The Royal Labyrinth, a dungeon beneath the capital city consisting of miles of uncharted, ever-changing tunnel. There were rumors the Labyrinth spread not just under the city, but the entire continent. Whoever made those rumors was incorrect, though it was still very big and dangerous.
Clank clank clank.
"Hey, how does this show up on the map?"
"It doesn't. Looks like the tunnels changed again."
"Kyeeeeh, why does my job have to be so hard? All you guys do is hit things with swords."
"You're fat and lazy, Oroko. You even had me check the map, so don't complain about your job."
"I'm not fat! You know, your body-mass index doesn't actually correspond to your health. You have to consider muscle versus fat mass and not all of us are weak enough to considered 'athletic' automatically."
"Hey, I could have you executed fatty."
"S-sorry sir."
"Just tell me why you're such a weakling again."
"Huh? Uhm thank you for your generous patronage?"
"Last try."
"...Right, because I'm fat."
"Ah, Oroko, I'm just messing with you." The two fell silent. Oroko didn't want to pursue how fat he might be–though he knew the doctor must be wrong–and the other adventurer, prince Arge of Havleer, didn't really care. Their third companion, a tall and blonde-haired boy, stayed quiet throughout.
A while later, Oroko suddenly stopped. "Haah, already? Well it can't be helped, let's find a place to set up camp." He was consulting a convoluted pocket watch. "Time is twenty hours, by the way."
"We should've stopped at eighteen."
"Sorry."
"This isn't a joke; your sloppiness is going to get us killed." The prince paused and conceded, "those goblins did make today go quickly though." In truth, it hadn't been sloppiness. Oroko had just felt like walking some more and thought that twenty hours were a reasonable hour to stop at. He didn't say this and neither did he say that he thought the prince's stringent schedule for setting up and departing camp was too much. The prince, in turn, suspected Oroko's train of thought. He knew Oroko checked the watch every few minutes.
Meanwhile, their third companion closed his eyes and tapped softly on the rock. He paused and then said, "my prince Arge and charter Oroko. There is a recess sufficient for shelter within 500 paces, 120 degrees. Oroko, can you confirm?"
Oroko hastily pulls out an oversized papyrus poster, blue lines flickering across it. He frowns. "Yeah, the map shows several candidate recesses in the area. Even so, it looks like the shifting value in this area is particularly high, sorry. How is this recess declined?"
Eyes still closed, the companion pauses again. "Inclined, maybe five degrees."
"Hey, is this shifting within the parameters for the goblins we've seen today?"
"Eyeballing this is too hard to tell. A moment." Oroko gestures, navy blue eyes flickering. "120 degrees five degrees 500 paces, seven point three average fifty four, x-bar type worm type, historic shift ref ummm mana ref." Oroko checks a gauge hanging off his belt and promptly tenses up, mumbling quickly, fingers twitching. "..." Arge pokes at his body for fun. When Oroko did calculations, he didn't notice this kind of thing.
"Alright. Hey...oi! Get off me!" Oroko slumps and sighs. "We don't have much data on how these tunnels have changed so it's hard to calculate the shift pattern. Particularly when I'm being harassed...honestly! Well if I had stopped us on time I'd say 'let's do some probing.' This particular shift might be quite strange. That being said, the upper bestiary and mana shift projections are quite reasonable. Bottom Troll is the worst we'll find here."
"Well, let's proceed then." They start walking again.
The third companion spoke up again. "My prince, I'd recommend we do some probing in the morning."
"Ah? Is it really that odd? Well of course, if you're the one saying so Zock. And look, even though I like to keep to the schedule, it really is better to be off-schedule than dead."
"Of course, sir. We're shallow enough though. And I'll take second shift to apologize for my oversight."
"Oroko, I would've made you take it anyway."
"Y-yes sir."
Recesses tended to be resistant to changes in the labyrinth layout, which made them safer to camping. There were stories of adventurers camping out at dead-ends only for them to become a passage filled with goblins in the middle of the night. Unless you were a thrill-seeker, it was ill-advised. Recesses were distinguished by their shallowness and large size, some bordering on being caverns. Still, even recesses could change into tunnels. One had to be on their toes in the Royal Labyrinth.
They found the cavern recess without incident and went about setting up camp in the small space. Magic detection stones to sense potential intruders, a smokeless fire and comfortable beds. It was a relatively extravagant operation. Oroko pulled out a pot to make dinner in, Arge pulled out a journal to wait for dinner and Zock fiddled with the detection stones.
"It appears the stones are detecting a singular presence within two hundred paces. Potentially hostile: should I inspect?"
"Hmm?" Arge closed his journal. "I'll do it. Feeling a bit restless." Parting the cloth strung up at the entrance, he exits back into the labyrinth. Zock pulls out a yo-yo to wait for dinner.
The tunnels feel dark and cool and an omnipresent air of unease hangs around him, around the whole labyrinth. Arge Desali, prince of Havleer, moves silently through the burdening atmosphere with a cautious ease, quickly moving away from camp. With the detection stones, navigation was simple. He passes by torches and they cast shuddering shadows on the dull walls. These torches were a sporadic natural occurrence in The Royal Labyrinth, though their origin was a mystery. People debated that the torches arose from some arcane magic spell or were perhaps familiars that reported to a beast below.
Now past the torches–whatever they were–into the lingering dark, the prince approaches the enemy. He feels the way blindly with his gloved hands, wary that casting light could alert the foe. He doesn't mind. On the contrary, he preferred to move through the dark like this when he could. Edging closer, quiet shadows start to flood the walls again. Another torch. He rounds the corner. Shiing.
His sword echoes, flying from the sheath. It rings a clarion call distorted into metallic rasping. His legs tense and core tighten, arms loose but focused. He's prepared to kill.
"Kyuuu, kyuuu..." He hears a quiet breathing sound and looks down.
"Huh?" In front of him was a young girl laying on the side of the tunnel. She was curled up peacefully, sleeping softly. It looked like she was having a good dream. The presence the stones had detected wasn't an enemy but a little girl! He couldn't help but lower his sword. After building up all that tension! What was someone like this doing in a dungeon?
No...it must be a trap. Cautiously, he raised his sword again and circled her, alternatively looking at her and the tunnel around him. Monsters this close to the surface shouldn't be able to avoid magic detection, but neither should they be able to shapeshift. Who knew what kinds of comrades she had in the shadows. Could he even retreat now? The girl looked normal and oddly clean–there was none of the dirt or grime that accumulated when you spent any long time in the dungeon. He hesitantly hefted his sword, not realizing he had dropped his arms again. She didn't appear to have anything on her. Was the poor thing abandoned? He carefully reached out with his sword, tapping her on the shoe.
"Kyuuu, kyuuu..." No reaction. She continued sleeping peacefully. Her clothes were in a strange style and looked rather expensive. Not the sort of thing anyone around here would be abandoned in... That was a pretty short dress, huh? What strange circumstance had she found herself in?
Taking a detection stone from his pouch, he pointed it at the girl. Blue light flickered on the cavern wall, subsiding after a few seconds. It appeared she really was normal. Nonetheless, there was the possibility this could be some kind of high-level undetectable trap, the likes of which would certainly kill him. Incredibly unlikely–but not unheard of. It would be safest to leave her here.
"Kyuuu, kyuuu..." Arge couldn't help but watch those delicate features submerged in sleep.
...he should at least bring back Zock, who was more knowledgeable about dungeons, before doing anything. While there were cases of adventurers finding survivors from prisons or uh, more inappropriate facilities inside dungeons, it seemed unlikely she came from either. So, what was she? There weren't succubi in the Royal Labyrinth, either–and hey, wouldn't they take a more adult form!? The prince was at a loss. As would be reasonable, he'd head back to camp and consult Zock and Oroko.
"Uguu~. Naa...kyuu, kyuuu..." As he was turning to leave she stirred slightly and then settled back to sleep. Her pink lip trembled a bit before she dove back into the unconscious realm.
"Kyuu, kyuuu..." It felt like she was calling for his help. Could he leave a girl like this, even for a moment?
...He changed his mind quickly. To suggest he would even consider abandoning someone–much less someone so apparently helpless–to the dangerous Labyrinth was an affront to his honor! He would never consider abandoning somebody in a dungeon. Danger? That's why he came to the labyrinth! A young girl shouldn't have to shoulder the burden of misfortune. No, the burden of the pure and innocent was his burden: the burden of the crown prince! That's why he was the crown prince, fufufu. He sheathed his sword and crouched down to look at her. Her lips were slightly parted, breathing softly. With each breath her chest went up and down. Oh, up close she looked pretty tired too... Trying not to wake her, he lifted the girl up and headed towards camp, this time using a magical stone to light the way. As Arge held her, his heart melted just a bit.
Oroko was aghast. " Y-you just picked it up? How could you walk into a potential trap like that!? It still might be a trap! S-seriously, throw it out!"
"Shhhh. You'll wake her. How can you call her it? She's not a piece of trash. "
"I–"
"Shut up. As your prince, that's an order." The prince Arge walked around a peeved Oroko and over to his bed. She was light, so carrying her back here to the bed was no trouble. On the way back, he had become quite resolute that they would all take care of her. He laid her on gently onto the bed.
"Kyuu, kyuu..." Her breathing was softer, yet she still laid sound asleep. He smiled. Now that she was safely resting he laid the blankets over her small form. He noticed her black hair was a bit ruffled and couldn't help but stroke it a little, straightening it out and arranging it around her brow. Zock watched with a faint smile, Oroko refused to look. Then the three men convened to discuss in whispers.
"Y-you're already so fond of her!?"
"I told you to shut up, Oroko."
"But even so, to give up your bed? It's noble, my prince, but you are ultimately royalty–she is not deserving of such a magnificent honor, such a magnificent bed. Wherever will you sleep?"
Prince Arge ignored him. "Look, I know it's risky and I'm sorry. I just...have a feeling about her. I confirmed with the detection stones that she wasn't a shapeshifted monster. And how could I as a prince–since you pointed it out(!)–just leave a child in the labyrinth like that? "
"No, it was irresponsible and you know your death would put us in deep trouble! Haven't you heard of Jam'eble the shapeshifting goat? He would trick generous strangers into caring for him, only to kill them! Viciously! I spent years terrified of that goat as a kid, y'know? I know you two have heard the stories! Everybody did! But did you know Jam'eble tears open the stomach and feeds on you while you're alive? That's the bit you don't here, huh? You can blame my brother for that knowledge...but whatever. I guess we're all ok with this evil goat then? Detection stones are rudimentary at best. This is a terrible decision, y'know?" Sometimes it was best to let Oroko blow off a little steam.
"Yeah, yeah. Look Oroko, I'll take second shift from you as compensation. By the way, can I borrow your beds when you're on duty?"
"My life for a single shift? Don't kid yourself. Well...it can't be helped. Just keep a close eye on that monster."
"Of course you may. While it would've been prudent to report back, it seems you've done the right thing." Zock nodded, also assenting.
"So, is she a normal girl?" Arge asked in spite of himself.
"As you know, monsters come in incredible variety, certaintly to the point it would be presumptuous for me to answer definitively. I will say, however, that as of now I find nothing to indicate her being a monster."
"Zock, you're speaking like a lawyer. "
"Well, it's most likely not a threat. Conversely, in the case it is a threat, vigilance will be our best safeguard. Therefore uncertainty."
"Not a threat. See, that's all ya had to say."
"Hmm, I wonder if that was Zock's point. "
" You're the one who brought it here! Why are you calling the goat dangerous now? Jeez, just when I was trying to get used to it...come to think of it, we'll have to end the expedition early because of it, won't we?"
"Unfortunately so. We'll head back first thing tomorrow."
"Well, this is much more interesting than goblins."
"Huh, I thought you would enjoy it Zock!"
"Fufu it would be a shame if we couldn't reschedule your aunt's mission, wouldn't it be?"
"Ah, screw you guys."
"Even if Jam'eble doesn't kill him, there's still a downside for Arge."
"Ahhh. Let's not think about that. You guys will help me with the goblin colony after this, won't you?"
"Oh hey, did you two want some soup? I spent so much time making it." They ignored Arge's question.
"Is that so? I have misremembered how long it took."
"Yeah, well you're a lazy bum Zock."
"If you don't stop insulting us Oroko, one of these days we're going to kill you in your sleep."
"No food~! This is all my food now!"
"Ah Oroko, I'm sorry. You know I could kill you at any time as the prince, right?"
"That's true, apology accepted."
"That apology will suffice for both of us."
"Heeeh, is that right?"
"Yep."
"Yep."
"Matching responses! You two seem awfully close. Well if you insist, one lover's special coming right up~! Just kidding! Oi! Oi! I was kidding. Seriously, take a joke, won't you? See? Two delicious bowls of single's soup, long in the making."
"Mm, thanks for the food!"
"Thank you."
Oroko at last handed out the soup, along with chunks of bread. They sat around the smokeless fire, ladling and drinking warm soup. The flames flickered in their eyes and warmed and lit the camp.
"Ah, this is what life is about."
"Let us savor the moment, won't you Oroko? Mmmm...gimme seconds."
"Ehhh? Well you should be grateful, I'm in a generous mood."
"Thank you very much~!" Slrrrrrp. "I could have this soup every day. That's one good thing about you."
"Only one?"
"This soup is the only thing you've made on this trip after all. Ah, it's incredible I can stand it all."
"I've served plenty of food! The bread, the fruit! Other trips too, y'know?"
"But this is the only food you made this time. Buying stuff doesn't count. I want your food, Oroko..."
"You two appear slightly stir-crazy."
"Heh? We'll do without that attitude Zock."
"Mm, where'd you be if you weren't a prince, Arge? You'd have to retool all your responses. High and mighty this, high and mighty that–all down the drain!"
"Huuuh? I thought we were on the same side Oroko!"
"You should know better than us alliances only last as long as they're beneficial. Fufufu, the world of politics is dangerous."
"Traitor! Executed! We're at war, then!"
"See, there you go again!"
"Ah, well let's remember to save some soup for the girl too. She might wake up"
" Only one more bowl!"
"Very considerate for a prince, you've surprised me Arge."
"Ahh? Of course I'm considerate. I love all my people."
Slrrrp. "We don't even know if it's from Havleer though? Are you some kind of messiah? No, I think you have a crush on it! You keep glancing back there."
" She, not it! Geez. .... No, I'm just worried. It's very strange for someone to turn up like this. At least she's sleeping well."
"Oh, I see. What a serious attitude. Definitely a crush then!"
"Huh! No way, come here you!"
"Can't catch meee. Hey, you're so concerned about feeding it, but what are we going to do if it won't wake up?"
"She! Think of her as a female monster at least...can't believe I'm saying that. And what do you mean? We'll just wake her up." Oroko nodded at the response, helping himself to yet another bowl of soup.
"Hey! No more soup!"
"What? This is my soup! Feed your own soup to the goat! Mouth to mouth!"
"Hey, it would be bad if she woke up right now and heard that. Mind what you're saying."
"Mind what you're sayi~ng. If the goat refuses to wake up I bet you'll stay with it even if it's asleep for years! You'll die waiting. Hehe. Still, isn't she a little young for you?"
"What are you on about? I don't like her. Well not like that...it's not like I dislike her. Hey! You're taking soup too, Zock!?"
"The prince of the soup! He must rule over the soup as he sees fit!"
Meanwhile the girl continued to sleep gently, oblivious to the ruckus around her. In time the three's laughter quieted and conversation softened, and Arge's legs ached so he stopped chasing Oroko. They settled down and found themselves watching the flames again, only this time they were out of soup. None of were truly worried about the girl, so they sat at ease. It was just fun to jab at each other.
Oroko was taking the first watch shift and stayed by dimmed flames as the other two went to their beds. Well, Arge to Oroko's bed, which was close enough. He watched the girl he had found from the bed, how her body rose and fell subtly as she slept. The movement soothed him and he unconsciously started matching the rythm of her breathing. They were in sync. As he dozed off, Arge wondered why he felt a kind of attraction towards her. Was she just really cute? Well, it wasn't an unreasonable guess...
*
I opened my eyes slowly. That had been a surprisingly nice nap, to the point that it might be worth revisiting this cave just to nap! Like really, what cave had any business being so good to sleep in? You could even make a cave hotel (then it would have business). The ground was extraordinarily soft right now. It had felt hard when I fell sleep, but I guess my body adjusted to it as I slept. Heh, that was the power of Napping Cave alright, don't underestimate it! Ah, I even feel like I have a warm blanket on. Perhaps some sort of pressure differential in the cave. Indeed, the subtle characteristics of Napping Cave create an unmatched experience. Even though I just said not to underestimate Napping Cave, I'm still blown away!
Wow, as to be expected of Napping Cave.
"Nyuuu~." I murmur. Yep, that was still my girlish voice alright. Wait, there's no need to attach the -ish suffix! Yep, that was my girl voice alright...That just sounds wrong. How about a simple: yep, that was my voice alright~. Yes, it feels wonderful to think that. I've become truly grateful to Kami-chan for my blessing. Maybe she really was doing her best! I'm so sorry I doubted you Kami-chan! Here's to you and here's to cute girls!
"Uguuu." I can't drink up so I make a cute noise instead...I have a rising feeling being a girl is giving me some kind of complex, but let's put complicated subjects like that aside for right now. I'm healthy, normal and peacefully enjoying the sublime Napping Cave.
"Haaaa~." I can't help but voice my satisfaction. I'll repay Napping Cave with my cute sounds. I know even Napping Cave will appreciate it. Well, it's the least I can do for you, Napping Cave~.
"Hm? I think I just heard something. Hey, it might be awake."
Ehhh!? Did I just here a deep, ugly voice? Have I been captured? No, it couldn't be...Napping Cave is a trap!? I loved you Napping Ca-ave! What kind of awful person would do this!? Calm down, calm down.
"Looks like she's sleeping to me. Let her be. We're a bit ahead of schedule anyways."
"I know. Just sayin' I heard something."
"Why are you paying such close attention to her anyway? Geez, she's not a goat."
Stay quiet, stay still. It appears there are two of them. The first voice was rather impatient, but the second was laidback. Definitely like the second voice, yep. Unfortunately, they were both male. It appears I've been kidnapped already. Please spare me, I'm not very tasty~. Ah nope, that was a line from an anime. Now that I'm in the girl's situation, I'm not going to say anything like that. Sorry for ruining your fantasy but please continue to tune in. More fanservice soon!
Haah, I wonder what would happen if I did say that? ...Nope. I'm going to have to reprogram my otaku instincts if I don't want to end up as somebody's slave. But being somebody's slave, would that be so bad? ...No, I definitely need to rewire myself! I'm doing the Demon King route for sure. Otherwise there's no guarantee I'll see Kami-chan again.
Hold up a moment, this is playing out just like Kami-chan did. I get myself into an unknown situation, start thinking weird thoughts and get completely off track. Next thing I know, something serious happens!
"...Hmph. Well, no harm in letting it feign sleep I guess."
Huh? They've realized? The kind of people that would realize that, are they staring at me? Eek, please don't look too intently. No, I suppose it's only natural for men to be that way. It can't be helped, can it? Nnn, I guess I'll have to get rid of your stress for you. Om, nmm. It's so big~. Ah, I love it. No, wait! Why am I having weird male fantasies as a little girl? Is it stranger that I see myself in the place of the girl now? This whole situation is messed up. Another way to put it would be that I'm messed up. Let's erase all dirty thoughts. Fwoosh. Done. I'm sorry everyone, from here on I'll strive to become the best ordinary girl I can.
On the other hand, I did deliver on my fanservice promise. Maybe it was too early though? A 'back after these commercials,' only for the show to immediately resume sort of scenario. Well that kind of thing is a pleasant surprise, not bad at all. More relevantly, are there any fans out there to appreciate my fanservice? These tangents don't help I'm sure...geez, let's just get back on topic.
As I was saying, this is playing out like my scene with Kami-chan did. Weird situation with unknowns–check. Weird thoughts distracting me...no longer! Completely off track–nope! One for three, looks like this has become a safe situation. Why was I worrying to begin with? Wow, I'm realizing the power of logic. A little sure does goes a long way. "F-fuwahhhhh~." I yawned loudly, snuggling in the soft embrace of Napping Cave. Oops. That was an accident. Napping Cave was too good for me.
There's no way they didn't hear that either, so there can be no going back now. I steel myself and transform into awake mode. Level start! I open eyes but my vision is hazy. That must be my first opponent! I sit up to keep my momentum going, blinking to clear my eyes. Oh? It feels like I have a blanket on me. Finally, rubbing my eyes, I defeat the haze and gain the vision powerup. All clear, proceed. The first thing I do is scout the level. In front of me I see some wood set up like for a fire, but it's unlit? There are three men sitting around it eating from wooden plates. They must've been who I heard. But I thought there were only two? Unfair the third guy didn't say anything. Shame on you, scenario planner. Or maybe a script or audio department issue? A glitch, even. Video games are so complicated, who knows. Like a good player I'll be submitting a ticket for this issue. The company can sort out the cause, I just want to have a fun time playing. Behind those three is a rough cloth curtain that stops me from seeing anything beyond. To my right is the cave wall and to my left are two beds with sundries strewn about inbetween. Ooh, I think I want to try a bed.
In conclusion, it looks like they've set up camp and been here for a while. Mission finish! I rub my eyes again.
"Ah, she doesn't seem too surprised. Still waking up, I imagine." The man closest to me is speaking, the one on the right. I recognize his voice as the second, laidback one. He runs a hand through his blonde bangs and smiles at me. It's a nice smile. I don't remember people smiling at me like this in my past life...
"A-ah?" I try to say something to him but find myself lacking for words. He seems to have a more mature air than the two others. If I had to pick the important one, it would be him.
"Hey, do you think she knows how to speak? Maybe she's some kind of child raised by the labyrinth. A feral one." The one in the middle is talking. He's running his hand against the curtain, a patronizing smile aimed at my neck. He's sort of chubby and looks way too self-satisfied. I shoot him a glare.
"N-no, a-I can talk." I manage to squeak something out. Successfully refuted. Honestly, I doubted myself there for a moment too. Was this awful person worming their way into my mind?
"There's no need to be worried little miss. We mean you no harm." The blonde one stands up. Oh, he's pretty tall. It looks like he's wearing some kind of adventuring gear covered with fancy engravings and inlaid with colorful metal. Hehe, looks like I've stumbled upon someone rich.
"We found you sleeping in a tunnel all alone and brought you back here. Worried for your safety, you see." He frowns. "It is dangerous down here. But let's talk about it later. My companions here are Oroko Kasmo, our charter and Zock, an equally skilled warrior and mage–with no last name." He glanced at them, as if to check for objections. "As for me, my name is Arge Desali and I am the prince of Havleer. On my honor and therefore that of the kingdom, please rest assured that you'll be safe with us." Saying that, his eye glimmered.
"Haaa..." What luck, to encounter a prince! Then the one I dislike is named Oroko and the quiet one is Zock. Thinking about it, Zock is an odd name. For a mage he sure has muscle...I definitely prefer the prince out of the three. It's kind of unfair to have a good-looking royal though, isn't it? Leave some of life's lotteries for us commoners! "I-it's nice to meet you all." I stand up and bow.
"Shouldn't girls curtsy?" The ugly sound of Oroko hurts my ears. It makes me want to shiver.
"Ah, I-I'm sorry. I didn't know." Should I curtsy? I don't know how to curtsy, I'm Japanese!
"Oroko! Please. I know we joke but do remember that I am the crown prince. Miss, please excuse him. There's no need."
Despite being reprimanded, Oroko snickers a bit. What an awful guy...I couldn't curtsy decently in this anyway and I think he knows it. I really knew nothing about the local customs. Wait. Could he be a lolicon? "Eeep!" I jump back at his snickering and run under one of the beds I spotted earlier. This was scary but also kind of fun. You could do just about anything as a girl. I was liberated.
"Y-" Oroko tries to open his dirty mouth but I hear Arge hushes him. I wriggle under the covers. All I can see blanket. Mmm, a bed in Napping Cave. I could stay here forever.
"M-miss, I'm afraid you're lying in Oroko's bed." When Arge opened his mouth I was expecting something nice. But this? "Ah!" I leapt up and ran into the bed other bed."
"Miss, please come out." I hear Arge kneel down beside me. "I promise you you're safe. There's nothing to worry about. Oroko won't say anything mean to you...if he does, I'll protect you, ok?" Reassured, I slowly peek out from the covers so that only down to part of my nose is showing. He's smiling and I can't help but blush. Not that anyone can see it. Seriously, what a nice guy. I think I'd be frowning and eye-rolling in his position. Would that make me Oroko then!?
"You know, you could've stayed in my bed. Or was it not to your liking?" Huh? What's Arge talking about. If the other bed was Oroko's and this wasn't Arge's, where was his bed? "I-I didn't see your bed though." Arge chuckled a bit. "Where do you think you were sleeping all this time?"
"Um, on the ground?"
I heard Zock laugh. It was a cold, strong laugh. Arge couldn't help but look bemused and Oroko made some noises too but I tried to ignore his. Something about hospitality going to waste.
"I'm sorry my bed was so poor. You can choose whichever bed you like for trip back."
"Wha-? N-no, I-I..." I looked over. I saw two rumpled beds. H-huh? My Napping Cave had in fact been Arge's bed!? A feeling of embarrassment overwhelmed me. Moreover, I accidentally left Arge's bed for Oroko's. Agh this was humiliating (not to mention heartbreaking. I tried to put the implications of Napping Cave out of mind).
"I-I'm very sorry p-prince Arge." I reluctantly got up and bowed to Arge. There was nothing else to do. I felt I had somehow affronted him, so even if I couldn't curtsy it was good that I bowed. "I-I didn't mean..." Trailing off I couldn't help but look into his brilliant emerald eyes. He smiled–he's always smiling! –and got up too.
"Hah, there's no need to bow! We're good sports around here."
"Th-thank you prince Arge." Whoa, I only come up to his chest. What an odd experience. I suddenly feel like I want to rub against his chest–what's with this strange attraction? This is all too weird. In truth I haven't been thinking like myself ever since I woke up. Is this what is to be a girl?
"No need to call me prince, either: Arge is fine."
"I-I see." Heh, I just got on a first name basis with a prince. He must be taking to me.
"Now miss, would you mind telling us a bit about yourself? Rather, it's quite unusual to find a young lady sleeping unarmed in a dungeon."
"To tell the truth..." Ah crap, what to say? I can't reveal my hand this early into the game. Especially not to that Oroko guy. Sorry Arge, I'll have to play the memory loss card. "I can't remember."
"Of course, we don't want to press any delicate matters. Is there anything you could tell us about yourself though? Perhaps a name?"
"Hiro–ah...I don't remember. I'm sorry Arge, I can't remember anything." Oops, I almost slipped there. Arge's response was so considerate though.
"Not your name?"
"N-no. Not even my parents or where I came from..."
"I see. Don't worry about it! I'm sure it'll come back to you. Just take it easy until then, ok?"
"Yes, thank you Arge...Oh, I do have one memory. I was walking in a cave–the one we're in now I think–and felt tired after a few minutes, so I laid down to take a nap...then I woke up here." A dumb memory like that probably wouldn't make a difference. Anyone could make that up. Well it's probably easier to believe than the truth.
"Thank you. And on my part, after we set up camp I found you in a tunnel nearby. Truth be told, I was searching for a monster when I found you. You were all alone. Nothing on you either, I'm sorry to say."
"A-ah." I'm glad he was the one who found me. Another certain person here would've killed me. I wonder why Arge looked a little embarrassed about the monster bit though. It was impressive he was killing monsters.
"If you'll excuse me miss, have you ever heard of the Royal Labyrinth?" I steeled myself when Oroko opened his mouth, but the noise was surprisingly benign.
"No?"
"Do you know what a dungeon is?"
"Yes, a room like a cellar or prison." He probably meant it in a fantasy sense though. Was Royal Labyrinth a dungeon then? Hey, thanks for the easy questions.
The three of them exchanged glances.
Now it was Zock's turn to speak. His voice was like cool wind on rock–is that description too wannabe poetic? "Miss, would you allow us to accompany you? The cave we are in is a subterranean dungeon, so-called a dungeon because monsters live here. We came to this dungeon to fight a resident monster type–the goblin–but all of us here feel your safety is significantly more important. It is a dangerous three-day hike to the exit from our present location." He told it matter-of-factly.
"I know that sounds pretty crazy, but this dungeon is what just Oroko asked you about. You somehow fell asleep in the Royal Labyrinth. It's incredibly large and the paths are always changing, so it can be a dangerous place. I'm sorry if that sounds scary, we just don't want you to get hurt, miss." Arge added, still smiling! "This is a rather severe situation for someone such as yourself."
Severe for someone such as myself? I didn't like to admit it, but it was true. I don't think I could even lift a sword. And I really had no knowledge of this Royal Labyrinth.
"A-ah, don't look so worried! Here miss, why don't I get you something to eat and you can think about it?"
"Thank you v-very much!" I bowed again.
"Stop apologizing! Anyone would do this. Please don't just stand there, either. Would you like to come by the fire or pick a bed?" Definitely bed. The heck, the fire wasn't even lit.
"Th-then, I'll pick your bed." I went back to the bed I had slept in... I'm not sure what I had been thinking earlier. Was Napping Cave from a dream or something?
"A-arge, did I really sleep in this bed?"
Oroko laughed again, yuck.
"Y-yes, I'm afraid so miss. Please feel free to choose something else..."
"No! It's just so comfortable this time." I was rolling in the blanket unable to see, but I bet Arge smiled at that.
"Well whenever you're ready, we can serve you breakfast in bed. To be honest it's not much. I apologize on our chef's behalf."
"Haaa? Miss, I promise this is in an excellent, first-class adventurer breakfast. Can't find anything better than it in a dungeon!"
...Isn't that like comparing it to dirt? I wriggled out and took the plate anyway. "Thank you very much."
"All you do is say thank you and bow, heh? What an odd goat."
"G-g-goat!?"
"Please pay no attention to him, miss."
"Ah. Thank you for your guidance prince Arge." I dug in feeling unusually hungry. Reincarnation sure takes it out of you.
The breakfast wasn't much like a breakfast but that wasn't bad either. Variety is the spice of life I suppose, even if this variety wasn't very spicy. A chunk of bread, a carrot and some kind of sour sandwich. Hey, it feels like there's some overlap in the food groups here! I want to criticize the meal but the taste is unexpectedly good.
"Wow, you finished that quickly! Would you like seconds?"
"I wouldn't impose."
"Impose? I've met someone who appreciates my cooking! This is my pleasure, bwahaha!"
"You cooked all this?"
"...Well...I mean...I made the sandwich and stuff..."
"You did a great job!" Oroko handed me seconds after hearing that. What did he hand me seconds after hearing that? No, he handed me a second serving after hearing that. Eating this food made me feel like I was coming back to life again again, bad pun excepted. Not to praise Oroko though: nobody would call Oroko a good cook after eating this –where was the cooking!? Underhandedness and exaggeration seemed to be his defining traits.
"What did you think?"
"As good as the first! Now I feel all full too!" I started rubbing my belly before remembering who I was talking to.
"Well then, we're going to start packing up, but please take as much time as you need to consider our offer."
I already had an answer in mind. "About that Arge. I don't want to cause any of you trouble, especially since you already have plans...could I come along on your mission? I'll stay out of the way and I'm small!" Those were the only two selling points I had. It was like applying for a manager position out of high school. I was seriously curious to see a goblin though and this way I might be able to cajole them into teaching me magic.
"Miss I'm afraid that won't do. We want to protect you, not endanger you."
Ah, shot down. He had a serious expression. "O-oh."
"So it's settled then? We'll bring you to the surface!" I started to object, but Arge's smile gleamed. Haaa, what was this feeling?
"Th-thank you all very much...I'll try to be of help!"