Chapter 71: My Ears Are a Bit Sensitive
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 71: My Ears Are a Bit Sensitive
When I stepped out of the Guild Master’s office and headed down to the first floor, I spotted Lady Leah and a nodding Erika, who was half-asleep.
“My Lady?”
“Huh? Si-on! You brat! If you’re alive, you should report in! Where have you been wandering off to without even coming to see us? Get over here!”
“Whoa! Argh!”
The Young Lady dashed toward me and leaped straight into my arms.
She moved with the agility of a cat, pouncing before I even had a chance to dodge. She clung to me like a cicada and started rubbing her face against mine.
It seemed her speed had increased even further after her latest mana adaptation. That was a good sign.
“Ugh, My Lady, you’re heav—ack, no, you’re not.”
“What did you say? You just said I was heavy, didn't you? Right? Are you insane?”
“Ah! Ow! I didn't! Dammit! Don’t bite my ear! It’s sensitive!”
“Your ears are sensitive...? Oh, um...”
What was that? Why was she acting embarrassed?
A person’s ears can be sensitive; what was the big deal?
“So, is your body okay now? No problems? You were badly hurt, weren't you? Let me see your neck.”
“Good grief. I’m perfectly fine. The Saintess herself treated me. Look here. Not even a scar left.”
“Wow, you’re right. But the Saintess? That Saintess healed you...?”
“Yes. She fixed me up in no time. Hmm? My Lady, your expression suddenly soured. What’s wrong?”
“Well, I suppose you wouldn't know, Si-on.”
“Pardon? Know what?”
“That woman... No, never mind. You don’t know anything, right? Then it’s fine. Badmouthing people isn't good.”
“Huh? No, what is it? Man, you’re really going to dodge the question after making me curious?”
“Well, what are you going to do about it if I don’t tell you?”
“I won’t pack any food for you the next time we go into the Labyrinth.”
“Ah! That’s cheap! Pack it! Hey!”
“Ow!”
The Young Lady bit my ear again. I really hoped biting my ear wouldn't become a habit for her.
As I flailed in pain, she looked strangely pleased, which was a bit terrifying.
But why wouldn't she tell me about the Saintess? Did the Young Lady, who came from outside the city, know something different about her?
“No, really, what’s with the Saintess? Are you truly not going to tell me? Do you want to be punished?”
“What!? Pu-punished? Are you crazy!? This isn't the Labyrinth! You said you only act out in the Labyrinth!”
“Ah, right. We aren't in the Labyrinth. I forgot.”
“You...!”
When I teased her, she immediately put me in a headlock.
I felt a strange sensation of her chest being pressed firmly against my face, but I figured I was just imagining things.
“I surrender! I surrender!”
“Si-on, just because you’re the guide doesn't mean you can act out outside the Labyrinth, okay? Got it?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Only answer once.”
“Got it.”
“Ugh. You’ve completely lost your edge.”
I was intimidated by her at first because she was a noble lady, but she didn't scare me much anymore.
I knew her personality now. I knew she wasn't the type to get truly angry over a little joke.
“So, why did you come looking for me? Was it just to check on my condition?”
“Yeah. That, and I had something to tell you.”
The Young Lady said she wouldn't be entering the Labyrinth for a while.
The reason was that the party members needed more individual training.
“That’s a good idea. If you have enough time to prepare, it’s always better to go in as ready as possible.”
“Yeah. I’m planning to stay out of the Labyrinth for at least a month. Everyone’s agreed. I thought I should let you know.”
“Understood. Let’s plan for a month from now, then.”
“Mm-hmm. Also, my family members should be arriving in about three days. I’ll give you the rest of the rewards I couldn't provide before, so let’s meet then.”
“Understood. That’s great news. Let’s meet here at the Guild in three days around this time.”
“Okay. Let’s do that. Oh, and I think I’m going to register at the Martial Arts Hall. You have to work out with me, okay?”
“Sure. By the way, did Rika recommend the Martial Arts Hall to you?”
“Yeah. She said morning exercise is good for you.”
Rika, you wicked woman!
To drag the Young Lady into that hell.
As expected of a female knight whose brain was probably made of muscle, was she planning to turn her liege into a muscle monster too?
Well, it wasn't a bad thing.
Pain is lighter when shared, after all.
“Hehe... Sounds good. Very good. The Martial Arts Hall is great. Yes. I’m sure you’ll be satisfied, My Lady. Hehehe.”
“What’s with that sinister laugh? You and Rika are both acting weird. Is there something about that place?”
“No, nothing much. It’s just... a place where you can exercise.”
Exercise until you’re on the verge of death, that is.
I wondered how the Young Lady would feel once she joined me in that hellish training.
She’d probably be so happy she’d die.
“Ah, come to think of it, I think I’ll be entering the Labyrinth next week.”
“What? Again? You just got out. You’re addicted to the Labyrinth.”
“Addicted? You make it sound like I’m going to suffer Labyrinth Assimilation. Don’t say such scary things.”
“No, stop joking. Why do you have to go in?”
“Well, you see, I have to go in for work. My Lady, let’s step over here. There are too many people, so let’s talk in the corner.”
I led her to a quiet corner where no one could overhear. I dragged the dozing Erika along with us.
“So, what is it?”
“The thing is, I’ll be going with the Saintess to catch some heretics.”
“What? With that Saintess? Why you?”
“Shh. Your voice is too loud.”
“Ah, sorry. So why are you going? For supplies?”
“That’s part of it. They said I’m absolutely necessary.”
“Whaaat? But you’re weak!”
“I’m stronger than you!”
Was this lady crazy?
Even if I had some weak points compared to my level, I was still stronger than her.
“No, that’s not what’s important right now. Why does it have to be you? There are plenty of other people. I’m just worried. There are tons of strong people just in the Guild. Why do they absolutely need a porter who hasn't even taken the Silver Badge exam yet?”
“Well... I just have to go. There’s a reason. It’s confidential, so I can’t say much more here, but there is a reason.”
“So you can’t not go? You absolutely have to?”
“Yes, that’s right. I have to. In a way, my role might be even more important than the Saintess’s... Ah, that’s also a secret. Don’t tell anyone else.”
“Of course. Who do you take me for? I won’t tell a soul. Even if my father or brother asks, I won’t say a word.”
“That’s reassuring.”
There was nothing to be gained from my role becoming public knowledge.
If the plan to transport the heretics' corpses to the surface reached the heretics' ears, I would become their top priority for elimination.
They would try to assassinate me relentlessly. Even Olivia and Marin could be put in danger.
This time, I had to keep the fact that I was entering the Labyrinth with the Saintess a secret. I’d probably have to hide my face on the day we went in.
“Then if you go in next week, when will you be back?”
“It’ll take at least a week. I might come up once in the middle to restock.”
“A week or more? Even three days was hard...”
“I’m going to pack plenty of basins and water, so it’ll be fine. I plan on washing inside the Labyrinth.”
“You’re going to take a bath in the Labyrinth?”
“If I can, I should. It would be a waste to have a Subspace Pocket and not be able to bathe.”
“I guess that’s true. Subspace Pockets are totally broken.”
The Young Lady laughed, seemingly baffled by my comment about bathing in the Labyrinth.
As a side note, while I could bathe in the Labyrinth, I would never pack a chamber pot.
Putting a pot full of someone else’s waste into my inventory was just too disgusting.
“Well, I should get going. I have a lot of things to prepare.”
“Alright. That’s a shame. To think I won’t see you for a while.”
“But we can meet in three days. Let’s hang out then. How about it?”
“Sure. In three days... a... a date...”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing! Okay. Get ready. See you in three days.”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.”
The Young Lady and Erika headed back to their lodging.
By the way, Erika was in a daze the whole time. Did she not sleep well last night?
I’m sure she had her reasons.
I turned my steps toward the market.
I had quite a few things to buy, so I had to move quickly.
*
“Can you also prepare two boxes of apples?”
“I can have them ready by tomorrow, okay?”
“Yes. That would be great.”
“Got it. Come back tomorrow to pick them up.”
“Will do. Thank you.”
I purchased a large quantity of goods from the grocery store I frequented.
I finally felt a bit more secure.
Having an empty Subspace Pocket had been making me feel uneasy.
I can give the ledger to Edwin later. Now, where to next?
I had bought almost everything I could get at the market.
Not only firewood and large basins, but also plenty of food ingredients and bandages.
“The rest is...”
I just needed to go to the Magic Tower to buy a few scrolls and restock on potions at the hole-in-the-wall shop.
“The Magic Tower.”
I hadn't visited since the last time.
Since not just anyone could enter the Magic Tower, I had to make good use of my entry pass while I had it.
I’ll buy some scrolls and maybe look at some accessories.
Items crafted at the Magic Tower were quite expensive, but their performance was far superior to anything sold on the market.
If a regular accessory shop sold a ring that increased maximum strength by 5 percent, the Magic Tower felt like it sold rings that increased it by 20 percent.
Unless you were a mage, it was usually difficult to enter, so adventurers of Gold Badge rank or higher would sometimes complete special requests for the Magic Tower to earn an entry pass.
I was a very lucky case. Thanks to the Subspace Pocket, I had a free pass without any extra hassle.
“Entry pass confirmed. May I ask the purpose of your visit?”
“To purchase scrolls.”
“Confirmed.”
My adventurer badge and ID were checked at the entrance of the Magic Tower.
A four-eyed mage with an extremely exhausted face checked my pass and soon let me inside.
This was my second time entering the Magic Tower of the Labyrinth City.
It wasn't my imagination; it really is wider inside than outside.
Today, I noticed things I hadn't seen clearly last time because I was so distracted.
There was a saying that the Magic Tower was like one giant magical tool. It was said that all sorts of spells were cast on the entire building, making the interior larger than the exterior, and it turned out to be true.
But where did I need to go to buy scrolls?
“Excuse me, could you—”
“Ah, I’m busy...”
“Excuse me, which way is—”
“Eek...! An outsider...!”
“What the hell.”
Perhaps because it was a den of nerds, everyone I tried to talk to flinched and avoided me.
These crazy people. They really were just shut-ins who did nothing but research. Most of them seemed to have great difficulty with conversation or communication.
This was bad. Where was I supposed to go?
Shouldn't they at least post a map on the first floor out of courtesy?
“Oh? Si-on? Wow. It’s been a while.”
“Ah, it has.”
As I was looking around for the scroll shop, I ran into Marle, who was carrying an armload of at least twenty books.
He was the Tower Lord’s secretary and the four-eyed boy mage who had warned me not to reveal the secrets of the research wing to the outside world.
But how did he recognize me when his vision was completely blocked by those books?
Ugh... His shadow was watching. That’s terrifying.
Marle’s shadow was wriggling.
He hadn't seen me with his eyes; he had sensed me through his shadow.
He looked like a total kid, but in reality, no one knew how old he was, and he was a renowned expert in shadow magic—the exclusive domain of gloomy types.
Maybe that was why he felt a bit unsettling and scary.
“Are you here to see the Tower Lord?”
“Ah, no. I just wanted to look at some scrolls and accessories.”
“Aha. Then just open that door over there. It’ll teleport you straight to the third floor, and you’ll find the workshop when you go up.”
“Thanks for letting me know. Well then...”
“Ah, wait a moment. The Tower Lord mentioned wanting to see you once, so if you have time, it would be good to go down and at least show your face. It’s not a command, though.”
“Uh, okay, I’ll keep that in mind.”
You say it’s not a command, but it feels strangely pressuring when you say it.
That wriggling shadow is creepy.
“Then have a nice day!”
“Yeah, you too, Marle.”
After an awkward goodbye, I headed in the direction Marle had pointed out.
Sure enough, as soon as I opened the door, I felt a floating sensation, and before I knew it, I was on the third floor.
They said you never knew what would happen inside the Magic Tower.
I guess moving between floors was possible like this too.
“The scroll shop is... Ah!”
I passed several shops and found the scroll shop.
When I entered the dusty, old-looking shop, an elderly mage greeted me.
His face looked somewhat familiar.
“Oh? You’re...”
“Hmm? Ah. The test subject from back then.”
Lord, the old mage I had briefly encountered during my last visit, was sitting behind the counter of the scroll shop.