The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter - Chapter 127

Chapter 127

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Weasalopes”

During the break time, I asked Layla-san about the thing that bothered me .

Of course, it was concerning her being in S class . She originally was an exchange student that belonged to A class .

「While you were doing your best we had changes to classes . 」

Ah, I got it . The hero school that I’m attending has many nobles in it, but still uses a merit-based system .

Those with poor grades or abilities would get dropped to the classes with a lower rank . On the flip side, talented people from those classes would be moved higher .

For now, it’s of no concern to me since I had pretty good grades in the first part of the year .

「I’m glad that we can attend the same classes . There is a lot in martial arts that I’d like to learn from you . 」

「The same here . I think there is a lot I can learn from you, Noir-kun . 」

As we were having a pleasant conversation, Emma lightly pinched my arm . Puffing one of her cheeks she was pouting a bit .

「Do~n’t you have anything to say to your childhood friend?」

「Of course I’m happy to see you . We can finally work together again . You are basically like the air to me . 」

「Air? Hm-mm……Eh? Hmm, glad to hear that, I guess . 」

She seems a bit bewildered . I meant that she is as important as the air, but it’s also used in a bad meaning .

It might’ve been not explicit enough . I’m not that good with words .

Returning to school life after a while feels very relaxing and fun . There are also a lot of nice people among my classmates .

Well, some do send spiteful remarks my way though .

「Works as hard as you wish but don’t forget your position as a baronet . 」

The one that said that looked like a typical rich boy . What was his name? Can’t remember .

「No matter what my title is I’d prefer to live a life I won’t have to be ashamed of . 」

「…Pff, how stupid . 」

That’s where the conversation ended . Well, not everyone has a favorable opinion of me . That didn’t change from the time I just enrolled .

This country also had nobility, and some people considered the title to be an absolute measure .

They probably can’t accept such ersatz noble like me . That is merely one set of values…… But in the end, that line of thought gave birth to people like S .

After school, I head to the student guidance room . Upon entering I see only Professor Elna there .

「Sorry for calling you despite you probably being tired . Actually, while Noir wasn’t here, the limit……」

「Yes, yes, I thought as much . 」

Professor Elna tends to get extreme muscle stiffness . I think it might be due to her physical activity being reduced after she became a teacher .

I have a massage-type skill, so I use it to work on her shoulders .

「I was waiting for this . 」

I kept massaging for around twenty minutes . In turn, I had her help with my LP accumulation . With a hug, my LP increased .

Though I didn’t ask for it, she also rubbed my head .

「Lately you seem like a younger brother to me . Even though I shouldn’t give special treatment to any of the students . 」

「It’s okay . There are plenty of teachers who do that . 」

「Don’t badmouth people so nonchalantly . 」

She lightly hit me on the head .

Well, it’s a fact though .

Especially in the case of high nobles, at times adults act no different from lackeys to them .

And even the hero academy had such adults .

Thought professor Elna certainly wouldn’t act like she wagged her tail before them .

After leaving school I head to the adventurer’s guild . Being an adventurer is my side job . I have to properly report there . Of course, I also had the goal of meeting with Laura-san there .

The guild Odin was the same as always . People talking with alcohol in hand . People studying about monsters . People discussing their hunt .

Even though it’s a place where adventurers gather the atmosphere wasn’t tense, with an air of freedom filling the place .

After all, it’s a guild where many admired the master . A veteran adventurer calls out to me .

「Hey, Noir, so you safely returned from your long journey . Good, good . 」

「Greetings . By the way, where is Laura-san?」

When asked, he pointed to the table in the distance . Laura-san was arm-wrestling with several men .

Adventurers lost one after another .

「She has been like that since the moment she came back . She is in a bad temper since you won’t come back . Or actually, that’s not a strength of receptionist!」

She has Monstrous Strength skill after all .

I also gave her another ability with my skill . At this point wouldn’t it be better for her to just become an adventurer .

「Laura-san, I’m back!」

「!?」

When I called her she immediately clung to me with a hug .

「Noir-saaaaaaaaaaan! I kept waiting for you!」

Gyuuuahーー Ouch, ouch, ouch?!

I’d be happy if she held back her strength a bit . Laura-san held me so strongly that I started to wonder if I ever get out of this embrace .

When she finally let me go I noticed that her eyes were wet .

「I thought that you were surely fine . I did, and yet I was anxious all this time . That’s why I kept arm wrestling with gentlemen from the guild, to distract myself from those worries . Everyone, Noir-san came back so you aren’t needed anymore, scram . 」

It looks like she went very hard on stress relief .

It seems that the men didn’t care about being told to scram, and just thanked me, half crying .

Their arms surely hurt, but the mental damage of losing to a clerk was probably greater . 　

Sorry for being so late .

Sitting on a chair, I calmly talk with Laura-san . I didn’t take any request for a while, but it didn’t affect my rank .

And it seems nothing particularly special happened at the guild .

「Today I came merely to show my face, I will get to work from tomorrow on . 」

「Yes, we will be waiting . 」

「Laura-san, you are going to stick to the job of receptionist even after you became so strong?」

「I want to help Noir-san to become the very best . I’m fine with a supporting role . 」

She clapped, and then . Lightly touching my nose with her fingertip she donned a smile . I wonder if such cute little things are the reason for her popularity .

When asked about Luna-san, Laura-san’s expression clouded a bit .

「Lately she doesn’t show up at all . It seems that Luna is troubled with something again…… And she refuses all of my invitations, no matter where I call her . 」

So it’s something she can’t tell even her close friend, Laura-san . No, she might keep silent precisely because she is her close friend since she doesn’t want to drag her into trouble .

Or, there might be no meaning to discuss it, because it wouldn’t provide a solution anyway .

「Noir-san, can you somehow learn from her what is this about? If needed I will cooperate as well . 」

I get up, promising that I’ll do so . Laura-san stopped me when I was about to leave .

「I wanted to give you this . Use it whenever you please!」

Beaming with a smile she gave me a piece of paper . 『Coupon for the naughty game』was written on it .

I asked her what kind of game that is, but she said that it’s a surprise for when I use it . Supposedly I can use it on any day I want .

Which reminds me, Laura-san likes such things . Putting it into my pocket I head towards the temple .

Luna-san formed an adventurer party with me and Emma . Originally a saintess, she continued working as such even now .

In the same fashion as being an adventurer was a side job for me, it was also the same for her . Moreover, as a saintess she is greatly loved by the people of this town .

In part due to being a beautiful half-elf .

The temple was overflowing with people .

In addition to being a place of worship, it also was a place where devout would treat injuries free of charge .

Even if you aren’t that pious, just saying that you are a believer seems to be enough to receive treatment . As such, people that cannot go to a healer gather here .

Usually, the longest line leads to Luna-san, but today I can’t see her .

I ask the person and the end of the line .

「Is Saintess Luna taking a day off?」

「No, she is taking a break . She seems to have gone outside, but don’t bother her . 」

「Yes . But there is something that I absolutely have to tell her . 」

Saying that I go outside as well . It seems that there is a rule not to talk to Luna during her break . 　

But today I came to report on my return, so please forgive me .

Walking along the way I reach the other side of the temple where I spot Luna-san .

But since she was with someone, I immediately back off and hide behind the building .

Even though I’m not doing anything bad…… But, well, I shouldn’t interrupt them .

「I said it many times before, but it’s for Luna-san’s sake . Please think about it seriously . 」

「But I…… Not ready for such conversation yet……」

「Even if you are going to refuse, can you at least meet once . I beg you, at least to save my face . 」

A man in his fifties is lowering his head to her .

I saw him before . He is working here together with Luna-san .

「Then, really only a meeting, Nothing more…」

「Thank you! Then, on this Sunday!」

After expressing his delight, her coworker walks this way . Panicking I hide in the shade of a nearby tree .

A bit later after he left Luna-san also came . With her head hanging low she tottered forward .

What was she asked? She seems very reluctant about it .

「Luna-san, Luna-saan . 」

Coming out of the shadow I wave a hand . A moment later Luna-san’s expression turned to a cheerful one .

「No-No-Noir-dono! You came back?!」

With a dash, Luna-san closed the distance and grabbed by hand . Shaking up and down she seemed extremely excited .

Usually cool and collected she exposed her emotions to this extent . So happy she is about my return .

Such a reaction gives me joy .

I briefly explained to her what happened and stated that I had no injuries .

「What a relief… I was so worried about you, Noir-dono, that I couldn’t sleep at night . 」

Indeed, she had dark circles under her eyes . However, I’m probably not the only reason for that? Since it was a good chance I’ll tell her about Laura-san’s request .

「Sorry for making you worry . But isn’t there something that troubles you apart from me?」

「Mmh…… What, what might that mean?」

「Actually, Laura-san is pretty worried about you . That you seem somewhat down lately . 」

Luna seemed a bit happy after being told that .

「So it’s that obvious to Laura-san . 」

Then, I suggested my help . To which Luna began humming, troubled .

Some hints of embarrassment can be seen as well . Finally resolving herself she spoke .

「One of the priests that I’m working with offered me to meet with a certain man . He is looking for a marriage partner . I have no intention of getting married . But, I’m much obliged to that priest, so I can’t just flat out refuse his request . 」

She told me the details .

The priest that I saw earlier has a wealthy merchant among his friends, and the son of that merchant lately began looking for a bride .

He is pretty fussy about his preferences and doesn’t want to settle for an ordinary human .

And it seems that elf or half-elf would suit his taste .

「But why is it he doesn’t want a human?」

「It seems he wants the bride to keep a youthful appearance . I don’t really understand it . A person’s life is reflected on their face, that is the good part, isn’t it?」

I see, so he wants a race that tends to keep their appearance with age .

But our town hardly has any elves .

Beastmen are pretty rare as well .

Even half-elf like Luna-san is quite unusual .

「Meeting and cleverly refusing him would be the best . Is there anything I can do?」

「…Can you participate in the role of my younger brother?」

「Sure . How should I play it?」

「I’d like you to talk about the disgraceful behavior of your elder sister . 」

The so-called disillusionment strategy . Since she is beautiful, the sense of disappointment might be even greater in contrast with rotten character .

For a while, we talked about the details . We also decided to ask Laura-san to take the role of the little sister .

The meeting is supposed to take place on Sunday of this week . Until then we will discuss it a few times .

While Luna-san returned to her work, I looked at the weather with a bit of hesitation in my heart . If I go to the hidden dungeon right now, it will be night by the time I come back .

「……Let’s go, I want to meet with Master! And Dori-chan as well!」

It’s been a while after all . They probably will be happy to see me as well .

Upon reaching the dungeon I chant the password and go inside .

I’m quite used to disposing of golden slimes, that attack on sight, with【Stone Bullet】 .

At first, I instantly gained a new level upon defeating one… But since I became stronger I don’t level up at all .

Now, now, getting to the second floor I open the door to the room trying not to make a sound .

Let’s surprise Master .

『Uuuh… It hurts…』

Hering her groan-like voice I freeze, startled .

『Today… Might be…… Especially bad……』

I look at Master, still bound by the chains, like on the day we first met .

Master’s eyes were closed, but she still could perceive me . A bit flustered she immediately said .

『Just kiddin! Did I surprise you? You totally felt for it, right?』

Just the usual cheerful master .

But I can tell . She was panicking . The tempo of her speech was a bit higher than usual .

She isn’t a person to get shaken by mundane things .

That probably wasn’t something I should’ve heard .

But if that’s the case, why had she used telepathy that could be heard by me?

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