Kapitel 60: Chapter Fifty-Eight

The sun bathed Orario in its warm, golden light, its citizens bustling about their daily activities, oblivious to the intriguing events transpiring at the Wheat Manor.

For Alice Cromwell, the day had taken a fascinating turn. Her eyes widened with excitement as Muichiro presented a myriad of curious items. She couldn't contain her enthusiasm, and her voice echoed with awe.

"OH MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS!!! It's on fire yet it doesn't burn. Does it have any fire-resistant properties? And this... I feel like I'm energized just standing around this glowing beetle. So many research subjects!" Alice practically drooled over the unique items Muichiro had acquired.

As with Demeter, Muichiro proceeded to explain everything to Alice and Cuthbert. The two were indeed astonished, but Alice's excitement overshadowed any other emotions.

"My...to think such a place existed in the dungeon, and had yet to be found until now," remarked Cuthbert with mild fascination as he poked a patch of rainbow moss, causing its vibrant hues to briefly brighten.

Then, Alice couldn't contain herself any longer and broke into a maniacal laughter. Her arms wrapped around her waist, one hand covering her eyes.

"This... this is what I've been waiting for. This is what I needed. Finally, I can..." Alice drifted into a self-absorbed monologue, seemingly oblivious to the presence of Muichiro and Cuthbert.

"Cuthbert, sorry about this, but I need to head to the lab right away. This can't wait any longer, but I'll be sure to come out for the festival." Without waiting for a response, Alice swiftly gathered up the new items.

As instructed by Demeter, Alice, the leading researcher, would be the one to analyze these items before informing the Guild of their findings. Demeter, in her mind, was already calculating how much tax cut this discovery could generate for the familia in the coming years.

Before leaving, Alice dashed back to Muichiro, grabbed his collar, and planted a kiss on his lips. Muichiro's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and Cuthbert's glasses shattered in sheer shock.

"Hahaha, I would give you something better, but that's all I could think of for now. So if you'll excuse me, Mama's got some new things to tinker with, hahahaha...." Alice's laughter echoed through the halls as she disappeared.

Muichiro stood there, his gaze lost in empty space, his fingertips gently touching his lips. He seemed to be processing the gesture.

'I see, so when people are happy, they also give people kisses...' Muichiro pondered with curiosity.

Cuthbert, on the other hand, was still recovering from the whirlwind of events. "I'm sorry about that, Master Muichiro. Miss Alice can be quite eccentric...so."

Muichiro reassured him, "That's okay. I didn't mind. So, I guess this meeting is over then?"

Cuthbert nodded. "Yes, since Miss Alice has already left, you may do as you wish, Master Muichiro. Sorry for wasting your time."

Muichiro nodded back and gave Cuthbert a polite bow before walking out of the room. There were still some items Muichiro hadn't presented, and he needed to deliver the books he had recorded to Alice at a later date.

The day at the Wheat Manor had certainly taken an unexpected and entertaining turn for Muichiro.

.....

(Location:Guild Hall)

The Guild Hall in Orario was abuzz with activity, adventurers signing up for new quests, receiving guidance from their mentors, or simply perusing the quest board.

Amidst the lively scene, a familiar sight played out in one of the corners.

A young adventurer with above-average looks, blonde hair, and a rusty claymore strapped to his back passionately declared his love to Rose Fannett, an alluring guild employee known for her crimson red hair and wolf-like ears that revealed her as a werewolf.

Her response was predictable—indifferent, with a touch of exasperation and boredom. She had heard countless confessions like this one.

"Man!! Rose is really popular. This is the 10th one this week," whispered a new male elf employee to a colleague.

Indeed, Rose had garnered quite a reputation for rebuffing amorous advances.

She was known as the Thorn, and her rejection rate was legendary. Many adventurers had tried to win her heart, but none had succeeded. People started wondering if anyone in the world could capture her affection.

Meanwhile, Rose maintained her composure. She responded to the would-be suitor, Mr. Sole, firmly, "I apologize, but I cannot and will not reciprocate those feelings. Please give up on this fantasy of us being together. Now, if you would excuse me."

Her response was a cold, hard shutdown. Sympathetic glances from fellow adventurers filled the vicinity.

They had all, at some point, mustered the courage to express their feelings to Rose, only to meet the same result. She was indeed a tough nut to crack, and many believed no one would ever win her heart.

However, the question still lingered among the guild members: Was there a man out there who could break through the Thorn's defences?

As Mr. Sole left, dejected, Rose let out a frustrated sigh before pouring herself a cup of tea.

"Hey, Rose, it seems your popularity hasn't waned at all. At this rate, you'll become a single lady with ten cats," teased her friend and fellow guild employee, Misha Flott.

"That sounds rather nice, Misha," replied Rose in her usual stoic manner.

"You really aren't fun to tease. I can never get a reaction out of you. Eina, on the other hand, always has the cutest reactions."

Misha, despite her teasing, was genuinely fond of Rose. However, there was one topic that weighed heavily on Rose's mind.

"So, still no sign of your new adventurer? It's been close to, what, three days now?"

Rose paused for a moment, her expression hinting at the unease she had been feeling. Two days ago, she had overheard a conversation between two Demeter Familia members about Muichiro's disappearance. Since then, she had been discreetly inquiring about his whereabouts.

While she maintained her indifferent facade, her friends could sense that she was more anxious than she let on.

Suddenly, a guild employee entered the room with a message. "Hey, Rose, I just met one of the Demeter Familia members to discuss the upcoming festival. It seems your adventurer has returned. He's slightly injured, but otherwise, he's in perfect health."

Rose's reaction was subtle, but Misha, who had been keeping a close eye on her, noticed her shoulders relax slightly. The heavy feeling that had weighed on her for the past two days seemed to dissipate.

"Congrats. Looks like your adventurer is fine," Misha said with a hint of amusement.

"Paperwork, now, or I'll tell..."

"Okay, fine, fine, I'll do the stupid paperwork. Geez..." Misha grumbled as she left the room.

Now alone, Rose finally let out a sigh of relief. She knew that she needed to have a serious talk with Muichiro when she saw him again. For now, she could rest easy, knowing that he was safe.

"I need to have a long talk with him when I see him again," Rose murmured to herself as she sipped her tea, the bittersweet aftertaste lingering on her lips

.....

(Misha Flott Pictures)

Hahaha, the 17 and 12 volumes of danmachi and Sword Oratoria I ordered are finally here. I'm gonna be binge-reading all of them now.

Unfortunately I couldn't get volumes 18 and 19 of Danmanchi and 13 of Oratoria, I'll just have to buy them online version instead.