403 - - Four hundred times. - Four hundred times.

After greeting Mel and Marie and checking the construction status of Sylphy and her family's house, we headed to the Adventurers' Guild to greet Lee, as we would be returning to paradise tomorrow. When we arrived at the training site, Kikka was having a kumite with Lee. Marco was lying on the edge of the training ground, drained of all his energy.

"Kikka, are you okay?"

"...... yeah."

When I called out to Kikka, who was exhausted from her kumite with Mr. Lee, she managed to reply in a faint voice between her heavy breathing. She must have really pushed herself to the limit of her physical strength. But it's good to see that you've become so fit and able to move to such a limit. You were so skinny when you were in the slum, but it's amazing how resilient a kid can be.

"I'm glad to hear that. I'm going to talk to Mr. Lee for a while, so you and Marco can get some rest."

He takes Kikka in his arms and lays her down next to Marco. Marco is recovering well, and I think Kikka will be all right.

Now that Marco and Kikka, as well as Gina and Sara, will eventually join us for training, I have to discuss the future of training with Lee-san. If we don't do it right, Gina and the others' schedule in the labyrinth city will be filled with training.

"Hmmm......... Then, we can only have one or two days for training while we are in the labyrinth city. Isn't that not enough time for training?"

Right. But Gina and the others can advance to almost the 40th level of the labyrinth, so they won't have much time if they go deeper into the labyrinth. It is possible to extend the number of days to stay in the labyrinth city, but I think it would be better to alternate between the two cities every 10 days or so.

"So, how about alternating between focusing on labyrinth exploration and focusing on training when you visit the labyrinth city?　There are a lot of unplanned things that can happen, so I think it's just a rough sense. ......"

"Mmm. ...... It would be better training if I concentrated, but I can't be selfish, since I'm a spiritualist by nature at the moment. But even if you are not in the labyrinth city, please make sure that you have time to train in the physical arts.

"Yes, sir. I can't promise you that during the labyrinth search, but I will make sure that we will have time for training during other times.

While you are in paradise, you will have a lot of free time, so you will have plenty of time to train.

"Yes. That's fine. Then we must make sure that we know how to train while we are not here. I can still train you today, can't I?"

Are you still going on?　No, he's been training until dark these days and coming home, so I guess it's business as usual. Kikka seems to have calmed down while we were talking, and Vita is with her. I'm sure he'll be fine.

"Yes. "Yes, but in moderation, please.

I know. He's still a child. I'll be careful. Good bye!

Mr. Lee waves his hand gallantly and heads for Marco and Kikka's place. He's very motivated. Well, I'm glad we managed to find a way to settle things with each other.

Both the labyrinth with the contracted spirits and the physical training will be a good experience for Gina and the others, so let's give it our best. Now we have to be careful not to get stuck in the middle of the two.

I have nothing more to do since I have to pick up the food at ...... Torque's place tomorrow morning and the food at the luxury inn where I am staying tonight. Then, I guess I'll take a walk with Belle and the others in the labyrinth city until dinner. We'll probably end up at the food stalls, but that's fun, isn't it?

**

"Mistress. I believe that a spiritist named Yuta is staying here, is he staying here now?"

"Hmm?　What's up, man? Do you know Yuta?　She has a lot of troublesome circumstances, so I can't simply tell you what she's doing."

Does Yuta's innkeeper even know about his troublesome situation?　No, you had caused a commotion in the labyrinth city before the commotion in the royal capital.

Hmm, that's right. I am Barotta, the national spiritist. I've only known Yuta-dono once before, but this time I've come to see him by order of the king. If he is staying here, please call him.

"The king's order!　Hey, hey, what did Yuta do?

How can you judge that Yuta-dono has done something wrong just by telling him that it was an imperial order from the king? ...... What is Yuta-dono's normal life like?　I told him to refrain from provocative behavior the last time we met, but it seems to have been in vain.

No, if he had gotten the message across, he wouldn't have caused such a commotion in the noble district of the capital just because his disciples were targeted. And I would not have been sent.

"I'm sorry, but this is a matter of royal decree. I cannot talk about it. So, is Yuta staying here?"

"Ah, yes, that's right. I'm sorry for asking so bluntly. ...... No, I'm sorry for being rude to the king's messenger."

"Well, this time it's a confidential mission, so don't worry about it. However, some of the nobles may make a fuss about your rudeness. Be as careful as you can with those who seem to be important."

It pains me to make this good-natured proprietress feel threatened, but if some misguided nobleman hurts the proprietress of Yuta-dono's inn, the city may be in turmoil once again. I should at least warn him.

Well, now that His Majesty is in the midst of the chaos with his machete, no one will dare to make any unnecessary trouble to Yuta for a while. It's a headache that I can't say for sure that it's for a while but forever.

"Yes. I'm sorry."

"Mm. So, is Yuta staying here?"

No, this time the inn was fully booked and Yuta was staying at another inn. So he picked up the food at our inn early this morning and left the labyrinth city.

You left the Labyrinth City early this morning?

"So you are saying that Yuta is not in the labyrinth city?　Is it possible that he stopped somewhere and is still in the labyrinth city?"

I don't know that much. I don't know that much, but it's past noon and it's highly unlikely that they are in the labyrinth city.

I've been riding my horse, but I must have been a step behind you. I would have come a little earlier if the site of the Marquise de Galli had not somehow been filled with springs and blooming flowers. Was it to buy time for Yuta-dono to be sent to investigate the possibility of the use of spirit magic?

No, I don't think so. If they were going to run away, they should have quickly gone into hiding after the commotion in King's Landing. There is no need to leave this morning.

"Has Yuta told you when he will come to the labyrinth city next?"

No, I just received the food, but I was not told when you would be coming.

"I see. But I have heard that Yuta visits the labyrinth city regularly. I hear that he will return to the labyrinth city in about 10 days, is that correct?　I understand your concern, but there is no need to worry, as there will be no problems.

I will only tell him how to use the dagger he has been given and give him a few words of advice from His Majesty. You have no idea how much damage you can do if we punish you and Yuta leaves the country. .......

It is troublesome that we have to be very careful in delivering the message. But that doesn't mean that we can't say anything. If we remain silent and the next time King's Landing is destroyed, ....... How much easier it would have been if all we had to do was tell them how to use the dagger!

"...... Yes. But we can't say for sure that it will come in 10 days, because it is often ...... delayed by days. ......"

"Yeah, that part's all right. Well, get us a room. I'll stay until Yuta-dono arrives.

"Well, this inn is a middle-class inn, so it is not possible to provide a room suitable for the king's messenger ......."

Hmm, it's true that it's bad manners for me, His Majesty's emissary, to stay in a middle-class inn, and it would also cause trouble for this inn, but in this case, I think I should stay here.

Normally, I could stay at another inn and meet Yuta-dono when he comes to the labyrinth city, but in his case, there is a possibility that he would think it troublesome and run away from the labyrinth city when he finds out that I am here. But if I stay here, it would be a nuisance to the inn, and Yuta would not run away.

"No, this time I am a confidential messenger, so you don't have to worry about the rank of the room. And until Yuta-dono arrives, there is no need to treat me as a messenger. From now on, you can treat me like an ordinary guest.

But it will not be easy to switch. I'm asking you to bear with me, please.

Is that so?　Well, if that's all right with you, that's great. I get stiff around here. But unfortunately, we don't have any rooms available right now. The morning after tomorrow, a room will be available, if that's all right."

"Oh, yeah, the day after tomorrow, thank you."

...... You could have switched normally. Wouldn't you be more hesitant in such a case?　I see, this hostess may be unusual for accepting a troublemaker like Yuta.

Well, you'll be in trouble here from the day after tomorrow. If you are too awkward, you will cause trouble for the other guests.

Well, I've told you what I have to tell you. I am very tired from rushing from the capital. I should get a hotel and get some rest. But I wanted to see Yuta as soon as possible. The longer it takes me to see Yuta, the more my stomach is damaged by this depressing mission. .......

****

Yuta, what did you do this time?　It's unusual for the king's messenger to stay at an inn for adventurers.

What should we do in such a case? My husband's odds are not good against a nobleman, I wonder if he should consult with the lady of the Pollius Chamber of Commerce or the Adventurer's Guild?

Oh, you said you were a confidential messenger. Then, it may be problematic to simply explain the situation and ask for advice. It might become a big deal with the Adventurer's Guild, so let's just ask the young lady of the Pollius Trading Company what Yuta did.

Still, that lady will sense what's going on. I heard that she is making a lot of money thanks to Yuta, so she will probably protect him. Well, I guess I'll be busy again with the inn extension.