Chapter 2-12 : The Girl And The Dark Elf Learned About The Mysterious Woman’s Secret
「*Munch munch* Mmm~!」(woman)
Elle used a water magic stone and a wind magic stone to create a water swirl and mixed it with herbal soap to wash the woman’s entire body and clothes. After that, she used a wind magic stone and a fire magic stone to dry her clothes and hair.
Now that she no longer smelled of goblin blood, Elle invited her to eat together with them.
Now they were eating on top of the mat Ingrid spread on the cold floor of the tunnel.
「Ahh~ These sandwiches taste so good~ *Munch munch*」(woman)
「Right? Elle’s sandwiches are the best!」(Ingrid)
「I’m glad you like them.」(Elle)
Other than the chicken sandwiches Elle made, there were also boiled eggs, dried fruit, and picked vegetables on the big lunch box.
Elle didn’t have much appetite after walking through the floor covered in foul-smelling goblin blood and bodies, but watching the woman eating her sandwiches with hearty enjoyment, she regained appetite even for a little and started eating as well.
While they were enjoying the meal, suddenly, tears began to flow from the woman’s eyes.
「Uuu~ I’m so lucky to meet kind people like you. I thought I was gonna die… I managed to escape from the boss room, but then hunger struck. I haven’t eaten since yesterday. Thank you so much for saving my life!」(woman)
The woman cried and lowered her head to the point that her forehead touched the ground, showing how sincere she was.
「It’s alright. We still have plenty of food. So, you have reached the boss room, huh? I don’t see your belongings. Did you drop them there?」(Ingrid)
「Ah, well, some of them, yeah, but I dropped the rest of them on the way here.」(woman)
「Huh? Why did you do that?」(Ingrid)
「I was so desperate and tried to distract the goblins chasing after me. Before I knew it, I dropped all my things. Ugh, I was so stupid.」(woman)
「Really? It’s amazing you made it this far…」(Ingrid)
「Right? I thought it was a miracle too!」(woman)
Ingrid sighed. She was amazed that such an easy-going, careless woman managed to survive.
「How do you fight?」(Ingrid)
「I’m an alchemist. I throw bombs I concoct myself. But… Since I’ve lost my bag, I guess I can’t go any further, can I? Hahaha!」(woman)
The easy-going alchemist scratched the back of her head and laughed.
「Geez. You almost died. How could you laugh like that?」(Ingrid)
「Hehe~ Don’t worry about it. Just a habit.」(woman)
「You mind telling me why you came here?」(Ingrid)
Ingrid was curious why an alchemist with little combat experience was risking her life venturing into the Great Labyrinth all alone.
「Hmm, since you saved my life, I guess I can tell you. I came here by His Majesty’s order.」(woman)
「H-His Majesty, you say!?」(Ingrid)
「The king?」(Elle)
Ingrid and Elle were shocked.
The fact that she was working for the most powerful man in the kingdom meant that she was not just an ordinary adventurer.
「Yeah. He ordered me to make a hair growth tonic.」(woman)
「Hair growth tonic?」(Ingrid)
「It’s the substance that, when you apply it on your bald head, will stimulate the dead hair root and cause your hair to grow rapidly.」(woman)
「I see. So… The king is balding…?」(Ingrid)
「Yeah, and it’s been bothering him so much. Everyone in the castle told him not to worry about it, saying, “Men will go bald eventually once they reach a certain age,” “Baldness is a sign of growth,” and “Being bald can be charming,” but still, he didn’t listen. Someone told him to wear a wig, but he wanted natural hair.」(woman)
「So he ordered you to make the tonic.」(Ingrid)
「Yup.」(woman)
Elle and Ingrid were amazed that a woman could talk about men’s baldness so eloquently.
「I see. Haha, I didn’t know the king was afraid of being bald. That’s kinda funny. But, hang on… Shouldn’t you keep it a secret?」(Ingrid)
Normally, any personal information about the royal family should be kept hidden from the public, especially something sensitive such as being bald.
「Aa…」(woman)
Realizing that she spoke too much, the woman covered her mouth with both hands in panic. Her face gradually turned pale.
「Gaaa! I forgot about it! This is bad, this is baaad! His Majesty will kill me!」(woman)
「Oi, oi! How careless can you be!?」(Ingrid)
「D, don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.」(Elle)
「Uuu… I’m sorry. Thank you…」(woman)
The panicking woman had calmed down thanks to Elle. She grabbed Elle’s hands and looked at her with her teary eyes.
「Hm? You are…」(woman)
Looking at Elle’s face closely, she noticed that she looked familiar.
「Umm, is there something on my face?」(Elle)
「Ah, I’m sorry. You look so much like someone I know. Could you be…」(woman)
「Hm?」(Elle)
「No, there’s no way, right…? Nah, it can’t be… Sorry, nevermind. I must have been mistaken.」(woman)
She let go of Elle’s hands and shook her head.
Watching her strange behavior, Elle tilted her head, confused.
「Uhh, what are we talking about again?」(woman)
「You’ve just exposed the king’s baldness.」(Ingrid)
「Ah, right. Ugh, I was so careless…」(woman)
「I wonder what people would think if they knew their king was afraid of balding. That would be hilarious.」(Ingrid)
When Ingrid said that with a mischievous smile, the woman panicked.
「Eeehh!?」(woman)
「Ingrid!」(Elle)
「Haha! I’m just joking. I won’t tell anyone.」(Ingrid)
「Please keep it between us! I beg you! My life is on the line!」(woman)
「I promise, I promise.」(Ingrid)
The woman shook Ingrid’s shoulders. Ingrid found the desperate woman was kind of funny.
「So, what’s your plan now?」(Ingrid)
「Umm… I think I’ll head back for now. I’ve learned I can’t possibly find the ingredients for the tonic by myself. I could ask His Majesty to give up and accept the fate of going bald, but he would definitely kill me…」(woman)
Seeing the woman exhale in frustration, Elle and Ingrid whispered to each other.
「Elle, are you thinking what I’m thinking?」(Ingrid)
「I think so. Now that we know the king’s secret, we can’t just pretend we don’t know.」(Elle)
「Exactly. Plus, this might be our chance to make some extra cash.」(Ingrid)
「You’re right. We need money to open our shop. It’s important.」(Elle)
Sharing the same thoughts, Ingrid and Elle nodded to each other and looked at the woman.
「Say, if we help you find the ingredients, will you pay us?」(Ingrid)
「Eh? You want to help me? I can pay you, but are you sure? I might just be a burden.」(woman)
「No worries. We’re experienced. We can protect you while fighting. Right, Elle?」(Ingrid)
「Un. Let’s save His Majesty’s bald head together.」(Elle)
「You guys… Alright! Let’s do it!」(woman)
The woman, who had just fallen into despair a second ago, stood up and raised her fist energetically. She saw the light of hope from Elle and Ingrid.
「Oh, right. I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Carol Retolein. I’m a state alchemist currently working for His Majesty.」(Carol)
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