Chapter 167
“Those are the details that were suggested when Lindblum Lair was restored. Most likely, it is no longer a ‘low-difficulty dungeon used for training newcomers’ like before, and it may even have become a dungeon on par with a natural one in terms of difficulty. However, by now, we should no longer need to sustain the nation by harvesting Dungeon Core fragments and exporting them. I thought it might be worth considering promoting it on a large scale as a massive artificial dungeon, drawing in explorers from other countries, stimulating the economy, and even positioning it as a kind of tourism industry. Of course, there are also issues to consider, such as changes to public security and the limits of our capacity to accept outsiders.” (Shizuma)
At the research institute, I reported to Kokuri-san on the signs of the dungeon’s revival and the changes displayed at that time, while also explaining the possible future changes, the flow of people, and one potential way the nation could profit from it.
Of course, this was partly an excuse.
An excuse for having unilaterally decided on reviving a dungeon that might end up in such a state.
“I see… No, regardless of any concerns, if restoring the dungeon was possible, I was planning to ask you to do it anyway. And as for the national outlook you just mentioned regarding the utilization of artificial dungeons, I was thinking along the same lines… To think you’re sixteen… This really makes me want you.” (Kokuri)
“Ah, I actually turned seventeen a little while ago.” (Shizuma)
“Oh! Then we’ll have to celebrate!” (Kokuri)
“Haha, it’s fine. I’m not really at an age where I worry about that.” (Shizuma)
“…I still celebrate every year, you know…” (Kokuri)
“Sorry, that was a slip of the tongue.” (Kres) Sorry, Knight Commander-sama. I never imagined you celebrated your own birthday every year.
“You’ve already contacted the Explorer Guild, haven’t you? Good. I’ll head out as well. Let’s go inspect it, Shizuma-kun. Kres, I want you to organize the Knight Order and arrange security and closure around the guild.” (Kokuri)
“Mm… I don’t need to go with you?” (Kres)
“Yeah. From here on, this is my domain. I’ll confirm the dungeon’s current state, then formally request an investigation from somewhere. Whether we announce the dungeon’s revival on a large scale will depend on the results of that investigation.” (Kokuri)
“That sounds best. When I was clearing it, that place was practically in a berserk state. The reason accidents happened so frequently back then was because we couldn’t inform everyone in advance about those kinds of dungeon changes.” (Shizuma)
“Exactly. That’s why this time, we’ll properly examine it and have a capable clan determine just how difficult Lindblum is now.” (Kokuri)
It felt like I’d been going back and forth between the castle, my home, and the guild countless times just today, but once again, I ended up heading to the Explorer Guild…this time with Kokuri-san alone.
—————–
Apparently, they basically don’t use carriages, since it’s within walking distance. We’re young, so we walk.
Because my skill evolved into [Gourmet Linker], I can’t easily enter a pseudo-infinite stamina state anymore…
I’m starting to feel a bit tired. Too many round trips…
“Shizuma-kun, since this is your first year in this country, you might not realize it, but for it to be this warm even though it’s only March is not just rare, it’s abnormal. In this country, the warm season is extremely short, and no matter how much nourishment we try to give the land, it all gets absorbed deep underground, into the ley lines that become the source of mana and life. It was an extreme situation, like desperately trying to collect water in a bucket full of holes, then sharing it among the people just to survive. If you only know the area around Lindblum, it might not really hit home.” (Kokuri)
Walking along the forest road where the breath of spring was beginning to be felt, Kokuri-san spoke thoughtfully, gazing around.
…I came to this country around November, so that must have been when food was still plentiful.
But in reality, that must be the only season in the year when people can truly eat their fill.
“…I’m truly grateful to everyone in the Brigade, and to Seimu-san as well. If they hadn’t been here, this country would probably have been destroyed by Golda. Slowly, steadily, like being strangled with cotton.” (Kokuri)
“That…might be true. I’ve heard about the various schemes that were carried out against this country.” (Shizuma)
“And now, you’re helping us as well. But you all don’t seek grand rewards or honor. Even wealth, you can earn that yourselves. That’s why we genuinely don’t know how we should repay you.” (Kokuri)
“Kokuri-san…um, we really don’t need any thanks. Just… perhaps someday… I’ve heard that the Brigade may look for a place of their own. If, at that time, this country could give us a place to belong, then I think that would be the greatest reward for everyone.” (Shizuma)
The future dreams everyone had wished for at that round table.
Most of them were about finding a place to belong in this country.
“I see… What about you, Shizuma-kun? Is there anything you want?” (Kokuri)
“Let’s see… I’d like the right to travel freely. As things stand, I only have the exploration permit for Lindblum Lair that Her Majesty granted me, so I’d like official proof of affiliation with the Explorer Guild, or the Adventurer Guild.” (Shizuma)
“You’re not very greedy, are you? …You know, I wouldn’t mind if you said you wanted me. At least in appearance, I can still pass as a respectable older sister.” (Kokuri)
“I couldn’t ask for something like that. I do think you’re a wonderful person, Kokuri-san, though.” (Shizuma)
“Fufufu, you’re an honest boy. I really do want you as an assistant. Hishida probably has knowledge of another world as well, but on top of that, you understand this world, its systems, its circumstances, and the state of the country. You seem to grasp what’s needed, what can be done, and which parts of your knowledge are useful.” (Kokuri)
“Well, I’ve seen quite a lot of this country by now.” (Shizuma)
“If you were nearby, my research would progress much faster… I know it’s a difficult request, though. Now then, we’re almost there. I wonder what the dungeon is like now?” (Kokuri)
Right, knowledge of Earth alone isn’t enough.
Being able to compare Earth and this world might currently be something only I can do.
I don’t plan to settle down just yet, but it might be worth thinking about whether there’s some technology or knowledge I could contribute.
—————–
Inside the Explorer Guild, there were still hardly any people around.
Despite that, the few remaining staff were running about with anxious expressions, trying to respond to the changes that must have occurred, while seeking instructions from Guild Master Flugel.
“Hello, Flugel-san. Judging by the situation, it seems the dungeon has revived?” (Kokuri)
“Kokuri-sama!? Yes, just as you predicted. We were saved by the advance notice from Shizuma-san. Right now, our mechanism for reading the internal state of the dungeon is receiving some information as well, but…we can’t determine the exact number of floors. We can read signals up to the fiftieth floor, but it appears to continue even deeper.” (Flugel)
Flugel-san quickly explained only what was known so far.
“Shizuma-kun also reported that not just the floors, but the drops and the monsters are likely changing as well. I’m thinking of formally requesting an investigation from a clan.” (Kokuri)
“In that case, let’s ask Killcrawler, who are still staying in Lindblum. They’re not at full strength right now, but since this dungeon is close to the city, we can provide backup.” (Flugel)
Hm, I thought they were planning to head to Yasha Island… Maybe they intend to prioritize this?
“Shizuma-kun, if you’re willing, I’d like you to participate in this investigation as well. What do you think?” (Kokuri)
“No, unfortunately I have other business after this. I’ll probably be returning to the main group.” (Shizuma)
“I see. That’s a shame, but it was sudden. Understood. Then for today, let’s be satisfied with simply confirming the fact that the dungeon has reappeared. Shizuma-kun, we’ll be sure to properly reward you for your cooperation this time. At a later date, I’ll present you with official affiliation tags for both adventurers and explorers.” (Kokuri)
“Thank you very much. And I’m sorry about this.” (Shizuma)
Right. This time, regardless of whether Killcrawler asks or not, I have to head to Yasha Island as Seimu, in order to fulfill Shuris-san’s wish.
That means someone from Killcrawler may come to my house soon to temporarily postpone a dispatch request for me.
In that case, I’ll stay on standby as Seimu, since Seimu has the most acquaintances in Lindblum.
“…At this rate, it really might be urgent to summon them and give them wills of their own.” (Shizuma)
How many roles am I supposed to juggle right now…!?
—————–
I returned home, used the sunroom’s radar function to make sure no one was around, and transformed into Seimu.
Pretending to be Shuris-san’s lover, or rather, deterring men who approach her, and probably also being introduced to her father, Lord Veil, who would likely show up.
It could be seen as vigilance against someone from a neighboring country, but this was probably the real issue.
Shuris-san likely thinks that they can’t afford to send the eldest daughter of the only remaining marquis family in the country off to another nation as a bride, and hand over a valuable asset like a Thirteen Knight.
Being targeted by a major power really is enough to shake and put an entire country on edge.
It’s scary to think about the day I’ll eventually adventure on the other continent.
“Well then…it’s already evening anyway. I guess I’ll start preparing dinner before Melt gets back.” (Shizuma)
—————–
“Melt, that way’s no good. You shouldn’t go there.” (Kash)
“Really? I’ve never been down this street before.” (Melt)
“Um… Melt-chan, if possible, I’d rather not go that way either…” (Rikka)
“Yeah. It’d probably cause trouble. It’s still too early for youngsters like us.” (Grant)
Around that time, Melt was touring Lindblum with Rikka and the other two, combining it with a patrol.
With the increase in refugees, public order had become unstable, so in addition to helping farmers, there had been more patrol missions like this around the city.
After reuniting with the three at the General Guild, Melt joined them on the city patrol they were taking that day. But as she tried to head toward a side street on the way to the deeper, middle layers of the Adventurers’ Den, what you might call a long, wide street between the lower and middle layers…the three stopped her.
“Well, uh, that street is for ‘grown men and women to get along,’ and there are already lots of dedicated patrols and bodyguards there.” (Kash)
“R-Right. So let’s not go there, okay?” (Rikka)
“Yeah. And walking around there with young women like Melt and Rikka would be…risky.” (Grant)
“Huh…got it! So there must be ‘inns for mates’ there! I see, I see.” (Melt)
“M-Mates…! Melt-chan, you know about that stuff…?” (Rikka)
“Of course I do! Men and women who get along stay together and get closer. Then they make babies. They must be performing some kind of special ritual.” (Melt)
“That’s…slightly off…? But, yeah, it’s kind of like that. So we can’t go there.” (Rikka)
“Oh, okay! Then, next. Let’s check the next street!” (Melt)
Will the day ever come when Melt learns the truth?
With Shire gone, is there even anyone left who could teach her?
Or will she remain pure forever…!?
“Aw man, I thought it was our turn since I could vaguely hear women’s voices and maybe fighting sounds?” (Melt)
“…You could hear that… As expected of a beastkin’s hearing.” (Grant)
“Y-You could hear it…?” (Rikka)
“Seriously? What kind of voices were they—” (Kash)
Kash gets punched in the head by Rikka.
And so, the four youngsters headed toward another street.
“By the way, Melt-chan, you went somewhere with Seimu-san, right?” (Rikka)
“Yeah, yeah. But Seimu had other work, so we split up halfway. I came back with Shilent.” (Melt)
“Ah, that super strong-looking Sapphire guy, right? Is he in the city right now?” (Kash)
“Mmhm. But he’s probably already gone off to his next job.” (Melt)
“I see. I guess when you’re a Sapphire, you don’t have much time to relax.” (Kash)
“I think I’ll be going to a port town soon, too. And after that, to a place called Yasha Island. A ship -my first ship! I’m so excited!” (Melt)
An unseen harbor, and a ship that travels across the sea. And sea shrimp, far larger than river shrimp.
Melt’s head was already filled with thoughts of shrimp and ships.
“I’ll bring back sea shrimp and raise them in the garden at home to multiply them!” (Melt)
Sorry, that won’t work.
But that’s a story for a little later…
—————–
(´・メ・｀) I’ll put sea shrimp in a freshwater pond!
(´；メ；｀) Whyyyyy…?
Support my translations or commission me to translate a chapter of any series on Patreon!