Chapter 69


    It was two days until the Emerald Demon Labyrinth closed itself. With the Labyrinth open to the public now, waves of people queued to enter; even if only to spend digging up magic stones. Once its core was extracted, thebyrinth wouldnt spawn any more monsters. Instead, it produced non-attribute magic stones. How? Apparently, the monsters spawned by thebyrinth turned into those stones; they were buried about 5cm deep within the walls or ground.


    Thebyrinths restorative mechanisms would sometimes push the stones. This was in order to repair itself, and these could be easily picked up. As for the ones still buried, it had to be cut and/or dugout. While, normally, thebyrinths walls and floor were hard to destroy, it was still possible. As a result, the magic stone hunt and mining became a new craze for the people.


    I didnt bring tools though. Without them, I could only pick up any of the stones thebyrinth spewed out. But seeing how crowded it was, I realized how small of a chance I had to do that. So, I decided to just watch on while I wandered around thebyrinth. Thebyrinths pathways and the structure wereplex. It basically made a veryrge maze. A map was essential to go through it safely. I saw that almost everyone had a copy of what seemed to be the map I drew. I also saw a few people carrying the Marida Companys bento box.


    By the way, there was no lighting within thebyrinth. There were still some sources of light, such as the glowing grass, but people preferred to bringnterns or conjure up a ball of light. As for me, I brought antern myself. I wondered why some rooms were brighter than the others within thebyrinth. But as it turned out, those were the ces were people gathered to rest.


    Sitting in the corner of the rest area, I unpacked the bento box I bought earlier and took a short break myself. Once I finished eating, Id head outside and maybe see if there was a vendor selling tools for digging.


    Back on the surface, I looked around and found what I needed immediately. There was one next to the Marida Companys spot. I headed there and bought myself a digging tool.


    Eh, Ashley-san? What are you doing here


    Welc Schwartz-san!


    Sitting behind the vendors table, was Ashley-san.


    Fufu, this stall belongs to the General Guild. Were open for business, especially for a certain manuke who forgot themon sense to bring tools into thebyrinth.


    Of course, being a manuke makes it easier for her to make fun of me.


    Oh, I see. Although, being a manuke has nothing to do with me being forgetful


    I saw Schwartz-san leaving thebyrinth. Getting back so soon?


    Eh, yeah, I am. My job is done, so Im thinking of taking a break and getting some fresh air.


    Thank you for your hard work. Im also going on break soon. Would you like to have some tea with me?


    Sure, why not? Ill wait for you.


    Although it was sort of embarrassing, I unexpectedly reunited with Ashley-san. Its an opportunity to finally hand her the souvenir I bought back in the capital. While waiting for Ashley-san, I moved off to the side not to obstruct business and watched her work. Next to her, there were two more people manning the stall. Most likely other members of the guild. Each wore a in-looking apron over their winter outfits.


    After a while, Ashley-san handed her apron to someone else who came in just now, most likely her recement and made her way to me.


    Did I make you wait too long?


    Nah, I was having fun watching Ashley-san work.


    Surely you jest! Anyways, lets go. The tent selling delicious pound cake is just over there.


    I replied without much thought to it, but somehow, it made Ashley-san blush slightly. She tried to hide it by looking away and walked ahead of me. I hurried to catch up to her, walking at her side to the tent she mentioned. The tent was a small tent housing a kitchen. Chairs and tables were arranged around it like an impromptu outdoor restaurant. The setup had a boutique coffee shop that felt simr to my world. I pulled a chair out to let Ashley-san sit after I picked a suitable table.


    Thank you.


    Its nothing.


    After the trivial exchange, I sat across from her, then called to the nearby waiter to order a fruit pound cake and Darjeeling tea. Ashley-san also ordered the same things. We kept ourselves entertained while we waited for our orders by talking about many random things. For instance, how we felt about the harvest festival. As for Ashley-san, she was excited since it was the first harvest festival in several years.


    The waiter arrived without our cake and tea. The cake gave off a delicate scent of dried fruit and honey. Ashley-san eyed it with a wide smile. I was more interested in the Darjeeling tea instead. It was a dark orange-colored tea, served in a simple teacup. I could faintly smell the strong muscatel vor that wafted up along with the steam.


    Ashley-san eagerly raised her fork to eat while I sipped on my tea. The refreshing vor filled my mouth with a single sip. The tea had probably been brewed using specially picked leaves during the early summer. Ive tasted plenty of teas from different cafes before, but I had to say, the Darjeeling tea served here was the best out of all of them.


    The fragrance was refreshing and the subtle astringent vor would do well to enhance the sweetness of the fruit cake. This made it some of the best to apany the cake. seeing Ashley-sans expressions, I could tell she was on the same page.


    Delish-cious.


    Ashley-san hardly spoke while eating, but she had a charming smile; sometimes purring in delight with every bite she took.


    Ah, right. Ashley-san, the other day, I went to the capital and bought a souvenir from a store I visited. Here, Ill give it to you now.


    For me?


    Yes, for you.


    I hadnt known when Id meet Ashley-san again. So, I kept the trinket in my chest pocket. I took it out and presented it to her. There wasnt paper wrapping in this world yet, so the trinket had been kept inside a small wooden box, fastened by a red string.


    Thank you, can I open it?


    Of course. Hopefully, youll like it.


    She unfastened the string and opened the lid gently. After seeing the contents, she removed the lid and pulled the gift out.


    A Ruby ne?


    Do you like it?


    Yes, thank you! This is the first time someone gave me a gift like this.


    As it turned out, she thought itd be a hair ornament or earrings. However, Id taken her position as a Guild Investigator into consideration. Since the position might require some intense movement, thered be no worries about identally dropping it on the job if its a ring or ne. So, I decided to get her a ne. It was a choker style one with a thumb-size orchid colored ruby.


    I stood up and walked behind her.


    May I?


    Sure.


    I received the ne from Ashley-san and ced it around her neck.


    Thank you, but isnt this expensive? Are you sure you want me to take it? Look, even the chain seems to be made of mithril.


    Yeah. I heard that mithril has the bestpatibility with the rubys magical power.


    The ne certainly was expensive. I wouldnt have been able to buy it if for the bounty on Yagoche Company. How many souvenirs did I buy back then? 6 more, I think? I ended up spending more money than I wanted. By the way, the others werent as expensive as this one.


    I know that it may not have been wise to spend my hard-earned money on an expensive gift. But this was the only one I thought fit with her shining red hair. And now that I see it, I was correct.


    Its really pretty. So, shall we head back now?


    Eh? Ah, yes! Its time for me to rece the other employee.


    Well then, lets head back.


    Both Ashley-san and I got up and headed out. The cake and tea had been paid when itd been delivered. Since we already paid, it wasnt a problem to leave.