Chapter 171 The Day Before the New Dungeon Exploration
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
With Asuka, Gorge, and Gièze’s Black Bow training handed over to Dorothy, Martina is teaching Noriss the basics of Thief skills. Kazumi and Rena are going to check out Karina and Lotta’s magic, so it’s just me and Liz heading to the guild. Of course, we need to let everyone know we’re going to attack the ‘new dungeon.’
Oh, it seems Aluda and her 2 sisters are going to maintain everyone’s gear.
”They say it’s ‘a service,’ but we should definitely give them proper compensation for that kind of technical work.”
”Should we add a tech fee to this week’s paycheck?”
”…Well, I guess I’ll consult Kazumi about it.”
We ride side by side, chatting as we head to the guild.
”But you know… it feels kinda lonely going on horseback with Hiroya when it should be a date…”
”…Wasn’t that when everyone got jealous and you were ‘violated’ by that ‘adult magic tool’?”
”Well… that was good in its own way… heh♡”
Liz’s cheeks are flushed, looking quite cute. …Even though we just did it last night.
* * *
”I see… so we’re attacking tomorrow.”
I reported to the Guild Master in a room at the guild.
”Yesterday, right after we received the report of the new dungeon discovery, the Minister of War sent 15 soldiers from the garrison. They’re currently building a security facility and monster deterrent at the dungeon entrance with ‘Sage’ Lady Milia.”
”That’s great. So the safety around the dungeon entrance will be secured.”
Liz smiles. It’s a relief that we can get there by horse or carriage.
”Liz’s investigation might allow us to charge a ‘usage fee’ during the dungeon attack.”
One important point of this investigation is whether we can get loot that matches the attack.
”Well, anyway… just do the investigation without pushing yourself too hard. It would be great if you could at least get a grasp of the first floor. That way, we can get a rough idea of the dungeon’s size.”
”Got it. Leave it to me. I’ll level up the clan members here… and soon we’ll attack an S-rank dungeon again.”
Liz’s confident smile is striking.
”I’m counting on you. Here, take the teleportation scroll and the magic stone. You know how to use them, right?”
After receiving the items from the Guild Master, we left the guild.
* * *
”But, 15 people worth of dried meat and bread for 3 days… that’s quite a lot.”
Liz grumbles as she looks at the amount we bought on the way back from the guild.
”Water is one thing, but food can’t be handled with magic.”
The side bags of Kage and Haya are packed with a significant amount of food.
”It wouldn’t be a problem if everyone carried their share… but gathering and cooking every meal is a hassle.”
”Should I carry it all?”
”…What good is the main melee fighter carrying heavy stuff that hinders movement?”
Liz, sitting on Kage, turns back to me with an exasperated look. Yeah, that’s true.
”I’d like to hire a ‘porter,’ but there probably aren’t any in this village.”
A ‘porter’ is, as the name suggests, someone who carries luggage for adventurers. It seems that guilds near larger dungeons have plenty of ‘porters,’ but this Razia Village doesn’t have that kind of profession.
”Should we take one of the wolf maids with us? I think 2 would be enough to help Ms. Hanna and guard the mansion.”
”Hiroya! That’s it! A self-sufficient ‘porter’ would be ideal!”
It seems like a good idea. The number of people will increase again, but at this point, it probably won’t make much of a difference.
* * *
”Decided! Suu will go!”
When we got back to the mansion and talked to the 3 wolf maids… a game of Rock-Paper-Scissor started right there.
The winner, Suu in her red mesh, jumped up and down with joy.
”Noo, Uu, being on standby is an important job too, you know? Ms. Hanna is pregnant, so… I’m counting on you, okay?”
I comforted the two who were clearly feeling down.
”I understand…”
”I get it…”
After patting their heads, I took Suu and headed to the cafeteria with Liz.
* * *
”There are no problems with the Black Bow. Shooting, winding, and reloading are all perfect.”
”Noriss seems to have a solid grasp of the basics, so I’ll teach her hands-on.”
The clan members gathered in the cafeteria, and first, Dorothy and Martina reported on what happened while Liz and I were at the guild.
”Rena will teach Ms. Karina. She’s been learning recovery and protection magic.”
”I’m Lotty (Lotta-chan). I want to learn attack magic.”
Rena and Kazumi both seemed eager to see their practical skills in this dungeon exploration.
”This new dungeon exploration is also an important opportunity for everyone to level up their skills. Let’s work hard to get stronger!”
At my words, the rookies nodded vigorously.
”Okay, I’ll announce the team divisions. This time, everyone will act together, but we’ll roughly split into 2 teams.”
Liz spread the formation chart on the table.
● Team One (Leader: Liz)
Scout: Martina, Noriss
Vanguard: Hiroya, Asuka
Midfield: Gièze, Aluda
Rearguard: Rena, Liz, Karina
● Team Two (Leader: Dorothy)
Vanguard: Gorge, Dorothy
Midfield: Eluda, Meluda
Rearguard: Kazumi, Lotta
Porter: Suu
”I’m the leader of Team Two… that’s a big responsibility.”
”No, it’s just you, Dorothy. I trust you.”
Liz gave Dorothy’s shoulder a reassuring pat as she looked a bit anxious.
”Ms. Martina and the scout…! I’ll do my best!”
”Hiroya and the front line, huh? I feel really confident about this.”
Noriss clenched his fist, while Asuka grinned confidently.
”For now, we’ll go with this team division. Now, about our formation while walking in the dungeon and when we encounter enemies…”
Everyone listened intently to Liz’s explanation, and the meeting continued until dinner.
* * *
”That was definitely delicious──hey, Gorge… I want a house right next to this mansion, or even across the street would be fine. I really want a place close by.”
Ms. Hanna’s cooking was still as popular as ever. Sister Karina wiped her mouth with a napkin, looking satisfied.
”Don’t worry. I’ve already put in the request. After this dungeon exploration, Asuka and I will officially be married. They say they’ll prepare a house in the neighboring area for us.”
Huh! Flag alert!!! I almost spit out my tea after hearing that.
”Gorge! Saying ‘After the dungeon exploration, Asuka and I will officially be married’ is a line that often doesn’t come true! You need to be careful!”
Kazumi said exactly what I wanted to say.
”Is that so?”
”Yeah. I’m saying it’s a ‘death flag.’ Seriously, be careful.”
”That does sound like something someone about to die on the battlefield would say.”
Asuka laughed for a change.
”I’ll be careful…”
Gorge shrugged.
* * *
Before the new dungeon attack, the women all headed to the bath together, leaving me, Gorge, and Noriss to sip tea in solitude.
”It feels lonely, doesn’t it? It would be heaven if we could all go in together.”
”I get how you feel, Gorge. But thinking about Kazumi, Rena, Liz, Martina, Dorothy, and Aluda being seen by you and Noriss… no way.”
”Well, instead, you could see Asuka, Eluda, Meluda, Gièze, Lotta, and Sister Karina!”
”Don’t look at Lotta! I haven’t seen her yet!”
What kind of conversation is this…
”Gorge is the type who wouldn’t mind seeing Asuka.”
”Totally fine, right? More like, ‘Please, take a look at that beautiful n*ked body?’ ──Wait a minute!”
Gorge suddenly shouts loudly.
”When did Aluda get in here?!”
”Oh, that spot?”
”‘Oh, that spot?’ That’s not the point! Aluda’s become the master’s woman too!”
”…Well, she said she likes me, and I like her too.”
”…It’s very master-like, I guess.”
Even Gorge looks exasperated.
”Ms. Martina is lovely, but… Mr. Hiroya is scary, so I’m gonna live my life focused on Lotta.”
”Yeah. You should definitely do that. If you value your life, you better stick to it.”
I said this with a smile, and Noriss gulped down his tea in a panic.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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