NOVEL NEXT Chapter 121
Why Did It Turn Out Like This?
“Oh, Kaede~ Thanks for helping~”
After I finished off the Powder Butterfly, Silphy and the others flew over.
“Well, you probably would’ve been fine, but just in case. But more importantly, how did things end up like that?”
“Well, you see, this place is really big, right? So I thought it might be better to use some stronger exploration magic…”
“I see. With how vast this forest is, finding hidden spots would be tough.”
“Exactly! That’s what I was thinking!”
“…But because of that, we ended up angering the Powder Butterflies that were flying around, and they all gathered around us because of the wind I was causing.”
I get it now…
Silphy is smiling brightly, but Dine looks a bit tired.
…Looking around, besides the Powder Butterfly I defeated, there are several more lying on the ground…
Alright. I’ll pretend I didn’t see them.
“Ah… So that’s what happened. But, we can’t ask Silphy to stop using exploration magic, so from now on, I’ll make sure to be around when she’s using it.”
“I’d appreciate that. I may be good at healing, but I can’t say what’ll happen if their numbers keep growing.”
“Yeah, it gets tough when there are too many… Well, help me out when it comes to that.”
“Of course.”
“Geez! You two worry too much! I could’ve easily taken them down too!”
As Dine and I were talking, Silphy pouted a bit and said that.
“You’re right, but… it’s natural for us to worry, you know?”
“Ehh…”
“Honestly, if you had just said something before you did that… Are these the lips that ignored our concern? Are they?”
“Ow, ow, ow! Dine, it hurts!”
And with that, Dine gently pulled on Silphy’s pouting lips.
Up, up, across, across, circle, circle, circle, circle, circle, circle, circle, circle… wait, too many circles.
But still… What is this? This warm atmosphere doesn’t quite fit the inside of a dungeon.
“Well, I know Silphy can handle herself, but please understand that we’re worried too, okay?”
“O-Okay.”
“Alright, then this conversation is over… So, Dine, could you let Silphy go now?”
“…Hah. Yes, I suppose so.”
With that, Dine let go of Silphy’s cheeks.
“Ow… That really hurt…”
“Think of it as a light scolding and bear with it a bit.”
“It wasn’t light at all…”
Silphy pressed her cheeks and protested with teary eyes, looking at Dine.
“Kaede, what’s the plan now?”
But Dine ignored the protest and spoke to me.
“Ugh… Kaede, Dine’s being mean to me~”
“There, there. Silphy, it’s over now, so let’s move on, okay?”
“Silphy… Really, though, that’s what makes you so endearing.”
“Yeah, you’re right. Anyway, as for what’s next, let’s head back for today. We originally just came to check if you guys were okay with the powder.”
“Understood.”
“Got it.”
“And…”
As I muttered that, I glanced over at Dine, who seemed a bit out of breath.
“Dine looks tired too. If we keep going like this, there might be delays in our reactions. Plus, unlike Silphy, who stayed in my pocket when she was first released, Dine hasn’t had much rest either, so the fatigue is catching up.”
“Ah, that makes sense. Dine is always so serious, she probably hasn’t taken a break.”
“That’s… not true… really…?”
Dine said that, but her eyes were looking away.
“See, that’s what I’m talking about. Sometimes, taking a break is important too.”
“…I understand.”
“Then, let’s call it a day and rest up. Tomorrow, we’ll dive back in and explore with full energy.”
To be honest, in this dungeon, if you get paralyzed or put to sleep by the powder from the Powder Butterflies flying nearby, you might as well prepare for death… or so they say.
Well, it’s only my first time in this dungeon, so that’s just based on what I’ve heard.
But yeah, that’s definitely a no-go.
Seeing those Powder Butterflies today made it clear.
If you let your guard down, they’ll crush you before you can do anything.
If the information I’ve gathered is correct, and you get paralyzed or put to sleep while they’re around, you’ll just get stuck in a loop of status effects as soon as you recover.
Knowing that, there’s no way I’m taking Dine, who’s already tired, any deeper into this dungeon.
“Kaede, don’t worry so much! We’re strong, remember!”
“I know, Silphy. But we shouldn’t push ourselves too hard, right?”
“Yeah, but…”
“Silphy, Kaede is right. I’m partly to blame for us having to head back, but being cautious never hurts.”
“…Okay…”
Dine gently patted Silphy’s head as she looked a bit down.
With that exchange, we started walking towards the dungeon exit.
…And, well, it’s not really important, but I think I’ll stop by the nearby guild shop and buy about ten more potions for poison, paralysis, and sleep after dropping off Silphy and Dine at the inn.