She never thought that even the residence of Margrave Schutzenwald would connect to the underground Aqueduct. Well, of course an aristocrat’s estate would have multiple evacuation routes.
“We hadn’t been able to use this since the slimes began multiplying in the Aqueduct, but mid-grade monster-warding potions are a wonderful thing,” Weishardt started. “As only those with potions can pass through, you’ll not find an evacuation route safer than this one. My brother wishes you to use it to travel to the base of the Labyrinth Suppression Forces, too, though that may be for efficiency’s sake.”
Weishardt guffawed, easing the tension. “We have confirmed a route to the cellar of Sunlight’s Canopy. The cellar in the Labyrinth Suppression Forces’ base and the second floor of the Labyrinth are connected to the Aqueduct, so you may move undetected to both their base and this estate.”
Beaming, Malraux offered a mid-grade monster-warding potion.
Dick remained silent as he sprinkled one over himself and immediately went down the stairs to check the safety of the route.
“Whaaaaat?”
Mariela and Sieg exchanged looks.
She was beginning to think that working toward subjugating the Labyrinth with the Labyrinth Suppression Forces wouldn’t change her life in Sunlight’s Canopy at all.
✦ ✦ ✦
Pitter-patter. The rain fell without stopping.
The weather hadn’t cleared up in days. From the blanket of clouds fell a steady drizzle that cast a gloomy pall over the Labyrinth standing in the center of the City—and the City itself facing the Fell Forest. The drenched stone walls made the muted, gray colors more prominent, as though the entire City were in mourning.
“Mariela, your new detergent for indoor drying is very popular! Everyone is raving about how it wards off that weird smell. I had no idea that the rainy season caused these kinds of concerns!”
Caroline tried her best to sound peppier than usual as she spoke to Mariela.
“Mm…I’m glad I helped a little…,” Mariela muttered back. Everything around her was doom and gloom. She didn’t even lift her head.
“Mariela! I’ve got brand-new treats for you! They’re amazing! They’re not made from yagu milk. I used cheese from cow’s milk, which means they’ve got a rich flavor without that gamy funk. And they practically melt in your mouth. If you eat these, I think you’ll melt from inside out,” Merle babbled, bringing with her hard candy made from milk.
Cow milk was a luxury in the Labyrinth City. There wasn’t enough land to raise animals, after all. Meanwhile, yagus were content with simple feed, were capable of carrying people and baggage, and provided meat and milk, which meant very few livestock were raised exclusively for food. They only graced the dining tables of the nobility.
This, too, was special candy sent from the Schutzenwald family.
“Oh… I shouldn’t gain weight… And I can’t diet in the Labyrinth anymore…”
Gloomy-gloom-gloom. Mariela tightly gripped the hem of her tunic.
She remembered running up the stratum stairs in the Labyrinth, Lynx chasing after her, and her eyes started to well with tears.
Merle shot a look at Gordon that said, “Damn it! Do something!” and he began wiggling his rump back and forth in his chair in a little dance.
“M-Mari! Look here! Today’s a nice humid day to do this. And hey, the chair’ll look good as new!”
It was a very forced change of topic. What would she do if only the seat of the chair looked brand-spanking-new?
Was he polishing it for Weishardt? The lieutenant general might not have made any progress in his relationship with Caroline, but he would have already had an encounter with Gordon’s rump—even though they’d never had a conversation before and their social positions differed.
“…Gordon, wipe the chair before you go home, okay?”
Gloomy-gloomy-gloom-gloom. Gloomy-gloom-gloomy-gloom.
Mariela’s gloom had risen a level. She silently pointed to a cleaning cloth.
“Mariela… A package for you…”
Gloom. Gloom. Sieg’s melancholy seemed to be at a higher saturation than Mariela’s. He poked his head from the door connecting to the living area.
By nature, Sieg was a more sensitive person than Mariela. The situation with Lynx had heightened his natural tenderheartedness and dampened the mood even more than it already was.
“Okay. I’ll go now, Sieg… I’m sorry, Amber, please watch the shop for me…”
Gloom-gloom-gloom. Gloom-gloom-gloom.
“Got it. I’m sure if you use a nice soap, your mood will change,” said Amber as she saw off Mariela to the atelier.
Without Mariela and Sieg present, it was somehow easier to breathe in Sunlight’s Canopy.
“Mariela has suffered so much. It’s heartbreaking. But…” With great sadness, Caroline gazed at the door the pair had disappeared through.
“Yes. I understand she’s having a tough time. But how do I put it…?”
“She’s dampening the mood so much, she could sprout mushrooms.”
“Yeah.”
Everyone present agreed with the mushroom comment.
Death was a constant companion in the Labyrinth City, and it wasn’t uncommon for people to leave this world at a young age, as had Lynx. It was a very tragic thing, but everyone lived with this fact in their minds—spending your time with others, and others spending their time with you. The survivors in the Labyrinth City believed their lives were paying tribute to the departed.
Of course, after Lynx’s death, Mariela and Sieg began to satisfy their own needs. No one knew what that was, but they did know the two were desperately trying.
However, the way they immersed themselves in their grief, licking each other’s wounds, they could have been protagonists of a tragic play.
In other ways, a mushrooming duo had been formed.