Chapter 38 – Monsters and Labyrinths

“Ah, Theo-kun, Grace-san.”

“Oh, everyone’s here too.”

While I was talking with Heather, the members of Forestbird showed up at the Adventurer Guild.

“We heard about it! You fought a Demon this time, right?”

“I knew you were strong, but… I never imagined you’d become a Demon Slayer at that age. Next you’ll be a Dragon Slayer, won’t you?”

“No… dragons are another matter. The Demon was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.”

Well, more like… when I saw the Demon causing trouble, I didn’t like it and charged in on my own. But if I’m honest about that part, it would probably just worry Grace, so I’ll keep the details to myself.

Besides, I don’t have any particular grudge against dragons. It’s troubling when people talk as if defeating one is a given.

“And Ashley-sama is with you too. That outfit… are you going into the Labyrinth together?”

From their reaction, they seem to know that Ashley came to Termwills and had that trouble with Count Cardiff’s family at the academy.

The Adventurer Guild is a place where information gathers. We’re acquainted with Forestbird, and there was that Snake Bite incident too, so if rumors spread, they’d naturally reach their ears.

“Since I can use Healing Magic, I thought it would be good to gain practical experience while considering my future.”

“Haaaah. You’re all so accomplished.”

Lucian replied with an impressed yet casual tone.

“Forestbird members, which area of the Labyrinth are you currently exploring?”

When Grace asked, they answered with a laugh.

“We’re aiming for the old Mine since we heard you can find Gems and minerals there. We’ve reached the 9th floor, but… it’s so vast, it’s tough. We’re about to enter the Labyrinth now.”

“So we’ll be going down below, and you’ll be up above then.”

The old Mine area is relatively normal by Labyrinth standards. There aren’t many nasty Traps, so Forestbird should manage fine.

“How far down have you gone?”

“About the 15th underground floor, I think.”

“So fast!”

Well, for us, there aren’t really any obstacles.

“Ah, Theodore-san. About what we were discussing earlier. Among those kidnapped by the Count’s family, there were Monsters, right?”

When Heather asked, I nodded.

“Yes, there were. The Adventurer Guild has custody of them now, right?”

Depending on the species, Monsters aren’t necessarily hostile to humans, and communication is sometimes possible. Count Cardiff’s policy was to selectively kidnap not only adventurers but also such Monsters, intending to sell them as slaves.

Well, I don’t know whether those Monsters came from inside or outside the Labyrinth. It seems there were summoning methods involved too.

It was obvious the kidnapping victims would be released, but I was somewhat curious about what would happen to the Monsters.

If their intelligence is high enough to communicate, there’s a risk of turning previously friendly tribes hostile, so they need to be handled carefully.

“That’s right. It seems they encouraged each other while captured. The victims pleaded with us to help them. They’re somewhat weakened, so we’re waiting for recovery, but the Guild wants to be cautious and treat them as respectfully as possible.”

“Hmm.”

“And well… once they’ve calmed down, they said they’d like to speak with you, Theodore-san.”

“That’s… why?”

“You’re the benefactor who freed them, right? They want to thank you.”

…Hmm. Monsters wanting to talk to me, huh.

“Understood. I don’t mind having a conversation.”

“Then I’ll let them know.”

I’m interested in Monster ecology too.

Especially the Monsters that “spawn” in the Labyrinth. Where and how they’re born, what they think about while living, things like that.

Because it seems Monster thought and behavior patterns differ inside and outside the Labyrinth.

In nature, a Cutter Mantis and a Huge Spider wouldn’t be crammed in the same room waiting together peacefully. They’d definitely be trying to prey on each other.

Different species cooperating to fight adventurers just doesn’t happen normally.

Most Monster species in the Labyrinth coexist without fighting. Even when they battle adventurers entering the Labyrinth, it doesn’t seem primarily about satisfying hunger, but rather about preventing adventurers from reaching the Labyrinth Depths.

Including that aspect… if there are Monsters from the Labyrinth, I’d like to hear their circumstances.

As a common trait among Monsters, powerful ones nest where natural Magical Energy Pools form. Books say they store Magical Power in the Magic Stone components within their bodies, converting it into activity energy. Well then. I wonder what kind of stories I’ll hear.

We received the Subjugation Reward from the Adventurer Guild. Later, there will be reward money for resolving the kidnapping incident and the Demon Subjugation.

Regarding the Gauntlets from the treasure chest, they apparently have a strength Enhancement Enchant, so I decided to keep them. I think they’ll serve a supportive role when Ashley swings her Mace around.

After parting with Forestbird and Heather, we did some shopping at the Market and returned home to find Rosetta and Sheila standing in front of the mansion, keeping their distance while eyeing each other warily.

Rosetta wore her usual smile while seemingly sizing up Sheila, and Sheila, while her expressionless eyes looked somewhat sleepy, was calmly observing Rosetta.

“…What are you two doing?”

“My. Theodore-kun. Welcome back.”

“Theodore. I came to thank you.”

“And who is this?”

“Um. Her name is Sheila. She was instrumental in solving the kidnapping incident… I think.”

“Ah. The collaborator you mentioned yesterday?”

“That’s right.”

I’d given Grace and Ashley a summarized version of recent events. I hadn’t gone into detail about Sheila, especially regarding her connection to the Thieves Guild.

“I don’t really understand, but there’s no need to worry? I saw her loitering around your house, so I was about to ask her some questions.”

“I’m here for the same reason.”

…It seemed Rosetta and Sheila had the same purpose—to question each other.

Rosetta’s reason is understandable, but Sheila… is she worried about the repercussions spreading from the information she brought?

“Well, standing around talking isn’t ideal. Why don’t both of you come inside? We can at least offer tea.”

We decided to talk over tea in the reception room. I had things I wanted to discuss with Sheila too.

But somehow… the female ratio around me is pretty high.

“Hmm. So today’s Labyrinth exploration went quite smoothly, it seems.”

“Yes. These two helped me.”

Apparently, Rosetta came to teach Ashley Magic. They were having a one-on-one lesson in the corner of the reception room.

Between teaching her hidden Magic and all, it feels like Rosetta and Ashley have completely entered a master-disciple relationship.

Rosetta hasn’t met Talcott yet, it seems… but when I relayed what I heard from Heather, she seemed quite pleased. Eventually, I’ll probably get further updates about the Prince and Talcott from Rosetta—the kind that wouldn’t come through the Adventurer Guild.

“Ah, Sheila-san. When the reward money for the kidnapping resolution comes, I’ll give you your share. If we need to negotiate the amount, I’m open to discussion. Since we didn’t set terms beforehand, how about a 50-50 split?”

As I broached the topic while drinking the tea Grace prepared, Sheila tilted her head.

“Everyone thinks the incident was resolved thanks to you. I can’t accept more money on top of that.”

Sheila… she definitely knows about Caduceus, huh. Well, she probably heard from her captured friend, and gathering information from there would lead to me.

“The kidnapping resolution is more your achievement than mine, Sheila-san. I’ll be receiving the Demon Subjugation reward too, so this is fine.”

From my perspective, I used the information she provided to solve the case, settled the troubles around me, and even get reward money. Not giving Sheila a share… well, I think it goes against professional ethics.

Whether she understands what I’m getting at or not, Sheila’s expression barely changes… but well, she’s usually like this.