Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.1 Chapter 3.5

After walking for a while, we passed through the grasslands. We discovered a hollow that continued further downward.

“If you go down here, you’ll reach an empty underground cavity. Once we go even further down, that’s our destination,”

Simon explained, and my heart started to race.

“Before moving underground, let’s take a break.”

The sky had turned completely to the colors of dusk.

But since the sky here is apparently fake, I think the flow of time is different from outside.

From the ninety-eighth floor to here, it feels like we’ve been walking for quite a while. I was too tense to notice, but I seem to be pretty exhausted. But maybe because of that, I’ve gotten a bit used to the dungeon.

“Kuuna-chan, you’re tired, aren’t you?”

Rouge came closer and said that.

I sat down nearby and nodded.

“Just a little…”

“It’s amazing. Even though it’s your first time in the labyrinth, you can move around this much.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. The deeper you go into the labyrinth, the more strain it puts on your body, and you can’t perform the same way you would on the surface. Experienced adventurers are used to it, so they’re fine, but for someone like you, who’s here for the first time and can move around this much, I think it’s incredible.”

Saying that, she ruffled my hair.

“Wow… Is it the power of the White Wolf Tribe?”

I wonder… I always did have a lot of stamina, but maybe this is a trait of my race.

Being fast, having stamina, being strong.

Before, I used to hate being part of the White Wolf Tribe, but now, just a little bit, I feel glad that I am.

Because if I weren’t, I might not have made it this far.

If I can be helpful to everyone, there’s nothing that makes me happier.

As I wagged my tail, Lulu and the others popped out of my backpack.

They each had something in their mouths.

“Ruu!”

“…I see, you’re hungry, huh?”

It looked like they had brought food for us.

Ruri and Dan had packed lots of food into my backpack. If we don’t eat it here, we might not get another chance, so let’s just eat together now.

When I called out to the others, I took out a lot of food from the backpack.

Everyone cheered. Since we had the chance, Gant and the others went to pick up branches to make a fire.

I don’t know why, but even though we’re inside a dungeon, it feels fun. It’s kind of strange.

After finishing the meal, we decided to take a short nap, and I lay down on the ground.

Since the fluffy ones were cuddling up to me, I wasn’t cold. But as expected, I couldn’t sleep, so I kept blinking my eyes open. Rouge, on the other hand, was amazing—right after she was told she could take a nap, she instantly fell asleep.

Even in this situation, it’s impressive… I thought, but maybe that’s what it means to be an adventurer. Being able to adapt no matter where you are…

While I was thinking about that, Gier came over, seeming to notice that I wasn’t asleep.

By the way, Simon and Kiril were also sound asleep.

“Can’t sleep?”

“…I’m not sleepy.”

When I said that, he smiled a little.

“As expected, it’s hard to sleep in a situation like this. But even just lying down helps your body recover, so it’s good to stay like that for a while. I’m worried if your stamina will hold out.”

…I suddenly realized that Gier is actually quite a worrier. Ever since this journey started, he’s always been concerned about me, and now he’s staying by my side like this. I felt like the distance between us had gotten a lot closer compared to before, and it made me a little happy.

Gier sat down beside me.

Since there was a campfire burning nearby, his black eyes glittered in the light.

“Gier-san, are you… a worrier?”

I murmured that unintentionally. When I did, he immediately turned to look at me, his eyes wide with surprise.

“Eh, um…?”

Was that a mistake?

I also blinked in surprise, and then he spoke quietly.

“…My name.”

“Huh?”

“It’s the first time you called me by my name.”

Maybe it’s because I haven’t been in Grantania for very long.

Come to think of it, I don’t really remember calling him by his name…

“You don’t have to add ‘san’ or anything. I was just surprised.”

“But…”

“No one calls me that way. I’m an orphan, and I didn’t originally have a title or anything.”

Saying that, he smiled slightly. I was a bit surprised to hear about Gier’s background. I didn’t know. I had no idea he had gone through that. But what caught my attention even more was the hint of self-mockery in his smile.

“Gier-san…”

“Just Gier is fine. I want you to call me that.”

“Uh, um… Gier?”

“Yeah.”

Gier smiled happily. That smile was so beautiful that it made my heart skip a beat.

“…Gier, you’re an amazing person. You always protect the town, and even now, you’re looking out for me like this.”

It was a bit embarrassing, but I honestly expressed my feelings.

“Where you come from, your status, or even your race—I don’t think any of that defines who you are at your core. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re someone I respect.”

As if telling it to myself, I murmured those words. It was something I learned after coming to this town. Differences in race don’t determine superiority or inferiority, and even people with titles aren’t always respectable—like Albert.

“I’ve come to believe that what truly matters is how a person lives their life.”

When I said that with a shy smile, Gier looked a little surprised.

“…You’ve changed.”

“Have I?”

“Yeah. Quite a lot.”

Gier smiled gently.

“I think you’re right. Race or status doesn’t have anything to do with who you or I are at our core.”

Gier lowered his gaze and murmured with a slightly sad expression.

“I understand that… But… it seems I still haven’t completely freed myself from the curse of my race.”

It was a small, really small voice. I think it was probably more like talking to himself. But with my big ears, I caught Gier’s whisper perfectly.

The curse of his race—what does that mean? The way he said it, it was almost like he, too, had some kind of trauma related to his race, just like I did. After a moment, Gier whispered again, “But…”

“Your words helped me a little. Thank you, Kuuna.”

“…Gier, you’re amazing. You’re someone I admire.”

When I said that, Gier smiled happily.

I decided not to ask deeply about his circumstances. Everyone has things they don’t want to talk about. Instead, I asked him something that I had been wondering about ever since we came to the dungeon.

“Gier, why are you so concerned about me?”

“…”

After a moment of silence, he spoke.

“When I look at you, somehow…”

“Somehow… what?”

What was Gear about to say? As I stared at him blankly, he shook his head.

“No, it’s my duty to protect the citizens. And I couldn’t just let a child like you come to a place like this. And yet, Kiril…”

He glanced over at Kiril, who was snoring soundly, and sighed.

“Kuuna, if you ever get scared, tell me right away. I’ll definitely protect you.”

He said that, looking at me with concern. I thought for a moment and then replied.

“I’m fine because everyone is with me.”

“…”

“Because I’m not alone anymore…”

When I said that, Gier stared at me. My face, illuminated by the fire, was reflected in his dark eyes. There was no hesitation in my expression. I wasn’t the same person I used to be—the one who trembled from loneliness and fear. I realized that all over again.

As I looked at Gier’s face, I suddenly understood.

That time, when I first met Gier at the café on that rainy day—I thought he carried a certain kind of loneliness. I finally understood what it was. He must have grown up struggling too. And now, like me, he has companions by his side.

Maybe that’s why, somewhere deep down, I felt that I was similar to him.

“…I see.”

Gier seemed to understand. I started to feel sleepy and blinked slowly.

“Get some rest. Let’s take it easy for now.”

When he said that, I nodded.

But just as Gier lowered his head…

His black, smooth hair fell forward. Through the strands, I saw something glimmer. Something glossy and black, like a gemstone.

What could that be…?