episode_0068

Silia pressed me against the wall, leaving me no room to escape.

With her arms wrapped around me, Silia gazed down at me.

Her once dark hair was gradually turning a snowy white.

Her eyes began to shine like beautiful rubies.

It felt like we had been in a similar situation last week, but anyway.

“What’s the sudden idea?” I asked.

“Well, what’s wrong with it? If I give you a quick bite, I’ll overlook all the things you’ve done wrong, right?”

“That’s not the issue. This is a dungeon. It’s a dangerous place where risks can arise anytime, anywhere. Besides, Lin and Klaus are nearby. If we’re caught up like this…”

Without listening to my words, she playfully placed her hand over my mouth.

Then, with a cute smile, Silia said to me, “Oh~ Is that the problem? Then it should be fine. I’ve used my magic to thoroughly check everything up ahead. There were no traps or monsters whatsoever.”

“So, you don’t need to worry,” she added.

I marveled inwardly at how Silia could make such a face.

Seemingly not done with her words, Silia continued, “And those guys seem to be sleeping quite comfortably, don’t they? They probably won’t wake up for a while.”

“…How do you know that?”

“Don’t want to tell you? Anyway, if I say so, that’s how it is. Got it, dear?”

“….”

*Sigh*…

Alright, how will I outsmart Silia?

If Silia says there are no traps or monsters around, then there aren’t any.

If she says Lin and Klaus are sleeping, then they are.

And if Silia says the surroundings are really safe, then they must be.

Not only does Silia possess a large amount of magical power, but she also has exceptional magical talent.

Anyway, my favorite is talking like this.

For Silia, giving her a bit of blood might suffice if she wants it.

I don’t know why she likes my blood so much.

Well, good things are good things.

And Silia must have endured thirst for the blood of wild animals for a long time.

If I can quench her thirst with my blood, I am satisfied.

So, looking down at Silia, who was blocking my way out, I said, “…Then, finish it quickly.”

Upon hearing my words, Silia chuckled and started patting my shoulder.

“Haha, just kidding! Once a week of blood-sucking is enough. But hey, dear, why are you sweating so much? Are you nervous? I’m not going to eat you, you know.”

“I’m not nervous. It’s just hot. Anyway, Silia, if you don’t need to feed, why don’t you go rest in the tent? You must have been tired from killing many monsters earlier.”

In response, Silia raised my head and said while stroking it, “Oh, our dear. Are you worried about me? You’re so kind. And do I look like I would get tired from just that?”

“Actually, shouldn’t you be the one resting? You look quite tired right now,” Silia added.

Do I look tired?

Honestly, I am a bit tired.

After all, I’ve been fighting monsters without a break for hours.

Maybe I can’t handle it anymore.

But I can endure this much.

Just like Silia and the others who have worked hard killing monsters.

It’s true that I’m in a tough spot.

So, I’m fine.

Therefore, I told her, “I’m fine.”

At that moment, she stopped stroking my head.

Without saying a word, she stared directly into my eyes.

And like that, we stood there, without exchanging a single word, just gazing into each other’s eyes.

After some time had passed, Silia spoke first.

“Hey, Ddilbbang.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“Wait, come here for a moment.”

“Suddenly, what’s this about…”

-Hug

“?”

Silia spread her arms and wrapped them around me.

Caught off guard by the sudden situation, I couldn’t say anything and just gazed at her.

Her warm body pressed against mine.

The cozy and warm embrace of Silia, her hands touching my back… Her warmth spread through me.

It felt so nice and comforting, I could do nothing but stay still.

She, who always wore a cold and aloof expression and only grumbled.

Her hug felt even warmer to me.

With her face against my chest, Silia, burying her face deeper, spoke.

“You fool. If things are tough, say it’s tough. Don’t suffer alone.”

“….”

“You take care of others so well, why don’t you take care of yourself? This Ddilbbang.”

“….”

“…My younger sibling was just like you. Acting all responsible as an older sibling, taking care of those beneath them. But neglecting themselves. They struggled a lot, cried a lot in secret.”

“….”

“Even when sad or going through hard times, they never told anyone, foolishly. So when asked why, they said they wanted to be helpful to me and Mom.”

“….”

“It’s a foolish thing to do. What’s the point if your family is happy and content while you’re struggling, suffering, and unhappy.”

“….”

“So… Ddilbbang… what I want to say is…”

As she spoke, Silia lifted her face from my chest, looked at me, and said,

“Take care of yourself. You fool.”

Then, without saying anything more, she buried her face back into my chest.

I raised my arms that felt lost, wrapping them around her small back.

At that moment, it seemed like I heard a thump! from Silia… or something like that.

Anyway.

“Silia, thank you.”

“….”

“For your words. For your warm embrace. Everything.”

“….”

“..Silia?”

Hmm… Why no response?

Could she be mad for no reason?

Well, her body was trembling, so maybe she’s shaking with anger.

No, how can she get mad after hugging me first!

What a situation.

So, I quickly removed my hands from her back.

As she struggled to get away, Silia pushed me away and shouted at me.

“Ah, anyway!! Since you hugged me, you have to… you have to do it every week now?! Got it?!”

Surprised.

Wait, was everything I did up to now just a buildup to feed on blood?

Wow… I was really touched just now…

I almost shed tears.

All of this was a setup.

Thanks to that, the tears that hadn’t come out went right back in.

“….”

Actually, I know.

Silia genuinely cared and worried about me.

So, I replied sincerely to her.

“Fine.”

“W-what…?”

But she seemed genuinely surprised that I accepted.

With eyes wide like last time, she started at me.

Regardless, I continued speaking.

“It means you can suck my blood every week. So, come to the club room every Saturday morning.”

Silia returned to her usual self and replied, grumbling.

“Fine, whatever!! Anyway!! Dillbang, is this what you wanted me to do? No changing your mind!!” Silia shouted as she stormed into the tent.

Watching her, I couldn’t help but feel like laughter was about to bubble up within me.

“..She’s cute.”

Anyway, it’s time to set up the lookout again.

Leaning against the wall, I gazed at where Silia had been standing.

In the spot where Silia had left, it felt like she was still there somehow.

I could sense her warm presence.

Hoping that warmth would linger a little longer,

I looked at the softly burning torch.

….

Beneath the weakly flickering flames that seemed like they could go out any moment,

I handed out tokens and addressed my teammates.

“We’ve gathered the target number. Well done, everyone. Now, all that’s left is to leave from here.”

At that moment, Klaus, who had been wiping sweat off his forehead, gasped for breath and said,

“Ha… really, it was damn tough. Hey, Black Hair, you’re lucky. Meeting good teammates and even catching a bus.”

As Klaus spoke rudely once again, Lin, who was beside him, sighed and replied in my place.

“Sigh…. Everyone did well. So, don’t say such things. Blondie.”

Sighing while speaking.

Until I got close to her, she didn’t speak properly. She hardly showed any emotions.

To sigh like that…

Klaus, this guy.

He’s quite something in various ways.

“C-Cordelia…”

Anyway.

We were fortunate to find a way down to the next floor, where we descended and defeated several monsters,

barely managing to collect the target number of 300 tokens.

Having fought monsters for almost half a day…

It’s strange not to collect them anymore.

There were some minor conflicts with other teams along the way.

Surprisingly, Klaus let the other teams pass without causing any trouble.

Although we could have taken tokens from them.

Klaus insisted he knew those guys and had reached a good understanding with the other team members, so we smoothly moved on.

From what I saw earlier, he seems to talk normally to others.

Oddly enough, he only picks on me.

After spending almost a day together, I’ve gotten used to it.

Anyway.

Now it’s time to leave the dungeon.

Luckily, we found a dimensional portal leading outside.

So, all that’s left is to return to the academy to rest.

Since we fought monsters non-stop, everyone is quite exhausted.

Silia seems alright, but Lin and Klaus look very tired.

Remembering the dimensional portal I saw when entering the dungeon,

I stood before a portal that looked just like the entrance and spoke to them.

“Everyone, well done. First, take this.”

I handed Silia a pouch containing tokens.

“I’ll enter after all of you. You guys go back first and rest.”

Starting with Silia, Lin and Klaus responded one by one.

“Then, Dillbang. I’ll go ahead?”

“..Thanks for your hard work. Leader.”

“Cordelia, he’s not the leader. Anyway, when we return to the academy, come with me to the cafe…”

Like that,

One by one, they entered the dimensional portal.

Under the softly glowing light of the fire, I was left alone.

Now that everyone had passed through the portal,

I should also head back.

“Phew… I’m exhausted. It’s time for me to go back and get some sleep. I have work tomorrow.”

And so, I stepped into the dimensional portal leading out of the dungeon.

Unaware that the swirling blue portal had turned red the moment I entered.