CH 171

Chapter 171 – Effect of Intermission

The next day.

After safely being discharged from the hospital, I immediately went to 【Yoizuki】 headquarters.

“Excuse me.”

When I entered the guild master’s room, Claire and the Guild Master were already inside.

“Amane-san, good morning”

“Aa… it’s Amane, huh. Thanks for coming…”

From the way he spoke and how bad his complexion is, the Guild Master seems to be quite tired.

“Etto… are you okay?”

“Does it look like I am okay?”

“I asked because it doesn’t, though…”

“… Of course. Anyway, for the time being, please sit there.”

""

As prompted, I sit on the sofa, facing Claire. Then, we turned our body and looked at the Guild Master, who was sitting at his office desk. Yup, he totally has no spirit right now.

“Naa, Claire, why does the Guild Master seem so tired?”

“It seems dealing with the aftermath of the other day’s event was quite troublesome. Because the ones who witnessed the existence of another world are only those from Yoizuki, he was pressed for an explanation regarding that.”

“I see…. Since I’m not unrelated to that event, somehow, it makes me feel quite sorry for him”

“Amane-san doesn’t need to worry about that. That’s the job of a Guild Master. He has to work hard at least at a time like this, to cover for the usual days when he doesn’t have any work to do.”

Then, the Guild Master reacted to Claire’s words.

“Oi, Claire. I can hear you even if you talk in whispers, you know? Don’t you have any words of appreciation to this father of yours? In addition, you can even massage my shoulders or something, you know?”

“… Well, I don’t really mind, but can your bones endure it?”

“Why is it certain that you’re going to massage me with all your might?!”

Although I do think it’s bad to interrupt the fun conversation between a father and his daughter, I cleared my throat to stop them.

“Etto…. Can we continue onto the main issue?”

“That’s right. Let’s stop the joke and get into the main issue.”

“The ‘joke’ that you are talking about is my bones, while the massaging my shoulder is not, right? Right?”

The Guild Master keeps persisting to get his shoulder massaged by Claire, but as Claire keeps ignoring him, the Guild Master finally switches his mind and displays a serious expression.

“Well then, before we talk about various things… First, there is one important thing that I have to confirm,”

Saying that, the Guild Master shifted his eyes toward me. Unlike the playful attitude he showed in front of his daughter, Claire, he looked like a proper Guild Master.

And he finally asked that question.

“Amane, your unique skill 【Transfer Within Dungeon】…. can you use it to enter the dungeon during intermission?”

“—-hiss”

That was precisely the secret I’ve concealed so far. But while I was surprised that the secret was exposed, there is a part of me who understood why.

Before my fight against Ifrit, I prepared many Hardening Pills and distributed them to Yagami-san and the others. At that point, I already expected this to happen.

I know it cannot be concealed anymore, and there is no need to. As follows, I exhaled deeply then nodded.

“Yes, that’s right.”

“… Just as I thought”

Hearing my answer, the Guild Master released his tension and leaned his back on the chair. Although it was something that he had expected, I guess he had some thoughts when he saw me confirm it.

“Incidentally, Amane. Are Kurosaki and your sister the only ones who know about this at the moment?”

“How did you know that?”

To be honest, I was surprised that not only the secret of [Transfer Within Dungeon] was exposed, but even the ones who knew about it too. Did they talk about it? No, I don’t think that’s possible…

“Just in case, let me tell you. The two didn’t reveal that information. While you were unconscious, the talk about whether you had that kind of power came out… And at that time, they’re the only ones who didn’t stubbornly try to express their assumption.”

“I see. That’s why, conversely, that made you think the two might already know the situation.”

“That’s right. However, an assumption in the end is merely an assumption. I thought I couldn’t be sure until I heard it from Amane directly, but…. I never thought it’s really like that.”

“Are you going to scorn me for hiding that?”

“… There is no way I will do that. I also don’t have any intention to spread such an extraordinary power to others. Or rather, precisely because I hid your existence that it was difficult to explain the situation to the other guilds and the Adventurer Association, you know?”

The Guild Master has a faraway look when saying that. And while we’re having such conversations, I sensed that this person was not lying. In this way, I was able to reveal the secret that I held for some time, making my shoulders feel lighter.

However, there is one. Only one thing that needed to be confirmed as well. That’s why—

“May I also ask one question?”

“Aa, what is it?”

Thus, I directed my gaze at the Guild Master– No, but at Claire who was in front of me. She was in the middle of preparing tea and sweets, which I don’t know where she brought from, according to the number of people in the room. Before I knew it… When I thought about why she didn’t join the conversation, it turns out she was preparing such things. Wait, that’s not it.

I recalled the fight against Cain. To be precise, I recalled the figure of Claire who suddenly appeared in the boss room. Initially, at that time, I thought she should also be in the middle of intermission—

That is why, I made up my mind and asked that question.

“Claire. By any chance, do you also not get affected by the intermission?”

“Eh? Ah, yes. Rather than that, please have this. It’s delicious Japanese sweets.”

How light…