“Derus, take back that terrifyingly expensive item.”
“B-but, they said they’d give it to me.”
“A gift with such ulterior motives will result in Derus himself becoming the return gift!”
“That’s right, Master. Accepting a gift means accepting those feelings as well!”
“…Amazing, those staffs, both of them, are full of effects… So amazing!”
This explains why Mariu was scolded by Nina and the others who came to pick me up in the lobby of the luxurious inn and why Mariu only escorted me to the magic elevator on the sixth floor. This is what happened the moment I showed them the white and black presents, saying, “I received them as a bonus.”
“It’s obvious from their appearance that they’re on a level that shouldn’t be put up for auction.”
“Master Derus doesn’t understand the ‘weight of love,’ including its dangers!”
“…Velvet Devil Rod, Magic x10, Magic Consumption 1/10, Magic Recovery x10, Special Dark Magic ‘Dark Integrate’ SSS-rank item… What is this… It’s incredible.”
I probably wouldn’t be able to return them even if I were told to, and they were made just for me, or so I was told…
“Um, they said I had to pay for it with my body, but they said this would be fine now.”
“Do you really think one night is enough? You probably intended to ask for more in the future.”
“I can’t equip this staff made with such heavy love for Master Derus.”
“…Crystal Angel Staff, Magic x10, Magic Consumption 1/5, Natural HP Recovery x2, Magic Recovery x5, Special Light Area Attack Magic ‘Holy Shower’ SSS-rank item… It’s too amazing.”
“We can’t sell it, we can’t return it, and it’s too much of a waste to just store it in the Item Box, isn’t it?”
No, I know that’s not the real issue, but still! This is a staff that could potentially defeat a Demon Lord.
“Alright, Helen, I have an order for you. Say something to Derus.”
“…Is it alright to speak my mind, Master?”
“Oh, by all means, go ahead.”
After taking a deep breath, Helen…
“I think it’s fine to accept it? That person, Mariu, should be satisfied with that.”
“Helen, what are you saying?”
“You gave a gift to someone you like and they accepted it. You must feel a thrill from that alone, so that should be enough compensation.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. If it were put up for auction, just thinking ‘This will bring a large sum of money for my beloved Derus’ would be enough to send you into ecstasy. So, you should accept it.”
Oh, an unexpected ally!
“It seems that’s how it is, so please use it, Clarice, and you too, Anju.”
“B-but” “…If Master Derus says so.”
Nina is lost in thought. I hope she doesn’t think of strangling Helen about saying something unnecessary. If she does, I’ll seriously stop her.
“Derus, make me one promise.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Don’t yield to selfless love.”
“What do you mean?”
“No matter how much you are showered with gifts or how much love you accumulate, don’t end up cornered to the point where you give everything of yourself in exchange, becoming that person’s possession.”
Yes, no matter how good-natured I am, I wouldn’t do that.
“Understood, I promise.”
“Then good. Clarice, what will you do with that high-class staff?”
“…It won’t increase my EXP, so, um, it’s for dedicated use in boss battles, against Demon Lords or Quasi Demon Lords, is that it?”
“And Anju?”
“I’ll use it! But it’s long, so I can’t use my one-handed bow anymore…”
Ah, I had something like that, didn’t I? I haven’t used it much recently anyway.
“Can I brag to Shusher?”
“Hmm, I wonder about that, Clarice?”
“If you don’t want him to have it or lend it to him, then I suppose it’s fine.”
“…Understood!”
“What about your teachers? In any case, it’s time to go to school, right? We’ll all walk you there today.”
The conversation shifted, and in the end, the splendid staffs were accepted.
“Well then, let’s go. Anju, let’s use visual teleportation from here.”
“…Okay.”
We left the inn and bounced our way across the rooftops, reaching the school in no time.
“Master Derus…”
“Yes, have a good day.”
“Yep! I’m off!”
With my parting words, she beamed and, waving, floated into the school.
(Still, selfless love is scary…)
As soon as we entered the Adventurer Guild, Sekki’s refreshing smile greeted us.
“Hey, good morning. Did you eat breakfast properly?”
“Ah, of course. Derus, you too, right?”
“Yes, um, yes.”
I can’t say Mariu fed me “ah-n,” or that she licked the dressing off my cheek. I can’t even think about her saying “I’m the dessert” this morning. Let’s just forget it.
“Then, let’s dive in right away. Sekki, what are we doing today?”
“We need to earn money. Let’s dive as deep as we can and find a place where there are few people and we can earn well.”
“Understood. It will be dangerous, so be careful.”
After finishing the reception, the Smile Handmade members went down first today.
“Um, Master Derus.”
“What is it, Clarice?”
“I was thinking of lending this to the Sage of that Party for a day.”
It was the staff I had just received, the “Crystal Angel Staff,” which Mariu had made for me. I knew its name.
“Clarice, you don’t want to use it that much?”
“Um, yes. It’s proof of another woman’s love for Master Derus.”
“Well, if that’s how you feel, then yes, I suppose it’s fine.”
Women have their reasons in these matters, though it probably varies by individual.
(I don’t think it will be stolen, but… will that Sage, Yuma, be alright?)
And so, we continued our descent to the 200th floor underground.
