I move in front of Mist.
"If it's something you can do, you'll do anything?"
Gulp.
Mist swallows hard.
She averts her gaze slightly, looking troubled.
"F-For now… could you tell me what you want? I'll consider whether it's actually possible after hearing your request—"
"Here."
"Eh?"
I hold out the Dragon-Eye Goblet.
Mist looks puzzled.
"Um, um—"
"I'm giving it to you."
I push it toward her.
Slowly, I let go.
"Ah!"
Mist catches the goblet with both hands.
"Hati-sama, your wish as compensation for this goblet—"
"I don't have any particular wish."
"No, no—this concerns my honor! Whether as a porter, cook, escort, anything—please tell me!"
Anything.
Words spoken purely to express the strength of her feelings.
In reality, she wouldn't literally do absolutely anything.
No…
Perhaps these are words she can say precisely because she trusts the other person.
"You're in a hurry, right? Still… get some proper sleep. Your face looks like you might collapse if you let your guard down."
I turn my back.
"See you."
"Please wait! Even if you say there's no need, giving it away for free is just too much…!"
"Hati Skoll is disgustingly sweet. And kind-hearted too. Especially toward beautiful women."
"That's a lie!"
"Harsh words."
"I'm sorry. But…"
Ah, right.
This woman can detect most lies.
I let out a breath.
"My goal isn't the Dragon-Eye Goblet."
"Not the Dragon-Eye Goblet?"
"Yeah."
I point at the floor.
"My goal is the monster below here."
"I thought the new layer ended here, at the room with the Dragon-Eye Goblet…"
"I found a document left by a great figure of the past in a certain place. According to that document, there's a monster down here that has something I need right now. And it just so happened to coincide perfectly with this ruin subjugation recruitment period."
Mist places a hand over her mouth.
"If that's the case, I can somewhat understand… No, but still—"
"I'm not short on money right now. So I don't desperately need the Dragon-Eye Goblet."
There are other reasons I'm deliberately letting it go.
The marquis was desperate to get that Dragon-Eye Goblet.
If I become a contributor and receive hospitality, it'll be troublesome.
This woman seems to need money right now too.
It's the perfect thing to push onto her.
I recall the notation from the 『Forbidden Arts Compendium』 in my memory.
The Great Sage's note.
The altar and the dragon-person statue.
The room with these two things.
According to the note, there should be a hidden staircase in this room.
I crouch and check behind the altar.
There should be a protrusion around here…
Oh?
Found it.
While pressing this protrusion, turn it counterclockwise—
"Um."
"Hm?"
She's still here.
I stand up once.
"What's up?"
"You're heading to the layer below here, right?"
"Ah… Could you keep quiet about this to the marquis? Explaining would be a hassle if he asks questions. Since I gave you the Dragon-Eye Goblet, you can at least do that much, right?"
"Understood."
"By the way, didn't you hear about the abnormality?"
"I did hear about it. But I thought it was rather an opportunity."
So that was her perspective.
"The story of the Sword Tiger Clan turning back without entering the new layer spread within the ruin, and quite a few mercenaries decided to temporarily return to the surface."
The Sword Tiger Clan seems to have considerable influence.
"Hati-sama."
"Hm?"
Mist places her hand over her chest.
"Could you at least let me serve as your escort?"
"…What?"
"I don't mind being a porter either. In an unknown area, there's sure to be danger. As a swordswoman, I have confidence in my skill. From what I've seen, Hati-sama is a spellcaster… In that case, mental fatigue is unavoidable. But if you have a swordswoman, the number of spell uses decreases, reducing mental fatigue. Please rest assured. I swear I will not become a burden."
Mist presses closer, looking up at me.
Zui.
"How about it?"
Mental fatigue.
Is MP referred to that way locally?
However—my MP concern is practically nonexistent.
"..."
"Ah— I'm sorry."
Perhaps realizing she had pressed too close in her enthusiasm.
Mist pulls back, looking awkward.
"But still, I cannot accept the Dragon-Eye Goblet for free."
Mist glances at the dragon head rolling on the floor.
"From what I can see, you defeated the monster guarding this place as well…"
"If you want any materials, feel free to take parts from that head."
"That's not what I mean!"
"If I said I want to go alone from here?"
"My conscience won't allow it. At least let me do something."
Is her judgment dulled from lack of sleep?
"You're in a hurry, right?"
Mist thinks for a moment.
"If I obtain the reward for the Dragon-Eye Goblet, my travel funds problem will be solved in one go… My future journey will advance dramatically. Considering that, a delay of a few days is no issue."
She shows no sign of backing down.
Stubborn attitude.
Is she someone thick with a sense of obligation?
Now then, what to do.
I think she's trustworthy—for now.
We've built up some trust, at least.
...
A swordswoman, huh.
How would combat change with a close-range ally?
I'd like to test it a little.
It's also a chance to hear various information about this world.
Pigi-maru is reading the air and keeping quiet.
And besides…
"Even with conditions?"
"Yes."
"Basically, avoid questions that dig into my personal circumstances. We're strictly in an employer-guard relationship."
"Understood."
"Also, I might not return to the surface in one day. So if you end up returning alone, I won't take responsibility. If that's okay—then I'll accept you as my escort."
Relief appears on Mist's face.
"Thank you very much."
She immediately tightens her expression.
Her voice regains composure.
"I swear on my life—I will definitely protect Hati-sama."
The dark circles under her eyes still bother me.
Upon closer inspection, her complexion isn't good either.
Still suffering from lack of sleep, probably.
"..."
Maybe I should use that skill somewhere to let her sleep lightly once.