Chapter 48

We reached the 10th floor and called out to the flames to establish contact with Alti.

After explaining our situation, Alti readily accepted our request.

“—I see. In that case, I shall teach you magic to ward off lava. While I’m at it, I’ll also teach you magic to repel heat. That level of high temperature is nothing short of a weapon to a human, after all.”

The flame before our eyes—Alti—responded.

Standing behind me, Lastiara let out a cry of joy.

“Thaaaanks, Alti! I was seriously at my limit with that heat!!”

Lastiara offered her thanks without a hint of doubt.

I, however, couldn’t celebrate as easily as she did.

My anxiety hadn’t faded. The conversation wasn’t over yet.

“Alti, who are you going to teach that magic to? If possible, to me—”

“To anyone but you and Lastiara.”

Alti answered my fears with perfect precision.

“Why anyone but us…?”

“First of all, you are unsuitable. I’m not saying this to be mean; you’re simply too specialized in Dimension Magic. It’s impossible for you.”

Alti asserted that I was specialized in Dimension Magic.

This was something I’d begun to suspect after my experience at the magic shop. There was a possibility that I had no aptitude for anything other than Dimension Magic, and thus couldn’t learn other spells.

Gritting my teeth, I pivoted to the next option.

“Then, what about Lastiara?”

“Lastiara has no ‘margin’ left to learn magic. She is already a finished product, so it is impossible. Lastiara, you understand that much yourself, don’t you?”

Alti’s fiery mouth spoke with absolute certainty regarding Lastiara as well.

Lastiara looked surprised, but she nodded in agreement.

“Heh, wow. You can really tell? It’s true, I can’t learn any more magic. There isn’t a single gap left in my blood to write a new formula into.”

That was news to me.

I was more surprised than Lastiara was.

Then, Alti followed up with a strike against my bewildered self.

“Therefore, I intend to teach Maria. How does that sound?”

“…………!”

It didn’t sound good at all.

It was the worst possible proposal.

I hadn’t realized that Lastiara and I—whom I’d thought of as all-powerful—were actually this inflexible when it came to magic.

However, I quickly pulled myself together.

When it came to magic, there was someone else I could trust.

“W-wait. Not Maria. If you can… teach Dia. You know who he is, don’t you, Alti? Maria isn’t suited for the Labyrinth.”

I hesitated for a split second before bringing up Dia’s name. I knew this meant Lastiara would find out about Dia, but I wanted to avoid strengthening Maria any further.

Ideally, I’d wanted to set up the meeting between Dia and Lastiara with the utmost care, but I no longer had that luxury.

“I cannot do that. I will teach Maria.”

“Why!?”

Alti cut through my shout with a single stroke.

“Why, you ask? Because Maria harbors romantic feelings for you, of course. I must support that. Though, whether her love is pure or impure is another matter entirely.”

“—Eh?”

On top of the clean cut, she’d dropped a bomb.

For a moment, my mind went completely blank.

I couldn’t process Alti’s words, let alone formulate a response.

Ignoring my confusion, Alti continued.

“I support the ‘fulfillment of Maria’s love.’ And, if possible, I’d like your cooperation as well… Collaborator Christ…”

Alti’s flames flickered as she smiled at me.

I didn’t have the mental capacity for “cooperation.” “Maria harbors romantic feelings for me”—that one sentence was all I could focus on.

My body physically recoiled from trying to understand it.

I didn’t want to admit it.

I couldn’t believe Maria was in love with me. I didn’t want to believe it.

When we first spoke, Maria said she despised me. She’d been rebellious the whole time; there wasn’t a single hint of her pining for me. She was always biting, always cheeky—not at all like a girl in love. Among everyone here, I was the one who had spent the most time with her. If I hadn’t sensed it, then there was no way she was in love with me. Absolutely not. There was no way—

“Alti! Wh-what are you doing!? Maria was working so hard to hide it! I can’t believe you just blurted it out like that!!”

My desperate internal resistance was drowned out by Lastiara’s cheerful voice.

“But you see, Lastiara, sometimes a couple is formed through the meddling of a third party. At the very least, I have no interest in watching a girl who intends to serve devotedly without ever confessing her feelings for the rest of her life.”

“Well, I do! I love that kind of unbearable, helpless, frustrating, endless love…”

“What bad taste. It seems our sensibilities differ.”

“Hmph.”

Their conversation drifted into my ears.

Even Lastiara wasn’t denying Maria’s feelings. On the contrary, it sounded as if she’d known for quite a while and had simply kept quiet.

Which meant…

That even from Lastiara’s perspective, Maria’s love was a certainty…?

Then, what was the correct way for me to react?

What was the right answer?

Thinking of profit and loss first—no, thinking of my own stress first—no, thinking of morals and Maria’s feelings first—no, that’s not it. No, no. That’s not it…!

My goal is to go home.

“Returning” is everything.

I have a reason to go back. I kept avoiding it so I wouldn’t have to think about it, so I wouldn’t get too deep—I have a definitive reason to return.

That’s right.

I have to go back…

If I don’t go back, my family… that person…—

—No. Don’t think about that either.

Anything more is dangerous.

“Haah—! Haah, haah, haah…!”

If I thought about it, I’d lose my grip.

If that happened, it would be a repeat of the first day.

The skill “???” would trigger as much as it wanted.

Of course, triggering the skill now to regain my composure wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Even if I was worried about my Confusion reaching 10.00, my patience over the last few days had allowed it to recover enough that a single activation wouldn’t push it over the edge.

In an emergency, using the power of “???” to clear away this worry and everything else wouldn’t be a bad idea.

If it activated, all my emotions would settle, and it would provide a rational answer. That wouldn’t be a bad thing for the sake of “Returning.”

It wouldn’t be bad, but… my body stiffened.

I didn’t feel like that was something a human should do.

If it activated, I would undoubtedly stop trying to face Maria’s feelings. Rationally speaking, they were completely unnecessary for “Returning.”

A girl’s love would be snuffed out by a ridiculous skill like that.

I felt that would be terribly insincere—a truly despicable act.

If Maria really did harbor feelings for me, then I had to be the one to think it through and answer with my own strength.

My shallow life experience of some ten-odd years provided that answer, preventing any further descent into confusion.

It wasn’t unbearable. It wasn’t an emergency. I was still okay.

“Phew…”

After a series of shallow breaths, I let out a long exhale to calm myself.

Watching me, Alti spoke with a hint of admiration.

“Oh. It seems you’ve calmed down.”

I forced myself to sound calm as I replied.

“I’m not calm. I’m just shocked.”

“You certainly look calm to me.”

“Anyway, I get that Maria might have feelings for me. And I get that Alti has no intention of backing down. It can’t be helped. …I don’t want to get in the way of what Alti wants, so go ahead and teach Maria. But I want you to promise to teach Dia later as well. My policy is to keep Maria away from the Labyrinth.”

“Hmm… Very well, I’ll teach Dia too. I am the mentor to both of them, after all.”

“Mentor…?”

“The truth is, I’ve been meeting with those two quite often behind your back. By now, our bond is deep enough that they actually call me ‘Master’.”

Once again, I was hit with a fact I’d rather not have known, nearly sending me back into confusion. However, I kept a firm grip on my consciousness and pushed the conversation forward.

“Also, be prepared for the fact that Maria’s ‘fulfillment of love’ is a long shot. I won’t be as cold as I was with Franleure… but it’s a fact that I’m not interested. It’s not about Maria specifically; the reason is that I simply don’t have the time for that kind of thing right now. I have to reach the ‘deepest part’ of the Labyrinth. That comes before anything else.”

“I figured you’d say that. Honestly, it’s not like I’m trying to force Christ and Maria together. In these matters, the feelings of both parties are what’s important.”

“…Fine. Let’s just agree not to force anything. We’ll go with that.”

“Suits me.”

Alright, I moved past it.

I managed to avoid getting agitated and overcomplicating the situation.

Having finished my negotiations with Alti, I moved on to discussing when she would teach Maria and Dia the magic.

However, Lastiara, who had been quiet until now, decided to chime in.

“Hmm, I see. So, ultimately, how do you feel about Maria, Christ?”

“How do I feel…? I like her well enough as a comrade. But we’re far apart in age, and I’ve never even thought of her as a member of the opposite sex.”

“Heh~. Are you going to tell Maria that when we get back?”

“I’m not. There’s no guarantee that her feelings are 100 percent there. This is just how things look from your and Alti’s perspective. If I said something and she told me she didn’t actually like me like that, it would be embarrassing and awkward.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s 100 percent, though~.”

“If Maria herself were to confess, then I’d give her an answer. But otherwise, I’m not going to say anything. I’ll keep the same attitude and treat her the way I always have.”

“I see, I see…”

Lastiara hummed, nodding repeatedly as she mulled over my words.

After a moment, she continued with a beaming smile.

“That’s a very Christ-like answer. And that’s not bad for me at all. How delicious…”

“…Yeah, yeah.”

I ignored Lastiara and finished up the details with Alti.

Apparently, she would teach Maria and Dia the magic as soon as today or tomorrow. It wouldn’t take them very long to learn it.

—After making a few final confirmations, I thanked Alti and left the 10th floor.

On the way back to the surface, Lastiara pelted me with questions.

Naturally, she asked about Maria, but she also seemed curious about Dia since I had let his name slip earlier. Left with no choice, I explained who my companion Dia was.

“—Oh, I see. Before you teamed up with Maria and me, you were with this Dia person.”

“That’s right. It’s not like I was hiding it. He’s in the hospital, and since I didn’t know when he’d be back, I was debating whether to mention him or not. He possesses an incredible amount of mana.”

“A mage that Christ trusts that much, huh…”

“Yeah, he’s top-class. His level is a bit low, but I think he’ll catch up quickly. He has enough talent to keep up with us.”

I praised Dia without reservation.

If you looked purely at the numbers, he was a talent who could even surpass Lastiara.

And above all, he had a good personality.

A good personality.

That was extremely important.

“But there shouldn’t be many people around with talent on our level.”

“No, I’m serious.”

“Now, now, Christ, you’re a soft touch when it comes to assessments. …Fine. I’ll see for myself and give him a proper evaluation.”

Lastiara said, “That’s for the best,” as she started walking ahead.

It seemed she wanted me to introduce her to Dia this very day.

“Sigh, fine…”

Since the two of them were bound to meet eventually, I nodded and agreed.

As we happened to have the time, it was decided that we would head to the hospital where Dia was staying right then and there.

During the trip, I led the way while trying to keep Lastiara from getting too over-excited.

The hospital wasn’t that far. From the Wald Labyrinth entrance, it took less than an hour.

The sun hadn’t even set by the time we walked from the Labyrinth to the hospital.

Leading Lastiara, I walked toward the wing where Dia was hospitalized, just as I had before. Suddenly, I recalled the previous state of the place.

When I’d come last time, Dia’s room was full of holes, and the damage had even spilled into the hallway.

Entering the wing while wondering how much had been repaired over the last two days—the hallway was in the same disastrous state.

To be precise, there were some signs of repair, but further destruction had returned it to the exact state it had been in before.

I walked down the breezy hallway and entered the room of the person who was undoubtedly the culprit. Lastiara followed me, looking at the wreckage with an amused expression.

Inside the room was the same as before—no, it was even more cluttered than last time.

“Hey, Dia. Is the room even more broken than before…?”

My first words weren’t a greeting, but an inquiry into how it had reached this state.

“Ah, Christ…! Th-there is a very deep reason for this…!”

Dia, who had been sitting cross-legged on the bed, noticed me and spoke in a panic.

Ignoring Dia, who was flustered by my sudden appearance, Lastiara and I stepped into the room. I was about to introduce Lastiara when Dia’s voice cut me off.

“—!? Why are you here!?”

Dia had spotted Lastiara behind me, his face twisting into an expression of pure shock.

In response, Lastiara waved her hand lightly and gave a greeting.

“It’s been a while, Sith.”

Lastiara said “long time no see” to Dia. Furthermore, her demeanor had shifted into the calm, poised composure she used when dealing with knights. Apparently, the two were acquaintances.

I was stunned by the unexpected revelation and lost my words.

Dia was equally surprised—but unlike me, he managed a response.

“Eh…? Wh-why is Lastiara here?”

While Lastiara spoke with a composed, “good girl” act, Dia was the polar opposite. Fumbling and confused, he stood up on the bed and took a combat-ready stance.

“I was the one who was surprised. I didn’t expect to meet Sith in a place like this.”

“No way! Did Lastiara come here to take me back!?”

“Please, calm down. I’m only here as Christ’s companion. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Huh? Lastiara is Christ’s companion?”

Toward Dia, who looked ready to chant an attack spell at any second, Lastiara approached with a gentle voice and took his hand with soft movements.

“Yes. So, nothing that you’re worried about will happen. Rest easy.”

“R-really…?”

“Really.”

Lastiara smiled gently, and Dia, swayed by it, began to relax.

As usual, Lastiara was an expert at playing the “good girl.” She had disarmed Dia’s wariness in an instant.

Seeing their conversation reach a stopping point, I stepped in.

“Dia, it’s true that Lastiara is my companion. …More importantly, I’m shocked that you two know each other. Where did you meet?”

I asked while looking back and forth between them.

Lastiara moved to answer, but Dia cut her off in a panic.

“—W-we’re acquaintances from back home! We aren’t that close, though!”

The interruption was so unnatural that I looked at Lastiara’s face for confirmation.

Lastiara’s expression flickered strangely for a moment before she immediately returned to her usual cheerful smile. She went along with Dia’s story.

“That’s right. We’re just slight acquaintances, Sith and I.”

“Yeah, just slight acquaintances. But Lastiara, I’m going by Dia here, so please call me that.”

“I see. Understood, Dia.”

I felt a sense of wrongness in their conversation. However, I didn’t pursue it. From the look of it, it was something Dia didn’t want known.

If possible, I didn’t want to do anything that would trouble Dia.

“Well, it’s good if you’re acquaintances. You’ll be companions exploring the Labyrinth together from now on, after all.”

I pretended not to notice the awkwardness and moved the conversation along.

Hearing the word “companions,” Dia reached out with a shaky voice and asked for a handshake.

“…If you’re Christ’s companion, then you’re my companion too. Don’t worry about me, you can just call me Dia.”

“I see. If we’re companions, let’s drop this formal way of speaking. —I look forward to working with you, Dia-chan.”

Lastiara replied and took his hand.

She gripped it firmly and didn’t let go.

“St-stop with the ‘-chan’… I-I am me, so just Dia is fine…!”

“Ah, sorry. Your face is just so pretty, I couldn’t help myself. Well then, should I go with —Dia-kun? No, or maybe…”

“Just Dia, please!”

“Fufu. Alright, Dia.”

The two of them argued over the name while still shaking hands.

Based on Lastiara’s attitude, Dia’s claim of “not being a girl” was only becoming more suspicious. However, since I intended to keep treating Dia as a guy, I didn’t plan on interrupting their bickering.

At this late stage, if I were told to start treating him like a different gender… it would be a problem.

I had expected them to clash due to their differing personalities, but that worry turned out to be for nothing.

Relieved, I sat down in one of the chairs and watched over them as they talked.

Afterward, I told Dia that Alti would be coming to teach him magic.

Along with that, I explained the situation on the 24th floor of the Labyrinth. Then, perhaps because their magic was similar, Lastiara and Dia began to engross themselves in a magical discussion. It seemed the two of them were going to figure out how to conquer the 24th floor together.

Since I didn’t really understand the magic they used, I could only listen from the sidelines.

Even listening didn’t help much. Terms I’d never heard before kept popping up, so I started thinking about what would happen after I went home.

Maria would probably finish making dinner and be waiting for us. However, things had changed a bit from how they were before. Because of Alti’s “problematic statement,” I wasn’t sure if I could treat Maria the same way I always had—I lacked the confidence. If I didn’t do some mental imaging now, I might let it slip through my behavior.

Alone behind the two of them as they discussed magic, I spent the rest of the time endlessly simulating conversations with Maria.

After finishing our visit with Dia, we headed home, our preparations for the next exploration complete.

Then, as usual, the three of us ate the meal Maria had prepared at home. But because of Alti’s “problematic statement,” there might have been a few unnatural moments.

Lastiara’s faint smile was about thirty percent wider than usual, I was somewhat distant toward Maria, and Maria was watching us with sharp eyes, trying to figure out why—there was a lot going on.

Every time Maria looked my way, I could only turn my face aside.

Though Maria was young and short, she was on the pretty side. When we first met, she’d looked rough because of her environment, but as long as she stayed clean, there was no problem classifying her as a cute girl. Plus, unlike Dia or Lastiara, she had a realistic kind of cuteness. The fact that she had black hair also gave me a sense of familiarity, making me conscious of her as a girl close to me.

Once I’d thought about the whole “love” thing even once, it was hard to ignore her charm.

However, I used “Dimension: Gladiator” to avoid making eye contact with Maria—and somehow managed to finish the meal without incident.

Afterward, following our usual routine, everyone went to their rooms to sleep. Even knowing about Maria’s feelings, I felt confident that I could manage things from here.

—That night, I felt like the wind was strangely noisy.

And then, the next day.

“—Have a safe trip, Master.”

“Yeah. I’m off…”

Perhaps because I was still dwelling on yesterday’s talk, just Maria’s simple “have a safe trip” made me feel restless. Avoiding Maria’s face as much as possible, I headed to the 20th floor via “Connection.” Lastiara followed.

Lastiara was more heavily armed today compared to yesterday.

Although she usually liked running around in light gear, today she was wearing multiple layers of cloaks to ward off the heat. Hanging from her waist were water and antidotes, ready for immediate use.

We stepped through the pale purple magic door into the cold, empty space.

I was about to move toward the stairs to the 21st floor when I noticed someone standing with their back to them.

It was the handsome blonde knight, Hein.

Hopes wasn’t with him; he seemed to be alone today.

And unlike before, his attire was heavily reinforced. Previously, he’d only been equipped with a single silver sword, but today he had two strapped to his waist. Furthermore, he wore a large silver gauntlet on his left hand. While he didn’t have heavy armor, he’d clearly brought along a collection of specialized gear. What stood out most were the ten rings on his fingers. A man wearing that many rings couldn’t help but be conspicuous.

“I have been waiting for you… Milady…”

Just like last time, Hein gave a bow.

That gesture sent a chill down my spine.

Something was different.

It wasn’t just the number of people or the equipment; something fundamental was different.

That’s what I thought.

And while I still couldn’t pinpoint the cause of that unease, Hein and Lastiara began to speak.