Chapter 741: Journey for the Turtle Den Key
Chapter 741: Journey for the Turtle Den Key
“Excuse me. Vanessa.”
“……”
No matter how many times I called, Vanessa never answered, simply staring ahead as she walked with purpose.
Still in her casual clothes. But she had used Polymorph to hide her distinctive Dragonian horns and tail.
In other words, this was the situation: because I’d kept her occupied until just before mealtime, Vanessa didn't have time to change and had to perform her butler duties in her day clothes.
And that was why she was giving me the silent treatment.
Well, I don't think she's actually angry, though.
“I told you I could lend you the desert-themed maid outfit I have. Why don't you just go change in that room over…”
“Do not come within five paces.”
Well, she was being incredibly wary.
To the point where she wouldn't even let me get close, even though she was supposed to be guiding me to the dining hall.
“Don't you think you're being a little too harsh with me?”
“Reflect upon your own actions.”
At Vanessa’s cold response, I glanced up at the sky through the window.
The bright sunlight streamed down, filling my body with a pleasant warmth. I was already steeped in a pleasant languor from our recent exertions.
The weather was so nice it actually made me a little depressed to think I had to go to the dungeon on a day like this.
But depression was depression.
“Hmm. I look to the heavens with a clear conscience.”
“……”
At my shameless reply, Vanessa finally stopped walking and stared at me with a cold gaze.
Of course, it had no effect on me.
After all, I had just been passionately entangled with the very person giving me that icy stare.
“Why are you looking at me like that? What's so wrong about spending a happy time with a woman I like?”
“Kgh!”
“You were clinging to me because you enjoyed it, too.”
“…Kuh. That is precisely the problem.”
As I continued my brazen remarks with a straight face, Vanessa turned away again and muttered something under her breath as she resumed walking.
“Hm?”
“It is nothing.”
“Are you keeping me at a distance because you're afraid you'll lose control again if I get close?”
“……Kk.”
You heard me perfectly fine, so why are you playing dumb?! I could have said that, but I held back.
Perhaps deciding that continuing this conversation would only put her at a disadvantage, Vanessa clammed up again.
That might work normally, but isn't staying silent in a situation like this a bad move?
Her silence would just make me more conscious of her. It’s not like she could see my face, anyway.
As an experiment, I also fell silent and simply followed behind Vanessa.
And then, I thought I could see a subtle hesitation in her steps.
Right, right. You're dying of curiosity, aren't you? Wondering what kind of expression I have on my face as I follow you.
I desperately suppressed the laugh that threatened to escape and continued following her. Finally, it seemed our iron-blooded butler could no longer contain her curiosity and stopped in her tracks.
“…We have arrived.”
“Huh?”
When did we get to the dining hall?
It seemed Vanessa wasn't the only one who had been completely focused on the other person.
“Well then, I will be back shortly after I change.”
While I stood there dumbfounded, caught off guard, Vanessa left me with only those words and quickly disappeared.
Damn. Even after what we did yesterday, she's still the iron-blooded butler when she's on duty, huh?
No, well, the fact that the Apostle Appointment was a success means our relationship has definitely progressed.
Shaking my head, I entered the dining hall.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning. Did Vanessa not come with you?”
“Ah, yeah. She came with me, but she went to change into her butler uniform. She's so diligent, even after receiving the Apostle's Seal.”
“Is that not her greatest strength?”
“You’re right about that.”
I casually announced that Vanessa had received the Apostle's Seal, but none of my girls showed any sign of surprise.
The way they accepted the news as if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if they'd expected it, was so charming I couldn't help but fall in love with them all over again.
I really do have a great eye for women.
“And Leia, thank you.”
“Huh? Oh, no, not at all. It's not like I decided on my own.”
My angel looked puzzled, as if she didn't know what I was thanking her for, but she soon realized what I meant and her cheeks flushed softly.
Right. Come to think of it, everyone's turn was pushed back a day. There's no way Leia decided that by herself.
“So, everyone…”
“Oh, honestly! Stop it! Are you trying to brag on purpose?!”
As I tried to offer my thanks once more, Sara cried out for me to stop.
Not that she was genuinely angry; she just seemed to dislike this kind of atmosphere.
“No. You’re just my little… Mmph…”
“Hey. Guwon.”
“I'm sorry.”
Okay, I know it's not something I should say in front of the others, but please, spare me the killing intent while you're covering my mouth.
Sometimes when you unleash your killing intent, it's not a metaphor—my skin actually tingles.
“Well, anyway, it's back to the dungeon life starting today. To think we have to be cooped up in a place like the dungeon on such a beautiful day.”
“Hehe. Oh, Guwon.”
As I grumbled with a sigh, Leia looked at me as if I were adorable and giggled.
…No, my angel. I wasn't joking.
“Hah. I agree. Just thinking about having to sleep underwater already is making me depressed.”
Unlike Leia, however, another one of our holy women sighed in deep sympathy with my words.
“We're just going there to get the monster penis, so if you don't want to go, you can stay behind.”
“No, I don't want that.”
I threw that out there to be considerate, but Matilda flatly refused with a serious expression.
She may not like it, but she’s firm when it comes to things like this.
She's always so sharp and decisive when she's not in her lovey-dovey mode.
“The Arachne Clan… they were supposed to come after breakfast, right?”
“Mm. They considered our circumstances and didn't pester us to go yesterday, but they must be quite eager to get started.”
“True. Knowing Alicia's personality, it wouldn't be strange if she's been here waiting since this morning.”
“…Hmph. So, what makes you so sure she's the one who's coming?”
My comment was thoughtless, but Sara shot back with a cold voice.
“Uh, huh? No, I wasn't sure, her name just slipped out… No! I mean, we ran into them last time we went there! So I figured they were at the right level to go to the Turtle Den! And they're the only ones I know by name from the Arachne Clan at that level. Besides, wouldn't it be funny if she was already here?”
“You know, you look even more suspicious when you're flustered.”
“See? Matilda thinks you look suspicious, too!”
Matilda hadn't seemed to mean it as an accusation, but Sara immediately jumped on it as if it were the perfect opportunity.
Is she doing this on purpose… Wait a minute. She's totally doing this on purpose, isn't she?
Getting revenge for earlier like this is so cheap.
In that case, I’ll…
“Silvia!”
“Ye-Yehh?!”
Unlike the rest of our boisterous group, Silvia had been quietly savoring her meal in the corner. When the arrow suddenly turned to her, she jumped in surprise, her body trembling.
“Sara's bullying me!”
“Eh, eh…?”
At my tattling, Silvia looked completely lost.
She probably had no idea what I expected her to do about it.
Yep. I said it knowing that.
“You don't know what to do?”
“N-No…”
“Can't be helped. Come here.”
I gestured quietly to the bewildered Silvia.
As soon as she put down her utensils and hesitantly approached, I pulled her into a tight hug and sat her on my lap.
“Hyaah!? Awoooo…”
“Phew. This is it. Nothing beats Silvia-therapy for calming the mind and body.”
Of course, Silvia immediately began to tremble.
Feeling her vibrations through my whole body, I felt my mind and body instantly relax.
“Look at this idiot… bullying Silvia so naturally and without any context.”
Sara gave me a look of utter disbelief.
What are you talking about? Bullying? Someone might get the wrong idea.
“Silvia. Are you suffering?”
“I-I'm happyyy!”
“Hmph. You heard her.”
As I puffed out my chest smugly, Sara's expression soured.
“Wait a minute! Before you say anything to me, I have a warning for you.”
“…What is it.”
“At this rate, Silvia will definitely die of happiness within two hours. If you value her life, you'd better stop nagging me… Ouch!”
“Stop talking nonsense and eat your food.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
Subdued by a single pinch to my side from Sara, I had no choice but to obediently release Silvia and eat my meal.
But the meaningless things I’d said before the meal weren't entirely baseless.
At least one of them had turned out to be perfectly accurate.
“…You're here already.”
After we finished eating, Vanessa had suddenly called for me and led me somewhere.
Following her lead to the reception room, I found Alicia and her lackeys... I mean, the three rising stars of Arachne.
No wonder it was taking Vanessa so long just to change her clothes. It seems she was entertaining our guests while we were eating.
“He-Hey. It's been a few days.”
Alicia was clearly aware that she had arrived quite early, as she raised her hand in an awkward greeting when she saw me.
“…Yeah. Hey. Vanessa, sorry, but could you tell the others to get ready right away? And the things you said you prepared…”
“Yes. I will bring them.”
Vanessa bowed her head and left the room.
“…What's with that butler.”
Alicia muttered with a sour expression, looking in the direction Vanessa had disappeared.
It looked like she wanted to say something but was forcing herself to hold it back.
“What's wrong?”
“No, I mean, that butler's been acting weird ever since we got here. Is she always like that? Or did we get into a fight on the street sometime and I forgot?”
“Uh, yeah. She just has a naturally stiff expression.”
Hearing Alicia's muttering, I could only offer a clumsy excuse.
I couldn't exactly say, ‘It's because she's my woman, too, and she knows you used to like me and that you took my virginity.’
“It wasn't just stiffness, I felt something like hostility from her.”
This girl… she's usually so oblivious and easygoing, but she's sharp at times like this. Is this what they call wild intuition?
“A-Anyway. You got here early.”
“Ah, yeah. Well, sorry about that. Our Miriel was getting impatient. She probably acted cool in front of you guys, but she's pretty desperate right now. So, cut her some slack.”
Alicia said this with an exasperated look, and it seemed she really did know something about Miriel's situation.
Judging by her reaction, it didn't seem like she was hiding some serious secret like I feared.
No. But Alicia is a warrior type, too.
Given her personality, I doubt she's capable of hiding anything, but it's also possible she just doesn't think it's a big deal.
I wanted to probe for more information, but it was difficult with the trio next to Alicia staring at me with aggrieved expressions.
No, I mean, I'm sorry I didn't cover for you guys.
How could I have imagined that Alicia would pour her passion into training you all again after that?
In any case, it was a rare chance to have a deep conversation with Alicia, but I came away with nothing.
Come to think of it, considering one of us dumped the other, it probably would have been impossible to have a deep, probing conversation even if the trio hadn't been there.
Her personality is so straightforward that we can talk like this without any awkwardness, but there must be a limit. Let's just think positively.
“Alright. Shall we get going?”
While we were having this conversation with no real substance, my girls finished their preparations for the dungeon. After restocking my inventory with the consumables Vanessa had provided, I took the lead and headed for the dungeon.