After returning to the surface, I let out a deep sigh while turning my back on the guild building.
“Haah… I see why we need porters now.”
“If you knew that, Jonah would be a proper adventurer.”
Lydia nodded with a satisfied smile, but I felt too disappointed to care.
Aside from the piece of leather I would use, I had received a total of 2 silver and 73 copper. But the cost to craft leather armor was said to be 3 silver.
I was actually in the negative by 27 copper. Of course, the armor would be good, but still…
“If I had caught just a few more, I would have had some money left.”
I honestly didn’t expect to end up in the negative.
The disappointment was overwhelming. I was just starting to get the hang of it, and with enough mana, I felt confident I could catch them easily.
Considering the mana recovery speed, even if I spent the same time as usual, I could have caught 3 or 4 more.
But I gave up only because my load got heavy and moving became a hassle.
“Lydia… should we go back just once more?”
“Let’s just take a break today and come back properly prepared tomorrow. That’s more efficient.”
“Ugh… I still feel a bit regretful. Look! The sun is still high in the sky!”
It could only have been slightly past lunchtime. Compared to my usual habit of coming out only at dusk, this was way too early.
Lydia smirked as she looked at me glaring up at the sky.
“There’s a high-grade artifact from the Mage Tower just for someone like you. Do you know about the subspace backpack?”
“I’ve heard of it. Isn’t it super expensive?”
“Yeah, but you can fit a lot in there.”
“…I’ve always been curious, but how much does it weigh? I mean, I get that it expands the space when you put things in, but the weight should still be the same.”
“Cheaper versions keep their weight. Expensive ones have weight-reduction magic enchanted along with space expansion. The backpack I have is of that kind.”
“…Bringing that up now means you’re offering to lend it to me, right? What’s your agenda this time?!”
“Nope. Just bragging, you know?”
“……”
Looking up at her with a look of disbelief, I saw Lydia trying to hide her giggles behind her hand.
So, she was just teasing me? If that was her intention, she succeeded perfectly. I actually felt a bit prickled!
With Lydia looking pleased, I found myself kicking the small stones on the ground.
“…Well, it’s fine. At least the fact that I got a lot today remains unchanged.”
Even though I spent 27 copper instead of earning, when I think about the fact that I am making armor for the Iron Wolf, it’s a major bonus.
Sure, there are ready-made options, but none fit my size, so custom-made is essential.
Plus, I got to use my pathfinding skill directly in the Labyrinth, learning how to apply it, and I’ve also roughly figured out how to manipulate weak flames with my skill.
Finally, by hunting the Iron Wolf with magic, my mana reserve has grown significantly since returning from the Labyrinth.
While the increase in absolute numbers might not seem impressive, my original mana was so meager that it felt like a huge growth.
The reason I traverse the Labyrinth isn’t just to earn money, but… right now, becoming stronger is more important.
After all, once I become a high-ranking adventurer, I can rake in money, and there’s the anxiety of the incident concerning Eve’s darkening that could happen at any moment.
For that reason, today shouldn’t be a day to feel regret.
“…But still, being in the negative is infuriating. Should I take a quick job in a nearby alley?”
“Absolutely not.”
Lydia shook her head seriously at my unintended suggestion.
It seemed like she was determined to prevent me from going down any other path, tightly holding my hand as she started walking.
“Let’s go straight to Ellie.”
“Hmm… Can’t I just take one quick round? I promise I won’t cause a fuss like last time and just lightly swipe some coins.”
“Pickpocketing is a crime.”
“Even if it’s against thugs?”
“Crime is crime, even against petty criminals. Exceptions only start with serious offenders.”
“Tsk.”
Surprisingly enough, serious offenders aren’t protected by law on the Pan Continent. It’s not because it’s said that bad people deserve to die!
It’s simply a clause born out of an inadequacy in human rights awareness and the law of survival for powerful criminals in Labyrinth City.
After clicking my tongue, I decided to slide my hand that hadn’t been caught into my pocket.
“Alright, then please accept this, Lydia.”
“…What is it?”
She stopped but still looked suspicious. I raised my thumb out of my pocket as if I were offering something.
“You helped me skin leather today, right? This is your reward for that work!”
“……”
Lydia looked at my thumb with a bemused expression. However, after a moment, she couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Okay. Not bad at all.”
How many times did we repeat our cheerful banter while walking? Before I knew it, we had arrived at the Fairy and Silver Coin.
…Even though the sign stating that they were closed for business hung at their door.
I knew there wouldn’t be too many customers since it was still daytime, but I didn’t expect them to be closed.
Just to check, I opened the door slightly, but all I heard was a clang as it remained tightly locked.
Knock! Knock!
“Ellie? Is Ellie not here?”
I lightly tapped on the door and called out her name, but there was no response.
“Did she step out for a moment?”
“Maybe. After all, the main business hours are in the evening, so if she had something to do, she’d be out now.”
It was a bummer not to see Ellie as soon as I opened the door, but it couldn’t be helped. Even I wasn’t given a spare key, so I might as well kill some time nearby and come back later.
“Actually, this works out well. It might be a bit late, but if we go eat lunch now, we might return just in time… huh?”
I suddenly sensed a presence from beyond the door. Familiar footsteps approached, and soon the sound of metal jingling followed.
Click.
The sound of a lock being unlocked. Ellie welcomed us as the door slowly opened.
“…You’re here.”
There was something unusually dark about her demeanor. With a stiff expression, Ellie shook her head and said, “I’m sorry, but I have an important guest right now. Can you come back later?”
“Um, okay. Is it alright if I return around dinner time?”
“Thanks. Let’s meet then.”
Finally, Ellie’s expression softened as she nodded. Whatever it was, it must have been pretty important.
Just as I was about to retreat with Lydia, a strange voice was heard from inside the shop.
“It’s alright. I’ve said everything I needed to, so I’m thinking of heading back now.”
“Hey! Don’t go, Sensei!”
The duo before us consisted of a tired-looking woman with deep dark circles and a smiling man, who seemed to be in a good mood.
Both were dressed in priestly robes, hinting they might be clerics, but there was something peculiar about their attire.
Typically, priests serving the Goddess of Love wear robes that have a white background adorned with gold and pink patterns that are quite loose.
Yet, these two were wearing the same design, except that their base color was a dark black.
Moreover, it looked like their robes were puffed up, as if they were hiding something within.
At first, I was surprised by their unfamiliar appearance, but soon I recalled what that outfit signified.
Those who serve the goddess in places of darkness.
Inquisitors.
Each one possessed the skills comparable to a high-ranking adventurer, but I shouldn’t be overly scared.
Inquisitors are appointed only from those with verified backgrounds and beliefs, and they never wield weapons for petty personal motives.
They only oppose one thing: those who demean the name of the goddess. For instance, someone like the One Who Devours the Twilight.
For someone like me, who has lived a righteous life, the Inquisitors are more trustworthy than anyone else… though their appearance might be a bit intimidating.
However, both Ellie and Lydia, who should be aware of this, had their expressions stiffened. The atmosphere was not just awkward; it was slightly chilling.
Did the Inquisitors notice this too? The woman, looking exhausted, and the man wore puzzled expressions on their faces as they spoke.
“It seems there’s some misunderstanding.”
“We only came to ask a few questions, not to interrogate Ellie. Right, Ellie?”
Their responses showed they didn’t want to create any trouble, indicating they were somewhat used to such situations.
I wasn’t clear as to why Ellie and Lydia were suddenly on edge, but it wouldn’t be good to get tangled up with the Inquisitors.
It seemed like it was time for the amiable me to step forward. I took a step ahead and drew a holy symbol in the air.
“May the goddess’ smile be upon those who do not lose their love, even in the darkest places. Don’t worry too much! It’s just that Ellie and Lydia adore me so much that they can’t stand seeing me converse with another woman!”
“Hmm.”
“Ah! Seems you’ve caught the attention of weighty women, Bishop!”
The woman nodded awkwardly. Meanwhile, the younger-looking man was smiling brightly, making small talk.
I tried to keep my smile sincere while shrugging my shoulders.
“It’s alright! That heaviness is actually a charm point, you know! It feels like a sign that they care about me just that much, doesn’t it? You get it, right, Inquisitor?”
“I understand, but… it’s not really my type. If I had to choose, I’d prefer to be the one sticking to someone.”
“Wow, you’re quite the bothersome type, huh?”
“I get told that a lot. Specifically, from the senior here.”
As I exchanged pleasantries with him with a business smile, I soon realized this wouldn’t last long.
“By the way, Bishop, do you perhaps have intentions of entering the clergy? Your earlier gestures and phrases were exemplary. I would almost want you to show them to our trainee priests if possible.”
“Guh!”
“……”
Why were Ellie and Lydia reacting so seriously to what seemed like a mere formality?
What’s going on? Why are they acting like this?
The warm atmosphere I had lightened up was chilling once again…
