carefully at who your opponents are" two voices sounded out and immediately two people who were sitting around the fireplace, sprang up from their seats and jumped in between.

The two people who have just intervened, were none other than Chuck's teammates.

The situation around the fireplace instantly became taut with swords and weapons drawn. A heavy silence descended onto the area and the atmosphere became tense with both parties glaring at each other.

Many onlookers around the area had an uneasy look on their faces while others behaved like they were looking at something interesting and couldn't wait for the show to start.

In one corner of the campsite not far away from the fireplace, the old butler observed the situation with an amused face before revealing a contemptuous smile and whispered a few words into a small shell that was inscribed with some runes in his hand.

Just when everybody thought that a full out brawl between these two parties was inevitable, the black robed young man who had been a lake of composure, finally decided to step forward. He put a hand in front of Chuck and said in a nonchalant manner.

"There is no need for all of you to get entangled in my matter. I can handle it just fine".

After saying this, he glanced at Boignosio and asked with a smile that was not a smile "You say that I'm weak and have been deceiving everyone? Do you have any evidence for all of that?".

The moment Bignosio's eyes met with the young man's, an uneasy feeling suddenly assaulted him and all the hair on his body stood on end for a split second.

"Heh, if you are innocent then tell me where you were and what took you so long to come to the campsite when we were all attacked by a group of Battle Bears. I recall that you have arrived quite late, don't tell me that you were not aware of the attack and couldn't see the large wildfire spreading around the forest?"

He suppressed the foreboding feeling that he felt at that moment and swiftly spat out some arguments. His words raised the curiosity of everyone present and all of them glanced at Simon only to find the young man suddenly become quiet.

His reaction surprised quite a lot of people who were in his favour. It was not only the members of the convoy but even Bignosio himself was stunned when he saw that the young man had no words to refute.