Chapter 40 - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Sheila's Friend

"50% of the reward money... Theodore... It seems like he believes that with my information, anyone could have helped everyone like that."

Sheila looked at me for a while and said such a thing.

"I don't think other people could have acted the same way. It's true that I'm grateful."

"...I understand."

Sheila smiled faintly. Then she erased that smile and spoke seriously.

"And also, if you don't mind... I want you to get along with my friend. That girl is currently at the Adventurers' Guild."

"Ah... That means..."

"...Ilmhillt is a Lamia. She grew up with us in the Western District."

The Western District... I suppose that's where the slums are.

"A Lamia, huh? Aren't you worried about the current situation at the Adventurers' Guild? If you had told me earlier, I would have been concerned about that too."

"I didn't know if Theodore would help her when I heard she was a Lamia... I can't rely on him that much. Actually, I had planned to take her out of the Adventurers' Guild... but it seems like the Guild isn't treating her roughly, so I decided not to cause any trouble."

"I see..."

Perhaps she's making contact amidst the chaos of the Demon Lord incident.

Lamia is a monster with a human upper body and a snake lower body. They can be either friendly or hostile towards humans, with a wide range of individual differences. They are capable of taking on a human form, and there have been stories of Lamias falling in love with humans.

Among the Adventurers' Guild, there are quite a few who have had experiences of being helped by non-hostile monsters like that.

Aside from the risks of mistreatment and becoming hostile towards entire tribes, friendly monsters are often valued.

Then... what else? I've heard stories about people becoming adventurers because they longed for romantic relationships with female monsters. Adventurers as a race tend to be pleasantly foolish.

So, is Sheila worried that her friend will be treated coldly by me?

I didn't see any information about Lamias in the caduceus. I only saw Sirens and Harpies. In that case, while Ilmhillt was captured, she might have been in human form.

"That girl is definitely a Lamia. But she doesn't attack humans. Rabbits and birds are enough for her."

...I see. I understand what Sheila means. It wouldn't be interesting to be unreasonably rejected by someone you don't know.

I, on the other hand, can accept not being understood by strangers without much trouble, but there are others who can't. I can understand why Sheila takes care to ensure her friend doesn't get hurt.

Lamia is sometimes equated with vampires and disliked due to their blood-sucking nature. Unlike vampires, Lamia's feeding is neither lethal nor contagious, and they can coexist with humans as long as there is mutual understanding.

"I understand that. Well, I don't think you need to worry, Sheila-san."

It's not like there's a reason to dislike them just because they feed on blood. The reason should be self-evident.

"I am a Dhampir."

Grace smiled, and Sheila blinked her eyes. Then she closed her eyes and nodded.

"I see. Then I won't worry anymore. I trust Theodore."

"...There's something I want to ask you, Sheila-san. Where did that person come from to the Border City?"

"A long time ago... They said they came out of the labyrinth and couldn't go back."

Hmm. If you want to hear about labyrinth monsters, Ilmhillt would be a good choice, wouldn't it?

"What do you mean they couldn't go back?"

"They said they couldn't go deeper because the labyrinth monsters started attacking them."

Hmm. Maybe they were recognized as something foreign because they had come out of the labyrinth once?

Considering that using the Red Turnstone doesn't cause the loss of items brought out of the labyrinth, it seems quite plausible.

Anyway, Ilmhillt, huh? If they're accustomed to human society, they might have some stories that are easy to understand on an intuitive level. Or maybe if it's an old story, it might not be useful, but that's something we can judge after hearing it.

"It has been decided that we will talk when Ilmhillt-san's condition improves. Will you come along, Sheila-san?"

"...Is it okay?"

"You're friends, right? It would be difficult for you to show your face at the Adventurer's Guild alone."

"...Thank you. I appreciate it."

"I'm also interested in hearing stories from someone who comes from the labyrinth."

Eventually, Rosetta and Sheila returned, and the three of them gathered together.

Since it was already evening, they cooked dinner together and sat around the dining table.

Afterward, they each took a bath to wash away the sweat and dirt. They sat on the long bench and spent time together.

After diving into the labyrinth, Grace needed to release her recoil, even if it wasn't morning. The urge to drink blood wouldn't disappear if left unchecked. The more you endure, the worse it becomes when the next "thirst" comes.

In other words, just like Ashley's Circulating Ki, it's important to do it every day. Grace and Ashley used this time to practice Circulating Ki. However, there's no correct posture for Circulating Ki... It seems that the intimacy between Grace and the others has been increasing day by day.

"I love the warmth of the time when I practice cyclic qi."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Today, for some reason... It feels like Ashley is being more affectionate than usual. It's like she's leaning her cheek against my shoulder, just like Grace does.

Hmm. It was Ashley's first real battle, after all, and the effect of Brave Wind should have worn off... Maybe that's why.

"Hmm. You worked hard today."

Upon saying that, Ashley's cheeks turned slightly red.

"I'm sorry. Someday, I'll be able to manage without relying on magic."

"Don't worry about it. Should we sleep together as the three of us tonight?"

She seemed hesitant for a moment, but eventually Ashley nodded silently.

Well then... Let's do that. If I endure, things will generally work out smoothly, and today I'm quite sleepy myself.

"Ashley-sama, it's understandable since it was your first real battle and labyrinth exploration. After I had a close call during hunting, I had Theo stroke my head to calm down."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Um..."

I did something like that too. It was during the period when Grace was out hunting and my mother had passed away. I was anxious at that time too.

Hmm. But to bring up that story in this context...

Grace smiled gently.

...Well, it's fine for me.

While continuing to practice cyclic qi, I gently stroked Ashley's glossy silver hair.

"It feels ticklish somehow."

Ashley chuckled and squirmed a little. Seeing her like that, Grace narrowed her eyes with a smile.

Let's see...

If we consider them equals, Grace would be included as well. I slid my fingers through their hair, encircling their slender shoulders.

"Mmm..."

Grace narrowed her eyes and leaned against me.

Since they had just taken a bath, the scent of shampoo and soap made from Sabona tree sap wafted through my nostrils. The texture of their hair and the sensation of their bodies were wonderful, but... the more so, the less at ease I felt inwardly.

Trying not to think too much, I continued caressing their hair. Ashley, who seemed tired, started to doze off while rowing the boat. I let her lie down and placed her on my lap.

"Today... How about we just sleep here?"

"Well... It might be pitiful to wake her up."

"I'll go get a blanket."

Grace stood up and went upstairs.

"Mm... Mo... Moth... Mom..."

Ashley mumbled in her sleep on my lap. I gently stroked her hair as I did earlier.

Yes, that's right.

Ashley and I share a similar fate. I understand why she dives into the labyrinth and actively fights against monsters.

If I know that I have the power... If I can become stronger, then it's worth the effort. And when I feel anxious, having someone with me like this is reassuring.

"I'm sorry for the wait."

Grace covered Ashley's body with a blanket and placed one on my shoulders. She sat next to me and wrapped herself in the same blanket.

"Well then, goodnight."

"Goodnight, Theo."

I extinguished the magic orb floating near the ceiling and closed my eyes.

It's a bit early to sleep, but it's important to rest our bodies since we're planning to head to the labyrinth again tomorrow. Considering that I didn't sleep much yesterday, drowsiness quickly took over.