117-CHAPTER XVI




ZUN!

The Rockworm dies from Satsuki's onslaught and lays its body on the ground.
Satsuki returns to us with her sword in her waist, breathing heavily.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

I think that Satsuki's frank words accurately expressed the feelings of all of us.
Mee and Cyril, too, seemed to be getting more and more nervous.

As we continued to explore the mines, we soon encountered another Rock Worm, which we defeated.

But not long after that, we encountered another one.
Satsuki had just sunk it.

'I agree with you, Satsuki. To encounter so many in such a short time is too much of a bargain for the Rockworm.

'Hey William, how long do rockworms usually live in groups?

Cyril asks me with a slightly worried look on his face.
I search the knowledge I have in my brain and pick up the answer from there.

'As far as I know, there are no papers that deal with research on the formation of rockworm swarms - but in general terms, rockworms should live alone, or in groups of two or three at most, in the same place. I'm not sure that's the end of the story. ......

'I think so too. Do you want to retreat once, William?

Mee asks looking up at me.
I unconsciously try to put my hand on the head of the cat-eared girl, but just in time I realize what I'm doing and pull my hand back.

'...... Ah, yeah. I was just thinking about that too. I need to report to my client, and my mana is getting low. I think I'd better go back.

'Okay. I'll be satisfied if I can move this much. I'd like to get out of this small place soon.

Satsuki said and made a small stretch.
When she looked at Cyril, he nodded in agreement.

I'm not sure what to do. ...... Hmm, what's up Mee?

I turned on my heel and started to head back the way I came, when I saw Mee standing next to me with a complicated look on her face.
But she shook her head and said,

It's nothing. It's not like ...... William doesn't like Mee, right?'

'Hmm ......? Oh, yeah, well, it's not that I don't like him.'

'I see. That's fine then. I hope you don't mind.

And with that, Mi walked briskly past me and began to walk ahead of me on the way home.
I didn't really understand what she meant, but she told me not to worry about it, so I decided to let it go for now.


And so we finished our exploration that day.

When we climbed up the ladder at the entrance to the tunnel, the sun was setting in the mountains and the clear sky was slightly tinged with purple and vermilion.

'Outside! Hot springs, hot springs...'

Satsuki jumped out of the well-like vertical hole and stepped toward the busy streets of the city as if she were doing a little dance.
Mee and Cyril looked aghast at Satsuki's appearance, but followed her.

I watched them with a smile on my face and enjoyed the fresh air for the first time in a while.