Chapter 119
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Birthday Party
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Solomon, when Clara mentioned last time that Gloria's birthday was coming up, I didn't really pay it much mind.
Ever since I transferred to this world, I hadn't made a big deal out of my own birthdays anyway. For starters, the calendar here is different from Earth's, so it's tricky figuring out which day to call my birthday.
My birthday back on Earth was October 31st, but this world has a similar yet different system—no months with 31 days. It's straightforward: 12 months, 30 days each, making a year 360 days total.
So naturally, I hadn't given birthdays much thought...
"Everyone's so mean! It's Mom's birthday, but they're all too busy to come!"
Seeing Clara grumble about her acquaintances being away on business, I couldn't help feeling a pang of guilt and averted my gaze from Gloria, who was following quietly behind her.
I hadn't thought about it either...
From what Clara explained in her sulking fit, Gloria's acquaintances were mostly priests from the temple.
With the anomaly on the 20th floor and the dwarves' 'Festival of Fire' causing a surge in material-gathering requests, more adventurers had delved into the Labyrinth. That meant way more injured than usual.
Naturally, Gloria's priest friends were all tied up at the temple. As for the Erdas Party—the only other real acquaintances—Alensia had been summoned by the Labyrinth Guild, and Bella and Daphne had been called away for some reason too.
"We almost ended up having a birthday party just the two of us! Good thing Uncle's here!"
"...Wait a sec. So, does that mean the only one coming to this birthday party today is..."
"Just you, Uncle!"
This feels like a huge burden. But turning around and leaving right now wouldn't be right, would it?
"Where are we headed anyway? The temple?"
"The temple? I told you, everyone's busy there!"
"Then where?"
"Our house, obviously!"
"...You have a house?"
"...Uncle, do you realize how rude that is?"
No, you and your mom live at the temple. I just assumed you didn't have one.
The place Clara led us to was a modest house in the residential district. Not as grand as Alensia's mansion, but plenty of space for a family of two.
"Come on in, Uncle!"
As Clara cheerfully ushered me inside, Gloria, who had been following quietly, leaned in and whispered to me.
"Sorry about this, Ian... It's Clara's insistence..."
"No, it's fine. And happy birthday."
I'm not the most socially adept person, but even I wouldn't skip congratulating the birthday girl today.
Inside, a birthday meal was already laid out—clearly prepared in advance—with various dishes ready. Even if people couldn't visit in person, they'd sent gifts; boxes and letters were piled up in the corner.
"They all said they were sorry they couldn't come and sent birthday cards and presents instead."
"Hmph! That's still not as good as coming in person!"
"Don't say that, Clara! They're all working to save other people."
"Ugh... I know, but..."
Clara seemed upset that no one had shown up for her mother's birthday. Gloria gently hugged her daughter before guiding me to the table.
"It's not much, but please eat up."
"Ah, thank you."
At her words, I ladled some of the food onto my plate and dug in.
'...Not bad.'
Even to me, with my Level 5 [Cooking] skill, the quality was impressive. The portions were overly generous—probably meant for more guests—but overall, the flavors were excellent.
"Uncle, try this! I made it!"
Clara proudly plopped what looked like a lump of meat onto my plate. I patted her head and popped it into my mouth in one bite.
"How is it?"
"........."
I swallowed it down and patted her head again.
"Clara, that's impressive!"
"Heehee. That good?"
"It's a taste I haven't even had at the top restaurant 'Cradle of Flavors'!"
"Heeheehee!"
I kept petting her enthusiastically while desperately suppressing the urge to block my sense of taste. I didn't quite say it was delicious.
Sorry, Clara. I just can't bring myself to lie...
"Have more, Uncle!"
"!!!!!!"
[Sensory Bl... ]... No, hold it together.
I'd planned to eat moderately, give my gift, and head out quickly, but Clara stopped me.
"Play a bit before you go, Uncle!"
I couldn't bring myself to shake off her insistent grip harshly, so I ended up staying for Gloria's birthday party (or rather, entertaining Clara) at her whim.
We played simple card games, Gloria pulled out an album of Clara's photos (earning Clara's ire), we opened gifts, and we even greeted a few guests who stopped by for about ten minutes each to celebrate Gloria—though they seemed to mistake me for her new husband or something.
I played with Clara, played with Clara, and played with Clara some more...
"Clara... How about we stop with the crocheting now?"
"No way! Teach me how to make the lady warrior holding the scales!"
Clara took a liking to my crocheting and kept begging me to continue, forcing me to demonstrate for nearly three hours. Showing off something cooler after my [Heavenly Touch] leveled up was my mistake.
She tried her best to mimic my hand movements, but without a proper [Dexterity] skill, it was hopeless for her.
"Uuumph..."
After playing for so long, even a child's stamina had its limits—Clara started dozing off, head bobbing.
Thinking I'd finally escape crocheting hell, I gleefully set down the yarn and yarned her to bed.
"Clara, time for bed? I'll head out now too."
"Uncle... Just stay and sleep over."
She's saying something dangerous. Telling a strange man to sleep over in a house with just her and her mom.
"Ian, why don't you stay the night? It's getting dark, and Sia won't be back at the mansion tonight anyway."
"Uh, what??"
But Gloria, whom I'd expected to side against it, surprisingly urged me to stay, just like Clara.
"Uncle..."
I tried to politely decline and leave, but Clara clung to me like a koala on a tree trunk and wouldn't let go. Finally giving up on prying her off, I promised to stay the night before she released me.
"Tomorrow... I'll succeed at crocheting..."
Confirming she was mumbling in her sleep as she headed to bed, I closed the door behind her.
And Clara... you'll probably never get it.
I couldn't say it, but your hands are honestly way too clumsy...
After tucking Clara in, Gloria was waiting for me—now changed into light loungewear.
I'd only ever seen her in neat priestess robes, so this casual look... well... it packed a punch...
"Care for a drink?"
I accepted the wine she offered without refusal. Ah, might as well use this too while I'm at it.
<Proof of Intoxication>
The magic tool I'd used during my drinking bet with Miranda last time. Even with [Poison Resistance], it lets you get drunk.
One of the dwarves I'd rescued gifted it to me. I'd planned to have a drink topside anyway—perfect timing.
We sipped the wine casually, and Gloria chatted more openly than usual.
"I said it before, but thank you so much for today. Clara had a blast because of you. She'd prepared so much for my birthday party... but we almost ended up with no one showing."
"Surely some people still wanted to come..."
"I turned down the busy ones. No point forcing them to make time for me. Birthdays come every year anyway."
We traded light banter, passing the red wine back and forth. Gloria wasn't much of a drinker—despite the low alcohol content, her cheeks were flushing nicely.
"You know Clara adores you, right?"
"Yeah. I don't get why she sticks to me so much. I haven't done anything that special."
She'd always been somewhat friendly, projecting a 'father' image onto me perhaps, but today she was extra clingy.
"It's probably because you protected her in the commercial district last time. She can't help trusting you now."
"Ah."
Come to think of it, yeah, that happened.
"Heehee. She clung so hard, I almost got jealous. At this rate, she'll start calling you 'Daddy' soon."
She seemed in high spirits, downing the wine steadily. Red wine touched her lips, followed by sweet breath laced with the aroma.
"How about it? Clara's daddy?"
"!!!"
"Heehee. Just kidding."
She tossed out the heart-fluttering joke playfully, laughing softly.
Drunk Gloria was... way more mischievous than usual. Seductive, maybe? The vibe was the opposite of her usual demure cleric image...
"...Oh, right—I haven't given you your gift yet."
Running out of things to say, I remembered the present. I pulled it out—the one I'd bought in the commercial district on Clara's advice. I hadn't had time to wrap it since I hadn't planned on visiting today...
"Scented candles?"
It was scented candles. I'd considered simple jewelry, but Clara advised Gloria didn't wear much, so I went with this.
Not ordinary ones—they're supposed to let you dream what you want if you burn them while sleeping... Not sure if it's legit.
"It's not anything fancy... sorry."
"It's the thought that counts. Thank you."
Gloria accepted it happily. I wanted to express my gratitude too.
"I'm always thankful. You quietly accommodate me at the temple, and when I'm hurt, you come treat me personally..."
"No need to say that. Like I always tell you, you're Sia and my hope... Ah!"
She chuckled softly mid-sentence, then clapped her hands as something occurred to her. She downed her wine in one gulp, grabbed my hand, and stood.
"Speaking of which, do that thing for me too!"
"...What thing?"
"Massage! The one you did for Sia! You promised you'd do it for me next time!"
......Ah, right. The first day I met Gloria, when we parted at Alensia's mansion, I promised to do it sometime. Totally forgot after...
...What now? It's not hard to do, but still, somehow...
"I knew it—touching an old lady like me is unappealing..."
"No, I'll do it."
Stop using cheat keys like that.
While waiting for Gloria, who said she'd wash up and change, I fanned my face with my hand in her room.
I could dispel the buzz instantly by removing <Proof of Intoxication>, but the pleasant tipsiness felt just right—no need.
'Just stay sharp mentally...'
Suddenly giving Gloria a massage shouldn't be a big deal. Clara's sleeping next door, and Gloria wouldn't show up in something lewd like Alensia...
"D-did I keep you waiting?"
"No, not really—?!?"
I gaped at Gloria as she entered.
She wore the same skin-tight outfit Alensia had for massages—curves fully outlined, nipples faintly visible if you looked closely—entering with a shy, embarrassed smile.
"Ahaha... I saw Sia wearing something like this for her massage, so I thought..."
"........."
Fanning my face furiously, she sat bashfully on the bed's edge.
As I stared blankly, she averted her eyes awkwardly.
"...Sorry. Was that too much? An old lady like me... I-I'll go change."
"No, it's great... I mean, that's fine as is."
.....Just stay sharp mentally, right?