Chapter 120: What Are You Even Doing?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 120: What Are You Even Doing?
“Aven.”
“Hmm? What is it, Theodora?”
“Is... is my mom... pretty?”
“No, Theodora. Look, it’s like this.”
I felt truly wronged. Was it really a problem to say she was beautiful? Besides, hadn't the misunderstanding started before I even told her mother she was beautiful? Or had I inadvertently violated some beastkin etiquette I didn't know about?
“It’s just that. She’s quite up there in age, yet she looks so young.”
“Mmm... Hmmm....”
“I’m telling you, it’s not like that... I’m not some crazy person who falls for a married woman who’s already taken.”
“I’ll take your word for it for now.”
Anyway, though unintentional, I had ended up indebted to the Lymain family once again. At this rate, I was going to look like a total leech clinging to a wealthy family.
Then again, wealth is relative. From the perspective of Theodora or her mother, Renart, I was essentially a beggar. That didn't mean it was right for me to just keep accepting their charity so readily, though.
“Man, I really need to figure out how to pay this debt back. Is there anything your mother likes?”
“Hmm... Something my mom likes?”
Theodora perked up her ears and thought for a moment. When was the last time her mother, Renart, had looked particularly pleased?
“Closing a deal that brings a huge profit to the family...?”
“That’s not something I can do.”
“Arranging a political marriage between a decent family and a branch member for a merger...?”
“That’s not easy.”
“Seeing a rival family she dislikes go bankrupt...?”
“I’m sorry. All of these are beyond my capabilities....”
It seemed there wasn't a single thing I could do for her. What would I even have to do to close a deal that brought a huge profit to the Lymain family?
Since I didn't come from a prominent family, a merger was out of the question, and as for making a rival family go bankrupt...
“Oh, right. I just remembered something my mom likes.”
“What is it?”
“She loves watching gladiator matches. There’s a huge, well-built arena in Roanmarie.”
Apparently, Lady Renart enjoyed watching gladiators go at it. Specifically, she loved watching hardcore, life-and-death matches.
For someone with such a beautiful appearance, she had a very intense, macho hobby. They said she often went to the arena in Roanmarie to watch gladiators fight, though she didn't particularly find it pleasant when people actually died.
It seemed she was a fan of Roanmarie’s specialty: Monster vs. Human—the Bestiarium matches. And while she didn't want people to die, she supposedly found it boring if the match was won too overwhelmingly. Does she just have to see blood?
Theodora had gone to watch with her mother before, and she said she could sort of understand why her mother liked it.
“It’s probably because of work stress. My mom used to dive into the Labyrinth quite often when she was younger.”
“Hmm, that makes sense. I figured that kind of strength had to come from the Labyrinth.”
“Mom is probably strong even without skills...?”
“Really?”
I’d heard that high-blooded beastkin possessed something called the Divine Beast Power. If the tips of the blonde hair of this mother-daughter duo turned blood-red, it meant they were using that power.
According to Theodora, she couldn't quite control it properly yet.
“Right, so she likes gladiator matches.”
In that case, should I get arena tickets once I reach Roanmarie and ask her to go with... with me? Or should I just tell her to go watch by herself?
This was a bit awkward. If I bought the tickets and told her to go alone, the situation would be weird, but if we went together? That would be incredibly awkward in its own way.
The best option would be for the three of us, including Theodora, to go to the arena together.
“But it doesn't look like I can be of much help.”
“Why?”
“Mom already has a VIP pass for the arena. She can watch from the best seats anytime she wants, even without a ticket.”
“Ah... I see. Now that I think about it, that makes sense.”
She was a tycoon whose hobby was watching the Bestiarium. Of course she’d easily have VIP status at the arena. Man, this was tricky.
“Theodora, are you coming with us to Roanmarie this time?”
“I have business here, so I have to stay for at least three days. My schedule got pushed back, so I have a mountain of documents to process.”
“Right now?”
“I was working hard and just came out for a break. Don't nag me.”
“Haha, of course. I know you work hard.”
“Y-you do...?”
“Why even ask something so obvious?”
Well, there was nothing I could do about it. It wasn't that I was completely broke; I just didn't have enough money to buy a gargoyle. I figured I should look around Roanmarie for a gift her mother might like.
“Wait, so that means you can come to Roanmarie in three days?”
“I can, but... why?”
“Who else am I going to talk to for two weeks? Having a private meeting with your mother... isn't exactly easy.”
“That’s true. Even I still hate being alone with my mom.”
“You shouldn't be like that, kid.”
“Whatever! Mom needs to be a bit more strict.”
* * *
“I see. Then I shall give you an assignment!”
“An assignment? All of a sudden?”
The morning after I returned home. After finishing today’s training, I sat on the dirt in the backyard and talked with Father. When I told him I’d be in Roanmarie for two weeks and wouldn't be able to give him his allowance, he said he’d give me an assignment.
“Yep. Is it sudden? That’s just how the Labyrinth is.”
“This is an inn.”
“Sudden Kick!”
Father stood up incredibly abruptly and swung his foot right toward my face. As a bonus, the slipper that didn't fit his foot size went flying off into the distance.
“Hey, what are you doing? You kicked sand on me.”
“See? Even an inn can be sudden.”
—Clang!
“Roland. Go buy vegetables with Sera. And pick up that slipper you threw.”
“How sudden... and this is an inn, after all....”
“Father, didn't you say even an inn is sudden?”
Just as he’d said, Father, who had been suddenly struck on the head with a ladle, rubbed his crowning bump with a tear in his eye. Seeing how he’d been acting like a total elementary schooler lately, I wondered if a person’s mind really did follow their body. Or had he always been like this?
It was a situation my meager brain found truly difficult to imagine—a bearded middle-aged man acting this way.
“So, what’s the assignment?”
“Take your sword to Roanmarie and make sure to swing it every single day.”
“I was planning on doing that anyway.”
“However, there are conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Yes. Conditions.”
Father reached out, pulled me to my feet, and instructed me to take the stance I had been practicing just moments ago.
“Like this?”
“Yes! As expected, your mind hasn't stiffened up yet, so you’re a quick learner.”
“Maybe you should try studying again too, Father.”
“Ugh, studying.”
Father grimaced as if he’d tasted something bitter and began checking my posture here and there.
“Now, slowly. Swing it very, very slowly.”
“Yes.”
As always, it was a single strike that lasted about ten minutes. I understood the method of learning Father intended, but I was skeptical about whether it was actually effective.
To be honest, I just thought of it as giving him an allowance. Lately, Tresha went to the magic item shop early in the morning to study, and Sera was always busy working. Even if they had time, they didn't really play along with Father. And Father’s allowance had been cut off.
It’s normal for the head of the household to be ignored at home, after all.
“Stop, that’s enough.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Tell me, if you swung it all the way, where do you think it would reach?”
“Wouldn't it be here?”
I broke my stance and pointed to a single spot in the air with the tip of my sword. Father nodded.
“Well, that’s more or less correct.”
“Is it?”
“Then, here is your assignment! Swing your sword diligently for two weeks, but swing it only up to this point.”
“You mean you want me to stop the swing halfway?”
“Exactly.”
Now this was a novel lesson.
“The speed can be fast or slow. Instead, never swing the sword all the way to the end. And do not swing the sword more than ten times a day! Furthermore, once you’ve swung the sword once, you must take a one-hour break. Got it?”
“Wait, aren't there too many conditions? That’s a bit weird.”
“Just do as I say!”
Having finished giving the assignment, Father held his hand out toward me.
“What is it?”
“Young man, give me two weeks' worth of allowance.”
“Should I call Auntie?”
“Sob, just twenty silver coins...”
“Sigh... fine.”
A child’s tears really do make my heart weak. Though I suppose he isn't exactly a child.
“T-thank you...!”
“Spend it wisely, and don't get caught and have it taken away by Auntie.”
“Yeah! Of course!”
In the end, he received 50 silver coins as an allowance.
* * *
“I see, I understand.”
“Don't feel like you have to wait for us. You can go to the Labyrinth with another party for these two weeks.”
“Haha, I’m not in that much of a hurry to go to the Labyrinth, so don't worry.”
I finished informing Rubica about the two-week trip to Roanmarie.
“Roanmarie, I have acquaintances there.”
“Acquaintances? You know people in Roanmarie too?”
“Yes. High-ranking explorers tend to run into each other occasionally during Labyrinth Waves. Though most of them are likely old and frail by now.”
“Ah.”
I also broke the news to Delbaheim, since I wouldn't be able to come out for training for two weeks.
“Oh, Tresha.”
“Ah, Brother! What’s up?”
“Aven.”
“Iris, are you teaching her well?”
“Of course.”
I came to the magic item shop to let Iris know as well. Tresha happened to be there studying, and I think this was the first time I’d seen the two of them in the same space.
“Roanmarie. I see.”
“Yes, just in case. I won't be able to come even if you send a paper airplane.”
“No, I’ll go.”
“A paper airplane can travel from Calax to Roanmarie...?”
“Yeah.”
Well, anyway, the information was delivered.
“T-that can’t be...!”
“Why are you so surprised?”
“It’s... it’s been so, so long since I last saw you! And now you’re saying I won't see you for another two weeks!”
“Haha... that’s just how things turned out.”
I stopped by to show my face and tell Ravi as well.
“Roanmarie...! I’m so jealous...! I want to go too....”
“Ah... but we’re taking the Gateway.”
“W-wouldn't it be okay if I was in my cat form?!”
“Hmm... I... don't know about that.”
True. It might be a bit different if Ravi was in her cat form. Since the Teleportation Gateway charged per person, maybe a cat could ride for free.
“It’s worth a try...!”
“If it fails, both Ravi and I will have made an enemy of the Lymain family.”
“The risk is too high... I’m sorry....”
“I don't think they’d actually become enemies. But it is a bit much. I’m getting a free ride myself.”
“Heeing....”
Ravi looked absolutely miserable. If I left her like this, she might waste away from depression.
I didn't feel great about the prospect of a stray cat up for adoption at the Sateria Appraisal Office being 'terminated' (by natural causes).
“Then how about we try this?”
“H-how...?”
“Do you know where the Gateway is?”
“I know. It’s at the end of the Northern Sector’s main street, right?”
“I don't know.”
“Eh.”
Two days later, before I headed to the Gateway with Lady Renart, Ravi would transform into a cat and sneak onto the Gateway platform. Then, right before the teleportation, Ravi would jump into the Gateway in her cat form and head to Roanmarie with us.
“I-I’ll try it...! For Roanmarie, the holy land of mages!”
“Good luck.”
“Ugh, I’m still scared, though....”
“Then just stay here.”
It really did seem like it would be a difficult attempt. Ravi was such a coward, after all.
“I’m still going to try!”
“Hang in there.”
“M-maybe I just shouldn't...?”
“Hmm.”
“No, I definitely will...!”
“Good.”
“But if I fail...”
What are you even doing, Ravi Sateria...!