Vol 3: Chapter 10

I failed. I am glad to have noticed it at the last minute, but I feel completely outsmarted.

I was too distracted by the stone statues, but the trap was right in front of us. The blade was like a hint, and also was a device to mislead at the same time.

I wasnt thinking Im so glad that we dodged it or Thankfully everyone is okay, rather, one slight mistake will lead to death. I finally realized that this is what a dungeon is.

**

There is a mechanical reaction from the front. I will take the lead and attack with magic first!

Make the first move before the enemy approaches. Before being overwhelmed by the feeling of Fear.

I took down 3 automatons so far with pre-emptive strikes as we moved forward. I used Flame Tornado every time, but it was a necessary expense. When I got a little break, I leaned against a wall and exhaled deeply. My remaining mana is severely low. However, comparing it to the risk to our lives, I cant afford to be stingy.

Reiji-kun.

A cup appeared in front of me.

Dont make such a grim face.Non-san said, offering me a cup.

It contained a beverage mixed with brown cane sugar, water, and a pinch of rock salt. Its similar to a sports drink and was a favorite of adventurers.

As I gulped it down, the balance between sweetness and saltiness spread across my mouth, and my bodys tiredness felt as though melting away.

Thank you. Do I really have such a serious look?

Non-san sat next to me, with a smile. We were now in a small circular room. The walls were carved with the ancient language used by the Lev people a long time ago. Muge-san was trying to see if it can be deciphered even a little. Dante-san and Mimino-san were chatting at a distance, and Zerry-san was taking a nap.

Since that trap, we havent come across anything too dangerous.

You have been very careful and killed all the automatons that appeared in our way, but its not good for you to be too tense like this.

Im sorry Ill be careful. But it will be dangerous if I am not focused enough in a situation like that again.

Wrong.

Ehwrong?

As I thought that, Non-san held my face in both her hands.

We are a party. Your worries are my worries. God told unto a saint as so, When you get lost, talk to your neighbor, even if hes an inexperienced person. So please share your worries with meeven if I cant be of help due to lack of power, I still want you to talk to me.

Ah

(So warm)

The warmth from Non-sans palms were transmitted to me.

Thats right! I am a party member of Silver Balance. But I was trying to do everything by myself.

(I was conceited.)

With the power ofWorld Ruler, I thought I could do anything. Magic, combatanything. Thats why I was frustrated that I couldnt read through the trap at that time, and I ended up going through the labyrinth with more tension than necessary.

Thinking about it, I got angry when Muge-san was ridiculed in the city and when Leon addressed Dante-san in the beginningeven if that emotion came from the root of my heart, I acted a little too angrily and emotional.

In other words, I got carried away.

Ah, I Im sorry.

I was embarrassed. I felt that I had become stronger with the power I gained fromWorld Ruler, which is not my own power.

True strength isnot the fighting strength which cant be seen with the eyes.

Goodbye, little brother.

That day when the riot broke out at the Sixth Mine, I didnt take my sisters hand.

4 years have passed since then.

Have I become stronger?

Strong enough to take Larks hand on that day?

(No. Not even close.)

I dont have a heart like Dante-san, who stands unfaltering no matter the enemy; like Mimino-san, who can accept and treat everyone with kindness; like Non-san, who abandoned everything and devoted her life for family.

Reiji-kun?

I grit my teeth tightly, as my vision became blurry.

I was frustrated with myself, realizing my own immaturity.

I peeled Non-sans hands from my cheeks. Im so stupid. I shouldve talked to everyone sooner. If I have the time to feel sorry for myself, I should instead spit out all the information I have and talk to everyone.

Thank you, Non-san. I have snapped out of it.

Thats not what I mean

Non-san looked confused, but

Seriously, you hear 1 thing and realize 10. Kind of makes me lonely. You do know I am a nun who guides lost lambs, right?she said, putting on a slightly sad smile.

No! I only realized it because you talked to me, Non-san. I am truly grateful.

No, no the best I can do is only quote words of the scriptures.

I think that is still wonderful. Being able to pass on the words of the scriptures at the right time like this, means that you studied a lot.

No. I did not study a lot, and this much knowledge is rudimentary.

No! You dont have to be too humble

Ahem.

Dante-san cleared his throat, standing next to us.

Reiji It looks like youre getting along quite good with my daughter, eh?

Eh?

I noticed that I was talking to Non-san at a distance where our knees were touching each other, and above all, I was still holding Non-sans hand.

You can only do that once you go through her father first Me. Even if you are members of the same party.

Eek!? There is a vein popping on Dante-sans forehead!?

Thats right, this person does not make distinctions when it comes to his daughter!

Dad, theres no problem with party members getting along well, is there?

That wont do, Non. If you want to get along with Reiji-kun, you have to defeat me first!

This time, Mimino-san stood in the way, with her arms folded.

B-Both of you, please calm down first

While I was thinking about what to say next,

Kuhahahaha

Puhahahaha

Dante-san and Mimino-san burst into laughter simultaneously.

Wahahaha. Im sorry, Im sorry. Dont panic. Its just a light teasing.Dante-san said, laughing.

Ahaha, Im sorry, both of you. It just seemed like you two were talking about something important leaving out me and Dante. That is so bad.

M-Mou, you two

Non-san heavily heaved a sigh.

Oh, they were just teasing? Yeah, I knew that. Honestly. I did. Yup. Though I did sense some seriousness in Dante-sans eyes. Yup.

I would like to hear all of your opinions.

I decided to talk about everything that was bothering me.

Since we came here, we havent come across the Labyrinth Capture Division that was ahead of us. Far from that, we couldnt even find any traces.

We didnt even run into Leons party whom we met earlier.

The fact that Zerry-san said, The air has changed.

And that automaton that controlled our emotions with only the words be consumed by fear.

All these seem to be disjointed, and as Dante-san said, Anything may happen since its a dungeon.

I dont think that is the case, however.

There is a reason for each and every phenomenon.

And so, I came up with a theory.

We are adventurers. On the other hand, we are also a party. I think this dungeon is also like that.

When I said that, Zerry-san, who seemed to have awoken from all the noise, looked at me with a look that said that doesnt make any sense.