153 152.36 floors, 37 floors.txt (2/2)

'Hey!　What are you two doing there!

Oh, Kanami, welcome back.

Welcome back, Canamy.

They greet me with a smile, but that smile is scary.

However, that smile, on the contrary, scares me.

'Didn't I say be gentle!　Why, a ship I don't know is burning right there!

Hmmm, you're out of luck to have me come in when I'm not at home!

Rustyala starts bragging about his accomplishments in a theatrical tone.

Instantly deciding that this guy isn't worth talking about, I yell at the maid-dressed beastly woman in the corner, whose face is as dark as mine.

''Sera-san!　Why didn't you stop me!

”No, I stopped the arson ....... But they were opponents too, so, you know, ....... I couldn't say anything strongly enough to the young lady, so, you know, ......?

I knew he wouldn't be able to get this guy on the set with Rastiala!

I hold my head in my hands and turn my gaze to the crumbling strange ship.

It sucks. It's almost too much of a problem. I had become a criminal in the United Kingdom, but in another land, I wanted to be an innocent adventurer. That plan is falling apart with the burning ship.

Seeing the situation, Maria hurriedly begins to explain herself.

''I, no, Kanami-san. In case you're wondering, there's a situation!　Circumstances!

What kind of ...... circumstances?

That ship first came to negotiate with us under the guise of a merchant vessel ......, but as soon as the sailor's representative saw me as a child, he changed his attitude and attacked me.

Oh, really?

It's true!

Maria's voice trails off. She seems to be more than a little shocked at the low level of trust from me.

Then Rustyala interrupts.

'So-called pirates, you know. The number of pirate ships (that kind of thing) seems to be increasing naturally as we get closer to the war zone. Maria kept her promise to Kanami. The one who attacked us in the morning threatened us with fire and sent us home. But at noon, another pirate ship came by and attacked us. Probably the ship that chased him back leaked our ship's location to the others. Besides, if the attack failed, we could return home peacefully, so of course they would attack us again and again, right? Moreover, there were only three girls on board. That's delicious prey for anyone to hear!

Rustyala explains with sarcasm.

He defends Maria and says that my decision was wrong.

'Maria was in trouble for keeping Kanami's word, so I gave her the go-ahead on my own. 'They're coming, let's burn the ship down!　It's an example to you!　A frustrated Maria was very much in favor of the idea. And here we are today--!

'I'm afraid you guys have the guts to make a quick decision there and burn the ship, but ......, I understand the circumstances. ......

I don't need to use ”parallel thinking” to know why.

It was because I was naive.

Maria was trying to follow that warm instruction to the limit. Unable to see that, Rustyala protected her. Sera-san also decided that Rustyala's instructions were more correct than mine.

Morally, I may have been right, but I was wrong when it came to everyone's safety.

There would be no excuse for the error of judgment.

'I'm sorry I yelled at you, Maria, Rustyala. It was my fault.

It was as if I had said things that I was absolutely sure I was not wrong.

Did he think that he was smarter than anyone else, with his level of 'parallel thinking'?

No, he definitely thought that he was. That's why I yelled at him so much.

I felt my own stupidity, and my face naturally turned downward.

The battle against Galfrad Jerry in the labyrinth, the conversation with Hailey, and this conceit - the failures never stop. No matter how strong I get, I'm getting tired of being the same as before.

''Rastiara-san!　You're being too blunt!　Kanami-san blames herself for everything!

'But facts are facts and ....... I said that pretty softly now, too, didn't I?

'No, I didn't miss it. He caught the end of Kanami-san's words and said sarcastically, ”You can 'go home peacefully' -” he said. That would break Kanami-san's heart, which is so vulnerable to being hit.

'No, you have to say that much to realize your mistake. Especially Kanami--

Maybe it's because I'm too pathetic, but Maria is taking care of me.

Or rather, I'm more shocked that she thought of me that way: .......

I'm sure that Maria is worried about the self-defeating aspects of my character.

After all, it was a bad idea to claim that it was all my fault in one of my fights with Maria. She is desperate to keep the blame from being placed on me.

In order not to worry Maria any more, I answer a bit forcefully.

'Thank you, Maria. That's enough. It's true that I made a mistake, and I'm going to be very sorry for that. Of course, I won't feel sorry for you any longer than necessary, so don't worry.

He gets between Rustyala and Maria and stops arguing with them.

Then, he balances it out and blames them both for being sorry as well.

'...... but as for burning the ship down, be sorry for that one too. Anyone would be distraught if you came back and found yourself in a huge fire.

'Oh, yes. I knew it was too much to burn: ....... There were plenty of other ways to prevent the voyage from continuing: ......

Maria became sullen.

But Rustyala is the same as usual.

After confirming that the air has eased up a bit, she lets out a joyful voice in an attempt to further lighten the scene.

''Alright, case closed, right? I'm feeling a little sorry for myself too!　...... So, how did the labyrinth work out for you?

...... Yeah, I got to layer 37, but I was underwater again, so I came back with plenty of time to spare.

'I see. Well, I guess I'll be able to get to the 39th layer tomorrow: ......

I think I can make it.

We are almost there and our original goal will be achieved.

The voyage has progressed and we are getting quite close to the mainland. They would arrive as early as tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

Rastiara listened to the progress report with a mysterious look on his face.

''It's going well (・・・・). Then I'll join the labyrinth search party tomorrow. I'll decide on the finish!''

To all intents and purposes, Rustyala was positive.

I've tried to imitate that, but I still can't seem to compete with the original. Even the slightest thing can cause me to go backwards.

With a sigh, I redirect my thoughts in the same way Rustyala did.

We're on track.

Things are going well, moving forward--.