Year 7446, Month 9, Day 9
"And, what kind of business do you have?"
I completely reserved Murowa. I took a bit of a nap so my head feels refreshed as well.
There's several tables in the restaurant but we placed a four-person table in the center and had Viruhaima and Basu sit there, while Kamu(Kamain.Mishausu) and I sit across from them. Surrounding all of the members of the {Slaughterers} have assembled including the combat slaves.
Obviously I want everyone to put some psychological pressure on them but I harshly told them not to speak badly or move around a lot. Since I'm a noble who doesn't prefer unrefined behavior I didn't forget to tell everyone to give them a good glare on either Kamu or my sign.
Disrupting that chance partway through would be absurd.
In the first place these two would even quiet a crying child just seeing them, they're {Verdure.Brotherhoods} leader and sub-leader. Just like cheap threats don't have any effect on me it won't have any effect on them either. I'm sure what would be most effective is just completely ignoring them. Particularly, since they're aiming to catch up and overtake us {Slaughterers} if we just act like "we don't particularly care" and remain uninterested.
That's why I said to everyone, "Talk about some random stupid stories at a volume that we can just barely hear. It's no problem even if you laugh just a bit. However, don't take an attitude like you're openly making fun of them. Don't focus your interest over here. Just think we're air." Also, just in case I have Miduchi sitting in the corner while trying not to stand out as I asked her to use {Detect.Lie}. Her surroundings are fortified with Angela and the two former knight slaves.
"Gwine, why are you drinking tea? Eh? Hisu too?"
"Nn~ somehow or other. Ral why don't you stick with tea as well? Miduchi-san, please put in some ice."
"Ice tea with ice in it is delicious too right."
"Denda, Karimu. You did a good job once again this time. It's fine if you eat something with Chire in it."
""Thank you very much. Master.""
"..It's about {Black.Topaz}."
Viruhaima said.
"Could you please tell us the date and situation of the last time you met them?"
Basu supplemented him.
It's not like it's anything to hide so I honestly explained it without covering up anything. In the afternoon three days ago, that we encountered them in front of a monster room on the 7th floor. And then, soon after the combat started, because Rotto(Rosutoru.Mirusutoron) suddenly collapsed they fell into a crisis so we decided to go to their aid as we were keeping an eye on things, and I carefully explained that.
"And, what is that {Mad Treant}..What in the world is that. It even was using magic?"
"If Al-san didn't continue restraining it with {Flame Thrower} then I think it would have been difficult."
"I, hit it with a {Flame Javelin}."
"The northern monster room on the 7th floor huh..Shit, if we can't clear the 7th floor once and then go back from reverse then..Shit!!"
"So Rotto had died.."
Basu made a sad expression as he said it. Viruhaima started cursing while making a bitter expression. By the way aren't you going to eat anything?
And then, I talked about how they turned down our offer to accompany them to the teleport crystal they used to get into the 7th floor. That's right, if they had just let us accompany them then I could have taken the express guide fee right. 7th floor*7 people*100,000Z(Guide fee)*5(Express charge). Roughly 25,000,000 Z is the bare minimum line. It's equivalent to 1~2 days of our earnings on the 7th floor. It's not particularly expensive. I'm sure they can afford it.
Mu, thinking about it like this and I feel like that fee setting is considerably balanced for things around the 7th floor as well.
"Jeru, do you want to go to Rukuso later?"
"No, I'd rather not..Also, a cheap place liek Rukuso, it's almost like going to get a disease."
"Ah, after all that's the case? Last month I requested a long sword from Fuggusu Sword Merchant so I'm a bit low on funds."
"Then honestly just don't go..Ah, Misu, after this, want to go drinking for a bit?"
"Was there anyone else injured?"
Basu made a concerned expression again.
"Kaku-san and Baru-san had some light injuries, Roru-san(Roreiru.Naruzomerin) seemed to have some light bruises. It wasn't anything significant."
While I was talking, Kamu was biting into a Baldoggie with an unconcerned face and washing it down with some bean tea. I bit into a Kazotto with lots of msutard on it and drank some bean tea as well. Delicious.
"Come to think of it where did Ruttsu go?"
"Isn't it to the toilet?"
"He sure has to piss a lot right. Even today on the 4th floor~"
"Really, stop with that during a meal."
"What about Rotto's corpse? N..Nn!!..Did they just take out the magic stone?"
Viruhaima said. It seems he's a bit irritated. He started obviously coughing out loud as well.
"No, Baru-san was carrying the corpse. It seems they split up his equipment and were carrying it."
"Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?"
"Hmn, I feel a bit bad for Cathy but I want to show my face in the factory for a bit right. After hearing Miduchi-san's opinion we thought up something new together with Larry."
"Something delicious!?"
"Of course it is."
"Eh? What? A new menu? Larry, have you already eaten it?"
"No, the two of us are still in the stage of thinking about it, Ginger-san."
"Leader, wouldn't it be best to just honestly proceed with things here?"
Basu whispered into Viruhaima's ear with a slightly worried face. Since the surroundings have gotten a bit noise it seems he raised the volume of his voice a bit. I can somehow hear what they're saying.
"Oh, haven't you already gotten pretty good at using the fork and knife?"
"Fu..I can't embarrass master as the head slave, Koloil-sama."
"..Sh..Shit, to this guy..I can't accept this.."
"But leader."
"I know.."
Ihihi~ I don't really get it but watching as Viruhaima makes that mortified face and I feel pretty happy.
Well, I guess I'll leave the amusement at around here huh? Kamu was making a face as if to say not to corner them too much as well.
I used my left hand to scratch my left cheek and (the sign to be quiet) and slowly opened my mouth.
"Please relax. I haven't had any alcohol to drink, the maintenance of my equipment is perfect as well."
My voice seemed to echo strangely loud inside of Murowa that had suddenly gone deadly silent.
This time, since I thought it was necessary I forbid a few people from drinking alcohol. The ones who I felt were absolutely necessary were Miduchi and Gwine, Zulu, Giberuti, also Kamu. It doesn't even need to be mentioned for Miduchi on the end of combat strength and mana. Gwine is necessary to getting a grasp on our location in the dungeon. Zulu is my head slave after all and he has power as well. In the first place he doesn't drink. Giberuti is just a complement to Zulu taking into consideration the chance we need more manual labor so it's just better to have him though. Kamu was the leader of the former {Sun.Ray} and while it's temporary when there's no members of the {Slaughterers} joining them she acts as the leader of the {Butchers}. Also, she acts as proof that the {Slaughterers} have completely absorbed the former {Sun.Ray} and have them under our control.
"Nu..kuku, this guy..How far..Ah~ really! That's right, I'm requesting for you to save {Black.Topaz}!"
Viruhaima's face twisted as he spit out with a mortified expression.
"..Ho? Why are you requesting that from me? Is the {Verdure.Brotherhood} not planning to move? You're in a cooperative relationship with {Black.Topaz} right?"
I had predicted that it would be a request to rescue {Black.Topaz} at about a 50/50 probability but it's simply that I'm interested and I wanted to hear what kind of reason they had behind it. It's mean but the {Slaughterers} are above the {Verdure.Brotherhood} so I also felt like I wanted to have him say it as well.
".."
"Of course we intend to move as well. Greed-kun. Our preparations have already been finished. The last person who's whereabouts we didn't know Renba(Renbaru.Korumain), we just received contact that he was found in a private room at Honey Collection. After this is over we're going to the dungeon as well."
After he looked at Viruhaima who was sitting next to him with a disappointed looking face, Basu shrugged his shoulders and said. Incidentally Honey Collection is the name of a brothel that contends for the number one or two spot in Baldukk. He continued,
"We've been entering the dungeon in shifts with {Black.Topaz}. After one of us returns we always set a time to spend one day getting together to exchange information. Of course, it was accepted if there's a bit of leeway before or after the scheduled day but as expected three days is..the limit. If we were to go running now then it would end up taking another three days to reach the 7th floor. If it's you then you can do it a bit faster right?"
And said before looking at Viruhaima's face once more.
..Rescue huh...
That time {Black.Topaz} should have merged on that route. It should limit the search range quite a bit. There's roughly 200 locations you can teleport into from the 6th to the 7th floors. Among those over half of them don't lead to a monster room. There's only about 20 that lead to the northern monster room.
The location we started our route from ended up merging along the way as well so taking into consideration the time they haven't returned it should have been a location with a reasonable amount of distance. If we use our precise map then we can narrow down the teleport crystal they used to a number that can be counted one on hand and still have fingers remaining.
Certainly it's just as Basu says, if it's us then even at our normal pace we can rush into the 7th floor on the evening of the second day. If I shave off our resting periods to the limit then assuming we depart tomorrow morning I think it's possible for us to rush into the 7th floor sometime in the middle of the night. If it's just me then it would be much faster.
If we rush to clear the 7th floor(if possible then it would be more efficient to teleport into a location connected ot the northern monster room), then if we follow after the route {Black.Topaz} used from the 6th floor to clear up to the northern monster room then...
"Don't you have something to say?"
I already know the fact that you and {Black.Topaz} are allies. Though there's some words you need to say right. It's "{Please}". Also, the guide fee. We'll be moving our members as well so we won't move for free.
"Leader, it seems that Greed-kun has already seen through it. If you remain quiet for too long it'll leave a bad impression."
"Chi...If you already know about it then there's no point in hiding it any longer than this. That's right. I'm the one who sold your information to his majesty the King. Together with Reddo(Reddo.Anderson) that is."
Wh..What?!? I thought it was a bit admirable how fast that old man King picked up on information so quickly but he was even sucking the information out of the top teams, these guys! The members of the {Slaughterers} almost "unintentionally" ended up saying something.
It required a tremendous amount of willpower for me to keep my expression from moving as well. Thanks to that things in regards to the {Please} and money went flying off somewhere.
Putting that aside, I haven't done anything I would be particularly troubled be having it leaked to the King. I haven't thought about becoming enemies with him or discussed any strategies or anything with them either. It's at best what floor we've gone to or that we're earning quite a bit, or our combat strength is considerably high, it shouldn't be anymore information that. It's nothing to get angry over but it's certainly not amusing.
Kamu put her elbows on the table and stuck one of her feet out from under the table. Starting with the members who noticed that the {Slaughterers} all started glaring at Viruhaima.
Being glared at all at once Viruhaima flinched just a bit but soon after collected himself.
"Anymore than this I can't discuss until you clear out the people, it's something that can't be helped talking about it now. We'll pay 30,000,000 Z as compensation for rescuing {Black.Topaz}. However, the survival of the leader Reddo is an absolute condition and if you can't achieve that it's a reduction."
Ah, that's right. The money. Money. Well, a reduction can't be helped. The express guide fee is done under the principle that you can bring the target out of the dungeon alive after all. Viruhaima said, "This is the advance payment if you'll accept" and placed 15 gold coins in a pile on the table. How hearty.
However, I thought the distance between these two teams we close since long ago but..they were doing the same sort of things huh? Recently they've putting appeal on the fact that they're cooperating and such but in reality weren't they allies since quite a while back? Even then I feel it's a bit strange that he would suddenly throw down a large sum of money, but well I guess it's fine.
"That's fine. Miduchi, Gwine, Zulu, Giberuti, Kamu..Hmn, it seems you haven't had any alcohol so Ginger, Misu, Jeru, Rodrick. Return to your inn right away and start making preparations to enter the dungeon. I'll pay 5% of the compensation for the rescue. Gather at the entrance in one hour. Ah, Miduchi you remain together with me just like this. Sorry but Angela, Henry, Mekku, you go with Gwine to Boil Manor and pick up Miduchi and my equipment. Go ahead"
Giberuti's started scrutinizing the meal placed on his plate. There's about one days portion of food left remaining in Giberuti's room so he must be intending on bringing it along. If that wasn't the case then we'd end up having to make use of the non-daily use food in our survival kits. I still haven't made the hard biscuits.
Bel is together with Toris as they've started negotiations with the old man of Murowa to take over their remaining stock of Baldoggie.
Everyone who's name I called out other than Giberuti has long since ran off outside.
"Well then, shall we hear what you have to say? It's fine even at Elm Tree Manor."
Leaving behind the remaining members who had been drinking alcohol with slightly mortified faces we left Murowa.
.........................
After being let through into Vurihaima's room in the Elm Tree Manor, Miduchi and I heard a bit of an unexpected story.
"It's not known by very many but Reddo is an illegitimate child of the King. When the King was even younger than you are now..or around the same age I guess, she's the first child he ended up making while he was still a squire in the knight group. Since it was before he was married it would look bad for their reputation so it was never made public."
"Even though it's an illegitimate child that wasn't made public, just as expected from her being his first daughter at the same time as she became an adult it seems she was allowed to enter the second knight group but supposedly she didn't know about it until she was one step away from receiving investiture as a true knight."
"She was young at the time and I'm sure she had a rebellious spirit as well. She must have felt like she was given preferential treatment from the influence of her parents. Thanks to that she retired from the knight group right before receiving investiture and brought along the children of squires who used to serve her family since the past as they became adventurers. Such a waste~"
"For a period of time she was entering the dungeon together with me as well. During the time until she called out the squires she was familiar with she was a member of the {Verdure.Brotherhood}. Though it was only for about one year or so."
"I can't really say anything too great though because it's thanks to that the great I was able to joyously be remembered by the King and ended up becoming his dog."
"It's not particularly like we got into a fight. She just wanted to get independent all on her own."
"After she retired from the knight group it seems she was on bad terms with both the King and her family for a short while but they must have reconciled. It seems they've had a connection again since several years back."
"No matter what don't reveal this conversation. Only a small number of people know about it. I'm sure even you don't want to buy the displeasure of the King right? I don't want to end up buying his displeasure just leaving her to die either. I somehow want to save her. For that sake I'll do anything. I can lower my head as much as it's needed. I'm begging you. Please save her. It's fine even if you can't make it in time just retrieve the magic stone."
After just listening to what we could, since we're lacking in time we ended up leaving soon after. It seems that they're going to the dungeon as well. I confirmed with Miduchi afterwards that it doesn't seem to have been a lie. Furthermore, in regards to my information it seems there was a request from the King two years or so ago and he was reporting on it every time I made some sort of movement but just as expected the details weren't anything significant.
Together with Miduchi, the two of us spent a bit of time talking on the way towards the entrance plaza from Elm Tree Manor.
"Hey~ why do you like that fellow?"
"Eh? It looks like I like her?"
"Yeah. Three days ago when {Black.Topaz} entered the monster room you seemed really happy to go to their aid didn't you?"
"..Well, it's true I don't hate her."
I think there's a distance between Heaven and Earth between, "don't hate" and "pleased with" or "like" though.
That time, weren't you smiling?
"I just felt like she seemed a bit like myself in the past..She's past 30 and single after all."
What's that? The so-called sharing each other's misery? I seem to have been making a slightly strange expression. It seems Miduchi saw her overlapped with herself in the past. However, there's a mountain of people among nobles that are single past their 30s. It's because if they don't start up their own household as a new noble and remain as a sub-Noble then they can live a comfortable life without having to pay any taxes. Though it looks bad for their reputation.
Even I if I were to marry someone other than the head of some noble family(otherwise a person who was given an unofficial promise to be the head in the future) right now then I would end up as a member of the commoner social standing(If I end up the head then it would just normally bee Head of the Greed Family in name and if the other person is the head then it would be the equivalent standing) and other than the luxury tax I would end up having to pay another 10% in taxes as well. Even sister now that she's failed to get married should be aiming to become a company command of the first knight group. Since the point that she became a true knight she's a vassal of the Head of the Duke Rombert Family that is the King in both name and essence so she's guaranteed to be a commoner but if she could become a company commander then she could become a Viscount after all.
"Hey, don't make fun of her too much. It's fine if you think whatever you want if you want to pity her all on your own though."
"No way! I haven't done something like make fun of her."
"Then that's fine though."
"Princess Knight Reddo huh..She's a bit past that age though I guess..Fuhi"
"Huh? What is it? Are you envious?"
Did she admire being a princess? Though she's already at a good age, right now she's young after all~ I guess that might be the case for women.
"Hmph..I see a princess. Do you admire her? A princess is impossible but something a bit better than that is.."
"No..No that's wrong! I don't particularly admire her!"
What the, turning so red.
Wanting to be a princess, isn't that a bit cute.
It wasn't just the {Slaughterers} in the entrance plaza but the {Verdure.Brotherhood} as well. Miduchi and I started putting on our rubber protectors again since this afternoon.
"Listen well, we're doing a forced march. We'll repeat teleporting until we reach a location that's less than 10 km. Also, we aren't walking. Fundamentally you can leave all of the monsters that appear to Miduchi, Zulu, and I. Everyone else focus on protecting Giberuti and yourselves. After that, including the room bosses we won't be gathering magic stones. It's a waste of time after all. It depends on the teleport luck but we're aiming to clear each floor in one hour. We'll have a 30 minute break in the teleport room on each floor. We're making it to the 7th floor by tomorrow morning!"
Everyone other than Miduchi and Zulu was speechless. Gwine and Giberuti as well.
"Hey, what's with those faces? For what reason are you running? We said the courses on each floor are at longest 10 km right? When we doing running aren't you going a whole 20 km."
I put my hand on my hip while looking around. Putting aside Gwine, I'm sure it'll be hard for Giberuti.
"Alright, let's go!"
"""Yes!!!"""
That's a good reply.
The 3rd floor, No, I'll drag you down to the 4th floor.
When we get to around there I guess I'll reconsider it huh?
Leaving Miduchi as Zulu and I carry Gwine along ahead is also one hand we can play.
..........................
"Alright, 51 minutes. Take a 30 minute break."
There were parties taking a break in the teleport crystal room of the 1st floor but knowing full well it's shameful everyone fell over in a corner breathing heavily. The distance we covered was roughly 8 km and the current time is 9:20 pm or so.
We quite literally either completely ignored or blew away all the monsters as we forcefully broke through coming here. The moment I discovered any monsters further down the hall with Identify vision, Miduchi and I would dash(Of course, in the case when there's no traps between) to finish them off. Even if I don't use something like ice we can manage through the 1st and 2nd floors.
Around the 3rd floor putting aside the monsters in the halls, in order to deal with the room bosses I need to freeze them as well..I guess we can somehow manage with attack spells huh?
.......................................
Year 7446, Month 9, Day 10
The time is 12:30 am. The date has already changed.
Everyone doesn't seem like they can hide their excitement over clearing through to the teleport room on the 3rd floor in about four hours.
Furthermore, Giberuti ended up going down so Zulu and I took turns carrying him. Thanks to that Giberuti seems to have recovered quite a bit.
However...
"Misu, can you keep going? If it's impossible then here"I can keep going! I'm alright."
I see.
Then, I guess we'll go after a break.
I guess seeing her condition, Jeru and Rodrick gathered up their energy as well.
...
.......
And then 5:30 am after daybreak.
We arrived at the teleport room on the 5th floor.
As expected when it comes to the 4th and 5th floors it's gotten difficult to run through.
We ran through the places where zombies and such are behind the hidden doors all at once but normally it's at most walking quickly.
"That ice, it's outrageous right."
Kamu said while sighing.
"What in the world was that! It's amaz~ing!"
Jeru seemed to be tired as well but he can't hide his excitement. That's not unreasonable. In one of the altar rooms in order to confine the 8 {Silvan Wolves} that were the summoned monster I ended up creating two times the amount of ice on a level equivalent to 5.
"If you can use {Cure All} then that level.."
I made a bitter smile while saying it. As expected I've started to get pretty tired as well. There's no need to act like I've used a tremendous amount of mana.
"You should start being careful with your mana pretty soon. Isn't it getting sever already?"
Misu looks to be having a difficult time. Without even taking off her leather armor she said it while falling over into the bed.
However, one more push, those sorts of feelings are showing on her face.
"Fu..Just that much, didn't I say it was easy? It's fine."
I took off my helmet and said while removing my protectors.
Next is the 6th floor so we took turns taking showers and then had a rest for about three hours.
First we had Gwine who was severely fatigued take a shower and then had her sleep as long as she could.
Next was Jeru, Kamu, Zulu, Miduchi, me, Ginger, Giberuti, Rodrick, and Misu in that order.
"However..he's quite something.."
"Yeah, for him to have to this extent..We were almost completely useless."
"Me too..In the end I could count the number of times I used my spear.."
"The battle is already over by the time we catch up after all.."
Ginger and Kamu are grumbling.
If you ask what Rodrick is up to and I guess because of the fatigue he's been silent from start to end and up until a moment ago he was gulping down water and now he's snoring.
That's right, the {Slaughterers} first party is still impossible if you can't keep up.
Give it your best.
Author's note: (TL: Long background on Anderson not half-assed translation)
Viscount Anderson Family is a not very wealthy small territory in the North of the Kingdom but the Lord is an Elf.
Reddo.Anderson's mother was a member of the supply unit of the first knight group in those days.
The King managed to convince her into doing it by saying they wouldn't have a child because their races are different.
The mother as well thought, well whatever, and just decided to play with fire.
They were both young.
However, of all things!
Whether it be a twist of face, or the love(desire) of the two it bore fruit!
Since she ended up inheriting the blood of her father the King she was born as a human.
She even properly inherited the shape of the ears(?) so it was impossible to talk out of it.
However, it's not permitted for the next King of Rombert Kingdom to marry a woman of a different race which is hard to give birth.
Anything can be done if it was the second or third wife but at the time he was still just a squire of the first knight group and before he had received investiture so it was said to be too soon.
It's not like the King himself did it out of love either.
It's the same for the mother.
There they solved all of their problems with money.
Her family Viscount Anderson's Family was greatly pleased with this as well.
Every year they were given a considerable amount of child support.
For the time being the child that was born was named as the child of the head of the family then.
She ended up as a sisters with her mother.
Obviously, it's not very comfortable in the household.
Though that's the case, she inherited the blood of the prince(at the time) so she was given a reasonable education and thrown into the second knight group.
Of course, to the King she's his original eldest child.
By that point he had already inherited the throne so he made use of the power of the state.
He probably felt bad for treating her too badly.
After that Reddo gave it her best to reach close to a true knight.
Entering itself was something like backdoor entrance but after that was done with her own abilities.
But, before receiving investiture the King himself said, "No~ as expected of my daughter".
And with that sort of feel after asking even further...Uwa~n so it wasn't my own abilities(though it really was)! Even though my family are elves only I was a Hyumu! I thought it was strange! I heard I was adopted but I wasn't even adopted! The one I thought was just a much older sister was actually my mother(the mother ended up marrying some random Baron family's XXth son and is living carefree)! Whatever happened to the story about my parents being greatly loyal squires who passed away in the war(what her family told her)!
I'll quit! Yeah, I'll quit!! It's worst being show favoritism by that irresponsible old man!
I'll rebel and become an adventurer!
And something like that is Anderson's life story.
Year 7446, Month 9, Day 9
"And, what kind of business do you have?"
I completely reserved Murowa. I took a bit of a nap so my head feels refreshed as well.
There's several tables in the restaurant but we placed a four-person table in the center and had Viruhaima and Basu sit there, while Kamu(Kamain.Mishausu) and I sit across from them. Surrounding all of the members of the {Slaughterers} have assembled including the combat slaves.
Obviously I want everyone to put some psychological pressure on them but I harshly told them not to speak badly or move around a lot. Since I'm a noble who doesn't prefer unrefined behavior I didn't forget to tell everyone to give them a good glare on either Kamu or my sign.
Disrupting that chance partway through would be absurd.
In the first place these two would even quiet a crying child just seeing them, they're {Verdure.Brotherhoods} leader and sub-leader. Just like cheap threats don't have any effect on me it won't have any effect on them either. I'm sure what would be most effective is just completely ignoring them. Particularly, since they're aiming to catch up and overtake us {Slaughterers} if we just act like "we don't particularly care" and remain uninterested.
That's why I said to everyone, "Talk about some random stupid stories at a volume that we can just barely hear. It's no problem even if you laugh just a bit. However, don't take an attitude like you're openly making fun of them. Don't focus your interest over here. Just think we're air." Also, just in case I have Miduchi sitting in the corner while trying not to stand out as I asked her to use {Detect.Lie}. Her surroundings are fortified with Angela and the two former knight slaves.
"Gwine, why are you drinking tea? Eh? Hisu too?"
"Nn~ somehow or other. Ral why don't you stick with tea as well? Miduchi-san, please put in some ice."
"Ice tea with ice in it is delicious too right."
"Denda, Karimu. You did a good job once again this time. It's fine if you eat something with Chire in it."
""Thank you very much. Master.""
"..It's about {Black.Topaz}."
Viruhaima said.
"Could you please tell us the date and situation of the last time you met them?"
Basu supplemented him.
It's not like it's anything to hide so I honestly explained it without covering up anything. In the afternoon three days ago, that we encountered them in front of a monster room on the 7th floor. And then, soon after the combat started, because Rotto(Rosutoru.Mirusutoron) suddenly collapsed they fell into a crisis so we decided to go to their aid as we were keeping an eye on things, and I carefully explained that.
"And, what is that {Mad Treant}..What in the world is that. It even was using magic?"
"If Al-san didn't continue restraining it with {Flame Thrower} then I think it would have been difficult."
"I, hit it with a {Flame Javelin}."
"The northern monster room on the 7th floor huh..Shit, if we can't clear the 7th floor once and then go back from reverse then..Shit!!"
"So Rotto had died.."
Basu made a sad expression as he said it. Viruhaima started cursing while making a bitter expression. By the way aren't you going to eat anything?
And then, I talked about how they turned down our offer to accompany them to the teleport crystal they used to get into the 7th floor. That's right, if they had just let us accompany them then I could have taken the express guide fee right. 7th floor*7 people*100,000Z(Guide fee)*5(Express charge). Roughly 25,000,000 Z is the bare minimum line. It's equivalent to 1~2 days of our earnings on the 7th floor. It's not particularly expensive. I'm sure they can afford it.
Mu, thinking about it like this and I feel like that fee setting is considerably balanced for things around the 7th floor as well.
"Jeru, do you want to go to Rukuso later?"
"No, I'd rather not..Also, a cheap place liek Rukuso, it's almost like going to get a disease."
"Ah, after all that's the case? Last month I requested a long sword from Fuggusu Sword Merchant so I'm a bit low on funds."
"Then honestly just don't go..Ah, Misu, after this, want to go drinking for a bit?"
"Was there anyone else injured?"
Basu made a concerned expression again.
"Kaku-san and Baru-san had some light injuries, Roru-san(Roreiru.Naruzomerin) seemed to have some light bruises. It wasn't anything significant."
While I was talking, Kamu was biting into a Baldoggie with an unconcerned face and washing it down with some bean tea. I bit into a Kazotto with lots of msutard on it and drank some bean tea as well. Delicious.
"Come to think of it where did Ruttsu go?"
"Isn't it to the toilet?"
"He sure has to piss a lot right. Even today on the 4th floor~"
"Really, stop with that during a meal."
"What about Rotto's corpse? N..Nn!!..Did they just take out the magic stone?"
Viruhaima said. It seems he's a bit irritated. He started obviously coughing out loud as well.
"No, Baru-san was carrying the corpse. It seems they split up his equipment and were carrying it."
"Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?"
"Hmn, I feel a bit bad for Cathy but I want to show my face in the factory for a bit right. After hearing Miduchi-san's opinion we thought up something new together with Larry."
"Something delicious!?"
"Of course it is."
"Eh? What? A new menu? Larry, have you already eaten it?"
"No, the two of us are still in the stage of thinking about it, Ginger-san."
"Leader, wouldn't it be best to just honestly proceed with things here?"
Basu whispered into Viruhaima's ear with a slightly worried face. Since the surroundings have gotten a bit noise it seems he raised the volume of his voice a bit. I can somehow hear what they're saying.
"Oh, haven't you already gotten pretty good at using the fork and knife?"
"Fu..I can't embarrass master as the head slave, Koloil-sama."
"..Sh..Shit, to this guy..I can't accept this.."
"But leader."
"I know.."
Ihihi~ I don't really get it but watching as Viruhaima makes that mortified face and I feel pretty happy.
Well, I guess I'll leave the amusement at around here huh? Kamu was making a face as if to say not to corner them too much as well.
I used my left hand to scratch my left cheek and (the sign to be quiet) and slowly opened my mouth.
"Please relax. I haven't had any alcohol to drink, the maintenance of my equipment is perfect as well."
My voice seemed to echo strangely loud inside of Murowa that had suddenly gone deadly silent.
This time, since I thought it was necessary I forbid a few people from drinking alcohol. The ones who I felt were absolutely necessary were Miduchi and Gwine, Zulu, Giberuti, also Kamu. It doesn't even need to be mentioned for Miduchi on the end of combat strength and mana. Gwine is necessary to getting a grasp on our location in the dungeon. Zulu is my head slave after all and he has power as well. In the first place he doesn't drink. Giberuti is just a complement to Zulu taking into consideration the chance we need more manual labor so it's just better to have him though. Kamu was the leader of the former {Sun.Ray} and while it's temporary when there's no members of the {Slaughterers} joining them she acts as the leader of the {Butchers}. Also, she acts as proof that the {Slaughterers} have completely absorbed the former {Sun.Ray} and have them under our control.
"Nu..kuku, this guy..How far..Ah~ really! That's right, I'm requesting for you to save {Black.Topaz}!"
Viruhaima's face twisted as he spit out with a mortified expression.
"..Ho? Why are you requesting that from me? Is the {Verdure.Brotherhood} not planning to move? You're in a cooperative relationship with {Black.Topaz} right?"
I had predicted that it would be a request to rescue {Black.Topaz} at about a 50/50 probability but it's simply that I'm interested and I wanted to hear what kind of reason they had behind it. It's mean but the {Slaughterers} are above the {Verdure.Brotherhood} so I also felt like I wanted to have him say it as well.
".."
"Of course we intend to move as well. Greed-kun. Our preparations have already been finished. The last person who's whereabouts we didn't know Renba(Renbaru.Korumain), we just received contact that he was found in a private room at Honey Collection. After this is over we're going to the dungeon as well."
After he looked at Viruhaima who was sitting next to him with a disappointed looking face, Basu shrugged his shoulders and said. Incidentally Honey Collection is the name of a brothel that contends for the number one or two spot in Baldukk. He continued,
"We've been entering the dungeon in shifts with {Black.Topaz}. After one of us returns we always set a time to spend one day getting together to exchange information. Of course, it was accepted if there's a bit of leeway before or after the scheduled day but as expected three days is..the limit. If we were to go running now then it would end up taking another three days to reach the 7th floor. If it's you then you can do it a bit faster right?"
And said before looking at Viruhaima's face once more.
..Rescue huh...
That time {Black.Topaz} should have merged on that route. It should limit the search range quite a bit. There's roughly 200 locations you can teleport into from the 6th to the 7th floors. Among those over half of them don't lead to a monster room. There's only about 20 that lead to the northern monster room.
The location we started our route from ended up merging along the way as well so taking into consideration the time they haven't returned it should have been a location with a reasonable amount of distance. If we use our precise map then we can narrow down the teleport crystal they used to a number that can be counted one on hand and still have fingers remaining.
Certainly it's just as Basu says, if it's us then even at our normal pace we can rush into the 7th floor on the evening of the second day. If I shave off our resting periods to the limit then assuming we depart tomorrow morning I think it's possible for us to rush into the 7th floor sometime in the middle of the night. If it's just me then it would be much faster.
If we rush to clear the 7th floor(if possible then it would be more efficient to teleport into a location connected ot the northern monster room), then if we follow after the route {Black.Topaz} used from the 6th floor to clear up to the northern monster room then...
"Don't you have something to say?"
I already know the fact that you and {Black.Topaz} are allies. Though there's some words you need to say right. It's "{Please}". Also, the guide fee. We'll be moving our members as well so we won't move for free.
"Leader, it seems that Greed-kun has already seen through it. If you remain quiet for too long it'll leave a bad impression."
"Chi...If you already know about it then there's no point in hiding it any longer than this. That's right. I'm the one who sold your information to his majesty the King. Together with Reddo(Reddo.Anderson) that is."
Wh..What?!? I thought it was a bit admirable how fast that old man King picked up on information so quickly but he was even sucking the information out of the top teams, these guys! The members of the {Slaughterers} almost "unintentionally" ended up saying something.
It required a tremendous amount of willpower for me to keep my expression from moving as well. Thanks to that things in regards to the {Please} and money went flying off somewhere.
Putting that aside, I haven't done anything I would be particularly troubled be having it leaked to the King. I haven't thought about becoming enemies with him or discussed any strategies or anything with them either. It's at best what floor we've gone to or that we're earning quite a bit, or our combat strength is considerably high, it shouldn't be anymore information that. It's nothing to get angry over but it's certainly not amusing.
Kamu put her elbows on the table and stuck one of her feet out from under the table. Starting with the members who noticed that the {Slaughterers} all started glaring at Viruhaima.
Being glared at all at once Viruhaima flinched just a bit but soon after collected himself.
"Anymore than this I can't discuss until you clear out the people, it's something that can't be helped talking about it now. We'll pay 30,000,000 Z as compensation for rescuing {Black.Topaz}. However, the survival of the leader Reddo is an absolute condition and if you can't achieve that it's a reduction."
Ah, that's right. The money. Money. Well, a reduction can't be helped. The express guide fee is done under the principle that you can bring the target out of the dungeon alive after all. Viruhaima said, "This is the advance payment if you'll accept" and placed 15 gold coins in a pile on the table. How hearty.
However, I thought the distance between these two teams we close since long ago but..they were doing the same sort of things huh? Recently they've putting appeal on the fact that they're cooperating and such but in reality weren't they allies since quite a while back? Even then I feel it's a bit strange that he would suddenly throw down a large sum of money, but well I guess it's fine.
"That's fine. Miduchi, Gwine, Zulu, Giberuti, Kamu..Hmn, it seems you haven't had any alcohol so Ginger, Misu, Jeru, Rodrick. Return to your inn right away and start making preparations to enter the dungeon. I'll pay 5% of the compensation for the rescue. Gather at the entrance in one hour. Ah, Miduchi you remain together with me just like this. Sorry but Angela, Henry, Mekku, you go with Gwine to Boil Manor and pick up Miduchi and my equipment. Go ahead"
Giberuti's started scrutinizing the meal placed on his plate. There's about one days portion of food left remaining in Giberuti's room so he must be intending on bringing it along. If that wasn't the case then we'd end up having to make use of the non-daily use food in our survival kits. I still haven't made the hard biscuits.
Bel is together with Toris as they've started negotiations with the old man of Murowa to take over their remaining stock of Baldoggie.
Everyone who's name I called out other than Giberuti has long since ran off outside.
"Well then, shall we hear what you have to say? It's fine even at Elm Tree Manor."
Leaving behind the remaining members who had been drinking alcohol with slightly mortified faces we left Murowa.
.........................
After being let through into Vurihaima's room in the Elm Tree Manor, Miduchi and I heard a bit of an unexpected story.
"It's not known by very many but Reddo is an illegitimate child of the King. When the King was even younger than you are now..or around the same age I guess, she's the first child he ended up making while he was still a squire in the knight group. Since it was before he was married it would look bad for their reputation so it was never made public."
"Even though it's an illegitimate child that wasn't made public, just as expected from her being his first daughter at the same time as she became an adult it seems she was allowed to enter the second knight group but supposedly she didn't know about it until she was one step away from receiving investiture as a true knight."
"She was young at the time and I'm sure she had a rebellious spirit as well. She must have felt like she was given preferential treatment from the influence of her parents. Thanks to that she retired from the knight group right before receiving investiture and brought along the children of squires who used to serve her family since the past as they became adventurers. Such a waste~"
"For a period of time she was entering the dungeon together with me as well. During the time until she called out the squires she was familiar with she was a member of the {Verdure.Brotherhood}. Though it was only for about one year or so."
"I can't really say anything too great though because it's thanks to that the great I was able to joyously be remembered by the King and ended up becoming his dog."
"It's not particularly like we got into a fight. She just wanted to get independent all on her own."
"After she retired from the knight group it seems she was on bad terms with both the King and her family for a short while but they must have reconciled. It seems they've had a connection again since several years back."
"No matter what don't reveal this conversation. Only a small number of people know about it. I'm sure even you don't want to buy the displeasure of the King right? I don't want to end up buying his displeasure just leaving her to die either. I somehow want to save her. For that sake I'll do anything. I can lower my head as much as it's needed. I'm begging you. Please save her. It's fine even if you can't make it in time just retrieve the magic stone."
After just listening to what we could, since we're lacking in time we ended up leaving soon after. It seems that they're going to the dungeon as well. I confirmed with Miduchi afterwards that it doesn't seem to have been a lie. Furthermore, in regards to my information it seems there was a request from the King two years or so ago and he was reporting on it every time I made some sort of movement but just as expected the details weren't anything significant.
Together with Miduchi, the two of us spent a bit of time talking on the way towards the entrance plaza from Elm Tree Manor.
"Hey~ why do you like that fellow?"
"Eh? It looks like I like her?"
"Yeah. Three days ago when {Black.Topaz} entered the monster room you seemed really happy to go to their aid didn't you?"
"..Well, it's true I don't hate her."
I think there's a distance between Heaven and Earth between, "don't hate" and "pleased with" or "like" though.
That time, weren't you smiling?
"I just felt like she seemed a bit like myself in the past..She's past 30 and single after all."
What's that? The so-called sharing each other's misery? I seem to have been making a slightly strange expression. It seems Miduchi saw her overlapped with herself in the past. However, there's a mountain of people among nobles that are single past their 30s. It's because if they don't start up their own household as a new noble and remain as a sub-Noble then they can live a comfortable life without having to pay any taxes. Though it looks bad for their reputation.
Even I if I were to marry someone other than the head of some noble family(otherwise a person who was given an unofficial promise to be the head in the future) right now then I would end up as a member of the commoner social standing(If I end up the head then it would just normally bee Head of the Greed Family in name and if the other person is the head then it would be the equivalent standing) and other than the luxury tax I would end up having to pay another 10% in taxes as well. Even sister now that she's failed to get married should be aiming to become a company command of the first knight group. Since the point that she became a true knight she's a vassal of the Head of the Duke Rombert Family that is the King in both name and essence so she's guaranteed to be a commoner but if she could become a company commander then she could become a Viscount after all.
"Hey, don't make fun of her too much. It's fine if you think whatever you want if you want to pity her all on your own though."
"No way! I haven't done something like make fun of her."
"Then that's fine though."
"Princess Knight Reddo huh..She's a bit past that age though I guess..Fuhi"
"Huh? What is it? Are you envious?"
Did she admire being a princess? Though she's already at a good age, right now she's young after all~ I guess that might be the case for women.
"Hmph..I see a princess. Do you admire her? A princess is impossible but something a bit better than that is.."
"No..No that's wrong! I don't particularly admire her!"
What the, turning so red.
Wanting to be a princess, isn't that a bit cute.
It wasn't just the {Slaughterers} in the entrance plaza but the {Verdure.Brotherhood} as well. Miduchi and I started putting on our rubber protectors again since this afternoon.
"Listen well, we're doing a forced march. We'll repeat teleporting until we reach a location that's less than 10 km. Also, we aren't walking. Fundamentally you can leave all of the monsters that appear to Miduchi, Zulu, and I. Everyone else focus on protecting Giberuti and yourselves. After that, including the room bosses we won't be gathering magic stones. It's a waste of time after all. It depends on the teleport luck but we're aiming to clear each floor in one hour. We'll have a 30 minute break in the teleport room on each floor. We're making it to the 7th floor by tomorrow morning!"
Everyone other than Miduchi and Zulu was speechless. Gwine and Giberuti as well.
"Hey, what's with those faces? For what reason are you running? We said the courses on each floor are at longest 10 km right? When we doing running aren't you going a whole 20 km."
I put my hand on my hip while looking around. Putting aside Gwine, I'm sure it'll be hard for Giberuti.
"Alright, let's go!"
"""Yes!!!"""
That's a good reply.
The 3rd floor, No, I'll drag you down to the 4th floor.
When we get to around there I guess I'll reconsider it huh?
Leaving Miduchi as Zulu and I carry Gwine along ahead is also one hand we can play.
..........................
"Alright, 51 minutes. Take a 30 minute break."
There were parties taking a break in the teleport crystal room of the 1st floor but knowing full well it's shameful everyone fell over in a corner breathing heavily. The distance we covered was roughly 8 km and the current time is 9:20 pm or so.
We quite literally either completely ignored or blew away all the monsters as we forcefully broke through coming here. The moment I discovered any monsters further down the hall with Identify vision, Miduchi and I would dash(Of course, in the case when there's no traps between) to finish them off. Even if I don't use something like ice we can manage through the 1st and 2nd floors.
Around the 3rd floor putting aside the monsters in the halls, in order to deal with the room bosses I need to freeze them as well..I guess we can somehow manage with attack spells huh?
.......................................
Year 7446, Month 9, Day 10
The time is 12:30 am. The date has already changed.
Everyone doesn't seem like they can hide their excitement over clearing through to the teleport room on the 3rd floor in about four hours.
Furthermore, Giberuti ended up going down so Zulu and I took turns carrying him. Thanks to that Giberuti seems to have recovered quite a bit.
However...
"Misu, can you keep going? If it's impossible then here"I can keep going! I'm alright."
I see.
Then, I guess we'll go after a break.
I guess seeing her condition, Jeru and Rodrick gathered up their energy as well.
...
.......
And then 5:30 am after daybreak.
We arrived at the teleport room on the 5th floor.
As expected when it comes to the 4th and 5th floors it's gotten difficult to run through.
We ran through the places where zombies and such are behind the hidden doors all at once but normally it's at most walking quickly.
"That ice, it's outrageous right."
Kamu said while sighing.
"What in the world was that! It's amaz~ing!"
Jeru seemed to be tired as well but he can't hide his excitement. That's not unreasonable. In one of the altar rooms in order to confine the 8 {Silvan Wolves} that were the summoned monster I ended up creating two times the amount of ice on a level equivalent to 5.
"If you can use {Cure All} then that level.."
I made a bitter smile while saying it. As expected I've started to get pretty tired as well. There's no need to act like I've used a tremendous amount of mana.
"You should start being careful with your mana pretty soon. Isn't it getting sever already?"
Misu looks to be having a difficult time. Without even taking off her leather armor she said it while falling over into the bed.
However, one more push, those sorts of feelings are showing on her face.
"Fu..Just that much, didn't I say it was easy? It's fine."
I took off my helmet and said while removing my protectors.
Next is the 6th floor so we took turns taking showers and then had a rest for about three hours.
First we had Gwine who was severely fatigued take a shower and then had her sleep as long as she could.
Next was Jeru, Kamu, Zulu, Miduchi, me, Ginger, Giberuti, Rodrick, and Misu in that order.
"However..he's quite something.."
"Yeah, for him to have to this extent..We were almost completely useless."
"Me too..In the end I could count the number of times I used my spear.."
"The battle is already over by the time we catch up after all.."
Ginger and Kamu are grumbling.
If you ask what Rodrick is up to and I guess because of the fatigue he's been silent from start to end and up until a moment ago he was gulping down water and now he's snoring.
That's right, the {Slaughterers} first party is still impossible if you can't keep up.
Give it your best.
Author's note: (TL: Long background on Anderson not half-assed translation)
Viscount Anderson Family is a not very wealthy small territory in the North of the Kingdom but the Lord is an Elf.
Reddo.Anderson's mother was a member of the supply unit of the first knight group in those days.
The King managed to convince her into doing it by saying they wouldn't have a child because their races are different.
The mother as well thought, well whatever, and just decided to play with fire.
They were both young.
However, of all things!
Whether it be a twist of face, or the love(desire) of the two it bore fruit!
Since she ended up inheriting the blood of her father the King she was born as a human.
She even properly inherited the shape of the ears(?) so it was impossible to talk out of it.
However, it's not permitted for the next King of Rombert Kingdom to marry a woman of a different race which is hard to give birth.
Anything can be done if it was the second or third wife but at the time he was still just a squire of the first knight group and before he had received investiture so it was said to be too soon.
It's not like the King himself did it out of love either.
It's the same for the mother.
There they solved all of their problems with money.
Her family Viscount Anderson's Family was greatly pleased with this as well.
Every year they were given a considerable amount of child support.
For the time being the child that was born was named as the child of the head of the family then.
She ended up as a sisters with her mother.
Obviously, it's not very comfortable in the household.
Though that's the case, she inherited the blood of the prince(at the time) so she was given a reasonable education and thrown into the second knight group.
Of course, to the King she's his original eldest child.
By that point he had already inherited the throne so he made use of the power of the state.
He probably felt bad for treating her too badly.
After that Reddo gave it her best to reach close to a true knight.
Entering itself was something like backdoor entrance but after that was done with her own abilities.
But, before receiving investiture the King himself said, "No~ as expected of my daughter".
And with that sort of feel after asking even further...Uwa~n so it wasn't my own abilities(though it really was)! Even though my family are elves only I was a Hyumu! I thought it was strange! I heard I was adopted but I wasn't even adopted! The one I thought was just a much older sister was actually my mother(the mother ended up marrying some random Baron family's XXth son and is living carefree)! Whatever happened to the story about my parents being greatly loyal squires who passed away in the war(what her family told her)!
I'll quit! Yeah, I'll quit!! It's worst being show favoritism by that irresponsible old man!
I'll rebel and become an adventurer!
And something like that is Anderson's life story.
