36. No Stars Above, But...

About two weeks had passed since my meeting with the Guild Master.

We had begun exploring the Third Floor that very day, and since then, we had pushed through both the Third and Fourth Floors using our maps as a guide. We hadn't found anything resembling a hidden passage or secret room yet, though. It was possible we were simply overlooking them, but without a surefire way to detect them, there wasn't much we could do.

Today, we finally set foot on the Fifth Floor. We were currently resting near the entrance, which would serve as our campsite for the night.

Several other adventurer parties were also preparing to camp nearby. By tacit agreement, adventurers in a dungeon usually camp near floor transitions. Since monsters attack regardless of the time of day, people huddle together to ensure there’s enough manpower for a night watch.

That said, it wasn’t a formal alliance; it was more of a loose cooperation where parties agreed to shout a warning if a night attack occurred. Staying in a group also served as mutual surveillance, making it harder for delinquent adventurers to prey on their peers.

"We'll be camping here today. Dolga, do you have anything to add?"

"You've already made your preparations, haven't you? Since you and your friends aren't the type to cause a scene, Young Master, your usual routine will be fine. Ah, though you should probably decide on the watch rotations."

Dolga-san had joined us for this expedition. Since the Plague-Cursed Black Wolf had been spotted from the Fifth Floor onwards, he was essentially acting as our escort. Rei was with us, and there were certain expectations regarding our search for the Prayer Stone of Benevolent Rain. Given our current strength, facing the Black Wolf would be precarious, so I was grateful for Dolga-san’s help.

As for the Black Wolf itself, the reports of casualties were ongoing. More and more adventurers were returning with plague-like symptoms after being wounded in encounters, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some had already lost their lives in the shadows without anyone knowing.

"Alright, I'll set up the tent. Is around here okay?"

"I think it’s fine," one of the girls replied.

We had brought a tent for the camp. It wasn't strictly necessary for a dungeon stay, but thanks to the Storage Ring, we had plenty of room for extra luggage. Since there were other adventurers around, having a tent made it easier to relax. Plus, the sentries would be using lights, and it’s hard to sleep without something to block the glare.

We planned to maintain a two-person watch on a three-shift rotation throughout the night. The first shift was Mil and Sally. The second was Rei and Dolga-san. The final shift fell to Halfa and me.

I did wonder if pairing up the two youngest members of the group was a good idea, but since we were surrounded by several other parties, it wasn't particularly dangerous. We decided it would be fine and settled on that rotation.

By the way, Shiroru was hiding inside my bracelet. There were too many eyes around to let her out.

I had been a little worried about whether I’d be able to fall asleep at the camp, but it turned out to be a non-issue. I suppose I’ve grown a bit tougher. Before I knew it, it was time for our watch.

The lantern's flame cast a dim glow over the area as Halfa and I sat side by side. I looked up for no particular reason, but instead of the night sky, my eyes met only the dungeon ceiling. Still, the flickering firelight made the shadows dance, creating a strangely fantastical scene.

Suddenly, Halfa grabbed the edge of my cloak. It felt like it had been a long time since she’d done that, though in reality, it hadn't even been a month since we met.

"Tort... aren't you lonely?" Halfa whispered.

I suspected she was the one feeling lonely. It was only natural, really. At twelve years old, she had been torn away from her family and forced to live in an unfamiliar city. To make matters worse, she was surrounded entirely by other races. It would be impossible for her not to feel isolated in this situation.

She got along well with the rest of the party—she seemed especially close with Mil and Sally—but I think she still felt a lingering sense of loneliness. And whenever she did, she reached for the edge of my cloak. Or so I assumed.

Halfa was friendly with everyone, but I think she was most attached to me. It was likely because we were in the same situation. She might have unconsciously felt that I was the only one who could truly share her solitude.

As for me...

In my case, unlike Halfa, I had been sold off to thin the family's mouths. The option of returning home didn't exist for me. Furthermore, perhaps because my past life memories had returned, I didn't feel a strong sense of longing for the family I’d left behind.

In that sense, I might have been the truly lonely one. I didn't have anyone I could call family, and because of my memories, I often felt like an outsider looking in.

Of course, I had Shiroru, Halfa, Rei, and the others now. Considering my circumstances, I was in an incredibly blessed environment. Even so, a part of me empathized with Halfa’s loneliness.

Perhaps that was why I couldn't bring myself to leave her be. Not to make too much of her previous slip of the tongue, but I wanted to support her like an older brother until the day she could return to her home.

"I have you, Shiroru, Rei, and the others," I said. "I'm doing okay."

"I see..."

I wondered what she had wanted me to say. Did she want me to validate her loneliness by sharing my own? Or was she looking for the hope that she could eventually overcome it? I wasn't entirely sure.

All I could do was try to ease her heart as much as possible.

"If you're feeling lonely, Halfa, you can call me 'Big Brother' if you want."

"S-Stop that already! I told you that was just a slip of the tongue!"

Halfa let go of my cloak and brandished a fist at me. I might have teased her a bit too much; her voice was getting a little loud.

"Sorry, sorry. Keep it down a bit."

"Geez...! It's your fault for saying something so weird, Tort."

"I'm sorry. But really, if you're ever troubled or having a hard time, you can rely on me. I'll be by your side until you can go home. Whether I'm your 'big brother' or not, I'll be your family until you're back where you belong."

"What kind of line is that...? ...But, yeah. Thanks."

After muttering her reply, Halfa gripped my cloak tightly once again.

Even if I wasn't the most reliable person, I was happy to support her, even if only a little.