Chapter 40

"Theo, fifty percent of the reward money... It seems Theodor thinks that anyone could have helped everyone like that if they had the information I provided."

Shiela looked at me for a while before saying this.

"I don't think anyone else could have acted the same way. I truly am grateful."

"...I understand."

Shiela smiled slightly. Then, her smile faded, and she spoke seriously.

"Also, if you don't mind... I hope you can get along with my friend. She's at the Adventurer's Guild right now."

"Ah... that means..."

"...Ilmhirte is a lamia. She grew up in the West District with us."

The West District... that's the area with the slums, right?

"Lamia, huh. Given the current situation, where the Adventurer's Guild is taking care of her, aren't you worried? If you had told me earlier, I could have taken that into consideration."

"I wasn't sure if Theodor would help her just because she's a lamia... and I couldn't take care of her myself. I was planning to take her out of the Adventurer's Guild, but since they're treating her well, I decided not to cause any trouble."

"...I see."

Perhaps she's been in contact with her during the chaos of the demon incident. A lamia is a monster with a human upper body and a snake lower body. They can be friendly or hostile towards humans, but they can take on a human form and even fall in love with humans, as some stories suggest.

There are quite a few adventurers who have been helped by non-hostile monsters like lamias. Even without the risk of making enemies with an entire tribe by mistreating them, friendly monsters are often treated with respect. Besides, I've heard that some people become adventurers out of a romantic fascination with female monsters. Adventurers can be quite foolish in that way.

So, she's worried that her friend might be treated coldly by me... Is that it?

In the information I saw in Caduceus, there was no mention of lamias. I only saw sirens and harpies. So, Ilmhirte might have been in human form while she was captured.

"That girl is indeed a lamia, but she doesn't attack humans. Small animals like rabbits and birds are enough for her."

...I see. I understand what Shiela means. It wouldn't be fun to be rejected out of hand, even by someone you don't know. While I don't mind not being understood by strangers, others might. Shiela's concern for her friend makes sense.

Lamias are often reviled and feared because they feed on blood, like vampires. However, unlike vampires, their blood-feeding is not lethal or contagious, and they can feed on animals, so coexistence with humans is possible with mutual understanding.

"I understand. I don't think you need to worry, Shiela."

There's no way I would revile or fear her just because she feeds on blood. The reason is obvious.

"I am a vampiress."

Grace smiled, and Shiela blinked. Then she closed her eyes and nodded.

"I see. Then I won't worry anymore. I trust Theodor."

"...I have one more question. Where did she come from before arriving in the border city?"

"A long time ago... she said she came out of the labyrinth and couldn't return."

Hm. So, Ilmhirte would be a good source of information about the labyrinth?

"What do you mean by 'couldn't return'?"

"She said that the monsters in the labyrinth started attacking, and she couldn't go deep enough to return."

Hmm. Did she become recognized as a foreign object once she left the labyrinth? Considering that items taken out of the labyrinth can be brought back without losing them using a red teleportation stone, this makes sense. Still, Ilmhirte... If she's adapted to human society, she might be able to provide understandable information. Or, if it's an old story, it might not be relevant, but we can decide after hearing it.

"We're planning to talk to Ilmhirte once she recovers. Would you like to come with us, Shiela?"

"...Is that okay?"

"She's your friend, right? It might be difficult for her to show her face at the Adventurer's Guild alone."

"...Thank you. I appreciate it."

"I'm also interested in hearing stories from someone who comes from the labyrinth."

Eventually, Rosetta and Shiela left, and we were left as a group of three. It was already evening, so we all made dinner and ate together. After that, we each took a bath to wash away the sweat and dirt. Then, we sat on the long sofa and spent some time together.

After diving into the labyrinth, Grace needs to release the backlash, even if it's not morning. The urge to feed on blood doesn't go away on its own. The more you hold back, the worse it gets when the next "thirst" comes. Just like Ashley's Circulatory Qi, it's important to do it daily. I've been using this time to practice Circulatory Qi with Ashley as well. There's no specific correct posture for Circulatory Qi... and lately, the level of closeness with Grace has been increasing.

"I love the warmth during Circulatory Qi."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Today, Ashley seems to be more affectionate than usual. She's in a similar position to Grace, resting her cheek on my shoulder.

Hmm. It was her first real combat and her first time in the labyrinth. The effects of Brave Wind must have worn off... that must be it.

"Good job today."

Ashley's cheeks turned slightly red.

"Sorry. I'll be able to handle it without relying on magic eventually."

"Don't worry about it. Would you like to sleep together with the three of us tonight?"

She seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then Ashley nodded slightly.

Well, then... let's do that. If I endure, things will generally work out, and I'm quite sleepy tonight too.

"It's understandable that Ashley is new to both real combat and the labyrinth. After a dangerous hunt, I've calmed down by having Theo stroke my head."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Um..."

I remember doing that. It was when Grace was out hunting, shortly after my mother passed away. I was anxious then too.

Hmm. But bringing up that story now...

Grace smiled gently.

...Well, it's fine with me.

While continuing the Circulatory Qi, I stroked Ashley's lustrous silver hair.

"It tickles a bit."

Ashley giggled and squirmed slightly. Grace looked at her with a fond expression.

Um.

If we're treating them equally, Grace should be included too. I put my hands around their slender shoulders and slid my fingers through their hair.

"Mm..."

Grace leaned in, closing her eyes. The scent of soap and shampoo made from sabon tree sap filled my nostrils. The feel of their hair and their bodies, and the scent, were all wonderful, but the more wonderful they were, the less relaxed I felt inside.

I continued without thinking too much, and Ashley started to doze off. She must be tired. I let her lie down on my lap.

"Would it be okay to sleep here like this tonight?"

"Well... it would be a shame to wake her up."

"I'll get a blanket."

Grace stood up and went upstairs.

"Mm... Da... Da... Ma..."

Ashley mumbled in her sleep on my lap. I stroked her hair as I did before.

...Yeah.

Ashley and I have similar backgrounds. I understand why she's eager to dive into the labyrinth and fight monsters. Knowing that she has power and can become stronger... it's worth the effort. And when you're anxious, having someone there with you can be a great comfort.

"Sorry for the wait."

Grace covered Ashley's body with a blanket and draped it over my shoulder. She sat next to me and wrapped herself in the same blanket.

"Good night."

"Good night, Theo."

I extinguished the magical light orb floating near the ceiling and closed my eyes. It was a bit early to sleep, but we were planning to go to the labyrinth again tomorrow, so it was important to rest. Given that I didn't sleep much last night, I quickly fell asleep.