297 - - a hole that disappeared

"Are you sure about the seal?　Master Thor."

At the serious tone of Balkonia's voice, Thor nodded quietly as he extended his hand.

It is true that by sealing the noxious gas hole, we will gain wealth and prestige unmatched by our adventurer days.

But it would also bring with it responsibilities and troublesome tasks.

But for a middle-aged adventurer who was once despised as a mud fisherman, there is no better opportunity for advancement.

Through his long apprenticeship, however, Thor had come to understand himself well.

He would not normally spend twenty-five years of his life developing useless skills in a foolish and honest manner, even if it was to save his childhood friend, a girl to whom he owed a debt of gratitude.

He had a lot of willpower, but most of his motivation came from his enjoyment of walking through dangerous forests and killing monsters.

And in the past six months, Thor's desire to go to strange places and face new threats has only intensified.

A wonderful and awe-inspiring sight that most humans never get to see.

The tension that makes your skin crawl when confronting a life-threatening entity.

And the triumph that comes from doing everything in our power to the death.

The friends who share in the hardships and joys of life.

In the end, Thor loves the act of adventure that combines all of these things in the depths of his heart.

And in any case, his clumsy nature, which allows him to focus on only one thing at a time, is not suited for a position in which he would have to lead a large group of people and rule a city.

"I've done nothing but swing swords for too long. I'm not the right person for the mayor's chair.

"You don't have to worry about that too much, do you? I am sure there are many who would willingly raise their hands if only Master Thor were so inclined. Besides, it seems that the ...... expectations were also high. ......"

Thor scratched the bottom of his chin silently at Barconia, who unusually slurred her words.

Perhaps he had heard from his friend Siegka that many of the Central European officials and residents of the town were in favor of Thor.

Most of the Central Americans are the descendants of those who were living in the border area when the "Coma Hole" occurred and survived the disaster.

Most of those towns and villages have already been swallowed by the miasma and disappeared.

That is why it was the long-cherished wish of those who lost their birthplace to build a border town named after the central landspeople.

"I know what everyone wants. But I don't want to stop while I can go on.

Thor said it so clearly that Balconia, who had been helped up, rolled her eyes and then her mouth fell open in a funny smile.

"That's also a very Thor-like thing to say, isn't it? Then I look forward to the day when we can work together again. Yes, I have no intention of retiring yet, after having recommended you to do so.

They looked at each other and put more strength into their clasped hands.

Thor looked at him with a casual smile, and Barconia noticed the change that had taken place in him.

"Mmm, my hair is completely back to its original length!　Oh, even the mustache!　What an amazing feat! This is a skill that would be a shame to leave him as a town chief!"

Barconia was so impressed that she was talking even faster than usual, but Moe, who was stroking her head absent-mindedly, seemed different.

He puffs out his cheeks and smacks Thor's thigh.

"Yah!　To-chan, you can't fix the smoothness!"

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Look at this fine, elegant mustache!

"You have to be smooth, old man!

Thor, who had been mildly amused by their friendly quarrel, turned his attention to the female player and the male waterman.

The flute and the knife with the wavy blade are already tucked away in their respective pockets.

They looked at Sora, who was still rambling on, and at Kugase, who was asking questions and responding to them.

And Ram Merulla, whose beautiful, clear eyes, usually full of reason and wisdom, are turning black like the surface of the water at the bottom of a well.

Thor approached Riccoli and the others and asked them frankly about their concerns.

"Just to make sure, is there anything wrong with the 'bitter water of sorrow' when sealing the miasma, or later on?"

Yes, that's not a concern.

"Yes, you just spit it out and that's it. It's more difficult to raise them, you know. That's why I wanted to get this over with. ......"

The older sister looks worriedly at her younger sister, but her expression does not show the urgency she had just shown.

Mordamo, the neighbor, has lost all of his troubled mood.

Thor, reassured by the change in the two, again broached the subject.

"Then, can I leave the sealing to you?　I'm sorry if I'm putting you through a lot of trouble."

No, not at all. No, not at all. Rather, are you sure you want us to do such a despicable thing?

Thor nodded as quietly as before to Moldamo, who posed a question similar to that of Barconia.

He glanced over and met eyes with Yuril, who was staring at him.

His expression showed a hint of relief.

"I don't know what's going on, but you really need a new town, don't you? If it's good for someone, that's reason enough."

Even though we have known each other for a few weeks, we are well aware that Riccoli and Moldamo are not the kind of people who act out of self-interest.

In the first place, if they were such people, they would not have been willing to go along with such a dangerous battle to the very end.

Mordamo's expression twisted as Thor said simply, "I am not a man who would go along with such a dangerous battle until the very end.

He hurriedly covered his eyes with his hand, but the blush on the face of the blue-scaled man was so red that even the scales on his neck were clearly visible.

Keeping his face down, Mordamo squeezes out a few words.

"Thor-sama ......, you are the one who should be called a hero after all."

"Don't do it. You're making me itchy."

Thor reaches out to touch his chin, but then Kugase suddenly calls out to him.

"Thor, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"It looks like we're almost there, so I think it's time to call it a night."

That's a very dangerous thing to say. What do you want me to do?

It's very simple. What do you think of Sora?

The question sent a shiver down Rummella's spine.

Anxious glances were busily passing between Thor and Sola.

I was aware that he adored me, but it seemed that he truly cared for me.

Then, no matter how he answered, he would surely hurt Rummelera.

Thor, who had raised his eyebrows unintentionally, made up his mind and answered clearly.

"Yes, I do. I care for you from the bottom of my heart. If I could, I would stay with you forever.

"Tomi, Thor-chan ......"

"Moo will always be with you, too, To-chan!"

Moo, who had been nearby for some time, clung to Thor's waist and pressed his golden tendrils against him.

Sola, who had also rushed over to him, jumped into his chest and buried her face in his.

"Oh, I don't see who's included..."

"Oh, no, of course not, Mr. Yuril."

A chilling voice echoed from behind him, and Thor turned around and hurriedly held out his hand.

The silver-haired beauty stepped toward him and gave him her usual smile as she held his hand.

Touching the three, Thor turned his head straight to Rummella.

It would be too unmanly to deceive at this point.

"I appreciate your feelings very much and I'm happy for you, Ram. But for someone like me..."

Thor stopped short of saying "middle-aged, dull man.

To belittle oneself without meaning to is to belittle the feelings of the person who has done you a favor.

After a small shake of his head, he tells her exactly how he feels about the warmth he is feeling right now.

"I'm sorry, my hands are full with these two right now. I can't reciprocate your feelings."

"So ............ and ......."

At that moment, large tears fell from Rummella's eyes.

At the same time, a strange kind of pressure was born, enveloping her petite frame in an instant.

In an instant, however, they converged and disappeared into the girl.

"Well, it seems to have worked. Yes, you did a good job, Ram-chan.

With a nasal voice of comfort, Kugase gently hugged Ram Merulla's shoulder.

Licori runs to her sister and helps her to her feet.

"Come on, seal the hole quickly and let's go back to the city and have a party!"

"Yeah, I guess so. Forget about that blind man right away, Ram.

Ram Merulla nodded his head absentmindedly and started walking as Kugasse and the others led him.

But then someone blocked their way.

It was the twins, who had lost interest in Ram Merulla and the others' conversation and were examining the corpse of the labyrinth's master.

"Don't interrupt me, Miss Kiki!"

At Kugase's slightly angry tone, the twin sister gives an exaggerated shrug.

She remained silent and pointed behind her with a snap of her chin.

Standing there was Rasel.

As all eyes were on them, the swordsman held out his hand.

Then, to everyone's surprise, he announced the truth.

The miasma has disappeared. And this is what fell out."

In the palm of Raszel's hand was a red skeleton key.