Chapter 46

In the end, they couldn't buy the magical tool to improve Ellis's healing magic and had to head back.

"Ha, ten million zeni... what the hell..."

After that, he tried going to the magical tool shop again, but among the magical tools that increase magic power, the cheapest one was that one.

Even when he peeked into other nearby stores, it was the same.

It seems that those kinds of magical tools are quite expensive.

Probably, they are the type of magical tools that cannot be reproduced by human hands.

They can only be obtained by digging them out of the labyrinth by chance.

The supply and demand are so out of balance that it's fatal.

...It feels like all my options are exhausted.

"What should I do, really?"

Besides, there's the issue with Ruruka.

The current problem is that Ellis might go to the capital for training, but this side also needs to be resolved.

The way they parted ways was too awkward.

I want to do something to smooth things over.

Well, even if I say I want to smooth things over, I don't know what to do.

If it were Yuel, petting her head would probably fix things, but with Ruruka, that won't work.

Moreover, I don't really understand why Ruruka acted that way.

Considering the flow of events, it seems natural to think that she was anxious about Ellis's existence and tried to create a fait accompli, but honestly, I don't think there's a reason for her to like me so much.

I can think of several reasons why she might dislike me just from today alone, like groping her butt or pulling down her shorts.

But still, looking at Ruruka's attitude in front of the inn, it can't be that she just wanted to change clothes.

That means, even after subtracting today's decrease in affection, there was a considerable amount of goodwill from Ruruka originally.

But I don't remember doing anything to deserve it.

"...Could it be because I'm handsome?"

If that's the case, everything makes sense.

Yuel also said I'm handsome.

And I was told by an old lady when I was a child.

While thinking about such things and walking,

"Marbled capital beef... Hey Sera, do you want to have a little bite?"

"Fran, have you forgotten that your allowance has been completely cut since then, and you've also been told to refrain from going into the labyrinth? You shouldn't waste money."

"But... but... I know! Let's split it in half!"

"...Even if we don't eat it here, if Fran asks her father cutely, he will surely buy a whole marbled capital beef for you."

"I don't want that. Besides, it wouldn't mean anything. I want to eat it now."

He saw a down-to-earth blonde with twin drills and a blue-haired woman trying to eat at a food stall.

It was Fran and Sera.

Probably since the banquet hosted by the lord.

It seems that Sera was about to buy a skewer of marbled capital beef.

...Just seeing them, not making eye contact.

Fran is difficult.

If I have a casual conversation and accidentally make a lewd comment, she might cast an attack spell.

Besides, she has small breasts.

He thought about asking for Ruruka's whereabouts, but since he often meets Ruruka and their living areas overlap, he would probably meet her again soon without asking this person.

Just as he was about to ignore them and leave,

"Oh, hello there. Are you alone today?"

Sera smiled and called out to him, handing the skewer she just bought to Fran and moving to block his path.

It seems she had noticed him.

"Uh, hello."

Is there something she wants?

Sera has large breasts, not as big as Ellis, but talking to her isn't unpleasant. However, the drill-haired girl next to her is scary.

"That's good. We were just sightseeing. Would you like to join us for a meal?"

"Wait, Sera! I, I don't want to!"

But immediately, Fran raised her voice and interrupted.

Then, she started arguing with Sera, raising her voice.

"Now, now, Fran, isn't this a good opportunity?"

"A good opportunity... Wait, Sera, were you serious about that!?"

"Of course, I'm serious. Or do you think it's okay not to repay a favor? The favor of saving your life, which your father paid for, is it okay to just say 'that's it' and be done with it?"

"..."

"It's not a place where you can just gloss over things because the person is a man. As a daughter of the Mailharts family, you shouldn't run away from this."

For a moment, I didn't understand what she was talking about, but I think I got it.

It seems Sera wants Fran to thank me.

It's probably about the incident where I saved her from the Crankheit Turtle's charge.

I received a reward from the lord, but Sera seems unsatisfied.

...It feels like she's just trying to correct Fran's misandry with a made-up reason.

"...Fine."

Then, Fran reluctantly nodded at Sera's persuasion.

The phrase "as a daughter of the Mailharts family" seemed to be the deciding factor.

When Fran nodded, Sera turned to me.

"That's the case, Shiki. If there's anything you want Fran to do, just say it."

"Anything!?"

I was surprised, and my voice overlapped with Fran's.

Did she just say anything?

"What are you thinking, Sera! I'm a Mailharts daughter!? Are you telling me to give my virginity to some random guy!?"

I haven't said anything about taking her virginity.

Is Fran so obsessed with sex that she thinks I only have that on my mind?

...Well, I can't deny it.

I did think about it for a moment, but I had no intention of saying it.

Sera wouldn't listen to it either.

"What favor did you receive, Fran? ...It's a favor of life. Shiki saved your life, so shouldn't you be prepared to accept any unreasonable request?"

I was about to listen.

It's a bit concerning that the premise is that I would make unreasonable requests.

...But, these two are Ruruka's party members.

If I say, "As a thank you for saving your friend's life, I'll take your virginity!" Ruruka will definitely hate me from the bottom of her heart.

Besides, I can't make such a request.

I'm not interested in small breasts.

"But, even if it's a favor of life, to do anything...!"

"When you almost fell into the river, I regretted not stopping you more forcefully. Being a lord is only possible because you have a life. If you don't like this, then don't make any more favors of life."

Sera said to the still excited Fran, in a lecturing tone.

It feels like they know I can't make unreasonable requests and are just using me to teach Fran a lesson.

Probably, that's the case.

When the lecture to Fran was over, Sera gave me a slight nod that only I could see.

It seems this is not really "anything" but a form of education.

"Then, Shiki, if there's anything you want Fran to do, just say it."

I decided to look up and down Fran's body.

Just that made Fran hide her body as if hugging herself and glare at me.

Her eyes were slightly moist, probably from anxiety.

...If Fran doesn't like it so much, she could just refuse, but she seems to be very formal because of her title as the lord's daughter.

But, what should I ask for?

I don't really have anything special I want...

No, I do.

"Right, can you tell me where Ruruka is staying now?"

I want to follow up on today's incident with Ruruka, but I don't know where she's staying.

As a party member, she should know.

"......That's it?"

Fran's eyes widened at my request.

She probably expected a request related to her chastity, but that's just her overthinking.

I'm only moderately interested in small breasts.

"Yeah, that's it."

When I said that, Fran closed her eyes and thought in silence.

She might be considering if there's any hidden motive.

"...Why are you asking that? Besides, I remember Ruruka saying she was going to meet you this morning. She wanted to sightsee the city together. Haven't you met yet?"

No, I already met her.

Actually, Ruruka said that, but it wasn't really a coincidence when I saw her in the city.

"Well, well, that's fine. If you know, just tell me."

"......Did you do something to Ruruka? Even if you're her savior, I won't forgive you if you try anything funny. We've only known each other for about four months, but she's still my important friend."

If I say I was invited to do something funny and it became awkward, she won't believe me.

It seems I'm being guarded.

I wouldn't give the address of a female friend to a known harasser either.

Besides, Ruruka and these two have only known each other for about four months.

It's almost the same as me.

"I thought you knew each other longer. That's a bit surprising."

"We met Ruruka four months ago in the labyrinth when she was surrounded by monsters. We were new adventurers then, struggling even in the shallow levels, and we needed a companion."

Right, this one was kicked out of her home because of a failed arranged marriage and became an adventurer.

It makes sense that she met Ruruka, who only uses defensive magic and a shield, not that long ago.

It was natural for them to form a party with Fran and Sera, who only use attack magic and bows.

"......If you don't want to tell me where Ruruka is, that's fine. I'll probably meet her soon anyway."

There's no need to force the issue.

If I frequent the tavern, I'll probably meet her eventually.

When I said that, Fran called out to Sera.

"Then, this is fine. Sera, let's go home now. We've had our marbled capital beef."

"Fran... You didn't do anything for Shiki."

Sera, who had bought a skewer of marbled capital beef at some point, handed it to me while saying this with a sigh.

That's right.

It was supposed to be a thank you where she would do anything I asked, but in the end, I didn't get to know Ruruka's location or do anything erotic.

I only got the skewer from Sera.

"..."

Fran, startled by Sera's words, once again hid her body with her hands and glared at me.

Is this excessive caution due to her misandry, or is it because of me?

It's getting a bit troublesome.

"Then, do you know about magical tools that increase magic power? Can you buy one for me?"

"...You're asking for something impossible. I've wanted one for a long time, but I can't afford it. If I ask my father, he might buy it, but in that case, I would have to marry you for real. ...I don't want to marry."

"Me neither."

It's impressive that he might buy a ten million zeni magical tool.

That's what you'd expect from the lord of a labyrinth city.

If Fran had large breasts and a gentle personality, I might have considered it.

"Oh, is that not possible? Fran can marry a man who saved her life from monsters. Shiki can get the magical tool he wants. I think it's a good plan."

"Of course not!"

Sera interjected, but Fran immediately rejected it.

"Even as a consort, it's common for nobles to have mistresses and illegitimate children, and I thought it would be good for Shiki too..."

What is that, so detailed.

In this world, commoners are monogamous, but it seems different for nobles.

I used to think, "Since it's a different world, I want to have a harem," but now it feels like I can see the goal.

...But, even so, I don't think I can marry Fran.

I'm a bit interested, but...

Sera, knowing or not knowing my feelings, continued.

"And Fran, Shiki is recognized by the lord. ...Besides, the fact that you didn't try to correct the lord's misunderstanding is proof that you didn't mind if the misunderstanding became a fact."

"———!"

At that moment.

A fireball suddenly appeared on Fran's palm.

It's a spell cast without incantation.

The fireball is quite misshapen and very small.

It looks unstable and might dissipate at any moment, but Fran glared at me and raised it.

"Hey, hey, wait a minute! What are you planning to do!?"

—A story I heard from Ruruka flashed through my mind.

Fran attacked her arranged marriage partner's crotch with a magic spell and was kicked out of her home.

...Maybe it was like this back then too.

This one hasn't grown at all!

"Fran!?"

Sera called out in a hurry, but Fran didn't stop.

Even if I tried to avoid it, I was completely caught off guard and it was too late.

Is this going to be like the noble who had his crotch burned in an arranged marriage?

This fireball won't cause a fatal injury, but it might cause a fatal emotional wound.

Maybe I shouldn't have gotten involved with this one.

—My eyes met Fran's, who was about to throw the fireball.

Her face was flushed with embarrassment, and her eyes were moist.

Was what Sera said that embarrassing?

But, even if it was embarrassing, I can't have her throw a fireball at me.

"..."

And—just before throwing the fireball.

Fran barely managed to slam it into the ground.

She panted heavily and stared at the black scorch mark on the ground.

"Phew...! What were you thinking, all of a sudden!?"

...I think I understand one reason why Sera is trying to get me and Fran together.

First, there's no way such an aggressive woman would have a suitor.

And, since I can use healing magic, even if I get attacked, it won't be a big deal.

Sera talks about being recognized by the lord and being a savior, but the real reason seems to be this.

Sera is holding her head as if to say, "Did I do it again?"

However, Fran, without showing any remorse, opened her mouth with a slightly relieved look.

"You're a healing magic user, right?"

"Y-Yeah."

Even though her tone is normal, I feel a sense of pressure.

It's definitely because of the scorch mark on the ground.

"You can't use attack magic, right?"

"Y-Yeah."

I was taught a little attack magic by a guest at the clinic before, but I couldn't use it at all.

I don't know why.

"Right. Then, I've decided. I'll teach you attack magic as a thank you. ...Is that okay?"

Probably, she doesn't want to be dragged into a marriage discussion.

There's a forceful presence that doesn't allow for any objections.