My Reincarnation Skills Are “Playing With Dolls” and “Playing With Clay”, but What Am I Supposed to

Chapter 54: Triumph

When I woke up, I could see the exit of the labyrinth.

Oh, how did the battle turn out?

"Looks like you're awake."

This was Kareena's voice. I looked up, but there was a shadow blocking my view. Those two distinctive silhouettes were unmistakably Kareena and the other one. I wanted to confirm, but my arm wouldn't budge.

From between her chest, Kareena's face peeked out.

And then, that soft sensation at the back of my head... a knee pillow? Oh, it's a guy's dream. This must be a dream; I'll just go back to sleep.

"Don't sleep!"

Cecily. Really, she could have been a bit gentler, I thought, but Cecily forcibly lifted my upper body from Kareena's lap.

"That's not good, you know. You hit your head, and..."

Right, right. But...

"What about the worm!?"

"It's alright. We couldn't turn it into a magic stone, but the barrier broke, and I'm pretty sure we defeated it."

"Bes used her last bit of strength to cast a return spell for us."

Looking in the direction Cecily gestured, Beth was sitting against the wall.

Huh? I was completely out of MP, but my headache isn't that bad.

"Um, why is my MP recovering? Did you perhaps feed me a potion mouth-to-mouth or something?"

"That's not it!"

Kareena turned bright red as she shouted, and at the same time, Cecily gave me a light smack on the head.

"Ow."

"Is your mind filled with only such thoughts?"

No, I get it. I hit my head, right? You don't have to hit me...

"What about Lena?"

"Yeah, she touched Shiro's chest. Shiro's complexion improved, but in exchange..."

While I was unconscious, it seemed like Lena was sending her life force to me. But after that, she shrank and disappeared.

I quickly checked around myself.

There she was.

Lena was inside the pouch on my waist, unmoving like a lifeless doll. What's going on? Lena is "connected" to me in a certain sense, so even if I, the master, fell, I understood that Lena could still function for a while... No, I can't think about that with my current state of mind.

I tried chewing on half of a precious potion.

Its effect slowly started taking hold. At the same time, Lena opened her eyes wide.

(Have you recovered?)

"Yeah, did you save me?"

(Because telepathy consumes less energy.

If I can put it in words you'd understand,

think of me as an external battery)

What does that mean?

(You've been refilling my MP,

so even if you run out of MP, the MP that's been refilled

will remain, and I can return it to you)

I see! Lena had returned the MP she had left within her to me, saving me when I was on the brink of depletion. Thanks to that, I managed to recover somewhat. And if I can move minimally, I can use an MP recovery potion. Once my MP is restored, Lena can be recharged from there, allowing her to move again...

(But I still can't move for a while.

Don't do anything weird, okay?)

Like I would!

I conveyed the content of our telepathic conversation to the worried Kareena and the others.

"It's truly a mysterious story... But I'm relieved that both of you are safe."

Kareena straightened up and spoke seriously.

"Once again, I'm grateful. At that time, if you hadn't desperately prevented the cave-in, we might have died. Right at the last moment. So, thank you very much."

Cecily also bowed her head with a solemn expression.

Just then, a slight tremor like a small earthquake was felt. Along with it, Lalouk and Greon, who had been investigating a bit further ahead, returned.

"The magical energy of the entire labyrinth is dissipating. Due to that, there are small cave-ins happening. It's better to leave quickly."

Thanks to Kareena, all of our physical injuries had been healed, but still dragging our heavy bodies due to fatigue, we managed to stand up.

"Is Beth okay?"

"Yes, she's fine now. I already informed Sebastian of the mansion in a private conversation. He's preparing a letter to the capital and a fast horse."

A letter to the capital? What could that mean?

I showed Beth the half-eaten potion.

"Um, I only nibbled on half, but would you like to have the rest? It's a waste, after all."

"Huh? Shouldn't you... But it's precious, and... I'll accept it, thank you."

She hesitated, but eventually, she put it in her mouth. Beth was really on the edge too.

(Huff, huff, a second indirect kiss, huh?)

Are you a middle schooler?! I lightly flicked the pouch, but this girl really was like a middle schooler.

Though it should have been a telepathic message only I could hear, why is Beth blushing?

***

I had the knights and soldiers who were with me transport me to Toriuma, and by the time I reached the mansion, it was already dusk. The knights and soldiers welcomed me with cheers. 

Zagoo, Igris, and other officers who challenged the labyrinth together. The soldiers who stood shoulder to shoulder in the battle to sweep the territory, and even the unknown servants of the mansion. They called out Karena's name who had returned safely, patting our shoulders and praising us with smiles. 

I'm not used to being praised or acknowledged by anyone, so I didn't really know how to react, but it feels somewhat heartwarming. 

However, amidst the joy, Karena was accompanied by Sebastian Roa and headed towards the office with a somewhat troubled expression. 

Cecily, unusually, explained to me.

"The completion of the labyrinth subjugation is not only a great honor but also a duty. We must report to the capital as soon as possible. Especially this time, there was a deadline. We'll have to send a fast horse immediately. Sebastian has prepared the documents, but Karena-sama's signature is required. Festivities will come after."

Nobles and lords have it tough too.

But in any case, right now, I just want to rest. Whether it's a bed in the slave quarters or just straw, I don't mind.

The others seemed to feel the same way, including Cecily herself.

"I think we'll have to confirm the labyrinth's subjugation tomorrow, but our departure will be delayed. Let's rest well."

I patted Greon's shoulder and headed to the slave quarters. My body was heavy, and I was mentally exhausted, but I still felt a slow sense of accomplishment brewing.

"By the way, do you know where the capital is? They mentioned sending a fast horse, but..."

I suddenly asked Greon.

"Oh, it's far to the north. I've never been there myself. For a regular journey, it would take 7 to 8 days. Even with a fast horse, I imagine it would take 2 or 3 days one way."

So, even if we have to confirm the labyrinth's subjugation tomorrow, we should be able to take it easy for a while, Greon said with a tired smile.

However, we still didn't know that this prediction would soon prove to be wrong.