The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 68
Chapter 68: The fat aristocrat goes sideways
It is a matter of who is stronger in disagreements between the person and the one who worries.
Mitrof insisted he was fine and wanted to continue exploring the labyrinth.
Canule, though feeling embarrassed under the hood, insisted on giving up exploring while avoiding eye contact with Mitrof.
In reality, Mitrof’s left arm still felt numb and painful. His arm felt awkward to move, as if he had strained his muscles from strenuous exercise. Applying force caused a dull ache, and his arm’s mobility was restricted.
Mitrof tried to keep this a secret and wanted to continue forward.
“The antidote has worked well—thanks to the rest, the pain has subsided—let’s move forward.”
The harvest after going down to the 11th floor is small. Hunting paraponeras without any gains from defeating them would put today’s balance in the red, just from using the antidote.
“I am sorry, Mitrof-sama. If we want to explore unknown territories, we should be in perfect condition—we should not underestimate the effects of the poison.”
Mitrof pursed his lips, feeling that his protector was being overly cautious.
Just as they were about to leave, a group of adventurers came up behind them and passed by them at the end of the corridor.
It seemed like they overheard what was being discussed, leaving behind lukewarm glances.
“On the way back, please use the great elevator.”
Canule said after seeing the adventurers off.
“The great elevator?—It’s going to put us in the red.”
“Only Mitrof-sama will be using it—I will walk back—with that being said, I do a little more exploring.”
Mitrof pulled his chin back. The excess fat overlapped, creating a blob of fat around his neck.
“If you don’t like the great elevator, let’s just walk back now while we still have energy to spare.”
Mitrof agreed, acknowledging that Canule was right.
It would be too late to turn back after running out of energy. There may be situations where Mitrof must fight monsters on the way back.
Even if he feels alright now, it’s possible that the poisoning will flare up again in a few dozen minutes.
Mitrof could insist on continuing and force his way through, but Canule is watching him.
She blocks the way with her hands on her waist, standing in a warrior stance. Canule’s determination was unwavering.
Mitrof groaned and reluctantly nodded.
“…I understand—let’s turn back today.”
“Really? Mitrof-sama is a good boy.”
Canule said cheerfully. Her voice was light and airy.
Mitrof didn’t know how old Canule was, but she couldn’t be much older than him. He blinked his eyes at her childlike way of speaking.
On the way back, Canule showed her caring side. Of course, she led the way, but she also turned back to Mitrof from time to time to check if he’s okay and if he was following properly.
Even when encountering a paraponera, Mitrof stopped drawing his sword and let Canule fight alone.
Mitrof had been prepared to join the fray, but Canule showed no signs of being weak against paraponeras and fought valiantly, unlike before.
It had been proven that hitting a paraponera with a shield was ineffective.
However, just now, Canule had defeated the paraponera with a karate chop. Even without a sword, Canule was a knight and a professional trained in combat and knowledge.
She used her shield to deflect the paraponera’s attacks and corner it against the wall. She used the edge of her shield to trap the paraponera’s neck and cut it off. She stepped on the paraponera, which was crawling on the floor, to immobilize it and swung her shield down like a guillotine.
Her fighting style was completely different from the mild impression Mitrof had of Canule. It was filled with the dignity and coldness of a fighter. It was not terrifying, but rather comforting.
‘It seems like I won’t have a chance to participate…’
He felt relieved, yet a little sad. He felt like he couldn’t keep his dignity as a man, but the fact was that it would be safer and faster for Canule to fight instead of Mitrof, who had injured his left arm.
As Mitrof walked behind Canule, he quietly loosened the belt of his shield.
Because a poison needle had stung him, his arm was swollen. Just as he thought the pain had settled down over time, it started to throb again, like melted iron flowing through the core of his arm and bones.
It was not as intense as the pain he had felt when he was stung. He could endure it.
Without stopping Canule, Mitrof continued walking. As a nobleman, or rather, as a man, he could not show any weakness or despair.
“——Mitrof-sama.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”
Reflexively responding to the voice that called out to him, a suspicious atmosphere returned. It seemed that he had missed the voice due to his unconsciousness of the pain.
On closer inspection, Canule was facing a side passage that intersected at right angles with the corridor.
“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?”
“I can hear a voice from ahead.”
“Really?”
The side path had a low ceiling and was a familiar labyrinth-like passage on the upper floors. A metal gate was placed at the entrance, blocking the way. This was a path that had been closed off and unseen on the map.
Mitrof also listened carefully but could only hear a wind-like sound from somewhere.
“What kind of voice is it?”
“A man’s shout and…”
Canule fell silent. Mitrof suppressed his breath, making no sound. As a human changed into a monster, Canule also acquired acute hearing.
“I could be mistaken, but…”
Canule prefaced.
“I think I heard another voice of that beastman girl—Apélie Tiff.”
Mitrof did not ask if it was true. If Canule said so, then it must be true.
The more important part was the earlier statement about the man raising his voice. This meant that Apélie Tiff was probably in conflict with the man.
If Mitrof had known nothing, he would have remained calm, but he had concerns about the “amber” stone that Apélie Tiff gave him, not about his own arm.
It was precious and something the guild wanted to keep secret, and there seemed to be people who desired it.
The beastman didn’t tell Mitrof the important details, which only made everything seem even more mysterious to him.
“…Let’s go and see.”
“Then I’ll break it.”
Canule, without any further questioning, acted on Mitrof’s words. It was Mitrof who was confused.
“But, are you sure that’s the best choice? There might be more options, like asking about the circumstances and stopping it.”
Canule tilted her head in confusion.
“Mitrof-sama is close to that girl, right?”
“…Yeah, I am.”
“I knew that if Mitrof-sama got involved in the commotion, he would go—but considering your arm, please don’t force yourself.”
Without waiting for Mitrof’s response, Canule put her hand on the door in the center of the iron gate. There was a large lock on it, which she planned on breaking.
However, contrary to their expectations, the door creaked open.
“It doesn’t seem to be locked.”
“That’s convenient.”
It was an area that was prohibited to trespassers, with the door locked to prevent entry. The feeling of breaking in with a destroyed lock and the feeling of entering through a door that happened to be open were somewhat different.
The two passed through the iron gate and made their way into the lateral cave.