Chapter 189: Low-Profile Girl Carries Away the Braver (Patreon)

Eh, I think it's fine.

Won't we get caught doing this?

Um... probably not.

Megumi Kato's tone was infuriatingly level.

Then she turned a corner.

Right ahead, she walked straight into a squad of Evilus soldiers on patrol.

Megumi nodded at them, perfectly natural.

Thanks for your hard work.

The soldiers blinked, then reflexively nodded back.

Hard work indeed.

And that was that.

The two groups passed each other by.

Finn was stunned speechless.

Hey.

Are you secretly some terrifyingly important person?

Nope.

Megumi carried him along at an even pace, her voice as flat as ever.

I'm just a hardworking little ant.

But Lord Finn had better not stiff me on my wages.

Otherwise, I'll go have a little chat with Loki.

Finn gave a dry laugh.

That's assuming you can even get an audience with Loki.

The defenses of Twilight Manor aren't so easy to break through.

And yet.

Twenty minutes later, Finn threw that thought straight into the trash.

Level 18.

The regathered oddballs, along with the executives who'd just been patched up, lay in ambush along the only route out of the tunnels.

Valletta crossed her arms and asked with a frown.

Hey, are we really okay just standing guard like this?

Dix let out a cold snort.

Every gate in the whole labyrinth has been sealed shut.

Finn doesn't have a key. In the end, he'll just starve to death in there.

Just like that dwarf.

Revis's face was still somewhat pale.

She sat on the ground, stuffing Magic Stones into her mouth one after another, crunching them as she spoke coldly.

Useless.

If you idiots hadn't run, he'd already be a corpse.

Olivas Act cut in.

Where's Shadow?

Where did that guy run off to?

Dix curled his lip.

Probably got lost in the labyrinth.

He doesn't know this place well.

Besides, do you all want to hear Barca roar again?

An explosion of that scale — I'm not about to send our own people flying before the fight even starts.

Everyone fell silent at once.

They'd all just realized a very real problem.

Sometimes, even a madman fears one madder still.

So everyone silently arrived at the same conclusion.

A guy like Shadow was best kept as a last resort weapon.

A mastermind ought to act like a mastermind.

Sit quietly on the throne and only show up once someone's fought their way to the final level.

Just then.

A voice that didn't belong to any of them suddenly piped up nearby.

Um...

Dix turned around and found a small girl carrying a huge bundle on her back, tugging at the hem of his coat.

Megumi Kato looked up at him, her tone flat.

The door up ahead is locked.

Could I borrow your key?

Otherwise I can't haul this scrap out of here.

Tch, bothering me over something this trivial.

Dix snapped irritably.

But he still walked her over to the door and opened it with the red glow from the corner of his eye.

Megumi looked further ahead and added, dead serious.

There's another door behind that one, too.

Dix, thoroughly fed up, simply tossed her a key.

Take it!

Give it back when you're done!

Thank you.

Megumi thanked him with perfect politeness.

Then she dragged the huge bundle out the door, one step at a time.

By the time Dix rejoined the group,

Ein asked offhandedly,

Who was that?

Dix waved a dismissive hand.

No idea.

Probably just some odd-job worker from the Familia who handles trash cleanup.

Everyone nodded and stopped caring.

Then they went back to discussing how to kill Finn.

Behind that bundle, meanwhile,

Finn watched with a blank expression as Dix rejoined the group and seriously discussed how to capture him.

But dude.

Are you actually blind?

This great big Braver head was sticking clean out of the bag!

The very man you were hunting had just been carried right out from under your noses!

And the key — you handed it over yourselves!

Does that make any sense?

No. It made absolutely no sense at all!

Right now Finn desperately wanted to shout at Dix.

Are you an idiot!?

But reason forced the words back down his throat.

Because he knew full well—

if he actually said it, he'd be the one who ended up looking like the idiot.

If word of this got out,

the great Braver escaping death this way would become a lifelong black mark on his record.

Just thinking about it, Finn's expression nearly cracked.

He opened his mouth, then closed it, over and over.

In the end, it all came out as one long, weary sigh.

Hey, little girl.

Just who exactly are you?

Me?

Megumi bounced the bundle on her back and tilted her head, thinking for a good while.

I think it's called Lord Shadow's Direct Covert Mobile Unit?

[Shadow Garden]?

[Sleeping Knights]? Or maybe—

Even she wasn't entirely sure herself.

Given the current situation, was she part of the Terminal Group under [Illness Care]?

Or did she belong with the Chunibyo Group?

Though low presence did sound like some kind of adolescent symptom too.

But she didn't really want to be filed away in some weird category like that.

She was plenty healthy, after all.

[Rikka] — maybe she should try blending in over there instead?

That sounded fun too.

Thinking it over, she added honestly,

Honestly, I'm not too sure myself.

Finn let out a helpless huff.

But at least he'd caught one crucial piece of information.

[Shadow].

Anyone who commanded a subordinate like this had to be an extremely dangerous adversary.

If this girl ever slipped into his own Familia...

she'd probably empty the entire warehouse without anyone noticing a thing.

Even worse,

even the patron deity's safety might not be guaranteed.

Finn even suspected that, if she wanted to,

she could probably talk Loki into some deserted corner with just a few words and cart her off in a sack.

The thought alone

sent a cold sweat down his back.

I think...

you'd be better off coming to join our Loki Familia.

I'll have your reward ready exactly as agreed, not a single valis short.

Um... could you tell me the delivery address?

Sure.

Megumi thought it over seriously.

Lord Shadow liked to keep an air of Mystery about himself.

So she definitely couldn't just give out the Stardust Garden's address directly.

In that case—

Just send it to [Black Crow Brewery].

Finn blinked.

Huh?

Level 18, just outside the entrance to Knossos.

Riveria stood quietly beside the metal gate, eyes closed as if dozing.

Finn and Gareth had been inside for five hours already.

There'd been no word at all.

But there were still nineteen hours left before the agreed deadline.

So she hadn't lost her patience yet.

Before long,

footsteps echoed from the far end of the tunnel.

The sound was heavy and dull, like someone with considerable weight.

Riveria's eyes snapped open, and the magic circle beneath her feet lit up instantly.

It was the most basic combat instinct of any Magic Conducting user.

Whoever was coming, loading up her 'ammunition' first was never a bad idea.

But when she got a clear look at who emerged, she still froze for a moment.

Huh?

This person looked oddly familiar.

Like she'd seen her somewhere before.

Could she be from the Familia?

Had reinforcements been sent in earlier?

Maybe... there had?

Just as she hesitated,

the girl, still lugging the huge bundle, had already walked right up to her.

Megumi Kato looked like she was in a hurry.

Yet her speaking pace stayed just as flat and even as always.

Sorry, excuse me.

Could you step aside for a second?

I'm in a hurry to save someone.

As she spoke, she turned around, revealing Finn on her back — unconscious and drained of blood.

Riveria blinked.

Then her expression changed instantly.

It's the Incurable Curse!

Ordinary healing won't work — we need to get to Airmid right away!

Without even pausing to think, she spun around.

Quick, come with me!

With that, she grabbed Megumi and sprinted for the surface.

Eh— wait, wait!

Megumi stumbled from the sudden pull.

Noticing how much trouble she was having, Riveria simply scooped her up entirely.

Girl, bundle and all, she carried her while running.

What on earth is in this bag?

Why's it so heavy?

Megumi immediately clutched the bag tighter.

Important supplies.

Seeing her reaction, Riveria didn't press further.

She just picked up the pace.

Her figure flickered again and again through the cavern.

In just two hours, they burst back onto the surface.

Dian Cecht Familia Clinic.

Megumi stood behind the counter, still carrying the huge bundle, looking utterly lost.

Airmid had to focus entirely on treating Finn's injuries,

so Megumi had inexplicably been roped in to cover the counter.

In front of her, an adventurer slapped a hand on the counter, voice booming.

Give me three bottles of High Potion!

Um, sixty thousand valis.

Why'd the price go up again?

He grumbled, but paid up anyway.

That old bastard Dian Cecht is out of his mind for money!

He cursed his way out the door.

Megumi tilted her head.

Did I quote too much?

She looked down at the listed price behind the counter.

Not bad.

She'd only overcharged him by three valis.

The next customer stepped up right after.

Hey, do you buy Blue Crystal Butterfly wings?

Megumi blinked.

What is that again...

Ah, right.

It's one of the main ingredients for potion-brewing, I think.

Probably worth buying.

We buy those.

So how much for these ten pairs?

Megumi thought about it.

Five per wing.

The man clicked his tongue immediately.

Highway robbery.

He stuffed the materials back into his pouch and stormed off, cursing.

Figures — Dian Cecht's as stingy with prices as ever!

Might as well sell to Miach instead, though that dog of a man isn't much better!

Megumi went on standing there quietly, as if nothing had happened.

Just a bit of pocket change, really.

She genuinely couldn't be bothered to care anymore.

After all, the bundle on her back held metal materials worth several hundred million.

Before long,

Finn's treatment was finished.

Airmid came out from inside and glanced over the counter.

She noticed the stock had dropped noticeably, while the valis in the drawer had grown.

But—

no matter how she looked at it, the numbers didn't add up right.

She stayed silent for two seconds.

In the end, she decided to just let it go for now.

Hey, you there.

She pressed a bottle of Elixir into Megumi's hand.

Go give this to Finn.

Put it on his tab.

Megumi took the bottle and tilted her head.

Aren't you treating him with magic?

Airmid gave her a look that screamed 'you really are new here.'

How much money can you charge for magic?

You've got to use potions — faster results, and the money

is a lot easier to account for.

Megumi finally understood.

Highway robbery.

That's not it at all!

Airmid bristled instantly.

This is fair pricing!

Besides, Loki Familia isn't exactly short on cash!

And besides... it was all that old geezer's idea in the first place!

Thinking about how Loki Familia always marked up material prices,

and made her dress up as some kind of saintly 'Sister Amigo' act on top of it,

Airmid ground her teeth in frustration.

Megumi thought it over.

This didn't really concern her much.

So she obediently took the medicine and walked into the treatment room.

She pushed open the door and crossed the hallway.

She went straight to Finn's side, pulled the stopper, and poured the potion over him. The effect was immediate.

Once the curse was lifted, Dian Cecht's famous specialty potions truly lived up to their reputation.

Barely three minutes later,

Finn's eyes opened.

Where am I...

The clinic.

You're...

Are you trying to skip out on your debt?

Megumi puffed out her cheeks, her tone flat as she pressed the question.

Finn held his head and thought hard for a long while.

No matter how he tried, he couldn't recall any debt owed to the girl in front of him.

Uh... if this is about the treatment fee, I'll have a Familia member bring it over. It's not that.

Megumi's brow furrowed slightly.

It seemed—

she'd still have to go back with him.

After all, she'd dumped over half her materials just to carry this Pallum out of there.

She couldn't afford to lose out.

At that moment, Riveria pushed the door open and walked in.

How is he?

Megumi, cheeks still puffed, spoke first.

He's fine now, he can be discharged.

That fast?

Riveria looked surprised.

Seeing that Finn could actually sit up, she finally let out a breath of relief.

Let's go.

Gareth's still in the labyrinth. We need to prepare a rescue right away.

Finn's expression turned grave again.

He nodded and hauled his still-weak body to his feet.

The two of them settled the bill at the counter and quickly headed back to Twilight Manor.

Megumi silently followed behind, entering the hall together with them.

The moment Loki spotted them coming back, she let out a strange shriek and bolted over.

Ri~ve~ri~a~~~ welcome back!

She shouted while flinging herself bodily forward.

I thought for sure you'd died in the Dungeon! Let me check you over, see if you got hurt anywhere — heh heh heh.

But the next instant,

Riveria's staff came down mercilessly on her head.

Emergency.

Finn nearly died in Knossos.

Gather the Familia.

We need to draw up a new rescue plan immediately — Gareth still hasn't come out.

The playful grin vanished from Loki's face instantly.

Ah, got it.

She sucked in a breath and bellowed at the top of her lungs.

Biiig trouble~~~!!!

In a flash,

the members who'd been on standby throughout the manor all came rushing toward the hall.

Tione flashed forward and pounced on Finn, hands roaming all over him.

Captain~~~ Are you okay?! You scared me half to death!

Cough cough, I feel like the Captain's about to get strangled by you...

Tiona pointed out seriously from the side.

What did you say? Say that again if you dare!

Tione whipped her head around, her nose nearly touching her sister's face.

I'm just telling the truth!

The twins were bickering within a second.

Bete, meanwhile, stood with his hands in his pockets, nose in the air, and snapped fiercely at Megumi, who stood quietly off to the side.

Huh?

Where'd this newbie come from?

Go pour tea or something. This isn't a place for small fry like you.

Megumi hesitated for a moment, glancing at Finn.

But...

I'm worried the Braver's going to skip out on his debt.

Where's the Grimoire I was promised?

Just then,

Ais walked over slowly.

She looked over everyone, then at Finn, and asked her question seriously.

Didn't you all say the Captain barely escaped with his life?

Wasn't it Riveria who brought him back?

Finn froze.

He pressed a hand to his forehead and thought for a moment.

The next instant, a bead of cold sweat slid down the side of his face.

That's right!

There was some terrifying person who carried me out of the labyrinth!

But where did she go now?!

He said, quickly looking to Riveria.

Riveria nodded.

There was indeed such a person.

But somewhere back at the clinic, she vanished without anyone noticing.

Wasn't she one of our own Familia children?

Finn's expression instantly soured.

His smile looked more strained than crying.