Raven was the one who ended the awkward silence. «Are you going to keep making that face? This isn't even your fault, Mr. Y-I mean, Mr. Schuitz».
He probably didn't say it knowing the whole context, but he wasn't wrong. It would be unrealistic to say that this was all my fault, but I couldn't get the idea out of my head that I had been the one who had given the final push to a person who was on the edge of the cliff. If he hadn't gone to see that woman, maybe she wouldn't have made that decision.
Dwalkie... Bjorn's biological father, Yandel Jarku...
When I thought about these two cases, I was forced to recognize the possibility even more. My presence had changed the future.
«Ha... If I had known this was going to happen, I wouldn't have mentioned it», Raven said. I began to realize that I could no longer act distracted and keep my mouth shut, I couldn't fool her one more time.
On the other hand, I also thought this: was it okay for me to dig into a wound that had finally healed just because I didn't want to turn a blind eye to the role I had played in causing it? That thought made it difficult for me to open my mouth and speak.
«What a strange tension. Shall we interrupt something?»
When I turned toward the entrance upon hearing the voices, I could see Amelia and Erwen lifting the tent flap and entering. When I turned my head again, Raven had already returned her attention to the documents in front of her.
Yes, now is not the time to have this conversation.
In the end, I couldn't say anything that day.
***
[The maze is closed. You are being transported to Rafdonia.]
***
On day seventy-five of the search, the closing date of the seventh floor, we returned to the city.
Wow, it seems like a long time has passed.
After spending more than two months in the maze, the city felt strange. He had heard that some clans on the upper floor tended to rest a month or two after an expedition, and he was beginning to understand why.
«Are you going home right away, sir?»
«For now. Let's rest, and then we can eat something good».
«Okay!»
After exiting the currency exchange, we headed straight to the mansion. We don't actually exchange many mana stones. Upon reaching the sixth floor, all the loot was received in the form of vouchers with the seal of the royal family. Apparently they could be exchanged for money at the Merit Office, but since it was going to be crowded for a few days, I decided to wait a bit before heading there.
«Ugh, finally home».
'Home' was a mansion with a small garden, and everything that could be called a boarded-up window. I never thought I would be happy to see this place.
Anyway, let's eat the takeout after washing...
«So who's going to wash first?»
We were trying to decide the order when Amelia told me: «Schuitz, use the bathroom on the second floor».
«Hey? That's fine with me, but is it okay with you that I go first?».
«The bathroom on the first floor is larger than the one on the second. We can both use it together».
I didn't understand very well. «...What? Are you going to use it together?» For some reason, I couldn't imagine it. «You guys... when did you get so close?»
To my obvious astonishment, Erwen waved her hands, extremely nervous. »So close»? That's not true! You! Say something. Why would I bathe with you?».
«Because it is more efficient. Well, if you don't want to, I'll take a bath first».
«That? Why do you have to decide...?»
«Then I'm going in.»
«...Wait, stop!» As Amelia headed towards the bathroom, Erwen ran after her screaming.
How come you never have a quiet day?
I turned around and headed to the second floor bathroom. I was a little curious to know who would go to the bathroom first or if they would wash together... But what did it matter? By now, he was at least sure that they wouldn't draw their weapons against each other.
«Ugh, that feels so much better.»
As soon as I poured hot water on my body, I felt all the accumulated fatigue fade away. I felt like the expedition was finally over.
Considering everything that had happened... things ended up going quite well.
There were no incidents worth mentioning after the initial ambush. I continued patrolling until I gained enough XP to reach level seven, and that peace persisted. Apparently something happened to the main unit in the middle of our stay, because they requested our support, so we joined the troops for a while. Of course, that didn't affect me too much. Raven had to stay in the rear because of her strategic role, and that also applied to us as her unit.
For this loot settlement, I will first have to sell the equipment and exchange the vouchers for money...
As I cataloged our earnings from this expedition while washing, everything seemed very new to me.
«Level seven, huh?»
He was now at a level where he could proudly say that he had entered the middle and late phases of the game. Not to mention the number of rank three essences he had obtained despite being technically at the beginning of the second part. It seems like yesterday when I was crawling after stepping on goblin traps.
I have become much stronger.
I was beginning to feel my growth. After all, the reason why could he say that this expedition had ended smoothly in the first place? He had had to fight four members of Orcules: Corpse Collector, Wailing Witch, Lighthouse Keeper, and Blood Knight. In the past, someone would have had to sacrifice themselves to get us out of that encounter, and I would have had to put my life on the line too.
I have to get even stronger.
However, instead of feeling satisfied, I felt my own inability even more. I still had a long way to go before I could guarantee my complete safety and that of my companions in front of the palace and monsters like Auril Gavis and Baekho.
I have to reach level nine somehow. And I have to resolve the Spiritual Footprint issue as soon as possible...
Just as I was thinking that, I heard: «Sir, is it almost over? I'm thinking about reheating the food now».
«Ah, I'll be out soon». Realizing that I had been in the bathroom much longer than I thought, I quickly finished and left. Then, eating the reheated food, we talked.
«Schuitz, what is your plan to deal with the guild issue?»
«Guild problem?»
«What Raven mentioned. That, if you want to avoid the palace's attention, you should make sure to first deal with the information that the guild has on file.»
«Ah...»
The last time rank five adventurer Riehen Schuitz entered the maze was about five years ago. If the palace took a look at the documents stored in the guild, my false identity would quickly be revealed. The equipment Schuitz worked with and the essences he was confirmed to have would all be written there.
«Also, if you find your former colleagues and ask them some questions, you will surely realize that something is wrong. Not to mention if they bring them to meet you personally».
He had to burn Schuitz's records or modify them so that they would go unnoticed. This was something only a guild member could do.
«Is there anyone who can help?»
«I don't know, I've never been close to the guild».
Of course, even as I said that, there was one person who came to mind: Julián Urbans, the beautiful daughter of the district chief whom I once took hostage to clear my name.
Hmm, maybe «beautiful daughter» is not the correct description.
Thinking about it now, she had been an unusual woman, who wanted her father to fall because she didn't want to live like a puppet. I wondered what would have become of her. If I had helped her then, could I have taken that favor now?
***
The day after returning to the city, Amelia headed to get rid of Guardafaro's equipment and Erwen left to pass through her sacred land.
«So should I go out too?»
I also got dressed and went out. After discussing it, we came to the conclusion that he was fine. Not even Raven, my former clanmate, had recognized my face, as, unfortunately, it was almost impossible to look at this face and think «Bjorn Yandel». So it would be strange if I stayed locked up at home.
I should have met that dragon tribe boy with this face instead.
Even the dragon shaman, who claimed that I was ugly as hell the first time we met, wouldn't be able to tell such a lie when she saw what I looked like today.
Tsk, what's so great about a face as skinny as this? Anyway, I should go there first...
This was my first outing since returning to the present. As I walked, calmly observing my surroundings as I did twenty years ago, I soon arrived at my destination: Carcia Romne, a blacksmith shop with a bombastic and old name that did not seem to fit the job. Apparently, it meant «magic flame». It was the blacksmith shop that Hikurod Murad built after leaving the Half Wit Team.
I heard business was going well these days. I guess it was true.
I had heard it from Raven, but I didn't expect things to go so well. Seeing that he had apparently added a plant to each of the nearby buildings, it seemed that business had been booming in the two and a half years he had been away.
Do I take a look inside?
I was curious, so I entered the blacksmith shop and slowly observed the exposed equipment.
«Hahaha! The exhibits are not for sale, they are samples of custom-made items. If you are looking for something in particular, tell me». When I turned when I heard the familiar voice, there was a familiar face there.
«Hikurod Murad».
«Oh, do you know my name? Ha ha ha. I guess I've become famous». Hikurod laughed heartily and looked up. Then he shuddered when his eyes met mine. «...Eh?»
«What's happening?»
«Ah, it's nothing. Just a strange feeling. Wow, you're a tall, handsome guy».
I thought he might have recognized me, but it seemed like he didn't.
Okay, so this shows that no one will recognize me, even if it doesn't cover my face. But... why am I sad?
Putting that inexplicable feeling aside, I had a conversation with the dwarf. «Is it okay for the boss to be on the floor?».
«Haha, I don't do blacksmithing work».
"¿Por qué?"
«Well, why would I when hired blacksmiths do it for me? They do it better than me».
«...Ya veo.»
«This may even be my calling. I found my talent late. So tell me. If you're looking for something, I can match any price».
Now he could see that the dwarf seemed to have given up on his dream of becoming a blacksmith and had instead switched to a sales job. No wonder business was going well for him.
Oh? He even wears a Mithril necklace.
To be honest, this was a shock. Between the fact that he had given up on his dream and the clothes he was wearing, he didn't look like the guy I once knew. The icing on the cake was the last thing he said.
«Ugh, tsk... what bad luck. And it seemed like he had a lot of money». When I told him I was just there to take a look, all traces of laughter disappeared from his face and he kicked me out. «If you're not going to buy anything, get out! Other customers can't come in because of you».
As they kicked me out, I was stunned. What had happened to this guy to become so obsessed with money?
...I guess it doesn't matter, since he seems to be doing well.
After leaving the blacksmith shop, I headed to the training center I had located. It was a center Rotmiller ran to teach explorer skills to adventurers.
It's closed. I just wanted to catch a glimpse of his face, even if it was from afar.
For some reason, they weren't open today.
So where should I go?
I thought about returning home, but there was nothing to do there, so I decided on a new destination and set off. When there was nothing else to do, there was no place like the library.
When I walked through the wide open doors, I saw a desk that looked familiar.
But what...?
The people sitting at the desk were all different. Normally, there would only be one librarian with sleepy eyes sitting at that large desk.
«Hello, welcome».
Instead, more than twenty employees were working at the desk, much like the library of twenty years ago.
«Um ... what happened to the original librarian?»
«Who are you talking about?»
«Ragna Litaniel Peprock...»
One of the librarians tilted her head in confusion at my question before heading to the counter to ask the others. «I asked my superiors and they told me that this person retired before the library was restructured», he reported.
«...Can you tell me when you retired?».
«As it was just before the restructuring, it must have been two years ago».
Two years ago? Well, he wasn't the kind of person who should be a librarian for the rest of his life. She was using an enormous amount of mana to manage a library that should have been maintained by dozens of people alone.
«Is there anything else I can help you with?»
«Alright. If you just cast the detection spell on me, I'll take care of the rest myself».
«The Book Recognition spell costs three thousand stones!»
What, now you have to pay it?
I realized there had been a lot of changes during my absence, but I paid for now, grabbed a few books, and sat down. He wasn't sure how much time had passed like this.
¡Honkk!
Who is?
¡Honkk!
I couldn't stand the sound of snoring echoing on the shelves at random intervals and raised my head.
«Um... we have received a complaint... could you please wake up...?». One of the librarians was shaking the shoulders of a giant snoring barbarian.
¡Honkk!
Ugh, what a shame for barbarians... Huh?
The moment the barbarian woke up, wiping her mouth, I couldn't help but jump in surprise. «Ah, sorry! I guess I fell asleep for a second». He had blonde hair, half braided and half loose, and golden eyes that denoted stubbornness.
«Ah, right... Then you will leave...?»
Huh, I never thought I'd see her in the library.
I almost didn't recognize her with her new complexion, but as soon as I saw her face, I knew.
«Haha! You don't need to kick me out. I'm apologizing. Don't be insensitive. Ah, was »insensitive» too difficult a word to understand?» It was Ainar, Fenelin's second daughter.