The Fat Aristocrat Waltz in the Labyrinth - Chapter 98
Chapter 98: The fat aristocrat talks with Grace
The younger children sang hymns in the chapel, while the older ones sat on a cloth spread out in the courtyard, with the sky as their ceiling, listening to Saffron’s lesson.
Saffron wrote a passage from the Bible on the well-worn blackboard that still had faint traces of past text. He taught them how to read, understand, and interpret it.
“Hey, is Mitrof Grace’s boyfriend?”
With Mitrof’s arrival, the younger children stopped singing and swarmed around him.
A girl sitting next to Mitrof whispered in his ear during the lesson. Her distinctive features included long bangs that covered one eye and bright, sparkling eyes full of curiosity.
“No, we’re just friends.”
“Eh?—are you sure?”
“…Well, did Grace say anything about me?”
“Yeah—do you want to know?”
“…Um, yeah. It’s good to know for reference.”
“Sure thing.”
The girl held out her palm. Mitrof tilted his head, and she smiled back at him.
“Information fee.”
“You want an information fee? Can’t you just tell me for free?”
“Well, there is nothing as expensive as information.”
“Hmm… You seem to understand society well for your age… alright, how about one candy?”
“Three!”
“Isn’t that pushing it too far? Please be satisfied with two—even though I can’t afford to buy them often.”
“Is Mitrof poor? That’s so sad…”
“Yeah, so sad…”
“What are you sharing with this child?”
“Whoa!”
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind them, causing Mitrof to jump up in surprise.
Turning around in a hurry, Grace stood there with a dumbfounded expression at Mitrof’s exaggerated reaction.
“It’s nothing. Yeah, it’s really nothing. Right?”
“Yes, it’s nothing! I didn’t do anything bad!”
Grace looked skeptically at Mitrof and the young girl.
“What are you guys suddenly getting along for? What were you talking about? Will you tell me too?”
“That’s a secret—hey…”
“Yup, a secret—information should not be exchanged.”
“Information exchange?”
Grace’s eyes widened in surprise.
Mitrof and the girl looked at each other and nodded in agreement. It seemed that they both shared the opinion that it would be troublesome if the serious Grace found out.
“Oh, it’s Grace! Does that mean it’s snack time?!”
Kou shouted, and the children cheered as if a flame had been ignited in them at the mention of snacks.
“Sensei! Snacks!”
“I’m hungry!”
The children shouted as they pleased, and Saffron smiled peacefully.
“Freshly made ones are always the most delicious—shall we have some snacks?”
At that word, cheers erupted. However, when the older children called out, everyone obediently stood up, and together they thanked Saffron with the phrase, “Thank you, Saffron-sensei!”
They were well-behaved only to that extent, as they immediately ran into the church with excitement on their faces.
“My apologies for the noise.”
Mitrof replied with a serious face to Grace’s wry smile.
“It’s only natural when there are delicious snacks around—by the way, is there any left for me?”
Grace couldn’t tell if Mitrof was joking or being serious, so she burst out laughing.
“My oh my, you’re quite an interesting young boy. The wheat and sugar I bought with the silver coins you left behind were a big help. Thank you. Eat as much as you like.”
“Silver coins? I don’t remember that—maybe they fell out of my wallet because the food was too delicious.”
“You’re just joking now.”
Grace smiled, and Mitrof’s shy eyes were surprisingly embarrassing. His heart was pounding fast, and he even noticed sweat on his back. It was a strange phenomenon, even though it wasn’t a battle.
At Saffron’s place, there were only three older children remaining, asking serious questions. Saffron answered each one meticulously and even wrote on the blackboard. Mitrof was hesitant to approach them so as not to disturb their learning.
“That trio seems particularly serious.”
“Ah yes, Saffron-dono says those three have decided on their own paths. Letty has decided to attend a private school of the Schola faction. Dun is skilled with numbers and will be interning at a fine trading company that owns shops—and Lana, being skilled in beautiful handwriting, will be taking a secretary exam.”
All of the mentioned professions require more than just whims or passing thoughts to pursue. From what Mitrof saw, the three seemed to be just over ten. It wouldn’t be easy to determine their own paths at that age.
“They always say they want to work as soon as possible and help this institution—they have a beautiful spirit—but it’s a bit sad.”
“Sad? Isn’t that a wonderful thing?”
“Those kids should still be at an age where they are children, shouldn’t they? Once you become an adult, you can’t go back to being a child.”
Grace’s words seemed to include her own experiences. Mitrof heard that she became a hunter after her father passed away and she succeeded him.
There are times when there is no other choice but to take the path in front of you, regardless of whether you desire it or not, and the discernment and willpower to fulfill it will inevitably determine the direction in which you must go.
“You are worried, aren’t you, that they might regret their decision.”
“Hmm, yes. Perhaps it’s just my old woman’s worries. I have no intention of interfering with their decision, but sometimes I can’t help it—I just think that if there is anything that we, as adults, can do for their future, then we should do it.”
‘Adults,’ Mitrof repeated.
Grace, an elf with a longer lifespan than humans, should still be in her youth. Yet, it was just like her to classify herself as an “adult” and worry about the future of the children.
Mitrof had never thought of himself as an adult before.
Born a noble, living under the protection of his father, he consumed the clothes and meals given to him without question. He was dissatisfied with the life he was forced to live as the third son of a nobleman and felt stifled by his unrecognized existence.
However, Mitrof thinks that he is already fifteen years old.
He is allowed to drink alcohol, and can even run as a candidate for a member of parliament. Becoming the head of a noble family is not so uncommon either. Fifteen is already considered an adult.
Mitrof watched the three people studying under Saffron.
They must have been anxious to challenge a new environment at such a young age. They must also be nervous. Nevertheless, their eyes shone with strength.
“Those kids are already trying to stand on their own at that age.”
“I can only see them off as they leave the nest… but at least I want to help protect the place they come back to.”
That was why Grace was here.
She didn’t want to lose this church, which was not only her sister’s house, but also a place for children who have lost their parents and are often socially persecuted.
It seems that Mitrof was able to touch a part of that emotion.
“You are a remarkable person.”
“What’s with the sudden praise?”
Grace’s face turned sour, as if she had bitten into an unripe fruit.
“It’s difficult to think and act for someone else—you have been like that since we met in the labyrinth—and I will never forget you saving my life.”
“…As I said, we help each other in the labyrinth.” Grace smiled softly at Mitrof. “No. I wish I could say the same to you. I felt like I was saved by meeting you. The divine tree did not wither away, and the lives of the people in the village were protected. I owe you a debt of gratitude. And, well… ”
Grace suddenly hesitated.
She lowered her face and interlaced her fingers in front of her stomach, looking like a blushing flower or a child confessing to their parents.
Mitrof thought about whether there was something difficult for her to say and quickly realized.
Lattier, Grace’s sister, asked Mitrof not to take Grace to the perilous labyrinth the previous time he came here. She must have also told Grace about it.
“It’s okay, I understand.”
Mitrof nodded his head.
“Y-You understand?!”
“I heard about it from your sister.”
“From my sister?! When did she…”
Grace was strangely flustered, and Mitrof tilted his head. Her snow-white cheeks were vividly colored like red pottery.
“This place feels like your home—not just your sister, but you have many younger siblings too.”
“…Yes, I do think of it like my family.”
“Grace, if you’re forcing yourself to come with me, you don’t have to—I have no intention of restricting how you live your life.”
Mitrof averted his gaze and looked at Saffron and the children.
“Does that mean you don’t want me?”
“It’s not like that.”
Mitrof replied firmly.
“How reassuring it is to have you by my side—but I only acted because I wanted to be of help to you. I don’t want to have a relationship based on debts or favors—I want to be equal.”
“…Equals, is it? I also feel the same—but do you really think I made the decision based solely on debts and favors?”
“I don’t think so… But you’re a hunter, right? You shouldn’t need to dive into the labyrinth.”
“Labyrinth? What are you talking about?”
“Your sister told me that she doesn’t want you sent into such a dangerous place, so I mean returning to our party and exploring the labyrinth.”
Grace’s eyes widened, and she opened her mouth slightly. As if dazed, she suddenly frowned and groaned, turning away.
“——I see! That’s what you were talking about! That’s right. That’s right—it’s about exploring the labyrinth!”
“What were you talking about…?”
“No, you’re right! We were talking about exploring the labyrinth! My sister would undoubtedly oppose it! She’s a kind person, but she’s always been a worrier!”
Mitrof looked at Grace, who became flustered and suspicious. Feeling his gaze, Grace found her own behavior strange.
Her cheeks still flushed, Grace cleared her throat on purpose, put her hands on her hips, and tried to act calm and composed, but her eyes remained closed.
“…I understand why my sister would be against it. However, she’ll understand if we explain it properly.”
Grace spoke lightly, but Mitrof wondered if that was really the case.
Lattier said she would sacrifice herself to protect Grace. She couldn’t be pleased that her precious sister would delve into the dangerous labyrinth exploration.
Grace opened her narrow, closed eyes and sent a glance towards the silent Mitrof. She let out a small breath, looking troubled.
“…When I went into the labyrinth to find medicine, I caused a lot of worry for my older sister. I know that’s why I can’t come here easily—but, Mitrof, I want to explore the labyrinth with you.”
Mitrof also met her gaze in a conversational tone.
“It’s certainly dangerous, but diving into the labyrinth with someone, fighting together, spending time… It makes my heart dance—I’m excited like a child.”
Grace blushed and smiled.
“So, don’t make that reluctant face—I want to continue exploring the labyrinth with my own will.”
“…I see.”
Mitrof couldn’t accept Grace’s words so easily.
It must be because he had encountered that “demon.” It was too otherworldly and too strong. An existence that was beyond one’s own power had entered the labyrinth. Mitrof realized such an obvious fact too late.
He looked at Grace. She was a good person. She had a family she cherished and children she loved, and she was not someone who should die.
‘Was it really right to take her to the labyrinth?’
‘Could I really protect her?’
“We need to resolve these issues quickly and return to our daily lives.”
Grace’s carefree voice made Mitrof swallow his troubles and nod.
“That’s right, we have to protect this church—but isn’t the problem with the mafia? Do you have a plan to resolve it?”
Grace pressed her finger against her lower lip and looked away, wondering what to say.
“I was thinking of going in and talking to the boss as soon as possible…”
“That’s too brave—it’s too reckless.”
“My sister scolded me a lot too—I looked for a solution and went here and there, but just now, Saffron-dono said that things would soon be settled, so we can relax—I heard he was talking to a man who came to settle things, but I’m not sure what exactly they talked about.”
Mitrof remembered the figure called “brother” who he had just met.
“Did he ask for specifics?”
“He said he would talk about it when the time comes, so it’s not clear.”
Both of them looked towards Saffron. Despite his slender build and soft eyes giving off a gentle aura, he did not exude the confidence needed to solve a problem with the mafia in one breath.
Although Mitrof was not well-versed in the matter, negotiating with an organization like the one that controls a corner of the underworld would surely be troublesome. It seemed that an equal amount of power, whether in the form of authority or violence, was necessary to confront them.
Mitrof considered whether he should ask for more details, but Saffron had such a distinguished personality that he could not be compared to Mitrof. He didn’t think Saffron was more impulsive than him. If he had a plan, would it be rude to doubt it?
“Mitrof?”
At Grace’s call, Mitrof let out a tense breath and turned his face back.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go inside. I’m hungry.”
“You sure do have an eye for food.”
Grace chuckled.