Volume 1 Chapter 16
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After finishing our introductions at the Base, we returned to the Cave.
Kashiro and the class rep helped with the Maid’s moving, so they are taking a break. I could have done it, but the class rep raised an issue about “how it’s not right for guys to carry girls’ stuff,” so I had no choice but to let them handle it.
It seems the Hut where the Maid lived had a lot of unusual things, and I asked Kashiro to analyze them. The Maid herself had many Magic tools that she got but didn’t know how to use, and she happily gave me permission to check them out.
So now, the only members exploring the Cave are me, Yodomizu, and the Maid. Mayuki had somehow fallen back asleep, so I left her alone.
”This place might be better called a labyrinth than a Cave. At the deepest part, there’s a Golem waiting, and if we defeat it, we can get a powerful Magic tool.”
Following the Maid’s lead, we smoothly made our way through the Cave.
Having an experienced person around makes it a breeze.
Even without Kashiro, I can tell the characteristics of the Demonkind and know exactly where to go.
”Ms. Yodomizu uses dark Magic, huh?”
As I was getting support from Yodomizu’s Magic, the Maid murmured this. She sounded like she knew something.
”Were there dark Magic users last time too?”
”No. It’s just that, from experience… attribute-based attack Magic is strong, so I was a bit envious.”
I think the Maid’s teleportation Magic is strong enough, though. But well, it might not be suited for combat.
”If you get too close to a fire Magic user, you’ll get burned, and my Magic isn’t suited for fighting. It was really troublesome.”
Hearing the Maid speak so earnestly, Yodomizu looked a bit scared. I had shared some of the Maid’s background, and it might feel like listening to a killer talk about their experiences, which is pretty frightening.
”Actually, Yodomizu is my strongest asset. Even if it’s only once a day, her instant death ability is just too strong.”
The Golem at the back probably doesn’t need much of a strategy. She can just use the instant death magic without thinking and finish it off. There aren’t many abilities as powerful as this.
”I really can’t be of any help without magic, you know…”
Yodomizu looked down.
She seems to have her own worries. Maybe she’s concerned about not having the knowledge, athletic skills, or survival abilities needed.
”Hey, I’m in the same boat. I couldn’t do anything without ‘Base Magic’.”
The Maid glanced at me for a moment.
”At first, I thought your magic was enhancement type. My physical abilities are boosted by magic tools, and it’s still strange how easily my attack was blocked.”
Now that I think about it, when we fought, the Maid felt like she had the strength of an 0.8 Ogre. In this Island, my strength feels like it’s fading away. But still…
”If I got attack magic, it would be way too strong, so maybe it was adjusted. ‘Base Magic’ is handy, and I don’t have any complaints about it.”
Even when I tried to act a bit cocky, the Maid didn’t laugh. She was looking at me seriously.
”About Ms. Yodomizu’s magic, was it okay to reveal her abilities to me?”
”There’s no point in hiding my cards when we’re cooperating. I know about your teleportation magic and have analyzed the magic tools too.”
It’s silly to want to build trust while staying on guard all the time. Besides, if the Maid had any hostile intentions, Kashiro would notice. There’s hardly any need for a power play.
”…As for my eyes, the color change is just a byproduct. These crimson eyes have the ability to see through lies.”
Seriously? I hope I haven’t told any fatal lies or anything. I’m starting to get worried now.
”I decided to help you because I had enough reason to trust you. It’s a judgment based on rational calculation, so don’t get too cocky.”
She smiles at me playfully.
”And the fact that you go out of your way to tell me that makes it clear you’re a good person.”
Her words, meant to make me wary of my own self, almost made my heart skip a beat. If that’s part of her plan, it’s pretty scary.
”…Ms. Hiiragi is kind, isn’t she?”
Yodomizu, who was a bit cautious about the maid, now has a relieved smile. I was a little worried, but it seems like things will work out.
”Yes. She’s kind to people who don’t lie.”
”Then I’m in trouble. I’m quite the liar.”
Yodomizu looks at me with interest.
”When does Mr. Hyakudou lie?”
That’s a tough question.
When I’m joking, or when I’m trying to cover something up?
Now that I think about it, since coming to this island, I’ve been trying to be as honest as possible. When I asked myself why, one thing came to mind.
”…I once accidentally ate my big sister’s pudding.”
Even now, it sends chills down my spine; it was a terrifying event.
”Of course, I’m not a 5-year-old kid. I had enough sense to buy the exact same pudding and casually put it in the fridge.”
You wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely at the pudding. It should have been a perfect plan.
”But then, my big sister came home, saw the pudding, and said, ‘Koushi, where’s my pudding?’”
Yodomizu gasps, trembling a bit.
”Even then, I kept a poker face and said, ‘It’s right there.’ Then my big sister looked at me and said, ‘Yes, it is. ──Can I take it out?’”
I had no choice but to beg for forgiveness. At that moment, my big sister was scarier than any demon on this island.
”Sounds like a violent big sister.”
”…I’m glad I’m an only child.”
* * *
We easily took down the final Golem with an instant death ability, and we got our reward.
”Wow, that’s a beautiful necklace!”
Just like Yodomizu said, we got the necklace after defeating the Golem. It had a star-shaped design, which wasn’t really my style, but Yodomizu seemed to like it.
”It’s a magic item that protects you. It can block any attack once a day, kind of like a protective membrane.”
Whoa, that’s an amazing effect. No wonder the maid collects magic items. It might be better to spend the night tackling the cave instead.
”Then, you should keep this, Yodomizu.”
As I put the necklace on her, Yodomizu looked a bit dazed.
”Um… is it really okay?”
”You defeated it, Yodomizu. We didn’t do anything.”
The maid seemed to have no objections and was watching with a smile.
”Thank you so much, I’m so happy!”
She smiled brightly, like a flower blooming. It was the kind of smile that seemed to melt away stress.
”We match now!”
”I’m so thrilled to be matching with Ms. Hiiragi…!”
Yodomizu seemed to have really warmed up to the maid, looking pleased as she got her head patted.
Seriously, Yodomizu got taken by the maid…
Even though I was the one who met her first.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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