Chapter 98: Sarah and the others’ day off

“Is it a holiday?”

It has been three days since we first ventured into the labyrinth. As usual, I returned to the inn after finishing my meal and relaxed. Suddenly, my master declared that tomorrow would be a day off.

“Yeah, you’ve been working hard every day. But I think you’ve been pushing yourself too much, so let’s take a break tomorrow. Sorry for making you do too much.”

My master apologized somewhat apologetically. A day off… I can eat to my heart’s content every day, and I’m not tired from leveling up, but is a day off necessary?

Not only me, but my companions Marco and Kika also received apologies from my master. Indeed, Kika is still young, so it might be good for her to have a day off.

“Tomorrow, you can do whatever you want, Sara. However, as my disciples, adventurers might bother you if they find out, so if you’re going out, let Slyphy accompany you and let me know.”

Slyphy is a wind spirit, contracted to my master. Even Fukuchan, who can easily defeat monsters, seems to be the weakest spirit known as a floating spirit. The power of the Great Spirit Slyphy is unimaginable.

It seems that Slyphy easily subjugated a fire dragon and we trembled at the sight of a corpse. My master seems unexpectedly overprotective.

“Um, can we freely wander around the Labyrinth City?”

“Yeah. Since it’s your day off, it’s important to rest, but it’s better to go out and refresh yourself. Sara mentioned being looked at with unfriendly eyes by people in the slums before, but with Slyphy, you don’t have to worry. Just relax and enjoy yourself.”

We can enjoy walking around the Labyrinth City freely… Although I tried to hide as much as possible because the slum children have a bad reputation and are often regarded with suspicion, it seems that there is no need for such caution.

Having the freedom to stroll around feels like a dream… Is it really a dream?

“Sara?”

“I apologize, Master. I was lost in thought.”

“I see. Well, that’s why tomorrow, you should enjoy yourself in various ways. Here’s some spending money for you.”

Saying that, my master handed each of us 30,000 Elts. It seems like too much, but if my master says it’s better to have too much than not enough, then I can relax if I think I can return the excess. My master lightly stroked our heads and left the room.

“Sara, what should we do on our day off? Kika doesn’t know.”

“On your day off, you can do anything you want. Do you have something you want to do, Marco and Kika?”

“Well… going to the Labyrinth is not allowed, right?”

“We’re taking a break from the labyrinth, so I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I see. Then I don’t know what to do. Kika, do you have anything you want to do?”

“I don’t know.”

“I see. Neither of you knows. How troublesome.”

Marco groaned while pondering. Come to think of it, I feel like I never had a day off when things were peaceful. I wonder what I should do.

“Fukuchan, what should I do?”

I couldn’t help but ask Fukuchan as I continued to worry. It’s not a yes or no question, and Fukuchan seems to be puzzled, flying around my head in circles.

“I’m sorry, Fukuchan. I asked you a difficult question. I’m feeling unsure because tomorrow is a day off, and I don’t know what to do.”

Thank you, Fukuchan.

According to my master, Fukuchan is a small, cute owl. I would love to see it with my own eyes, but unfortunately, I can’t. Nevertheless, I feel somewhat happy to be able to be with Fukuchan.

While communicating with Fukuchan for a while and thinking about various things… I couldn’t think of anything. As I was lost in thought, Kika tugged at my clothes. Did she come up with something?

“Kika, did you think of something?”

“Yes. You know, Sara, Kika wants to meet the meat uncle.”

“The meat uncle?”

“Yes, the uncle who sells meat.”

“The meat uncle” refers to the kind old man who runs a stall near the slums and occasionally shares leftover skewers with us. It was a wonderful treat for us.

“The meat uncle? Oh, I want to meet him too! I promised that I’ll buy from him when I grow up, Sara. Let’s go to the meat uncle’s place.”

“Sounds good. Shall we visit the other people who have helped us as well? Let’s go and express our gratitude.”

“Let’s buy a lot!”

“Yes, let’s buy a lot.”

Marco and Kika are excitedly making a fuss. I never imagined things would turn out like this when I first met my master. I was worried about Marco and Kika, who would follow suspicious people, so I decided to accompany them. Looking back, I believe it was the right choice.

The kind man who helped me couldn’t return from the labyrinth and lost the money I entrusted to him. After managing to find a place in the slums, survival was a struggle, but now, if we do our best, maybe we can all find happiness together.

“Hehe, Marco, Kika, I’m looking forward to tomorrow!”

“Yeah!”

“Exciting!”

I express my gratitude for being able to sleep with a full stomach on a warm bed and close my eyes, hoping that tomorrow will be a joyful day.

“Master, we’re going now.”

“Master, we’re off.”

“We’re leaving.”

“Have a good time. Oh, remember the signal you agreed upon with Slyphy? You don’t have to worry about Slyphy during normal times, but when there’s a signal, always follow Slyphy’s lead. Got it?”

“Yes, I remember the signal, so it’ll be fine.”

“I see. Then enjoy yourselves.”

“Yes.”

We bow to my master, who came out to see us off all the way to the outside of the inn, and start walking through the Labyrinth City with a slight nervousness. It’s the same path we always take with my master, but it feels slightly nerve-wracking to walk along the main street just the three of us.

“Sara, do you think the meat uncle will be there?”

“I think so. He should be selling breakfast to adventurers heading to the labyrinth in the morning.”

“I see. Hey, Sara, let’s buy a lot. The meat uncle’s rough-bird skewers are delicious. Kika loves them too.”

“Yeah, Kika loves the meat uncle’s skewers.”

“Hehe. But remember, we’re having lunch at Sister Gina’s shop, so let’s limit ourselves to three skewers each. Master said he’ll regularly give us days off from now on, so we can visit the meat uncle’s stall multiple times.”

“That’s right. I’m also looking forward to Sister Gina’s soup. Today, instead of getting leftovers in the back, we’ll be eating at the regular shop.”

“Wow, Sara, let’s go quickly!”

“Let’s go!”

I chase after Marco and Kika, who have started running in excitement. Recently, master has been making sure we eat our fill, so there shouldn’t be a need to rush like this, but being able to pay for our meals somehow brings me joy.

“Hey, mister. Give me nine skewers, please.”

“What’s up, kid? Are you in a hurry or running an errand… huh? Wait, are you Marco? And Sara is with you too. I couldn’t tell because you’re wearing proper clothes. It’s been a while since you last came here. What’s going on?”

“Heheh. Mister, we’ve become adventurers. Our master recruited us, so we have a day off today.”

“Hmm? I don’t quite understand, but you became adventurers and came to buy skewers with the money you earned, right?”

“That’s right. We made a promise with you, old man.”

“You promised to come here when you grow up. It happened faster than I expected, but if you can earn money, then I have no complaints. Nine skewers, huh? Just wait a moment.”

While chatting briefly with the old man, we wait for the skewers to cook. I couldn’t go into detail about communicating with spirits because it’s a secret, but the old man listened to our story with joy.

When I told him that we became apprentices to a spirit mage, the old man was very concerned. Spirit mages seem to have a bad reputation, just as our master said.

“Don’t worry, sir. Our master is an amazing person. Besides, he feeds us well every day, so we’re very happy.”

“Is that so? Hmm. Your clothes are decent, and you look healthy. You’ve even gained a bit of weight, so I don’t think you’re lying. But be careful in case he’s fattening you up to sell you. Keep that in mind. Here, they’re ready.”

“Here you go. That will be 900 Elt.”

“Thank you.”

“Sure. Come again.”

We pay the old man and wave goodbye as we leave his stall.

“Sara, can we eat while walking?”

“No, it’s dangerous. Let’s eat in the square instead. There are places to sit and we can buy drinks there.”

“Understood. Let’s hurry, or the skewers will get cold.”

We hurry to the square, buy some drinks, and eat the skewers.

“It’s delicious, isn’t it?”

“Tasty!”

“Yummy!”

Marco and Kika have smiles on their faces. The dishes we eat from our master are probably even more delicious, but the skewers from the meat stall owner are a special treat amidst our difficult lives, so they taste incredibly good.

Although we shouldn’t be as hungry as we were when we were in the slums, we finish all three skewers in no time without saying a word.

“Phew. It was delicious. Sara, let’s go to the old man’s stall again.”

“Yes, let’s go buy from him on our next day off.”

“Yeah!”

“Now, what should we do next?”

We visit the old man’s stall, our first destination. We’ll go to sister Gina’s cafeteria for lunch, so we still have plenty of time.

“Let’s explore and check out various shops. We don’t have to worry about being chased away now.”

We adopt Marco’s suggestion and decide to explore the parts of the labyrinth city we haven’t been able to approach before. Walking will make us hungry again, so it’s perfect timing.

———-

T/N: Such a heartwarming episode.