Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Sisterly Affection (6)
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"...What the heck did ya do?"
"...That's how it happened."
"Never seen the lower levels get blocked before like this."
On the evening of the day we smuggled out that one tombstone, Cosetica Big Sis grilled us with a face that looked utterly dead from exhaustion.
We'd taken it figuring it'd be trouble if the demon folk found it, but apparently it was something like a vital point for the labyrinth, and now the path to that floor was sealed off.
Fortunately, it was a pretty high-difficulty floor, so there weren't any adventurers below—no one got trapped.
No major issues cropped up, which was a relief, but every time we did something, the labyrinth turned into a mess and the risk of hurting people shot up. We really needed to be more careful.
Feeling like we'd caused her unnecessary trouble, I gave an awkward smile, and with a sigh, Cosetica Big Sis straightened up her spot.
"If any more problems pop up, I'll lemme ya know. Head on in and get some rest."
"Got it. Sorry about this. If there's anything I can do to help later, just say the word."
"Sure thing. Lately, things just ain't been easy."
"Tell me about it. Once it's all sorted, I'd love to go hang out together or something."
"Uwaa. I wanna go too~."
I couldn't just irresponsibly tell a busy person to go play, so I said we'd talk about it if the chance came up later, and wrapped up the conversation.
Was it good luck or bad? Back at the academy, there were all those romance drama issues typical of the genre, but nothing this dynamic or active.
On the flip side, no one who likes me was fighting now, but my body was taking a beating.
I hoped this wouldn't drag on to a season 3. Please, no.
I gave Cosetica Big Sis a final goodbye and left the guild master's office.
With my body and mind both feeling stiff as boards, I twisted this way and that, and cracks sounded from all over. My body, which used to shrug off rolling around in winter mountains, acting up like this meant my mental fatigue was pretty severe.
Honestly, having Karin camped out in my room nonstop was exhausting in its own right, but I couldn't boot her out for safety reasons, so that wasn't easy either.
I didn't dislike people or anything, but with my alone time so scarce, I could feel the mental strain piling up.
"...Maybe I'll take it easy today."
Everyone would probably be at the cafe if I went there, so instead, I figured I'd skip it and take a stroll around the area.
Still stiff all over, but the sunlight made it feel a bit more bearable. The weather was still pretty summery hot, but thanks to that, there were fewer people than usual—exactly the vibe I wanted.
It wasn't anything grand, but just being able to be alone on a quiet street like this was a small comfort. I wasn't wearing a mask like back at the academy, but the fatigue was building up in a whole different direction.
I'd dreamed of opening a little cafe in some out-of-the-way corner and coasting through the rest of my life, but how'd things end up like this?
I couldn't say I hated the current situation, but it was definitely far from what I'd originally envisioned.
"Well now. Haven't seen the outside world in ages."
"Ah, Mr. Dras."
"What brings ya out here all by your lonesome?"
"Just feeling beat and wanted to unwind a bit."
"Thought ya did your solo resting at the cafe."
With a hearty chuckle, Mr. Dras plopped down in the chair next to mine and stroked his beard as he spoke.
"Eh, moods change day to day—no plans to grill ya over it. But ain't there folks waitin' for ya at the cafe?"
"Yeah. Always heard havin' someone waitin' at home is pure bliss, but guess my stomach's full too."
"Haha. From my view, long separated from family, it ain't like that. But youth's a different story. Havin' someone who knows your every move? Turns out it's more burdensome than ya think. Even when ya wanna be alone, it's tough."
"...Life experience is scary stuff."
"Experience sticks around. Unless ya turn into some greedy fool chasin' personal gain even after gettin' old, everyone's got this much wisdom."
I gave a vague smile, and Mr. Dras gave my back a solid pat before plunking down a drink and waving as he headed off.
He must've picked up that I wanted to be alone and left accordingly. Proper adults are on another level.
Thinking of my father—who sure wasn't much of one—I took a sip of the drink he'd left behind.
...It's booze.
It had a sharp bite that suited my mood perfectly, so I didn't toss it or push it away—just downed it straight.
"Fruit liquor, huh."
Maybe it was the booze kicking in, or perhaps because dusk was falling and the heat easing off, bringing the streets back to life—as I deliberately let my resistance drop and got a little tipsy amid it all.
Just a short break like this, then back to it.
I couldn't afford to collapse from exhaustion now.
**
Ermina finished her etiquette lesson for the day and headed back to her dorm.
Thanks to doggedly chasing after Rias Calamity and begging nonstop, she'd managed to hire a proper instructor—but it was grueling work she'd never done before, separate from how her parents had raised her precious.
Who knew walking with a perfectly straight back could be this tough? Balancing a book on her head while holding wobbling cups of water in both hands and walking a straight line—she'd failed double digits of times.
Christoph and Yumin had always praised her as innately noble, but looking back, it was basically just flattery.
Of course, she knew a person's status wasn't determined solely by such manners, but there was a clear difference between being able to do it but not bothering versus not knowing how.
Anyway, dragging her utterly drained body back to the dorm, she spotted two people waiting at the door to her room.
It was pretty late—who'd be out here?—but it turned out to be Karin's two friends, currently staying in Astraea.
"Ah, there she is."
"Yup."
"What brings you two here...?"
"Ehehe. Figured we'd be in the way if we swung by through the weekend. Thought maybe Senior Ermina could pass this along instead?"
Saying so, Sophia casually held out a bundle including clothes and various daily necessities. It seemed considerate for a longer stay in Astraea—stuff like consumables and clothes that were likely running low.
They really were good friends. If I were in her shoes, would anyone come for me?
It'd be nice if Julius showed up. But fat chance.
As her mood started to dip a little, Sophia beat her to the punch.
"If ya ever need anything later, Senior, just holler! Kinda unfair that only Karin's crashing there, y'know."
"...B-but I haven't done anything for you. Why?"
"Y'know, that one time—the attack we don't wanna think about. Ya helped us out then, and we think you're a good person!"
Ermina felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes for no good reason.
There weren't many people who treated her kindly purely out of goodwill, without scheming for personal gain.
If she cried here, she'd get teased forever, so she held it together somehow and took the items.
"If there's ever anything, I'll help out too. My strength is meager, though."
"Nah. Like ya know, I don't have friends. If ya'd lend me your strength..."
"Ya made her cry~."
"Shut it, you."
Natalie pulled out a handkerchief and gently dabbed at the tears leaking from Ermina's eyes.
"Our ultimate alpha for sure."
"Woman."
"Yup. I know full well our Natalie's a woman through and through."
Natalie grabbed Sophia's grinning lips and yanked until tears streamed down her face, not letting go until then. In the end, two out of the three were bawling for entirely different reasons before the gathering broke up.
Still wiping away her teary eyes, Ermina entered the dorm and reached her room, where she noticed a note tucked into the door crack.
Ermina set down her stuff for a moment to check it, and her face turned puzzled right away.
"Reni...?"
She wasn't entirely sure, but she knew it was someone connected to Yumin Bertrand. Whispers in the magic department often said they had real skill.
There were rumors of eccentric behavior too, but she'd never crossed paths with them directly—why all of a sudden...?
After reading the whole thing, Ermina's expression grew even more dubious.
"Why's this person inviting me along too?"
If it were the southeast purification effort, maybe, but there wasn't much to handle in Astraea. Unless Yumin had ordered it, there was no reason for this, and even if she went later, no need to tag along together.
Forgetting to even go inside, Ermina stared at the note, feeling oddly like she was up to no good, so she glanced around quickly before entering her room.
Ermina herself hadn't reached any proper conclusions with Christoph or Yumin yet, but somehow their relationship had improved?
Or was it one-sided from Yumin?
Amid these tangled human relationships, Ermina felt left behind all alone once more.
Alone at the academy.
Even by Julius's side, never hearing a word, just watching daily life flow by—what was the difference?
This time.
This time, she'd go and say it.
That she wanted to help. That she needed help.