Chapter 83
Chapter 83
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 83
Chapter Title: Sophomore Jinx (3)
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"Big Sis."
"Yeah?"
"Actually, the labyrinth is a seriously suspicious existence, isn't it?"
In response to my words, Big Sis Cosetica, who was holding her glass with both hands and taking a sip of the cream from her Einspänner, nodded in agreement.
She must know better since she's the Guild Master.
"Is there maybe some secret handed down only to Guild Masters, like a proverb or something?"
"Nah. There's no such thing, but during the handover, they do give a warning. Anyway, if you go in and die, recovering the body is a hassle, so they tell you to steel yourself."
Just some general advice, huh.
I'd hoped for something like strange phenomena or a secret emergency response manual, but it seemed there was nothing like that.
Hard to believe there've been no major historical issues in a space influenced by the Demon God and Goddess's power, though.
"Surprisingly, aside from people dying because of the labyrinth itself or fights breaking out inside and killing people, there aren't many problems."
"And deaths inside don't get intervention unless it's something special, right?"
"Yeah. Only if someone other than adventurers enters the labyrinth and gets assassinated or something like that."
Tricky.
If nothing's been publicly revealed, that means I have to investigate everything one by one myself. Which means constantly entering the labyrinth, and that'd mess up cafe operations.
And while I might think 'it's the sequel, so plenty of time,' I've wrecked the original story's flow so badly that who knows when or where something might blow up.
Like sending two Demon God Cult executives to the afterlife earlier than in the original, and now at this point where I'm living in Astraea, maybe the cult's demons come here and tamper with the labyrinth.
Seemed like there was no real way forward, leaving me feeling needlessly uneasy.
Can't just leave it alone, but no solid clues to act on aggressively either.
"What's up?"
"Nothing much. Just thinking of diving into the labyrinth for a bit."
"Ooh. Is the Cafe Manager feeling the thrill of battle too?"
"Not quite."
Originally, when I was reborn, I built up my power to progress the story smoothly and because my damn father ordered it—not because I enjoyed fighting itself.
As much as I hate to admit it, Justina lived dutifully out of obligation too, without any real taste for battle, so maybe Father's child-rearing was a failure.
Or not. Father had been on battlefields for so long, but I don't think he enjoyed fighting and bloodshed either.
"Then is it something you have to do?"
"Yeah, that's about right. There's something I want to investigate."
"Can you tell me what? If I can help, I will."
"...Well, it's related to the Demon God. Might be a bit dangerous if you know."
"Huh?"
Cosetica tilted her head, clearly not understanding why such a topic came up in a dungeon, so I pondered how much to explain.
If I keep running into traces or fragments of the Demon God, it's true that as Guild Master, she'd get involved somehow anyway. Ignorance is bliss, but knowing and preparing is worlds apart from being ambushed unaware.
After a moment's thought, I explained as briefly as possible.
"See, I draw on a bit of the Goddess's power."
"Feels like I just heard something insane super casually."
"Anyway, last time I entered the labyrinth, something related to the Goddess happened. I learned the labyrinth is connected to the Goddess and Demon God."
"Wait, wait. This is starting to sound like stuff I shouldn't hear."
"That's why I said it might be dangerous."
"Didn't know it was this level."
Cosetica fidgeted for a bit, rolling her eyes around before finally squeezing them shut and declaring.
"Yeah! I'll help! Feels like I won't sleep if I hear half of it!"
"Kinda, yeah?"
"So summarize it quick!"
"...Simply put, there are fragments of the Demon God in the labyrinth. I got something like an oracle telling me to collect them properly."
"Since when...?"
"Apparently since the labyrinth was created."
"Oh my god, Goddess, what the hell. People have been going in there?"
I moved beside Big Sis Cosetica, who was shaking with her glass still in hand—even forgetting her usual speech pattern—and gently pried her fingers off one by one to set it down, then massaged her ear roots firmly.
She let out a "Hueeng" and slumped over the table, so I told her.
"No need to worry that much. I'll investigate properly first. It's not like sudden problems are popping up now after all this time."
"True, but... still kinda worrying."
"I'll hustle around for a bit."
My words didn't ease her shock; she tapped the table anxiously with her index finger, then looked at me with a resolved expression.
"Cafe Manager."
"Yes."
"I think you should talk to Mina about this."
"You think? I figured acting alone would be safer."
"Mina won't stay put if she knows."
She had a point, but I hesitated to drag Big Sis Mina into a problem that didn't directly involve her.
Obviously, if the labyrinth really is the sequel's setting, it'd be events after Ermina's story wraps up in a couple years.
Over two years means, in Astraea with its fast population turnover, who knows what new talents might show up.
Including, naturally, people with the protagonist among them.
Protagonists usually have abilities effective against any foe, so teaming up with me now—when I can't guarantee what I can handle—is too risky.
"Let's decide after gathering more info. Keep it secret for now, please."
"...For real?"
"Yes. I really think that's safest."
"Hmm."
Cosetica stared piercingly at me for a moment, then brought the straw of her half-drunk Einspänner to her lips, took a sip, and spoke.
"Is the Cafe Manager always like this?"
"Huh?"
"The type who's the strongest, so goes alone into danger? Processes things solo regardless of others' worries. Was it like that at the academy too?"
"...Well, if you put it that way, yeah."
"That's a bad habit. You have to realize that just as you care for those around you, they care for you too."
Hard to argue when she puts it like that, but rationally, solo action makes sense.
Maybe my unconvinced expression showed, because her tail, swishing behind her, started thumping against the chair.
"Even if you go solo, tell Mina and convince her first."
"...Got it. Don't look at me like that."
As I sighed in concession, Cosetica stood and patted my head plop plop. Probably meant it was a good idea.
Being shorter than me, she even went on tiptoes—how to describe this? Big sis who doesn't feel like one.
"Why that face?"
"Do you have any siblings?"
"Got an older sis."
"Figures."
Yeah, she doesn't have little brother experience.
Cosetica caught on to my teasing and pouted, punching my chest lightly with her fists.
As I laughed it off, the cafe door opened and Big Sis Mina walked in.
"...What are you two doing?"
"Oh, Mina."
"Lovers' quarrel?"
"No no no no no. Just exchanging opinions briefly."
"Opinions about the future?"
"Really not!"
Mina started grilling Cosetica with a slightly angry face, so I waved my hands to explain.
Since we'd decided to tell her anyway, I sat her beside Cosetica and laid it out.
She started with a sulky expression but grew serious and asked.
"For that, how strong do you need to be to handle it safely?"
"Strength matters, but really, having the Goddess's power helps a lot."
"Mm. Then I'll head home for a bit."
"Is that related to the World Tree?"
"Yeah. I was supposed to be its shrine maiden anyway. I'll grab the power and hurry back."
Is that even allowed?
Mina's casual remark cleared it up.
"Elves won't fuss if I'm gone 50 or 100 years anyway."
"Ah, the time sense."
"So don't worry. Say I'm off finding a husband and taking it slow—they won't look for a while."
Her utterly nonchalant words left both me and Cosetica speechless for a moment.
Watching Mina vanish like the wind after saying she'd be back eventually, I could only mutter one thing.
"What kind of lives do elves live?"
"No idea."