Labyrinth Renovation – 025 | Sousaku – 創作

Episode 25 – I’m home!

"Well, we're here, Maho. This is my house."
"T-This?”

The place that Fiona mentioned was a gate. I could see a cute-looking house on the other side of the gate, so I guess all this is the grounds.
Indeed. A noble.

"All of this is part of your house, Fiona? Looks like I can expect a delicious meal."
"Leave it to me! It's been a while since I've eaten at home, so I'm also looking forward to it. ……I wonder how surprised everyone will be."
"They must think you're definitely dead.……"

However, this is a world where revival exists. Will they really be that surprised?
No, didn't she say there were no high priests in this town?

There was no one at the gate, so we just walked straight in. Well, it seems a bit careless, but it would also cost a lot of money to have a gatekeeper there all the time.
Fiona was in the dungeon to make money, so maybe they didn't have enough to spare to hire a gatekeeper.

Still, it's a huge property.
The house itself is a cute, two-story, rather large house.
Being a noble with a fiefdom would mean that they are the highest authority in the land, but perhaps it could be said that it is normal in comparison. The gardens, or rather the grounds, are very large, and I think the style of the area is something you don't often see in Japan.
Next to the main house, there is a stable and a separate building that looks like a detached guest house. Although there was no one there now, in front of it was a small park-like area with several logs sticking out of the ground. Could it be a training ground or something?

"This place is huge. As one would expect of a member of the nobility."
"Even if we're nobles, we've just been in charge of this place since it's been like that for a long time. And there hasn't been a war in ages."
"So, it's been passed down for generations."

If that's the case, they must have a lot of money, but I wonder why the young lady of such a family has become so impoverished that she has to become an explorer.
I wonder if nobles don't make much money.
As we were talking about such things and about to enter the mansion, our eyes met with those of a tiny maid who was about to take in the laundry outside.
She's wearing a maid's outfit, but she's really tiny. She looks like a child in cosplay.
That's amazing. Isn't she about junior high school age?

A dumbfounded look. Of course, she's looking at Fiona, not me.
I see, so this is what that famous deer in the headlights looks is like.

"Hey, Rona. I'm home."
"F-F-F-Fi-Fi-Fi-Fi-Fi-Fiona…… sama…………?”
"I made it back alive, somehow. Sorry. I made you worry."
"Fi-Fiona-sama!”

The little maid called Rona ran over and hugged Fiona.
Oh, as expected Fiona is very well-liked. I'm proud of her.

After that, the maid rushed into the house and went to call the people inside.
I'm feeling a little out of place.

"……Speaking of which, how do you plan to explain me?”
"Eh? The one who saved my life?"
"No, no, no, I'll let you have that point, but I'm from another world, you know? Shall we use the amnesia setting? Or do we tell the truth?”
"Why not be honest about it? Why do you assume I'm going to lie?”
"I……I guess that's right……"

I was being attacked by a mysterious compulsion to follow the established rules of the “other world” genre……
They're Fiona's family, so just tell them the truth. That said, there may be some disadvantages…… but if so, so be it.
As we were talking, the front door opened with a resounding bang, and a small old man came out, followed by a beautiful woman who looked like Fiona.

"Fiona! W-Waaaaaaaaaa! It's really you, Fiona! I'm so……I'm so glad you're okay……!”
"I'm home. I'm sorry for worrying you, Father."

That's Fiona's dad……
He's small…… fat…… and a little bald.……
He seems really kind, but he's nothing like I imagined.
He seems more like a warm-hearted dad than a dandy, cool-looking nobleman.
Fiona is exactly like her mother.

"Fiona!? You really came back alive!? My prayers to Lucnuvius-sama every day were heard!”
"Thank you very much. Sorry, I've also caused you to worry, Mother."

Her mother was also visibly relieved, with tears in her eyes.
I was worried that Fiona, being the third child, might have a bad relationship with her family, but it turned out to be completely unnecessary.
I've been reading too many fantasy novels.

"So, Fiona, what about that person?”

Papa-san looked at me with his big, round eyes.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Maho Saeki. I met your daughter inside the dungeon."
"Maho saved my life! It would take a while to explain, though."
"Oh……! Is that right……!? Thank you so much for saving my daughter's life. You have my gratitude…… Oh, that's right, I imagine you're hungry, Igraine, get some food ready!”
"You're right, dear. We've got to prepare a special feast. Rona will be preparing the guest room, and Ura and Mera will help me with the meal."
"Yes!”
"I understand!”
"Understood, ma'am."

The maids scurried away.
Ugh, did my hunger show on my face? I was wondering whether or not to grab something to eat before I came here, but I thought that hunger was the best spice, so I was only staying hydrated.
It's a complete and utterly strange land, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried about what kind of food would be served, but, well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Bring it on, otherworldly cuisine.
I even fed Fiona porridge and pickled plum.

After that, until the meal was ready, we told Papa-san the full story in the drawing room.
Papa-san, or Earl Fergus, seemed to take our story with surprise. Well, that's only natural. It is said that dungeons are scattered throughout this world, but the number of dungeons that have been conquered to the lowest level is small, and even then, the number of people who can touch the orb and receive its blessings is limited to “one person”.
I was just listening to the two of them, but then I thought what would happen when a party of six arrives at the lowest level of the dungeon, who will have their wish granted? Apparently, there are even stories about them quarreling and killing each other.
Well, it's called a wish-granting orb, so I guess something like that is bound to happen.

"Father. This is the magic stone of the monster from the lowest level. Isn't this enough to pay back the loan?”
"Fiona…… You really are a kind child. You don't even get to inherit the family estate…… you didn't have to worry about the fiefdom, did you? The fact that you ended up in that dungeon was due to my own negligence."
"I like this town, the land, and the people. I had a talent for being a fighter, so this is the only thing I could do."

Fuumu? She didn't go into the details, but I think the gist of it was that in order to manage the labyrinth on their own, they should offer the magic stone to the country. Wouldn't it have been better to buy the magic stone elsewhere and then pay it to the government?
Nothing was said about this so maybe they didn't have the money for it either.
So, in the end, they want to properly manage the dungeon and develop their territory. Something like that.

"Fiona, Fiona. Why not sell this?”
"Bah……Maho, please be quiet. I won't sell it."
"Is-is that so……?”

Fiona really doesn't want to sell the item bag.
Well, just because it has some use doesn't mean you shouldn't sell it.
Or rather, the territory…… territory……

"It's an amazing magic stone……。 However, it is unlikely that we will be able to obtain anything like this again. Fiona, are you sure……? I hate to say this, but even if you give them this, it will only be a temporary fix for the debt, not an actual repayment. I know it's a bit strange to talk about this in front of our guest, but…… the explorers have left, and there are also some bad rumors going around. We've already reached the point where we can't keep going."
"Father…… But……"

It seems like the situation is more serious than I thought.
I don't know anything about the affairs of the fiefdom, but considering that Fiona, the daughter of a noble, was trapped in a dungeon, it might not be a good story to hear with a carefree attitude.

"I'm sorry. That wasn't something I should have said in front of the person who saved Fiona's life."
"Ah, no. Fiona is my friend. If you're having any problems, maybe I can help."
"However…… Even though you saved my daughter's life, this is a family matter."

Well, I guess so. I think Papa-san slipped up because he was so happy to have his daughter back.
Usually, you would hide that kind of situation. That's probably why Fiona didn't tell me.
But I've already heard it. I don't have much to do anyway.

"Well, I was summoned by Fiona with the request that I help her. I haven't been told what yet. If you leave it to me, I'll help you. Of course, you don't have to pay anything."
"But…… that's…… well, certainly."

I wonder what it is. He seemed very shy and reluctant to say.