Kays Translations

Chapter 98: Wavering Gemstones

Perhaps because he was accustomed to it, Lutz had developed a resistance to Tsubaki's curse. Without it, he wouldn't be able to maintain Tsubaki properly.

It wasn't complete immunity. When he sharpened the blade, he still felt the ominous presence behind him, and he felt a suffocating sensation as if a slender finger was wrapped around his neck.

He had never faced the naked, bloodstained apparition and introduced himself as "Papa."

Ricardo passionately described Tsubaki as a beautiful woman, but he was the kind of egalitarian who would treat even evil spirits equally if they looked good.

"Wait for about a week before we depart," Lutz proposed, but Ricardo, who wanted to leave immediately, expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Isn't that a bit too long? It should take less time for a woman to prepare herself."

"I want to enchant the axe with magic before we go. There's no set deadline for the investigation, right?"

"We don't have a deadline, but if Gelhardt and the others find me here, it'll be awkward. Very awkward."

"Drink at home."

Ignoring Ricardo, who was tearing his hair out, Lutz apologized to Claudia.

"Sorry, it looks like we'll be spending money again."

"You shouldn't hesitate to spend money to protect your life."

Lutz gratefully accepted Claudia's consideration and nodded deeply.

After handing the new axe to Gelhardt, he eagerly accepted the job.

"This is good, a really good axe!"

When Lutz mentioned defeating the remaining members of the Kill Code Squad, Gelhardt listened with great interest.

"I see, a grave marker! That's good!"

"Gelhardt-san, your vocabulary has improved..."

"Do I need words for enchanting weapons?"

Lutz couldn't help but feel a mix of exasperation and admiration for Gelhardt, who had become so enthusiastic. When an artist abandons common sense, it is a sign that a masterpiece is about to be created. Lutz himself had experienced that.

Returning home and handing the axe to the suspicious Gelhardt, Lutz found Claudia deep in thought while staring at parchment.

"What's wrong, Claudia?"

"While you were out, I went around the merchants to check the prices of gemstones..."

Claudia threw the parchment onto the table. Lutz picked it up but couldn't understand what was written.

"The prices of gemstones haven't increased much. Well, they have gone up, but the increase is gradual."

"So, what does that mean?"

"Supply is keeping up with demand. Even though there's a surge in demand for enchanting swords, there seems to be a source providing enough gemstones."

"It's strange where these gemstones are coming from."

"We don't know if this is related to the anomaly in the labyrinth or a completely separate issue. Be cautious, Lutz."

"Understood, if anything happens, I'll come back immediately."

"Perhaps adventurers killing each other over gemstones is the punchline..."

While saying that, Claudia seemed uncertain about her own words.

Exactly one week later, Lutz and Ricardo arrived near the entrance to the labyrinth.

Several groups of adventurers were gathered around, and there were many traces of extinguished campfires, indicating that some had already entered the labyrinth.

"If we opened a shop here, we might make a fortune."

Lutz said it as a joke, but Ricardo pointed ahead with a serious expression.

"There's a weapons repair shop."

Looking over, there was a man sitting with sharpening stones, anvils, and various tools. Metal shavings were scattered around, indicating that he had finished some work.

"Why not try it, Lutz?"

"Let's not, I don't want to encroach on someone else's territory."

The repairman glared at them. If they weren't customers, it meant they should leave. Ricardo was displeased, but Lutz lightly bowed to the fellow craftsman and left obediently.

"By the way, Lutz, you brought something that can provide light, right? Some areas of the labyrinth have bioluminescent moss, but it's pointless to rely on that in this damn dungeon."

"Claudia put a lantern in my bag. It's filled with plenty of oil."

"She's a really good girl. Does she have any flaws?"

"She can't judge men."

They laughed and joked.

"If I had forgotten, we would have to buy one there."

Next, Ricardo pointed to a torch shop. Barrels contained sticks with cloth soaked in oil on their ends.

"One torch for five silver coins. What a rip-off. Is that guy a priest or something?"

Lutz frowned.

"It's probably better than going back to town. If we can get even one gemstone, the cost of the torch will be negligible."

"It's dangerous. On the other hand, if we don't get at least one gemstone, we won't be able to return, right?"

That was the ironclad rule of adventurers. Those who lost sight of their exit would easily end up dead.

"I won't tell you not to pull out the camellia, but give me a shout. Just to be safe, I borrowed a bracelet from Gelhardt-san that provides mental resistance."

"He lent it to you. Was there any troublesome condition or anything?"

"No, nothing special. He even worried and told me to be careful."

"Seriously? Isn't Gelhardt treating us too similarly!?"

"Are you considering becoming a craftsman now? Gelhardt-san is starting to have a sense of camaraderie with us."

"That's a harsh joke."

As they continued talking, they arrived at the entrance of the labyrinth.

It appeared to be just an ordinary cave, but the air emanating from within was clearly different. It felt like the boundary between this world and the afterlife.

The faces of the two turned from that of carefree brothers joking around to those of warriors.

Lutz drew the axe from his back, and Ricardo lit the torch.

"Well then, shall we go?"

"Will there be demons or snakes?"

"We'll just cut them all down."

With an atmosphere that made them seem like lifelong partners, the two stepped confidently into the depths of hell.

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