The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 73
Chapter 73: The fat aristocrat challenge winged ants
“Canule, I like you.”
“——Mitrof-sama, has the paraponera toxin gotten to your head…?”
As soon as they met at the guild’s plaza in the morning, Mitrof declared his feelings.
Canule covered her mouth with her black leather glove and sighed sadly.
“Let’s go to the medical facility right away—I will accompany you.”
“I’m sane—I believe that the days I spend delving into the labyrinth with you will be enjoyable.”
“… Is this a farewell?”
Suddenly, Canule’s shoulders slumped in dejection.
The end of the month was approaching rapidly. The day when Canule’s brother would come to pick her up was almost here.
Despite knowing this, Canule has been avoiding the approaching day—Mitrof, too, had been averting his gaze. The moment they put it into words, their separation would draw nearer.
“No, it’s not.”
Mitrof shook his head.
“Last night, I thought deeply about what I really wanted—lately, I’ve been thinking about making money—with money, one can have a good life. That’s what I need—but making money isn’t an important factor for me; if I were to adventure for money, exploring the labyrinth would just become labor.”
Canule listened quietly to Mitrof’s words.
“The reason I started was for my livelihood—even now, I dive into the labyrinth for money—but I find joy in challenging the labyrinth with you—meeting Mikel, meeting other adventurers, seeing things I never imagined, struggling against monsters, training myself, and then challenging again… I love this daily routine. For the first time in my life, I feel alive when I enjoy doing something.”
Mitrof asked Canule if she felt the same way.
“Yes,” Canule replied with a smile. “I never thought I would have such enjoyable days—my time spent exploring the labyrinth with Mitrof-sama was like a dream.”
Canule’s voice trembled faintly.
Though she lost her human body due to the curse, her voice shook.
“I forgot about my own situation and selfishly wished for days like this to continue forever. It was really fun—all thanks to Mitrof-sama and Grace-sama.”
“I see—If you also think that way, then I’m glad.”
Mitrof nodded in satisfaction. The conversation was over, and Mitrof turned his face towards the guild.
“Well then, let’s go, Canule—let’s clean up quickly.”
“Clean up?—What do you mean?”
“Defeat the ‘winged’ dinoponera.”
“…Yes—It sounds like fun, doesn’t it?”
Canule’s voice masked her loneliness with a forced cheerful tone. Her brother would come to pick her up soon. She knew this would be her last labyrinth exploration with Mitrof.
However, Mitrof denied Canule’s question, saying, “It’s for the sweet nectar.”
?
The two descended to the 11th floor and arrived at the same side passage as before. They placed their hands on the iron door, but it was locked.
After waiting for a while, as expected, Apélie Tiff appeared from the other end of the corridor.
Hanging from her neck was a worn-out key. She unlocked the door and invited the two of them inside.
“Mitrof.”
“Hey, Apélie Tiff, I came to see Blanc Manje.”
“I know—she’s already expecting you. Will you take care of the dinoponera?”
Apélie Tiff tilted her head with an anxious look.
“Is dinoponera that scary?”
“Yeah, it’s dangerous; there aren’t enough adults here; we can’t defeat it.”
“Not enough adults?”
As they were about to ask if they had gone somewhere, Blanc Manje walked towards them from the back passage.
“Mitrof-san, you came.”
“Yes—I was thinking about accepting the quest.”
This time, without any sarcastic remarks, the conversation moved forward honestly.
“That would be a great help—actually, it has been digging nests nearby since last night. In a few days, things would have become dangerous.”
“If they’re nearby, it’s convenient—show me the way.”
Following Blanc Manje, who walked ahead, Mitrof followed.
The side road, which had been a straight path, gradually widened, and the number of forks in the road increased. Turning right, advancing, turning left… the path became complex, and Mitrof had no confidence in returning to the original road. It was a journey that was more suitable to be called a labyrinth than the “front.”
He felt as though he had come a long way. Suddenly, Blanc Manje stopped walking. Pointing with the hem of his coat, he indicated what was there.
It is a flat, elongated, bowl-shaped space. There is an ant digging a lateral hole on the far wall.
“… It’s certainly big.”
Mitrof rubbed his chin.
The ant was at least two sizes larger than the paraponera, and its total length seemed to be the same size as or even larger than Mitrof. Its jet-black body was proud of its hardness, and its hands and feet had golden short hair. The pair of wings on its back made the dinoponera look even larger.
“Canule, are you alright?”
“…Of course.”
There was no vigor in her voice. With such a large ant, it was certainly nauseating. Even Mitrof’s back has been tingling since earlier. If he relaxed a bit, he might tremble.
“…We’re here. If you get hurt, we’ll come to your aid immediately.”
“You? Apélie Tiff?”
“No, the adults are waiting in the back—we may not be able to defeat the dinoponera, but we can help and give the fatal blow when it is down.”
“That’s reassuring news.”
Mitrof looked around, but he didn’t know where these adults were being talked about.
‘Well, no matter,’ Mitrof thought, switching his attention.
“Canule, I have a request.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I want you to protect me so that I do not get injured—I want to avoid getting knocked out.”
“I understand.”
Although her response was short, there was a fiery determination in Canule’s words.
After checking her shield’s handle, Canule adjusted the clasp at her neck to keep her hood from falling during battle.
Mitrof tightened the belt of his small shield. He unsheathed his thrusting sword and used his fingers to adjust the guard’s looseness.
“Shall we go, Canule?”
“Yes, Mitrof-sama.”
The two of them ran out at the same time.