Chapter 69
It was two days until the Emerald Demon Labyrinth closed itself . With the Labyrinth open to the public now, waves of people queued to enter; even if only to spend digging up magic stones . Once its core was extracted, the labyrinth wouldn’t spawn any more monsters . Instead, it produced non-attribute magic stones . How? Apparently, the monsters spawned by the labyrinth turned into those stones; they were buried about 5cm deep within the walls or ground .
The labyrinth’s restorative mechanisms would sometimes push the stones . This was in order to repair itself, and these could be easily picked up . As for the ones still buried, it had to be cut and/or dugout . While, normally, the labyrinth’s walls and floor were hard to destroy, it was still possible . As a result, the magic stone hunt and mining became a new craze for the people .
I didn’t bring tools though . Without them, I could only pick up any of the stones the labyrinth spewed out . But seeing how crowded it was, I realized how small of a chance I had to do that . So, I decided to just watch on while I wandered around the labyrinth . The labyrinth’s pathways and the structure were complex . It basically made a very large maze . A map was essential to go through it safely . I saw that almost everyone had a copy of what seemed to be the map I drew . I also saw a few people carrying the Marida Company’s bento box .
By the way, there was no lighting within the labyrinth . There were still some sources of light, such as the glowing grass, but people preferred to bring lanterns or conjure up a ball of light . As for me, I brought a lantern myself . I wondered why some rooms were brighter than the others within the labyrinth . But as it turned out, those were the places were people gathered to rest .
Sitting in the corner of the rest area, I unpacked the bento box I bought earlier and took a short break myself . Once I finished eating, I’d head outside and maybe see if there was a vendor selling tools for digging .
Back on the surface, I looked around and found what I needed immediately . There was one next to the Marida Company’s spot . I headed there and bought myself a digging tool .
“Eh, Ashley-san? What are you doing here”
“Welc– Schwartz-san!”
Sitting behind the vendor’s table, was Ashley-san .
“Fufu, this stall belongs to the General Guild . We’re open for business, especially for a certain manuke who forgot the common sense to bring tools into the labyrinth . ”
Of course, being a manuke makes it easier for her to make fun of me .
Sponsored Content
“Oh, I see . Although, being a manuke has nothing to do with me being forgetful…”
“I saw Schwartz-san leaving the labyrinth . Getting back so soon?”
“Eh, yeah, I am . My job is done, so I’m thinking of taking a break and getting some fresh air . ”
“Thank you for your hard work . I’m also going on break soon . Would you like to have some tea with me?”
“Sure, why not? I’ll wait for you . ”
Although it was sort of embarrassing, I unexpectedly reunited with Ashley-san . It’s an opportunity to finally hand her the souvenir I bought back in the capital . While waiting for Ashley-san, I moved off to the side not to obstruct business and watched her work . Next to her, there were two more people manning the stall . Most likely other members of the guild . Each wore a plain-looking apron over their winter outfits .
After a while, Ashley-san handed her apron to someone else who came in just now, most likely her replacement and made her way to me .
“Did I make you wait too long?”
“Nah, I was having fun watching Ashley-san work . ”
“Surely you jest! Anyways, let’s go . The tent selling delicious pound cake is just over there . ”
Sponsored Content
I replied without much thought to it, but somehow, it made Ashley-san blush slightly . She tried to hide it by looking away and walked ahead of me . I hurried to catch up to her, walking at her side to the tent she mentioned . The tent was a small tent housing a kitchen . Chairs and tables were arranged around it like an impromptu outdoor restaurant . The setup had a boutique coffee shop that felt similar to my world . I pulled a chair out to let Ashley-san sit after I picked a suitable table .
“Thank you . ”
“It’s nothing . ”
After the trivial exchange, I sat across from her, then called to the nearby waiter to order a fruit pound cake and Darjeeling tea . Ashley-san also ordered the same things . We kept ourselves entertained while we waited for our orders by talking about many random things . For instance, how we felt about the harvest festival . As for Ashley-san, she was excited since it was the first harvest festival in several years .
The waiter arrived without our cake and tea . The cake gave off a delicate scent of dried fruit and honey . Ashley-san eyed it with a wide smile . I was more interested in the Darjeeling tea instead . It was a dark orange-colored tea, served in a simple teacup . I could faintly smell the strong muscatel flavor that wafted up along with the steam .
Ashley-san eagerly raised her fork to eat while I sipped on my tea . The refreshing flavor filled my mouth with a single sip . The tea had probably been brewed using specially picked leaves during the early summer . I’ve tasted plenty of teas from different cafes before, but I had to say, the Darjeeling tea served here was the best out of all of them .
The fragrance was refreshing and the subtle astringent flavor would do well to enhance the sweetness of the fruit cake . This made it some of the best to accompany the cake . seeing Ashley-san’s expressions, I could tell she was on the same page .
“Delish-cious . ”
Ashley-san hardly spoke while eating, but she had a charming smile; sometimes purring in delight with every bite she took .
“Ah, right . Ashley-san, the other day, I went to the capital and bought a souvenir from a store I visited . Here, I’ll give it to you now .
“For me?”
Sponsored Content
“Yes, for you . ”
I hadn’t known when I’d meet Ashley-san again . So, I kept the trinket in my chest pocket . I took it out and presented it to her . There wasn’t paper wrapping in this world yet, so the trinket had been kept inside a small wooden box, fastened by a red string .
“Thank you, can I open it?”
“Of course . Hopefully, you’ll like it . ”
She unfastened the string and opened the lid gently . After seeing the contents, she removed the lid and pulled the gift out .
“A… Ruby necklace?”
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, thank you! This is the first time someone gave me a gift like this . ”
As it turned out, she thought it’d be a hair ornament or earrings . However, I’d taken her position as a Guild Investigator into consideration . Since the position might require some intense movement, there’d be no worries about accidentally dropping it on the job if it’s a ring or necklace . So, I decided to get her a necklace . It was a choker style one with a thumb-size orchid colored ruby .
I stood up and walked behind her .
“May I?”
“Sure . ”
I received the necklace from Ashley-san and placed it around her neck .
“Thank you, but isn’t this expensive? Are you sure you want me to take it? Look, even the chain seems to be made of mithril . ”
“Yeah . I heard that mithril has the best compatibility with the ruby’s magical power . ”
The necklace certainly was expensive . I wouldn’t have been able to buy it if for the bounty on Yagoche Company . How many souvenirs did I buy back then? 6 more, I think? I ended up spending more money than I wanted . By the way, the others weren’t as expensive as this one .
I know that it may not have been wise to spend my hard-earned money on an expensive gift . But this was the only one I thought fit with her shining red hair . And now that I see it, I was correct .
“It’s really pretty . So, shall we head back now?”
“Eh? Ah, yes! It’s time for me to replace the other employee . ”
“Well then, let’s head back . ”
Both Ashley-san and I got up and headed out . The cake and tea had been paid when it’d been delivered . Since we already paid, it wasn’t a problem to leave .