落とし穴外伝：女たらしの噂 (Part1)
Dungeon Pit Side Story: The Rumor of the Womanizer
Side: Yayui
Today is my day off, and I’m out shopping alone, enjoying a bit of leisure.
"Man, I’ve been so busy lately. It’s rare to have a moment like this, isn't it?"
Ever since I got used to assisting Yuki-sama, things have only gotten more hectic—what with the investigations into the dark guilds and other unsettling matters. Still, because he makes sure we have these days off, I don’t find it too overwhelming. Even so, the pressure of being involved in such important work is always there.
"But honestly, it’s been ages since I’ve been out by myself."
That’s right, as I mentioned, I’m alone today. Usually, Orelia or Hovis would be with me, but the timing just didn't work out for either of them. It’s not particularly strange, but since it hasn't happened in a long time, it feels fresh. Walking through Weed alone makes the city look different somehow.
Above all else…
"Shopping without worrying about work—it feels so different, doesn't it?"
Exactly. Today is my day off. I don’t have to think about my duties. When I’m with Orelia or Hovis, I’m always conscious of work, so being alone gives me a sense of liberation. After buying the necessities, I’ve just been window-shopping. Weed is constantly evolving without me even noticing; there are food stalls I’ve never seen, new clothing boutiques, and accessory shops popping up everywhere.
"Haha, I’m acting just like a normal girl."
The words slip out before I can stop them. Well, "normal girls" don't really exist in a city like this, and they’re usually much worse off than I am. I have a salary and a decent amount of money—actually, I think I have more than the average person. Though, the work is difficult enough to justify it.
"Besides, I was a slave, after all."
That’s right. I was a slave. Yuki-sama bought me and changed my life; if not for him, I might not even be in this world anymore. He didn't just provide a place like Weed for someone who could do nothing; he let me study, and more than anything, he hired me as his assistant.
And now…
"I even enjoy driving vehicles."
It seems I have a hidden talent; for some reason, I’m quite good at handling vehicles. Everyone’s face tends to go pale when I’m behind the wheel—I wonder why? Are they afraid of the machines? Sure, one wrong move could cost you your life, but as long as you drive safely, that’s hardly a concern. It’s actually quite fun.
While lost in these thoughts, munching on an ice cream crepe I bought at a stall, I suddenly hear…
"Did you hear? About that womanizing Prince Consort?"
"Yeah, I heard, I heard."
Those words hit my ears, and I stop dead in my tracks. The Prince Consort—that’s Yuki-sama, isn't it? A womanizer? What?
The sheer absurdity of the statement makes my mind go blank, and before I know it, my head is filled with white-hot rage. I want to rush over and beat them into the ground right now, but…
"Hey, hey. Calm down."
A hand rests on my shoulder. I turn around to see who it is, and…
"Raiya-san."
It was an adventurer exclusive to the Weed Adventurer Guild. Exclusive adventurers are different from the standard ones; they primarily handle jobs around Weed and rarely travel to other towns. They are, quite literally, adventurers for the city. It might sound like a contradiction, but it’s an honorable position. You need real skill to become one, and because you receive a regular income and support funds from both the guild and the city, you can live quite comfortably.
In short, it’s a prestigious role that requires a great deal of earned trust. It’s not as if there’s no work, either. There’s plenty to do, like mentoring rookies or acting as an examiner for rank-up tests. Especially here in Weed, they cooperate with Milly-san and the administration to solve city issues; they are an incredibly valuable asset.
Because of that, Raiya-san and I are acquaintances. We don’t exactly hang out, but we’re on speaking terms if we happen to cross paths.
"I understand how you feel, but settle down. You’re crushing your crepe."
"Eh? Oh!"
I look down at my hand and see that the crepe, which I hadn't even finished half of, is being squeezed in the middle, the ice cream on top sliding off.
"Ah…"
"Let’s go over there. We need to clean this up."
"Yes."
I clean up the fallen ice cream, wash my hands, and head to a bench where Raiya-san is already sitting with two fresh crepes.
"Here. A replacement."
"Oh, thank you."
I take the crepe and sit down. Raiya-san begins to speak.
"They’re delicious, aren't they? Go on, eat."
"…Yes."
I realize she’s telling me to calm down, so I start eating the crepe again. Before I know it, the voices that were making me so angry have faded away. That’s only natural.
"If only I hadn't made such a mistake…"
"Yes, yes. Calm down, it’s fine. I’m already tracking them."
"Eh?"
I didn't understand what she meant at first, but then it clicked.
"We have to chase them down immediately!"
"It’s fine. Here, eat."
"But Yuki-sama is being slandered…"
I say it through gritted teeth, barely holding back a shout.
"Haha, you really do love Yuki-san, don't you, Yayui?"
"Of course I do. He’s the one who treated not just me, Orelia, and Hovis, but so many other slaves like normal human beings. To hear him talked about like that…"
I don't finish the sentence, afraid I’ll start yelling.
"Besides, 'womanizer'? Where? He hasn't even made a move on us…"
If the rumors were true, I might have been able to laugh it off, but this is baseless slander.
"Yes, yes. Calm down. You’re going to drop the crepe I bought you, too."
"Ah, yes. I’m sorry…"
At her words, I eat the crepe and feel my head cooling down. By the time I finish, my heart is calm.
"Um, Raiya-san. Sorry for the trouble."
"Not at all. It’s only natural for you all to react that way when you hear someone badmouthing Yuki-san. But if you cause a scene, it’ll only make Yuki-san look worse. You have to be careful about that. You understand, right? Using force against rumors rarely leads to a good outcome."
"…Yes."
She’s right. Even if I had confronted them back there, it wouldn't have solved anything.
"It’s not like we couldn't force a charge of lèse-majesté, but it wasn't an organized effort by a large group, and it would look like an abuse of power. Anyway, about the tracking I mentioned…"
"Ah, right."