Preparation

“We’re sorry!”

As soon as I entered the house, Inis and Isabella knelt on the floor. I was a bit surprised at the sight.

“Why are you suddenly doing this?”

I quickly approached and raised them up. I didn’t know how long they had been kneeling, but their knees were a bit red.

“We woke up later than Master and were lazy. Because of that, you had to wander around the Labyrinth City alone, so our sin is too great.”

“I’m truly sorry…”

Inis and Isabella looked downcast.

“I thought you had gotten into some kind of accident. That’s what this was about?”

“Yes…”

“It’s okay. I actually enjoyed walking around alone. And you two must have been tired from fighting in the labyrinth. I understand.”

Their pupils trembled slightly. The two exchanged glances briefly, then bowed their heads again.

“We’re really sorry!”

“Alright. I get it. That’s enough now.”

Only at my words did they return to their original posture. It was a bit awkward that they were so apologetic over such a small matter.

“More importantly, I’m hungry. Is there anything to eat at home?”

Since I first entered the house, a delicious smell had been lingering. They must have prepared dinner.

“Ah. We prepared dinner for Master and were waiting.”

“Then let’s go eat.”

We all went to the kitchen together and sat at the table. The food was a bit more luxurious than before. But there was only one plate for me.

“Aren’t you eating?”

“Those who don’t work should not eat. We failed to fulfill our duties as slaves, so we’ll fast for today.”

At Inis’s words, Isabella nodded. Of course, both of their gazes naturally turned to the food on the table.

“Really? Then alright.”

I thought about encouraging them, but they seemed firm in their resolve, so I let it go. I was hungry too.

I first tore the white bread. Bread that tore very softly. When I put it in my mouth, it felt soft with a subtle sweetness.

“Mmm.”

When I dipped it in the stew, the soup seeped in, turning the white bread red. Just as I was about to put the bread in my mouth.

Gulp-

Hearing the sound of swallowing from the side, I turned my gaze.

Inis had her eyes closed and her head bowed. Isabella watched me eat intently, swallowing gulp by gulp. It was hard to believe she was once the daughter of a count.

Perhaps Inis was actually the noble, and Isabella was the serf? Looking at their behavior, such thoughts naturally arose.

“Eating alone doesn’t taste good. Let’s eat together.”

At my words, Isabella’s body flinched. She looked at me with bright eyes, then glanced at Inis.

“Alright.”

When Inis nodded, Isabella quickly moved to prepare food. In an instant, she ladled stew into bowls and brought bread. The grilled meat was only for me.

“Thanks for the meal!”

Isabella ate hurriedly. In contrast, Inis ate quietly.

“Were you starving all day? Eat slowly. You’ll get indigestion.”

“Mmmmmmm!”

Isabella answered with her mouth full of food. Unable to understand what she was saying, Inis spoke.

“Yes. We actually starved all day. Since you weren’t here, we deliberately didn’t eat.”

“You could have eaten without me.”

“Still, it felt shameless to eat when we failed to fulfill our roles as slaves.”

“Don’t do that next time. You are slaves, but at the same time, you are companions. You don’t need to be so subservient. Understand?”

“Yes.”

Inis smiled and ate a spoonful of stew. Indeed, she was quite elegant. Glancing slightly, I saw Isabella eating like crazy.

‘They weren’t actually switched, were they?’

It was truly confusing.

About three days had passed since we dealt with the Orc Tribal Chief. After resting well at home during that time, we began preparations to enter the labyrinth again.

“If I had known this would happen, I should have found out what comes after the Green Skin’s territory.”

“It couldn’t be helped because of the female adventurers. But don’t worry. I know well what the next layer is.”

After the Green Skin’s territory came the sand desert.

“Desert…?”

At my words, Isabella tilted her head. Her attitude suggested she had never heard such a word before. On the other hand, Inis clapped her hands.

“Ah. I’ve read about it in books. You mean a place where dry, parched soil with no moisture remains is spread everywhere?”

“That’s not wrong. But rather than dry soil, it should be called sand.”

“What is sand?”

“That’s a bit difficult to explain. Check it out later when we get there. It will probably be a troublesome place for you, Inis.”

“For me?”

“Yes. Moving on sand is quite difficult. Especially fighting vigorously.”

Perhaps because it was medieval times, they seemed completely unaware of deserts.

“What kind of place is a desert, Master?”

“It’s a very hot and dry place. Intense sunlight shines down from the sky, and there’s no shade, so you have to endure it directly. Even breathing is not easy because of the sand.”

“From Master’s description, it sounds like nothing short of a warriors’ grave.”

“It will be in reality.”

Even in the game, the sand desert was a place where warriors couldn’t perform well. That’s how annoying and troublesome it was.

“Before entering the desert, we need to prepare thoroughly.”

Due to the large temperature difference between day and night, we had to establish cold prevention measures. And since we needed to pay attention to water intake, we absolutely had to purchase artifacts.

That’s why we came all the way to the Merchant Guild. Places selling artifacts were limited.

“What brings you here?”

“I came to purchase artifacts.”

I answered the employee’s question.

“What kind of artifacts are you looking to buy? Combat type? Or support type?”

“Water canteens. And a tent.”

At those words, the employee nodded. There must be quite a few adventurers like us, so it would be familiar.

“For traversing the sand desert, I see. In that case, I’ll call a staff member right away to guide you. Elma!”

At his call, a woman sitting nearby stood up. She smiled at me and led the way.

“Please follow her.”

I walked down the corridor following the woman called Elma. Opening a room on one side and entering, there were various types of water canteens displayed. Below them were written prices along with their enchanted effects.

“If you’ve chosen what you want, please let me know.”

“Alright.”

We began to examine each water canteen in the room. There were many water canteens, and the price differences were quite extreme depending on the efficiency and type of effects applied.

“Master. Look at this. It says this one costs 1,000 gold!”

At Isabella’s words, I approached to examine it.

Can store up to 100L of water. Water inside can be preserved for three months. Enchanted with a lightening effect, weighing only 3kg no matter how heavy the contents.

“It’s worth the price.”

“Right? I’ve never seen this even in noble houses. They say the Merchant Guild operating in the Labyrinth City has tremendous wealth. It seems that’s really true.”

“Master. How about this one?”

At Inis’s call, I headed in her direction. The water canteen she chose could store a total of 10L and also had a mild lightening effect.

“The price is 10 gold?”

“Yes. I think this is just right. The other items are all too expensive or have ambiguous effects, but this one is generally good.”

“Good. Let’s buy this for now and look for other water canteens. Ah, and. Excuse me?”

“Yes. What is it?”

“I want to buy a tent with a cold-prevention effect. Large enough for three people. I’m willing to pay up to 30 gold. Do you have a suitable item?”

“Yes. I have several items in mind. After you purchase this, I’ll guide you to them.”

“Alright.”

We walked around the artifact shop and paid for various items. At first, I only planned to buy water canteens and a tent. But all sorts of good items kept catching my eye.

“Ah.”

In the end, I ended up buying a robe and even a bag.

The bag had space expansion and lightening effects. The robe had a fixation effect. It was exactly what we had been looking for.

“Master. Can I really use this?”

But the robe was too expensive, and since there was only one in stock, I gave it to Inis.

“Yes. It’s not like I have many occasions to move vigorously anyway. So it’s right for you to use it.”

“But still…”

“Don’t be too reserved. This is all for the party. It should be given to the person who can make the most efficient use of it. Don’t you agree?”

“If Master says so… Alright. I’ll make good use of the robe.”

She smiled broadly and bowed her head. The sight naturally made me feel pleased.

“Ma, Master. Maybe later I could have one pair of gloves…”

“Isabella!”

At Inis’s shout, Isabella shrank back. I burst into laughter at the sight.

“Alright. I’ll buy it for you later. When you think about it, today was also thanks to you, Isabella. I can buy that much for you.”

If it weren’t for the 200 gold she brought, we would have had to prepare meagerly for the sand desert. Or we would have had to gather money in the Green Skin’s layer before moving on.

It was a great benefit not having to take risks or waste time unnecessarily.

“Gasp. Thank you!”

“Then let’s go in now.”

I patted Isabella’s head as she bowed, and then headed toward the labyrinth. It was time to explore again.