Chapter 112: Apology? – i novels

()x10-12 minutes

To begin with, the most noticeable issue is Yunis. She’s just clinging to Mel and causing a commotion, so it’s probably fine to leave her alone for now. Mel is saying “auau” but she’s her childhood friend, so I want her to handle it herself.

“Yuta, let’s make a contract right away!”

Next is Melal. He’s getting closer to making a contract, his excitement is getting out of control, and he’s coming on too strong. Let’s try to persuade him discreetly.

(Melal, we just came out of the labyrinth and Mel is tired. This is an important contract. It’s better to rest and make the contract calmly afterwards.)

Melal, who was flying around me in excitement, suddenly stops.

“That’s right. Mel is tired. Yeah, that’s right. Thank you, Yuta.”

He stops making a fuss and flies over to Mel’s side. That was easy and helpful. The problem is Marie and Eltina, who are somehow ending up in a chaotic situation, seemingly at odds with each other. How did it come to this?

“Oh my. Why is the Adventurers’ Guild, which has caused so much trouble for Yuta, going all the way to the labyrinth? Are you planning to cause more trouble for Yuta?”

Oh, Marie has set the stage. The plaza in front of the labyrinth. Many people are there. Two beautiful women with an unusual atmosphere. And one of them is the guild receptionist. As a result, onlookers are gathering around.

“Why are you here? It’s because we’ve come to sincerely apologize to Yuta for all the trouble we’ve caused so far. I’m sorry, but may I speak with him first?”

The onlookers start buzzing. Why is the guild receptionist apologizing to that scammer? Conversations like that are unfolding here and there. Since we’re in front of the labyrinth, there are many adventurers who know me.

But, an apology, huh? So the Adventurers’ Guild has finally grasped me. However, even so, I didn’t expect them to apologize out of the blue. I thought they would try to take advantage of me by creating some kind of trouble or grudge. If I’m honestly apologized to, how should I act?

I suddenly feel like I want some healing, but my healers are busy scouting the food stalls in the plaza. Should I summon them?

“Sorry, but no. I came here to convey something to Yuta, something he asked me to tell him. Can you come later?”

“…I understand. I’m in a position to apologize, so I can’t disturb Yuta. Please go ahead and talk.”

Eltina steps back. Whew, somehow I got nervous too. There’s a tense atmosphere between the two women that makes me feel like I shouldn’t interfere.

“Oh, thank you.”

Since Eltina stepped back, Marie continues walking towards me. Huh? Why isn’t she stopping?

Marie comes closer and whispers in my ear, her breath tickling my skin, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

What’s with this situation?

(Yuta, I’m sorry. The master of the Merchant Guild and the master of the Alchemist Guild barged into my father’s place, and unable to resist, he ended up telling them about you. My father was planning to hold out a little longer, so I couldn’t inform you in advance. Also, besides that receptionist, there are others waiting for you, sticking around the inn.)

“I-Is that so? I understand. Thank you for letting me know.”

(Please don’t worry. As for the inn, I’ve arranged for you to enter through the back door so that no one notices. I can also arrange a new inn for you if you prefer.)

“I’ll be fine at my own inn. Thank you for going through the trouble.”

After expressing my gratitude, Marie smiled and moved away. It’s a relief that she arranged things with the inn. However, the masters of the Merchant Guild and the Alchemist Guild… Is it natural for them to get involved considering the value of the materials? Well, it’s likely to become noisy, so I’ll find the right timing to return to the land of death.

While I was contemplating, Eltina approached me with a look of apology. It’s the first time I’ve seen her with such an expression. Although, apart from our first encounter, she has always had an almost expressionless face.

“Yuta-san, I sincerely apologize for my attitude until now.”

She suddenly bowed deeply. The onlookers buzzed with excitement. I have a feeling that if I respond with the wrong attitude, I might suddenly become the villain… Is that also part of the plan?

However, she has completely changed her attitude. Normally, there would be more hesitation, remorse, or hidden feelings, but in a way, it feels very refreshing.

“For now, could you please raise your head? It’s hard to have a conversation when you’re bowing like that. Could you explain?”

After my words, Eltina raised her head and began explaining in a slightly louder voice.

“In fact, we deeply regret that our attitude towards you, Yuta-san, in the Adventurers’ Guild has been extremely insincere. As a way of apologizing for that, we have come here today. Once again, I sincerely apologize.”

Eltina bowed deeply again. She didn’t mention anything about reaching the 50th floor. Maybe they don’t know about it. Are they trying to make it seem like they didn’t know we were at fault and came to apologize? It seems a bit forced to me.

“Hmm. It seems like they want to publicly apologize in front of everyone. Yuta, what will you do?”

Silphy seems to agree. Now, what should I do? I have a feeling that this situation has been carefully orchestrated, and they probably want to take advantage of the fact that I reached the 50th floor and somehow turn it to the Adventurers’ Guild’s advantage.

“For now, I can’t think of anything, so let’s observe the situation.”

“I understand the reason. Please raise your head, and I’ll listen to what you have to say.”

“Thank you very much. Not only me but also the guild master wants to have the opportunity to apologize to you, Yuta-san. I’m sorry to ask, but can you spare some time?”

She’s really persistent. The onlookers are getting even more surprised and noisy. Is the guild master really going to apologize? Is it a trap? Will they try to poison me or something? I feel reluctant to simply comply with their requests as if being manipulated in the palm of their hands.

“So, the guild master will apologize… Since I have had various experiences with the guild master and the Adventurers’ Guild, I would prefer to avoid meeting in a closed room. However, if it’s a discussion in front of the Adventurers’ Guild counter where there are people around, I can agree to that. What do you think?”

“…I understand your concerns. The guild master deeply regrets what has happened this time. As long as it is in response to your request, he believes there should be no problem.

Are you going to comply? It seems like they’re asking for a public apology. Perhaps they’ve even anticipated that I would make such a request? Ah, come to think of it, I said something similar last time. They must have predicted it.

“Thank you. What time would be convenient for you?”

I didn’t give my consent. Maybe they interpreted my previous “Uh, okay” as an agreement. How cunning. They completely have control over the situation. Should I refuse to go? Hmm, that might lead to various schemes against me. How about saying I’ll go tomorrow evening and buying some time to have Silphy investigate and then decide?

“Then… I will come tomorrow evening.”

“Thank you. I deeply apologize for my previous attitude. We will be waiting for you at the guild tomorrow evening.”

Eltina bowed deeply once again and left.

(Silphy, can you investigate Eltina’s movements and the guild master’s as well?)

“Sure. Sounds interesting. I want to see it up close, so I’ll go too. Dolly is here, so it should be fine, right?”

Silphy followed Eltina with a delightful smile. Silphy seems really excited. I wonder if the curiosity of the wind spirit has been aroused?

The wind spirit is truly free. Well, Bell and the others are busy checking the food stalls, and in the first place, spirits themselves are free beings.

I glanced at Dolly, and she nodded with a smile, indicating that she would be fine as my escort.

Now, how should I handle the situation here? It’s fine to leave the onlookers who are looking at me, but I can’t leave Yunis bombarding Mel with questions and Marie staring at me. Sarah and the others also seem lost in the sudden turn of events, so let’s settle the situation quickly and move on.

“Marie-san, thank you for letting me know. I’m a bit busy right now, so I’ll visit your shop another day.”

“Oh, no need to worry. But can I ask you one thing?”

“What is it?”

“There will be various invitations coming your way from now on. Can you continue your relationship with Porius Company?”

Ah, I see what she means. I’m indebted to Marie, and I intend to continue doing business with her unless the rumors about me being involved with men worsen. If they go so far as to offer up my own brother, it’s a definite cut-off, though.

“Yes, once I obtain rare materials from the labyrinth, I will bring them to you, Marie-san, so please rest assured.”

“Thank you very much. I’m relieved to hear that. Well then, excuse me.”

Marie left with a smile of relief. Next are Mel and the others.

“Mel, good work. I’ll go to the workshop tomorrow morning, so let’s end things here for today.”

As I casually called Mel without honorifics, Yunis looked shocked. She seemed to want to say something, but couldn’t find the right words, so her mouth just opened and closed.

“Ah, yes. Thank you very much, Master.”

Mel bowed her head. Yunis’ eyes nearly popped out of her head. Oh, unexpected reaction. Did she want to say something like, “Why are you calling her without honorifics?” or “What do you mean, ‘Master’?” I thought her reaction would be more along those lines, but it seems she’s too surprised to even speak. Interesting. I’m satisfied, yet somehow unsatisfied with this ambiguous response. Mel, who bowed her head, was pulled away by Yunis. Let’s see what happens once Yunis has collected herself.

“Yuta, will you make a contract tomorrow morning?”

“Yes, that’s the plan. Since Mel has been practicing communication with Bell and the other spirits, it’s a good opportunity for Melal to try as well.”

“Oh, right! Yeah, that’s a good idea! Yuta, you saved me. See you tomorrow. Thanks!”

Melal flew away with a swoosh. Everything seems fine now. Let’s return to the inn… Oh, right, we have to enter through the back entrance. I expected there would be some commotion, but it’s troublesome when it actually happens.