The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 57
Chapter 57: The fat aristocrat gets a thank you
At first, he was on guard, thinking it might be an enemy, but as it got closer, he recognized that it was in the shape of a human. Upon approaching without stopping, the shadow became clear, and he realized it was the beast girl, Apélie Tiff.
“You really knew I was coming, didn’t you?”
Mitrof said in surprise. At the time of their parting, Mitrof had given Apélie Tiff a handkerchief. She had said that if there was something with his scent, she could find him.
“…The scent was easy to follow.”
“It’s a little complicated for me—I hope it doesn’t stink… are you okay now?”
Apélie Tiff’s leg injury was not life-threatening, but it was not shallow enough to heal immediately.
“I can walk—I’m fine.”
“Oh, good—that’s a relief.”
Apélie Tiff moved uncomfortably and then approached hesitantly while on guard. She removed a small bag from her waist and handed it to Mitrof.
“This is my gratitude for our promise.”
“You’re a person of honor.”
“Is that so…?—Keeping one’s promise is only natural.”
That may be true, but Mitrof narrowed his eyes.
Some people break their promises. That’s why there are laws that use contracts and notaries to ensure that promises are kept.
Mitrof didn’t expect Apélie Tiff to keep her promise. That’s why he was so surprised that she had really appeared.
“Chief” said it had value and gave it to Mitrof.”
Mitrof received the small bag from Apélie Tiff. It was hard and heavy, like a rock. He was curious about its contents, but more curious about the words he heard.
“Chief”?—Do you have a leader?”
“…”
Apparently, Mitrof’s small surprise did not go unnoticed by Apélie Tiff.
“How many people do you live with?”
“…I don’t know. A lot.”
“A lot,” Mitrof repeated.
Apélie Tiff is a resident of the labyrinth and is referred to as one of the “people of the labyrinth”. There is the person she calls “the chief,” and she has many companions.
Without Mitrof realizing it, there are indeed many people living hidden within the labyrinth, in addition to adventurers and monsters. They live according to separate standards and create their own communities.
Mitrof proceeds along the path with the map of the labyrinth sold at the guild. However, it is impossible to accurately depict reality on paper.
There are paths with boards forbidding entry, narrow paths not shown on the map, and paths closed off by iron fences.
Moreover, rumors suggest that there are hidden paths connecting each floor that only monsters know about, which is very realistic. Mitrof discovered narrow paths hidden within the walls and also saw a hidden passage that the troll had used.
It is possible that somewhere in this labyrinth, people live without ever returning to the surface. Just thinking about it makes Mitrof feel curious.
Until recently, Mitrof only knew of the mansion, the small social world, and nothing else. The world is vast. It was a feeling of realizing his own insignificance, as if looking up at the vast sky.
“What kind of life do you have? Are you being threatened by monsters? How do you obtain resources?”
“Mitrof-sama.”
Canule quickly calmed Mitrof, who suddenly became excited. Apélie Tiff pulled back in surprise.
“…I’m sorry—I was just curious.”
Apélie Tiff tilted her head.
“Does Mitrof have an interest in us…?”
“Yes, I do.”
“It’s hard to understand unless you’re the chief.”
“I see. I hope I get a chance to meet this chief someday.”
“…Is this person a weirdo?”
Apélie Tiff tilted her head, and her beast ears above her head swayed.
“Well, he might be a little different.”
responded Canule instead, nodding.
“But he’s a good person.”
“Mitrof is a good person—I know—he helped me.”
Apélie Tiff stepped closer to Mitrof, looking up at his face.
“I still don’t think I’ve thanked you enough—I’ll bring you something else.”
“I’ve received enough gratitude—this is enough.”
The contents of the small bag in his right hand were still unknown. However, Mitrof believed that Apélie Tiff’s keeping the promise to meet him and coming to see him was in itself valuable. It brought a richness that couldn’t be obtained through things.
But Apélie Tiff shook her head.
“You saved my life; you gave me the tools to treat my wounds. I’m still grateful.”
Without waiting for Mitrof’s answer, Apélie Tiff turned around and walked away down the corridor. The pair saw her off as her figure disappeared into the distance.
“…She’s a very honorable person.”
“I’ve heard that the people of Labyrinth are frightening and hard to approach, but rumors are not always trustworthy.”
“Frightening?”
“Indeed, living in the labyrinth is something that those living on the surface cannot even imagine—there are stories that they possess strength that can conquer monsters, that they can converse with monsters, and that they have even tamed them.”
“I see.” Mitrof nodded.
It was difficult for Mitrof, who had been lurking in the labyrinth, to imagine such things. It would be even more difficult for someone viewing the labyrinth from the surface to understand. Ignorance nurtures imagination, and imagination magnifies things.
“At least Apélie Tiff is not too frightening to approach.”
Mitrof muttered as he looked at the small bag in his hand. It was wrapped in hemp cloth and tied with leftover fabric. When he untied the knot and opened the cloth, there was a fist-sized stone inside.
When he held it up to the wall’s light, it appeared yellow and translucent, as if distilled alcohol had solidified.
“Is this a raw gemstone?”
“I’m not sure—I don’t think there could be something this big…”
Mitrof was familiar with precious stones. However, while he could distinguish the types of gems from those that were polished and processed into works of art, it was difficult to determine their type from raw stones freshly dug from mines.
Mitrof tilted his head, then wrapped the stone again and tied it carefully with a string.