218 - - Episode 216 has come.

I finally got out of the labyrinth. This time, I have conquered the labyrinth up to the 80th layer, and I got a wand of dark magic. Is everything going pretty well?　From now on, we will search after the 87th layer, which the heroes gave up on. There are treasure chests and bonuses for boss battles, so we should be very happy.

（Let's go back to the inn for now.)

I get out of the labyrinth and tell Sylphy and the others in a whisper while straightening my back. Sylphy checks the layers where Sara and the others might be, but they are not there, so Sara and the others must be out of the labyrinth. It's nighttime, so let's stay at the inn and listen to the results of Sarah and the others' search.

Welcome back!　You don't look hurt. I'm glad you're okay.

When I entered the inn, I was greeted by Martha. It was a little late in the day, so there were fewer guests, and she seemed to be free.

"Yes, I'm back safe and sound.

Gina and the girls have already eaten and are resting in their room. But they are great! They seem to be the talk of the town among adventurers. The adventurers who come to this inn are trying to talk to them, but I'm guarding them, so don't worry.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you.

I knew Gina and the others had returned to the inn. I mean, did they get much attention in ten days or so?　He seems to be safe, and he's not the type to do anything reckless, so did he stand out even though he was just going about his normal business?

"He's a guest at the inn and my husband's apprentice, of course I'm supposed to protect him. Don't worry about it."

As usual, Martha has a good spirit. But don't forget that you are not only Mr. Torque's apprentice, but mine as well. If I'm not careful, I could lose two of my students. I'll do my best.

Thank you very much.

"Don't worry about it. Speaking of which, what are you going to do for dinner?

I haven't eaten, but I can only order for one person, which only adds to the hassle. Let's go back to the room and eat the food from the magic bag.

"I've eaten too, so I'm good for today's meal. Oh, I'm going to take it apart tomorrow, but I've got some tasty demons that I'll bring back to you. Please tell Mr. Toruku about it.

"New ingredients?　What kind of meat is it?

Emperor bird. The book says it's a very tasty meat, so I'm looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to Great Emperor Bird meat too, but just like with dragon meat, if you taste Great Emperor Bird meat first, there is a possibility that regular Emperor Bird meat will be bland. The order is important. I would like to taste the meat of Fire Dragon, but it tastes like Assault Dragon class.

I'm afraid that if I eat Fire Dragon, I won't be satisfied with other meats. I've told Mr. Toruku that I'll bring some Fire Dragon meat with me, so I'll have to eat it eventually, but ...... I just can't make up my mind.

"Never heard of it. But I'm sure my husband will know. I'll tell him later."

Thank you very much. Oh, I'm going to dive into the labyrinth again this time, and when I'm done I'd like Mr. Toruku to cook a big batch of food for me again, if that's all right."

"Hmm?　Well, I don't mind if he enjoys making a lot of food. By the way, I told you before that the receptionist of the guild of commerce wanted to meet you. Do you think you can find the time?"

I remember you telling me about that. I think he's some kind of gastronomic charisma. Betty, you said. She seems to know a lot of cuisines and good places to eat, and I'd like to meet her.

"I don't know when she'll be back, but after we finish exploring the next labyrinth, would that be all right?"

"Yeah, okay, I'll let them know. I'll let her know. She wants to see you too. I'm sure we can work something out.

Haha, you don't have to be so hard on yourself. I'm sure we can work something out when we get back from the labyrinth, so please let her know.

"Yes."

Okay, I'm going back to my room.

I say goodbye to Martha and return to my room. I'm curious to know what's going on with Sarah and the others, that they're doing so well that they're even being talked about. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like a bad rumor, which is a bit of a relief, unlike mine.　First, let's call Gina and gather in Sarah's room.

****

Master, welcome back, master, welcome back, welcome back.

"Sara, Marco, Kikka, I'm home."

I patted the heads of the three people who greeted me in turn. Sylphy, Dolly, Belle and Fukuchan are greeting next to me. It's pretty lively.

We go into the room, stow away one of the beds, and get ready for dinner. How about a master who eats in his apprentice's room as soon as he comes back?　Well, it doesn't help that Bell and the others want to eat, too. He serves a little more food and starts talking with Gina and Fuchu while they are enjoying the food.

"So, how was your search in the labyrinth?　Did you have any trouble?"

"Master, that's the thing. ......"

Gina started to talk, looking a little troubled. Something was troubling her. Something that got her attention?

"We didn't have any problems the first time we explored the labyrinth. I learned about the labyrinth from Sara and Mel, and we were able to explore it without any problems. We came back talking about going to the marshlands next time.

If there was no problem the first time, it must mean there was a problem the next time. He nodded and urged me to continue.

"I got out of the labyrinth and went to the Adventurer's Guild to sell some materials, and I was praised very much. For some reason a Valkyrie appeared and was very kind to me. She asked me to dive the labyrinth with her, but I refused because we had many secrets to keep. But then we met in the labyrinth and he asked us to go with him, so I was a bit troubled.

...... I didn't expect the Valkyrie story to come up here. I thought the Adventurers Guild told you to stay away from me, but didn't they stop you from approaching your apprentice?　Either way, outside the Adventurers' Guild he approached me in a subtle way, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind approaching his apprentice.

"Did he ask you out that many times?"

"I think he asked me once at the Adventurers' Guild, once in front of the labyrinth, and once at the 17th layer. When I said no, he immediately backed off, but every time I see him, I have a feeling he will continue to ask me out."

Three times ...... he even talked to me in the labyrinth, it depends on whether he invited me because he met me by chance or he came all the way to the labyrinth to find me and invite me.

I'm sure he's trying to establish a relationship with Gina and the others so that he can establish a connection with me. But from what I've heard from Gina, it seems like she's worried about Gina and her friends' party with many kids and is offering her help out of the goodness of her heart. ...... I'm kind of scared of her.

I wonder if I should take the Valkyrie and break through the 50th layer before she gets involved in some weird way.　No, if we do that, more people will come close to Gina and the others, and the Adventurers' Guild will get carried away.

If I told them to stay away from my girls, the Valkyries would lose their reputation, since they are popular both in the Adventurers' Guild and in the labyrinth city. I don't mind if my reputation is damaged, but the reputation of the necromancer and Gina and the others will be damaged as well...... what's this, it's really bothering me.

"Well, if I interfere, it's going to be even more troublesome. I'm sure you'll be approached again, but you can clearly tell them that I forbid you to work with other people."

The Valkyries are very public-spirited, so I doubt they will do anything to Gina and the others. If she tries anything, the great spirit guarding us will take care of it, so I think it would be easier for us.

I understand. But is your master being targeted by the Valkyrie?　They asked me a lot of questions about you. I guess the famous Valkyrie is after you, so you must be a great teacher."

Gina is giving me credit where it's due. Should I tell her that Valkyrie is black-hearted?　They're after me, but they're totally after me as a stepping stone. .......

I'm getting sad thinking about it. What am I going to do?　I wanted to fade away as much as possible without knowing it, but now they've set their sights on my apprentice. I'll talk to Dory later.

"Well, I don't think the Valkyries are so much interested in me as they are in the 50th level and beyond..."

"I see, it seems that for adventurers, the 50th layer and beyond are very special."

Gina nodded her head yes or no. She's a little too straightforward, too. I'm a little worried that she might be easily fooled.

"Well, that's all right about the Valkyrie, how was your search for the labyrinth after that?

"Yes!　Master, we defeated the Giant Dire!"

Marco interrupted me, as if he really wanted to talk about it.

"Wow, how did you manage to find them when there seems to be only one in each layer?

Fukuchan and her friends came looking for us. And we worked so hard with everyone to defeat it!　The people at the Adventurers' Guild were very complimentary!"

"Wow, they praised you that much."

"Yes, they were very surprised and praised me!" I was praised!"

Marco and Kikka look at each other and smile. Marco and Kikka are more excited than I expected. Were they that happy that someone from the Adventurers' Guild praised them?　I'm sure I'm pretty complimentary too: .......

"I got a lot of attention because I delivered a whole Giant Deer and a Giant Toad with a magic bag that my master lent me. The staff of the Adventurers' Guild praised me for being the master's apprentice, and we were all very happy.

Sara elaborates. What, what's that story? Are you saying that you were happy that everyone praised you as my disciple?　Master, I'm about to cry.

It should be an ordinary story, but from a master's point of view, even this kind of thing moves me. I think I understand a little bit how the parents feel when they are moved by the help of their little children.

I tried my best to hold back my tears and listen to the children's efforts. From what I've heard, they seem to be able to fight in the marshlands without any problem. Considering the difference in strength, Mel and Meral have divided the situations into those in which Gina and the others defeat them alone, those in which they defeat them by themselves, and those in which they defeat them jointly, and they seem to be searching so that everyone can train well.

Next time, they are going to target the undead in the 36th layer together. Gina and the others have killed a lot of undead, so it is for Mel and the others who don't have any experience. These kids are going to reach the front line volcano soon, aren't they?　I'm beginning to think it's only natural that they're paying attention.

It seems that the reputation of the genie is about to get a lot better, but we have to be careful not to be too reckless. Let's give him tomorrow and the next day off and let him play in the labyrinth city.