Chapter 23: Intertwined Feelings
I was poked by the spear handle of a soldier during roll call, and I wondered if the battle hadn't come to an end yet, still half-asleep. I prepared myself while biting into the ration bread.
Once again, I'm standing on the top of the Triuma. That's where I usually am.
Leading us this morning is a Level 6 knight named Iglie.
Only Greon, Spino, and I obey her commands, but as we finally got used to Triuma's treatment, we headed towards the gate of the city wall. There were two horse-drawn carts loaded with lumber and stones, as well as a dozen men gathered there. They seemed to be carpenters and construction workers.
We were told that today's mission is to escort these people.
Although we've already cleared out the monsters and thieves, it probably means that sending unarmed civilians to the previously dangerous area is meant to reassure the workers. There might still be wild beasts like wolves or bears.
However, I don't think it would make much of a difference even if I, who had never held a sword until a few days ago, were to accompany them as an escort.
Greon and Spino also seemed visibly relaxed, saying, "Well, it's just a formality to call it an escort."
The side road is only wide enough for one cart to pass, so we move slowly in a single file. Since the workers are on foot, speed doesn't matter anyway.
We pass the area where we fought the orcs, and we enter an area that is not marked on my "map." It has been two hours since we left the city of Skutar, and I wonder how far we will go. Just as I was thinking that, a newly formed path branched off from the side road, leading towards the mountains.
Using my "sensing" skill, I finally sensed the presence of about ten people who were not enemies deep inside.
The trees that were cut down during the path's opening are still piled up along the side of the newly formed path.
As the workers push the carts uphill, clearing a path, we reach an open area where the loggers we fought alongside yesterday were cutting down trees.
And beyond the several soldiers who seemed to be guards, there was the entrance to a cave visible without relying on the "detection" skill.
I can vaguely sense a hostile and eerie presence deep inside.
Could it be? Is that the entrance to the labyrinth that is the target of our subjugation?
I can't tell at a glance what distinguishes this labyrinth from a regular cave or how it is related.
The workers unload the materials from the carts on the small clearing created by the loggers. They arrange them along the lines drawn on the ground under the guidance of the carpenters.
Knight Iglie, who led us, seems to be receiving reports from the soldiers who were ahead.
"So, are we going to build a hut or something here?"
"Probably, they're going to build a guard station in a position where they can see the entrance to the labyrinth."
Greon answered my question.
"Someone needs to keep watch for monsters coming out of the labyrinth, and this place will serve as a supply base and a spot to tie up the horses while we conquer the labyrinth. We'll also need messengers in case something happens."
"Oh, I see."
It seemed that Spino didn't know about it. Among us, only Greon has actually participated in labyrinth subjugation.
"Well, I entered a different labyrinth during the previous generation, but in the end, the subjugation failed. It's not something I can boast about... It was really bad."
Greon's face darkened as if he didn't want to remember.
In the end, Count Kareena, Carrena's father, lost his life in that labyrinth, and the count's family, deemed unfit to rule by the king, had most of their territory practically seized by other nobles.
Igri returned and gave us instructions to divide the work and be vigilant around the area.
He had also been involved as support staff in labyrinth conquest in the past, which is why he was entrusted with the construction this time.
I don't know much about his fighting abilities, but he was efficient in overseeing the construction of the outpost.
From a distance, while on patrol, I could see the laborers transporting materials and the timber they had cut to clear the construction path. Buildings were rapidly taking shape before my eyes.
In terms of size, it was quite small, resembling a "public restroom" in my imagination. They laid stone for the foundation and erected timber on top, building a small hut that could probably accommodate four or five people at most. There were also several columns extending above, perhaps for observation purposes.
Suddenly, an idea struck me, and I suggested to Igri, "Should we seal off the entrance of the labyrinth with clay? Even if monsters can dig through it given enough time, it could buy us some time, and when the time comes for subjugation, my clay can be easily removed."
At first, Igri was surprised and asked if that was possible. But when I told him it could be done, he said, "If you can do it, please go ahead," and we decided to approach the entrance and fill it with clay. I couldn't discern the difference between this entrance and the cave where the orcs emerged two days ago, but it seemed considerably deep, and I could sense several strong presences in its depths. The location of the labyrinth was also plotted in my mental map.
I filled the hole, which was about the height of an adult, with a wall of clay about two meters thick, taking breaks in between. Thanks to the skill level increase I obtained from "Plenty of Clay," it wasn't as difficult as I thought. I wanted to test it out, and the more I used it, the more my skill would improve.
In terms of perception, I think I could produce a few hundred kilograms of clay until now. But now it felt like I could increase it by about ten times, reaching tons.
More quickly than imagined, by midday a simple guard shack, along with a simple moat and palisade around it, were completed.
The residents living outside the town walls usually cooperate with each other to build their dwellings, and it seems that many of them are accustomed to carpentry and civil engineering work.
By the time the shack was finished, two soldiers, apparently replacements, arrived. One of them was a scout job holder. They were conveying something to Igri.
Then, for some reason, only Spinow was told to join the guard duty, and he was left behind at the guard shack with the two newcomers. Grion and I, along with the other soldiers, were to escort the men who had finished their work back to Suctari.
We returned to the town when there were still about one or two hours until dusk.
When we arrived at the mansion, Igri informed Grion and me of something unexpected. Until sunset, we were allowed freedom of movement and permission to go outside.
It seems that when leaving the slave quarters, we are to wear a gold collar around our necks.
"What does that mean?"
"Report to the barracks at sunset. That's where they will give instructions for tomorrow's mission."
When we returned to the slave quarters for a moment, Grion said with a serious expression, "This means we will be sent into the labyrinth."
I had anticipated it, but that's how it is.
"What will you do?"
"Me? Of course, I'll enjoy myself when I can. Half an hour is not enough to satisfy me, though."
Grion said he was going to the brothel. Even in such a small town, they exist. I had seen women who looked like prostitutes or older sisters when I took a walk around town.
Even slaves occasionally receive money as a reward, and since they have no opportunity to spend it, they save it. In a hurry, without even giving me time to respond, he quickly went off.
Well, well. Even I am no longer a DT, and I'm not in a hurry, although I don't remember clearly.
My backpack and such were thrown into the cell, but I didn't feel comfortable having only one silver coin left to go to the brothel.
Being suddenly abducted and leaving my luggage at the inn where I was supposed to stay was also bothering me...
"I'm jealous."
Lina, once again sticking her face out of the leather bag, glared at me.
Although my feet were heading towards the inn, I was still lost.
I didn't have much to worry about because I had only left behind the clothes I had washed, the sword I took from the orc, and the picture book I bought to learn to read.
And even if I'm asked why I disappeared, I probably can't explain the detailed circumstances. If they see the collar, the town residents might understand that I'm being treated as a slave...
When I realized it, I had come to the street where I bumped into Leda face to face.
I didn't have any particular thoughts. And, of course, I wasn't using any kind of sensing skills.
But when I glanced up, there she was, staring at me as if surprised.
As usual, she stood at the edge of the street, carrying a flower basket that didn't seem to be selling well.
"Shiro-san?"
She widened her eyes, as if searching for words.
I didn't know what to say more than that.
However, before I could find any words, Leda came running up to my side.
"I was worried! ...But I'm glad. You seem fine."
We both sat side by side on a log-like bench substitute placed at the edge of the central street's square.
There was about the distance of one flower basket between us, but emotionally, I could almost hear each other's breaths.
Two days ago, that is, on the day I was forced into a slave contract and fought against the thieves, Leda visited the inn to ask if the flowers were well-received and was informed that I hadn't returned.
Then she headed to the Lord's mansion and apparently gathered information, even asking the sentinels, that I had become a combat slave.
She's really proactive.
"I told Inva, the landlady of Ban's inn, that you're working at the Lord's mansion and won't be able to go home for a while. And about the slave thing..."
"You kept it a secret... Yeah, thanks."
Honestly, I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of just because I became a slave. But I understand that Leda was considerate of me.
"When I told them to wait before disposing of the belongings in the room, they asked if you could take care of them... I thought it was a bit heartless, but that place is really cramped, with only one small room at the back of the tavern for the family to live in."
She laughed in a troubled manner.
"Oh, by the way, I've been wondering. Leda-san, are you close to the people at the inn?"
"Yes, it's a small town. I've always gotten along well with Inva, and I used to play with her son, Den-kun, when he was little."
"Does the name Den belong to a hunter, by any chance?"
"Oh, you knew him?"
It's a really small town. We talked about hunting magic boars together during the territorial sweep. Den seemed to be around the same age as Leda, but if she had played with him when he was younger, does that mean Leda is older? I wonder how old she is. It's intriguing.
"Oh, really, Den-kun? He used to boast about his skills, but he has truly become a great hunter now."
Leda, who always seemed to hold back, smiled genuinely, making me feel warm inside.
Huh?
"Hey, about the meat from the monsters Den hunted..."
"Yeah, it seems like they serve it sometimes at the tavern on the first floor. Den lives alone in the cabin outside the walls now, and when he catches big ones like magic boars, he brings them over. Since it's been hard to get regular meat lately, Ban-san is probably grateful too."
Ugh, so the meat I ate back then was...
"What's the matter?"
"N-No... Oh, anyway, thanks for keeping my belongings for me."
I tried to retrieve my belongings since I could probably store them in the slave quarters' cell. I also had a slight curiosity about where she lived, so I offered to escort her home.
However, Leda didn't seem to want me to come.
"I'll go and deliver them next time," she said... being a mediator or anything like that between a slave and an outsider. Today was quite exceptional, after all.
Besides, it's getting close to sunset. Time flew by while I was talking to Leda. I should head back soon.
"For now, I..."
Leda lowered her head slightly and spoke softly. She had a serious expression.
"If possible, I'd like to meet again. At that time, I want to talk about many more things."
I didn't know how to respond. Was it alright to answer like this?
"I will definitely become free and come to see you again, Leda-san. Can you keep my belongings until then?"
Leda gently placed her hand on top of mine.
When I held her hand, she leaned against me, resting her weight on my shoulder.
Just before the sun set, I parted ways with Leda and sprinted up the slope toward the mansion.
When I arrived at the barracks, I was made to wait for a while. Then, a man named Bata, the captain, told me,
"Starting from tomorrow morning, we'll be heading into the labyrinth for subjugation."