Uketsukejo ni Kokuhaku Shitakute Guild ni Kayoitsumetara Eiyu ni Natteta

Chapter 57: I’ve Been Meaning to Say

At dusk of that day.

We returned to the capital of the Kingdom of Sundeil.

“If she sees us, she’ll be surprised!” (Dorami)

“Well, we ARE going home two weeks earlier than planned.” (Jade)

“And, we’ve even got some information! All that’s left now is to defeat Medusa~!” (Dorami)

Imagine Garnet-san’s happy expression made Dorami excited.

If we defeat Medusa, everything will be resolved.

It’s true, but Medusa also has a troublesome ability.

When Dorami first heard about it, she was pretty frightened. But, when I told her that I could deal with it, she calmed down.

It’d be great if Garnet-san can also be relieved the same way.

“We’ve arrived~!” (Dorami)

Dorami knocked on the door to Garnet-san’s house as soon as we arrived.

“…She’s not coming out.” (Dorami)

“It looks like she’s still at work. She might also eat dinner first, you can wait in your room first—” (Jade)

“Dorami will wait here! She wants to tell Garnet the news as soon as possible!” (Dorami)

Guess we’ll wait a little longer for Garnet-san to return.

Dorami put on her opera glasses and looked to the street.

“Ah! She’s back!” (Dorami)

Dorami saw Garnet-san in the distance and waved her hand.

Garnet-san noticed us and waved back.

“Welcome back, you’re quite early this time.” (Garnet)

“We came back in a hurry because we got information about Onyx!” (Dorami)

“…Really?” (Garnet)

Garnet-san looked at me in confusion.

She’s been collecting information in the guild for 12 years but couldn’t find any. She probably expected that even finding out if he was safe would take some time.

Even I thought that it’d be difficult.

Both the information about his whereabouts in the Ice Kingdom and the fact that he was on his way to defeat the Medusa were obtained by chance.

If we hadn’t gone to buy Dorami’s medicine at the time and if she didn’t come with me to help, things wouldn’t have gone so well.

Though, it’s not all about luck.

“We heard that Onyx-san went to the Ice Kingdom to exterminate a Medusa.” (Jade)

“Medusa…” (Garnet)

As soon as Garnet-san heard the name, her expression turned cloudy.

It’s only natural for her to be worried. The Medusa is an extremely powerful monster that can petrify any creature that it lays its eyes on.

“It’s too unreasonable for Father to fight something like a Medusa, he’s only a seven-petal class…” (Garnet)

“Ehh?! A seven-petal class?! So he’s a seasoned adventurer…” (Dorami)

“Even though he’s a seven-petal class, he uses the Defense System. Father has no chance of winning against it.” (Garnet)

“The Medusa’s attack can’t be blocked?” (Dorami)

“Nope.” (Jade)

“…Even Jade can’t block it?” (Dorami)

Dorami timidly asked.

When I told her about the Medusa in the Ice Kingdom, I told her that I could defeat it, so she must’ve thought that I could stop its petrification attack.

Well, I actually can defeat it, but…

“If the Medusa sees me first, I’ll also be turned to stone.” (Jade)

“I-in that case, how will you beat it?!” (Dorami)

“Using the same method as Onyx-san.” (Jade)

“Onyx’s…?” (Dorami)

“Yeah. To set a trap using lava potion.” (Jade)[1]

The Medusa is a monster made of stone.

And, lava potion is used to dissolve rocks.

With the right stimulus, it will explode. If used properly, it can be used to defeat the Medusa.

“Ooh! So you can defeat it with that!” (Dorami)

“But, my Father wasn’t able to do it.” (Garnet)

“C-certainly, it might not have worked against the Medusa…!” (Dorami)

“Mmm. Well, the Medusa’s attack power is pretty high, but its defense power is low. You can defeat it by using some lava potion, but you can also defeat it by just hitting it with magic from a distance.” (Jade)

“T-then, why is nobody defeating the Medusa?” (Dorami)

“It’s because they’re careful about becoming human statues.” (Jade)

Medusa turns its opponents into stone.

But, even if you’re turned into stone, you’ll continue to live.

You can only remove the petrification if you defeat the Medusa.

“Fortunately or not, the Medusa loves stone statues. Because of that, the statues are left unharmed. Though, in order for the petrification to be undone properly, the Medusa has to be lured out of its territory first.” (Jade)

Onyx-san should’ve been able to safely set up the trap.

All that’s left is to guide the Medusa to the trap.

It must’ve not gone well and he was seen and turned to stone.

“Meaning, if we just guide it into a trap, we can defeat it!” (Jade)

“Alright! Dorami will lure it in with ‘Little Star’! It’ll definitely want to hear it from up close, so it’ll come closer! Dorami’s mastered ‘Little Star’ already, so all that’s left is to get the lava potion~!” (Dorami)

“Couldn’t you have gotten the lava potion in the Ice Kingdom?” (Garnet)

“I can, but I was thinking of using the one prepared by Ku-san.” (Jade)

“She’s training Surin, so she should still be in the capital!” (Dorami)

“Is that why you two got home in a hurry?” (Garnet)

“That’s part of it, but there are other reasons…” (Jade)

“Jade came back because he wanted something to tell Garnet!” (Dorami)

“To me?” (Garnet)

“Yes. The Medusa is a really formidable enemy, I’ve been meaning to say it so I wouldn’t have any regrets, no matter what happens.” (Jade)

“…What is it?” (Garnet)

I looked into Garnet-san’s eyes and told her my thoughts.

“I love Garnet-san with all of my heart!” (Jade)

“I love you too, Jade-kun.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san looked happy as she said that, but she also looked a bit worried.

I don’t want to see Garnet-san getting worried…

But, I’m happy.

It means that she cares about me and loves me!

“I’ll definitely bring Onyx-san home!” (Jade)

“That’s why we need to get the lava potion!” (Dorami)

“Right! Well, why don’t we go and water Momochi before that?” (Jade)

“Let’s do it! Let’s give it lots of water~” (Dorami)

Dorami’s in a good mood because she’s going to see Momochi again for the first time in a while.

While skipping, Dorami headed home to pick up her snail watering can.

Now then…

“There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to Garnet-san about.” (Jade)

“What is it?” (Garnet)

“It’ll be really dangerous this time, so I won’t take Dorami with me.” (Jade)

“…Will Dorami-chan agree with that?” (Garnet)

“I think that she’d try to come with me no matter what. Because of that, I plan to leave secretly.” (Jade)

“Once she wakes up and realizes that you’re gone, I feel like she’s going to cry… After all, Dorami-chan likes you so much.” (Garnet)

“I like Dorami too, that’s why I want her to be in a safe place. I’ll leave before sunrise tomorrow, so can I ask you to take care of Dorami while I’m gone?” (Jade)

“Of course. I’ll do my best so Dorami-chan can have a good time.” (Garnet)

“Thank you very much!” (Jade)

After thanking Garnet-san, Dorami came running over with a watering can.

Seeing her happy expression makes my heart hurt, but… this is all for her sake.

That’s what I convinced myself with to sort out my feelings.

The next day.

I woke up before sunrise.

Dorai is sleeping soundly next to me.

I told her that we were leaving in the early afternoon, so she shouldn’t wake up for a few more hours.

“…I’m sorry.” (Jade)

I gently stroked Dorami’s hair, secretly changed my clothes, then left the house without making a sound.

Garnet-san was standing outside.

“H-how long have you been standing there?” (Jade)

“About an hour ago, I wanted to see you off.” (Garnet)

I thought we already finished saying our goodbyes yesterday.

“Are you leaving now?” (Garnet)

“If I don’t leave early, Dorami might wake up… Please take care of her.” (Jade)

“Right, I’ll make sure to feed her something delicious every day.” (Garnet)

“Thank you. Dorami should also be very happy, she loves your cooking, after all.” (Jade)

“She always enjoys eating, but… Dorami-chan is always smiling because you’re next to her. For her sake, you need to come back safely.” (Garnet)

“Yes, I promise that I’ll return safely! So… will you go on a date with me again?” (Jade)

Garnet-san gave me a bright smile and held my hand.

“Alright, when you return, we’ll hold hands and go on a date.” (Garnet)

“Y-yes, with pleasure!” (Jade)

I accidentally let out a loud voice.

It’ll be bad if Dorami wakes up.

The sun will rise soon, so I have to leave now.

But, before that…

“Garnet-san, I actually have a request…” (Garnet)

I actually don’t want to say it but…

I gave in to the temptation as she held my hand.

“W-would you please give me a kiss?” (Jade)

“…A kiss?” (Garnet)

“Y-yes. I’ll definitely return alive, but I don’t want to leave any regrets behind.” (Jade)

“I see… In that case, I won’t kiss you.” (Garnet)

“O-oh… I’m sorry for saying something so strange.” (Jade)

“No, it’s not anything strange, I want to kiss you too” (Garnet)

“R-really?!” (Jade)

“Yeah. That’s why, if you come home safely, I’ll kiss you again and again. Now you have a reason to come home alive.” (Garnet)

So it was for my sake that she refused to kiss me.

She created a reason for me to stay alive so I wouldn’t do anything reckless!

“I promise that I’ll return!” (Jade)

“I’ll be waiting for you.” (Garnet)

Garnet-san smiled as light shined on us.

It’s already sunrise. I really need to leave now.

“I’m going now!” (Jade)

“Okay, be careful.” (Garnet)

As I was sent off by Garnet-san and was about to leave—

At that moment…

“W-wait! Dorami isn’t ready yet!” (Dorami)

Dorami jumped out of the house.

She was still in her pajamas and her hair was all messy.

She seems to have rushed out when she noticed I wasn’t there.

I shouted a few times, so maybe that’s why she woke up…

“Dorami will prepare quickly, so please wait!” (Dorami)

“Sorry, Dorami. I want you to stay home this time.” (Jade)

“Eh?! Dorami is going to be house-sitting?!” (Dorami)

“Until Jade-kun comes back, you’ll live with me. I’ll make sure you eat a feast every day.” (Garnet)

“Dorami likes feasts but she prefers having adventures with Jade!” (Dorami)

“I’m happy, but it’ll be really dangerous this time. If the Medusa finds you, you’ll turn into stone.” (Jade)

Dorami’s eyes become teary.

It’s not because she’s scared, but because she’s sad.

“Dorami is also an adventurer, so she’s prepared for danger! She’s more afraid of not being relied on by Jade!” (Dorami)

She clung to my waist and appealed with a tearful expression.

I can shake her off, but…

I shouldn’t.

If I make her stay at home, she won’t get hurt but… It’ll leave a wound on her heart.

“Fine, let’s go together.” (Jade)

“Y-you’re really bringing Dorami?” (Dorami)

“Yeah, but be sure to just hide behind me.” (Jade)

“… just hiding?” (Dorami)

“I want you to cheer me on, too. Whenever Dorami cheers me on, I become stronger!” (Jade)

“Gto it! Dorami will support Jade a lot!” (Dorami)

With a bright smile, Dorami squeezed my hand.

“We’re leaving now!” (Dorami)

“Before that, go change your clothes. Don’t worry, Jade-kun won’t leave you alone.” (Garnet)

“Dorami’s not worried! Jade said he would take her! Dorami believes in Jade!” (Dorami)

Dorami raised her voice and ran into the house, “We’re coming for you, Medusa!”