Year 7442, Month 10, Day 25
Now, it's the 2nd floor. Since we were able to take a 30 minute or so break in the teleport room in the end it was just right.
"Al. That ice monster is referring to you right?"
"Al-san, isn't that ice monster you?"
""Master, isn't master that ice monster?""
"Al(abbreviated)"
Ah, after all? As a matter of fact I was thinking that might be the case as well.
"But, there's one on the 5th floor right? An ice lizard. It's big that we were able to get some information we don't know."
"Don't try to cover it up."
"He tried to cover it up."
""Yes, he did try to cover it up."
"He tried to(abbreviated)"
"What is it, it's not like I've particularly caused any trouble to anyone so isn't it fine. Also Ralpha, stop abbreviating it as you please."
Really, this girl...
"Now, rather than that it's the 2nd floor. Let's remain cautious as we go."
And, before that maybe I'll try asking Angela.
I wonder if she knew that the surroundings of the teleport crystal room were a safe area?
No, if I remember correctly she shouldn't have only made it to the 2nd floor. There's probably a low possibility that she knew~
..I guess it's fine, I wouldn't like it if it seemed like I was criticizing her after all.
And Anderson said it as well but Black Topaz was just camping in the teleport room of the 1st floor because they got there in the middle of the night.
Even though we've gone to the 2nd floor countless times to far we've never met anyone camping in the teleport room of the 1st floor before.
Most likely it's probably common sense for adventurers who've achieved above a certain level.
We just haven't reached that level yet I'm sure.
"For the time being, let's confirm our current location."
We investigate what's beyond the symbol on the teleport crystal pedestal..62 huh? It's here.
We all put heads together and searched for number 62 on the map and found our current location.
It's necessary to pass through four rooms to get to the 3rd floor in the shortest distance.
Well, that should be fine.
After I nodded and Zenom started advancing while hitting the floor with the pole. Immediately Zulu lined up by his side, Angela is behind Zenom, and Ralpha is behind Zulu. Bel and I are remaining cautious of the rear at the end.
1 Green Gargantuan Leech, 24 Red Slimes, 2 Owlbears, we crushed the room bosses one after another while collecting the magic stones. There's still one roughly one person talking about the ice monster but it's not like it's particularly troubling anyone so it doesn't matter at all...We should be pretty close to the final room soon. While relying on Bel's hearing we slowly move forward. According to Bel it seems that there's several creatures-like things that have multiple legs. Angela says she smells the scent of a beast different from Orks and Goblins as well.
If we turn right at that corner and the large room should be right away.
First we need to confirm the appearance of the enemy.
After I told everyone not to move, I quietly put my head out from the wall peaking into the room.
It's there.
It's something with long hair and two curved horns sticking from the sides of it's head almost like a Muskox.
When I tried Identifying it and it seems it's called Roze.
There's..6 in all huh?
Their level isn't particularly amazing and they don't seem to have any sort of special skill either.
After opening the sub-window and it seems that they're a monster that doesn't like light and prefers to live in caves.
They'll probably charge in and attack with those horns.
Now then, I wonder what we should do.
If there was even less of them then it would have been fine to let my subordinates fight.
But there's 6 of them after all~
And if they're just as they look like Muskox then you should be able to gather perfume from the males but the fur itself should be worth even more than that.
If just as the name says they're cows then the meat should be edible as well.
Or rather if you could make them into livestock wouldn't you make some insane profits?
One cow is even worth 6,000,000 - 8,000,000 Z (6-8 gold coins).
I somehow want to try and capture them.
..Impossible huh?
There's no way a cow could hold on to the teleport crystal rod.
However, even just the leather you can obtain from a Muskox should be worth a fortune.
Or to be more exact the fur.
Different from Bakuddo, since it seems that the winters in Baldukk get considerably cold so I think it can sell for a good price.
In my past life I once gave Miki a stupidly luxurious muffler made of 56% qiviut material made from the fur of a Muskox for her birthday present but it cost close to 300,000 yen.
Even in the worst case it can't be sold for a high price on Orth then it's soft and warm so I'm sure we could make some town-use gloves and mufflers for Bel and Ralpha as well.
If it comes to that then you guys pay for the cost of spinning and sewing it.
Ah, since these two are young they might not know about qiviut.
What a waste~
Well, it's not guaranteed that Roze are Muskoxen though.
Since that's been decided I need to kill them without damaging their bodies as much as possible.
I guess I'll go with freezing their lower bodies, or rather legs?
I made it so the Roze couldn't move after freezing 50 cm of the ground in the room and said to kill them by just hitting them in the head while showing an example.
After this I'll remove the ice with magic again and then we'll peel off the leather. I'm sure it'll take a tremendous amount of time but it can't be helped. It took us about 1 hour per with three people doing the job to peel off the leathers. We're covered in blood and stink but it can't be helped.
After we finished removing the leather and took the magic stones I tried cutting a fillet like portion of the inner pelvis meat and identified it, it came up as "Tenderloin of Roze".
Since it seems to be harmless I tried cooking it with fire magic.
Since I don't have any salt or pepper I did feel it was a bit strange but after cooking it and it let off a good smell.
This is bad, I shouldn't have cooked it so casually.
It would suck if other monsters were drawn by this smell.
Ralpha is looking over here like she wants it.
I guess it's better than the monsters learned by the smell?
After asking if she wants a bite, and she delightfully started biting into it.
Hey, I said a bite!?
Stop eating all of it!
However, even without any salt or seasonings, and even more so not letting it mature and it still is pretty good.
Then I guess we should bring it all with us. We can get a 2kg or so fillet from each one of them. The stomach meat that's like ribs is...well I guess it's fine.
Zulu was just staring at the bowel like innards. Does he want to eat the internal organs as expected from the cat family? But there should be shit inside of that. You should stop.
When I thought that I far I realized..huh?
Come to think of it, what do the monsters inside of the dungeon eat?
The corpses of other monsters?
However, the Roze should be herbivorous, or rather it seems that they're eating moss so it should be fine, but what in the world are Orks and Hobgoblins eating?
Cannibalism?
Do they last with just that?
What about reproduction?
I've never seen something like a baby ork or goblin in the dungeon...
There's countless areas in the 1st and 2nd floors which aren't connected to anywhere as well..
What in the world?
I might need to seriously spend some time in a room on the 1st floor to investigate this. It's fine for now though.
After tying up the leathers we peeled off and having Zulu and Angela hold them and,
"There shouldn't be any rooms up until the teleport room to the 3rd floor beyond here. Let's go that far and then take a rest. There shouldn't even be another 1km."
After saying that I took the pole from Zenom and after standing at the lead I proceeded while hitting the floor.
..........
Along the way a group of 12 gnolls only appeared once but without even using magic we sweeped them away and after gathering the magic stones continued ahead.
We should arrive at the teleport room to the 3rd floor soon.
Bel is saying she hears the talking voices of a number of people.
Before long we heard them as well.
In the small room (just compared to the rooms which boss monsters are using as a nest) of about 30 m in every direction where the teleport crystal is there were a total of about 40 adventurers resting.
The time should be about 7 in the afternoon.
Since we came afterwards we put on a sociable smile while taking a seat along an open wall to rest for a moment. Angela and Zulu stood out because of the leathers they were carrying but it can't be helped.
I wonder if there's a different top team other than Black Topaz in here?
Since I was interested I tried using Identify on a few people of each group that appeared to be the leaders but most of their levels were at best the same as mine. There probably aren't any.
I put hot water into my flask and after putting some dried meat with a lot of pepper on it in, it turned into instant soup.
We all drank the soup while taking a break for about an hour.
After that we confirmed our equipment to make sure there was nothing unusual. We weren't able to find any problems.
Then, for the time being, let's take a look at the 3rd floor for today and then head back?
After I said that everyone stood up and approached the teleport crystal rod.
While being watched by the resting adventurers we teleported to the 3rd floor.
.............
Just as I had heard the 3rd floor was completely different from the 1st and 2nd floors we've explored until now.
I can't see any large difference in the teleport crystal rod or the pedestal it's on but the floor, walls, and ceiling have all changed to what's clearly artificially made stone.
Just, I don't know if it's just here but it all seems to be lightly giving off light.
If you pay attention as you look then you'll notice it but the light is strongest extending out around where each person is standing. From there the brightness of light gradually fades until it gets to 30-40 m ahead where the has dropped to the point of being unable to see. I'm sure if you enter the room then the floor and ceiling where you're standing start to give off the brightest light. If you start to approach the wall then the light gives off more light as well.
It seems we teleported into the center of a wall passage with a width of around 10 m.
I had already heard about it and knew of it as information, but everyone is strangely touching the white walls.
The surface of the stone has been smoothed out almost like the surface of stone walls on a Japanese castle.
Since the floor is the same if you were to fall over or be sent flying by a monster you might seriously hurt yourself.
All of the members other than me who aren't using lower body armor might have to prepare themselves for a lot of scrapes and bruises. Since they're wearing pants it's not guaranteed but even then I'm sure it'll hurt quite a bit. We need to be careful about it.
After looking around the passage and since it didn't seem like we would suddenly be attacked I opened my mouth.
"Now then, Angela, we've come to the 3rd floor within two months of buying the 2nd floor map. Without losing a single member. I said it before but let me hear your thoughts."
I make sure to be careful not to use a tone of voice like I'm criticizing her as I, huh? Putting aside my tone of voice aren't I still criticizing her? Well, I guess it's fine even if I am criticizing her though.
Although it's a bit pitiful to criticize her.
I guess it already doesn't matter.
"Even though I say that, I'm not particularly criticize you or trying to force you to say something. Since you're my slave, match your way of thinking and values with mine. That's your duty right? It's fine as long as you understand that."
I said it as kindly as possible.
After Angela heard the first thing I said her expression stiffened up a bit ut she relaxed after hearing my next line.
"Strangers are strangers, we are us. Just like you said time is more valuable than money. But, probably but, I think among the adventurers in Baldukk we arrived at the 3rd floor considerably fast. In other words, we're already shortening our time compared to other parties. It seems they normally say that you finally make it the 3rd floor around 2-3 years after you've started exploring right?
It's true I'm not in possession of that much money right now but you understand that it's the same as if we bought the several years other parties end up spending right?
..Alright. I'll try asking your way of thinking from here on out as well. On those instances just honestly respond to me what you were thinking or feeling. Whenever my way of thinking and values are different I'll tell you. It's fine if you just match up with me on those occasions. I'm not saying you need to change all of your values and way of thinking from the start to match up with mine. It's fine with just the portion that I point out. You're my slave and not a puppet. Is that clear?"
After quietly listening to my long speech Angela remained quiet as she lowered her head to me.
It's not like I particularly paid money because I was in a hurry though.
It's pretty unrelated to why I have not much money.
Ah, I guess if you think of it as being because I bought the maps with teleport locations and just that cost a fortune on its own, though the efficiency in clearing the 2nd floor is completely different thanks to that so I guess it's not incorrect to say I bought time with money huh?
"Then, since it's about a good time, let's head back and get something to eat? Today let's eat some of the beef from just now."
I said that cheerfully to try and shake off the weird atmosphere it had become while grabbing the crystal rod.
"The meat just now, was it good?"
Zenom asked Ralpha while grabbing the crystal rod. After all an old-man's wisdom is better than a tortoise shell*.
Thanks for that.
"Yeah, it was pretty good."
Ralpha grabbed the crystal rod while responding to that. I'm still reducing your portion for how much you ate.
"I haven't eaten beef before. I'm looking forward to it."
Zulu joined the conversation while grabbing the crystal rod. Eat a lot.
"Since you can't normally eat beef. I haven't eaten any either."
Bel says that as well while grabbing the crystal rod. I've never eaten it on Orth either. The cattle we bought at my house still haven't died after all. One of the horses my father owned was about to die right when it was time for me to leave the house, so as a matter of fact it was a regret of mine that I couldn't eat that.
"..Umm, I'm sorry about that..Because of m.."It's fine, you already understand right. Don't worry about it, now, let's go "Henruichi.""
We returned to the teleport room of the 2nd floor were were just in.
Even though we just went to the 3rd floor and came back right away but we weren't particularly given any strange looks.
If you end up teleporting to an unexplored region that's not on the map, if there's far too many boss rooms to the teleport room, or in the first place if it's not even connected to the teleport room, then it's pretty common to go back to the last floor like this. Well, we're returning though.
After everyone grabbed the teleport crystal rod on the 2nd floor again and I used the exclusive chant in the center of it.
"Return us."
We were teleported again to the teleport crystal on the 1st floor.
What was just a lively spectacle with several dozen people changed to something empty.
When you return across floors your posture is the same as when you were holding the crystal rod and you're teleported to somewhere in the central room of the next floor up.
Obviously, it's to a reasonably open area where there's no one else around.
Since the direction of our bodies changed we confirm our surroundings and need to grab on the toe crystal rod in the center of the room once again.
It's said to be that way out of consideration so people don't get teleported overlapping with another group that is preparing to teleport to the next floor.
I don't know if that's true or not though.
..I guess Black Topaz is already gone.
And once more.
"Return us."
Even though were just on the 3rd floor a moment ago, we're in one of the small rooms on the side of the teleport room at the entrance in no time at all.
After leaving the building it was a night which let's you feel the end of October and as expected it's gotten a bit chilly out.
I wonder if it would be better not to sell the qivuit~
Since the leather from the Roze is a hindrance and it stinks we need to do something about the leather, rather fur before dinner.
However, the time is already late. Even we go to a shop that does spinning they're probably already closed.
Since it can't be helped I had just Zulu and Angela return ahead to their inn to leave the luggage.
They're still staying at Shuni.
It's reasonably cheap and a low level inn so they probably won't even complain if they bring in some unprocessed fur.
It's not like there's no worries about ti being stolen but I feel like with fleas and all that no one would want to steal some dirty fur.
Well even if it gets stolen it would be disappointing if you call it that but it's not particularly fatal so it can't be helped worrying too much about it.
I brought the remaining members and went to the restaurant we always eat dinner. We cut up the meat and split it between us so there's no problem.
After entering the restaurant and it cost 1,000 Z to bring in your own meat (1 large copper coin) but since they'll cook the Roze fillet with salt and seasonings, I waited while drooling for my first fillet steak in a while.
Since it's my long awaited fillet it would be best rare but since I don't know for sure if that'll be good for the time being I ordered it around medium.
It seems that my detailed instructions on the cooking methods weren't conveyed and in the end it felt one step before well-done.
It would have cost a bit but maybe it would have been better to go to Doruleon?
Well, we still have a decent amount remaining so it's not like we're going to eat it all today.
I guess it's fine if we go to Doruleon after tomorrow.
I still had some complains about the way it was cooked but the Roze fillet was delicious.
Hmn, even for monsters the delicious ones are delicious.
I remember the Horned Bear.
If I think carefully about it then I feel like the Horned Bear should have been stronger but it's not like I'm completely dissatisfied with the Roze fillet.
"This is good."
"After all it's more delicious with salt and seasonings."
"It's soft and delicious."
"This is..It's good isn't it.."
"It's my first time eating meat this delicious."
Ohh~ eat more, even more. Since we have a lot of it.
It's even understandable how Ralpha was just eating meat without saying to eat some cabbage.
If it was going to be like this then maybe we should have brought as much of the meat as we could hold.
Between the six of us we finished off three fillets, we consumed close to 3 kg of it.
The one who ate the most was Zulu though.
Since our stomachs are all full we split up.
Normally I would return to the inn together with Zenom and the others but today I carried the fillet meat heading towards Doruleon.
It's because I thought it would be best to let it mature at a high-end restaurant.
After paying at Doruleon (it cost 20,000 Z even), and leaving the meat with them I returned to the inn, as expected I was tired so after taking a quick shower I quickly laid down.
After all, I've got to get up early tomorrow.
Ah..since we were in the dungeon from morning until night, I didn't do my running...
It can't be helped, it's annoying but I guess I'll go for a run.
After changing and when I was about to leave the inn I was called out to from above.
It's from the window of Bel's room, she and Ralpha were looking outside at me.
What is it, since we're going to be up early tomorrow, go to sleep already.
The two of them beckoned me.
It~can't~be helped, really.
After I went to Bel's room and Ralpha was sitting on one of the two chairs while Bel was sitting on the bed. After I pulled out the remaining chair and sat down Bel opened her mouth.
"Al-san. I want to talk for a bit but.."
Hn? Japanese?
Judging off her expression it doesn't seem to be something serious, but what is it?
Even though I look like this I'm pretty busy.
No, I'm not particularly busy though.
"What is it?"
"Umm you know, recently I've talked about it with Bel but there's something that I don't know so I want you to teach me about it."
Ralpha said that. It sounds a bit serious. Is it about magic?
"What?"
"It's about Al-san's objective. Today, when were in the teleport room of the 1st floor you told that person in Black topaz right? Since we have some circumstances we're in a bit of a hurry. I thought, what are those circumstances, but since you talked to Maruso when descended to the 3rd floor, I remembered, ah, the circumstances were your promise to her...but was it just that?"
Bel said that.
It's true that the circumstances I mentioned to Anderson were about Angela.
However..I guess that means they realized I have reasons other than that to be in hurry?
While I'm remaining silent and this time Ralpha started talking.
"Honestly speaking, even without us I think that Al can make it pretty far into the dungeon...That's true right? That's why, I've been thinking about it for a long time now. Then, why are you paying us money to come along with you? And why did you pay so much money to buy Zulu and Maruso as well?"
".."
"And, you told us quite a bit of information as well right? Recently you've even been training us. You've taught us magic as well. I'm truly grateful because I decided to wait for him in this town. If I'm together with Al-san then there's almost no danger of dying and I can earn a lot of money. But, what does Al-san gain from this?"
I guess so~ It's been about five months since I started teaming up with them, I guess it's already close to half a year huh?
It's a bit longer for Ralpha though, well it's not a big difference. If you think about it normally, then I guess you would wonder what kind of charity this is.
"Hmn, it's true I have a goal. In the short term I want to hit it big in the dungeon of Baldukk. Well, I still expect it to take a number of years even then though. That's why I think there's a high probability that I'll remain here for several years."
I'm sure they won't be smoothed over with just saying this.
".."
".."
"What I said just now was true. And I've said it before but Ralpha and Bel are reincarnated people. Since it's easier for reincarnated people to get physically strong"Can we not be trusted that much?"
"..I don't have any particular intention of hiding it. Probably if I say it and after you two hear that even if you were to tell someone about it they shouldn't be of any harm to me..Probably at least...I did intend to talk about it eventually."
Year 7442, Month 10, Day 25
Now, it's the 2nd floor. Since we were able to take a 30 minute or so break in the teleport room in the end it was just right.
"Al. That ice monster is referring to you right?"
"Al-san, isn't that ice monster you?"
""Master, isn't master that ice monster?""
"Al(abbreviated)"
Ah, after all? As a matter of fact I was thinking that might be the case as well.
"But, there's one on the 5th floor right? An ice lizard. It's big that we were able to get some information we don't know."
"Don't try to cover it up."
"He tried to cover it up."
""Yes, he did try to cover it up."
"He tried to(abbreviated)"
"What is it, it's not like I've particularly caused any trouble to anyone so isn't it fine. Also Ralpha, stop abbreviating it as you please."
Really, this girl...
"Now, rather than that it's the 2nd floor. Let's remain cautious as we go."
And, before that maybe I'll try asking Angela.
I wonder if she knew that the surroundings of the teleport crystal room were a safe area?
No, if I remember correctly she shouldn't have only made it to the 2nd floor. There's probably a low possibility that she knew~
..I guess it's fine, I wouldn't like it if it seemed like I was criticizing her after all.
And Anderson said it as well but Black Topaz was just camping in the teleport room of the 1st floor because they got there in the middle of the night.
Even though we've gone to the 2nd floor countless times to far we've never met anyone camping in the teleport room of the 1st floor before.
Most likely it's probably common sense for adventurers who've achieved above a certain level.
We just haven't reached that level yet I'm sure.
"For the time being, let's confirm our current location."
We investigate what's beyond the symbol on the teleport crystal pedestal..62 huh? It's here.
We all put heads together and searched for number 62 on the map and found our current location.
It's necessary to pass through four rooms to get to the 3rd floor in the shortest distance.
Well, that should be fine.
After I nodded and Zenom started advancing while hitting the floor with the pole. Immediately Zulu lined up by his side, Angela is behind Zenom, and Ralpha is behind Zulu. Bel and I are remaining cautious of the rear at the end.
1 Green Gargantuan Leech, 24 Red Slimes, 2 Owlbears, we crushed the room bosses one after another while collecting the magic stones. There's still one roughly one person talking about the ice monster but it's not like it's particularly troubling anyone so it doesn't matter at all...We should be pretty close to the final room soon. While relying on Bel's hearing we slowly move forward. According to Bel it seems that there's several creatures-like things that have multiple legs. Angela says she smells the scent of a beast different from Orks and Goblins as well.
If we turn right at that corner and the large room should be right away.
First we need to confirm the appearance of the enemy.
After I told everyone not to move, I quietly put my head out from the wall peaking into the room.
It's there.
It's something with long hair and two curved horns sticking from the sides of it's head almost like a Muskox.
When I tried Identifying it and it seems it's called Roze.
There's..6 in all huh?
Their level isn't particularly amazing and they don't seem to have any sort of special skill either.
After opening the sub-window and it seems that they're a monster that doesn't like light and prefers to live in caves.
They'll probably charge in and attack with those horns.
Now then, I wonder what we should do.
If there was even less of them then it would have been fine to let my subordinates fight.
But there's 6 of them after all~
And if they're just as they look like Muskox then you should be able to gather perfume from the males but the fur itself should be worth even more than that.
If just as the name says they're cows then the meat should be edible as well.
Or rather if you could make them into livestock wouldn't you make some insane profits?
One cow is even worth 6,000,000 - 8,000,000 Z (6-8 gold coins).
I somehow want to try and capture them.
..Impossible huh?
There's no way a cow could hold on to the teleport crystal rod.
However, even just the leather you can obtain from a Muskox should be worth a fortune.
Or to be more exact the fur.
Different from Bakuddo, since it seems that the winters in Baldukk get considerably cold so I think it can sell for a good price.
In my past life I once gave Miki a stupidly luxurious muffler made of 56% qiviut material made from the fur of a Muskox for her birthday present but it cost close to 300,000 yen.
Even in the worst case it can't be sold for a high price on Orth then it's soft and warm so I'm sure we could make some town-use gloves and mufflers for Bel and Ralpha as well.
If it comes to that then you guys pay for the cost of spinning and sewing it.
Ah, since these two are young they might not know about qiviut.
What a waste~
Well, it's not guaranteed that Roze are Muskoxen though.
Since that's been decided I need to kill them without damaging their bodies as much as possible.
I guess I'll go with freezing their lower bodies, or rather legs?
I made it so the Roze couldn't move after freezing 50 cm of the ground in the room and said to kill them by just hitting them in the head while showing an example.
After this I'll remove the ice with magic again and then we'll peel off the leather. I'm sure it'll take a tremendous amount of time but it can't be helped. It took us about 1 hour per with three people doing the job to peel off the leathers. We're covered in blood and stink but it can't be helped.
After we finished removing the leather and took the magic stones I tried cutting a fillet like portion of the inner pelvis meat and identified it, it came up as "Tenderloin of Roze".
Since it seems to be harmless I tried cooking it with fire magic.
Since I don't have any salt or pepper I did feel it was a bit strange but after cooking it and it let off a good smell.
This is bad, I shouldn't have cooked it so casually.
It would suck if other monsters were drawn by this smell.
Ralpha is looking over here like she wants it.
I guess it's better than the monsters learned by the smell?
After asking if she wants a bite, and she delightfully started biting into it.
Hey, I said a bite!?
Stop eating all of it!
However, even without any salt or seasonings, and even more so not letting it mature and it still is pretty good.
Then I guess we should bring it all with us. We can get a 2kg or so fillet from each one of them. The stomach meat that's like ribs is...well I guess it's fine.
Zulu was just staring at the bowel like innards. Does he want to eat the internal organs as expected from the cat family? But there should be shit inside of that. You should stop.
When I thought that I far I realized..huh?
Come to think of it, what do the monsters inside of the dungeon eat?
The corpses of other monsters?
However, the Roze should be herbivorous, or rather it seems that they're eating moss so it should be fine, but what in the world are Orks and Hobgoblins eating?
Cannibalism?
Do they last with just that?
What about reproduction?
I've never seen something like a baby ork or goblin in the dungeon...
There's countless areas in the 1st and 2nd floors which aren't connected to anywhere as well..
What in the world?
I might need to seriously spend some time in a room on the 1st floor to investigate this. It's fine for now though.
After tying up the leathers we peeled off and having Zulu and Angela hold them and,
"There shouldn't be any rooms up until the teleport room to the 3rd floor beyond here. Let's go that far and then take a rest. There shouldn't even be another 1km."
After saying that I took the pole from Zenom and after standing at the lead I proceeded while hitting the floor.
..........
Along the way a group of 12 gnolls only appeared once but without even using magic we sweeped them away and after gathering the magic stones continued ahead.
We should arrive at the teleport room to the 3rd floor soon.
Bel is saying she hears the talking voices of a number of people.
Before long we heard them as well.
In the small room (just compared to the rooms which boss monsters are using as a nest) of about 30 m in every direction where the teleport crystal is there were a total of about 40 adventurers resting.
The time should be about 7 in the afternoon.
Since we came afterwards we put on a sociable smile while taking a seat along an open wall to rest for a moment. Angela and Zulu stood out because of the leathers they were carrying but it can't be helped.
I wonder if there's a different top team other than Black Topaz in here?
Since I was interested I tried using Identify on a few people of each group that appeared to be the leaders but most of their levels were at best the same as mine. There probably aren't any.
I put hot water into my flask and after putting some dried meat with a lot of pepper on it in, it turned into instant soup.
We all drank the soup while taking a break for about an hour.
After that we confirmed our equipment to make sure there was nothing unusual. We weren't able to find any problems.
Then, for the time being, let's take a look at the 3rd floor for today and then head back?
After I said that everyone stood up and approached the teleport crystal rod.
While being watched by the resting adventurers we teleported to the 3rd floor.
.............
Just as I had heard the 3rd floor was completely different from the 1st and 2nd floors we've explored until now.
I can't see any large difference in the teleport crystal rod or the pedestal it's on but the floor, walls, and ceiling have all changed to what's clearly artificially made stone.
Just, I don't know if it's just here but it all seems to be lightly giving off light.
If you pay attention as you look then you'll notice it but the light is strongest extending out around where each person is standing. From there the brightness of light gradually fades until it gets to 30-40 m ahead where the has dropped to the point of being unable to see. I'm sure if you enter the room then the floor and ceiling where you're standing start to give off the brightest light. If you start to approach the wall then the light gives off more light as well.
It seems we teleported into the center of a wall passage with a width of around 10 m.
I had already heard about it and knew of it as information, but everyone is strangely touching the white walls.
The surface of the stone has been smoothed out almost like the surface of stone walls on a Japanese castle.
Since the floor is the same if you were to fall over or be sent flying by a monster you might seriously hurt yourself.
All of the members other than me who aren't using lower body armor might have to prepare themselves for a lot of scrapes and bruises. Since they're wearing pants it's not guaranteed but even then I'm sure it'll hurt quite a bit. We need to be careful about it.
After looking around the passage and since it didn't seem like we would suddenly be attacked I opened my mouth.
"Now then, Angela, we've come to the 3rd floor within two months of buying the 2nd floor map. Without losing a single member. I said it before but let me hear your thoughts."
I make sure to be careful not to use a tone of voice like I'm criticizing her as I, huh? Putting aside my tone of voice aren't I still criticizing her? Well, I guess it's fine even if I am criticizing her though.
Although it's a bit pitiful to criticize her.
I guess it already doesn't matter.
"Even though I say that, I'm not particularly criticize you or trying to force you to say something. Since you're my slave, match your way of thinking and values with mine. That's your duty right? It's fine as long as you understand that."
I said it as kindly as possible.
After Angela heard the first thing I said her expression stiffened up a bit ut she relaxed after hearing my next line.
"Strangers are strangers, we are us. Just like you said time is more valuable than money. But, probably but, I think among the adventurers in Baldukk we arrived at the 3rd floor considerably fast. In other words, we're already shortening our time compared to other parties. It seems they normally say that you finally make it the 3rd floor around 2-3 years after you've started exploring right?
It's true I'm not in possession of that much money right now but you understand that it's the same as if we bought the several years other parties end up spending right?
..Alright. I'll try asking your way of thinking from here on out as well. On those instances just honestly respond to me what you were thinking or feeling. Whenever my way of thinking and values are different I'll tell you. It's fine if you just match up with me on those occasions. I'm not saying you need to change all of your values and way of thinking from the start to match up with mine. It's fine with just the portion that I point out. You're my slave and not a puppet. Is that clear?"
After quietly listening to my long speech Angela remained quiet as she lowered her head to me.
It's not like I particularly paid money because I was in a hurry though.
It's pretty unrelated to why I have not much money.
Ah, I guess if you think of it as being because I bought the maps with teleport locations and just that cost a fortune on its own, though the efficiency in clearing the 2nd floor is completely different thanks to that so I guess it's not incorrect to say I bought time with money huh?
"Then, since it's about a good time, let's head back and get something to eat? Today let's eat some of the beef from just now."
I said that cheerfully to try and shake off the weird atmosphere it had become while grabbing the crystal rod.
"The meat just now, was it good?"
Zenom asked Ralpha while grabbing the crystal rod. After all an old-man's wisdom is better than a tortoise shell*.
Thanks for that.
"Yeah, it was pretty good."
Ralpha grabbed the crystal rod while responding to that. I'm still reducing your portion for how much you ate.
"I haven't eaten beef before. I'm looking forward to it."
Zulu joined the conversation while grabbing the crystal rod. Eat a lot.
"Since you can't normally eat beef. I haven't eaten any either."
Bel says that as well while grabbing the crystal rod. I've never eaten it on Orth either. The cattle we bought at my house still haven't died after all. One of the horses my father owned was about to die right when it was time for me to leave the house, so as a matter of fact it was a regret of mine that I couldn't eat that.
"..Umm, I'm sorry about that..Because of m.."It's fine, you already understand right. Don't worry about it, now, let's go "Henruichi.""
We returned to the teleport room of the 2nd floor were were just in.
Even though we just went to the 3rd floor and came back right away but we weren't particularly given any strange looks.
If you end up teleporting to an unexplored region that's not on the map, if there's far too many boss rooms to the teleport room, or in the first place if it's not even connected to the teleport room, then it's pretty common to go back to the last floor like this. Well, we're returning though.
After everyone grabbed the teleport crystal rod on the 2nd floor again and I used the exclusive chant in the center of it.
"Return us."
We were teleported again to the teleport crystal on the 1st floor.
What was just a lively spectacle with several dozen people changed to something empty.
When you return across floors your posture is the same as when you were holding the crystal rod and you're teleported to somewhere in the central room of the next floor up.
Obviously, it's to a reasonably open area where there's no one else around.
Since the direction of our bodies changed we confirm our surroundings and need to grab on the toe crystal rod in the center of the room once again.
It's said to be that way out of consideration so people don't get teleported overlapping with another group that is preparing to teleport to the next floor.
I don't know if that's true or not though.
..I guess Black Topaz is already gone.
And once more.
"Return us."
Even though were just on the 3rd floor a moment ago, we're in one of the small rooms on the side of the teleport room at the entrance in no time at all.
After leaving the building it was a night which let's you feel the end of October and as expected it's gotten a bit chilly out.
I wonder if it would be better not to sell the qivuit~
Since the leather from the Roze is a hindrance and it stinks we need to do something about the leather, rather fur before dinner.
However, the time is already late. Even we go to a shop that does spinning they're probably already closed.
Since it can't be helped I had just Zulu and Angela return ahead to their inn to leave the luggage.
They're still staying at Shuni.
It's reasonably cheap and a low level inn so they probably won't even complain if they bring in some unprocessed fur.
It's not like there's no worries about ti being stolen but I feel like with fleas and all that no one would want to steal some dirty fur.
Well even if it gets stolen it would be disappointing if you call it that but it's not particularly fatal so it can't be helped worrying too much about it.
I brought the remaining members and went to the restaurant we always eat dinner. We cut up the meat and split it between us so there's no problem.
After entering the restaurant and it cost 1,000 Z to bring in your own meat (1 large copper coin) but since they'll cook the Roze fillet with salt and seasonings, I waited while drooling for my first fillet steak in a while.
Since it's my long awaited fillet it would be best rare but since I don't know for sure if that'll be good for the time being I ordered it around medium.
It seems that my detailed instructions on the cooking methods weren't conveyed and in the end it felt one step before well-done.
It would have cost a bit but maybe it would have been better to go to Doruleon?
Well, we still have a decent amount remaining so it's not like we're going to eat it all today.
I guess it's fine if we go to Doruleon after tomorrow.
I still had some complains about the way it was cooked but the Roze fillet was delicious.
Hmn, even for monsters the delicious ones are delicious.
I remember the Horned Bear.
If I think carefully about it then I feel like the Horned Bear should have been stronger but it's not like I'm completely dissatisfied with the Roze fillet.
"This is good."
"After all it's more delicious with salt and seasonings."
"It's soft and delicious."
"This is..It's good isn't it.."
"It's my first time eating meat this delicious."
Ohh~ eat more, even more. Since we have a lot of it.
It's even understandable how Ralpha was just eating meat without saying to eat some cabbage.
If it was going to be like this then maybe we should have brought as much of the meat as we could hold.
Between the six of us we finished off three fillets, we consumed close to 3 kg of it.
The one who ate the most was Zulu though.
Since our stomachs are all full we split up.
Normally I would return to the inn together with Zenom and the others but today I carried the fillet meat heading towards Doruleon.
It's because I thought it would be best to let it mature at a high-end restaurant.
After paying at Doruleon (it cost 20,000 Z even), and leaving the meat with them I returned to the inn, as expected I was tired so after taking a quick shower I quickly laid down.
After all, I've got to get up early tomorrow.
Ah..since we were in the dungeon from morning until night, I didn't do my running...
It can't be helped, it's annoying but I guess I'll go for a run.
After changing and when I was about to leave the inn I was called out to from above.
It's from the window of Bel's room, she and Ralpha were looking outside at me.
What is it, since we're going to be up early tomorrow, go to sleep already.
The two of them beckoned me.
It~can't~be helped, really.
After I went to Bel's room and Ralpha was sitting on one of the two chairs while Bel was sitting on the bed. After I pulled out the remaining chair and sat down Bel opened her mouth.
"Al-san. I want to talk for a bit but.."
Hn? Japanese?
Judging off her expression it doesn't seem to be something serious, but what is it?
Even though I look like this I'm pretty busy.
No, I'm not particularly busy though.
"What is it?"
"Umm you know, recently I've talked about it with Bel but there's something that I don't know so I want you to teach me about it."
Ralpha said that. It sounds a bit serious. Is it about magic?
"What?"
"It's about Al-san's objective. Today, when were in the teleport room of the 1st floor you told that person in Black topaz right? Since we have some circumstances we're in a bit of a hurry. I thought, what are those circumstances, but since you talked to Maruso when descended to the 3rd floor, I remembered, ah, the circumstances were your promise to her...but was it just that?"
Bel said that.
It's true that the circumstances I mentioned to Anderson were about Angela.
However..I guess that means they realized I have reasons other than that to be in hurry?
While I'm remaining silent and this time Ralpha started talking.
"Honestly speaking, even without us I think that Al can make it pretty far into the dungeon...That's true right? That's why, I've been thinking about it for a long time now. Then, why are you paying us money to come along with you? And why did you pay so much money to buy Zulu and Maruso as well?"
".."
"And, you told us quite a bit of information as well right? Recently you've even been training us. You've taught us magic as well. I'm truly grateful because I decided to wait for him in this town. If I'm together with Al-san then there's almost no danger of dying and I can earn a lot of money. But, what does Al-san gain from this?"
I guess so~ It's been about five months since I started teaming up with them, I guess it's already close to half a year huh?
It's a bit longer for Ralpha though, well it's not a big difference. If you think about it normally, then I guess you would wonder what kind of charity this is.
"Hmn, it's true I have a goal. In the short term I want to hit it big in the dungeon of Baldukk. Well, I still expect it to take a number of years even then though. That's why I think there's a high probability that I'll remain here for several years."
I'm sure they won't be smoothed over with just saying this.
".."
".."
"What I said just now was true. And I've said it before but Ralpha and Bel are reincarnated people. Since it's easier for reincarnated people to get physically strong"Can we not be trusted that much?"
"..I don't have any particular intention of hiding it. Probably if I say it and after you two hear that even if you were to tell someone about it they shouldn't be of any harm to me..Probably at least...I did intend to talk about it eventually."
