Year 7445, Month 12, Day 28
Last night, the number of magic stones we sold was 35 each of both trolls and ogres, 84 crickets, 40 huge praying mantis, 53 huge centipedes, and 11 scavenger crawlers.
In total it came out to 78,000,000 Z (78 gold coins). It was our first huge earnings in a while. Excluding the slaves I paid everyone a bonus of 1,560,000 Z, and my net income was just over 67,000,000 Z. If we could manage this every time then I'd be able to pay everyone close to 5,000,000 in bonuses every month but...This time it was a bit longer than usual, so I guess that's unreasonable huh?
Also, Ralpha and Gwine seem like they would waste all their money on things that make no sense after all..Though that's fine. I handed them 1 gold coin, 2 gold Shu, and 6 silver coins while saying "Put some into savings." It seems that everyone is borrowing a shared locker at the temple together with Zenom as the representative.
I thought Miduchi would sponge off of my locker but it seems she's using the same locker as everyone else. Everyone put their gold coins into a small bag with their name on it and left it to him. I told her, "I don't particularly mind if you use mine as well you know." but she said that she's participating in order to help reduce the monthly management fee of 300,000 Z so that made sense. It seems just Toris and Zenom are paying a bit more.
I went straight to the temple to deposit the 67 gold coins and put the bag into my locker. There's 2 bags with 1,000(1,000,000,000 Z) gold coins each, 2 bags with 500(500,000,000 Z) each, 7 small bags with 100(100,000,000 Z) each. I have about 10 times the amount I did two years ago around the same period but it's still nowhere near enough. Since the lockers are considerably big so there's enough capacity for you to fit around 20 bags with 1,000 gold coins in each.
Thinking about various things and I want at least enough gold coins to fill this locker full. If I get greedy then at least two lockers full. The spear being used by Gwine, the sword being used by Bel, and there Water making bracelet.
I don't know what kind of money we'd make if we sell them but I don't think it would be bad to hope for amounts in the hundreds of millions for the weapons.
It's been three and a half years since we came to this Baldukk, though about half of it is profits from my business but a large portion of the remainder is earnings since we reached the 7th floor and if we continue at this rate then it shouldn't even take 10 years for me to accumulate 100,000,000,000 Z or so. However, around here all at once, I want some kind of big profit. I won't say something luxurious like several hundred billions. It's fine if it's just ten billion or so...I guess that's still luxurious huh? Well, I'll hold my hopes high for the 8th floor.
Last night after that, I joined up with my four combat slaves I had left behind and we all went to eat dinner together. During the time we were exploring the dungeon, it seems my combat slaves were training and making sausages. After listening to their conversation and Catherine is giving her best. Today and tomorrow other than running it's almost entire days off, the day after tomorrow I intend to go to the capital together with Miduchi, Basutoral, and Catherine to look at several candidates for a factory.
In any case let's get some good rest today and tomorrow.
I ended up enjoying it slowly and laid back while taste testing sausages at lunchtime.
..................
Year 7446, Month 1, Day 1
The capital of Rombertia in front of Greed Company, Miduchi and I are standing on Bell Street together with the employees waiting for the parade of the first knight group to pass by. Since it's in the middle of winter it's considerably cold but everyone was in a reasonably warm outfit and we bought some hot stew from a stall so our preparations against the cold are perfect. Every since we replenished our stock of products the other day, our customers have been returning to the company so today on New Years it's the first day off for everyone in a while.
In order to let Anna see well I'm letting her ride my shoulders. Hanna is riding on the husband who married into Dianne's family Luke's shoulders, and Kanna is riding on Rozral's shoulders who he's attached to on the level of becoming a grandfather. I guess Anna was copying a line Leila uses when apologizing,
"I'm sorry, president."
and she said that but something like a young Cat-person girl is completely light. Also, I can easily tell from their lively voices. Hanna and Kanna were both enjoying themselves as well.
""Oh!""
"Ah!""
The officials that are leading them sing a song in a loud voice as they approach.
The voices of the officials seem to already be getting a bit hoarse and it's completely unknown what they're singing.
The cheers of the citizens lined up along the road echo through the capital.
The parade should already be just past that corner.
The children that we three have on our shoulders are in high spirits.
Hey now, it's dangerous so don't move around that much.
Right behind the officials the first company commander Viscount Gendail is riding on horseback.
Shortly behind him the platoon commanders are following but among them the first prince his highness Prince Richard Rombert the Fourth was included because he's a platoon commander of the first company as well.
And then, after that commanders is the regular knights of the first company, then even further behind that are the squires holding up the national flag and flags for the knight group draping from long handle weapons as they walk. Behind the first company is the knight commander Baron Logan and the sub-commander sub-Baron Bittowaz, as well as some knights that seem to directly serve them are continuing along as they wave to the citizens on the roadside.
Following that as the commander of the second company Viscount Balkisas and then the commander of the third company Viscount Kendusu, sister was included among the regular knights of the third company as well waving at the citizens cheering them on with a full face smile.
All of the true knights of the knight group drew their swords while still on horseback when the parade passed in front of Greed Company where we were watching from and them after lifting them as a greeting they returned them to their scabbards. It seems that in front of influential merchants they deal with they do those sorts of performances. Leila explained that they do these sorts of parades one every three years or so.
Anna, Hanna, and Kanna were all overjoyed and frolicking to the point where it seemed like they would pass out.
"However, it's quite something."
Rozural started talking to me. I understand well what you want to say.
"Yeah, really."
"That there's this many people who want to use the armor made by Bakuddo is.."
Luke said as if he was moved.
It's close to saying that all of the commanders of the first knight group are wearing the black rubber protectors, even among the regular knights the ratio of those wearing them is close to half. Even among the squires there's a couple wearing black armor here and there so they stand out.
Sister might have wanted to show this to me.
Sister drew the long sword that I designed, lifted it into the air, and smiled cheerfully before putting it back in her scabbard as well, then continued along with the parade facing forward.
After that, with a slight space between them was the second knight group, third knight group, and fourth knight group, as all of the knight groups continued with the parade. Of course, there's also things like security and patrols so I'm sure only the first knight group has almost all of it's members participating. It seems they adjusted it so the number of people of all of the knight groups would be about the same as well.
It took over 10 minutes for the knight group parade to pass in front of Greed Company. In total there probably wasn't even 1,000 people but it's not like I actually counted them..at best maybe around 500 people?
..................
Year 7446, Month 1, Day 2
After Miduchi and I returned to Boil Manor from the capital last night, before dawn at 5 in the morning we gathered in a corner of the entrance plaza of the dungeon of Baldukk together with my 7 slaves including the newcomers. Today and tomorrow we're going to clear through the 6th floor and then from the day after tomorrow, January 4th we'll spend almost entire day training these guys against ogres on the 7th floor. If you were to ask it's pretty tiresome but there's not many opponents so convenient for earning experience quickly as ogres. Also, I wanted them to feel the sensation and speed in clearing through to the 6th floor in two days with their bodies.
"With this I think there will be no problem for three days. Just in case I included a bit of extra but..Master, after all I as well.."
Giberuti said while handing enough food for 6 people to last over 3 days to each person to put into their bags.
"Yeah, it's fine. I just want them to know what our manner of doing things is like. There's no need for you to act as {porter} for it."
"However, master.."
Hearing my reply Zulu said anxiously. Come to think of it Zulu was the only one against us going to the 7th floor with these 6 to the end. He was loudly nagging that I should at least let him or Angela accompany us.
"Zulu, I'm grateful that you're worrying about us but you should have a bit more faith is this person and myself. Or else are you worried because I'm the one accompanying them?"
Miduchi said while poking Zulu's high up chest.
"No!! Madam! Of course that's not the case! I'm very sorry for saying something beyond my duties. Please forgive me."
It seems Zulu realized he was saying something too forward and lowered his head while embarrassed and apologetic.
"Sorry-Sorry. That was a slightly mean way of putting it. But, even Henry (Henry.Okonneru) and Mekku(Meisun.Garuhahu) were true knights of Devas right? Their skill is guaranteed right?"
It seems Miduchi doesn't mind it and she's indirectly showing some care for the newcomers as well. Henry and Mekku were both saying something like, "Please leave it to us! Zulu-sama." In some ways it's a weird picture where true knights are lowering their heads to Zulu who was just a soldier but Zulu is my head slave after all, it's only obvious. It's good that there's a proper order going.
"I don't have feel any unease at all. Rather than that, the fact that the two of you won't be able to get any decent rest..I'm worried about your bodies.."
Angela is saying it worried about us but we were able to rest plenty the past two days. Since we have bodies in our teens that's plenty.
"It's alright Maruso. We properly got some rest so there's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, there's no problem...That's right, Giberuti. We'll be returning on the evening of the 4th so prepare some oysters with this. I want to eat a pot."
I laughed while saying to Angela there was no need to worry and putting 1 silver coin into Giberuti's hand. In reality I want to eat raw oysters but as expected food poisoning is scary. If the type that's eaten raw in Japan was in circulation then it would be one thing but I don't have the courage to eat the oysters of Orth raw. Eh? I'm not that much of an idiot.
"The four of you, make sure you learn well the methods from master and the madam. And also, no matter what you see you're not allowed to speak about it. You're not allowed to discuss it even to just us or among yourselves. Alright!"
It seems the instructions from the head slave have ended.
But that, I was thinking of acting cool while saying it...
Also I don't particularly mind talking about it in place with just my slaves or the {Slaughterers} though...
Well then, shall we go? It's necessary for them to learn the methods of the {Slaughterers}.
"Henry, Mekku. In regards to the 1st floor for today but you two are the {Assault Sweepers} of both flanks. Rubi(Rubano.Firenoto) and Jesu(Jesutasu.Manzokki) will protect the middle and are {Spear Interceptors}. This person and I are the {Advance Guard}."
"Well, what we're about to do after this is our normal method with the {Slaughterers}. The important points like monster rooms just Miduchi and I will take care of but we're going to be moving quickly. Don't fall behind."
After I said that we moved from a corner of the plaza to the entrance of the dungeon.
.................
"Alright, let's take a 15 minute break. Anyone who wants to go to the bathroom say something now while you can. No monsters will approach the surroundings of this room so you can relax. Anyone who wants to drink something bring me your flask."
The current time is around 9:30 am. Our distance through the 1st floor today was around 9 km in all, that would mean we proceeded through the dungeon at a speed of about 2 km/hour. From a general view it's a considerably fast pace. But, there's no way to be satisfied over it. If it's the current {Slaughterers} we can do about 3 km/hour. Just a bit slower than the speed you walk along the road in the middle of town.
All four of them are making slightly tired expressions but it seems they can still go on for a while. Since Miduchi and I are cutting into combat with all of the monsters we encounter along the way, they're just surrounding the ones we miss and beating them to death so I guess they aren't all that tired.
"Even though there's six people our pace isn't all that different from usual huh..that's amazing."
Henry said.
"That's right. Master is an amazing person."
Rubi agreed.
"Mu..The {Exterminators} took a bit more time huh.."
Hearing Henry and Rubi's words Mekku said to Jesu.
"Is..that so? I thought it felt about that same.."
Jesu replied without confidence.
"We're moving a bit slow right."
"It can't be helped, since we're having Mekku use magic after all...I intend to raise our pace a bit more on the 2nd floor though, if things go like this then it'll take us until night to clear through the 3rd floor. Up until then I'm sure his spell level will increase as well..No, we'll raise it..raising it is more correct..There's tomorrow as well..after all and as expected I guess that's impossible huh?"
While they were talking to the side Miduchi and I were discussing in a whisper.
In order for Mekku to earn experience with magic, we held down a living goblin and had him use earth magic to create dirt on it's face suffocating to death. It was a last resort since his void magic level is low and he can't use any proper attack spells. In the past, we forced Ralpha to do it against her will as well. If you pour a single cup full of dirt into their mouth while adding a direction to it then something like a goblin will easily suffocate. Even Miduchi started saying she couldn't watch.
Normally even I know that you should spend a reasonable amount of time aiming for level 3. It's better to spend a reasonable amount of time becoming familiar with spells when the level is 1-2. Since it seems the knack for controlling mana is different for each person you have to get used to your own feel for controlling it.
If your void magic level reaches 3 you can use the standard attack spells so after that you don't need help and you can just continue damaging yourself. Currently Mekku's mana amount MP is 10. If his void magic level increases then he'll have 11. Since earth magic will most likely increase as well 12 huh?
It should be fine if we have him use {Stone Javelin} once every 30 minutes and get used to using it for attacking. Though I say that, for it to be practical..it'll probably take a reasonable amount of time for him to be able to fire it within a few seconds so I think it's quite a ways ahead though. It's probably best to estimate it as taking at least half a year.
If it's up to the 5th floor or so unless a considerably powerful enemy appears the {Javelin} type attack spells have plenty of attack power to act as a trump card. If most monsters take a direct hit to a good spot from it then you can finish them off with just that. Even that {Frost Lizard} can only endure about three direct hits. Depending on how it goes even two hits could consi~derably weaken it. If it hits, that is.
.....................
""Ha~!!Ha~!!Ha~!!""
The four slaves are breathing heavily as they cling on to the spears in their hands or put their hands on their knees.
The current time is 9:00 pm. We cleared through the 1st floor in about four and a half hours but the 2nd floor took five hours, and when it came to the 3rd floor it took a whole six hours. We finished up lunch by biting into some hotdogs while moving. Our dinner for tonight has gotten a bit late but we boiled some baldoggie, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes together. It's not a stew like pot-au-feu so it's not very good but that can't be helped.
"I want to try and short the entirety by another five hours."
"I guess so..It's best to clear through the 3rd floor by 4 pm on the first day after all.."
This teleport crystal room on the 3rd floor gets packed pretty easily. There's always second-rate and half first-rate parties camping at any time and depending on the case there's sometimes top teams as well. Since we ended up arriving late today we weren't able to secure a spot along the wall. Somehow it feels like the best spots are the corners and next is along the walls. If you can arrive here at around 4 pm then while the corners might be impossible, in most cases you can find a spot along the walls.
Just because it's the New Years when it comes to adventurers there's not very many who take a break. It's normal to enter the dungeon along the schedule that was decided by the party. Since pretty much all the time they aren't in the dungeon is something like a holiday there's not many groups which adhere to the New Years break. Rather the restaurants are packed and other stores are often closed so there's quite a few groups that enter the dungeon during the New Year as well. The brats who work at the inn take breaks in order over the New Years so it's easy for them to run out of helpers. That equals the quality of service being easier to drop as well.
By the way, just as would be expected from taking quite a bit of time Mekku's magic gained quite a bit of experience. In just today it seems he was able to do around 400 in damage with magic and in order for his void magic to increase level I guess he needs to deal around another 2,200 or so damage with magic? If he were to just slowly and steadily use useless spells it would take over one year to earn this kind of experience so you could say it was worth it.
Tomorrow is..there's only undead on the 4th and 5th floors so there's no suffocating or anything about it...He can't make enough dirt to make the boars on the 6th floor or the ogres on the 7th floor suffocate either...Well, if we can find another chance in the near future then if we just have him gain experience the same as this time he should be able to level up in a reasonably fast speed.
However, looking at their current state I feel a bit uneasy leaving them to keep lookout. It's a huge service. It should be fine for just Miduchi and I to take shifts as lookout. While telling the four of them not to worry about it as they apologized I had Miduchi rest first.
.......................
Year 7446, Month 1, Day 3
Hmm..So their levels increased huh. Different from yesterday, since there's almost no way for suffocating them to death working, I shifted the direction of having the slaves gain experience. Certain kill technique, freeze their lower bodies. Thanks to that Rubi and Jesu were able to increase their levels on e each and became levels 7 and 6. As expected it was impossible for even Henry and Mekku. But, in the 7th floor we'll reach tomorrow if I freeze ogres leaving just their heads out, if they kill one alone they should earn about 1,500 each. If we were up for it, it's not a dream to even have all four of them earn 10,000 experience points each in just a single day.
I'm fine with doing it but there's not much meaning to it right. If their ability levels and Endurance increase then their HP will increase and that means the room for negative HP will increase as well making it harder for them to die though. The increased ability levels won't contribute much. Rather, while their ability levels are still low it would be better to have them continue running and analyze the relationship with their increases in ability levels.
It's not particularly like I have some definite basis for it but I feel like the increase in ability levels is a bit faster when they're lower and you don't depend on level ups to increase them. In the first place even this time is originally to have them understand that the {Slaughterers} have this sort of feel and leveling up isn't the objective. We can have them accumulate experience anytime time after all. Oh~ when we return maybe I should tell John and Terry to start running every morning from here on out as well. Whether they cry or scream and even if I'm cursed at by Ralpha as being an ogre, it's not like just running will kill someone after all. In the first place down to their last drop of blood John and Terry belong to me.
Henry is thinly cutting some pickled cucumber. Jesu has some water boiling on the stove and is cooking baldoggie in it. Rubi is cutting bread with a knife. Mekku is pulverizing some mustard leaves to make mustard. I'm barefoot and just dazing as I watch them do that with my feet in the foot bath.
Miduchi is taking her shower first.
In the afternoon we cleared through to the teleport room on the 5th floor, then when we finally arrived at the teleport room on the 6th floor with the slaves eyes going wide seeing the shower room, kitchen, and foot bath, I ordered them to prepare dinner.
"Ha~ I feel refreshed. Do you want me to add some hot water?"
After Miduchi finished taking her shower she called out to me.
"Hn? Yeah, please do."
It'll probably take a bit more time for the food to be done. They should be making some soup as well. Taking Miduchi's place I went to take a shower and dinner was finished being made. Oh my~ I wonder if I took my time too much?
Sorry for making you wait.
"He~ this is delicious."
Just for a glance, it looks like completely normal vegetable soup but the stock is done properly.
"I was taught by Larry."
Rubi made an embarrassed smile as he stretched his hand out. After handing him my empty cup I said, "Ah, I only want about half full" and had him fill it before taking it back and I also ate some bread in the form of a hotdog lookalike. The flavor of the karashi which passes through the nose is good. It wouldn't be this good for just {Mustard}. I don't know about Miduchi and their tastes but I like karashi more than {mustard}.
It seems Jesu has tears welling in his eyes from the karashi but he properly has an appetite. Henry and Mekku are eating plenty as well. Judging from their way of eating they don't seem to have any resistance to karashi. Miduchi is claiming to be "without wasabi" and hasn't added any karashi. So it was no good huh? In exchange she has some sauerkraut finely cut up on hers. Lactobacillus is necessary right.
"Ah, listen while you eat. Tomorrow is finally the 7th floor. We'll have you fight against ogres. Starting off Miduchi and I will show you an example without magic. After that show me you can take one down with just you four. We'll properly be adjusting the number so there's no need to worry."
"It's fine for you not to get that tense. If you do it with the four of you then there's no problem. However, Henry and Mekku should focus on defense. While the two of them are enduring the attacks of the ogre I think it should be fine for Rubi and Jesu to attack."
Fu~Fu~ Miduchi said while blowing on the hot soup to cool it down. Henry and Mekku were exchanging glances while nodding. Rubi was slowly nodding to himself and Jesu gulped as he swallowed what he had in his mouth before nodding.
After explaining the attack methods of the ogres and how to get into an effective position we decided to rest. As expected I doubt we'll be able to get through it without everyone unharmed. I told them to relax because I'd definitely heal them even if they suffer serious injuries before leaving lookout to them and going to sleep. Well, I'm sure no one will come to the 6th floor so in the worst case even if they fall asleep while on lookout it should be fine.
Year 7445, Month 12, Day 28
Last night, the number of magic stones we sold was 35 each of both trolls and ogres, 84 crickets, 40 huge praying mantis, 53 huge centipedes, and 11 scavenger crawlers.
In total it came out to 78,000,000 Z (78 gold coins). It was our first huge earnings in a while. Excluding the slaves I paid everyone a bonus of 1,560,000 Z, and my net income was just over 67,000,000 Z. If we could manage this every time then I'd be able to pay everyone close to 5,000,000 in bonuses every month but...This time it was a bit longer than usual, so I guess that's unreasonable huh?
Also, Ralpha and Gwine seem like they would waste all their money on things that make no sense after all..Though that's fine. I handed them 1 gold coin, 2 gold Shu, and 6 silver coins while saying "Put some into savings." It seems that everyone is borrowing a shared locker at the temple together with Zenom as the representative.
I thought Miduchi would sponge off of my locker but it seems she's using the same locker as everyone else. Everyone put their gold coins into a small bag with their name on it and left it to him. I told her, "I don't particularly mind if you use mine as well you know." but she said that she's participating in order to help reduce the monthly management fee of 300,000 Z so that made sense. It seems just Toris and Zenom are paying a bit more.
I went straight to the temple to deposit the 67 gold coins and put the bag into my locker. There's 2 bags with 1,000(1,000,000,000 Z) gold coins each, 2 bags with 500(500,000,000 Z) each, 7 small bags with 100(100,000,000 Z) each. I have about 10 times the amount I did two years ago around the same period but it's still nowhere near enough. Since the lockers are considerably big so there's enough capacity for you to fit around 20 bags with 1,000 gold coins in each.
Thinking about various things and I want at least enough gold coins to fill this locker full. If I get greedy then at least two lockers full. The spear being used by Gwine, the sword being used by Bel, and there Water making bracelet.
I don't know what kind of money we'd make if we sell them but I don't think it would be bad to hope for amounts in the hundreds of millions for the weapons.
It's been three and a half years since we came to this Baldukk, though about half of it is profits from my business but a large portion of the remainder is earnings since we reached the 7th floor and if we continue at this rate then it shouldn't even take 10 years for me to accumulate 100,000,000,000 Z or so. However, around here all at once, I want some kind of big profit. I won't say something luxurious like several hundred billions. It's fine if it's just ten billion or so...I guess that's still luxurious huh? Well, I'll hold my hopes high for the 8th floor.
Last night after that, I joined up with my four combat slaves I had left behind and we all went to eat dinner together. During the time we were exploring the dungeon, it seems my combat slaves were training and making sausages. After listening to their conversation and Catherine is giving her best. Today and tomorrow other than running it's almost entire days off, the day after tomorrow I intend to go to the capital together with Miduchi, Basutoral, and Catherine to look at several candidates for a factory.
In any case let's get some good rest today and tomorrow.
I ended up enjoying it slowly and laid back while taste testing sausages at lunchtime.
..................
Year 7446, Month 1, Day 1
The capital of Rombertia in front of Greed Company, Miduchi and I are standing on Bell Street together with the employees waiting for the parade of the first knight group to pass by. Since it's in the middle of winter it's considerably cold but everyone was in a reasonably warm outfit and we bought some hot stew from a stall so our preparations against the cold are perfect. Every since we replenished our stock of products the other day, our customers have been returning to the company so today on New Years it's the first day off for everyone in a while.
In order to let Anna see well I'm letting her ride my shoulders. Hanna is riding on the husband who married into Dianne's family Luke's shoulders, and Kanna is riding on Rozral's shoulders who he's attached to on the level of becoming a grandfather. I guess Anna was copying a line Leila uses when apologizing,
"I'm sorry, president."
and she said that but something like a young Cat-person girl is completely light. Also, I can easily tell from their lively voices. Hanna and Kanna were both enjoying themselves as well.
""Oh!""
"Ah!""
The officials that are leading them sing a song in a loud voice as they approach.
The voices of the officials seem to already be getting a bit hoarse and it's completely unknown what they're singing.
The cheers of the citizens lined up along the road echo through the capital.
The parade should already be just past that corner.
The children that we three have on our shoulders are in high spirits.
Hey now, it's dangerous so don't move around that much.
Right behind the officials the first company commander Viscount Gendail is riding on horseback.
Shortly behind him the platoon commanders are following but among them the first prince his highness Prince Richard Rombert the Fourth was included because he's a platoon commander of the first company as well.
And then, after that commanders is the regular knights of the first company, then even further behind that are the squires holding up the national flag and flags for the knight group draping from long handle weapons as they walk. Behind the first company is the knight commander Baron Logan and the sub-commander sub-Baron Bittowaz, as well as some knights that seem to directly serve them are continuing along as they wave to the citizens on the roadside.
Following that as the commander of the second company Viscount Balkisas and then the commander of the third company Viscount Kendusu, sister was included among the regular knights of the third company as well waving at the citizens cheering them on with a full face smile.
All of the true knights of the knight group drew their swords while still on horseback when the parade passed in front of Greed Company where we were watching from and them after lifting them as a greeting they returned them to their scabbards. It seems that in front of influential merchants they deal with they do those sorts of performances. Leila explained that they do these sorts of parades one every three years or so.
Anna, Hanna, and Kanna were all overjoyed and frolicking to the point where it seemed like they would pass out.
"However, it's quite something."
Rozural started talking to me. I understand well what you want to say.
"Yeah, really."
"That there's this many people who want to use the armor made by Bakuddo is.."
Luke said as if he was moved.
It's close to saying that all of the commanders of the first knight group are wearing the black rubber protectors, even among the regular knights the ratio of those wearing them is close to half. Even among the squires there's a couple wearing black armor here and there so they stand out.
Sister might have wanted to show this to me.
Sister drew the long sword that I designed, lifted it into the air, and smiled cheerfully before putting it back in her scabbard as well, then continued along with the parade facing forward.
After that, with a slight space between them was the second knight group, third knight group, and fourth knight group, as all of the knight groups continued with the parade. Of course, there's also things like security and patrols so I'm sure only the first knight group has almost all of it's members participating. It seems they adjusted it so the number of people of all of the knight groups would be about the same as well.
It took over 10 minutes for the knight group parade to pass in front of Greed Company. In total there probably wasn't even 1,000 people but it's not like I actually counted them..at best maybe around 500 people?
..................
Year 7446, Month 1, Day 2
After Miduchi and I returned to Boil Manor from the capital last night, before dawn at 5 in the morning we gathered in a corner of the entrance plaza of the dungeon of Baldukk together with my 7 slaves including the newcomers. Today and tomorrow we're going to clear through the 6th floor and then from the day after tomorrow, January 4th we'll spend almost entire day training these guys against ogres on the 7th floor. If you were to ask it's pretty tiresome but there's not many opponents so convenient for earning experience quickly as ogres. Also, I wanted them to feel the sensation and speed in clearing through to the 6th floor in two days with their bodies.
"With this I think there will be no problem for three days. Just in case I included a bit of extra but..Master, after all I as well.."
Giberuti said while handing enough food for 6 people to last over 3 days to each person to put into their bags.
"Yeah, it's fine. I just want them to know what our manner of doing things is like. There's no need for you to act as {porter} for it."
"However, master.."
Hearing my reply Zulu said anxiously. Come to think of it Zulu was the only one against us going to the 7th floor with these 6 to the end. He was loudly nagging that I should at least let him or Angela accompany us.
"Zulu, I'm grateful that you're worrying about us but you should have a bit more faith is this person and myself. Or else are you worried because I'm the one accompanying them?"
Miduchi said while poking Zulu's high up chest.
"No!! Madam! Of course that's not the case! I'm very sorry for saying something beyond my duties. Please forgive me."
It seems Zulu realized he was saying something too forward and lowered his head while embarrassed and apologetic.
"Sorry-Sorry. That was a slightly mean way of putting it. But, even Henry (Henry.Okonneru) and Mekku(Meisun.Garuhahu) were true knights of Devas right? Their skill is guaranteed right?"
It seems Miduchi doesn't mind it and she's indirectly showing some care for the newcomers as well. Henry and Mekku were both saying something like, "Please leave it to us! Zulu-sama." In some ways it's a weird picture where true knights are lowering their heads to Zulu who was just a soldier but Zulu is my head slave after all, it's only obvious. It's good that there's a proper order going.
"I don't have feel any unease at all. Rather than that, the fact that the two of you won't be able to get any decent rest..I'm worried about your bodies.."
Angela is saying it worried about us but we were able to rest plenty the past two days. Since we have bodies in our teens that's plenty.
"It's alright Maruso. We properly got some rest so there's nothing to worry about."
"Yeah, there's no problem...That's right, Giberuti. We'll be returning on the evening of the 4th so prepare some oysters with this. I want to eat a pot."
I laughed while saying to Angela there was no need to worry and putting 1 silver coin into Giberuti's hand. In reality I want to eat raw oysters but as expected food poisoning is scary. If the type that's eaten raw in Japan was in circulation then it would be one thing but I don't have the courage to eat the oysters of Orth raw. Eh? I'm not that much of an idiot.
"The four of you, make sure you learn well the methods from master and the madam. And also, no matter what you see you're not allowed to speak about it. You're not allowed to discuss it even to just us or among yourselves. Alright!"
It seems the instructions from the head slave have ended.
But that, I was thinking of acting cool while saying it...
Also I don't particularly mind talking about it in place with just my slaves or the {Slaughterers} though...
Well then, shall we go? It's necessary for them to learn the methods of the {Slaughterers}.
"Henry, Mekku. In regards to the 1st floor for today but you two are the {Assault Sweepers} of both flanks. Rubi(Rubano.Firenoto) and Jesu(Jesutasu.Manzokki) will protect the middle and are {Spear Interceptors}. This person and I are the {Advance Guard}."
"Well, what we're about to do after this is our normal method with the {Slaughterers}. The important points like monster rooms just Miduchi and I will take care of but we're going to be moving quickly. Don't fall behind."
After I said that we moved from a corner of the plaza to the entrance of the dungeon.
.................
"Alright, let's take a 15 minute break. Anyone who wants to go to the bathroom say something now while you can. No monsters will approach the surroundings of this room so you can relax. Anyone who wants to drink something bring me your flask."
The current time is around 9:30 am. Our distance through the 1st floor today was around 9 km in all, that would mean we proceeded through the dungeon at a speed of about 2 km/hour. From a general view it's a considerably fast pace. But, there's no way to be satisfied over it. If it's the current {Slaughterers} we can do about 3 km/hour. Just a bit slower than the speed you walk along the road in the middle of town.
All four of them are making slightly tired expressions but it seems they can still go on for a while. Since Miduchi and I are cutting into combat with all of the monsters we encounter along the way, they're just surrounding the ones we miss and beating them to death so I guess they aren't all that tired.
"Even though there's six people our pace isn't all that different from usual huh..that's amazing."
Henry said.
"That's right. Master is an amazing person."
Rubi agreed.
"Mu..The {Exterminators} took a bit more time huh.."
Hearing Henry and Rubi's words Mekku said to Jesu.
"Is..that so? I thought it felt about that same.."
Jesu replied without confidence.
"We're moving a bit slow right."
"It can't be helped, since we're having Mekku use magic after all...I intend to raise our pace a bit more on the 2nd floor though, if things go like this then it'll take us until night to clear through the 3rd floor. Up until then I'm sure his spell level will increase as well..No, we'll raise it..raising it is more correct..There's tomorrow as well..after all and as expected I guess that's impossible huh?"
While they were talking to the side Miduchi and I were discussing in a whisper.
In order for Mekku to earn experience with magic, we held down a living goblin and had him use earth magic to create dirt on it's face suffocating to death. It was a last resort since his void magic level is low and he can't use any proper attack spells. In the past, we forced Ralpha to do it against her will as well. If you pour a single cup full of dirt into their mouth while adding a direction to it then something like a goblin will easily suffocate. Even Miduchi started saying she couldn't watch.
Normally even I know that you should spend a reasonable amount of time aiming for level 3. It's better to spend a reasonable amount of time becoming familiar with spells when the level is 1-2. Since it seems the knack for controlling mana is different for each person you have to get used to your own feel for controlling it.
If your void magic level reaches 3 you can use the standard attack spells so after that you don't need help and you can just continue damaging yourself. Currently Mekku's mana amount MP is 10. If his void magic level increases then he'll have 11. Since earth magic will most likely increase as well 12 huh?
It should be fine if we have him use {Stone Javelin} once every 30 minutes and get used to using it for attacking. Though I say that, for it to be practical..it'll probably take a reasonable amount of time for him to be able to fire it within a few seconds so I think it's quite a ways ahead though. It's probably best to estimate it as taking at least half a year.
If it's up to the 5th floor or so unless a considerably powerful enemy appears the {Javelin} type attack spells have plenty of attack power to act as a trump card. If most monsters take a direct hit to a good spot from it then you can finish them off with just that. Even that {Frost Lizard} can only endure about three direct hits. Depending on how it goes even two hits could consi~derably weaken it. If it hits, that is.
.....................
""Ha~!!Ha~!!Ha~!!""
The four slaves are breathing heavily as they cling on to the spears in their hands or put their hands on their knees.
The current time is 9:00 pm. We cleared through the 1st floor in about four and a half hours but the 2nd floor took five hours, and when it came to the 3rd floor it took a whole six hours. We finished up lunch by biting into some hotdogs while moving. Our dinner for tonight has gotten a bit late but we boiled some baldoggie, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes together. It's not a stew like pot-au-feu so it's not very good but that can't be helped.
"I want to try and short the entirety by another five hours."
"I guess so..It's best to clear through the 3rd floor by 4 pm on the first day after all.."
This teleport crystal room on the 3rd floor gets packed pretty easily. There's always second-rate and half first-rate parties camping at any time and depending on the case there's sometimes top teams as well. Since we ended up arriving late today we weren't able to secure a spot along the wall. Somehow it feels like the best spots are the corners and next is along the walls. If you can arrive here at around 4 pm then while the corners might be impossible, in most cases you can find a spot along the walls.
Just because it's the New Years when it comes to adventurers there's not very many who take a break. It's normal to enter the dungeon along the schedule that was decided by the party. Since pretty much all the time they aren't in the dungeon is something like a holiday there's not many groups which adhere to the New Years break. Rather the restaurants are packed and other stores are often closed so there's quite a few groups that enter the dungeon during the New Year as well. The brats who work at the inn take breaks in order over the New Years so it's easy for them to run out of helpers. That equals the quality of service being easier to drop as well.
By the way, just as would be expected from taking quite a bit of time Mekku's magic gained quite a bit of experience. In just today it seems he was able to do around 400 in damage with magic and in order for his void magic to increase level I guess he needs to deal around another 2,200 or so damage with magic? If he were to just slowly and steadily use useless spells it would take over one year to earn this kind of experience so you could say it was worth it.
Tomorrow is..there's only undead on the 4th and 5th floors so there's no suffocating or anything about it...He can't make enough dirt to make the boars on the 6th floor or the ogres on the 7th floor suffocate either...Well, if we can find another chance in the near future then if we just have him gain experience the same as this time he should be able to level up in a reasonably fast speed.
However, looking at their current state I feel a bit uneasy leaving them to keep lookout. It's a huge service. It should be fine for just Miduchi and I to take shifts as lookout. While telling the four of them not to worry about it as they apologized I had Miduchi rest first.
.......................
Year 7446, Month 1, Day 3
Hmm..So their levels increased huh. Different from yesterday, since there's almost no way for suffocating them to death working, I shifted the direction of having the slaves gain experience. Certain kill technique, freeze their lower bodies. Thanks to that Rubi and Jesu were able to increase their levels on e each and became levels 7 and 6. As expected it was impossible for even Henry and Mekku. But, in the 7th floor we'll reach tomorrow if I freeze ogres leaving just their heads out, if they kill one alone they should earn about 1,500 each. If we were up for it, it's not a dream to even have all four of them earn 10,000 experience points each in just a single day.
I'm fine with doing it but there's not much meaning to it right. If their ability levels and Endurance increase then their HP will increase and that means the room for negative HP will increase as well making it harder for them to die though. The increased ability levels won't contribute much. Rather, while their ability levels are still low it would be better to have them continue running and analyze the relationship with their increases in ability levels.
It's not particularly like I have some definite basis for it but I feel like the increase in ability levels is a bit faster when they're lower and you don't depend on level ups to increase them. In the first place even this time is originally to have them understand that the {Slaughterers} have this sort of feel and leveling up isn't the objective. We can have them accumulate experience anytime time after all. Oh~ when we return maybe I should tell John and Terry to start running every morning from here on out as well. Whether they cry or scream and even if I'm cursed at by Ralpha as being an ogre, it's not like just running will kill someone after all. In the first place down to their last drop of blood John and Terry belong to me.
Henry is thinly cutting some pickled cucumber. Jesu has some water boiling on the stove and is cooking baldoggie in it. Rubi is cutting bread with a knife. Mekku is pulverizing some mustard leaves to make mustard. I'm barefoot and just dazing as I watch them do that with my feet in the foot bath.
Miduchi is taking her shower first.
In the afternoon we cleared through to the teleport room on the 5th floor, then when we finally arrived at the teleport room on the 6th floor with the slaves eyes going wide seeing the shower room, kitchen, and foot bath, I ordered them to prepare dinner.
"Ha~ I feel refreshed. Do you want me to add some hot water?"
After Miduchi finished taking her shower she called out to me.
"Hn? Yeah, please do."
It'll probably take a bit more time for the food to be done. They should be making some soup as well. Taking Miduchi's place I went to take a shower and dinner was finished being made. Oh my~ I wonder if I took my time too much?
Sorry for making you wait.
"He~ this is delicious."
Just for a glance, it looks like completely normal vegetable soup but the stock is done properly.
"I was taught by Larry."
Rubi made an embarrassed smile as he stretched his hand out. After handing him my empty cup I said, "Ah, I only want about half full" and had him fill it before taking it back and I also ate some bread in the form of a hotdog lookalike. The flavor of the karashi which passes through the nose is good. It wouldn't be this good for just {Mustard}. I don't know about Miduchi and their tastes but I like karashi more than {mustard}.
It seems Jesu has tears welling in his eyes from the karashi but he properly has an appetite. Henry and Mekku are eating plenty as well. Judging from their way of eating they don't seem to have any resistance to karashi. Miduchi is claiming to be "without wasabi" and hasn't added any karashi. So it was no good huh? In exchange she has some sauerkraut finely cut up on hers. Lactobacillus is necessary right.
"Ah, listen while you eat. Tomorrow is finally the 7th floor. We'll have you fight against ogres. Starting off Miduchi and I will show you an example without magic. After that show me you can take one down with just you four. We'll properly be adjusting the number so there's no need to worry."
"It's fine for you not to get that tense. If you do it with the four of you then there's no problem. However, Henry and Mekku should focus on defense. While the two of them are enduring the attacks of the ogre I think it should be fine for Rubi and Jesu to attack."
Fu~Fu~ Miduchi said while blowing on the hot soup to cool it down. Henry and Mekku were exchanging glances while nodding. Rubi was slowly nodding to himself and Jesu gulped as he swallowed what he had in his mouth before nodding.
After explaining the attack methods of the ogres and how to get into an effective position we decided to rest. As expected I doubt we'll be able to get through it without everyone unharmed. I told them to relax because I'd definitely heal them even if they suffer serious injuries before leaving lookout to them and going to sleep. Well, I'm sure no one will come to the 6th floor so in the worst case even if they fall asleep while on lookout it should be fine.
