Chapter 58 - Mist Barkas’ offer (2/2)

[What is it?]

[You’re going to the lower floors, right?]

[Yeah… Can you keep this a secret to the Marquis? It’s too troublesome for me to explain where I heard about this information. I even gave you the Dragon Eye Sakazuki, so you could do that, right?]

[I understand.]

[By the way, haven’t you heard about that weird incident going about in this ruins?]

[I’ve heard about it. However, I thought that it would be quite an opportunity for me.]

Like I thought, that’s what she thought too huh…

[It seems that there was that story about the Drunken Sword Group that have returned early without even entering the new floor. That story had been spreading around to the other mercenaries in the ruins and a considerable number of them have also decided to return temporarily towards the ground above.]

It seems that the Drunken Sword Group and the others had influenced the others quite a bit.

[Hati-dono.]

[Hmm?]

Mist puts her hand over her chest.

[Can you at least allow me to escort you while you dive into the ruins?]

[…Huh?]

[It’s fine if I would just become your baggage carrier. Besides, you were about to dive into an unknown area that should be fraught with danger. As a swordswoman, I would know that you should always give some thoughts about the things you carry in your hand. It would be one thing if your opponent haven’t seen this technique of yours… However, I think that you should still consider it since you may still suffer from mental fatigue. However, if you were to have a swordswoman like me along with you, you could significantly reduce the need to use this technique of yours. Thus, making you hold control of the times that you’d get tired of mental fatigue. Please, don’t worry. I swear that I will not be a hindrance.]

Mist, who had approached me, looked up towards my face.

Zuiii…

[What do you think about that?]

Mental fatigue huh…

Is that how they know when their MP was about to be depleted?

However— I don’t have any concerns regarding my MP.

[…………]

[Ah— I- I’m sorry…]

She just noticed that her face had drawn too close to mine after vigorously saying that, huh…

Mist awkwardly steps back.

[However, as expected, I can’t just receive this Dragon Eye Sakazuki without anything in exchange.]

Mist glanced at the dragonic head that was now rolling around on the floor.

[From what I could see, you had defeated the guardian of this place…]

[If there’s a material you want from that, you could take that head part if you want.]

[Tha— That’s not the case at all!]

[What if I wanted to be alone when I go further into this ruins?]

[I would feel like my heart wouldn’t settle down. Couldn’t you at least tell me something that I could do?]

Her judgement must have become duller because of her lack of sleep huh…

[Do you have to be in a rush to proceed?]

Mist sounded a bit worried when she said that.

[If you were to get the reward for acquiring the Dragon Eye Sakazuki, that should solve the money problem for your travels that you’re facing now… You will now be able to proceed with your travels without having to do jobs on the way. If you were to think about it, those continuous delays while you’re doing various jobs may become a problem.]

She doesn’t look like she’d back down from this.

She’s quite stubborn…

Is it just that she has quite the serious attitude when it comes to favors?

Now then, what should I do about her?

I think that she’d be quite a reliable partner.

There are also some trust that has accumulated from the short acquaintanceship that we had.

…………..

A swordswoman, huh.

I wonder what would happen if I were to fight in the presence of others…

I kinda want to try it out for a bit.

This may also be a chance for me to hear some random things about this world.

Pigimaru had read the mood and has been hiding his presence within my clothes.

Besides…

[Even if I had some conditions that you have to follow?]

[Yes.]

[Well then. Basically, you should avoid asking questions about my personal circumstances. Our relationship would purely remain as the guard and her employer.]

[Roger that.]

[Other than that, I don’t think that I would go back to the ground above within just a day. That’s why, if you want to go back alone, you must go by yourself. I don’t have any responsibility to follow you. If that’s fine with you— well, I’ll leave guarding me to you.]

A relieved expression appeared on Mist’s face.

[Thank you very much.]

Immediately, her expression began stiffer.

It seems that calmness had returned in her voice.

[I will make sure that I would protect Hati-dono with all I have.]

I was still quite worried by the deep bags under her eyes.

If you were to look closely at her, you could see that her complexion isn’t good.

Should I make her sleep first?

[…………….]

I think it might be better if I make her sleep somewhere with that skill.