Until recently, she had been in an unending, unnatural condition of suffering from burning fever and numbing chills.

　A desperate battle trying to cling on to a life on the verge of being erased. 

　But she hadn’t felt alone. Amidst her fading consciousness, Yuika could feel the tremors from being bounced up and down, the sounds of intense breathing, and heartbeats that didn’t belong to her. 

　However, she wasn’t able to hear any of that currently, and she wasn’t able to feel any of those tremors anymore.

　Somewhere along the way, her pain and suffering had disappeared. 

　If I’m conscious, does that mean I’m still alive? 

　No, if something like an afterworld actually exists, then maybe…

　In the middle of her hazy consciousness, a sudden scene was called to her mind. 

　Her nose was being squeezed and her chin had been raised. 

　And then, the face of a young man drew near. 

　As though it was natural, physical contact occurred, and a thick sensation went down her throat. 

　Her first kiss was, the taste of muddy medicine – it wouldn’t be good if the memory continued.

　I must forget this soon, Yuika hoped.

　The murky scene continued to unfold. 

　This time was after taking the medicine.

　’Why are you doing so much for me?’ – to the question she had asked, the young man replied like it was a matter of fact. 

　There’s no way there wasn’t any reason.

　For every conscious act humans do, there had to always be a reason. 

　I want to know.

　No, I already knew the answer.

　I’ve already heard it from his mouth.

　Still, I thought I should check again.

‘Do you want to know?’

　Well, how should I put it, if possible I would like you to tell me. 

‘I won’t say it’s impossible, but…’

　As I impatiently waited, the young man with light brown braids and dark brown eyes made a smile that I had seen somewhere before, and smoothly said.

‘It’ll cost you extra.’

“–What’s wrong with you!”

　Yuika’s brows furrowed as she unintentionally shouted. 

“What the hell!”

　A similarly displeased old man who had been standing beside the bed returned an angry yell 

　As thin as a skeleton, bald, a sword scar from his forehead to right cheek. His right eye was covered by a round eyepatch carved from wood. He wore what looked like a doctor’s coat, but it was wrinkled and filthy. 

　Yuika was lying in a shabby bed. 

　Although she still had some fatigue left, her body’s condition was back to normal. 

“……This is?”

“As you can see, a clinic.”

　When she raised her body and checked the surroundings, she saw a dim room cluttered with small items that had been randomly scattered. It would have been more understandable to her if she had been told she was in a shed. 

“If you’re conscious, hurry up and go back.”

　With a few blunt words, the bald old man departed for a neighbouring room. 

　If this was the clinic, then that man was probably the doctor. 

　Anyway, in the middle of being relieved that her life had been saved, Magikan came by a different doorway to the one that the old man had left from. 

“Ho, Black Princess. You look to be fine.”

“Magikan. I want you to explain–“

“Even though you were on the doorstep of death, you’re still an impatient fella.”

　After muttering ‘good grief’, Magikan gave her a brief summary.

　Since her collapse from being poisoned on the 48th floor, “Twilight’s Sword’ was guided in a rush by Rowe to the shortcut on the 14th floor. From Yuika’s memory, she only remembered them camping and being made to drink the medicine twice, but in reality, there were many more times when they had collected herbs in various places, mixed the medicine and made her consume it on the spot. 

“Berii that fella was the one keeping count, the kisses amounted to seven.”

“…”

　Ignored for now.

“Berii and Nuuk?”

“Fumu. They followed up to the entrance of the shortcut, and then were left behind.”

　It seemed that they couldn’t catch up to Rowe’s speed on what the Sherpas called the “foot-crushing stairs” and had been abandoned. 

“…Then?”

“Yes?”

　Yuika looked around her surroundings restlessly before asking. 

“That Sherpa, where did he go?”

“He’s already returned home.”

　It was an answer she did not expect. 

“The drop items from this time, everything ‘will be deposited at the Adventurer’s Guild’, he had said. What an utterly terrifying Gift. That amount of luggage and while carrying you, climbed up from the 48th floor, and yet he looked none the worse for wear. Almost entirely without sleep or rest?”

　But Yuika was thinking of something else entirely. 

　I am very grateful to you for saving my life. 

　I can’t thank you enough.

　However, how come you’re not by my side when I wake up?

　Yuika was left with mixed emotions as she put on her boots, she grabbed her beloved sword that was leaning against a nearby wall to wear on her waist, when-

“…I’m sorry, Black Princess.”

“For what?”

“My daughter’s carelessness, for the fact that you almost lost your life.”

“I’m not particularly bothered.”

　In the unexplored layers, a little carelessness can be enough for a party to cross the line between life and death. Why had a Cannon Vine been inhabiting the deep layers, I had this suspicion, and so the me who had failed to mention anything or to take action was also to blame. It wasn’t just Berii’s fault alone. It will be good as long as we can learn from this for the future. However, the fact that it was the Sherpa who was the first to notice is indeed one thing to reflect upon. 

“Have you paid for the treatment yet?”

“One cast of magic for one gold coin. Watch your step.”

　Magikan let out a loud indignant voice as though making sure the doctor in the neighbouring room could hear him. 

　It appeared that the doctor here was a former Adventurer, and he seemed to be a water-type magic user. The magic “Abnormal Condition Recovery” allowed Yuika to make a complete recovery. 

“What’s the way to the inn?”

“You don’t have to worry. The Sherpa boy drew a map for us.”

“Even though he’s thoughtful in these situations–“

“…?”

　While carrying hazy feelings, Yuika conveyed her thanks to the old man drinking in the neighbouring room, and was furiously shouted at to “quickly get out”. 

　When they returned to the inn with the help of the map, Berii and Nuuk were back in the private lobby, sunk down on the floor. However, as soon as they confirmed Yuika’s appearance, the two of them shot up. 

“Pri, Princess!”

“Black Princess, you’re in good health!”

　Although they were both delighted that she was safe, Berii’s tears and even her mucus was dripping as she wept and hugged Yuika without any signs of wanting to let go. 

“It’s, it’s all my fault, so, sorry…”

“Don’t worry about it. I was careless too.”

　While comforting her, Yuika softly pat Berii’s back. 

“Pri, Princess~”

　After calming down, they had a hot bath, and after washing away the sweat and dirt, had a meal. 

　That day Yuika slept soundly without thinking about anything. 

　The next day, there was still some fatigue remaining, but after breakfast, she gathered everyone in the private lobby, had black tea served, and prepared to review the labyrinth exploration. 

　The topic, in the end, was focused on the young man who was not present. 

“Who exactly is that man called Rowe? For that passive Gift [Stamina Recovery] to be capable of that much.”

　As an Adventurer’s level increases, their Status – strength, health, explosive power, stamina, and magic, these five attributes were equally raised. As a level 12 Adventurer, and above that, as someone who never missed a day’s worth of training, it was unbelievable from Nuuk’s perspective that his own stamina could lag behind a Sherpa’s. 

　Magikan grinned.

“The fella is special. As for why, the Effect is 5 after all.”

“…!”

　Yuika stopped her hand from drinking the black tea and her eyes opened widely.  

“For the Effect of passive Gifts, isn’t 3 the highest?”

“That is what is commonly said.”

　Even for the one with more than 40 years experience as an Adventurer, Magikan, this seemed like the first case he had seen. 

“I dare say that this has yet to be reported to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Adventurer level and Status?”

　The one who asked was Nuuk,

“If you would like to know, would it not be better for you to ask him yourself? For a Sherpa. it should be enough to know that he has stamina equivalent to that of a troll.”

“That’s right.”

　Yuika put the teacup on the table and folded her hands.

“Just as Magikan said. Rowe is an excellent Sherpa who also has pharmaceutical knowledge. No further prying is needed.”

“Uuu…”

　Berry groaned.

“Enough, aren’t there no more reasons to not hire him.”

“But, but that guy – with the Princess, getting closer, he has his target set!”

“Target? On what?”

“You! He, he said he liked you, didn’t he!”

“…”

　Yuika sipped her black tea.

“Black Princess.”

　As he straightened his posture, Nuuk counselled. 

“’Twilight’s Sword’ has received a large amount of attention from the masses, and Black Princess is a special existence. In the event that strange rumours arise, there is a possibility that the activities of ‘Twilight’s Sword’ may be hindered. While it is true that Rowe might be excellent, he is nothing more than a mere Sherpa from a rural labyrinth. With these circumstances in mind, you should quickly establish a clear distinction between the two of you.”

　Berii vigorously shook her head up and down.

“Princess too, if you get caught up in a misunderstanding, it would be troublesome, right?

“…”

　With her head hanging, Yuika looked down at the ripples in the teacup. 

　Suddenly, she raised her head and made a decision that betrayed Berii’s hopes. 

“Not only did he save my life, he managed to collect all the drop items. Isn’t it only right for me to be the one that first goes to him and express my gratitude?”

　With such exceedingly just words, it was impossible for anyone to refute her.

–

<< Previous | Next >>