Chapter 100: Naga Part 1
Translator: Soafp
After researching about the labyrinth at the library that night, Joe stopped by the mansion, likely to see Noel.
“Ooi, Joe.”
When I called out to Joe, who seemed to be enjoying a conversation with Noel, he gave me a blatantly unpleasant look… I couldn’t understand why.
“I’m talking with Noel right now… Can’t you read the room?”
This guy talking about reading the room… He should put some air in his head. I feel like giving him a lecture for about an hour.
“I have a bit of a concern.”
“That’s why I’m saying, read the room! What, can’t we just have a normal conversation?”
“I wanted to talk about the labyrinth.”
“…You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”
“…You get it?”
“….”
“Why are you all cheerful with Noel while I’m feeling lonely without Ashera?”
“How should I know! Is that my fault?”
“It’s not your fault, but I feel like taking it out on you!”
“Why me? Take it out on Elphus instead!”
“I can’t do that to Elphus, he’s pitiful.”
“So, it’s okay to do it to me?”
“What are you saying? Joe is just my plaything.”
“You’re going to end up with no friends at this rate…”
Feeling a bit sorry, I decide to stop teasing him.
“It’s a joke. I have a consultation about the labyrinth, so I want to talk to you later.”
“…Got it. Later then.”
“Ah, sorry about that. I’m going to take a bath now.”
“Yeah…”
I head to the bath alone. I wonder if Joe and Noel’s relationship is progressing. Noel doesn’t seem to be against it though.
The bath feels nice. It’s refreshing, both physically and mentally.
While I was drinking a glass of milk after my bath, Joe came into the changing room.
“You have something to talk about, right? I’ll listen while bath.”
I’ve just finished bathing. I definitely want to wait for at least an hour before going in again.
“I’ve already had my milk. I’ll go outside to cool off and talk.”
“We’re going to talk through a folding screen? It’s like lovers in a story…”
“Are you going to read books even now, Joe?”
“Ah? Are you picking a fight? …I did a little in the past.”
“I see. Anyway, let’s step outside.”
“Got it.”
After changing clothes, we step outside of the bathing area.
“Joe, can you hear me?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“I want to ask you about something.”
“If it’s something I can understand, I’ll answer.”
“It’s about teleportation magic…”
“Wait a minute!!!”
“What’s wrong?”
“Is it okay for me to listen to fairy tale magic like that?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“…Isn’t it risky to talk about it casually?”
“That’s being overly dramatic.”
“Your Space Kick! Rumor has it even the king got involved, and there’s been a gag order!”
“…It’s about teleportation magic.”
“You’re brushing it off like it’s nothing!”
“The conversation isn’t progressing, so listen and then judge.”
“Isn’t it too late once I’ve heard it… Well, whatever. Go ahead…”
“I want to use teleportation magic, but I have no clues about it.”
“That’s understandable.”
“I thought that if I could experience teleportation, I might understand something about teleportation magic.”
“I get what you’re trying to say, but does anyone even use teleportation magic?”
“I don’t know if anyone uses it, but there is a way to teleport.”
“Seriously?”
“Teleportation Trap.”
“…Wait a moment. Are you intentionally planning to trigger a teleportation trap?”
“…”
“Seriously? Among the traps in the labyrinth, the teleportation trap is the one you should never trigger…”
“If I understand the strength of the enemies, it shouldn’t be that dangerous.”
“Where is it?”
“Ha?”
“The way you’re talking, it sounds like you’ve already decided which labyrinth to enter.”
“…It’s said that the teleportation trap appears from the 7th floor of the Claw Fang Labyrinth.”
“The Claw Fang Labyrinth… It does seem like you could manage as long as you don’t encounter the Earth Dragon, but…”
“I’m not asking you to come with me beyond the 7th floor. Just until the 6th floor is fine. Can you teach me how to navigate the labyrinth?”
“The labyrinth, huh…”
“Please.”
“Well, I don’t mind accompanying you into the labyrinth, but… weren’t you Rank F?”
“Yeah. The other day, Naga-san said I might ‘become Rank E soon,’ but… does that matter?”
“Oh, sorry for getting your hopes up, but I’m pretty sure you need to be at least Rank D to enter the Claw Fang Labyrinth.”
“…”
“…”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Even if there’s a Rank C escort with me?”
“An escort, huh… I guess we won’t know until we ask the guild.”
“I see…”
“Sorry about that. I’m not much help.”
“No, I’m the one asking for a favor.”
“If you decide to go, let me know.”
“Thank you.”
“Sure.”
Talking to Joe was a good idea. I’ll go to the guild tomorrow and ask Naga-san about it.
Next day after school…
After finishing our self-training, I asked Faristea, Anna-sensei, and Noel to go home first.
“I’m going to the guild. You guys head home first.”
“The guild, huh… Got it. Make sure to come back before it gets dark.”
“Understood. Noel, I’ll rely on you for escorting me.”
“Sure thing.”
To make sure I wouldn’t be late, I used Space Kick to head straight to the guild.
As soon as I opened the door to the guild, the bustling atmosphere suddenly quieted down.
With a wry smile at the familiar atmosphere, I looked for Naga-san. I found her at the counter, but she had the same wry smile as me.
“Hello, Naga-san.”
“Hello, Aldo-kun. May I go first and tell you my business first?
“Your business? Yes, what is it?”
“The other day, the last material from the Wyvern sold. I have the money deducted for the reward I was asked to give to the adventurer ready anytime.”
“It finally sold? I almost forgot about it.”
“Forgetting such a large sum of money…”
“So, how much is it?”
“In terms of the amount after deducting the hide, it’s this much.”
“Six silver God coins!”
“You’re loud!”
“Ah, sorry. It’s just a bit more than I expected.”
“Normally, adventurers only bring back the valuable parts because they’re usually worn out from magic and swords, and because the Wyverns are too big to bring back all the materials.”
“I see. So, the usual market price for bringing back only the valuable parts is around 2 to 3 god silver coins?”
“That’s right. This time, since you managed to collect all the materials, even without the magic stones and hides, this is the amount.”
“Understood. Since El defeated it, I’ll give it to El.”
“Then, since it’s a large amount, can you sign for it?”
“Yes.”
I sign and receive the six god silver coins. It’s a substantial amount that makes my heart race.
Naga-san’s business is done, so I ask her to do something for me this time.
“Naga-san, actually…”
I relayed to Naga-san exactly what I told Joe.
“So, I’d like to enter the Claw Fang Labyrinth.”
“Hmm. I try not to be surprised by what you do, Aldo, but… hmm.”
“…”
“Firstly, as Joguna said, only adventurers of Class D or above are allowed to enter the Claw Fang Labyrinth.”
“Would it be impossible even if I asked Joe to accompany me?”
“Joe is Class C. To enter the Claw Fang Labyrinth, ideally, you’d need someone of at least Class B or above as an escort.”
“Class B…”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
“I only know of one person…”
“If it’s not a problem, could you tell me their name?”
“Well, it’s the ‘Ice Witch.'”
“…”
“Naga-san?”
“…”
Naga-san starts trembling and murmuring… this is creepy.
“N-Naga-san? Are you okay?”
“Butsubutsu…”
While still hunched over, Naga-san mumbles something… those are cursed words… cursed words, I tell you.
Slowly, she raises her head… her eyes are completely focused, unlike usual.
“Rafina…”
“Eh? What about her?”
“Do you know where Rafina is?”
She asks with determined eyes. Should I tell her…? It’s going to be revealed eventually, right?
I decide to be honest.
“Yes, I do.”
At my words, Naga-san stands up, leaning forward eagerly.
“Where is that idiot!!?”
“She’s at home…”
“Home? In the Blue Ring mansion?”
“Yeah, at the lord’s mansion in Blue Ring…”
“What is Rafina doing there?”
“Uh, probably having a meal with my fiancée and teaching magic.”
“She’s teaching magic at the Blue Ring…?”
Naga-san seems to be getting the wrong idea. She doesn’t seem to hold any grudges, and instead, she seems worried. It should be safe to tell her the truth.
“Naga-san, Rafina is not a magic teacher.”
“Not a teacher… then what?”
“Rafina’s current formal name is Rafina von Blue Ring.”
“Von… Blue Ring…”
“Yes. My formal name is Aldo von Blue Ring. Rafina is my mother.”
“Mother…”
Naga-san opens her eyes wide, covering her mouth with her hand. Her shoulders tremble slightly, and tears start to well up in her eyes.
“D-Did my mother do something to you?”
“…”
Seeing her concerned expression, she shakes her head to indicate that’s not the case. After making sure everything is okay around us, she slowly starts to speak.
“It was many years ago, before I became a sub-guild master. I was just a receptionist…”
I listen to Naga-san’s story about my mother…