Chapter : 73
Everett sighed and asked,
“Why do you want to enter a dungeon that even the Archmage and the Princess are going to clear? If your goal is to connect the two of them, now would be the perfect opportunity.”
I knew that too.
“Actually… I haven’t decided yet whether I’ll enter the dungeon.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I have something I need to check tomorrow.”
There was still one unresolved question.
In the original story, my master had been reluctant to enter the Deshua Dungeon, fearing he might encounter an old friend. That would probably still be true now.
Yet, my master insisted on going into the dungeon.
And he wanted to go with Aria.
Why?
A dungeon with Aria… even if it’s a place you dislike, are you still going in because it’s with her?
If that were the case—if my master already had special feelings for Aria and was pushing himself because of that… I was willing to let him.
But if it were for another reason, I would do everything I could to stop him.
The original story didn’t go into details, but if my master truly encountered an old friend in the Deshua Dungeon and ended up sad…
I would be even sadder than him.
Perhaps Aria would comfort my master and their relationship might improve.
But if my master had to suffer in order for that possibility to happen, I would crush that possibility.
“I need to find out why my master insists on entering this dungeon.”
Everett had already offered to help me, and I couldn’t hide everything from him.
When I answered honestly, he blinked.
“You mean… it’s not to help the Princess?”
“I thought so too, but something seems off.”
The last time I had seen Aria and my master together was very recently.
Even then, it looked awkward, distant, as if my master hadn’t yet realized his feelings.
And now he suddenly realizes his feelings and wants to appeal to Aria?
And of all places, he chooses the Deshua Dungeon?
It was clearly strange. Something must be happening that I didn’t know about.
While I was lost in thought, Everett’s face grew serious as he asked,
“So, are you planning to enter the dungeon instead of the Princess?”
“No, I’m going in instead of my master.”
This dungeon forces one to face the past. I didn’t know what seeing an old friend would mean for my master.
But I didn’t want him to be sad.
I want my master to always be smiling.
And if the dungeon is that strong, it would be a great opportunity for me to grow enough to calm my Mana Core—killing two birds with one stone.
Aria’s body is much weaker than mine. Watching her cough up blood earlier reminded me of that.
Since I’ve started changing the original story, Aria’s condition could change at any time. I must always be ready to lend her my Mana Core.
“Temis, you’re thinking of throwing yourself in again, aren’t you.”
Honestly, wasn’t Everett a mind reader rather than just a priest?
I collected myself and said,
“No, I’m not.”
Of course, that didn’t fool Everett at all.
“What are you preparing for Akilan Teikan?”
This was the first time Everett called my master by his name instead of “Archmage.”
“I don’t know why my master is getting involved in this.”
“Because you only act on his behalf.”
I bit my lip. Did I really seem that transparent?
To the point that even Everett, after Aria, could openly say this?
“My actions toward my master are simply those of a disciple wishing to help their master.”
I tried to say it firmly, but my voice trembled comically.
“Others will assume as much. Don’t worry.”
Everett’s words, meant to comfort me, only made me uneasy.
“But you know the truth, Everett.”
“Yes. Do you wonder why I know?”
Everett’s gaze pierced through me. Looking down at me, I felt his eyes were intense, almost passionate.
A description that didn’t fit the kind, fair Everett I knew.
“I’ll prepare to enter the dungeon, just in case. So please think it over.”
His voice was slightly different from his usual kind but firm tone.
A little more desperate… a little gentler.
Why do I see a side of you that others can’t?
I saw myself in Everett.
The way I treated my master.
Why do I understand you so well?
I was so familiar with the feeling that I was left speechless. I couldn’t say anything.
After a serious conversation, the atmosphere naturally became awkward. Everett treated me in silence and then returned to his room.
I’m not slow to notice things. Perhaps because I grew up in what was essentially a lawless area, I instinctively sensed others’ moods.
But that made it harder to accept…
The possibility that Everett might like me.
Does this make sense?
I’ve often seen extras receive the love of the main character…
But I never thought it would happen to me.
Was the problem that I kept Everett close to change the original story where Aria ends up with my master?
But I didn’t think there was any particular reason for him to fall in love with me.
Ah, what a headache.
I was not in a situation to casually keep someone by my side.
My remaining time to live is limited, and I’m planning to give Aria my Mana Core anytime based on her condition.
This kind of affection is far too much for me to accept.
I must refuse.
Everett’s feelings were appreciated, but I decided to politely decline.
I’ll tell him after this expedition is over.
Not refusing immediately seemed the most polite option for Everett.
But still… since when…?
It was impossible not to be curious.
People have reasons for liking someone. Just as I fell in love with the perfect master.
But there’s no such reason between me and Everett…
No point thinking about it. It was a question that couldn’t be resolved anyway.
I’ll just do what I can now.
I carried a bundle of potions to Aria.
“Who…?”
“I’m Temis, Princess. I’ve come to give you something.”
Even though she had received three visitors today, Aria immediately opened the door without hesitation.
“Come in.”
“You must be tired. I just came to deliver these…”
“You must be tired as well. Come in for some tea. I was just boiling some water.”
The scent of tea in the room seemed genuine.
It wouldn’t be polite to keep refusing her invitation, so I gave in and entered.
Right, I haven’t even properly thanked her yet.
I also had something I wanted to say.
I started pulling out the bottles I had brought.
“These are painkillers. Use them whenever you feel pain due to an unstable Mana Core.”
Aria looked at the roughly twenty bottles in surprise but nodded silently.
“Thank you. But…”
Her expression darkened slightly.
“I don’t know if I should be receiving this when I haven’t kept my promise to you properly.”
“Promise? Ah…”
I remembered that when I first gave her the painkillers, she had asked me to have tea with her along with my master.
Even though the situation had changed, she was still mindful of it.
“That’s alright. You can forget that promise. Things have come to this anyway.”
I couldn’t request a tea time from someone about to enter a dungeon.
If it weren’t for the Deshua Dungeon, it might have been better for the two of them to have tea rather than wandering through a dungeon. A dungeon allows people to grow closer through shared life-and-death experiences and emotions.
“I just wanted to give them to you.”
Honestly, seeing Aria cough up blood earlier had been weighing on my mind.
“I was worried about you.”
It wasn’t because she was the heroine; I genuinely worried for her.
