Chapter 29 Emergency Meeting (Shinji O’Brian’s POV)
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Are there already trolls around the dungeon…?”
”Isn’t that about the level of a B-rank adventurer?”
”What kind of monsters are inside the dungeon…?”
In a room of my mansion, we are having a meeting. The topic is “Response to the Goblin Forest and the Dungeon.”
”My lord, our guild’s dedicated adventurer party has just managed to clear the outer area of the ‘Goblin Forest.’ And that’s only with parties mainly made up of D and E ranks.”
After speaking to me, the guild master looks around at the participants.
His judgment is probably correct. With the increasing encounters and numbers of goblins, it has become a tough hunting ground for F and G rank adventurers. And the main adventurers in Razia Village are mostly young people like them.
”Fortunately, about 6 A-rank adventurers and 4 parties from the capital have registered here temporarily. It would be reasonable to leave the exploration of the dungeon and its surroundings to them.”
I glance down at the materials handed out. Looking at their achievements, they do seem to be excellent parties.
”However, from the perspective of training the younger adventurers… the current monster situation around this village is clearly not suitable. This was supposed to be my job that you, my lord, requested… I feel ashamed…”
My old friend, the ‘Tank’ Guido, who was invited from the capital to respond to this ‘Dungeon Burst,’ grimaces in regret. The bandage wrapped around his chest looks painful.
”By the way, is there any problem with the village’s defense against monsters?”
Guardian Knight Müller raised his hand to speak.
”That’s right. Protecting the villagers is our top priority. Thanks to the cooperation of the young adventurers, the construction of the barracks and training grounds is almost complete.”
I took a breath and sipped my coffee. I haven’t been able to sleep well these past few days. That sip helped clear my mind, and I continued speaking.
”Because of this, the rotation of the troops stationed in the fortress city of Mundo has been moved up. The deployment period is 2 months for each unit. At first, 2 units will be sent at the same time, and after 2 months of training, one unit will head to Mundo. I’ve already requested the Minister of War to ensure that one unit is always stationed here.”
”I see. I understand about protecting the village from monsters. And…”
Guardian Knight Müller glanced at me, encouraging me to continue.
”I have a suggestion regarding the training of the young ones…”
”How about sending the G and F rank adventurer parties to the royal capital? It seems that place is more suitable for training young adventurers right now.”
”…It’s true that the young ones will struggle if they stay in Razia Village…”
B rank adventurer Guido crossed his arms and groaned.
”Yeah. The royal capital has a good balance of requests from high to low ranks. Right now, it’s tough for anyone who isn’t a high-rank adventurer in this village… and besides…”
The guild master agreed with Guido and then voiced a question that everyone in the room was probably wondering about.
”‘Dungeon Burst’ happens because of a sudden rise in miasma levels inside the dungeon, right? Is there any chance this dungeon can return to normal?”
At the guild master’s words, everyone except me and one other person nodded.
”If ‘Goblin Forest’ continues to be a nest for high-level monsters like this, we will need to completely change our guild structure. We need to gather A and B rank adventurers.”
In response to the guild master’s talk, I lightly gestured to the person in the robe next to me, encouraging them to speak.
”I will answer that question.”
The robed figure stood up, pulled back their hood, and revealed their face.
”…This is ‘Sage’ Milia, the honorary head of Razia Village.”
Milia bowed her head slightly at my introduction.
”…’Sage’ Milia… the ‘magician’ from that hero party?”
The guild master looked shocked.
”Nice to meet you all. Although I’m called a head, I’ve been busy handling a mountain of tasks in the royal capital… I finally managed to come to Razia Village like this.”
Milia smiled apologetically.
”Now, to answer your question. First, a rise in miasma levels that causes such a jump in monster ranks… is not something that happens naturally. It is likely caused by a ‘demon-class monster descending to the deepest floor of the dungeon’.”
At Milia’s answer, everyone let out murmurs of surprise.
”…A demon… if it’s a high-ranking one, it would be a rank S monster…”
Guido muttered to himself.
”Yeah. Even the lower-ranked monsters are B rank. To return the ‘Goblin Forest’ to its original monster environment… we need to defeat the ‘new dungeon master’ that is likely in the deepest floor…”
”…That’s impossible… Defeating a high-ranking demon… Unless we ask the Lord and the Madam, also the Guardian Knight Müller to come back, it’s nearly impossible for the current adventurers.”
The guild master slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
”No… I apologize. But this is my honest opinion as the guild master.”
* * *
”…Putting Megumi aside… I might need to consider returning to active duty…”
In the suddenly quiet room, my whisper echoed strangely.
”No, we can’t let the lord do something so dangerous. For now, we can only rely on the A-rank party from group 4.”
Knight Müller disagreed with my whisper.
”That’s true. The lord is the key to this village. Even if we can’t defeat the high-ranking demon for now, we can focus on defeating the dungeon monsters to weaken the ‘dungeon master’.”
Guido agreed with Knight Müller’s opinion.
”However, we will eventually have to defeat it…”
If that’s the case, then I…
”My lord, can you wait for 3 years? Just 3 years.”
Knight Müller interrupted my words.
”Can we really defeat the dungeon master in 3 years?”
At the guild master’s question, Knight Müller smirked.
”Yes. In 3 years, adventurers with the power to defeat it will appear.”
”Who are they? Where are they now?”
(Could it be…)
With Knight Müller’s smile, I thought of that person.
”Yes, my lord. It’s Hiroya. Not just me, but also our Kazumi and the doctor’s daughter, Rena. If possible, the 4 of them including Martina.”
I must have shown my feelings on my face. Knight Müller responded with a smile.
”…Hiroya and the others are indeed impressive, but… isn’t it only ‘for children’?”
Knight Müller shook his head at the guild master’s opinion.
”No, they currently have some of the best skills in this village. Just 3 years. Please wait 3 years. I promise on my honor as a knight that they will defeat the ‘Dungeon Master’.”
(I can’t believe they’ve been recognized by Lord Müller to that extent…)
”Understood. I’ll leave it to you, Lord Müller.”
I couldn’t help but smile wryly. The ability to defeat a rank B troll is not something a child under 9 should have.
(As a father, entrusting my son in a crisis is also an interesting thing.)
As a conclusion to this confusing and uncertain meeting, I think I was personally satisfied with the result. I guess that makes me a bit of a doting parent.
”…Shinji, you seem to be having fun. It’s a big deal for the village.”
Milia smiled next to me as she said that.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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