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I had traced my path to the open, sunlit quarry near the entrance tunnel leading back into Area 81, ready to file my return report. But to my surprise, the quarry was teeming with explorers, miners, or even military personnel from an overview, their chatter audible even from a distance.
I presu they're the Steinberg subjugation unit dispatched by knight order that the earlier dragoon soldier had inford of.
I weaved my way across, hoping to find a familiar face, and I did, in a tent erected at the centre of the crowd—Parry-kun and ria Dragoon, Fey's grandmother, were there.
I guess they must have been worried about , perhaps even accepting the idea of my death. It would be a bit awkward in that case... I contemplated how I should appear as I approached them. Though I was broken out of my thoughts at the next scene, leaving surprised.
Had he made so kind of blunder? Parry-kun, his face wearing a scared expression, appeared to be at the receiving end of the sermon from Fey's grandma. She, too, appeared to be enraged, her hands patting his shoulder with strength. Then, Parry-kun seed to have broken into tears.
Oh, believe when I say I never expected to view that side of him. I nearly felt all the string that had supported so far snapping, lowering to my knees. What? I am not joking. This would do anyone who had gone through a close brush against life and death monts, you know?
"...Don't cry just because soone scolded you, Parry-kun..."
"I know... I know very well. I will beco stronger to carry even your part tooo...oo...huh, no, how, eh, eh what?"
At my advice, Parry-kun strangely glanced at the sky, murmuring his reply. Though he realised my presence the next mont, his mouth moved like a flapping fish. Heh, when did he learn such an amusing expression, eh?
Anyway, it seed it would take Parry more than a mont to comprehend the situation, so I turned my focus to the surroundings.
They'll wear a listless expression, their body gestures reflecting their lancholy. At any other occasion, I would have thought they'd wanted a mont of respite, only to be forced to work but... it was obvious such wasn't the case.
"You seem to be busy here, eh, Parry-kun. Do you need help?"
Like a good office worker offering his assistance, I sohow whipped my body to move, and tapped on Parry-kun's shoulder, his mouth finally resting.
"Y-you… never mind. I still hate you, Allen Rovenne!"
...What the heck?!
◆◆◆
After that, I had a priest heal with holy magic to fix my hearing and other injuries. Then, Parry-kun and Dragoon Marquess accompanied to the entrance of Area 81.
To be precise, I was at the entrance of Area 81, contemplating my life choices. It was the command of Dragoon Marquess, explaining Fey, Dio and everyone else—who had thought of as deceased—would be more delighted when they saw in flesh.
I felt a bit awkward about it, so I tried to brush it off with, "I’m just going to nap. Can you tell them I’m fine?" That earned a serious scolding. She started lecturing about how much everyone had worked to save over the last few days, and before I knew it, I was here, standing by the entrance like an idiot.
So, why was I just dilly-dallying here instead of walking straight in? Because I heard them.
Inside, Fey, Satowa, Dio, Ignis-san, and so knights had gathered at the shore of the subterranean lake, losing in a depressed conversation.
"...Why did it have to happen, Allen? Yet no tears are coming out. I see with my own eyes... but it's still hard to accept that you've left us so sudden..."
"This... this is the pickaxe he brought with himself from the royal capital. It's made of cheap materials, sothing a slum blacksmith Bem crafted, but it showed how much he had been looking forward to the exploration. A keepsake of his mories. Bring it with us."
"To think this would beco the monto... it's so like him. I... what am I supposed to tell Al. Eh, Allen, how will I break the news to him!?"
—*Sniff* *Everyone sobs*
"I... I don't know if it's sothing for the better, but at least there were no remains of his inside the stomach of that stone mountain... I fear he may go into eternal slumber at the bedrock of the lake..."
"No, we can't leave him alone on the cold depth of the lake. I have to at least bring him to his p-parents... just wait for , Allen."
—*Sniff* *Everyone sobs*. Tears stread down Dio's cheeks.
......Aaaaah, how do you expect to enter nooooow?!? WHaT aM I eVen goInG To SaY!?
And what was that explaining about pickaxe to Al?! No, wait, more like, WHY Al??! I don't get it. What was she going to say? 'Take it, a replacent for your arm. Teehee~'?!? I have no doubt even Al, despite his docile personality, would snap you know!
"......You're not planning to stay there for eternity, or are you? Co out."
"Eh, w-wait, no, seriously, just a minute! Can't you see the situation insi—"
Wait, I could try 'guess who?' ga? Never mind, I am sure I would get beaten down if anything. Right, then what about—"APRIL FOOOOL!!"
Yeah, right. Like that’s going to land either…
O' heavens, guide this lost soul! I could only perceive myself getting kicked or punched no matter the option I chose!
While I was lost in my own thoughts, flustered, even though I was supposed to be the victim here, ria behind clearly didn't share the sa sentint. Instead, she was irked, and kicked from her position.
"You buffoon, is that what you need to think about, to make a perfect entrance? When a girl is so heartbroken because of you?! Be a man, and straighten your act. Just hug her if nothing works!"
Behind , an old lady's hollering crowded the quiet atmosphere of Area 81, though I could barely pay attention as I tumbled inside the mine.
"Geh!"
The gathered knight and people imdiately turned around to check out the situation. Tch, that old hag, she ruined any chance of normal entrance!
An incomprehensible silence dawned upon the mine.
"H-Hello."
My face was red, perhaps from the awkwardness, or it could be embarrassnt. I pushed my facial muscle to draw a smile awkwardly and raised a hand in greeting.
No one reacted. The air felt more heavy than even the underground tunnel. But one did. When everyone had ceased to move, Fey heaved a short sigh and stepped out. Her lips were drawn in her usual grin, and yet, there was sothing about her that felt like I was staring at a lioness as she took leisure strides to reach .
"L-listen to , Fey. I really did my best!"
She quietly stretched her hand toward my chest.
I flinched, thinking, She’s really going to beat on my chest like a bongo, isn’t she?! But all my guessed vanished when crack outran that smile—the mask she had been putting on—crumbling away to show her true state. Her body clinged to as she broke into tears.
She wept like a child, her body shuddering, and her hands tightly gripping onto my clothes as if I'd vanish the mont she let go of . Borrowing my chest as the cover from other's eyes, her tears stread down, and down.
"......I really made you worry huh. Sorry."
I said, gently brushing away a tear from her cheeks. «Tch... that's where you should've been giving her a hug.» Behind , like a true Hollywood romance movie addict, the old hag clicked her tongue.
◆◆◆
Once Fey had cald down enough, Ignis-san coiled his arm around my shoulder, cracking a joke as if to sweep away the depressing air.
"Sheesh, you have no idea how much worry you caused, you dumb disciple! Believe when I say I will kick your ass out of my apprenticeship if you tried to play the role of hero again. ...So, how did you manage through?"
Then he trained his serious gaze on , asking the question that should've been on everyone's mind. Not that I had mind, though I must say, everything had tired.
"I am really sorry, but can we leave this for tomorrow? It's a long story, you see, and I am sure you wouldn't want to bring out the unexpected discovery here... and honestly, I might really fall asleep on the ground."
My reply was t with an understanding nod from everyone. Then ria Dragoon suggested I could stay in their estate, but I politely declined, saying I already had lodged an inn and not using it would be a waste of money. Besides, I knew myself well, I wouldn't be able to sleep in soone else's ho, much less in a bed with a grand canopy.
Now that my thoughts had finally the grace to calm down, I realised my worries were unfounded.
The news of my survival had already spread amidst the crowd helping outside, and they welcod , along with the heroes who had brought down monster Steinberg, with a thunderous applause.
And right there, Fey saw through a chance and announced they will hold an open banquet for the city.
"Well, it might be a bit out of season, but let's hold a Fire Festival. The Dragoon family will bear all the expenses, so make it a grandeur event to your heart's content!"
Perhaps it was in their nature as the artisan that most of Dragoon's folk fell into, the announcent instantly t with booming cheers.
I was speechless though. I an a city-wide banquet was a money guzzler to , a commoner by mind. Then I noticed Marquess's eyes only drew a smile, giving Fey an approving look. ...You know, call stupid to ever apply common sense on these grandiose nobles.
But a banquet... *sigh* and here I was dead tired. I slipped a bitter smile, though so much as I felt resistant, when the mont ca, I had no idea I would be so absorbed in the mont like anyone else.
The nights of the Dragoon had always been enchanting, illuminated by the red-lantern, offering a mystical presence to the goers. And yet, the beauty of the city take it a notch further that night, with open bonfires lined the entire main street, making it feel as if the whole city was ablaze in celebration.
From every corner ca the echo of drums—sothing like djembes back on Earth—beating out hypnotic, primal rhythms.
At the heart of the city, they'd even built a ring arena for bufou—Dragoon's most famous martial art. I had tried myself against Ignis-san, the title holder of Aragon, and obviously, I lost. I didn't even last a few seconds. Though the loss had stoked my spirit, so I kept challenging him again and again. And as fervent my challenges burn, Ignis-san beat down with the sa intensity.
And every ti I lunged at Ignis-san, trying to score just one point off the hero of this town, the crowd cheered on with a... raucous warmth (?), "Mad Hound! Mad Hound! Mad Hound!" chanting the title I never wanted.
“Mad Dog! Mad Dog! Mad Dog!!”
In the passing of mont, beneath that sun-drenched southern air, I got absolutely drunk on the celebration.
And the next morning—
I made my way to the Dragoon Marquess’ estate to finally give my full report.
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