69 Labyrinth investigation (1/2)

Sisyphe

”Sisyphe!　How come I'm the only one who hasn't been called!

Novis complains to me about it.

His voice was so loud that the gaze of the people in the central square of the Republic of Ariadia gathered on us.

'I don't know what you're talking about!

I say back.

The time is noon and there are many people. I don't want you to be that loud.

Novice is upset that I wasn't invited to the dinner last night.

He didn't even know about the dinner until we met today in the first place.

'I'm sorry, Novi-kun. We just had fun on our own.

Maddie, who is with me, apologizes. But there's no need for Maddie to apologize.

In the first place, it's obvious that the party would be ruined if Novice was invited.

That's why he wasn't invited.

And I also knew that Novis would be angry if he found out that he was the only one not invited.

I tried to keep it as secret as possible, but my sister Kayna accidentally spoke up.

And here he was.

'You don't have to apologize Maddie, you don't have to apologize. My sister Kayna will talk now. ......

I glare at my sister Kayna.

'Sorry Sizfe, I spoke. Wahahahaha.

Sister Kayna apologizes, but she doesn't seem to feel bad about this one at all.

'What the hell are you doing here in the first place!　Novice! You didn't come here just to complain, did you?

If Novis was here to complain, he's a pretty bored guy.

'No ....... Because you say you're going to do something for that brave man who asked you to do something.

Novis turned away as if he had some difficulty saying something.

It is true that I will be going to meet with Rage-sama and the others to discuss the investigation.

But instead of going separately, we decided to gather together and go afterwards.

That's why we chose this central location as our meeting point.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that everyone is here except Leiria-san.

''What's that?'' I don't get it.

What is the point, really? Novice.

”Ahhh. I'm starting to feel sorry for you, Novi.

Yes. ......

Maddy and her sister Kayna are arguing about something.

By the way, Nora is not interested or not participating in the conversation.

'What, you two. What do you know about it?

I look at the two of them.

'Well - what. Novice wants to help Siszfe.

Kayna's sister says, looking at Novis.

Novis turns away sullenly.

Is it true that Novis wants to help? If so, I'll have to thank you for that.

After all, the more manpower the better.

'Oh, right, Novis. Thank you, that's very helpful.

I give Novis a tight hug and thank him.

Novice isn't great for exploration, but he's strong. He can be relied upon in battle. I'm honestly glad you're coming.

'Oh ....... That means it's okay!

Novis says happily. It's like he's lying about his earlier huff and puff.

'Wow. It's so fragile.'

I can hear Maddie make a sound of dismay.

'Well, now all that's left is Miss Leiria.

I look around to see if the last one is coming.

I spot someone there.

”Huh?　Who's that guy?

I met him once.

What was his name? But I think I've seen him before.

That's the guy with the package Novis hit.

”Hmm? I don't remember what his name was, but he's one of Master Kyouka's followers, isn't he?

My sister Kayna follows my gaze and spots a man as well.

'But he's got a woman with him. Who is it?

Maddy is right. The man has a woman with a hidden face. She hides her face, but her ample bosom bulge is definitely a woman.

'Hou ....... She's hiding her face, but that's quite a beauty.'

Nora says with a laugh.

Nora's eyes are sure. The woman with her must be quite beautiful.

The clothes the woman is wearing are much more luxurious than the man she is walking with. The veil that covers the face is embroidered with beautiful gold thread and reflects the sunlight and shines.

Is she some kind of lady?

The lady hid her face and I couldn't tell who she was. But I got the feeling that I knew her.

What's the connection?

It's not Maddie, but it bothers me.

”You know. From the looks of it, you're like a master and a squire, but there's something intimate about you. Hey.

Novis looks at the two with a lowly smile on his face.

The noblewoman is so well dressed, while the man's clothes are not so fine, that one would normally think that their relationship is master and servant.

However, the lady is walking around with her arms clinging to the man's.

If it's a master-servant relationship, the two are too close.

They are walking around the square, looking like they are close friends.

'Speaking of which, Novis. Did you apologize to that man?

Apologize?　What's that, Sisyphe?

I get a headache.

'Novice!　Come with me and I'll apologize to that man!

I tug on Novice's hand.

'What?　What the hell!　Sizfe!

I protest, but he doesn't listen. I take Novis to the man.

”Wait a minute, I'm coming with you.

Oh, me too!

Mm, I'll go with you. I like to see a beautiful woman up close.

Together, they follow sister Kayna to Maddy and even Miss Nora.

'Um!

I call out to them both.

They both turn around.

'What?'　What about you guys?

The noblewoman looks at us and makes a sullen noise.

It's a beautiful voice. Her voice sounds like Lady Raina.

The noblewoman who was called out to us seems to be quite angry.

As if he sensed our anger, a man hurriedly stepped forward and stood between us and the lady.

''Hahaha, we meet again. How's your head injury?'

The man looks at me with a laugh and says. It's a stark contrast to the angry noblewoman.

Then he says I have a head injury and for a moment I don't know what he's talking about, but then I remember.

Perhaps it's the time I met the goddess Lady Raina.

This man must have seen where I was carried to Lady Raina's temple with my head injury.

But I didn't think he was bothered by it.

'Yes, I have been cured by a certain One ......'

I slurred my words a bit. I can't just say that the goddess cured me. And you won't believe me when I tell you that.

'Oh, that's good to hear. By the way, what can I do for you?

The man is not angry like the lady. They are very happy to help you.

'No ....... I just thought I'd make you apologize for Novice to you.

When I say this, the man looks at me quizzically, then looks as if he remembers something.

'Oh, is that what you're talking about? That's enough. I've even had my kneecap done.'

The man laughs and waves his hand.

What do you mean by ”kneeling”?

Well, good, I need to make Novis apologize for that.

I bring Novis forward.

'Look, Novis!

I put Novice in front of me.

'Yeah, sorry about that,'

Novis says bluntly.

Wait a minute! That's not how you apologize.

He grabbed Novice's head and forced her to lower it.

'I'm sorry. I'll make this guy say more.'

I bow with him.

'No, no, that's enough.'

The man really doesn't seem to care anymore.

Hey, brother. Who's that guy over there?　Are you related to the brave man?

I ask what my sister Kayna is wondering about.

In fact, I've been curious about it for a while now.

The man is supposed to be a servant of Kyouka-sama.

If that's the case, she who is with him is also related to the brave man.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's a very important person.

''This is ....... That's right. This is ...... my own wife.

But the words that came out of the men's mouths were surprising.

From the mouths of all of them, ”Oh! I'm surprised.

I hear Novis muttering beside me that he's lying.

'Yes, it's my wife,'

The noblewoman puffs out her chest happily. Then her ample breasts sway.

I feel Novice staring at her breasts.

'Then we will excuse ourselves. I will go with my wife to visit Ariadia.'

The man bows and leaves with his wife.

”I didn't know you were a wife-beater.

Novis muttered and Maddy nodded. It certainly didn't sound like he had a wife.

'And yet, you seem to be a pretty close couple. I'm jealous. ......'

I'm also a believer in the goddess of marriage, so I admire a couple who get along well.

'Oh come on, I'm sure Sizfe will find a good match in no time: ......

Sister Kayna says, looking at Novice for some reason.

'You're already ahead of me, sister Kayna!　Are you going to marry me?

'I don't think I'll ever get married to you ....... For that matter, Leiria's a slow learner.

My sister Kayna turns the topic around.

I let out a sigh.

Well, I don't want to be talked out of marriage, so I decide to get on board.

I wasn't ready to get married yet.

I remember how many arranged marriages my mom had promoted to me before.

They were twenty or thirty years older than me, and although they weren't flattering, they all seemed rich and sincere.

I'm not going to say that I don't like them unless they are young beautiful men.

Even if they are the same rich, young beautiful men are few and far between, and they marry young ladies from better places. Therefore, if you say that, you can't marry them.

They had to work very hard to become rich when they were young, and they finally got to marry.

If it's true, I can say that they are a pretty good match. But I refused.

Sometimes I feel like I'm wasting my time, but I think that's enough.

I bring up a different subject.

We were all talking about the postponed opera. Mr. Leiria comes in.

'Ladies and gentlemen. I'm late.

Ms. Laylia apologizes.

'It's too late!　Mr. Leiria!

I say jokingly.

'Sorry Sisyphe. Oh. ......'

Ms. Laylia looks at my head.

'Hehe, how does it look? Now I'm a battle maiden too.

I say, touching my helmet.

Now there are wing ornaments on both sides of my helmet.

The wing ornaments on my helmet are worn by war maidens.

After receiving blessings from Lord Raina, I officially became a believer and received the title of war maiden from the Temple of Raina. The helmet was given to me at that time.

I'm also a follower of Lady Feria, but that's not a problem. Lady Raina is Lady Feria's daughter-in-law, and at the same time, she is allowed to be a believer.

Normally, a war maiden is an angel who serves Lady Raina, but sometimes the temple bestows the same title on special congregations.

The temple would then bestow a magical helmet on the person with the title of War Maiden.

These helmets have the ability to detect enemies and also give the wearer courage.

Incidentally, this winged decoration is not only for those who have the title of maiden of war to wear. There is no particular problem with individuals wearing it on their own.

''Yes, it suits you very well.

Miss Leiria replies with a laugh.

'Well then, let's go.'

When I said that, everyone shouted at me.

Dark Knight Kroki.

'Kroki, it's so crowded it's hard to walk. Do you mind if I blow it up?

How many times do I have to do this? Kuna says things again.

'No, Kuna. If you blow it up or anything, you can't: ......

Come to think of it, I remember Raina saying the same thing before. Is it because the former is the same, so is the action the same?

It's noon, and myself and Cuna are walking through the Republic of Ariadia together in the sunshine.

It's not Kuna, but it certainly feels like a lot of people.

Perhaps there are many tourists who have come to see the Rage.

Even if that's not the case, there are many people coming to Ariadia from outside.

Originally, the Republic of Ariadia is a country on the border between the east and west sides of the central continent.

For that reason, the number of travelers is much larger than those outside the country.

I see what appears to be travelers walking through the Republic of Ariadia.

The ones wearing trousers and sturdy-looking boots are probably from the east.

The east side of the continent is full of forests and mountains. Therefore, many of them wear trousers so that they don't hurt their skin when they walk.

On the other hand, in the west, where the inland sea of Caird is located, many of them do not wear trousers, but instead wear sandals on their bare feet.

There are exceptions, of course. Even in the east, in countries near the sea, people wear sandals and bare feet, and even in the west, where there are many mountains and forests, people will wear shoes and trousers.

Ariadia where this East and West mix is the crucible of the dress of this world.

The central square was difficult to walk in because of the large number of travelers from that East and West.

Moreover, it would be even more difficult to walk because Kuna is wearing a veil that covers her face and body. Perhaps that's why she seems to be a little irritated.

It's also why she tried to attack when Sizfe spoke to her earlier.

I might as well get back as soon as possible.

Kuna. ”Kuna, do you want to go back?

Cuna shakes her head when she asks herself.

'No, Cuna would rather walk with Kroki more.

Kuna squeezes my left arm. I can feel the touch of Kuna's soft breast through my left arm.

Apparently, I was mistaken. Kuna was irritated by the difficulty of walking, but it's not that she doesn't like walking with you. On the contrary, Coona seems to enjoy it too.

'Right, let's go then.'