Volume 3 - CH 17

Volume 3

Chapter 17-Encouragement  and pampering by peers

(TL:By Rafael)

"We were thinking about it too."(Silk)

It was a few minutes after I returned to "Ferdio's House" from the meeting.

I told Silk what had happened, and she replied by spreading out a document on the desk.

"There are too few effective means at the moment. If that is the case, it might be better to go on the offensive than on the defensive."(Silk)

'That may be true from an objective point of view, but we're the ones going, right?"(Yuki)

"It will be, but ...... that, Lun said something that bothered me."(Silk)

On other end of the line, Nibelung was sitting quietly in a little chair.

"Lunn? What's wrong?"(Yuki)

"Onii-chan ,Do you believe my story?"

Nibelung asks me a question in a reserved manner.

She looks more nervous than usual, which makes me a little nervous too.

"I believe you so what's wrong?"(Yuki)

"There's something strange about the labyrinth near here."(Nibelung)

"Strange?"(Yuki)

"I don't know how to describe it, but, um, ...... the layers are peeling off, or rather, like peeling an onion, the substance is increasing little by little."(Nibelung)

It's a unique expression.

However, Nibelung is also a "twilight priestess" who was of the other world.

She may have a unique ability to detect the presence of the labyrinth and other worlds.

"Is that a good thing? or a bad thing?"(Yuki)

"I think bad things will happen."(Nibelung)

Nibelung answers my question.

"I think the seal has been broken"(Rain)

Raine, who had already heard the story and had an idea, interjects with an explanation.

"The actuality that it was not found until now is a little bit strange. I'm sure that they had to have put in many layers of seals and concealment to keep it hidden."(Rain)

"I see."(Yuki)

Then why was it discovered after all this time?

Deterioration over time?

...... No, the trigger was probably "Glad Shi-Im".

The balance of this world was disrupted in no small measure by the effects of its interdimensional movement.

The damage was narrowly contained as a result of the attack and collapse, but the activation of various labyrinths that occurred as a result of the stimulation of the ...... "colorless darkness" still continues in some places.

One such place is the "King's Temple," and this hidden and unattended labyrinth must have been quietly building up pressure inside.

"I'd like to hear what everyone has to say. What about ......, Nene?"(Yuki)

"She's on her way to check on the situation in the area and set up a magical artifact to broadcast live from the site."(Nene)

"Alone? Is she going to be okay?"(Yuki)

I wonder if that girl is being reckless again.

Well, I think she'll be able to move lighter since we're not around.

But I also understand the importance.

If we can use a magical tool artifact for fixed-point delivery, such as a magic stone, we can act according to the signs of a "stampede".

And if we want to take advantage of this, we must do it now, and we must do it quickly.

"What do you think, Marina?"(Yuki)

"I'm the same as always. I'll go with Yuki."(Marina)

I wish she would think for herself instead.

Marina's eyebrows lifted up in a tight frown, as like my thoughts had shown on my face.

"You thought I was a bit silly, didn't you?　No, that's not true. I trust you. That's why, you see, ......"(Marina)

"Marina wants to say that she wants to stay with Yuki-san until the end. She is already a damsel in disguise. But so are we."(Rain)

What lies in their eyes is determination.

It seems I was the one who underestimated them.

I'm still a little too smug.

"You don't have any intention of running away, do you?"(Jamie)

Breaking the silence, Jamie appeared through the door.

She was dressed in a different adventurer's outfit than she had worn during the "Thunder Pike" days, and her slightly more mature appearance was a sign of her growth.

"How do I look?"(Jamie)

"It looks good on you. It's kind of Jamie-ish."(Yuki)

"Fufufu What's that?"(Jamie)

Jamie gushes a little, and Rain's cheeks puff up after hearing the exchange.

It seems that she is still upset for the incident of "Thunder Pike."

"The guildmaster and I will stay behind for the defense. If we wait a little longer, several A-ranked parties will also come."(Jamie)

"Oh, Jamie, you're not coming with us?"(Marina)

Marina was the first to speak up.

"I'd love to go with you, but I don't think I'm good enough and I don't know how to work with you. I'd rather protect your back and your place to go home than drag you down. You know, I'm a member of Clover, too."(Jamie)

Jamie looks a little embarrassed, and I'm relieved.

I'm sure she's accepted "Clover" in her own way.

"So, Yuki. You should make a decision as a leader. What do you want to do?"(Rain)

"I..."(Yuki)

I realize that I'm lost here.

No, no. This is ...... fear. I'm being consumed by fear.

It's the same as that day before, when I wondered whether or not I should take on the Colorless Darkness.

"Yuki, I don't care what kind of decision you make."(Rain)

Rain laughs as he takes my hand, which seems to have been trembling for some time.

"I'm going to follow Yuki to the end. What about Yuki?"(Rain)

"I'm with you."(Yuki)

I felt a soft touch behind me as I answered.

"It'll be fine if we all go together. Because Youk is a "brave", right?"(Marina)

Marina hugs me and I laugh.

Even though "brave" is just a title, when she says it, it makes me feel like a brave person.

"Then it's settled. I'll start to identify the items we need. I'll make a schedule when Nene gets back, so please help me later."(Silk)

"I'm going to the market. Marina, help me."(Rain)

"Yes."(Marina)

Each of them got up and left the room.

When a decision is made, we act immediately. The members of our party move quickly.

I, who still can't blow off my worries, stay behind and let out a small sigh.

Jamie embraces me from behind again.

I've never seen her touch me like this before, and it makes me a little nervous.

"Jamie?"(Yuki)

"Everyone  is relying on you, aren't they?"(Jamie)

"Yes, I guess so... the A-ranked party's scullery maid is now the "hero" and party leader. It's a bit of a burden."(Yuki)

Jamie whispered, squeezing a little harder.

"Relax a little more, If you have a complaint you can't let the girls hear, I'm here for you."(Jamie)

"I'm glad you're here, In the meantime, I'm going to ask you to stay like this for a while longer."(Yuki)

"It's okay. Go ahead, complain."(Jamie)

With her urging, I  complained to my former antagonist about my often pathetic behavior.

TL Note- Is the ship of Jamie sailing or its just friendship.