Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka - Volume 03 (16 page)

The dazzling light emerged from the mountain ridge slowly revealed the figure and reflected upon. The face appears to be bright red.

It was soon the time for it to end.

While our weapons fiercely clashed on top of the surrounding walls, I understood this.

From that person, whose golden hair was swaying, a merciless attack was released.

The continuous attacks from the sheath passed through my body. At the same time, the topic that she had given out was the final part of the training. It was to show it through my own actions.

I blocked the sheath that flew over.

Widening my eyes slightly, the number of times that I defended against the oncoming attacks continued to increase.

So far, I had witnessed this person’s amazing defensive method countless times.

It was not directly deflecting the enemy’s weapon, but instead striking it from the side or diagonally in order to spread the strength and to stop the attack.

So far, I had continuously experimented and improved these movements. On this final day where it was about to be declared as the end, I dished out everything I had learnt.

“??!”

I forcefully suppressed my thoughts about retreating and courageously defended.

While blocking another and another blow, while it occasionally grazed my body, I held the in my hand and slashed.

I broke away from my defensive posture and for the first time, I counterattacked her.

“……!”

The cry of a metal hitting a metal.

She easily parried my blow. But I had really conveyed it.

Facing me, who was breathing raggedly and had my deflected and lowered my arm, Aizu-san only stared in silence.

Suddenly, a brilliant light came down from the morning sun. Under this increasingly intense light, it was difficult to open my eyes.

Following that moment, on the opposite side of the light, I had a feeling that person was happily smiling.

“With this, it is over……”

Aizu-san quietly murmured to herself.

From the surrounding walls, you could clearly see a portion of the sun had emerged from the eastern skies. That is the signal declaring the end of this week-long training.

My face turned to the side temporarily and watched the scenery. Then as my gaze intersected with hers, who was also watching the same view, I bowed my head.

“Thank you for everything so far.”

While I stared at the stone floor, I bowed down for a period of time.

When I recalled this, it feels so short. In essence, it was only a very short week. Towards this dream-like moment, I clenched my teeth tightly.

Shortly after I raised my head, Aizu-san still had a face that lacks emotions, but her eyebrows had relaxed. At the same time, she whispered with a warm voice.

“I should also thank you……I was happy.”

For this appearance, for this fleeting smile, the beautiful morning scene created a golden border for it.

In the end, I was still completely red. After opening and closing my mouth, I bowed down my head and did nothing.

“……Then from now on, good luck.”

“……Okay.”

After the farewell that was treasured like god, that person turned her back from this side and slowly walked away.

Staring at her back that was disappearing in the dazzling light, I wondered if I could reach her.

I thought to myself. These pair of hands, just like the moment earlier, could it reach that person’s side?

During this week’s time, I could see that the distance from that person was still arguably far away.

Simply to the extent where I would stand there in stun. Simply to the extent where it made one feel it was hopeless.

Can I really chase after that silhouette?

“……”

Even so, I must chase after it.

If I do not try, then it will definitely be out of reach. Nothing will ever begin.

In order to stand by her side. In order to catch up to her.

Towards that silhouette……That height, I must continue to stretch my hands out once again.

Even if I am currently embracing my shapeless and collapsing, weak heart. Even if that’s the case, I must vow towards this clear morning.

I also turned my back towards her, who was gradually disappearing, and began to walk in the opposite direction.

* * *

After Eina had organized the documents spread on her work counter, she sighed out loud.

From her surroundings, rustling sounds of preparing to return home came from the colleagues that were split apart due to work.

Hanging on the wall, near the ceiling, a clock was currently hovering around 8 o’ clock at night. Inside the office of the guild headquarters, there were only a few groups of staff left. It looks exceptionally quiet.

Why not find something to drink? Just when Eina had this thought while she surveyed the surroundings, the sound of her receptionist friend came from the depths of the room.

“Fu?ah, Eina, help me out?! There is so much that I won’t finish even if it is till tomor?row!?”

“……You brought this up yourself. It is Misha’s fault for not working until today.”

After a deep sigh, she bluntly refused the cry of her human friend.

On the work counter of the female employee with a child-like face, Misha, numerous documents were piled up like a tiny mountain.

It was to assemble the records of the information, which they requested from Gods, for various . This is the result of this person, who had gradually accumulated this work by slacking off.

“Why are there so many people that in this period!? It’s too much~, all of them at this last minute! Whose plan is this!?”

“I say you, don’t talk about the crystallization of Adventurer’s blood and sweat as that kind of thing. If you had honestly worked from the beginning, then you would not have been reduced to such a fate, right?”

“Yes, I’m reflecting on it, reflecting on it……Eina, help!?”

“No?Way.”

As if the conversation had ended, Eina turned her back away. While Eina received a complaint “How unloyal?!”
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, she sighed and thought about bringing a coffee over later.

“……”

As if she was immersed in the aftertaste after her work was done, she supported her slim chin with her two elbows propped up. Eina gazed at the paper that was swiftly written.

An application. On this document written with a few large characters, the summary of it was to persuade and change the operational attitude of .

It was her own handwritten report after listening to Loki’s and Bell’s words.

Eina did not want to punish the . Although she had thought about it, but she did not mean to condemn the internal laissez-faire management of the .

However, if she really wanted to punish them, based on Bell and Lili’s words, they should indeed be the side that was punished from a fair standpoint. Regardless of whether or not there were appropriate reasons, being condemned was unavoidable.

Eina had never thought of wanting to be like a Goddess of Justice and holding a sword and a scale in her hands.

At least, she believes that it was a territory that she should not be involved in.

Only, although that is the case.

If they were to change a bit and allowing the living environments of Adventurers and Supporters to be improved, there is no need to hesitate whether she should get involved or not.

No matter what, Eina, who placed more importance on whether the Adventurers would return from the Dungeon than anything else, would wade through this flowing water.

(Since I had taken up a side of a specific , I have already been unable to give a convincing explanation for self-defense……)

In front of this report that seems to rat upon someone, Eina was already aware that it was mixed largely with her own personal affairs.

The specific …….which is Bell and the others.

Based on the results, Eina was too concerned about that boy. So she did acts of intruding upon the and deliberately planning on harming the .

On the surface, it was an act that betrayed the neutrality behavior of the guild. This was a completely different matter than the act of giving advice out to Bell after discussing with him.

Abuse of power. As a member of the guild, she could be considered as a failure.

(……However, it is worst to sit here idly without caring about it)

Even if she did not deserve to be a member of the guild, Eina did not want to lose her identity as Eina Tulles. Even if it was only a specious argument, she had already decided.

The noble blood that runs inside her body was the same as Riveria. Even if she was to say it was for the pride of her insignificant half-elf side, but she still did not want to pretend that she had not seen it. This was something that Eina thought from the bottom of her heart.

(If she was fired……Then let me join )

They can’t be that irresponsible for their actions. She playfully thought about this and continued to think about the events after switching her job.

While swaying her semi-long brown hair, Eina could not help but give a wry smile towards her own delusions.

“What is it, Eina? You suddenly giggled.”

“I did not giggle. That’s going too far!”

“What’s the problem with it, did something happen? I was curious.”

“No……Only that I thought about the future events after switching my job……”

“After switching jobs, huh……It can’t be! Eina, you’re not going to work in the guild!?”

The moment Misha raised her voice, “Gata!?”, the other employees all stood up from their chair at the same time. All of them were male.

Eina was suddenly dumbfounded in front of this uniform scene, at the same time, she hurried to correct the misconception of her friend.

“N…Nono. I am saying, the events after I get fired by the guild. I do not have any plans on resigning.”

“What, don’t scare me like this……Eina being fired, impossible, impossible.”

Towards her friend’s words, it might not be the case, Eina held back in her impulse of giving a wry smile.

The male lineup that stood up all sighed, “Fu……”, and sat back down at ease.

(Well, anyways……)

If this report was approved by the top, then perhaps they could made Soma care more about the management problems in .

Even if the faction, itself, has no problems, the Adventurer members’ activities outside of their headquarters were also reaching closer from a grey area to a black area. Also, according to Bell’s testimony about harming the civilians, it was almost confirmed that they will receive some sort of a punishment.

If they ignore the warning, based on the situation, they may be forced out of Orario. It was about the continued existence of the .

Even if it was Soma, who is only interested in his hobbies, he would have to seriously consider the management direction.

(Arde does not seem to be a Hobbit that has evil intentions……)

After interviewing with the flower shop that was forced into the dispute between Lili and the , the old couple had once expressed that they were ashamed of themselves.

They say, since the day that girl was driven out , some money would be placed in front of the shop unknowingly. It was because of this that they did not submit an application of being harmed to the guild.

They had wish Eina to convey words of apology towards the girl on behalf of them, but Eina did not accept. Conveying these words would the job of the parties involved.

(……Adventurer’s blood and sweat, is it?)

Eina once again muttered the words that she had said by herself.

As if she was looking at a very far away about, her gaze slightly raised up.

(If the Adventurers use their own feet to trample others……Then that blood and sweat is also the thing from an unknown person)

There is no way that everything will go smoothly, Eina thought.

Eina, who wished for the Adventurer’s safety, wanted to support them. However, this belief was deliberately shaken. Among them, there exist people who could keep a straight face while doing hideous acts that could not be ignored.

Two contrasting, complex emotions. It was not limited to just this incident. Eina had occasionally felt a sense of emptiness for her own actions. It was a feeling that was enough to shake her.

Although she understood that she was just overthinking about this, but she could not eliminate these negative feelings.

“……Tu?lle.”

“Ah, yes?”

Eina, who was immersed in her own thoughts, raised her face as she was called by a nearby voice.

The male employee that was sitting near the window of the work counter pointed towards the entrance of the hall.

Eina’s gaze moved over to that side. Only then did she notice that Bell, who came back from the Dungeon, was entering the guild headquarters.

“…….Sorry. Thank you very much.”

Eina bowed her head and got up from her seat.

Her originally cloudy face had brightened up, not even she, herself, had noticed it.

She picked up this pace a little and walked in the direction of the hall.

(……But, it isn’t that there aren’t Adventurers that are desperately working hard.)

When he saw the face of Eina, who peeked out from the front desk, Bell immediately smiled.

Eina, too, smiled and waved her hand.

As expected, Eina likes Adventurers.

Although many of them were boorish people, but by looking at these careless individuals, you will cheer up just by looking at them. It feels just about right.

Even if there exist Adventurers that would only move based on their self-interest and would not save Supporters. The ones that save the Supporters are also Adventurers.

If she was to say it was for them, the worries that Eina had about being dismissed would all be destroyed. Not wanting Adventurers to die was by no means a lie.

This was what Eina thought as she looked at the immature Adventurer’s face that she was responsible for.

(Although it was often said that good people often have a premature death compared to bad people……)