Volume 4 Chapter 27-2 Settling the Past, Forming New Bonds
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
He clenched his fists tightly.
”It’s because I kept pestering you that my brother became interested in you!”
Tifi listened quietly to those words.
”I didn’t realize it at the time… but my actions indirectly caused him to act…! I put you in danger…!”
He bowed deeply, deeply.
”…I’m so sorry…!”
An awkward silence stretched between them.
Tifi watched Iberigo for a moment, then opened her mouth softly.
”Sir Iberigo… I don’t hold any resentment against you.”
”But…”
”I treated your feelings callously. I deceived you to choose Mr. Taro… I’m a terrible woman.”
With that, she momentarily looked down.
And then she continued.
”Even so, you’re the kind of person who knows to thank Mr. Taro. That’s why… you’ve come to apologize like this, right?”
”Ms. Tifi…”
”Plus, Mr. Taro helped me. So it’s okay now.”
At her words, Iberigo’s eyes glistened as he gently raised his face.
”…Thank you…!”
Then he turned to me.
”Lord Taro… I have to thank you once again.”
Iberigo faced me again.
”You stopped my brother without me even noticing… prevented the Baron family from committing a grave sin…!”
His expression was filled with gratitude and relief.
”I truly… thank you!”
Iberigo bowed deeply.
Watching him, I quietly exhaled.
I see.
He’s been blaming himself all along, hasn’t he?
He must have thought it was my fault Tifi got attacked.
If he hadn’t fixated on her, his brother wouldn’t have acted so foolishly.
As a result, she was hurt and her life was turned upside down.
Yet, considering the dignity of the Baron family, he couldn’t expose this truth.
Even if he wanted to apologize, he couldn’t; unable to atone, he was left to carry guilt in his heart.
But now, having saved Tifi and knowing she’s safe, maybe the weight on his shoulders has finally lifted a little.
Thinking that way, I can understand why he thanked me through tears just now.
”No, it’s me who should be apologizing… for everything.”
I offer my own apology in return.
For deceiving him and taking Tifi away.
For the fact she’s already carrying my child.
Yeah, Tifi’s pregnant with my baby.
Her belly’s not showing much yet,
so I keep it quiet──don’t want to burn his mind with the truth.
There’s more I haven’t told him too, like using Iberigo to attack Dryff.
So many secrets──makes me feel guilty.
Iberigo, on the other hand, wears a calm, clear expression.
”Well then, are we done here?”
Gaedaf, who’s been left out so far, finally speaks up.
He looks troubled, hearing all the scandal about the Baron family.
”Oh yeah, I wanted to talk to you, Gaedaf.”
When I say that, Iberigo’s smile fades.
”Right! Lord Gaedaf, can you help us out here?”
”I already said it’s impossible. The current ‘Star of the Dawn’ dungeon expedition is on hold. Some of our comrades are off taking a breather, traveling.”
Sounds like they want to task a Gold Rank adventurer with something.
”Why not just ask Taro?”
”Lord Taro? Does he really have that kind of skill!?”
Great, looks like it’s my turn to pick up the slack.
”I’m lost here. What’s going on?”
Iberigo nods seriously at my question.
”Alright, I’ll explain.”
He takes a deep breath, fists clenched with resolve.
”The truth is──I have a fiancée.”
At those words, Tifi blinks, surprise flickering across her face.
”Sir Iberigo… you’re engaged.”
”Yeah. After your situation, I was chosen to inherit the Baron family. That’s when the engagement came. I was concerned about you, but knowing you’re happy puts my mind at ease. I’ve accepted it… but──”
His expression darkens.
”My fiancée is bedridden with an illness.”
The mood drops like a stone.
”To make the medicine that cures the disease, we absolutely need ice honey harvested from the ‘Magic-Draining Snow Mountain.’”
It’s the 4th Floor of the ‘Magic-Draining Snow Mountain’ dungeon.
Only a handful of elite adventurers can even operate there.
”So… you want to ask Gaedaf for help?”
”Yeah. But he said it’s impossible, and now I’m stuck.”
Iberigo locked eyes with me, steady and earnest.
”Lord Taro, can you really go that far? Will you be able to gather the ice honey?”
His plea was desperate, hanging on my answer.
I stayed silent.
If you ask whether I can or not──yeah, I can.
Lately, we’ve been operating not just on the Fourth Floor, but even the 5th.
But that’s not public knowledge.
We tell people we only work around the 3rd Floor.
Even Gaedaf doesn’t know.
I couldn’t just say yes lightly, not here.
”That’s…”
”Wait.”
Just as I was about to speak, Gaedaf cut in.
”I believe Taro can do it. But whether he actually can? That’s not for me to say. And I’m not about to find out here.”
What’s he really getting at?
Gaedaf pushed back his chair and stood up.
”That means… I’m gonna excuse myself now.”
So that’s it.
Gaedaf wants to show respect──no snooping, no prying into my secrets.
In dungeon exploration, your actual skill is a secret worth guarding.
Especially if you can reach the deep floors, that knowledge could literally cost you your life.
Gaedaf and I have a cooperative relationship.
Maybe even friendship.
But not deep enough to trust with my life.
Lines like that have to be respected.
”Gaedaf…”
”Iberigo, whatever you do, I can’t help you. Whether you ask Taro or not──that’s your call. And honestly, I don’t want to hear what happens next.”
With those words, Gaedaf raised a hand lightly and left the room.
Just Iberigo and me remained.
Now… what am I gonna do?
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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