kscans

Chapter 194 - Returning from the Crystal Palace, and the Following Morning

By the time we returned from the dungeon, the sun had already set. We stood before the entrance pyramid.

The torches raised by the various inns in Crystal Square served as streetlights, casting a reddish glow over the area. The place was bustling with people, a stark contrast to the morning. The adventurers were gone, replaced by what looked like townspeople. The crowd was overwhelmingly male. Women stood in front of the inns, calling out to men, tugging at their sleeves, trying to lure them inside. The clamor brought home the realization that we were back from the dungeon, that this place was safe, and I let out a sigh of relief.

Inside the dungeon, we had eaten dried meat as rations, but it wasn't enough, and I was starving. The taverns on the first floor of the brothels seemed to serve regular food, but I hesitated to take Famu and Marmi inside. Though hungry and tired, we decided to return to our own inn for a meal.

In the end, we defeated the fortieth-floor Area Guardian six times. Reed and his 'Wind Blade' party had been stuck around this level. Even with Trusar, captain of the One-Land Royal Guard, in our party, the fact that we could consistently defeat it meant we had probably surpassed them. I wondered if we could now fight them on equal or better terms without using Goddess Summon.

The 'Warrior's Rings' dropped by the Area Guardian were all gathered by me first. I then handed them out to Famu and the others. The ring size seemed to automatically adjust to the wearer's finger. Feeling a bit shy, I handed them over without a word, and they accepted them in silence.

Nothing seemed to have changed, but Famu, in particular, put the ring on her left ring finger and gazed at it, holding it up to the sky.

As I watched her, I tried to give a ring to Trusar, but he refused to take it.

"No, I want you to give this directly to Maryanne-sama from your own hands, Mash-dono. She will surely be delighted."

"That's not what I mean. This one is for you."

"W-What did you say?!"

At my words, Trusar turned pale, his eyes wide, and he took a large step back.

For a moment, I didn't understand why he reacted with such fear, but seeing Mizuki and Myra staring at me with their mouths agape made me realize.

"N-No, that's not what I meant! I'm not into that! And this is your reward for this time. I'll give you a Mana Seed too."

We had obtained six this time, so I offered him one.

"If that's the case, then I cannot accept it. I am here to repay a debt of gratitude."

"Then there's something I want to ask you. Please accept this as payment for that information."

At those words, his expression changed, becoming stern.

"What do you want to know?"

I led him away from Famu and the others. As expected, they didn't follow.

"You know of the Crimson Brigade. I hear they're hiding in a fortress in the eastern mountains, but I want to know its exact location."

"And what will you do when you know?"

"…I have no intention of answering that."

Hearing my words, he crossed his arms.

"The fact that you won't let your companions hear means you plan to attack alone? But that's reckless. There are five hundred of them."

At his words, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists.

"I traveled with Famu all the way here. To me, she's special, but to others, she's just a normal girl. She laughs normally, gets angry normally. I've watched her all this time. That's why I can't forgive them. I can't forgive the people who stole her home and sold her as a slave. I'm sure she'd stop me if I told her I was going to fight them. But I just can't forgive them."

Trusar stared into my eyes and fell silent. The city's bustle felt distant. I felt like I was being swallowed by his dark eyes, which emanated a powerful light. Unable to bear it, I looked away. I was the man who had tried to turn back on the fortieth floor of the dungeon.

Even if I found out the location of their hideout, I had no concrete plan of action. Was he thinking I was an idiot? How was he planning to talk me out of this?

"Maryanne-sama was the same. Before meeting you, Mash-dono, even if she had something she wanted to say, she would never voice it, leaving everything to Seim-dono and staying out of politics. But when she heard that a village had been attacked and the victims were being sold in the market, she stood up for the first time. I don't know what the others in the One-Land family think. But I was waiting. I was waiting for Maryanne-sama to call on us."

With that, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

"Mash-dono, when that time comes, please take me with you. I will wear this ring you have given me and clear the path for you. I will surely see to it that the Crimson Brigade is annihilated. I have hidden it until now, but I have a Divine Grace. Please use this power."

"W-Wait, don't do that here! Besides, I need you to stay by Maryanne's side."

I hastily tried to make him stand up, but he was as unmoving as a rock. Famu and the others were watching us intently. Their gazes were more unsettling than the strange looks from the townspeople.

"Maryanne-sama needs you more than she needs me. I cannot allow you to go to your death alone."

"Please, stand up. It's not the noble feeling you're thinking of. It's just personal resentment."

"No matter what you say, I will not move until you nod your head."

"Kuh…"

I considered just leaving him and going home. At first, I had thought of asking Maryanne. But I had a feeling she would react in the same way as Trusar. That's why I decided to ask him, who I thought would be less interested in me, without telling her. And yet, this was the situation.

I could probably get the Crimson Brigade's location from the Mateo Trading Company or other information networks without asking him. But I didn't think I could get more detailed information than from those who had actually carried out the subjugation mission. Even though they had given up after the brigade fled into the mountains, it was unthinkable that they hadn't kept track of their movements since.

"…Alright. When the time comes, I'll count on you."

As I muttered in resignation, he looked up and grinned.

The next day, I was once again woken by the innkeeper pounding on the door. When I went to the dining hall, Trusar was there as if it were a matter of course. He was munching on a kebab sandwich, just like yesterday.

Reluctantly, I headed toward his table and noticed Patricia hiding in his shadow.

"Good morning."

I said, pretending to greet both of them, but directing my words to Patricia.

"Good morning, sir."

She stood up and bowed her head.

"…Morning."

Marmi, who had been yawning behind me, replied.

As we took our seats, kebab sandwiches and ayran were brought to us, just like yesterday. Famu, sitting next to me, lifted her cup with both hands and gulped down the ayran.

"Phew."

After finishing, she let out a satisfied sigh.

She seemed to notice my gaze and looked at me as if waiting for my words.

"…"

Without a word, I wiped the white foam from her lips with my finger. She narrowed her eyes as if tickled. Her tail wagged once,大きく.

Was this world looping? Had I been sent back to yesterday? At this rate, I'd be forced to conquer the fortieth floor of the Crystal Palace again.

As I was thinking this, Trusar offered me a kebab sandwich. I took it but didn't eat it. I shook my head as if to shake off a nightmare. I had already found the hint to escape this loop.

"Patricia, why are you here?"

She had been about to bite into her kebab sandwich but closed her mouth.

"Yes. I came to deliver two messages. First, the house is ready, and I would like you to take a look at it."

"That was fast. Is everything proceeding with Claire?"

If the house was empty, renovations would take time. If it was occupied, evicting the residents would take time. In other words, I had thought arranging for a new house would take a while. I couldn't even imagine what kind of house we would be assigned.

"Yes. The Mateo Trading Company has been informed. If Mash likes the house, the company will purchase it."

We weren't citizens of Miglutt, so we normally couldn't buy a house. Therefore, the Mateo Trading Company would act as an intermediary, purchase the house, and then rent it to us. Of course, with Marmi around now, such a method wasn't necessary. This was a deal to maintain a friendly relationship where the Star Union family, the Mateo Trading Company, and we all did favors for each other.

The Mateo Trading Company was a huge company with branches in every city. But in Miglutt, their branch was still new and small. Since it was an amount the company could afford, I figured it must be a normal house.

"Alright, let's go see it. And the second thing?"

I asked Patricia.

"Marina-sama has requested that Mash come to the mansion."

At those words, my mouth, which had been chewing on a kebab sandwich, stopped. I washed it down with ayran. It had a strange flavor, a mix of yogurt's tartness and saltiness. But it was an addictive taste.

"Is she angry?"

"No, did you do something to make her angry?"

"No, I can't think of anything."

The fact that she was summoning me specifically gave me a bad feeling that it was some kind of trouble. Did Shizuka and the others mess up? Or was there a problem with Cecily and the others' academic abilities? I felt like I had become a guardian.

However, I had things I wanted to ask her about Famu's curse and the conditions for freeing Patricia, so I thought it was a good opportunity.

"Alright, let's go to Mo's mansion after breakfast. After that, we'll go see our house."

Everyone nodded in agreement.