Chapter 222: It’s Been a While (2)

Chapter 222: It’s Been a
While (2)

When
I returned to the inn, Diana was carrying a luggage box, so it was
clear she was preparing for something.

However
I didn’t know it was preparation to open a second branch of the inn,
and not on the ground, but in Eden on the 15th floor of the
labyrinth.

“Why
suddenly a second branch?”

Balkan
asked carefully.

Diana,
who they thought was living a leisurely life in retirement, wanting
to open a second branch? And in the dangerous labyrinth at that?

Of
course, she wasn’t the type of person to be concerned about such
dangers…but it was a bit sudden.

“Hmm.
I thought it would be nice to have an inn like this on the 15th floor
too.”

Balkan
knew that Diana wasn’t running the inn and tavern for the purpose of
making money.

She
provided much cheaper and better quality accommodations than other
inns, and though somewhat expensive, meals of excellent quality.

The
inn she ran was clearly a good place for both ordinary labyrinth city
people and explorers to visit.

It
was the only sanctuary in the harsh labyrinth city, a tavern where
happiness dwells, where those soaked in blood and frozen from cold
could warmly laugh and chat.

That
was the Cozy Winter Night Inn.

Diana
seemed to want to create such a sanctuary in Eden, which was also
called another labyrinth city but it’s not easy to make such a
decision just based on that thought alone.

Balkan
stared intently at Diana.

Though
Diana had her eyes gently closed, he could feel her eyes slightly
avoiding his gaze.

“I’m
sorry if I’m prying, but is there something you’re uncomfortable
telling me?”

“…”

Beads
of cold sweat rolled down Diana’s forehead as she smiled leisurely.

Finally,
Diana sighed as if admitting defeat and said.

“…I
was a bit lonely, being without Balkan for two months…”

The
deeper you go down the labyrinth’s levels, the longer it takes to
return.

Diana
experienced the feeling of longing while waiting for Balkan after a
long time. She wanted to be by his side, to be with him, even if she
couldn’t join his adventures due to various restrictions.

She
wanted to at least prepare a place that could serve as his resting
place on the 15th floor, which would become the main base from now
on.

Balkan
had shown tremendous gratitude and apologetic feelings just for
building one bathroom in the inn.

His
joyful expressions always made Diana’s heart flutter, but she hoped
he wouldn’t feel too burdened by her kindness.

So
she had tried to divert Balkan’s attention through talk of a second
branch…

“So…damn.
You’re saying you wanted to open an inn all the way in Eden because
you wanted to be with Master?”

“…yes.”

When
Diana nodded shyly at Denshi’s words as he summarized the situation
with an astonished face, Balkan spread his arms wide.

“Ah…Diana.”

“Um,
yes…?”

“Come
here.”

“…yes.
Huuu…”

-Squeeze.

Diana,
crushed by thick arms and torso, exhaled a hot breath. Her breasts
were roughly squashed, providing an ecstatic sensation.

How
could every single one of her actions be this cute?

Balkan
couldn’t help but wonder if the woman before him was really of
similar age to that monster-like master.

After
a moment of embrace, Diana, her face thoroughly flushed, continued
speaking while fanning herself to cool down.

“So
I was thinking of going to the 15th floor with Balkan on the next
labyrinth trip…what do you think?”

“It
would be my honor.”

He
felt like he’d gained an army of thousands. A labyrinth trip with
Diana? What would there be to fear?

“Then
what happens to the main branch…if that’s what we should call it,
this inn while we’re gone?”

“There’s
someone who will take care of it while I’m in the labyrinth, so don’t
worry. Thanks to changing the contract to only having to show my face
once every three months, the restrictions on my actions have become a
bit looser.”

“Contract?”

“Yes.
Embarrassingly, because of a small incident I caused in the past, I’m
in a position where I need to get permission from someone high up
whenever I enter the labyrinth. Heheh.”

Diana
laughed it off as if it were nothing.

Behind
us, Denshi carefully whispered in my ear.

“What
kind of incident would make a high-ranking explorer’s labyrinth
access restricted?”

“I
can hear everything, you know?”

“Ahem…”

At
Diana’s cold voice, Denshi hurriedly cleared her throat and turned
her gaze away.

Though
he didn’t show it outwardly, Balkan had personally thought something
similar.

What
would one have to do to be banned from entering the labyrinth?

Considering
her demeanor when surrounded by people at Ellie’s graduation ceremony
and Diana’s character, it probably wasn’t anything criminal.

From
various circumstances he’d heard, it seemed past Diana was quite a
troublemaker, so maybe she caused an incident in her youthful
vigor…

“Still,
I was able to change the contract on the condition of serving as the
princess’s escort, so that’s really fortunate.”

His
eyes grew round at her following words.

“The
princess’ escort?”

Because
it was quite an unusual statement.

***

The
Labyrinth City Valerus was a place that has long prospered due to the
existence of the only Labyrinth on the continent, where light and
darkness exist only as blurry boundaries.

And
outside such Valerus, there naturally exists a wider world and the
kingdom that embraces Valerus.

“Of
course, since Valerus occupies more than half of the Arlonia
Kingdom’s territory and holds the most important value, the royal
palace sits prominently in the deepest part of the noble district.
Well, I’ve only heard about it.”

“Indeed,
there’s no place in the current continent that prospers as much as
Valerus.”

Diana
nodded at Denshi’s words.

Balkan
also quietly agreed with their words. There was no disagreement about
Valerus being a prosperous city.

It’s
just that he only went back and forth between the weapon shop lines
while running around the labyrinth every day.

The
noble district, temple district, and the bustling commercial areas
near the explorer district were quite luxurious places.

And
escorting the royalty, who were clearly the ruling power of the most
prosperous city on the continent, was impossible without considerable
trust and fame.

“It’s
the 2nd Princess’s birthday in a week. I was able to get permission
to enter the labyrinth on the condition that I attend and escort the
princess that day.”

“It’s
the 2nd Princess’s birthday, but you need to escort her?”

He
changed his expression at the somewhat chilling story.

Could
there be forces targeting the princess of a nation?

Various
stories naturally formed in his mind. Like messy succession
struggles.

“Mmm,
it’s not what you’re worried about, Balkan. The two get along quite
well.”

He
realized that the ‘two’ Diana mentioned referred to the 2nd Princess
and someone else, probably the 1st Princess.

“Then
there shouldn’t be much danger…”

“Danger
doesn’t only exist inside. Since ancient times, danger has always
come from the outside. Have you ever heard the story of the
Red-Haired Minotaur?”

“…Don’t
tell me that rumor was true?”

Denshi
made an incredulous expression at Diana’s words. When I looked at her
questioningly, she continued.

“It’s
a bit hazy since it was so long ago, but there was a rumor that the
Red-Haired Minotaur, called the Extinctionist, appeared at the 2nd
Princess’s birthday banquet and brought a bloodbath.”

“It
wasn’t quite a bloodbath, but it’s already been well over 10 years
ago.”

Diana
muttered as if reminiscing about old times.

I
thought perhaps she might have experienced it firsthand rather than
through rumors.

“Anyway.
That Extinctionist…Gott, who worships the demon of wrath, has
recently started moving again, and since it coincides with the
princess’s birthday, I’ve been assigned to escort the 2nd Princess
just in case.”

While
the succubi who followed the worshipper of lust had gone with Nuer to
search for clues, unlike them, the whereabouts of Gott, the
red-haired minotaur who worshipped the demon of wrath, seemed to be
somewhat known.

Well,
after attacking not just some noble but a princess, one would have to
live as a fugitive avoiding pursuit for life, what else could they
do?

Rather,
it was more surprising that she was still alive until now.

“Then
you’ll be away during that time.”

“I
suppose so.”

“It’ll
be lonely while you’re gone.”

“Hmm?”

Diana
tilted her head at the quietly muttered words.

“Ar-aren’t
you coming with me…?”

“What?
How could I go there? Who am I to do that?”

Balkan
expressed doubt at her words that assumed he would naturally come
along.

While
something like Ellie’s graduation ceremony would be understandable,
how could he attend a royal birthday party? It would surely be filled
with distinguished nobles.

“You
could enter if you come with me…”

Even
if it might be possible for a high-ranking explorer who held
important power and authority in the labyrinth city, it wasn’t a
place for a mere explorer whose status badge barely touched the
middle-lower ranks to tag along.

Rather,
he could spend time experimenting more with the dragon’s heart
blessing he recently obtained or ask Zirnier to make new armor with
all the gold coins he just earned…Ah.

He
realized that even Zirnier had left for the royal palace to repair
the 2nd Princess’s armor.

In
the end, the only thing he could do alone was magic training, and
even that would be much easier if Ellie, who had gone as a royal
magician, could teach him…

But
honestly, more than those reasons.

“Um…so
you didn’t want to come…I just, really it’s nothing. After the
escort duty is done, I thought we might look at the moon together…
The night sky viewed from the royal palace is really beautiful, so I
wanted to see it together…Ugh. I-I’m not asking you to come along
forcefully if you don’t want to, so don’t feel too pressured-“

The
woman before him, stumbling over her words due to embarrassment,
was…too cute.

No
other calculation was needed. Diana wanted to be with him.

Isn’t
that reason enough to move?

“Alright.
Let’s go together.”

“R-really?!”

When
he spoke as if admitting defeat, Diana’s gloomy face rapidly bloomed
into a bright smile.

How
could he refuse this?