Chapter 166
“I heard you were back, so I came to see your face.” (Kres)
“So that’s what it was. Thank you.” (Shizuma)
Kres-san was breathing a little heavily. Honestly, running around in full armor had to be rough.
“I believe Kokuri summoned you, didn’t she? Are you finished with your business?” (Kres)
“Yes, the discussion’s over. I’m on my way to the Explorer Guild now.” (Shizuma)
“Oh? That place is practically deserted these days, ever since the dungeon disappeared.” (Kres)
I see, so that really was the case.
If it were possible to restore it using the core I have…
“Kokuri-san asked me to try using the artificial Dungeon Core I obtained to see if we can restore the artificial dungeon. So I thought I’d inform the guild master there in advance.” (Shizuma)
“Hmm… So that’s what this is about. If that actually works… it’ll be a tremendous achievement, Shizuma.” (Kres) As she said that, Kres-san looked genuinely happy, as though she was already convinced this attempt would succeed.
I think the way she expresses her emotions so openly gives her a likable personality in a different way from Shuris-san.
“Then I’ll accompany you. If the dungeon is restored, we’ll need to inspect the interior and determine whether there are any problems. The knight order will also have to handle temporarily closing the guild and arranging personnel. Most explorers have already moved to Yasha Island, after all.” (Kres)
“That makes sense. There really isn’t any other reason to go there right now besides paperwork.” (Shizuma)
And so, Kres-san and I headed for the Explorer Guild together.
—————–
“By the way, I heard that your older sister, Shuris-san, is going to Yasha Island.” (Shizuma)
“Hm, you hear things quickly. That’s right, my sister will be staying at the guest residence on Yasha Island, welcoming nobles from other countries, and has been ordered to maintain public security on the island with her clan. Being entrusted with a role that could be called the face of the nation…even after leaving the Knight Order, the queen’s trust in her must still be strong. As expected of my sister.” (Kres)
“Yeah…you two really are close. You look so proud when you smile like that.” (Shizuma)
“Ah. I love my sister, you see… Keep that to yourself.” (Kres)
“Understood.” (Shizuma)
She really is a wonderful person.
Being able to express one’s emotions honestly is, in a way, something usually reserved for children.
But this person can still do it as an adult: choosing the right time and place.
Someone with a strong sense of responsibility, patriotism, and ability, who can praise others honestly and say that she likes them.
Not solitary, but someone you can aim higher alongside, someone you want to support… That must be the kind of knight commander she is.
The forest path leading to the Explorer Guild. The scent of trees mixed with greenery, a harbinger of spring.
In that air, I found myself thinking that this season somehow suited her.
—————–
“It’s been a while, Guild Master Flugel.” (Shizuma)
At the Explorer Guild, I told the receptionist that I had business with the guild master, and perhaps because there was a record of me being an explorer directly under the queen, they agreed to hear me out right away.
And so I was led to the guild master’s office on the second floor, but…
“…Why are you present as well, Knight Commander Kres?” (Flugel)
“Ah, it’s related to Shizuma’s business. I thought things would go more smoothly if I were present too.” (Kres)
“…I see.” (Flugel)
For some reason, it wasn’t exactly hostile, but… how should I put it…very faintly, really faintly, I felt something like an irritated aura coming from Flugel-san.
Wondering if there was some cause, I activated [Divine Eye], though it felt rude to do so.
It doesn’t seem like the information it shows is fixed, after all.
It changes depending on the situation, so maybe I will learn something…
Had I perhaps brought together two people on bad terms…?
Head of the Explorer Guild, and a woman at the age where she has begun to worry about marriage.
She is the same age as Kres Veil and has a friendly relationship with her; they are “kindred spirits”.
However, due to subtle differences in their “factions,” they try to avoid the topic as much as possible.
She belongs to the “I want to make them understand” faction.
Knight Commander of the Holy Principality, and a woman who has begun thinking about a successor.
She is the same age as Fahren Flugel and has a friendly relationship with her; they are “kindred spirits”.
However, due to subtle differences in their “factions,” they nearly came to blows in the past, so she avoids the topic.
She belongs to the “I want to dote on them” faction.
…??? What is this information?
Some kind of factional dispute? But if they’re close and kindred spirits, shouldn’t they get along?
“So then, Shizuma-san, what is it you wished to discuss?” (Flugel)
“Yes, actually…” (Shizuma)
I explained Kokuri-san’s request, and the possibility that using the artificial core might restore the dungeon.
In doing so, however, it inevitably became clear to Guild Master Flugel that I was someone closely associated with the Brigade that could be said to have saved the country.
—————–
“I’m surprised. I thought you weren’t ordinary, but to think you were part of the rumored Brigade.” (Flugel)
“Fufufu, that surprised you, didn’t it? Our Knight Order was saved by Shizuma as well. At such a young age, he’s already made it through quite a few battlefields; truly a rare talent. If it were permitted, I’d have tried to recruit him myself.” (Kres)
“Why are you the one bragging…? I understand the situation. As you can see, the guild is almost entirely empty right now. I’ll instruct the staff to strictly prohibit use of the dungeon entrance and the transfer devices.” (Flugel)
“Thank you. Then I’ll go try using the core right away, so please issue the orders.” (Shizuma)
“Very well. I’ll have some of the Knight Order’s personnel stand by, just in case.” (Kres)
“Much appreciated. Then, if you’ll excuse me.” (Shizuma)
Leaving the guild master’s office ahead of the others, I hurried home.
Seeing the deserted Explorer Guild and the neighboring campsite, I strongly felt that a part of the city -its liveliness- has truly been lost.
Because I thought that maybe, just maybe, I was partly responsible for that.
The definitive cause was likely that the fragment of the natural Dungeon Core embedded in Isaka’s chest had been taken somewhere else. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was not unrelated.
That’s why I have to hurry. Because I might be able to break this situation…
—————–
In the guild master’s office, after Shizuma had left.
Just as Shizuma had seen with [Divine Eye], the two women with a friendly relationship spoke about the man who had just departed.
“…You seem quite close with Shizuma-san.” (Flugel)
“Yes. We’ve crossed blades before, and we’ve been on missions together. We’ve had a fair amount of interactions.” (Kres)
“…And just when I thought he visited during this quiet period, you were present as well.” (Flugel)
“…Of course. I had a bad feeling when I heard Shizuma was coming here.” (Kres)
Yes, Kres had accompanied Shizuma this time for a reason other than the one she had explained to him.
And it wasn’t a “made-up but plausible excuse,” but purely out of concern for Shizuma’s safety.
“I can’t let someone with abnormal proclivities like you be alone with Shizuma, not in the current situation.” (Kres)
“That’s a bit harsh. I just thought I wanted to dote on that boy. Well, maybe tease him a little. I won’t do what you’re imagining, you closet pervert.” (Flugel)
“…Besides, even if you tried to attack Shizuma, you’d probably be countered. As much as I hate to admit it, he’s likely stronger than I am now. And on top of that, he’s a member of the Brigade. What do you think would happen if all of them turned their fangs on this country?” (Kres)
It seemed like an offer to accompany him for slightly unsavory reasons…
But when you think about it calmly, it was actually a matter that could determine the fate of the nation.
“…You’re right. Knowing his background, I can’t make a move. The Brigade… What a terrifying group.” (Flugel)
“Indeed. Most of those who belong to it likely rival -or even surpass- our country’s Thirteen Knights. Especially…their leader. He’s unimaginably…terrifying.” (Kres)
Kres, who had once merely served as an attendant at a banquet, evaluated Rue in those terms.
Precisely because she was a warrior. Precisely because she had continued to stand on battlefields…she could sense the threat.
“Every single movement, he perceived it all. I don’t know any other warrior who can suppress people with presence alone to that extent. Just being beside him would sap the fighting spirit of any warrior above a certain level…” (Kres)
“To make even you, the knight commander, speak so highly… I suppose they really are a force not to be trifled with. I promise I won’t make any unreasonable advances. Well…inviting him to a meal, at most…” (Flugel)
“As long as it stops there, I won’t say anything. He really was a talent I wanted for the Knight Order…” (Kres)
“That’s not all, is it? You seemed quite taken with him.” (Flugel)
“…He’s cute, earnest, strong, sincere…and younger. Younger, you know.” (Kres)
“You don’t have to say it twice. Well then, let’s hope we both find good partners.” (Flugel)
“Indeed…” (Kres)
And so ended the private conversation between the two women. A discussion they would never want anyone else to overhear.
—————–
“…As expected, this reacts too.” (Shizuma)
When I returned home, Melt had already left, just as she said she would.
But it seemed she’d been making some kind of medicine; equipment soaked in water was floating in the kitchen sink.
Looking at it like this, I really felt Melt was incredibly versatile.
She hasn’t had much time lately, but even the violin she’d been learning is improving, and she can now perfectly make the fried shrimp dish I taught her once.
When I previously checked Melt’s abilities with [Divine Eye], there was a line that said she had “already trained the ability to ‘absorb things’ to its limit, so even after losing her trait, her growth remains rapid.”
She’s probably both an innate genius and an acquired one.
Even after losing the power she was born with, she remains a genius.
Her versatility must come from that.
—————–
And then I immediately used the Lindblum Dungeon Core.
Just like before, many options appeared, and I selected [Base Enhancement] among them.
[The current provisional base, commonly known as the Lindblum Lair, has been destroyed.]
[Use the Lindblum Dungeon Core to restore the base?]
[This restoration will deepen the scale and difficulty of the base.]
[At the same time, as the fertility of its own grounds -Lendia- has increased, the quality of produced items will improve.]
Seeing that display, I hesitated for a moment, wondering whether it was something I should decide on my own.
But…this country no longer needs to scrape by with simple dungeons and small core fragments.
In that case, wouldn’t it be fine to have a new dungeon, one that draws people in, that can’t be easily cleared even if its difficulty is high, but offers the possibility of great riches?
“…I’ve decided. I’ll use it here and now. Then I’ll head back and report to Kokuri-san right away.” (Shizuma)
After brief hesitation, I sensed this country’s new industry -new potential- in the Newborn Lindblum Lair.
Trusting that intuition, I used the Dungeon Core.
“…If this had been tied to the Order Summon limit too, it would’ve been a different story.” (Shizuma)
Right now, I possess the Dungeon Core of the Dreamhills Great Forest.
And I also possessed the Dungeon Core of the Lindblum Lair I just used.
Yet the order summon limit remained [1], which must be because this is an artificial core.
In that case, it is fine to use.
After confirming that the core had been safely consumed, I immediately hurried back to the royal castle.
—————–
“Hm! Shizuma, what’s wrong? Forgot something?”
On the way back to the castle, I happened to run into Kres-san, who seemed to be returning from the Explorer Guild.
I told her that I already used the core, and that I wanted to consult Kokuri-san about the display that appeared and the changes going forward…
“Oh! Then I’ll go with you again! If you’re with me, you won’t get stopped at the gate.” (Kres)
“Ah, I see. Then let’s go together.” (Shizuma)
“Yes, together, Shizuma.” (Kres)
For some reason, we ended up going together again, her face split into a broad smile.
I assumed that once the core was used, she’d immediately return to the Explorer Guild to maintain vigilance.
“…Shizuma, if you ever leave the Brigade and decide to live in this country, I want you to be sure to let me know.” (Kres)
“Well… I don’t think I’d become a knight, though.” (Shizuma)
“Hmm…it is a job with little freedom, after all.” (Kres)
Chatting lightly as we walked, the two of us headed toward the castle.
This person, too, must bear many burdens, supporting this country in the midst of upheaval.
If I could be even a small comfort to someone carrying such responsibility, that would be a tremendous honor.
And so, together with the knight commander, I passed through the gate without issue just as expected, and headed for the research institute.
“Has spring finally come for the commander…?”
“Don’t say anything stupid…! There’s no way the commander would make a move on a child…!”
Uhm, I can hear you. That’s seriously rude, gate guards…
There’s no way a knight commander of a nation would be doting on me for that reason…
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