Chapter 106: New Life in Oraria

The smile on Viktor’s lips faded and he looked away from Qiu Nuoya’s eyes. However, the arms holding Qiu Nuoya only tightened further. Even so, Viktor still nodded and said, "I understand."

Viktor raised his palm toward Rogue once again. The faint light from earlier emerged softly from Rogue’s body and returned to Viktor’s hand.

This time, however, the pale light became thin as a thread and wrapped itself around Rogue’s arm like a living creature.

"However, I will still establish the provisional contract. I will not take your life, but... well, you understand the rest, don’t you?"

Rogue rubbed his arm and nodded repeatedly at Viktor’s words. The glowing thread of light wrapped around his arm and left a strange mark there.

What kind of contract is that?

Well, if it was not something that would take his life, Qiu Nuoya supposed he could accept it. Besides, Viktor was doing all of this because he cared about him. He could not reject Viktor’s goodwill any further.

Qiu Nuoya could not help thinking, Viktor was powerful enough that, if he truly wanted to, he could accomplish almost anything.

I need to make sure he doesn’t go overboard.

That was something Qiu Nuoya would have to keep an eye on.

Since he and the others had ended up having to clear the dungeon, they decided to live in the dungeon city of Oraria for the time being. According to the contract between Viktor and Rogue, their living expenses and safety were guaranteed. They were even given a house near the Dungeon Castle.

It was not an especially large mansion, but it was more than spacious enough for four people. With that, they began their new life in Oraria.

However, saying that they would clear the dungeon did not mean they could accomplish it overnight. Aside from Igor and Viktor, Qiu Nuoya and Warren were still complete beginners who had only recently become adventurers. Even though they had been promoted to Rank E Adventurers, their actual abilities were still limited.

Even if they accompanied Igor and Viktor, they could probably manage only as far as the fortieth floor, where a teleportation magic circle had been installed. After that, Igor and Viktor would inevitably have to continue the dungeon exploration on their own.

There were several other skilled adventurers in Oraria, so joining forces with them was certainly an option. However, Viktor was strongly opposed to the idea.

Viktor had never been particularly fond of associating with other people. He even went so far as to say that he would rather go alone if that was the alternative. Since the Guild Master had originally made this request specifically to Viktor, he stubbornly refused to change his stance.

"Viktor used to be a little more flexible than this," Igor said with a troubled expression.

However, Qiu Nuoya had a pretty good idea why Viktor was acting this way.

Viktor did not want Qiu Nuoya to be left alone. If they were going on a proper dungeon expedition, it would certainly take more than a day or two. Naturally, that meant Qiu Nuoya and Warren would have to remain behind while Viktor and Igor were away.

Viktor probably did not like that arrangement. If he went dungeon exploring alone, he could return immediately whenever he wanted. But if he had other companions, he could not act so freely. They would have to achieve a certain amount of progress before returning.

That meant Viktor would be separated from Qiu Nuoya for a longer period of time and if something happened to Qiu Nuoya while he was away, what would he do?

That is probably what Viktor is thinking.

There was no problem with Qiu Nuoya staying behind while the others went dungeon exploring. Guild Master Rogue had kept his promise and had not reported Qiu Nuoya to the Church.

In fact, Rogue had gone even further. Using his authority as Guild Master, he issued Qiu Nuoya a special pass that allowed him to leave the city without having to present identification. He had also arranged for Qiu Nuoya to accept personal missions simply by speaking to him directly.

For Qiu Nuoya, the arrangement could hardly have been more convenient. Because of that, he genuinely wanted to help with the dungeon exploration. However, there was no getting around the fact that his current abilities were not quite enough.

For now, all Qiu Nuoya could do was training. He needed to become strong enough to contribute to everyone.

As Qiu Nuoya devoted himself to practicing magic day after day, Viktor seemed to become worried about him for an entirely different reason. As usual, he was excessively protective.

"There’s no need to rush your skill development so much, is there? You should simply live however you want, Nuoya."

"Yes. That’s exactly what I’m doing. Right now, my goals are to live without causing trouble for anyone and to become someone who can be useful to everyone. I’m simply working toward those goals."

Qiu Nuoya was not pushing himself beyond his limits. If anything, he was doing this because he genuinely wanted to. He wished Viktor would understand that and stop worrying, but his overprotective guardian only looked troubled.

"When I watch you, Nuoya, it feels as though you are rushing through life. That worries me." Perhaps it was inevitable that Viktor saw things that way. Human lives were shorter than those of elves. But Qiu Nuoya already knew from experience that time was not infinite.

Back in his previous life, when he had been ten years old and still an elementary school student, life had seemed endlessly long. Yet after living to the age of forty, there had been countless moments when he wondered whether there had been more things he could have done back then.

Time was something that could never be taken for granted. Since Qiu Nuoya had been given a chance to start his life over at a younger age, he wanted to do everything he could and try everything he could. It was simply what he wanted for himself.