Volume 4 Chapter 28-2 Frozen Honey and Tears of Gratitude
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”So, you all had your fun without us, huh, Milord?”
”Seriously, leaving us behind like that? That’s just cruel──an auction sounds like a blast!”
It was clear they were really upset about not being able to tag along to the auction.
Kéa puffed up her cheeks, while Yomi shot me a disgruntled glare.
”It couldn’t be helped! There was a limit on how many could go!”
”Doesn’t make it any less unfair!”
”Exactly, we won’t forgive you unless you make it up to us!”
Their stares sharpened like daggers.
”Fine, I’m sorry.”
”Hyah!”
”N-Nya!?”
I grabbed Kéa’s breasts and Yomi’s butt.
Kéa’s softness was inviting yet firm.
Yomi’s perfectly shaped rear didn’t sag at all.
It was all too pleasant to touch.
”As an apology, I’m gonna pamper both of you tonight.”
Whispering in their ears sent a shiver down Kéa and Yomi’s spines.
”W-Wait, that’s just you wanting to──ah!”
”Ah, Milord…”
Even while pretending to be tough, Yomi flushed red, and Kéa let out a soft sigh.
Both were already turning to jelly at this point.
Too easy.
”Shall we start with a bath, then?”
”Sounds good.”
Lifia and Tifi smiled as they watched us with warm gazes.
And just like that, we were gearing up for a delightful night together.
* * *
The next morning, we headed back to the shop we visited yesterday.
We told the clerk our names and were shown to the same room.
Inside, there was already a plump young man waiting.
It was Iberigo.
A hefty metallic box lay on the table, about the size of a large bundle.
That must be the magic tool for keeping things cold.
I could see a faint glimmer of magic shimmering on the box’s surface.
”Lord Taro, I can’t thank you enough!”
Iberigo bowed deeply, repeating his gratitude.
His face radiated joy, but in an instant, it clouded over.
”But really, I’m so sorry for asking such a huge favor. I’ve heard the 4th floor of the dungeon is quite dangerous. It’s embarrassing to say this as the one requesting help, but please be careful.”
He glanced slightly at Tifi before continuing.
”Of course, my fiancée is important to me now. But if something were to happen to you because of my request, and Ms. Tifi ended up heartbroken…!”
His words, considering us, warm my chest a little.
He’s a real stand-up guy, isn’t he?
”Please don’t worry. It’s not a big deal for us.”
I feel a hint of guilt for even causing concern.
I take the cooling magic tool and quickly check its contents.
”This is quite high-performance. More than enough to store ice honey.”
Lifia, who was peering in with me, gives an explanation.
”Alright, I’ll take care of this cooling box. Just wait a moment, please.”
”Huh?”
I grab the cooling box and leave the room.
Making sure no one’s looking, I check into a love hotel.
Inside, I open the freezer to find a dish filled with snow.
On top of that snow, the Ice Honey Grass is planted.
Thanks to the love hotel’s freezer, the Ice Honey Grass is thriving, producing heaps of ice honey every day.
At the base of the Ice Honey Grass, on the snow, amber-colored spheres roll around.
These are the ice honey.
The request calls for 5 to 10, but stuffing it with everything I’ve got won’t be an issue.
More is always better.
I carefully transfer 20 ice honey into the cooling box from the freezer.
Then, leaving the love hotel behind, I return to the room where Iberigo is waiting.
”Lord Taro?”
Iberigo, puzzled by my actions.
Naturally.
I left with a magic tool and came back immediately.
It’s bewildering.
”Now, Sir Iberigo, if you would confirm this.”
”Huh? What?”
That’s what I say as I present the cooling box.
To a bewildered Iberigo, I open the box to show him.
Inside are the amber orbs, the ice honey.
There are 20 of them.
They glow with magic, shimmering u-ssu radiantly.
”Huh? Lord Taro? Could these really be…? Truly?”
”Yes, it’s ice honey.”
”H-How… did you prepare this in advance? At just the right time…?”
Logically, you’d think we’d have prepared this in advance.
But the chances of the adventurer people ordered actually holding Ice Honey──yeah, that’s pretty slim.
It’s ice honey, after all── melts at room temp, impossible to store.
Usually, once it’s brought back to the surface, it’s sold off right away.
”N-no way… this… this can’t be happening…! But why…?”
Iberigo’s face is a mess──confused, panicked, grasping at straws.
But then──his eyes widen, like he just had a realization.
”Ah… wait, I’m sorry. We agreed not to pry, remember?”
”Just forget about how long the quest took. It’s fine.”
I smile, calm and composed, soothing him with my words.
”As for the reward──don’t worry, I’m not rushing you. Payment can come later.”
The mission was supposed to take maybe 2 weeks at most.
The payment?
That was the plan too.
”Once you confirm the Ice Honey is legit, just transfer the funds.”
”No doubt about it──I believe you! You saved Tifi’s life, after all. Thank you!”
Iberigo’s voice trembles; tears flood his eyes as he yells out.
Unable to hold back, he throws himself at me, clutching tight.
”Wha!?”
”This means I can save her! That I’ll see her smile again! Thank you──from my heart, thank you!”
Tears stream down Iberigo’s face as he cries out, overwhelmed with emotion.
Those tears tell me everything──his joy, his gratitude, his desperation.
He’s so relentless, so desperate to save his fiancée’s life.
”Honestly, I don’t know how to thank you enough…! Thank you! Sniff… truly… thank you!”
He clings to me, burying his face in my chest, tears rolling freely.
”Ah, uh… don’t mention it.”
I’m hesitant, barely managing to reply.
”So… maybe you should let go now…”
”Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!”
He keeps crying, words of gratitude spilling out between sobs.
”Um, Sir Iberigo…?”
”Thank you!! Thank you!!”
What am I supposed to do with this?
I glance nervously at Lifia and Tifi, seeking help.
But they only look at me with helpless, worried expressions.
”Ooooi, Ooooi, Ooooi… Ooooi, Ooooi…”
Iberigo keeps crying, clinging to me, tears never stopping.
That should hit that emotional, punchy light novel vibe you’re aiming for.
Would you like me to adjust tone or add more flourish?
In a small room of the shop, the cries of a fat man echo endlessly.
His emotional storm seems far from calming down.
All I can do is lightly pat his back, trying to endure this moment.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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