“We’ll Definitely Come Back to Save You!” — It’s Been Three Years Since I Was Left in the Most Difficult Dungeon, Isn’t It About Time for Help to Arrive...? - 38-39

Chapter 38: A True Reunion and a New Spark

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“……Phew.”

As my drifting consciousness finally settled back into my body and my feet firmly touched the ground, I immediately checked on Midi.

“Midi…”

Perhaps due to the earlier strain, her complexion was still pale and her breathing shallow. But even with those lingering concerns, the calm on her face was more than enough to put my mind at ease.

Even though the source of her madness had been removed, I couldn’t afford to lower my guard yet. There was no guarantee she would regain her senses immediately. That was why I carefully and cautiously supported her slender shoulders, remaining fully alert.

“You don’t need to worry so much. She’s your companion, isn’t she, Master? I’m sure she won’t collapse from something like this.”

Seeing me unable to leave Midi’s side, Hel came over and gently leaned in close.

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

As I kept watch, believing in my companion—Midi’s eyelids trembled slightly, and her once-closed eyes slowly opened. There was no trace of malice in those eyes. She just looked faintly sleepy, as usual. That alone was enough to tell me…

She’s back.

“…Athos.”

Her hoarse voice unmistakably called my name.

“Welcome back, Midi.”

The moment I said it, Midi murmured softly as she leaned her forehead against my chest.

“‘Welcome back’… That’s supposed to be my line…”

Her voice was small and flat, but I could clearly feel the emotion carried in that single phrase. Watching her shoulders quiver ever so slightly, I gently stroked the top of her head.

“…I’m sorry I couldn’t come save you… I just decided on my own that you were dead, Athos… Even though I told myself there was no way that could be true…!”

Her trembling lips let out words laced with deep regret.

“…It’s okay. We’re together again now. That’s what matters. So don’t cry, okay?”

I just held Midi close as she sobbed quietly. The thought that the effort I’d put into waiting these past three years had finally paid off made my own eyes sting with emotion. And so, we exchanged words and tears, rejoicing in our true reunion.

*　*　*

For a while, we simply basked in each other’s presence. Just as our tear-streaked faces had finally begun to dry, we made our way over to Hel, who had silently slipped away at some point.

“…Done with your reunion greetings?”

“Yeah. Thanks for giving us the space.”

“…I’m not completely heartless. I figured I could tolerate it for a little while… So, was she really the Midi you knew, Master?”

“There’s no doubt. She’s the real Midi I remember—oh, right, I guess introductions are in order. Go on, say hello.”

“…I’m Midi. A Wizard. I’ve heard about you from Athos… Um… Thank you… For saving me…”

Clinging tightly to my arm, Midi gave a timid little bow to Hel.

“I’m Hel. Former boss monster of Niflheim. Now I’m Master’s familiar. I only lent him my strength, so if you’re going to thank someone, thank Master.”

Though Hel accepted Midi’s gratitude, she shot me a slightly annoyed glance. And just for the record, I didn’t take back the power from the familiar contract earlier, right?

“…Hey, Athos. She’s been calling you ‘Master’ and talking about being a ‘familiar’… What exactly is going on here?”

“Well, it’s kind of a long story. So just roll with it for now, okay?”

“A long story…?”

“That’s because Master needed me, of course. Oh, and if you’re feeling better, kindly stop clinging to him and go home. We’re quite busy, after all.”

“…Huh?”

As Hel gave a teasing little smile, something pitch-black and ominous practically exploded from right beside me.

“…Hel, don’t be so mean. Midi is still recovering, you know.”

While I supported Midi’s nearly collapsing body—overwhelmed from prolonged tracking spells, repeated use of high-level magic, and sheer physical exhaustion—I tried to caution Hel. But then, the weight leaning on my arm suddenly grew heavier.

“W-whoa… I’m totally wiped out… I feel like I’m gonna collapse any second now…”

I caught her body as she slumped at the knees. She didn’t seem able to support herself properly, and her posture remained unsteady.

“Jeez… That’s what you get for pushing yourself too hard. Come on, I’ll carry you. Put your arms around my neck.”

“Eh…!? T-thank you… Athos…”

“…Huh?”

The moment I gave her a piggyback ride, another blast of pitch-black hostility erupted directly in front of me.

“…Your back, Athos… It feels bigger than before… Mmhh… Yeah, I feel safe like this…”

“Hey, you ultra-thin flat-chested girl, trade places right now. And for the record, you don’t get a say in this.”

Did I hear that right? I swear my ears just picked up something outrageous.

“Absolutely not…! Besides, you’re not that much bigger than me… You gross, gloomy, dark-humored sludge-woman… If you want to gloat, go ahead and gloat by yourself…”

So I didn’t mishear that. A remark of the same caliber came loud and clear from directly behind me.

“…Who did you just call ‘sludge-woman’…?”

“…And who are you calling ‘ultra-thin,’ huh…?”

“Wait… What? Wait, wait, wait—?”

Before I knew it, the two sources of overwhelming hostility were colliding with me caught in the middle, birthing the spark of an entirely new conflict.

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Chapter 39: Because He Is Strong, to His Very Marrow

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How sad. Peace was far more fragile than we imagined.

“I said! You’re clinging way too much! Can’t you learn some restraint for once, like your chest!?”

Hel clung tightly to my right arm and hurled her barbed insults, hardened like steel, over my shoulder to the other side.

“You’re the one who’s been ogling Athos this whole time…! If you’re going to say things like that, maybe check your own obvious ulterior motives first…!”

Midi, just as tightly latched onto my left arm, shot back with words spiked with hostility and swung hard without a care for me stuck in the middle. The argument grew more heated. The air got thinner. My arms were being squeezed so hard the blood seemed to drain from them.

“You two, can’t you at least try to get along…”

“Athos is with me… You, who’s a whole lap behind, should sit this one out…”

“Still spouting nonsense, are we? Seems your head hasn’t fully recovered yet. Good. I’ll fix that head of yours myself.”

“Bring it on…”

Tension flared—one wrong move and they’d explode. With a resigned sigh, I yanked my trapped arms free and turned them to face each other.

“If you two want to fight that badly, then why not just go for it? I’ll listen to whatever the winner says.”

“…Heh, surprising. I thought you’d try to stop us… Well then, I’ll gladly take you up on that—”

“—Going all out…”

Both raised their fists and began to close the distance, their killing intent so thick it could suffocate. If looks could kill, they’d have done each other in already.

“Let’s go!!!”

They lunged simultaneously, fists crossing midair. Even as I watched that moment unfold, I didn’t feel the slightest worry. Because—

Pomf pomf pomf pomf…

They didn’t have a shred of power left in them to hurt anyone.

“Nnnghhh!!!”

Pomf pomf pomf pomf…

No matter how much strength they tried to muster, their punches barely had the force of a pouting child’s tantrum. Their battle was making rather adorable sounds instead.

“Great job, both of you~ Keep it up~”

I felt like a parent watching kids race at a school sports day. They were serious, sure—but from my side, the whole thing looked utterly harmless. While I casually watched their squabble like an amused spectator, the two eventually grew tired, lost their balance, and collapsed together in a heap.

“Ouch, ouch! What the heck! Get off me already!”

“You get off…! Your legs are getting tangled around mine…!”

They started bickering again, completely forgetting I even existed, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

If there’s something you just can’t let go of, then sometimes it’s best to fight it out once and for all.

It was a method I often used to mediate between monsters, where strength ruled. Watching this unfold, I realized people and monsters weren’t so different after all.

“Come on, you two, try harder. At this rate, the fight going to end in a draw~”

Oops, I might’ve gotten a little too into it and ended up egging them on. Well, with how weak they were right now, even both of them together wouldn’t pose a threat—I could handle them with one arm.

”…Aren’t we just dancing in Master—no, in Athos’s palm right now?”

”…Yeah, I feel that too… His face is way too smug, it’s getting on my nerves…”

The two started whispering. Was it finally my turn to become the target?

“—Alright then, let’s go with the plan, okay?”

“—Yeah…”

They exchanged a look and a silent nod. Sensing trouble, I braced myself—and sure enough, they both turned their hatred my way and lunged.

Thud!

“That was some solid teamwork. So the fight’s over now?”

Pinned to the ground, I addressed them coolly, keeping my composure.

“Yes, we agreed on a draw. Now it’s your turn—Athos, time to show some humiliation.”

“You’ll pay for toying with us…”

“That’s a pretty harsh way to put it… Well, fine. But you both are so weak now, I could easily just lift an arm and—”

“—Yeah, and send us flying with ease… No doubt about it…”

…Wait, what?

“Right now, we’re basically just fallen leaves stuck to your clothes. One gentle swipe, and we’d be flung far, far away… So go on—do your worst.”

…These two. Were they seriously trying to weaponize their weakness to threaten me?

“Clever move… But controlling that little force isn’t even a challenge for me—”

“You’re forgetting something, aren’t you? Right now, most of my power is flowing through your body, Athos.”

…Oh.

“There might be a hundredfold difference in power between us right now. And besides—”

Next to a grinning Hel, Midi weakly raised a trembling hand and let her magic shimmer.

“—Body Strengthening : Bulk…”

As the magic activated, my body unleashed its inner power.

“Strength enhancement…? Hey, Midi! You don’t even have enough magic for that—don’t cast it!”

“…Sorry… But this much is… Fine… Ehehe…”

Behind the pained expression from the magical drain, a twisted joy flickered in her eyes. Honestly, I had no idea what kind of world she was living in anymore.

“Now Athos is truly invincible. So go on—let loose as much as you want.”

“Damn it, you two… That’s dirty! If I even try to harden my heart a little, you’ll lose instantly…!”

“But that’s exactly why you won’t… Right, Athos?”

Midi gently tapped my stomach with her slender finger, her eyes full of mischief.

“Not resisting, are you? …Well then, let’s see what a couple of weaklings can manage.”

Meanwhile, Hel’s hand slid down toward my leg, fingers creeping mischievously along my thigh like she’d found her next target.

“H-Hey! What are you trying to do!? Cut it out—stop—!”

Because I was strong, they devoured me completely—down to my very marrow—as only the weak could.

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