by volume 2
While looking at the pair of dark eyes, the Needle Rabbit prepared to charge towards my left foot.
“!”
Since my foot was currently in midair, it was already impossible to avoid it. My body was also moving rapidly and the right leg that was not targeted was about to step into the air.
I, swiftly bent my left knee.
On my lower body, the only place that had defensive gear was a portion of my knee. In order to think of a way to defend against the enemy’s attack, I decided to gamble ——Without the slightest error, the one-horned beast’s surprise attack was misled to the knee guard.
Gakin, the impact that passed through the metal plate hurt the bone.
Following the sound of the sharp metallic side that came from interacting with the Needle Rabbit, I, lost my balance.
“JAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”
As if they were already prepared, it was the worst possible timing.
The Killer Ants that were originally seen as a target headed towards me to attack. And also, both of them together.
The Killer Ants were enemies that I had fought numerous rounds with for the past few days. This includes situations where I was fighting 4 against 1.
Right now, just a mere two ——Could this be the retribution for looking down on them.
In front of my eyes, four claws swept through and headed towards me.
“Nnnnn!?”
The
Because of its high durability, the hand armor suffered no damage. However, the powerful impact attacked my left arm, and my entire body was blown off to the side.
I couldn’t confirm the center of my gravity since a long time ago. Although I didn’t fall, my footsteps were still staggering.
Then, as if it was trying to take the victory by adding an additional attack, the remaining Killer Ant prepared to rush over.
(——Not good)
I would be overwhelmed.
Once it took advantage of the impact and pushed me down onto the ground from the momentum, I would be suppressed by those four claws. And while I can’t move, I would be ripped into 8 pieces by those claws. That’s how heavy the hard shell of the Killer Ants are.
It was a serious matter that Eina-san had reminded me to pay attention to.
If I, who had a slender physique, was pressed down onto the ground by a monster, it was the same as having no escape route.
(——Ah)
It was the second time.
It was the same as that time with the
My body was trembling and tightly wrapped by fear, I could not move and was stunned. My breathing also stopped. The flow of time gradually became slower.
The Killer Ants suddenly opened his mouth and showed its ugly face.
Saliva was dripping, and I could clearly see those teeth that would cause nausea.
My thinking gradually became empty. I could only unresponsively accept the surprise attack by the Killer Ant.
“No————!!”
Instantly after Lii raised her voice, a fireball flew from her suddenly.
“!?”
“JIKIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!?”
“Bell-sama!”
After being shot by a fireball in the head, the Killer Ant in front of me was writhing in pain and my bodily time recovered.
Although I was startled by Lili’s cry, but I still move like lightning and swung my right hand that was holding to the
“JI!?”
“UWAAAAAAAA!”
San! Accompanied by the crisp sound, the burning head of the Killer Ant flew into the air. There was still one more. The other Killer Ant panicked and was also instantly killed in one hit.
I cut twice on my opponent’s body. I did not witness the final piece of this scene and reversed my gaze.
Right now, the Needle Rabbit was jumping and attempting to have a surprised attack. I pulled out my
“KIII……”
“……Ha!”
Only after I killed the last Monster in the room did I dare to let my breathe out, which I had continued to hold in.
It was only now that the annoying sweat come out all at once. I squatted down and wiped my face.
Just now, that was extremely dangerous.
While I listened to the frantic heartbeat inside my chest, I temporarily breathed roughly.
“Bell-sama, are you not hurt?”
“……Lili~. Thank you, that was a big help”
Looking at the figure of Lili approaching, I gradually lost my strength. I sat down limp on the ground.
“Just now, that was too careless! Although it was indeed a difficult situation to deal with, but Bell-sama was also at fault!”
“Sorry……”
I was not able to refute.
Careless. No, was I too conceited.
I overestimated myself. Thinking that just 2 Killer Ants would be instantly defeated.
Just like what the textbooks had said……Just like what Eina-san had warned about on how to deal with it. Even if I was to be attacked by a Needle Rabbit, it should not have turned out like that.
I felt the terror. The dungeon’s terror. There is nothing that is absolute.
If I took a wrong step, if Lili was not here, then I would have really died.
I, who continued to shudder, carved this lesson into my heart. Hasty judgments will instantly take away one’s life.
Towards Lili’s voice, that was constantly speaking rudely about this and that, it entered through one ear and left through the other. Then she let out a long sigh.
“Are you listening, Bell-sama!”
“Ah, Eh, sorry……I’m reflecting upon it. I will absolutely never do this kind of thing again……”
“……Looks like you really are reflecting about it. Then, Lili will not say anything more. If you do not learn from this mistake, then this is Bell-sama’s own responsibility”
Yes, I nodded once again, and promised that I will not make the same mistakes again. Then I stood up.
I once again thanked Lili, then suddenly “Speaking of which”, referred to the thing that had just happened earlier.
“Lili, just now, did you use magic?”
“……Ha!?”
To my accusations, Lili was shaken. She hurriedly hid the small red dagger in her right hand behind her back.
“Just now, could it be a
“……! I d…did not specifically help Bell-sama! It’s just that if there is no Bell-sama, Lili’s revenue will also decrease! P…Please don’t misunderstand!”
“……What are you saying, Lili?”
Towards that confused speech that made me unable to react, I could only reveal a puzzled expression, while Lili widened her eyes in surprise. While blushing, she began to hug her head around her hood saying “What did Lili just say……?”. Nnn, looks like I can’t keep up with the pace……
“That……Lili also brought a
“Ha…Haaaaaaa. Various things happened and as a result, it unexpectedly ended in Lili’s hands……”
“Ah. But won’t Magic Sword break due to excessive use?”
“Yes, so Lili will not use it unless absolutely necessary. But if it was for Bell-sama, Lili will absolutely not hold back!”
……Nnnn, it seems to contrary to the previous statement earlier. But it’s not a big deal.
Shortly after, we welcomed noontime with a sense of hunger. After waiting for Lili to clean up the Monster corpse, we occupied the center of the room. This is because leaning against the wall has the risk of Monsters being born and getting under attacked, thus most of the time while resting, we would move into this location.
Since the space was very wide, even if there is Monsters appearing f
rom the entrance, it shouldn’t become a surprise attack.
(Speaking of which, I still haven’t returned the basket that I got from Seal-san……)
While placing the simple food into my mouth, I recalled about the lunch that I got from Seal-san yesterday.
Because it was too late yesterday, so I did not have time to return it. I also overslept this morning and was not able to visit the
Following this, we were immersed in our conversation.
The dungeon was exceptionally quiet. There were no signs of Monsters appearing.
While I secretly watched Lili expose a carefree smile, I waited nervously for an opportunity and try to honestly ask the question that had been haunting me.
“Speaking of which Lili, didn’t you say you have to return to your
Originally I intended to ask as if it didn’t matter, but Lili’s expression suddenly froze.
Although it was concealed over by a smile quickly, but it was still very stiff.
As expected……It would have been better to not mention it.
“Why did you ask such a thing, Bell-sama?”
“……After all, Lili and the other Familia people have a terrible relationship, that, I was very curious……Sorry”
I had heard before that Lili was excluded by her
I could not help but apologize while reflecting on this. Lili drooped her eyebrow and smiled.
“Thank you for worrying about Lili, Bell-sama. However, it is not a problem. The things that Bell-sama was worried about did not happen.”
“Really?”
“Ahah, really. Yesterday was just the
“Gathering……?”
“……To keep a long story short, it is mainly about announcing how much money I would have to earn the next month. It is a different amount based on the members, so everybody must gather together.”
The
Collecting funds from the members’ revenue. In some sense, it was natural after belonging to the faction——To my understanding, it is the same thing as paying rent for your own house——So, there is nothing suspicious there.
Lili, who was excluded by her
“But that is really strict, actually asking everybody to reach their quota. Then isn’t it bad for those who earn very little……”
“That’s correct, Lili also thinks so. Especially for Supporters or Rookie Adventurers…….”
Ah, I widened my eyes.
Although I could not believe it, but I still had to accept it.
Awhile back, when Lili sarcastically said such words, was it really because she needed money……?
Could it be that the reason why she did not have a good relationship with her companions was also due to money.
I hurriedly opened my mouth to ask. “Then what happen to those that do not reach the quota”. Lili seemed to have seen through the meaning and smiled. She shook her head and replied “Nothing special”.
Which means there is no punishment……Although I calmed down like a fool, having a situation where such a small beastman child had to work by herself, I couldn’t help but have wild conjectures about whether some insider things happened in the
Looking at me frown and revealing a troubled expression, Lili seemed to touch her head as if she was apologizing. Huh, Apologizing……?
“T…Then. I’ve heard that, the
The restless atmosphere was constantly pouring out, thus I attempted to change the topic.
I put on a bad smile.
“Ahhh, those are all……failures.”
“……Failures? ……E…Ehhhh?”
“Yes. Only defective products that are eliminated in the wine manufacturing process enter the market. After all, it would be a waste to throw them out.”
Wait a minute.
Eina-san had definitely said that before.
Then what are those failures, for that wine.
I did not try to hide my confusion, Lili only exposed a slightly hazy smile.
“Even though they are failures, it is still a very delicious wine. That’s just how it is”
Then shouldn’t you not use the words, failures, to describe it, I unconsciously wanted to ask.
No, if that’s the case, then what is the
“The revered God of Lili and the others, Soma-sama, is very distant with the other God-sama. He is not interested in anything at all……All except for one, which Soma-sama is interested in. That is wine brewing”
“……”
“That is the sole interest of Soma-sama that could make him work hard without any distractions …… The reason why Soma-sama created the
Setting up fixed targets for the members to raise funds seems to be because that the manufacturing process requires a large budget.
For the God-sama’s interest, creating the
But……Why is there still a sense of violation towards the
It wasn’t necessarily just because I was exposed to Lili’s circumstances, but if I saw the inner distorted state of the
——
Eina-san’s expression, when she said those words, suddenly flashed through my mind.
“A…Ahahaha……I…If there is really wine that delicious, I also want to try and drink it……?”
With an expression that was about collapse any moment, I said a joke in order to connect the previous dialogue.
Lili looked at me, who was like this, as if I was about to disappear any moment, and slightly smiled.
“It would be better to stop right there……”
“……”
After she muttered to herself, our conversation stopped.
We were unable to resolve to continue our conversation. Just when we were wasting our time, Monsters appeared, and we had no choice but to fight. Lili quickly recovered her original atmosphere, I could only ambiguously accept.
The gap had not yet been filled.
I do not know whether it was even possible to fill it.
I deeply understood this.
As if the weak me, who could not do anything, was exposed once again, and I felt the endless embarrassment.
× × ×
Two day after that.
There was a one day interval since I had entered the dungeon with Lili.
The day before yesterday, Lili had conveyed news that something had happened, so she could not go to the dungeon.
Although I don’t know whether it was related to the
I don’t know why I lost motivation, but I did not go to the dungeon yesterday as well.
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I should take advantage of forgetting about dungeon-related matters and take a break. Although I kept persuading myself like this……But as expected, I really couldn’t explain.
Every time I recall Wallenstein’s face, my chest would gush out thoughts of “Is this the time to do such a thing”. But no matter what, I was still unmotivated. Just like a sailing boat without any wind.
“……Ahhhh, this cannot go on.”
Sitting up from the coach, I violently scratched my head.
I took a deep breath, and expelled all the gloomy atmosphere from my body.
Anyways, I should take action first. I should find something to do. I cannot just let myself rot like this.
Although this was not considered as waking up, but anyways I should first switch how I was thinking. Lili’s matters, I should leave it for now.
(Let’s do the long-awaited clean up……)
Due to the significant reduction in time that I stayed at the residence, I feel that it has been a while since I did housework.
Leaving it all to Kami-sama was bad. Just when I was thinking about this, I began to take action and stood up from the coach……Then the basket on the shelf entered my sight.
“……Ah.”
I am an idiot.
“I’m really sorry!”
“Ah ha ha ha……”
Ban, I clasp my hands together and lowered my hand.
It was currently sunny at noon. I ran over to the
“Please raise your head, Bell-san. I do not mind.”
“No, but……”
“Since this is the case, please pay attention to it next time. After all, things in the past are already over, so please show your sincerity through your future course of actions.”
What you are saying is ……I worriedly peeked upwards while raising my head.
Seal-san, who was smiling slightly, was looking at me with gentle eyes.
At this moment, I could deeply feel that this person is really older than me.
“However, also. Not leaving any news made me really worried. It was to the extent where I’ve made mistakes at work.”
“Really sorry about it……”
