episode_0013

“Wait, did you make soup out of gold or something? Why spend money when you don’t have any?”

This is beyond belief, seriously.

“Initially, I hardly brought any money with me. I found out Linde was missing and just rushed out without a second thought.”

Krisha said without batting an eye.

“Just rushed out? No way, how did you come all the way from Brigal to here? You must have taken a carriage or a boat at least, right?”

“I came running.”

“What…?”

“I said I ran here. With my own legs.”

“Your… legs… from Brigal to here?”

“Yeah.”

“…Seriously? Does that make sense? Walking all the way here without proper funds?”

Looking at the map, the Kingdom of Brigal is almost on the opposite side of the Labyrinth City.

It’s a long way to go, even if you consider it end to end.

Realistically, it’s not possible to walk this far without any supplies like food, direction, and various other issues.

“I had to beg for help several times on the way.”

“To whom?”

“There were fellow Brigal kingdom citizens aspiring to be adventurers coming to this Labyrinth City.”

“Oh… now that you mention it, adventurers do come from there too.”

“I don’t know the exact reasons, but skilled mercenaries from Brigal seem to gather in the Labyrinth City. They probably receive support from the royal family or nobles.”

Misty mentioned something similar before.

What kind of wind blew that made them come all the way from there to here?

“Well, anyway, understood. You’re broke, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then leave.”

“Wait, Rashwood, um, is there no other way?”

Linde pleaded.

“No other way… well…”

“If it’s about skills, I’m confident. Even though I left my armor and sword behind, I’m stronger than your average knight.”

Krisha confidently stated.

“I know that. I’ve experienced it firsthand… Wait, you left your sword behind?”

There was a sword, wasn’t there?

It was a top-of-the-line model with a Dragon Heart embedded in it.

With that level of quality, it could easily match the standards of a royal family, if not an imperial one.

“I entrusted it to the Lord of the Labyrinth City.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t have the means to pay the fine immediately. So, I used the sword as collateral instead.”

“Are you crazy?”

I genuinely couldn’t believe it; the value of that sword would far exceed any fine, no matter how large.

And yet, she used it as collateral?

No, did the Lord actually accept it?

This could potentially lead to serious diplomatic issues.

“Well… won’t the Brigal royal family say something about this?”

“It’s fine. That sword belongs entirely to me. Whoever I entrust it to is my prerogative.”

“Even so… sigh…”

My head hurts…

“Well, it can’t be helped. Fine, you can stay in this house.”

“Rashwood!”

Linde clasped her hands together, moved.

“But, you’ll have to work off the rent with your body.”

“Rashwood!”

Linde slammed her hands on the table.

“Got it.”

“Krisha!”

“It can’t be helped, Linde. If it means being by your side, I’ll sacrifice my purity…”

“No, not that.”

I shook the spoon, explaining.

I meant to suggest going down to the Labyrinth together to fight later.

“Oh… I see.”

“So that’s what you meant.”

“Usually, wouldn’t you think of that first?”

“…”

“…”

“…Sorry. My argument lacks credibility. Anyway, Krisha is incredibly skilled. She almost matched me, fully armed, with just her bare hands.”

“I was a bit stronger.”

“Let’s assume you were. In any case, with that level of skill, we can consider going down below the 10th floor of the underground.”

“Oh, I see! Krisha is strong, after all.”

“The Labyrinth… got it. I won’t care who the enemy is. I won’t be bothered by anyone in the depths of the Labyrinth.”

“You should be cautious. Even if it’s you, facing that guy deep in the Labyrinth might not be easy.”

“…Both Linde and I have slain dragons.”

“Even so, they weren’t of the highest rank.”

When someone is called a Dragon Slayer, they usually refer to defeating a mature dragon as the benchmark.

Too young Arong has no honor to kill, but can provoke the anger of adult dragons.

Legends, myths, and rumors about a dragon destroying a country generally refer to adult dragons, not juvenile ones.

“Could it have been an adult dragon?”

“No, it was a juvenile.”

“Just that alone is impressive. Not just impressive, but extraordinary. But the one I’m worried about is probably an adult dragon.”

“Are there such creatures in the underground labyrinth?”

“Yes. Originally, it was located around the 50th floor underground, but now it has come up to the 11th floor.”

“Adventurers really go to such places.”

“They’re only targeting me.”

“What?”

“They’re targeting only me. It’s quite perplexing.”

“…Is there a specific reason for that?”

“It’s a very persistent hunter. Once it sets its sights on prey, it never gives up.”

“An annoying creature.”

“Yes. And you will be facing that creature.”

I pointed at Krisha with a spoon.

“Wait a minute! An adult dragon? Even so…”

Linde said worriedly.

“It’s okay, Linde. I am strong.”

Krisha took her hand.

“But…”

“It’s not impossible.”

“What?”

“Do we have a plan?”

Krisha asked.

“Let’s call it a plan; we have an advantage here. As I explained to Linde before, the deeper into the labyrinth, the higher the concentration of magic. It increases exponentially as you go deeper.”

“…Ah, I see.”

Linde realized and clapped her hands.

“On the contrary, the closer to the surface, the lower the magic concentration. It would be fatal for the monsters and demons in the labyrinth.”

“Yes. That’s why the creature can only come up to the 11th floor. It probably can’t withstand beyond the 10th floor. It’s like not being able to breathe due to lack of air. While it may be as strong as a dragon on the 50th floor underground, things change once it reaches the 11th floor.”

“So, do we just need to defeat the weakened monster?”

Krisha asked.

“Although that’s the case, it’s not a simple task. Its fighting style is quite troublesome.”

“Who exactly is our enemy? What weapons does it mainly use?”

“Let’s save that discussion for later. We’re not going to fight immediately.”

“Not going to?”

“There’s something we must do first.”

“What’s that?”

“What do you think it is?”

I pointed my finger at the ceiling.

“…Call a carpenter.”

“It’s a waste of money. I’ll fix it myself.”

“You’re broke just like everyone else.”

“Don’t make me laugh. With the money needed to repair this mansion, you could build a nice new house with a garden attached. This place is too spacious for two, let alone three people. Did you live here alone before Linde arrived? Any servants? No cohabitants?”

…”

Seeing the situation, Linde held Krisha’s hand and shook her head.

“Do you really know how to properly fix a house?”

“Yes. I worked as a carpenter a long time ago.”

“When was that?”

The first time I learned was about four hundred years ago… or maybe fifty… Since then, I’ve done it occasionally.”

Was it around 50 years after immigrating to this world?

There was a big storm that destroyed all the houses in the village where our Eboni tribe lived.

Oh, right.

I learned from the carpenters sent by the Holy Kingdom to rebuild the village.

I remember little by little.

Over the years, housing styles changed and structures became more complex, but the fundamental aspects requiring craftsmanship remained largely unchanged.

Since there was no industrial revolution, technological advancements meant more types of tools and improved material quality.

“Anyway, repairing this house will be quite a big job. We’ll have to tear up a lot of the floor, and it will take time…”

“Tear up the floor? Isn’t it just about plugging the holes?”

“Stay put, outsider. It’s not as simple as you think. Anyway, I’ll take care of the repairs, and you, um… focus on something productive or help out.”

“Got it.”

“Um, what about me?”

Linde asked.

“Well, you… do you know any magic related to construction?”

“I’m not sure… but I can do some basic fire magic.”

“That’s not necessary right now.”

“Okay…”

“Anyway, we’ll start repairing the house from tomorrow, so let’s eat quickly and get some rest. Anything else you want to say?”

“Nothing.”

“No.”

“Alright then.”

I scraped the last bits of soup from my bowl, stood up with the plate in hand.

“Oh, um, I’ll do the dishes.”

“Huh? Okay.”

I set the plate back down.

“Why should Linde do the dishes?”

Krisha said.

“Do you want to do them instead?”

“Everyone should do their fair share.”

“What kind of freeloader comes in without a penny, eats our food, and then asks to be put up for the night?”

…”

Krisha stood there speechless, mouth agape.

“I’m going to catch a bit of sleep. I’ll be really busy starting tomorrow.”

“Good night.”

Linde said.

“Uh, you guys sleep well too.”

I waved to her and went back to the bedroom.

***

Linde and Krisha were doing the dishes by the well.

“It’s so convenient having a well at home.”

Linde remarked.

“Linde…”

Krisha cautiously spoke up.

“It’s okay. This is all I can do…”

“No, that’s not it… Have you started to dislike me?”

“Huh?”

Linde stopped washing and looked at Krisha.

“As he said, I’ll die before you do. When I’m gone, you’ll be sad.”

“…Yes. I will be incredibly sad.”

“But still… I wanted to stay by your side… Am I being too selfish?”

“Krisha.”

Linde let go of her hands and hugged Krisha again.

“You’re not like that at all. You’re a kind person.”

“…I’m not a child anymore.”

“Is that so… But I still find you adorable.”

“Linde…”

“Hehe… Remember the time when you offered to help with the dishes and ended up breaking a bunch of plates?”

“That was…”

“Yeah, that happened. When did you grow up so much…”

Linde’s voice softened a bit.

A child abandoned by her parents, driven out of the village and fleeing into the deep forest.

The sun setting, hunger gnawing, the crushing realization of being forsaken.

And when a pack of hungry beasts closed in on the lone child, Krisha closed her eyes silently.

If it weren’t for Linde, she might have met her end right there.

That helpless and hopeless child, once adored as a heroic figure who vanquished a dragon.

But to Linde, Krisha still felt like the same little girl, then and now.

“…Linde, I have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“I may not live a hundred years, but… please, don’t forget me…”

“I won’t. Never.”

“Linde…”

The two embraced each other for a moment.

…

And upstairs, Rashwood quietly observed them from the second floor.

Only the round moon in the sky knew what gaze he held upon them.