Roxy continued to sleep for almost a full day.
I'm sure it can't be helped, after spending a month in a labyrinth filled with monsters.
I was loitering around again in front of her room, in order to be the first one to say good morning, and Lilia drove me away again.
Since I was able to get a fleeting glance at Roxy's peaceful sleeping face at that time, I decided it was fine.
It would be good if she gets better soon.
On the second day, Roxy got up.
With a wobbling movement, she came over to the table where we were eating.
"Good morning to you, Roxy-sensei…!"
"Yes. Rudi… Rudeus-san, Good… morning."
In this place, including me, there weren't any more than four people.
Elinalise, Paul, Talhand...
Gisu and the other three were currently out shopping.
The exploration group does nothing but rest at the time when they're in the city; during that time, the standby group moves around is the composition.
Gisu is in the exploration group as well, but for some reason he also commands the standby group.
A hard worker, or rather, that person sure is dedicated.
Wouldn't it be better for him to just quit as an adventurer and become a manager?
"Everyone...”
Everyone here focused his or her gazes on Roxy.
Roxy created a humble expression and then, matched her gaze and lowered her head with each person, one at a time.
"This time, I've caused you quite a bit of trouble. I'm already fine."
The responses to her actions were varied.
One said it was fine, and put their hand around her shoulder.
One nodded, and said it was only obvious.
One drank some alcohol, and offered the alcohol bottle.
One lost for words, and moved by her return.
"Well, if you want to say your thanks, then say it to Rudi. If he hadn't suddenly started saying something weird like, 'Tou-san, I can feel the presence of God,' and started breaking down the walls as he ran ahead, we probably wouldn't have found you alive after all."
Going by the manner of speaking, Paul made it almost sound like I'm a dangerous person, but when entering the third floor, for some reason, I knew Roxy's location.
Then, I had the premonition that Roxy had fallen into a dilemma.
Since I felt it was an emergency, I proceeded straight towards the voice, not minding the danger of a cave-in.
Straight ahead was a wall, but without minding it, I just blew it down and continued straight ahead.
Why I had that sort of premonition? I don't know.
For some reason, I was convinced of it.
I'm sure, the bond between Roxy and I brought us together.
I'm sure that's the case. Yeah.
I do, just a tiny bit, think that the Hitogami might have done something as well, but, I won't believe it.
My God is only one person.
Wait a minute, if it comes down to that, then that would mean this is the guidance of God, as well.
Then, there's already nothing strange at all.
Just as I was thinking about that, while facing me, Roxy lowered her head a second time.
"Umm, Rudeus-san, that is, thank you very much."
...I wonder why...
I feel an endless distance from Roxy.
I know this sensation. I learned about it in school.
It's the name formalities.
It's because she's calling my name like that.
It's because she's using reserved manners like Rudeus-san.
"Please don't mind it; it's only natural after all. Rather than that, please call me Rudi like before."
After saying that, Roxy somewhat cast her eyes down, and whispered a response.
"Th… That kind of way to call you, isn't it too overly familiar?"
"No way, saying it's something like over-familiar… If sensei was going to call me something like Rudeus-san then I might as well have tou-san call me Rudeus-san as well."
"Hey now, what's that mean!"
I didn't hear anything else, like Paul's comment.
"Please call me Rudi, like before, with familiarity in it. No matter how many years have passed already, Roxy Migurdia is my respected sensei, after all."
After saying that, Roxy blinked her eyes.
Was I too thoughtless? Her face is red.
I wonder if it could be that she has a fever or something.
And then she smacked her own cheeks.
"Yes. That's right, isn't it…? Rudi."
"Yes, sensei."
Suddenly, almost as if she was ridiculing herself, Roxy looked at me while a smile floated up. [2]
That face was becoming somewhat red now.
"Nevertheless, that is, you've gotten big."
"Since I'm a human, after all- It doesn't seem sensei has changed."
"Yeah... just as small, as usual."
"Though, I don't think you're as tiny as you say."
"Is that so..."