Chapter 123 – Return

Various pieces of luggage were being unloaded from the ship. The assassins trapped in the stone coffins were also considered part of the cargo. Though their reactions to being carried out differed somewhat, the only possible resistance they could muster was cursing the soldiers with foul language.

Roy had gagged them and covered their heads completely to keep them quiet, since causing a commotion at the port would be troublesome. They were shouting something from inside the stone coffins, but they were carried out by the soldiers just like regular luggage. Well, King Melvin would probably handle the rest smoothly.

“You’re… quite merciless toward your enemies,” Prince Josiah remarked with some astonishment.

“That depends on the opponent,” I replied.

Hearing this, Prince Josiah gave a wry smile.

“Well then, Theo-kun. Next time, at the workshop or the Royal Castle.”

“Mm. Understood.”

“And Theodore-kun, I’ll properly express my gratitude another time.”

“I’d like to speak with you again sometime as well.”

“Yes, Your Highness Stephania, Your Highness Helfried.”

After exchanging words with Albert and the others like that, we parted ways. The royals boarded their carriages with their escort soldiers and returned to the Royal Castle.

Marlene and I already had our welcome party waiting for us.

We had contacted them via magic communicator from the sea that we would be arriving at Termwills soon, and it seemed they had been waiting at the port for the ship’s arrival.

“Welcome home.”

“Welcome back!”

It was Ashley who called out to us. Seraphina flew out from the carriage and began circling around me.

“Mm. I’m home.”

“Are you both uninjured?”

“We’re fine. Is everyone else okay too?”

They must have been involved in capturing the kidnappers on this side as well.

“No problems. Compared to our usual training, that was nothing,” Sheila said nonchalantly. Well, I could hear about their achievements in detail after we returned home.

“Grace.”

“…Welcome home, Theo.”

I smiled at Grace, who was sitting calmly in the carriage. Her eyes were the red color of blood. First, I took her hand and activated the Cursed Tool.

“Mmm…”

Grace let out a small, languid sound and closed her eyes. It had been left in its released form for several days, so the sense of relief seemed greater now that she was accustomed to the sensation.

Grace slowly raised her face, showing a soft smile as she spoke.

“I’m glad you’re safe.”

“You too, Grace.”

“…I heard you’ve regained Marlene-sama’s voice.”

“Ah—”

Everyone’s gaze turned to Marlene. Marlene smiled somewhat awkwardly before speaking again.

“However, right now—”

“Welcome home.”

“Welcome back, Marlene-sama.”

Everyone welcomed her with smiling faces as she looked bashful. Marlene would probably continue to—only use her voice for particularly special occasions, but reporting her return with her voice restored to everyone likely counted as one of those special moments for her.

We boarded the carriage and headed home.

First, I changed out of my constricting butler uniform and relaxed by leaning back against the large chair in the living room.

We had acquired new furniture resembling a sofa bed. This way, we could sit on the chair with our legs stretched out… and spend time together.

Grace, perhaps experiencing some backlash, was resting her body against me with her eyes quietly closed. Ashley’s internal magic power also seemed somewhat disturbed. Marlene was also lying on the sofa bed, recovering from the fatigue of the journey.

Since we had been away for several days, I wanted to spend today relaxing at home.

So we decided to spend our time lounging in the living room.

“How were the kidnappers?”

“Nothing special. We fought about five of them, but the monsters in the labyrinth are tougher.”

“I didn’t even get a chance to participate,” Grace said with a wry smile.

It seemed that for them, training with me felt more challenging than the ordinary monsters in the labyrinth… which meant the kidnappers couldn’t put up much of a fight.

“More interesting was Seraphina.”

“Seraphina?”

Seraphina, who had been floating leisurely around the living room, turned a smile toward us.

“I can send and gather sounds.”

Seraphina’s voice reached me right by my ear, even though she was floating quite far away. She smiled proudly and cheerfully.

“She was able to distract the kidnappers with that ability.”

…I see. An ability related to sound, perhaps. It might be a remnant of her nature when she was a Banshee. Sending sounds must refer to what she just did—whispering right by my ear. Gathering sounds—could she also collect sounds from far away?

…That’s a useful ability.

She could create noises to lure enemies or gather surrounding sounds for reconnaissance. Plus, it pairs well with party members. Combined with Sheila’s five senses, it would expand our detection range even further, and we might be able to make more effective use of Irmhild’s String Resonance.

Or, if she got serious, she might even be able to use techniques like the Resonance Bullet she employed as a Banshee.

“I want to go to the labyrinth with you too,” Seraphina said suddenly with a serious expression. She didn’t like being left behind, it seemed.

“Hmm… What does everyone think?”

If she moves together with Ashley or Marlene, who are in the rearguard, the safety level should be high. We can figure out the formation details ourselves…

“With Seraphina along, we could do various things.”

There didn’t seem to be any objections. They had actually worked together this time and witnessed her usefulness firsthand.

“Then we’ll proceed while observing the situation. Okay, Seraphina. Let’s go to the labyrinth together.”

“Really!?”

“Yeah.”

Hearing this, Seraphina smiled happily and began flying around the room. Lavigne let out a big yawn.

The household had become more crowded and lively with more members… but the time flowing here felt peaceful.

Grace and Marlene had unknowingly begun to breathe in their sleep.

“They must both be tired. I’ll bring some blankets,” Ashley said, smiling with narrowed eyes before leaving the chair.

Grace had probably been fighting her bloodsucking urges and restraining herself, worried she might break something, and Marlene… might have been affected by the fatigue of the sea voyage. Though it was supposed to be a restful trip, it turned out to be anything but a vacation.

Listening to the crackling of the firewood, I stretched deeply.

Now then. The sealed door of the Magic Light Water Vein hasn’t been found yet. We need to continue with the strategy.

Since we have information that the sealed door is here, we don’t have to worry about it being a false lead. Emotionally, that gives us plenty of leeway. Let’s proceed with the exploration without rushing.

We’ll continue with the plan of wearing bubble armor and moving through the water. Other adventurer groups exploring the Magic Light Water Vein noticed us moving underwater and looked at us as if we were strange.

“Hello.”

I raised a hand in greeting, and they returned it with stunned expressions.

Well… I can understand how they feel. When tackling the Magic Light Water Vein, the water areas are normally kill zones.

It’s a section where you have to watch out for enemies leaping out from the water while avoiding falling in as much as possible. That said, not all monsters are in the water, so it’s a place that really wears on your nerves.

We surprised them because we were deliberately exploring mainly underwater.

After a brief exchange of greetings, we parted ways with them and advanced through a completely submerged cave—when a figure appeared from deeper inside.

A figure. But not a group exploring underwater like us.

Fishfolk with gills and fins. The Merfolk. They’re warriors who move quite sharply in water, but with our bubble armor, we can move freely too, so we shouldn’t fall behind in terms of mobility.

Grasping their spears and parting the water… they headed straight for us.

“Going in.”

No sooner had she spoken than Grace stepped forward.

Kicking off the cave wall, she charged head-on into the group of Merfolk. The lead Merfolk tried to counter Grace with its spear—but it picked the wrong opponent.

The spear was severed along with its wielder, split in two like a butterflied fish. She didn’t stop. Using a magic shield to leap sideways once, she kicked off the cave wall and returned like a pinball.

Twisting her body to avoid the thrusting spear, she smashed it with her axe. Dragging them into the bubbles, slamming them against the rock face, catching and crushing them—that sort of thing. I also moved to the vanguard, fighting to protect Grace’s back.

The spear techniques the Merfolk use aren’t particularly impressive… but their movements are somewhat unique compared to land creatures, making engagements rather interesting. For instance, they might deliver a thrust while simultaneously spinning their bodies to change their target.

I entangled the spear with my dragon staff, lifting it up. When their posture broke, I swept them away like with a naginata, crushing them.

As for Grace—no need to worry. Grabbing the spear firmly, she allowed no resistance, pulling them in while swinging her axe to bisect them. She was cutting them down indiscriminately.

She was rampaging more than usual—but… with the protection of the Magic Inquisitor’s family and the capture of the kidnappers… it seemed Grace wasn’t given many opportunities and had been waiting in her released form.

In short, staying still and behaving while released was an unexpectedly new situation for Grace, and it seemed quite stressful for her. It must be difficult to control her strength.

We have Irmhild’s new equipment, combat methods incorporating Seraphina, and so on—but… for today, let’s proceed with the exploration while supporting Grace.