Chapter 104: The Day Before the Storm (6)
by Shini
Chapter 104: The Day Before
the Storm (6)
“Tsk.
Go get some bread.”
That
was the first thing Idelbert said when she saw Serif’s free pass.
But
Serif merely snorted and did nothing.
-Rumbling.
My
stomach growled at the keyword bread.
Training
with Idelbert is very intense.
Today’s
session was only half as long as usual, but I had already burned
quite a few calories.
I
checked Diana’s wristwatch and it was already four o’clock.
I
hadn’t eaten lunch since I had to go to the guard post, and I was
still hungry from the hearty breakfast Diana had prepared for me.
-Ugh.
Serif’s
gaze fell on me. Or, more precisely, the [Free Pass] she handed me.
“Ms.
Serif, do you have any bread-”
I
stopped in mid-sentence, interrupted by Idelbert’s comment. I snapped
back to reality.
‘Is
it right to ask the saint of the temple to buy some bread?’
It
couldn’t be.
Just
as I was about to hastily retract my remark, Serif pulled something
out of thin air.
It
was a simple lunchbox with ciabatta bread, a few slices of jamon, and
a dressed salad.
“Are
you hungry? It’s for a diet, so the portion isn’t much, but…
it’ll be enough.”
“Uh⋯thank
you.”
“You’re
welcome, and you don’t have to use your free pass for just this, it’s
the least I can do in honor of the goddess.”
Serif
wagged her white cat tail gently as she said that.
‘⋯This
is a bit difficult.’
I
mean, it says ‘free pass’, but I can’t really do anything with it.
Serif
isn’t some street beggar or outlaw.
Given
her status and position, there are clear limits to this [free pass].
As
a very extreme example, what would happen if I used it to say,
“Spread your legs?”
Would
she immediately say, “Yes Balkan,” and spread her legs wide and
wag her white cat tail seductively?
Nope.
Not in this crazy world.
Moreover,
Serif is a devout member of the Mother Earth Order, which emphasizes
virginity and is very strict about sexuality.
The
moment I asked for such a ‘crossing the line’ kind of favor, the mace
of Mother Earth Order could fall on my head.
So,
in order to use [the free pass] properly, I had to walk a fine line.
‘I
have to take advantage of them without hurting their feelings too
much, but at a level that allows me to maintain a proper
relationship.’
Asking
for food seemed to fall into the “barely there” category.
I
took a quick bite from the bento Serif had provided and spoke again.
“By
any chance, would you be able to grant me a miracle before my next
trip to the Labyrinth? The miracle I received from Serif last time
was very helpful, and I think it would be quite a relief.”
I
received the miracle from a level 50 priest haphazardly and by
accident last time⋯
but now I know its value.
It’s
a great way to shrug off the effects of Hobgoblin Staff.
A
literal miracle that many people come to her with wads of money,
hoping for it, but none but the chosen few can receive.
“Sure,
I can give you one, but like I said, I can always grant you a miracle
if you’re Balkan, so you don’t have to use your free pass.”
Serif
smiled, accepting this as no big deal.
‘You’re
taking this so lightly?’
I
almost pouted for a moment at her unquestioning, yes-man-like
behavior.
“Apprentice,
are you entering the Labyrinth this week?”
Idelbert’s
serious tone brought me back to my senses.
“Ellie’s
academy graduation is coming up soon, so the next Labyrinth will
probably be in a month.”
“Ah.
Speaking of which, her graduation is also coming up soon. That’s bad
luck.”
Idelbert
clicked her tongue in disappointment and I raised a question mark at
the look.
“Is
something wrong?”
“Mmm⋯
nothing major, just that when the Labyrinth opens next week, I think
I’ll be entering.”
“You
will?”
My
ears perked up at the unexpected news: Idelbert herself would be
entering the Labyrinth.
“It
shouldn’t take long. At most, I’ll only be able to explore the 20th
floor and the safe zone, Eden.”
Eden
was on the 15th floor.
When
she spoke with the nuances of going for a walk in such a place, I
suddenly realized the gap between master and pupil.
“So,
you’ll be away for a while?”
“The
Deputy Alliance Leader will be back soon, so she’ll be acting
Alliance Leader for a while.”
A
faint smile crosses Idelbert’s face.
“The
corners of your mouth are twitching at the thought of not training.”
“Haha.
It’s all for my own good, anyway. I’ll continue to train hard while
you’re away.”
Although
I said this, I laughed heartily inside.
While
it was unfortunate that I would not be able to gain combat experience
through dueling, it was good news that I had avoided the basic
physical training that would stretch me to the limit.
My
laughter brought a faint smile to Idelbert’s face again.
“It
pleases me as a master to see my pupil improve through his own
efforts without the whip. Your efforts have been rewarded. Here’s
another gift for you.”
I
clasped my hands together like Pavlov’s dog at the word gift.
Idelbert
pulled another object from the void and placed it in my hand.
Four
gravity artifacts with eight times gravity.
“Kaaaagh!”
I
resisted the gravity that suddenly crushed my body.
“Are
you holding on for dear life?”
Idelbert
chuckled, attaching gravity artifacts to my limbs.
Damn.
I’d been outmaneuvered by the sneaky black cat.
“You
can only become stronger beyond your limits if you make training your
daily routine. In other words, if you make your daily routine your
training, you will grow faster.”
“Yi,
are you telling me to wear the gravity artifacts from now on⋯?”
“I’m
glad you understand so quickly, you’re my student after all.”
I’m
supposed to go about my daily life wearing this thing? I don’t
understand.
-Bang!
Pow!
I
resisted the urge to tug on the black cat’s tail, which was wagging
gleefully, and chew on it with my lips to educate her.
‘A
gentleman’s revenge is not too late even if it takes ten years.’
Those
who rage now will be subdued in an instant.
It
will not be too late to repay them when I am stronger than Idelbert.
I
made a mental note of the humiliation I’d suffered today on my
‘Idelbert’s List’ and pushed myself up against gravity.
-Grrrr.
As
I stood up, I saw Idelbert’s shadow on the floor.
“Niaoong-”
And
out of that shadow, a black cat leapt out and stood in front of me
with a swagger.
It
was the same black cat I had seen during my first meeting with
Idelbert.
“If
anything happens while I’m gone, Shuding will help you.”
“Is
this cat named Shuding?”
“Yes.
Isn’t she wonderful, she can even use a little magic.”
“Yeah⋯what⋯”
Idelbert’s
sense of naming was incomprehensible, but the cat itself, named
Shuding, stood with a dignified and regal demeanor, just like
Idelbert.
“Come
here.”
I
didn’t hate these creatures.
Unlike
humans, they aren’t hostile or envious of me, and I often find them
soothing to watch, so I suppose I should say I like them.
Perhaps
sensing my feelings, Shuding approached me with a bold stride.
Without
thinking, I held out my hand to her and spoke in a low voice.
“Hand.”
-Poof.
Idelbert
put her hand over my helmet.
“⋯?”
“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”
I
looked up, bewildered by the suddenness of the situation, to see
Idelbert staring down at me, her face even more bewildered than mine.
“Uh⋯
I⋯
was talking to Shuding, Master.”
Idelbert
quickly removed her hand at that.
“⋯⋯Ah.
Um. That, yes. Hmm. I knew it. ⋯⋯It’s
true. I was just trying to show her that this is how it’s done, in
case she didn’t know.”
“Niao-”
She
stammered in an uncommonly panicked voice, but Shuding wasn’t even
looking at Idelbert.
She
was just resting her front paws in my palm.
“Pfft,
for a female cat⋯
she’s pretty compliant.”
Serif
choked back a laugh and looked back and forth between Idelbert and
Shuding.
Her
narrowed eyes seemed to mock Idelbert.
‘I
see you’re a female, too.’
“⋯Hmm.
I see. She approached you on her own. She’s definitely a good
follower-hmmm!”
Idelbert,
who had been speaking casually, took a step back in surprise.
The
black cat’s tail twitched as if startled.
The
timing coincided with my fingers gently tickling Shuding’s chin.
I
must reward her because she immediately understood my words and
raised her hand.
“Miaoo⋯⋯⋯”
Shuding,
who was standing in a defiant manner, purred as if asking for more.
“Hmph,
hmph, hmph?”
Idelbert
shuddered as Shuding rubbed her chin against my finger.
“Shu,
Shuding seems to be a bit tired.”
“Miao-!”
Idelbert
waved her hand, and Shuding leapt into my shadow with a piercing
squeal.
Was
it a blessing? It was a mysterious phenomenon that was hard to
believe even after seeing it.
“⋯Don’t
call her unless it’s a real emergency.”
“Yes.”
“⋯But
you should still feed her occasionally. She’s gentle, so she can go
in the water, so she’s often washed.”
I
nodded at Idelbert’s list of precautions and checked the time.
Before
I knew it, the evening opening time was approaching. It was time to
return to work at the inn.
***
After
exchanging pleasantries with Idelbert, who was about to go to the
labyrinth, and making a promise with Serif to go to the temple to
receive a miracle soon, we parted ways.
Time
passed quickly.
Wearing
the gravity artifact every day was never easy, but I’d grown
accustomed to it, now that I wore it until I went to sleep.
As
much as I wanted to take a break, I didn’t skip training.
I
have to work hard now so I won’t regret it later.
“I
heard you’re going in the Labyrinth yourself, how long has it been?”
“It’s
going to be a bit of a ruckus for a while.”
“I
hope the bastards who’ve been peeking around don’t go on a rampage⋯
it’s best to stay out of the Outlaw Zone for a while, just in case.”
“We’ll
have to clean up the Reformed Explorers, too.”
“And
the Deputy Commander, too.”
Idelbert
entered the Labyrinth as soon as the portal to the Labyrinth opened
this week.
She
was accompanied by three high-ranking explorers from the Alliance.
Explorers
were the primary clientele of the Diana Tavern, and Idelbert’s story
was never far from the conversation whenever patrons gathered at the
bar.
As
an employee, I listened to their tales until I had scabs on my ears.
Days
passed again.
“That’s
enough reading for today.”
I
closed the [Weakness Detection] Spellbook, pressing my brow tightly
against the overwhelming fatigue.
I
could see why Idelbert had said it was important to ‘finish reading’.
It
was no small feat to read a book that was much thicker than most
encyclopedias or major texts without missing a single word.
But
after more than a week of eating, pooping, training, reading, and
sleeping, I’m already more than halfway through.
I
keep the spellbook on my desk in my room.
Having
two books in my room made me feel like an intellectual, which made me
feel proud.
‘I
should read that one too.’
It
was a fairy tale book with the grandiose name [Mother Earth and the
Myth of Light].
I
had borrowed it from the temple for half a silver coin, but I hadn’t
read a single chapter yet because I was busy with various things.
‘Maybe
I’ll read it once I finish the spellbook.’
-Hmph.
I
yawned deeply and unwrapped the bundle that had been shoved deep in
the closet.
The
skull of his girlfriend that Jeremy had left behind caught my eye.
She was supposed to be enchanted to prevent decay⋯
and she still wasn’t.
I
splashed some water on it and covered it again. It was gruesome and I
didn’t want to look at it as often as possible.
I
went back to sleep, and the next morning the academy graduation
dawned.
Just
in case, I washed myself thoroughly in the temple baths yesterday,
shedding months of grime.
It
was quite a sight to behold, looking my best and wearing a neatly
pressed suit.
If
I do say so myself, I look like a dandy gentleman.
Add
a helmet to the mix and you have a man who looks like a strange mix
of modern politeness and medieval savagery in the mirror.
As
I came down to the tavern fully prepared, Diana, carrying a handbag,
greeted me.
She
was wearing a beautiful dress, as I was in a suit.
“Are
you ready to go, Balkan?”
“⋯Yes.”
I
couldn’t take my eyes off her in her dress.
If
it weren’t for the tongue-biting shock therapy, I could have stared
at her for hours.
‘Thank
you, Silanes.’
I
sent a heartfelt thank you to the owner of Arachne’s Miracle Tailors,
who had made this dress for her.
Fixing
her handbag, Diana offered me her hand.
I
shyly took her hand and climbed into the carriage she had waiting in
front of the inn.
Purrrrr-
With
a grinding sound, the carriage made its way to the nobles’ quarters.
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