398 - - 396. The Virgin

In the end, we scared the core of the labyrinth a little, but we were able to give the core the materials to be disposed of and obtain the transfer team and the rejuvenating grass without incident.

"Oh, it looks like you built a hidden room pretty close to the entrance/exit."

"Really?"

I didn't know where they were, since I only asked Bell and the others to check if they were on the first level.

"Yeah, it's a nice place, off the road to the next staircase, hardly anyone walks by."

I see, you've thought of the core too. I'll be sure to thank them the next time I visit. I should also apologize for scaring him.

Then let's walk out of the labyrinth slowly.

I decide on a plan and leave the hidden room, and the doorway slams shut without a sound. Amazingly, once it's closed, it's completely indistinguishable from the rest of the wall. I'm going to have to remember where it is.

They made it so that when I touch the wall, it opens, but if I don't know where it is, there's no way I can open it. I can ask Sylphy to show me how to open it, but I'd rather remember the location of the hidden room myself. Well, it's a foolish pride.

I walk leisurely toward the exit. I don't feel nervous, but I don't have much to do as Bell and the others are flying around the cave in all directions and defeating the demons in a jiffy.

...... I can't remember the last time I fought one of my own. I feel like the pioneering tool is crying. No, I think they are happy about it, because they are tools for pioneering.

But lately, I have been using pioneering tools less and less, even for pioneering. It would be better to have a chance to make things by myself, or to defeat demons by myself.

The only enemies I have to fight now are weak ones, and the next time I go into the labyrinth, I will fight lightly while gathering in the mountainous area. As for making things, ...... I have bought all kinds of tools, so I might try to make a tree house with a spirit tree, which I thought of a long time ago.

As I walk on my way, thinking and tele-tele-tele-tele, I arrive at the exit of the labyrinth. It's about 500 meters away. Koa has really placed the hidden room in a good location.

"Huh."

"Yuta, it's still light out, what are you going to do now?　Do you want to go back to the inn?"

As I stood tall in the sunlight, Sylphy spoke to me. Well, it's halfway through the day, so I'm not sure what to do. I'm not tired because I haven't moved much, and it would be a waste to go home.

...... I should go to Marie's to deliver some rejuvenating weed to her.　But we just met the other day. It's hard to deal with that kind of tension twice a week.

...... I have to give it to him after all, so why don't I just give it to him quickly and leave? Sonia-san was too blatantly cautious and put me in a bad mood the other day, so I have to be careful.

（I'll deliver some rejuvenating herbs to Marie and go home. (I'm going to deliver the rejuvenation weed to Marie and then I'll leave. We'll have to talk about it.)

"Play, cue, tanken, coo, I'll do it!" ......"

I don't know what Flare is going to do, but he flew off in good spirits, and Sylphy and I headed to the grocery store to meet Marie.　

"Yuta-sama, welcome!"

Oyo?　Ms. Sonia greeted me at the entrance of the store as usual. Has she stopped surprising me already?　Well, that's all right then. It's a little sad, but it's better than being wary every time I come to the grocery store.

"Hello, Sonia. May I please meet Marie?"

"Is it me?"

"Oof!"

The moment I call out to Ms. Sonia, I am startled to hear Marie's voice echoing in my ear. It seems that Marie had sneaked up on Ms. Sonia while Ms. Sonia was on alert.

"Yuta-sama, is something wrong?"

Marie-san calls out to me with a proud expression on her face. It was clearly aimed at her, wasn't it?

"...... You even mobilized your boss at last."

"What do you mean?　I'm just a subordinate welcoming Miss Marie.

Wow, I've never seen such a blank face before. And it's annoying that he makes a face like he's in trouble because of the accusation after showing such a face to the fullest.

"Marie was waiting in the shadows of the store and creeping around with great fun while Yuta was saying hello to Sonia."

Sylphy told me the truth, but I wish she would have told me before she startled me. Well, I guess it's because I had asked Sonia to be careful but not about Marie.

Sylphy also protects us when we're in danger without saying anything, but in such a case, she'll take the side of the one who seems to be interesting. But ...... it's kinda frustrating.

"Ha-ha-ha, I see. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I'd say hello. Hi Marie. It's nice to see you here."

I pull out my magic bag of rejuvenating herbs and show them to him. Hmmm...you've done a good job of compiling all the materials, and you've noticed that what I'm holding is the rejuvenating weed.

"Well, now that we've said our goodbyes, I'll be going now.

As I was about to leave, I was grabbed by both shoulders. Marie on my right shoulder and Sonia on my left shoulder.

Would you let go of me?　I'm tired from the labyrinth, and I want to go back to the inn to rest."

No, no, no, Yuta-san, if you are tired, please take a rest in the store. We will serve you with the utmost sincerity.

"Hmph, Yuta-sama, you wouldn't say no to an invitation from two such beautiful women, would you?

I'm thrilled to see them leaning in so close, but I'm not such a small man. I would have been in danger before we played in Beryl's kingdom, but for now, my narrow mind is screaming at me to put harassment first.

"Well, I don't know what to do. I don't know why I was so surprised, but I feel like going back to the inn..."

She talks like an old high school girl, provoking them both.

"Hey, Sonia, apologize to them. You're going to lose your money. Your skin is so soft!"

Yuta is not even his name, and he recognizes me as a profitable businessman? I'm shocked.

"Marie said it would be fun, and she actively participated in it. Since you are the head of the store, you should use your useless body to apologize.

"What do you mean, 'useless'? Unlike Sonia, I have a lot of regular customers who come to see me. If you want to use my body, why don't you use Sonia's body, which is not popular? She has never had a boyfriend. Isn't this her chance to experience the pleasure of a woman for the first time?"

"Come on, Marie, you've never had a boyfriend either. The man you claim as your boyfriend is the son of one of your employees, who used to babysit you as a child. And he's already married, and you were invited. You wouldn't invite your ex-girlfriend to your wedding. How long are you going to keep getting it wrong?　I'm so embarrassed!"

......Sorry. I'm sorry, but please don't get into a live fight with me in between you and me. When I calm down, I feel the stares of people around me poking me.

I can't help it that Sylphy is laughing hysterically, but please don't agree with me that it's a love affair, lady.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get a good laugh out of her.

I'm very sorry about the other day."

Marie and Sonia, their faces pale and their heads almost reaching the ground, bow their heads. They must be aware that they have overdone it.

Well, I was hurt and excited by what they said to me, but I don't think I should be so angry. It was soft and .......

"No, I was unnecessary. ...... I'm sorry too."

A catfight nearly broke out in front of my eyes when the clerks brought me and others into the grocery store. They decided that it was not a good idea to expose the shame of the store to the public any further. Nice call. Marie's clerks are excellent.

After bowing to each other, an unspoken agreement is made not to discuss this topic, and the business meeting begins.

"Yuta-san, it's amazing that you can already get it even though we just talked about it the other day."

"No, no, no, I'm not amazing, the core is. To thank you, I would like you to collect materials to be discarded.

"Of course. Of course.

Now, here is the rejuvenating grass.

I take the rejuvenating herb from the magic bag and place it in front of the table. Marie's face lights up, but it seems a little subdued compared to her usual intensity. I guess the shame she has just exposed to the world has had an effect on her.

She had loudly revealed that she was a virgin in her own store. I think it's great that she is able to talk calmly now. I would be rolling around on the ground in agony.

"Well, if you have rejuvenating herbs, can you extract the ingredients right away?"

"Yes. The apothecary guild still has the process, so as soon as the discussion goes smoothly, I'm sure we can do it."

The apothecary guild will intervene?

"Well, it's a medicinal herb that is thought to be extinct, isn't it?　Wouldn't you get in trouble if you put a guild in between?"

No problem. The relationship of power between the Polurius Chamber of Commerce, which owns the actual plants, and the Medicine Men's Guild has been clarified at the time of the magic grass, the almighty grass, and the divine power grass.

Marie smilingly tells her guild of apothecaries that she has mounted her opponent. The Polurius Society seems to be steadily expanding its influence.

"Are you all right?"

Yes, I'm fine. The Adventurer's Guild is now supplying a small amount of magic grass and almighty grass, and with the divine power grass soon to be available, the Apothecary's Guild has cheekily demanded a business meeting. ...... I will make the perfect power relationship with the rejuvenating grass."　

I meant to say that I'm worried about the backlash from the Medicine Guild for doing something so reckless, but it seems that they are going to attack even more aggressively. I don't know what to do. .......

I feel a little uneasy, but I decide to invest the money for the rejuvenating herbs and return to the inn because I'm tired. How can a general store be more tiring than a labyrinth?

**

The tiredness of the labyrinth, or rather of the general store, was relieved by playing with Belle and her friends.

We had dinner with Marco and Kikka, who had returned from training, and heard about Lee's training, and were relieved to hear that he was not being trained recklessly. Now that Gina and Sara are back, we can relax.

"Master, may I have a word?"

"Hmm?　Gina, what's wrong?"

Gina came to visit me in my room even though we had just broken up.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you earlier, but Mr. Toruku asked me to come over when I have some time to talk to you. Also, Mr. Toruku and the others seemed to be in a lot of good spirits."

Yeah, Vita's treatment must have worked. Unlike Marie, I was so tired that my fatigue showed itself, so it must have been very effective. I will thank Vita later.

"Okay, I'll show up tomorrow. Also, the reason why Torque and the others are feeling better is because I asked Vita for a little help. I forgot to tell you."

"Oh, I didn't know that. I was a little surprised to see you suddenly feeling better. I'll let Mr. Torque know that the master will be here tomorrow. Good night."

Yes, it's surprising when you suddenly feel better. Also, what is it that you want to discuss with Mr. Torque?　Only Mr. Torque wouldn't bring trouble to me, would he?