Chapter 81

After repelling those girls, the rest of the patrol shift ended without further incident.

A few troublemakers showed up here and there, but they were all the type our guild members could handle on their own. Not a single opponent appeared who required my direct intervention like those girls had.

I remained in the office, continuing my woodcarving while watching the members disperse.

Between maintaining “Dimension” and carving the wood, I ran a parallel thought process regarding those girls.

Who were they, and what was their goal?

I had to figure it out.

As things stood, the only ones who likely held that information were Snow and Palinchron.

I tried asking Snow first, but the conversation ended with her simply saying, “Everything I said that first night is all there is to it.” Regarding those girls, she would only answer that they were “just acquaintances” and refused to go into detail.

It might have been because she found it a hassle, but she truly seemed not to know the specifics.

I stopped prying with Snow and decided to wait for Palinchron, the next candidate. Snow had recommended asking him as well—though I wasn’t thrilled that she immediately started dozing off after making the suggestion.

I let out a sigh and kept thinking.

Most likely, I’ll run into them again. And when I do, I’ll end up fighting them. I had a premonition. I needed to prepare for when that moment arrived. To do that—

“You look troubled, Kanami.”

While I was woodcarving with a grim expression, Palinchron walked into the office. Of course, I had already sensed him entering the building via “Dimension.”

Snow, who had been breathing softly by the window, jumped awake at the sudden visitor. She awkwardly began faking that she was hard at work.

“At least knock. You startled Snow.”

“For you, Kanami, someone just entering this building counts as a knock, doesn’t it?”

“I guess so…”

Palinchron knew my abilities better than anyone.

Yes. Better than anyone.

Palinchron really knew a lot of things…

Therefore, I decided to ask him point-blank.

“Palinchron, are you hiding something from me?”

“Oh? Did you hear something from Snow?”

It was a blunt question, but Palinchron replied without a hint of agitation.

“Snow, yes, but I also met someone in town who called me ‘Christ.’ That person was looking for you.”

“Heh, that was fast. They’re here already?”

Palinchron smiled happily—and with a touch of nostalgia.

“Just answer me. What is ‘Christ’? Are you hiding something?”

“I can’t answer that. Even if I said here and now that I’m not hiding anything, there’s no way to prove it. No one can prove they’re an honest person. Besides, someone who’s hiding something wouldn’t exactly admit to it, would they?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

As usual, Palinchron gave a reply that felt like he was mocking me. It was roundabout, but it was logical. There was no point in asking the person you suspected.

Still, I wanted to hear it from Palinchron himself.

Because he was the one who saved my life, and one of the few trustworthy adults I knew. That was exactly why I wanted him to be the one to answer—no, I felt that I had to confront him.

“…Hey, Kanami. Is it really that important?”

Seeing me staring at him, Palinchron threw back a question with a serious expression.

“Huh? O-of course it’s important.”

“Are you not happy right now, Kanami?”

“Happy…?”

“Maria-chan is on the road to recovery. You’re starting to be respected as a Guild Master, and your Labyrinth exploration with Snow is going well. If things continue like this, a wealthy life with no hardships awaits you. Yes, Maria-chan can live happily with her beloved brother, and you can live happily with your beloved sister. ——Right now, without a doubt, the wishes of both Kanami and Maria are coming true. Even so, do you still intend to go looking for lies?”

Palinchron pressed the question with a face I had never seen before. There was no playfulness in his expression. He was dead serious.

“I—I—”

Faced with his repeated questions, I felt an illusion as if my brain were melting into something sweet.

He was right. Currently, all my wishes were being granted. Every desire that had gone unfulfilled in my original world was coming true after coming to this one.

My sister was alive and by my side. I had a rewarding job and no financial struggles. My comrades were all good people, and I even had someone I could call a partner. It was absolutely flawless.

That was a very happy thing. I should be happy.

And yet—

My heart wouldn’t settle.

Every cell in my body was screaming that this wasn’t right. Something lurking in the corner of my brain was rejecting this and refused to allow it. I spoke, following my instincts.

“Even so, I believe lies must be exposed. ‘No one is truly saved by a lie.’ I don’t know why, but I feel that for certain… Even if I lose my happiness after exposing the truth, I’ll just find happiness again… That’s why I want to know everything…”

I turned that lurking ‘something’ into words and told Palinchron. Upon hearing that, Palinchron checked with a solemn look.

“Even if it’s a ‘kind lie’?”

“Yeah.”

I nodded to his question without a second’s hesitation.

It wasn’t a rational answer. It was a deeply instinctive one. Right now, I wasn’t trapped in the cage of logic.

It felt incredibly refreshing. And that sense of refreshment proved that this instinctive answer was the right one.

“Heh… You really are something. Just as expected of you, Kanami.”

And so, Palinchron offered me his praise.

I didn’t know exactly what he was complimenting me for. However, it seemed I had struck some kind of chord within him.

“Just tell me, Palinchron. If you know something, please…”

I left the moved Palinchron behind and pressed for the truth.

“But even if I don’t tell you now… it’s something you’ll figure out soon enough anyway.”

“Figure it out soon?”

Palinchron answered evasively yet again. I knew he was that kind of person, but in this moment, it was nothing but an irritation. Those clinging words of his felt like they were eroding my body, filling me with unease.

That was it.

I felt like “something” was clinging to me. It had been for a long time…

“Yeah, I’ve made sure it’ll be clear. So you don’t need to worry.”

Palinchron declared this with a bright expression. He continued to weave his words with a lack of hesitation that would convince anyone.

I wavered.

And then, I felt “something” enter me.

Ah.

If even that Palinchron was declaring it so firmly, then there was no need to pursue this any furth—

“Well, that settles that problem. Now then, I need to hurry and get ready for Lauravia. If I don’t leave soon, I’ll run into the people I’m supposed to be avoiding.”

—No, that’s wrong.

I shoved that “something” back out. Another “something” deep within my heart rejected it.

Wrong. I still hadn’t been told anything.

“Wait, Palinchron! Give me a straight answer!”

“Hm? Still not convinced, I see… As always, Kanami, your Resistance is incredible…”

I called out to stop Palinchron as he tried to leave the room. Halted, he scratched his head with a troubled look.

“What are you saying? More importantly, we need to—”

“Actually, I suppose it can’t be helped… In that case, let’s make a deal.”

“A deal…?”

“Let’s see… If you defeat the 30th Floor Guardian, I’ll tell you. Everything about ‘Christ,’ and about those girls you likely met today. I’ll tell you it all.”

“The… the Guardian…?”

“It’s a trade. As you know, I’m a twisted man who doesn’t move for free. But I will trade. If there’s something you want, prepare something of equal value. Kanami.”

With a look as if he’d just had a brilliant idea, Palinchron proposed something outrageous.

“Even so, jumping straight to a Guardian is reckless. The 30th floor is uncharted territory, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s a perfectly reasonable proposal. It’s for the good of everyone, and the difficulty isn’t actually that high. With how you are now, Kanami, it’ll be a breeze.”

“………..”

This condition was likely the greatest concession Palinchron was willing to make. The fact that he brought up a deal instead of just smooth-talking was proof of that. Everyone in “Epic Seeker” knew that Palinchron was only ever sincere when it came to business transactions.

With those final words, Palinchron moved to leave the room. I decided that pressing him further wasn’t the best move and watched him go. I had managed to get a commitment out of him. While I couldn’t deny he was stalling for time, it was progress for now.

The last thing I wanted was to sour his mood here and have even this deal retracted. That would mean everything ending without me hearing a single truth.

Above all, he was the person who saved my life. To trouble my savior any further would be…

The person… who saved my life…?

Seeing me standing still instead of chasing after Palinchron, Snow gave me a questioning look.

“…You aren’t going to go after him, Kanami?”

“Ah, yeah. It’s fine. Palinchron mentioned a trade. I can trust him when it comes to deals, at least…”

“…I see.”

Snow replied briefly, looking dissatisfied. She didn’t seem convinced by the exchange. And I—vaguely—understood why she felt that way. But I couldn’t bring myself to admit it.

Something was missing to make that admission… I still didn’t have enough.

The situation, the information, the status—everything was full of holes.

I slowly stepped out of the office. Snow, perhaps assuming we were done for the day, left through the window to head to her own room.

I was a little exhausted today. I walked unsteadily toward the room where Maria was waiting. The sun had already set, and it was pitch black outside. However, Maria was rubbing her sleepy eyes, waiting for my return.

“Welcome back, Brother.”

My beloved sister gave me her best smile. It was a very happy thing.

But the sense of wrongness I had felt since that day continued to torment me. My head throbbed with a dull, pulsing pain.

“I’m home, Maria. How are you feeling?”

“Yes, I’ve recovered quite a bit. I can already move around—”

“What about headaches? Does your head hurt at all?”

I asked Maria. Those girls had called Maria their companion. Even Palinchron had been talkative when it came to her. I had to confirm.

“Headaches? W-well, I suppose I have a little bit of one…”

“Then, Lastiara Huzya. Diablo Sith. Do those names sound familiar?”

“What’s this all of a sudden…? I’ve never heard them.”

“I see…”

Maria appeared to know nothing. However, she did have a headache. There was a high possibility it was the same kind of headache I had.

I slowly began to piece the situation together. It was like filling in a crossword puzzle, getting closer to the answer bit by bit. But I still didn’t have enough. I was only just starting to fill it in. Even if I could vaguely make out the shape of the whole, I couldn’t be certain.

In the end, the deal with Palinchron was the fastest route. Above all, attempting to fulfill that deal would directly serve as my current defensive measure anyway.

To prepare for a fight with those abnormal girls, raising my level in the Labyrinth was essential regardless. If the 30th Floor Guardian stood at the end of that path, it was only natural to make that my goal.

Ultimately, I would choose the deal. And I had a feeling Palinchron knew that.

Having no other choice, I decided to dive into the Labyrinth with the 30th floor as my goal.

“Brother, is something wrong…? Is it something about those people you mentioned…?”

“No, it’s nothing… I was just a little curious.”

“I see…”

“There’s no need to worry. More importantly, if your headache is still there, let’s get to sleep.”

“Ah, okay.”

Hearing me mention sleep, Maria happily made some space and invited me into the bed.

“A-as I thought, we’re sleeping together…?”

“We’re siblings, so of course we are.”

“…Right.”

Even though I knew Maria felt lonely, there were some things I still couldn’t get used to. If I refused here, Maria would be sad, so I could only nod.

And as usual, Maria and I held hands and closed our eyes.

While feeling Maria’s warmth, I thought. The things I didn’t understand. The things I doubted. The things that were missing. The things that were precious.

The more I thought, the more my head ached. But I had no intention of stopping. I knew that if I stopped now, I would regret it.

So, no matter what pain attacked me, I didn’t stop thinking until I finally fell into sleep.