Chapter 31
Chapter 31
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Lofty Cliff
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A lofty cliff.
Some might call a haughty, unapproachable lady a flower atop the cliff, but not Gadia.
To her, she was the glacial cliff itself.
Dazzling under the sun, captivating the eye—yet a sheer face where no one could find footing.
As Gadia walked in her academy uniform, brushing back her silver-blue hair, a brilliance like shattered light swirled at its ends before fading away.
“Gadia senior. Where are you off to?”
That icy elegance, however, bristled only at men.
A girl with fluffy, soft-looking brown hair and brown eyes approached, clinging to Gadia’s arm with a smile, and Gadia’s red lips curved into a gentle arc.
“Verbut, I was heading to my private training hall.”
A smile that a man approaching would never see.
At that smile, the girl called Verbut rubbed her own rosy cheek against Gadia’s shoulder, letting out a giggle.
“Can I come with you? I have something to tell you.”
Like a gentle lamb.
Gadia nodded lightly at the face devoid of even a speck of malice and invited Verbut into her training hall.
“Your training hall is always so neat, no matter when I visit, senior.”
Watching Verbut chirp like a little bird, Gadia familiarly brewed a cup of black tea and set it on the table in one corner of the hall.
“So, what is it you wanted to say?”
“Gadia senior. Don’t you ever think this world is unfair?”
Gadia’s eyebrow twitched slightly at the sigh-laden mutter, but she replied without a change in tone.
“What’s that supposed to mean all of a sudden?”
“I’ve been studying religion lately, and it got me thinking. Why are we born to suffer? Why is the world so unjust? Why do people have different standards and beliefs that lead to conflict?”
Verbut spoke in a soft murmur, took a sip of her tea—pressing her rosy lips to the white cup—then beamed at Gadia.
“That sounds like a rather spicy faith. What if it’s the lowly masses who rise up against that injustice, not us nobles?”
“But what if even that resentment is unjust? What if the natural order of this world is for the lesser to uplift and devote themselves to the superior, rather than dragging them down or grabbing at their ankles for gain?”
What do you think, senior? Her sweet whisper made Gadia’s eyes take in Verbut’s innocently lamb-like face.
‘If she’s foolish enough to be swayed by some strange fringe cult...’
Then it was only right for her, as the senior, to guide her back to the straight path.
“It does sound intriguing. So, what’s this cult called?”
At Gadia’s words, Verbut covered her mouth with both hands and giggled shyly.
* * *
After handing over the mana stone from the troll as proof to the dungeon entrance keeper—who insisted no troll could’ve come from the lower floors—we headed back. No, just me, dragging my weary body to the inn where we’d left the horses.
“Let’s eat something tasty, soak in hot water, and rest.”
It was a fairly pricey inn, and since we’d rented out the entire top floor, the suite was like a house with rooms off a central living area, complete with a proper bathtub.
I quickened my steps at the thought of scalding hot water washing away the ache, only to find someone crying in front of the inn.
“Waaah! It’s true... it really is! They took my stuff!”
“But miss, that’s just your claim, and since you entered with them as a party, our inn can’t compensate for theft.”
Her gray hair was tied back in a single ponytail that swished like a tail with every hop.
About Luna’s height? The young girl, her childish face streaked with tears, clung to the inn’s guard, but he coldly pushed her hands away.
‘Anyway, I need to get inside.’
With her making a scene at the entrance, pushing past felt awkward.
“But... but... I!”
From what I gathered amid her sobs, she was a novice adventurer who’d partied up with some sibling adventurers. Flush with funds, they’d stayed here together, but while she’d stepped out briefly, they’d stolen all her gear.
Now she had no money, no ID, nothing but the clothes on her back—and hadn’t eaten since yesterday.
‘Yeah, reporting it won’t do much.’
Fingerprints or whatever, if they’d bolted to another city or into a labyrinth by now, no one would find them. No tracking spells either, probably.
‘And now Kane’s giving me the stink-eye even more...’
Sticking around here would just make her brood on the past, so as I moved to nudge her aside, a strange hunch stopped me, and I looked at the girl again.
No big weapons at a glance, small frame with no muscle, too sloppy for a thief job anyway.
Unable to shake the suspicion, I opened her trait window.
[Aria von Taitria—Pitiful Novice Adventurer]
Main Traits: [Spirit(A)] [Mana(B)]
Hidden Traits: [Accounting(A)] [Endurance(C)]
Halon.
Shout my name.
A junior’s on her way soon.
After the guard went inside.
I flashed a bright smile and approached the bawling girl, speaking in a gentle tone.
“Hey. I couldn’t help overhearing while waiting to get in—tough break. Eaten yet?”
At my kind voice, I swear I heard something like ‘here we go again’ or ‘s-scary...’ from behind, but I ignored it and focused on her.
“F-food?”
The girl, tense at a stranger’s approach, reacted to ‘food’ with her stomach’s rumble.
*Grrrowl~*
“Y-yeah... I’m... not hungry?”
I’d leaned in a bit with hands behind my back, so I wiggled them for backup. Luna darted forward with assist.
Her wariness eased further; she glanced between Luna and me, then at Kane—who’d approached at my urging gestures—and her eyes locked.
“I’m hungry.”
Her firm, resolute declaration made me burst out laughing, and we headed inside together.
The guards eyed us warily at first, thinking she was pulling her tantrum on me now, but I waved it off, ordered food, and we went up to the top floor. There, the girl looked around as if searching for someone.
“As expected... they’re gone.”
“I got the gist. Shitty people, huh? So, what’s your name? I’m Adelian.”
“Oh, my name’s Aria... no, Ari.”
Yeah, not great at lying.
Pretending not to catch the correction, I smiled and spoke.
“Got it, Aria. Food’ll take a bit—wanna wait?”
“Not Aria, Ari...”
“Aria, I’ll... wash up with her...”
Luna glanced at Aria, figured they could share clothes too, and took her hand. I waved them off.
“What’s the angle?”
As they left, Kane muttered lowly. I turned, meeting her eyes with a practiced, faintly meaningful smile.
“What?”
“All this.”
“I’ve got a heart for the pitiful too. Plus, killing two birds?”
I trailed off vaguely and headed to the bathroom attached to my private room.
‘Money really is nice.’
Kinda jaded society talk, I know.
Chastising myself, I soaked in the hot water, zoned out breathing deeply, then started turning my brain gears.
‘Gotta sweet-talk her first.’
Won’t hurt Aria either. No home, no money—I’ll feed her, house her, pay her, teach her the ropes.
‘That’s a solid deal.’
Stick her with Halon for a year, and everyone wins: Halon, Aria, me.
I schemed happily, washed up, toweled my hair roughly, and sat at the bountiful table.
“Looks delicious...”
Starved since yesterday—must be ravenous.
Smiling kindly at Aria, who looked ready to drool, I picked up some bread first.
“Eat while we talk?”
“Th-thank you for the meal!”
The order of fork and knife might be off, her movements a tad frantic, but she ate neatly—no slouch, posture straight to the point of seeming stiff.
‘Dunno who fleeced her, but they’ve got no eye for talent.’
Lucky for them Aria’s naive and harmless.
‘Though I’ve got my reasons too.’
Dunno whose forbidden fruit she is, but right now, she’s Halon’s prospective junior.
“So, what’s next?”
“Well... um, could I get some funds...”
Mouth stuffed, chewing furiously, she swallowed and peeked at me with violet eyes.
“Yeah, no money, right? If you’re game, I can hook you up with a job.”
Lending’s no fun—I played dumb, shifting topics. Aria looked troubled.
“You could lend...”
“Sure. But I wouldn’t dream you’re the type to beg cash from a stranger, so no worries.”
“......”
“Nothing major, just assistant work—sorting papers. Short-term gig’ll get you travel funds after. Sound good?”
Minimum five, maybe ten years—short compared to Halon. Obviously.
Aria fidgeted, then bowed her head, mumbling softly.
“I’ll... think about it.”
Behind her ducked head, Luna and Kane watched with pitiful eyes, finally getting my scheme.
* * *
Early if anything.
Kane was up first, said she’d jog a lap, and left. Luna and Aria still slept; the suite was quiet.
I tiptoed out to not wake them.
‘Figures a high-traffic spot’s bustling even mornings.’
Felt perpetually crowded, time be damned.
Solo—no Luna, no Kane—I headed to the inn from last night’s separate dinner.
“Huh, you again? Quick errand?”
Lucky break.
I spotted Ruby in the inn’s front courtyard, stretching in light clothes, and smiled faintly.
“Yeah. Just a walk, heading back in—nice running into you.”
She grinned at my casual cover, like I’d only stayed one night.
“How was the labyrinth yesterday?”
Wiping sweat as she approached, a thick rose scent wafted from Ruby.
I lowered my eyes, complaining lightly.
“Total greenhorn vibes—tough, couldn’t get a feel. Any tips?”
No probing—just sounded desperate from her view. She pitied me.
“Aww... Tips? Hmm, honestly, best for newbies is partying with more experienced folks.”
“Parties, huh... How low do you usually go, Ruby?”
Kept polite.
My Arrogance trait’d make it seem like the cocky newbie scraping for an edge in a pinch.
Still, Ruby gazed warmly, grinning.
“Well, our party hits mid-lows to early-mids? But get this...”
She stepped close, whispering conspiratorially in my ear.
“Heard the rumor? New dungeon popped up.”
“Yeah, but it’s off-limits.”
“Right, but I know a sneaky way in. Low difficulty, fat rewards—guild’s hogging it, hence the lockdown. Sounds easier than complicated labyrinths. Whaddya say?”
Her breathy whisper mingled with mine. I averted my eyes awkwardly, then smiled.
“Sneak past the guild? If we get caught...”
“Pfft, what’ve they done for us? They just block it off, no patrols. Plus, that’s how you score cash and rep.”
Her words sealed it—I nodded.
“Sounds good.”
Ruby beamed, tossing her head; her lush crimson-black curls swayed.
“Great! Tomorrow, same time, central tower. Others coming too? That boy?”
Her dizzying eye-smile made me nod as I opened the trait window.
We locked eyes, smiling for very different reasons.