Chapter 39 – Sheila's Friend

“Half the reward money… Theodore seems to think… that with my information, anyone could have saved everyone like that.”

Sheila looked at me for a while before saying such a thing.

“I don’t think anyone else could have acted the same way. It’s true that I’m grateful.”

“…I understand.”

Sheila showed a small smile. Then she erased that smile again and spoke with a serious expression.

“And if you don’t mind… I’d like you to get along with my friend. She’s at the Adventurer Guild right now.”

“Ah… that means…”

“…Irmhild is a Lamia. She grew up with us in the West District.”

The West District… that would be where the slums are.

“A Lamia? Then wouldn’t you be worried about her current situation under the Adventurer Guild’s custody? If you’d told me earlier, I could have been more considerate about that too.”

“I didn’t know if Theodore would help upon hearing she’s a Lamia… and I couldn’t impose that much. I actually wanted to get her out of the Adventurer Guild myself… but since the Guild side isn’t treating her roughly, I decided not to make a big deal out of it.”

“…I see.”

Perhaps she might be making contact amidst the confusion of the Demon incident.

Lamia are Monsters with human upper bodies and snake lower bodies. Their attitude toward humans varies greatly from individual to individual, ranging from friendly to hostile, but they can take human Form, and there are even stories of them falling in love with humans.

Within the Adventurer Guild, there are quite a few who have experiences of being helped by such non-hostile Monsters.

Even excluding the risk of making entire tribes hostile through rough treatment, friendly Monsters are surprisingly well-treated.

And then… well, I’ve heard there are guys who become adventurers dreaming of romance with female-type Monsters. Adventurers as a breed are nicely stupid.

So she’s worried her friend might be treated coldly by me… is that it?

There were no Lamia in the information I saw at Caduceus. What I saw were Siren and Harpy. That means Irmhild might have been taking human Form while captured.

“She is indeed a Lamia, but she doesn’t attack humans. Rabbits and birds are enough for her.”

…I see. I understand what Sheila wants to say. Being arbitrarily rejected by someone you don’t know can’t be pleasant.

While I personally don’t mind not being understood by strangers, there are others who do. Sheila’s consideration to prevent her friend from getting hurt makes sense.

Lamia are sometimes despised and identified with Vampires because they obtain nutrition through bloodsucking. Unlike Vampire bloodsucking, it’s neither lethal nor contagious, and since animals can serve as targets, coexistence with humans isn’t difficult if there’s mutual understanding.

“I understand. Well, I don’t think Sheila-san’s worries are necessary.”

It’s not like I’d despise someone just because they suck blood. The reason goes without saying.

“Because I am a Dhampir.”

As Grace smiled, Sheila blinked. Then she closed her eyes and nodded.

“I see. Then I won’t worry any further. I trust Theodore.”

“…Sheila-san, I’d like to ask you something. Where did that person come from to the Boundary City?”

“She said she came from the Labyrinth a long time ago… and couldn’t return.”

Hmm. Does that mean Irmhild would be good for hearing about Labyrinth Monsters?

“Couldn’t return?”

“She said Monsters started attacking from the Labyrinth, and she couldn’t go deeper anymore.”

Hmm. Did she become recognized as a foreign object after leaving the Labyrinth once?

Considering that items taken from the Labyrinth aren’t lost even when using Red Transfer Stones when bringing them back in, this seems somewhat understandable.

Still, Irmhild, huh? If she’s accustomed to human society, might I be able to hear stories that are easier to understand intuitively? Or if it’s an old story, it might not be useful as reference, but that’s something I can judge after hearing it.

“We’ve arranged to talk once Irmhild-san’s condition improves, but will Sheila-san come along too?”

“…Is that okay?”

“She’s your friend, right? It would be difficult for you to show your face at the Adventurer Guild alone.”

“…Thank you. I’m in your debt.”

“I’m also interested in what someone from the Labyrinth might have to say.”

Eventually, Rosetta and Sheila left, and we were down to three people.

Since it was already evening, we all made dinner together and gathered around the dining table.

Then each of us took baths to wash off sweat and dirt. We sat on the couch and spent time relaxing together as three.

Since we’d been in the Labyrinth, Grace needed to relieve her backlash even though it wasn’t morning. The bloodsucking impulse doesn’t disappear even if left alone. The more you endure it, the worse it becomes when the next “thirst” arrives.

In other words, like Ashley’s Circulating Ki, it’s important to continue doing it daily. I also had Ashley perform Circulating Ki during this time. However, there’s no particular correct posture for Circulating Ki… lately, I can’t help but feel that the closeness with Grace is increasing day by day.

“I love how warm it feels during Circulating Ki.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Somehow today… Ashley seems to be actively clinging to me more than usual. In a similar posture to Grace, she rests her cheek on my shoulder.

Hmm. For Ashley, this was her first real battle. The Brave Wind effect must have worn off too… so that’s probably it.

“Well. You did good work today.”

When I said that, Ashley’s cheeks reddened slightly.

“I’m sorry. Eventually, I’ll be fine without relying on Magic.”

“Don’t worry about it. Would it be better for the three of us to sleep together again today?”

She seemed to hesitate for just a moment, but eventually Ashley nodded slightly, giving a small “un.”

Well then… let’s do that. If I endure, things generally resolve peacefully, and today I’ll probably be overcome by sleepiness anyway.

“Ashley-sama was experiencing both real battle and the Labyrinth for the first time, so it can’t be helped. I’ve also had times when Theo patted my head to calm me down after dangerous experiences during hunts.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Um…”

I did do that too. When Grace was going out hunting would be during the period shortly after Mother died. I was feeling anxious back then too.

Hmm. But bringing up that story in this context now…

Grace is smiling gently.

…Well, I’m fine with it.

While continuing Circulating Ki, I stroke Ashley’s lustrous silver hair.

“It feels kind of ticklish.”

Ashley giggled and squirmed slightly. Watching such Ashley, Grace narrows her eyes as if looking at something endearing.

Um.

If the two are equal, then Grace should be too. I wrap my arms around both their slender shoulders and slide my fingers through their hair.

“Mmm…”

Grace narrows her eyes and leans her body against me.

Since we just took baths, the scent of shampoo and soap made from Savona Tree sap wafts into my nostrils. The texture of their hair, their touch, their scent are all wonderful… but the more wonderful they are, the less composure I have internally.

Trying not to think too much while continuing, Ashley started dozing off, nodding sleepily. She must be tired. I lay her down and let her sleep on my lap.

“Today… how about sleeping right here like this?”

“Well… it would be pitiful to wake her up.”

“I’ll go get blankets.”

Grace stood up and went upstairs.

“Mmm… fa… ther… mo… ther…”

Ashley murmured small sleep talk on my lap. I stroke her hair as before.

…That’s right.

Ashley’s circumstances are similar to mine. I think I understand why she’s proactive about entering the Labyrinth and fighting Monsters.

If you know you have power… and that you can become stronger, then it’s worth making the effort. And the reassurance of having someone with you when you’re feeling anxious.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Grace covers Ashley’s body with a blanket and drapes one over my shoulders too. She sits beside me and shares the same blanket.

“Well then, good night.”

“Good night, Theo.”

I extinguish the Magic light spheres floating near the ceiling and close my eyes.

It’s a bit early to sleep, but since we plan to head to the Labyrinth again tomorrow, resting our bodies is important. Combined with not having slept well yesterday, sleepiness quickly overcame me.