“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...? - 76-77

Chapter 76: My Condolences

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“…Your influence is really something, Athos.”

While I was stroking Midi, Lazuli, looking pale, peeked out from the side. I didn’t quite understand what she was talking about, but with a strained face she quickly explained what had happened while we were apart.

“—That’s how it went. In the end, that girl took down all the birds there by herself. She was about to collapse from mana exhaustion at the end, but somehow she still looked happy about it… And after she finished, she just sat on top of the monster and waited for you to come back, Athos. Hardly even blinking, staring at the cave the whole time…”

Sitting on top of the monster she controlled (a corpse), eyes wide open, staring into the darkness of the cave… The image, just imagining it, was quite a shocking sight.

“…Hey, don’t you think you might have raised a terrifying monster without realizing it? If you don’t take responsibility, you’ll end up dead one of these days…”

“…Maybe.”

Lazuli’s worried words pierced my chest. Just like Ripley, Midi had changed over these past three years… No, to be precise, it was me who had changed her.

“Still though… She made quite a show of it, didn’t she? Was that girl really that strong?”

“Yeah, she’s much stronger than she was three years ago… In terms of speed, I’d say she’s faster than me or you, Lazuli.”

“Faster than me—did you just say that? …Looks like you’ve forgotten my speed after not seeing me for a while. Fine then. Once that girl wakes up, we’ll have a race and settle once and for all who’s the fastest…!”

I hadn’t intended to provoke her, but I had ended up igniting her pride. Once we got Ripley back to normal, I’d better apologize to her first…

“Huh? Come to think of it, where’s Hel—”

“I’m right here.”

At that moment, a sharp chill like a blade ran down my spine. Overwhelmed by the hair-raising pressure, I turned around. There she was—Hel, smiling sweetly, but with her face shrouded in an unnaturally dark shadow.

“H-Hel… Long time no see… Where have you been…?”

“It hasn’t really been that long, I think… but anyway. I left the cave first to scout the area. There were a few flies buzzing around, but they won’t be coming near again, so don’t worry.”

Hel reported calmly. But all I could focus on was trying to read her mood.

“Well then—enough about me… You seem to be enjoying yourself quite a bit, Athos. Does stroking that woman’s hair feel that good?”

This is bad. She’s definitely in a foul mood. She even stopped calling me “Master” and used my name directly. That’s proof enough…

“…………”

My hand stopped, and that seemed to make Midi aware of Hel’s presence. She looked at me with an obviously displeased face, waiting for my answer.

“…Yeah, it felt good. Midi’s hair is fluffy, and it kind of has this faint natural fragrance… Like touching a big ball of cotton.”

“—H-hhh…!!?”

Caught off guard by the sudden confession, Midi turned bright red from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, blinking rapidly.

“…Hmm, I see… Well, I’ll at least commend you for not lying.”

Apparently satisfied, Hel suppressed the pressure she had been releasing, though she still looked displeased. I let out a sigh of relief—but only for a moment. Suddenly, Hel’s head bumped softly against the hand I had placed on my chest.

“…What is it? Come on… You understand, don’t you?”

Understanding her indirect message, I reached out with my free hand and touched her black hair, moving my hand side to side. Naturally, I kept stroking with the other hand as well.

““—Ahh♡””

Fortunately, both of them seemed satisfied, letting out small sounds of pleasure as my hands moved.

“…………”

“…What?”

“Nothing… I thought you were amazing, but it looks like it’s even harder than I imagined. My condolences.”

From a distance, Lazuli sent me a smirking look that said “none of my business,” and I shot back at her with all the silent force that said “this isn’t a show.”

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Chapter 77: Defeat Is Ever Present

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“…So. Did you properly accomplish your objective, Master?”

Perhaps because she was in a better mood after being petted, Hel—having returned to calling me “Master”—looked up at me and asked me that question.

“Yeah, Midi and Lazuli brought back the egg safely. Now, there’s still one more original objective I have to fulfill.”

I drew back both my hands and headed toward Ripley, who was resting.

“…………”

Because of the reckless way she had used her power, her consciousness still hadn’t returned, but her breathing was steady enough. Right now, I should be able to make contact with her heart.

“Hel, give me the power of Corrosive Touch.”

“I understand. I don’t like the idea of having more rivals, but this was part of our contract from the beginning, so I suppose I can’t refuse.”

At my words, Hel sent her own magic into me through the crest engraved on the back of her hand. Feeling power filled my entire body, I turned again to Ripley and poured the power of Corrosive Touch into her body. Just as with Midi, my consciousness began to blur, and a sensation like dreaming washed over me.

I gently let go of my fading awareness and instead clutched tightly the firm resolve of “I will absolutely bring her back,” as I dove deep into the depths of Ripley’s heart.

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What lay inside Ripley was truly a “lie” like a thicket of thorns. Covered in barbs, it bound her heart tightly, overflowed her emotions, and with every heartbeat brought sharp pain. (Athos is dead.)  (He won’t ever return.)  (The Demon King must be defeated.) —Such false memories had become chains, depriving her of freedom. Yet within that bondage, a true heart—fragile yet firm like steel—lay quietly, holding its breath.

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Defeat had always been at my side.

Perhaps because both my parents were famous adventurers, I was born with high physical ability. Recommended by the guild, I entered the training institute it ran, aiming to walk the same path as my parents.

Around me were other children my age, gathered from everywhere because their talents had been recognized just like mine. Yet even they apparently didn’t have the ability to defeat monsters alone. That was why I had never even considered losing to someone my age, nor had I needed to.

…Yes—until he came.

“—That’s it! Winner, Athos Sildrad!”

“””Whaaaaaaa!!!”””

At the referee’s announcement, the apprentice adventurers surrounding one corner of the training ground erupted in cheers. The thunderous applause was not for the boy whose sword had been knocked from his hands and left defenseless, but for the victor who had knocked it away.

“Another win for Athos! Amazing! How many in a row is that now!?”

“…His movements are simple, but everyone gets done in by that decisiveness… When he pushes like that, no matter what you do, you end up on the defensive…”

“Yeah, but think about it. Could you actually move like that if swords and fists suddenly came flying at you?”

“…………Ain’t no way.”

“Right? Someone even tried to push back against him and ended up in the infirmary. You really shouldn’t try something stupid against him.”

As voices praising Athos filled the air, my body twitched at the word “infirmary” I happened to catch.

Not yet, I’ve only lost once. If I increase my speed next time…

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One week later.

“—Winner, Athos Shildrad!”

..That makes fifty losses in a row. But next time…!

And so, even as I piled up losses, I used the reflection and growth I gained from them as fuel to keep challenging Athos. It must have been my petty pride getting in the way. While everyone else calmly accepted the difference in ability, I couldn’t bring myself to accept the reality of losing to him.

“Wow, Ripley’s at it again… After being beaten that badly, you’d think she’d get that she can’t win.”

“She used to act like she was the top, so now she can’t back down. Well, we all figured out long ago we can’t beat him. Adventurers just have to take on requests within their limits, so there’s no need to get worked up about it.”

From a distance, I heard those cold voices.

..Yeah, that’s right. I can’t back down anymore.

I lowered my gaze, clenched my fists, and bit my lip. The first defeat I had ever experienced, and humiliation. If I didn’t wipe this away, I felt sure a sense of inferiority would haunt my heart for life. But I wasn’t stupid. I already understood that there was a gap in strength between me and him.

So for now, it’s fine to take it one step at a time… If I can get just a little closer, someday—

And so my goal shifted to Athos, and with my eyes and my feet I chased after his back relentlessly. I was deliberately averting my eyes from the reality that such a sweet idea as “one step at a time” most clearly showed the gap between us.

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