Chapter 66

"Sorry... I appreciate you accompanying me until we return."

"No, it's fine. The most important thing is that everyone is safe."

They returned to the stone monument in front of the entrance to the labyrinth.

Mercodia and the rest of the exploration team were all safe. I was also concerned about whether Ilmhirte was disturbed, so I had come to withdraw.

The door, as expected, wouldn't open no matter how I pushed or pulled. I didn't even know how to open that door in the first place.

I considered using high-level magic to break it down... but I wasn't sure if that would even work, and even if I could easily destroy the door, I couldn't act rashly if the girl was on the other side.

"It was so dark, and the trees were swaying everywhere. ...It was really tough."

"I don't want to eat mushrooms for a while..."

The soldiers sat down on the spot and sighed in relief.

"You. I'll allow a break, but don't show a sloppy attitude in front of others."

Mercodia gently reprimanded them, and the soldiers hurriedly straightened up.

...It seems the soldiers in the exploration team have gained trust in us. They even suggested using their own pocket money as our fee, so they must be very grateful.

I proposed accompanying them until their return for a reward of 100 kirig, which I think is a bargain for a bodyguard request. If they say it's too cheap, it's still in the labyrinth.

I don't like taking advantage of people in life-or-death situations, but working for free isn't good either, so that's the price.

"Once again, I'm sorry. I'll definitely bring the fee tomorrow."

"It's fine, you don't have to rush."

"It's not that simple. But... I have to report to the castle today. I'll make sure to mention Sir Theodor as the discoverer."

We found the door at the same time.

Finding a sealed door is just a prerequisite; there's a lot more to it, so I don't think there's any credit to be taken.

"If you're going to report, can you wait a bit longer?"

"...What is it?"

"Better to save some trouble if we can."

I led a puzzled Mercodia to the adventurer guild's lobby.

Heather, as usual, greeted us with a smile from behind the counter.

"Hello, Theodor. Everyone else too."

"Hello, Heather. Do you have a piece of paper I can buy?"

"Paper? Any kind will do?"

"Yes."

Heather, tilting her head, still brought out a stack of paper from under the counter.

"If scraps for notes are fine, of course I won't charge for this."

"Thanks. Could I also borrow some ink?"

"Sure."

I took the paper and ink from Heather, went to a secluded spot, and had Caduceus take a mirror image of the relief, then pressed it down to leave an impression. When I flipped it over, a clean copy of the door's relief remained.

I came out from the secluded spot and handed the copy of the relief to Mercodia, who had been waiting.

"Take this for now."

"This is..."

Mercodia took the paper, bowed deeply, and left the guild.

"The knights must be busy."

Heather chuckled and returned to organizing the documents in front of her. She didn't ask for details, probably understanding that the knights didn't want to be investigated.

"It's strange. If we had met before, you should be much taller, right?"

When I asked for her opinion on what I saw today after returning home and taking a short break, Ilmhirte tilted her head.

"...I don't think she's just a child in appearance."

If she's a resident of the labyrinth, she could be anything despite looking like a human child.

"Either way, it would be difficult to catch her if she can run like that."

"She didn't seem like an enemy either. I'm not sure what we would do if we caught her."

"She's not necessarily an ally either."

We can't judge because we don't know her purpose. It seems like she was guiding us to the door, but she might have been detected by Siera and Ilmhirte and fled in a panic.

"Either way, we have to put it on hold for now,"

Siera said.

"Well... yeah. Ilm, are you okay?"

"Me? Yes, I'm fine. I don't usually worry about small things."

When asked, Ilmhirte smiled as usual.

"...Thank you, Theodor."

"I don't think I did anything worth thanking."

"No, we have more clues now, and it feels like we're making progress."

She shook her head.

"So really, don't worry about me."

She said, tilting her teacup of tea Grace had made.

"...Still,"

Siera, who had been listening, spoke up.

"This house is so cool, I don't want to go outside."

I thought she was joking.

Recently, her usual spot has been in front of the ice pillar she made in a bucket. Using wind magic to circulate the air in the room, it's quite cool near the ice.

Ilmhirte smiled at the relaxed look on Siera, which she rarely sees outside.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?"

Ashley, standing in the kitchen, smiled and asked.

"Hmm... I have to pay the thieves' guild."

As she said this, Siera's ears drooped. Her expression was as usual, but she seemed quite disappointed. Well, Ashley's cooking is delicious.

Regular payments to the thieves' guild, huh.

The term "guild fee" doesn't have a good image, but it's more like a membership fee. The problem is the strict response to non-payment and the difficulty in leaving the guild.

So, after spending some time at home, Siera and Ilmhirte returned to the West District when it got dark and cooler.

--But.

After starting to prepare dinner, I heard a knock at the door and went out to find Siera and Ilmhirte had returned.

"...What happened?"

I thought they might have forgotten something, but their expressions were tense, so I invited them in without asking.

"We're being followed."

Siera said apologetically after closing the door, but...

"I don't think I'm being involved."

Since she seemed concerned, I said it clearly.

It would be naive to think that someone with ill intentions towards them might be friendly towards me.

Even if that were the case, if they attacked my companions, I would consider them enemies. We can discuss the situation after the threat is gone.

So, it was a good decision to come back.

Siera probably thought it would be difficult to fight if they were attacked in a deserted area.

It's not about Siera or Ilmhirte's abilities. Siera probably wants to avoid Ilmhirte transforming into a lamia and causing a commotion in the city.

"Caduceus."

Caduceus, who was lying down in cat form, turned into an amorphous shape and went out the window.

I linked my vision with Caduceus to check the surroundings. There they were.

One person was stationed at each corner, ready to follow us no matter which direction we went from our house.

"What do you want to do?"

"Let's have them stay the night and follow the group when they give up or change shifts."

I'd like to capture and interrogate them quickly, but they might give false information, and just following them isn't a crime yet. It's a bit troublesome to be on the defensive.

"Should I... be the decoy?"

Siera put her hand on her chest.

"What do you mean by decoy?"

"I'll go out alone and see what they do."

"Siera, that's dangerous."

"But it's faster. We can also determine if they're after me or Ilmhirte."

"Then, I'll do it."

Siera shook her head at Ilmhirte's offer.

"I'm the expert at this. Ilmhirte can't hide the fact that she's aware of the tail."

She looked at me. I thought about it.

Siera's suggestion does have merit, but putting a companion in danger is...

"If you agree to a few conditions..."

If Siera accepts, I'll allow it.

"...Don't make a sound. Come with me."

A man said, pressing a blade to Siera's back as she crouched.

The followers moved when we entered the West District and the streets became less crowded.

Siera chose a less crowded path, pretended to drop something, and deliberately stopped to observe their reaction.

Siera was just observing, but they saw it as an opportunity and quickly tried to kidnap her.

...They moved quickly. It was almost hasty, but they must have a reason to hurry.

She raised her hands obediently and followed the men. The dagger at her waist was a cheap one, meant to be taken. I had the real one, made from a boar's tusk.

Eventually, she was taken to a house in the same West District.

I was in the night sky, tracking from a high altitude. In black clothes, it would be extremely difficult for them to spot me from below.

Grace was in a relaxed state, waiting at home. Ashley was fully armed, and Ilmhirte had reverted to her true form, ready for an attack at any time.

They probably know I'm at home, and with few followers, it's unlikely they would attack the house.

Siera... Caduceus was attached to her like clothing, providing constant protection. A simple blade couldn't even scratch her.

...The downside of linking senses is that I can see Siera's body shape. I'll try not to think about it.

I closed my eyes and shifted my senses to Caduceus. Siera was being led to a basement by the men.

"We've got her."

"Huh. That was easier than expected. Now we can summon that kid."

It was Jasper, smirking. So, a hostage to use against me. I understand the urgency now.

If they want to use me, I'll go and crush them, but I'll wait until I have a clear picture of the situation inside.

The criminals include... a few of Jasper's new adventurer companions. ...Fernando isn't here... but there are others tied to chairs with ropes.

The tied ones are... Mercodia and the exploration team soldiers. And... Chester?

I don't know why Chester is here, but...