The story of the struggle in another world of the divine cat Mii-chan and the cat supplies summoner

Chapter 262: Divine Cat Mii-chan Promises to Attend Lady Lene’s Birthday Party

Although I said we were setting off, we’ll actually be going to explore the labyrinth three days from now. I still need to pick up Leti, and once we’re in the labyrinth, we won’t come out for a few days. I need to explain that to everyone.

After parting with everyone, I returned home, Mii-chan accompanying me as always. The ladies were quite reluctant to let go of Mii-chan, which made it difficult to leave.

The next day, I rode Sumire and checked the progress of the fairies’ work on Brocken Mountain, storing the felled trees in Mii-chan’s bag. The person in charge of the work was a fox-like fairy. That fluffy tail… I want to pet it. The road expansion from the Forte side was completed up to about halfway.

Currently, they’re constructing a rest area at the turnaround point of the Brocken Mountain road. They cleared the trees to make space wide enough for about twenty carriages, leveled the ground, and built a two-meter-high wall with earth magic to enclose the area. They plan to build a gate using wood for the entrance. This will definitely provide a safe place to rest.

When I left ten barrels of ale for the fairies as a token of appreciation, they cheered with joy. Should I also leave some dried meat and fish?

“Mii~”

Upon arriving in Forte with Sumire, I learned that the orphanage had already taken in several children from the slums. Leti prioritized bringing in the sick and the youngest. I’m relieved to hear that people are already working at the orphanage. I went around giving Mii-chan’s mineral water to the children.

The younger ones are all a bit malnourished, and some of the sick kids are quite ill, but with Mii-chan’s mineral water, they’ll be fine. I left plenty of it, instructing the caregivers to make sure the children drink it daily until they recover.

Since there’s still more space available, Leti has requested the Thieves’ Guild to bring more orphans and children from the slums.

I informed Glenhart that I’ll be away for a while, and also mentioned that there might be people joining the private army on the recommendation of Guild Masters Zest and Serion.

After returning to Beruna, I entrusted Lucas and Old Ben with the matters of Beruna’s orphanage. Soon, a mansion for the orphanage will be built near my ranch. They’ll be overseeing that project, as well as the renovations for the interior.

So, I’ve informed everyone that I’ll be challenging the labyrinth for a while. All that’s left is to go, but then Lucas reminded me that I should inform the queen about it. He’s right, so I decided to visit the royal palace tomorrow.

“The labyrinth? You mean the White Ivory Labyrinth? Isn’t it closed off right now?”

“Elena, I’m going to the Flowing Labyrinth instead.”

“Mii~”

It feels like it’s been a while since I last saw Elena. She’s probably been busy dealing with the Demon Lord and the monsters from Hildenburg.

“The labyrinth, huh. Baron can’t enter, so I guess I’ll have to pass this time. Too bad.”

I never said I was taking anyone, though?

“How long do you plan to be away?”

It’s rare for Nia to ask questions like this.

“About a month, I guess? I want to explore all the way to the bottom of the labyrinth.”

“I’ve heard there’s nothing at the bottom, though. Do you have some kind of goal, Nero?”

Wait, what? Queen, don’t kill my motivation like that!

“Is there really nothing at the bottom?”

“Mii~?”

“No one has reached the bottom of the White Ivory Labyrinth yet, but there are records of people who have reached the bottom of various Flowing Labyrinths in the past. However, they all reported that there was nothing there.”

“Well then, I’ll go check it out myself.”

“Lene’s birthday is coming up, so you can’t stay too long. And Mii-chan must attend.”

“Mii~”

Wait, Mii-chan has to attend? What about me? Lene looks at me with those teary eyes… Ugh, I’m weak to this kind of gaze. I suppose Lene is probably more excited about Peo and the other fluff squad coming to the party, though.

As I was about to leave, Nia handed me a sword. It’s the Guardian Sword I offered before.

“Lord Julius said to give it back to you, for now.”

Huh? What does “for now” mean?

It seems that my appointment as a noble has caused a stir, not only among the northern and western borderland nobles but even among the king’s and prime minister’s factions. So, they’re planning to create an opportunity to present the Guardian Sword to the king again during Lene’s birthday celebration.

If I offer this legendary sword, no one should be able to complain, and they believe it will settle the uproar to some extent. Will something like that really work?

“For the king’s and prime minister’s factions, it will be enough. The others are less certain.”

“Still, it will make open criticism difficult.”

“Well, if that’s the plan, I’ll leave it in your hands.”

After arranging for an appraisal and sale of the art pieces I obtained in Forte during the ceremony, I returned home.

Now, I’ve truly wrapped everything up. Tomorrow, I’ll set off for Quint first thing in the morning, and then it’s off to explore the labyrinth!

“Mii~!”