Chapter 248
Chapter 248
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 248
Chapter Title: Chapter 6-1. Iris
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I went to find Arhil, who was diligently training at the temple. Whether it was mealtime or break time, the temple priests moved more sluggishly than in the morning. Some sat leisurely on chairs outside the temple, resting, while others gathered lightly to chat.
I asked around and found Arhil. She was sitting alone on a bench in the shade of a tree. Even though the breeze wasn't blowing, making it refreshingly cool like spring weather, I worried she might catch a cold sitting like that.
Just as I approached her, I spotted three adventurers. Two men and one woman. They didn't look like proper mercenaries—too few in number, shabby gear, and awkward stances. They were probably novice adventurers who had come to the city to gain experience and make money by tackling the labyrinth.
They whispered something upon seeing me head toward Arhil. Even from a distance, I could clearly sense their wary glares. Suddenly, they started running.
"Huh...?"
They hadn't done anything particularly irritating, yet my eye twitched strangely. Arhil looked startled by the approaching group, clutching the hem of her robe and widening her eyes. But it seemed they weren't trying to kidnap or threaten her—they wanted to persuade her to join them as a comrade.
Seeing them talk to Arhil, I felt a surge of displeasure and quickened my steps. The kind-hearted Arhil listened with nods, but soon shook her head with a troubled expression, rejecting their offer.
Of course.
Whose comrade was she? I wasn't about to let some strangers brazenly steal away my priest.
"Got some business with my comrade?"
They jumped in surprise and turned around.
"C-Comrade?"
"It's true, huh."
It was true, obviously. Why would it be a lie? I looked at them with utter disdain, and they sighed with deeply disappointed faces. Still lingering on some regret—or clutching at straws—they glanced back at Arhil. I frowned at their reluctance to give up.
Approaching a temple priest personally without following proper procedures was already a grave discourtesy. Any adventurer or mercenary worth their salt knew that. And yet, those eyes...
"If you have no business, get out of my way. Don't block the path for no reason. I'm already in a bad mood."
I showed them no courtesy whatsoever. Instead, I grabbed their shoulders and shoved them aside as I passed. It was just a light push, but they staggered back several steps. I admit it was rude. But I had zero intention of apologizing.
In front of Arhil, I turned and glared at them. Fists clenched, eyes sharply narrowed—it was as if I was warning them I had a temper. But they said nothing, incredulous at the force from the earlier shove. Being inside the Byron Empire, they couldn't draw their swords from their scabbards. Inside the temple, they didn't dare swing a fist. Pathetically, all these amateur adventurers could do was glare. The female adventurer watching from behind just fidgeted anxiously.
I released a tiny bit of my dense mana toward them.
"Ugh."
That alone crushed them under the intangible pressure of the mana. They could only groan faintly and retreat with fearful faces. Bronze plates, not silver—novices through and through.
"Urk...!"
Right now, they probably felt infinitesimally small, while I loomed like a colossal giant. In an instant, their defiant glares broke. Sensing instinctively that they were no match, their expressions crumpled. I withdrew my mana. Moments later, frustrated but without a proper apology, they turned and walked away. Only the woman lingered, muttered a quick "Sorry for the intrusion," and followed.
"Thanks."
What's there to thank? I sat beside Arhil, opened <Bag>, and pulled out the sandwich basket I'd stored earlier. Her eyes immediately widened.
"Wow!"
"There's something to drink, too."
Arhil picked up a sandwich from the basket.
"Can I eat it?"
"Eat them all if you want—just take your time. I've already eaten."
"Thanks! The temple food tastes awful... Oops."
She rolled her eyes, glancing around cutely to check if anyone overheard. It's fine—no one nearby.
Mumbling carefully, Arhil held the sandwich in both hands and beamed happily. To me, she looked adorable, like she'd been tamed by good food.
"Bon appétit!"
Arhil finally started eating the sandwich. So different from Iris. Iris took small bites from her tiny lips—quickly, but not too much. Arhil bit into it largely, unmindful of stares. Maybe because the only one nearby was me.
Her cheeks puffed out as she chewed diligently—it was heartwarming just to watch. She devoured one sandwich in no time, then reached for another. Seeing her eat so well, she must have been hungry. I offered her a drink to avoid choking and watched. Three vanished in a flash; by the fifth, satiety hit, slowing her to a stop. She exhaled contentedly with a "Phew."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll bring food at this time. If you want to eat with someone, I'll bring plenty—just wait here."
I checked the time as I spoke.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"You'll really bring it?!"
Yes, I will. That's what I said. Arhil cheered "Yay!" and boldly hugged me, arms wide open.
"Thanks, Yuda!"
The sudden skinship— was it that exciting? I patted her back. Break time over, she headed inside with a reluctant look.
Mornings: escort Arhil.
Lunches: deliver bentos.
Evenings: pick her up.
The rest of the time: exchange letters with Iris or stroll to gradually raise affinity. That became routine. But despite rising affinity, no sign of her "test." Half the promised week with Lime and Arhil had flown by.
'Was what I knew wrong?'
Having twisted fate multiple times, I kept possibilities open.
Or maybe helping her so far counted as part of the test. No [System Message] on quest progress to confirm.
I pondered the past days' aid.
I'd lent money when she forgot funds for shopping, helped carry heavy items. Nothing special. Time slipped away like theft; I sighed.
Continuing like this, the week would end meaninglessly. Can't waste days idly.
'Tomorrow.'
Contact the Shadow Kingdom?
Wanted more leeway, but no choice. Scratching my head, I awaited morning. Waking late, Arhil had tidied the bed and left. A note by the pillow: "Slept well, headed out first."
Descending to the second floor, the shop was eerily empty. Even mornings had a table or two; today, none—like a group outing to the labyrinth. Never this deserted before.
"Oh. You're up?"
Lime emerged yawning from the kitchen, greeting warmly. I returned it.
"You're working hard. Learned a lot?"
"Off this morning, so I learned extra from one chef since dawn. Shop reopens afternoon—told me to rest upstairs."
Shoulders stiff, he rolled his arms. Exhausted, I urged him to sleep. He headed up. Notably, only two waitstaff in the hall. Iris nowhere in sight.
'Perfect.'
No business, no customers. I approached the counter, where a man polished glasses with a clean cloth, crisp sounds echoing. Pulled a stool and sat. His indifferent gaze shifted to me.
"Sorry, meals from afternoon. Or planning morning booze?"
Blunt, almost "might not serve you—think twice." I chuckled at his tone.
"Something from yesterday disagrees—feeling queasy. Just one fruit wine."
"Bad stomach and fruit wine don't mix... Fine. Which kind?"
He set a glass before me. On his right index finger's first joint: a sleek black tattoo of a hunting hound, wolf-like. Shadow Kingdom executive mark.
"Grapefruit, green grape, strawberry, apple?"
No answer, so he listed. Mine was off-script.
"Blueberry."