Ch.5454. Luggage

I stared silently at the ceiling.

It wasn’t that I was shocked into a mental freeze. On the contrary, my mind was clearer than ever.

The reason I wasn’t responding was simply because I wanted to quietly let it pass.

‘Can’t I just pretend I didn’t hear that?’

It wasn’t an explicit declaration of a coup, but honestly, anyone would understand what the princess meant.

She was preparing a rebellion.

This was dangerous whether I accepted or refused, and I had no idea what would happen if I declined.

I don’t want to die over something like this.

“I highly value your abilities and potential. The determination you showed in the last battle was incomparable to anyone else’s.”

“…Thank you for your kind words.”

The princess quietly uttered.

She probably meant she’d cultivate me as a useful chess piece since I seemed talented.

‘This is hopeless.’

I was trying to figure out how to answer without risking my neck.

“Is your answer… silence?”

The princess, seated in her chair looking down at me, opened her mouth.

Now it would be awkward not to answer.

‘This is really messed up.’

I instinctively realized that refusing here would truly screw me over.

‘Kyle is probably already on the princess’s side.’

If she was planning something this big, she would have surely drawn powerful people to her side first.

After all, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his life flourished because of the princess.

“…How would you like me to answer?”

Still, I hesitated.

“I respect your decision. Though I’m not sure what consequences your choice might bring.”

“I see.”

She meant she’d kill me if I didn’t agree.

Deciding to consider it positively for now, I asked about the most important part.

“If I join Your Highness’s royal guard, would I be able to continue my work as an explorer?”

If I couldn’t achieve my life’s goal, I didn’t think I could endure my time in this world.

My goal was both a dream and the support that kept my life from falling apart.

“You can. In fact, I’ll give you the opportunity to progress much faster than you originally planned.”

“…May I ask what you mean by that?”

“Of course. Since I’m selecting my royal guard, I should provide some explanation about the future.”

She handed me a scroll.

“What is this…?”

“A map of the 9th floor of the Labyrinth.”

I moved my arm to unroll the scroll.

‘…It’s real.’

It showed a terrain similar to the 9th floor structure I remembered.

A vast and strange space, pitch black with endless cliffs everywhere.

“Why are you giving this to me?”

“Because it is my… no, our objective.”

She took a deep breath and continued.

“This may sound strange to you, but we must conquer the Labyrinth.”

It was strange indeed.

Just a moment ago, she seemed ready to start a rebellion, but suddenly she’s talking about conquering the Labyrinth?

“Unfortunately, there are certain reasons I cannot tell you.”

“…How much does the imperial family know about the Labyrinth?”

Honestly, I was skeptical about the existence of a 9th floor map.

It was fully detailed all the way to the entrance of the 10th floor.

‘Do they know how to enter?’

From what I heard from the possessed Menhera priest, in the “official release” version, you could go to the 10th floor just by defeating the 9th floor boss.

Back then, I almost had a breakdown after trying everything to find a way to the 10th floor…

“We know up to the 9th floor.”

“…Have you ever been to the 10th floor?”

“Even after defeating the floor boss, no portal to advance appeared.”

She was sharing various information as if already certain I would join.

“I see.”

As expected.

This world was generated based on the game I played.

For some reason, the “official release” version was an incomplete world.

“Anyway, it’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave now.”

The princess rose from her seat and was about to leave the room.

“You’re not waiting for my answer?”

“I know you’re afraid to answer right away. If you cooperate with me hastily, you might face retaliation from the imperial family later.”

The princess hit my weak spot.

“I don’t mind much. Maintain neutrality if you wish, or cooperate with me someday if you want. However, I cannot forgive you siding with the imperial family.”

With those words, she left the room.

***

The sun rose.

After some troubled contemplation, I realized I really wasn’t suited for things like rebellion.

“Ugh!”

I stretched and got out of bed.

Normally I should have stayed in bed longer, but since waking up, my body felt full of energy.

It felt like my natural recovery ability had increased dramatically.

-Creak.

“Oh, Sir Adel. You’re already awake?”

Airi entered the room.

“I just got up. What brings you here?”

“I came to check on your condition, but you seem to be doing fine.”

She smiled and approached me but suddenly stopped midway.

“…”

“What’s wrong?”

Her gaze was directed under the bed.

Curious about this strange situation, I looked in the same direction.

“…”

A silver-haired elf was sleeping soundly on the floor.

“Shiro?”

I was about to reach out, but hesitated seeing how peacefully she was sleeping.

“Sir Adel.”

Airi whispered with a smile.

“Let me help her up.”

“…?”

She carefully lifted Shiro and gently placed her on the bed.

Throughout the process, Shiro showed no signs of waking up and seemed comfortable in Airi’s arms.

“How’s that?”

She asked proudly, hands on her hips.

“That’s impressive.”

“I’m used to taking care of people. Especially when I was with the guild master.”

“The guild master?”

I’d been thinking about this before, but she seemed to have a personal relationship with Polaris’s guild master.

It seemed odd considering how she was used to recruit me into the guild and the way she spoke about the guild master.

“We used to be together all the time back then. The guild master had bad sleeping habits. But if anyone else touched her even slightly, she’d wake up immediately, so I practiced moving her without waking her.”

She gave a faint smile.

“Looking back, it was a bit strange. Being the guild master’s night attendant.”

“…Pardon?”

Did I hear that correctly?

“Is something wrong?”

“What exactly do you mean by ‘night attendant’…?”

I couldn’t help but be shocked by the term.

It would be strange if Polaris’s guild master were a man, but she’s actually a woman.

“I stayed by her side at night to make sure nothing happened, that she didn’t roll off the bed. I had to keep my holy power and mana activated all day because of that. I think I grew a lot during that time.”

“…Ah, I see.”

I often notice that people in this world use such elegant expressions.

Like “night attendant” just now. They often say things that could be misunderstood.

“By the way, have you thought about reorganizing the party since yesterday?”

Airi brought up the conversation we couldn’t finish yesterday.

This must be the main point.

“I’m fine with it. We’ve reached a floor where a priest is necessary in the party. You should ask Shiro about the rest. It’s better to hear the opinions of other party members besides me.”

I don’t think Shiro will be too happy about this, but I believe she’ll eventually agree.

She’s not the type to stubbornly push only what she wants.

“Why me?”

Whether she responded to hearing her name or not, Shiro had somehow approached my side.

“Oh, you’re awake. Sorry, were we too loud?”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind.”

Shiro’s gaze turned toward Airi.

Airi took a deep breath as if steeling herself and faced Shiro.

“Miss Shiro-“

At that moment, the door opened again.

“Shiro, I was wondering where you went. Thank you for thinking positively about me joining the party-“

The blonde woman with black eyes who entered the room stopped mid-sentence.

It was the young lady.

“…”

Why is she here?

And what does she mean about thinking positively about her joining the party?

“Why don’t we all sit down and talk about this calmly?”

I decided to sort out the situation.

***

After some discussion, we clarified the situation.

First, it was confirmed that Airi would join our party.

There wasn’t much resistance since Airi was a benefactor who had saved our lives.

Even without Airi, Shiro had already accepted the fact that we needed to recruit party members.

“-So you already found a party member?”

“Yes.”

“And that’s Lady Ainer?”

Shiro knelt on the bed and looked at me.

As if asking if she did well.

“…Why did you bring her?”

I was curious why she brought her knowing the young lady liked me.

Even though she knew nothing would happen between the young lady and me, it would still be awkward.

“…”

Shiro remained silent.

Did it sound like I was scolding her?

“Ah. I’m sorry if it sounded like I was criticizing you. I was just curious about the reason.”

Shiro lowered her head, then looked up at me again and spoke.

“Because you needed party members, so that didn’t matter. And more than anything…”

Her face reddened slightly.

“…I felt like I was making you carry too much burden. Now, I want to help carry that burden with you.”