Chapter 131: Types of Strength
At Sara’s words, Dinoss and the others look at me, but I’m empty-handed since I’ve already put my belongings into [Storage].
“Is bread and cheese okay?”
“Thank you. Thanks to Whyle, my body shape and condition haven’t changed even without eating, but I still get hungry. It’s been a week.”
I happily accept the bread and cheese that Shiva offers.
It seems that because my condition hasn’t changed, I don’t feel hunger even after not eating for a long time, and the feeling of emptiness just continues. That sounds pretty tough.
“Jean, while you’re going to get your stuff, could you call the others up? We still have time, right? Let’s dismantle this.”
“Is this kid going to be okay?”
“She seems calm, so it should be fine.”
Shiva and the Butler say while glancing into the box.
“Alright, I’ll be right back.”
I figured Dinoss was trying to distance me from the suspicious Sara, so I stepped away from the box and stood up.
Suddenly, ears popped out from the box. Along with them, a nose was poking out too.
“I’ll be back soon.”
I had a slight bad feeling, but it seemed okay to leave.
I ran while holding the lantern, and once Dinoss and the others’ lights disappeared from view, I really took off.
I tried to ninja my way up the vertical shaft with a series of jumps, but ended up hitting the back of my head against the wall. I decided to climb up using my hands and feet instead…
“That was one hell of a noise.”
Dean’s voice.
“Was that a Three-Horn!?”
That was my head.
“No, it doesn’t feel like a Demon Beast.”
Dean answers Retze’s question.
“Why are you still here?”
I finally took a leap and landed gracefully. If I didn’t mention the back of my head, no one would know.
“Jean!”
The children rushed to hug me.
“Jean.”
Ash had a scary look on his face.
“Oh, you’re safe!”
“It looks like you’re not hurt.”
“You didn’t break anything down there, did you?”
Retze seemed a bit different!
Since Chris’s intuition hadn’t kicked in, he judged that this floor was safe and decided to wait for just a little while due to the children’s wishes.
In case of emergency, it was decided that while Dean held them off, the three would carry the children and run outside, keeping an eye on the kids who were watching the vertical shaft.
“We’ve almost secured the lower level, so let’s dismantle it. Also, there was a strange big… Spirit and a Spirit Possessed woman. No black Demon Beasts or floods.”
I explained the situation while patting the children’s backs.
“A strange woman?”
“A soft-looking pervert.”
I answered Dean’s question succinctly.
“Aren’t you a bit harsh on girls?”
“Is that so?”
“Must be the remnants of those three fake confessions.”
While I was talking with Dean, Retze and the others prepared to head down. Since the vertical shaft was a bit deep, we tied each child to a rope one by one.
Retze was tying En to the rope without saying anything to Dean. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should say something. It was probably a decision based on the strength needed in case of emergency.
I went down first, illuminating the way with my torch. The lantern I brought was attached to Retze’s waist. I felt like I could just hand them out to everyone.
“Ah, it feels like a Three-Horn rat’s nest.”
“Balmoa—Is Shiva taking down more than Dinoss?”
“Hmm, impressive work.”
Dean, Chris, and Ash checked the fallen Demon Beasts as they walked.
Since the children were with us, we decided to gather together before moving on to the dismantling work, walking back the way we came.
While we kept moving, the four of us brought the lantern closer to sneak a peek at the wounds on the Demon Beasts.
“Unexpectedly, there aren’t many Demon Beasts taken down by magic, huh?”
“Why are you looking at me?”
“Well, you were empty-handed.”
Retze subtly averted his gaze.
“I was worried you might collapse the mine shaft with a big spell! Being buried alive would be deadly, you know!”
Chris said with a bright smile.
“That’s terrible!”
“You’re pretty rough, and you’ve got a Spirit attached.”
Dean said with a wry smile.
Ah. When Dinoss said I was “normally” strong, could it have meant that?
If I hadn’t known that Spirits consumed energy, I might have been using flashy magic left and right, or I could have been doing something reckless with Spirits attached to myself or my sword.
I don’t even know how to fight. I need to observe fighting techniques more carefully. I should be more cautious.
But aren’t they treating me a bit harshly?
“Mom! Dad!”
The children dashed toward Dinoss and Shiva.
The light from the lanterns they held illuminated the area, creating a rather touching reunion scene. I’m glad, I’m glad.
“By the way, that girl over there is hoping to be a bride. However, she declared that she can’t and won’t do any housework or childcare. Still, for those who want a bride, good luck.”
“Is she pretty?”
“If she’s my beloved, I’ll handle the housework and childcare!”
“…In that case, who’s going to work?”
Wait, is Chris also the type who wants a bride? Retze seems really practical and realistic.
Following the men who went to greet Sara, I trailed behind Ash. The cat still had its tail sticking out of the box, so it seemed to be stuck there.
“Jean?”
“I’ll pass.”
“I see.”
As I exchanged a few words with Ash, I watched the joyful reunion of the families and the noisy interactions of Dean and the others.
It really is nice.
…Just as I was feeling that way, I suddenly found myself faced with a mountain of dismantling work, and I wanted to go home quickly.