Upon returning home, my first concern was Maria. By impulsively preparing the Rustiara abduction operation, I had left her behind. However—
“Welcome back, Master.”
Contrary to my expectations, Maria seemed her usual self. She was preparing dinner, so we ate together while making small talk.
“…”
I tried to probe Maria’s feelings but stopped myself. If possible, I wanted to postpone dealing with Maria’s issue until Rustiara returned. Unlike Rustiara’s problem, this wasn’t something that would lead to immediate death. There was a clear difference in urgency.
I decided to focus solely on the Rustiara abduction operation for now. That night, I confined myself to my study and spent endless hours practicing the new magic. I grudgingly spared time for meals, continuing to experiment until my MP ran out. Exhausted, I then fell into a deep sleep.
***
The day of the Christmas festival.
I woke up in the early morning, before the sun had risen. Part of it was habit, but the tension had also woken me up. I planned to leave home just as the sun rose. Dia had told me the ceremony would finish in the morning, and Saint Tiara would be presented to the public around noon. Thus, the early start.
I went to the living room for a light breakfast, using the remaining time.
Maria was standing alone. I was surprised. I had told her “I’ll do nothing” about her situation. I hadn’t expected to run into her at this precise moment. I had intended to retrieve Tiara before she woke up.
Maria stared at me expressionlessly and spoke slowly. “You’re going after all… Master…”
She seemed to understand everything. She must have read my actions and thoughts and waited for me here at this time. I couldn’t just stand there in silence, so I gave Maria instructions.
“…I’ll be back with Rustiara soon. So, Maria, please wait here.”
Maria accepted this expressionlessly. She said nothing more.
“After that, we’re supposed to flee to a different country. Maria—”
*What will you do?*
I started to ask, but then changed my mind. It would be as if I were telling her she didn’t have to come along. It would definitely touch upon her insecurities and, considering her feelings, asking “What will you do?” here would be too heartless. I needed to convey that I strongly needed Maria with me.
“—Maria, let’s go together. Let’s flee, the three of us.”
I said it clearly. That we would stay together.
But Maria’s expression remained unchanged. Still expressionless, she moved her lips. “Flee…? Then, this house…?”
*This house…?*
I hadn’t expected the topic of the house to come up. For me, this house was only a temporary shelter, so I had no hesitation in abandoning it. Was Maria different?
“Unfortunately, we have no choice but to abandon this house… It’s a waste, but…”
I declared we would abandon it. Only then did Maria’s expression change.
“…No. I don’t want to.”
She was trembling. Shaking, she showed me a deeply sad face.
“Huh?”
I thought our conversation was proceeding without upsetting her. But my efforts were in vain as Maria’s emotions escalated.
“Please don’t go, Master… Please. I beg you, don’t go…”
Then, Maria pleaded with a contorted face. This was the first time she had ever tried to obstruct my actions so much.
“Maria…? What on earth is wrong…?”
“If you go, I’ll never reach you again… I’ll be left behind…”
Maria’s expression grew worse, and she eventually revealed a bottomless madness similar to Rustiara’s from some time ago. I hurriedly tried to calm her down with a gentle voice.
“No, I’m telling you we’re going together. I will absolutely not leave you behind. I promise. There’s no way I would leave Maria behind, is there?”
“That’s a lie. Even if we flee, the three of us, I probably won’t be there… It won’t make a difference if I’m there or not… I don’t want that!”
“…!”
It was a conversation like dealing with a high Rustiara. Her word choices were extreme, and we weren’t having a proper exchange. Convinced that Maria was not acting normally, I began to ponder the cause. Meanwhile, she continued to talk.
“Why…? Why are you saving Ms. Rustiara? You don’t like her or anything, right?”
Maria questioned my affection for Rustiara. Could this be the result of jealousy? However, Maria was usually calm and patient. It felt strange for her to explode like this now. It might be because of my problematic actions, but Rustiara and Arti, who had seen through Maria’s feelings, hadn’t spoken with such urgency. Her romantic feelings were thought to be minor by everyone.
“Why…? Rustiara is a companion, isn’t she? She’s a necessary companion for future dungeon exploration.”
“For future dungeon exploration…? How far into the future!?”
I answered soothingly, but Maria finally raised her voice and pressed me.
“If you go, Ms. Rustiara will surely be saved! And then, again…! It’ll be the same! I don’t want to go to the depths of the labyrinth! Why do we have to go! If we can live peacefully in this house, that’s enough!!”
And then, Maria spewed out complaints she had surely been holding back. But I couldn’t accept that. It was related to my purpose and meaning in life. While soothing her, I stated my own intentions.
“Maria, please calm down…! I cannot change the fact that I must go to the depths of the labyrinth…”
“You’re being greedy! Even if you don’t go to the depths, you can earn money safely around the 10th floor and live a normal, happy life! That’s what I want! For that, you don’t need Ms. Rustiara!!”
Maria’s voice grew louder, and she raged. Clearly, this was not the usual Maria. I made up my mind, approached Maria, and clasped her shoulders with both my hands. I held her firmly, met her eyes, and brought the conversation back on track.
“We are not talking about that right now, are we? We’re talking about saving Rustiara because she’ll die if we don’t. Maria, do you want Rustiara to die…?”
Maria’s eyes were glistening. Holding back tears, she glared at me. However, perhaps my earnest persuasion worked, as the tension in her body gradually lessened. She then lowered her eyes weakly and replied, “…Ms. Rustiara is a good person. …I don’t want her to die.”
“That’s right. Maria, calm down… We have to save Rustiara… She’s a companion.”
I could feel the strength leaving Maria’s body. Now Maria would finally calm down—
“A companion…? Because she’s a companion? Master is going to risk his life to save her just for that?”
“Y-yes…”
The moment I affirmed it, I felt a strange pressure emanating from Maria’s body. Sensing its nature was magic power, I took half a step back.
“A companion… that’s… That’s a lie. Risking your life for that reason alone is absurd. …That’s right. It’s absurd. Master wants to show off, doesn’t he? In front of her! Master wants to show off in front of Ms. Rustiara, not me! When she wasn’t around, you were acting cool for me!!”
As she shouted, flames erupted from Maria’s body. I instinctively retreated, crossed my arms, and shielded my face from the flames. Through the gaps in my crossed arms, I saw Maria constructing a sword of flame. Seeing obvious combat magic, I was confused.
“…!” Ms. Maria, wielding a flame sword, swayed and approached me.
It’s going to be a fight. I knew that instinctively. However, without drawing my sword from my Inventory, I faced her with bare hands. Partly because my thoughts couldn’t keep up with Maria’s sudden change, but more importantly, I didn’t want to choose the option of attacking Maria with a weapon. As I cast magic, I moved to grab Maria’s wrist. To restrain her, I needed to neutralize her sword hand.
“—Magic
I approached Maria while weakening the flames in the room with Magic
“—Hot!!”
Taking advantage of my frozen state, Maria tried to slash upwards with her flame sword. However, it easily cut through the air. In close combat with swords, Maria had no chance of winning. I exerted force based on my Strength status, broke free from her grip, and moved behind her. Maria couldn’t keep up with my speed, and I further secured her arms behind her back. Together, we collapsed, and I pinned her to the floor, checking her status with
[Status]
Condition: Confusion 4.23
There was no mistake. Maria was not normal. She had lost her sanity due to external influence. It was unlikely for such confusion to accumulate from normal daily life. She must have been affected by magic or a skill. I recalled people who might have done such a thing in my memories and shouted while pinning Maria down.
“Maria, listen to me!! Have you met a knight called Palinkron recently!?”
“P-Palinkron—?”
“The knight who outbid you at the slave market some time ago. The suspicious one with a merchant-like appearance, who looks at people observingly, and is slightly taller than me!”
“N-No…! More importantly…!!”
Maria spewed out more flames, trying to burn me from below. I strengthened Magic
“Maria, haven’t you been affected by some magic!? You have an unbelievable amount of confusion!”
“Magic…!? Confusion…!?”
While pressed against her, I poured all my magic power into Magic
“That’s it, calm down… Slowly, take a deep breath, and calm down…”
Maria followed my instructions, breathing deeply but raggedly. And when Maria’s body had thoroughly cooled, she seemed to regain her senses.
“Huh…? Wh-what was that…?”
“Are you alright, Maria…? Have you calmed down?”
[Status]
Condition: Confusion 0.44
Maria’s confusion disappeared along with the heat. This led me to suspect that the cause was Maria’s flames. If that was the case, the prime suspect would be—Arti, who had taught her. However, I didn’t think such a forceful method would be effective. Doing something like this wouldn’t be for Maria’s benefit. Even if I were to support her romantic feelings, this would be completely off the mark. Even if there was some reason she wanted to kill me, it was obvious that someone with Maria’s power would be apprehended like this. I couldn’t pinpoint Arti’s objective and gritted my teeth.
“I-I’m sorry…! What have I done…!”
Seeing this, Maria became meek and continued to apologize beneath me.
“It’s fine. I understand. I know you said things you didn’t mean due to the confusion. You don’t have to apologize…”
As I said this and tried to move off Maria, I felt the morning sun streaming through the window. Seeing this, I realized the culprit’s purpose might be to obstruct Rustiara’s rescue. However, I had decided to attempt the rescue yesterday, and only Maria, Dia, and Arti knew about it. So was it Arti…? But then the objective wouldn’t match. Arti shouldn’t have any grudge against Rustiara.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry… Master…”
While I was reasoning, Maria continued to apologize. For now, I had to calm her down.
“You don’t have to apologize. More importantly, are you alright? It looks like the confusion has subsided quite a bit.”
I petted Maria’s head and confirmed her self-awareness.
“Yes, I’m completely… I’m truly sorry, I…”
Maria seemed unaware of what had happened. However, she retained her memories and kept apologizing for what she had done. She was calming down. She should be able to stay home alone. But— Instinctively, I had a bad feeling. However, the fact was, I was out of time. The sun was already rising. If I missed this chance, Rustiara would be in danger. With a bitter taste in my mouth, I made a choice. A choice I would likely regret forever—
“Maria, I’m going to bring Rustiara back now. Immediately. I’ll be right back.”
“Y-Yes… If that’s what Master has decided, of course…”
Maria was frighteningly obedient. She seemed completely cowed by the previous confusion.
“Until then, Maria, you stay here at home. Lock the door and absolutely do not let anyone in.”
“Anyone?”
“Yes, not even me. I’ll break in through the window. Don’t let anyone in through the front door.”
I made sure to emphasize this to Maria. Ideally, I would have entrusted her to someone trustworthy. However, I couldn’t think of anyone suitable. I considered having her wait at the tavern, but now, Maria was stronger than the shop manager. I had no choice but to leave Maria at home alone. The Rustiara rescue would likely be a swift operation. It should be safe for that short period.
“Understood. No matter what happens, I won’t let anyone in!!”
With her eyes, Maria seemed to grasp what I was thinking and swore not to interact with anyone. Her pupils held a clear intelligence, and the madness from moments ago was gone. It should be fine now… I was worried about Maria, but Rustiara was on the verge of death. In terms of urgency, I had to prioritize Rustiara.
“Okay, I’m going… Maria.”
“…Yes. Have a safe trip, Master.”
I turned my back on Maria and started moving. I quickly left the house and ran towards Fuziaze. Shaking off the expression on Maria’s face as we parted, I had no choice but to run. I took out a large stole from my Inventory, wrapped it around my neck, and covered my face up to my nose. I knew it was futile, but I tried to conceal my appearance as much as possible. My ideal scenario was to be unrecognizable to some, but recognizable to those who knew me. Running through the morning-lit town of Valt, I crossed the border into Fuziaze.
Even this early in the morning, many people were walking around in Fuziaze. They were all likely participants in today’s Christmas festival. Everyone seemed excited, heading towards the Cathedral. The preliminary festival, which had lasted a week, had brought people to their peak of excitement. From families with children to elderly couples, everyone was talking about their anticipation for the Christmas festival at the Cathedral.
Pushing my way through these people, I ran at full speed towards the Cathedral. Apologizing to those I bumped into along the way. Apologizing in my heart for what I was about to do. I raced down the main street of Fuziaze. And then, passing through the densely numbered streets in descending order— I came to a point where I was just about to enter the single-digit numbered streets. From here, the Cathedral was visible. As I ran down the main street, with the Cathedral in my sight, I sensed an unusual amount of magic emanating from beyond it.
It wasn’t from the Cathedral. Someone was outside. A lone man stood in the middle of the main street, lost in the crowd. The man stared at me as if glaring. It was Hein Helvishein, the Wind Knight with his ruffled short blond hair. I couldn’t ignore him. Among the many knights who might be waiting, I couldn’t ignore this one. I slowly reduced my running speed and approached Hein. The crowd had parted. The atmosphere emanating from me and Hein caused the people around us to move away. Hein was dressed similarly to when I last saw him, but he was abnormally dirty. Covered in mud, with cuts everywhere, his hems were frayed, and his clothes were torn in various places. On his fingers, only two rings remained. It was clear that he was crippled, even without looking at his status.
Rein Helvishein, in his crippled state, spoke to me as I slowly approached. “You’ve finally arrived, Christ…” Hein had been waiting for me. He must have been certain I would pass by at this time, on this day. What meaning did this hold? Was he here to stop me? Or for the opposite reason? Of course, I was certain which was true. As far as I knew, he was the only one who had tried to drive Rustiara out of the country before today. So, I moved forward without hesitation. I approached him until he was within reach and faced Hein.
[Start of Day 14]
