Chapter 137: Cedric…
「Guh… something like this…」
When Ciel arrived at the end of the third floor, her face warped in frustration. A hole that exuded light lay right in front of them.
When Ciel had visited this world before, this hole didn’t exist. However, a labyrinth’s terrain always changed over time.
「I see! The reason Belphegor’s presence became smaller was that she has already left the labyrinth from this hole.」
Just like Ciel, Cedric’s face also warped in frustration. There was a high chance of his guess being spot on.
「It’s too soon to give up. Belphegor might be still close by!」
「Yeah, Vulcan is right. Let’s go into the place behind this hole!」
The party agreed with Vulcan and Aria. They then asked Faeri to use her 《Branch Whip》 to carry them to the other side of the hole.
The hole was connected to the upper side of the valley.
Normally, the group should’ve split their forces to increase their searching efficiency, but their opponent was a demon king.
They judged that splitting their forces was the most foolish idea when it came to searching for a demon king and decided to stick together. However…
「Can’t find her at all…」
「Her reaction has completely vanished from the radar.」
As if to rub salt on the wound, May spoke with a dejected face after Aria. Belphegor’s reaction had completely vanished from her compass-like tool.
A heavy silence descended between the party.
「No, we still have a way to find her.」
Suddenly, Ciel spoke up.
「Eh, what kind of a method is that, Ciel-sama?」
「A short distance from here, there’s a place called 〝Hamlet of Horo,?. It’s the center of this region, where all information in this region gathers.」
Ciel answered Aria.
Although it’d take a bit longer this way, looking for information about Belphegor in Hamlet of Horo was more logical than blindly moving in the darkness.
「Let’s try your idea, Ciel-san. Unlike us, you’re more knowledgeable about this world, after all.」
Cedric suggested that after looking at everyone’s face. Aria and co. nodded.
「Since everyone agrees, let’s depart immediately… is what I want to say, but the sun set a long time ago. Let’s camp in this valley for today. 」
Therefore, Aria and co. camped in the valley that night.
◆
A few hours later―
「Good grief! We somehow ended up visiting the spirit world.」
Aria brushed Tama’s head while looking at the bonfire. Tama let out adorable cries in response.
Everyone else was fast asleep. They had agreed to take turns every hour and keep watch.
（Yeah, we really came to a far place.）
Tama agreed with his master as he enjoyed her soft hand brushing against his head.
He had reincarnated as a behemoth, had his life saved by Aria, and ended up in her care.
After that, they had visited Gladdstone, the Royal Capital, Lumilus… and now, they had somehow visited the spirit world too.
「Tama, can we safely return to our world once we defeat Belphegor?」
Aria asked Tama again with a slightly anxious look on her face.
（Master…）
Seeing Aria’s eyes, Tama suddenly remembered something. During the short time after they had met, he was astonished by Aria’s tremendous growth. However, in the end, she was just a girl.
She must be anxious about fighting a Demon King in a world completely unknown to her.
（It’s okay, Master! I will protect you no matter where you are!）
After renewing his determination, Tama rubbed his head on Aria’s cheek. He even licked her cheek as a special service.
「Fufufu… you’re really kind, Tama.」
Finally, Aria’s usual gentle smile returned to her face.
She lifted Tama until his line of sight was in line with her, then― chu… she lightly kissed Tama’s forehead.
In the illumination of the bonfire, the girl and the knight(cat)’s bond was deepened to another level.
「GRRRRRRRR! Why is it only Aria… so sly!」
Stella looked at them with a vexed look on her face. Despite what she had said, she didn’t do anything to disturb Aria. She showed her consideration in her own way.
If one remembered the way Stella behaved when she had just joined the party, one could say that Stella had also experienced mental growth.
◆
The next morning―
「Uuh… the condition is…」
Cedric let out groans while crouching on the ground.
「Are you okay, Dear Uncle?」
「P-Please… please don’t get too close to me for now, May-chan!」
Cedric almost begged his niece when the latter called him.
「Geez! You really are weak against woman, huh!」
Ciel spoke in a dumbfounded voice as she looked down on Cedric, who was crouching on the ground.
The reason for Cedric’s current condition was something that had happened when they woke up this morning.
Cedric had been strolling around their camp to scout the area. And by coincidence, he returned just when Ciel was taking a bath in the river.
As soon as he saw her beautiful skin and hourglass figure, Cedric crumbled on the spot and vomited right there. It seemed to be a type of rejection, akin to an allergy whenever he saw a girl’s skin.
「It seems I’ve quite a high hurdle.」
And yet, for some reason, May spoke such words with a pout.
That aside, it went without saying that this little incident delayed their departure.
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