Vol 3: Chapter 31

Bring that bowl. Add more spices if it isnt enough.(Mimino)

If only there was alcohol to go along with it

Dad, drinking alcohol would only hinder the recovery of your wound.

Im just kidding.

Nn? Oh, bocchan is waking up.

I hazily heard the voices of a few people from around, but it was Zerry-sans voice that clearly shook my mind awake.

Reiji-kun!

When I opened my eyes, I saw Mimino-san jump out of her seat towards meDante-san dexterously caught the bowl containing soup that fell out of her hands.

Are you okay? How many fingers do you see?

O-One

Does anything else feel wrong?

No, nothing else Uh!

Mimino-sans thin arms supported me as I raised my body. Though, my head was dizzy and felt painful.

Are you all right!?

Y-Yes. Its the usual symptom of running out of mana.

Thank goodness

Non-san came closer and put her hand on my forehead. Her hand glowed a slight golden. I felt mana being slowly transmitted to methe headache also eased considerably.

W-What is this?

You can share mana withLight Magic. The amount of mana transmitted is small compared to the mana consumed, so it can only be used in an emergency.

I never imagined there was magic like this. How wonderful,Light Magic. As I was thinking of the various possible applications by studying such a technique

Reiji-kuuuuun!

Mimino-san pinched both my cheeks.

Hi-hyiiii!

I know you are strong, but you shouldnt try to take care of everything with magic all by yourself!

The battle between me and the Juggernaut should not have been visible because it was covered up by the fog, but when I activated a powerful magic, the presence of mana must have filled a wide area, so Mimino-san must have noticed it at that time.

S, Sowwry

If you were going to shoot strong magic, we couldve used my Dupe Potion!

Ah!

Crap. I completely forgot its existence.

The potion, which is Mimino-sans secret weapon, is a ridiculous item that can duplicate another invoked magic without consuming any mana.

With that secret weapon duplicating my white flameFire Magic, it would have been possible to take down the Juggernaut with just that one attack.

I forgotrather, I didnt even think about its existence Because it uses crazy expensive materials, and

Reiji-kun. Dont tell me you are thinking of not using it because its an expensive item? Moreover because its made with my pocket money?

Uhh

Reiji-kuuuuuuun~~~~~!

Ou-Ou-Ou-Ouuuuccch!

That should be enough, Mimino.

Dante-san tried to stop her, but Zerry-san was just laughing and saying,I didnt know bocchans cheeks could stretch that far, Nahahahaha!I wont forgive her for this.

Reiji-kun, no matter how much money it costs, it cant bring back life.

I understand.

I rubbed my cheeks. I didnt have the mana to useHealing Magic, and when I thought that this pain was from Mimino-sans heart that was worried about meno, Im sure she was more worried than this pain could equate, so I thought that I have to endure this pain properly.

Mimino, why dont you give Reiji a Dupe Potion?Dante-san suggested.

Thats a good idea.

I hurriedly caught a small bottle that was tossed my way. Ahhhhh! Even though this one bottle costs many gold coins

I think Mimino-san carelessly tossed it because she wanted to say, This isnt a big deal.

Im sorry, Mimino-san.

Its okay. Besides, Dante and I are at fault this time.

Huh?

As Mimino says, it was my fault that I wasnt wary enough of Leon. Because of that, even Non had to go through a painful experience.Dante-san said, with a sad look on his face.Leons sword was cast with magic which accelerated bleeding and I couldnt do anything. Im sorry, Reiji.

Thats not true, Dante-san, Mimino-san. It was Leons fault. You dont have to blame yourself too much.

Reiji

Reiji-kun

More importantly, is the food ready? Im super hungry.

When I said that, Non-san laughed softly.

Thats right. Dad, Mimino-san, lets eat before it gets cold.

All right.

Mhm

It was a meal in which grains, vegetables, dried meat and dried fish were put in a large pot and boiled well. The delicious aroma from Mimino-sans special spices stimulated the secretion of saliva and the spicy taste tingled the taste buds.

Mimino-san sat down beside me and started eating. Even though it was me who was scolded a while ago, Mimino-san looked sad as if she was the one scoldedshe looked like a downhearted little girl. Dante-san was just himself and ate more than usual.

Though, Im sure he was thinking about Leon.

I wanted to tell them both that it wasnt their fault, so dont worry but it probably wouldnt help.

Zerry-san found my dagger and returned it. And also, some good magic tech parts were extracted from the Juggernaut, it seems. I hope Muge-san will be happy.

Right around when the meal time ended, I suddenly remembered.

Speaking of which, didnt the ground shake just now?

Oh right, right bocchan! It is hidden by the fog right now, but when I made my rounds earlier, I found a passage on the wall of faces!

I wonder if defeating the Juggernaut triggered it.

We quickly cleaned up the tableware. Im excited to check out the passage right away, but checking our luggage and equipment comes first.

Doesnt it feel like the fog is fading?

Perhaps because there was no battle anymore, I could see further into the fog.

I turned my gaze towards the wall of faces and was shocked. Certainly, there was a hole in the center of the wall, and a passageway extended to the back.

However, a person was there.

Leon!?

Huh?

The figure slipped inside the passage, but there was no doubt someone was there. And that figure was wearing the yellow cloak belonging to the Golden Brigade.

That bastard!

Probably because of the meal, Dante-san, who was supposed to have lost a lot of blood, had regained his normal complexion. His angry expression, with veins popping on his forehead, unintentionally caused me to be startled.

Dante-san is dead serious! This power is too intense. Even a ferocious beast would hesitate to charge at him.

Zerry, quickly stop that idiot!Dante-san hollered.

Roger!

Zerry-san dashed forward using her spring-like flexibility. But she stopped in front of the passage as if she was stuck.

Whats wrong, Zerry?!

T-Thats

We arrived too late to the passage and found Leon about 15 meters ahead. There was a dead end in front of him, but something seemed to be written on the wall.

And a lever-like mechanism appeared out from the wall to Leons left.

I appreciate your efforts, Dante! You did well against such a monster!

Leon!! You!!

Oops, dont move. If I pull this lever,one of youwillreach the abyss of this labyrinth, it says. I received a lot of help from you, so I thought Ill humour you for a while. Dont waste away my kindness, all right?

Leon smiled triumphantly.

Is it written on the wall ahead that something will happen if you pull that lever?

(I wonder what this feeling is?)

My heart wont stop pounding.

I got a feeling that it was extremely dangerous.

I had no basis.

I just felt that waythere was no way you will find anything good behind a wall that was filled with death masks.