Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Vol. 4 by Fujino Omori

their way through the Dungeon…
    I asked Mr. Welf why he was always left behind, but all he said was, “They’re just jealous of my hidden talents,” in a really sullen voice. I wonder what’s really going on…
    Mr. Welf must have noticed me looking at him as he scratches his head. He drops his shoulders and flashes a warm smile.
    “In any case, I’m grateful, Bell.
Familias
tend to be picky about who they work with, but I’m glad you could throw that way of thinking out the window.”
    “W-well, um…I couldn’t exactly refuse, not after receiving all of this…”
    Mr. Welf smiles at me again. I take another look at my new equipment before smiling back at him. It can’t be helped.
    The armor on my chest sparkles like new, even in the dim light.
    “…Lilly heard that we had a new friend, but what’s this? Mr. Bell’s trust was bought by such simple things?”
    A very annoyed voice cuts into a pause in our conversation.
    A bead of sweat rolls down my cheek. Lilly’s disapproval of the arrangement came across loud and clear. I look over my shoulder tosee her a few paces behind, hands clamped firmly on the straps of her backpack and a very irritated look in her eyes.
    I tell her there’s a misunderstanding, but from her point of view, it really might look like I was bribed.
    At this moment, I’m wearing the new light armor set that Mr. Welf made for me.
    The set isn’t all that different from my old equipment. It’s a plate of armor over each knee and a breastplate, along with two ruby-encrusted wrist guards that cover my forearms all the way up to my elbows. A little fancier than before.
    It’s just as light as the last one. Mr. Welf said that the material is a little thicker, but I can’t feel that much of a difference. It takes time to adjust to a new set of armor, but it feels like I’ve been wearing this for years.
    It’s not that I didn’t want an armor that my body was used to…but, yeah, I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a factor.
    The pressure from Lilly’s half-eyed gaze is so strong that I can’t even crack a grin.
    “Oh, Lilly’s sad. Very, very sad. It was supposed to be a nice, easy shopping trip, but Lilly’s hopes were completely dashed and now we’re stuck with a problem…Mr. Bell’s kindness is making Lilly cry.”
    The sheer sarcasm in her voice is like a body blow. But Mr. Welf’s armor can’t block that…!
    But what does she mean by “problem”…?
    “Isn’t that going a little too far, Lilly?! Mr. Welf’s not trying to do anything bad…There’s no problem, just a misunderstanding!”
    “—What is Lilly misunderstanding?! ‘Until an ability is acquired’? He’s just taking advantage of us! And isn’t this too-perfect timing to find a party member?! As soon as this no-name smith meets his goal, he’ll leave and we’ll be back to where we were before! One step forward, one step back! This is a complete waste! There’s no light at the end of this tunnel!!”
    Her eyebrows sink lower with every word, her eyes sharpening like daggers.
    Her relentless barrage attacks me from every angle, a swarm ofverbal bees coming out to protect the hive. At this rate, she’ll break me in half!
    The way Mr. Welf is looking at me…It’s too pathetic…!
    “Why didn’t Mr. Bell talk with Lilly before adding someone to our party?! Why, Mr. Bell?!”
    “Was…Was that bad…?”
    “Not bad, no, not bad, but if Mr. Bell doesn’t talk with Lilly first, Lilly might get in trouble! Lady Hestia entrusted Lilly with making sure Mr. Bell is safe!”
    R-really? The goddess asked her to do that…I guess that’s how little she trusts me.
    I can feel my head drooping as I look back over at a still very hostile Lilly. I get the feeling that the real reason she’s angry has nothing to do with Mr. Welf.
    Maybe she’s trying to take care of me…No, that can’t be right.
    She must think it’s dangerous for me to be doing things on my own and wants to keep me under her thumb.