Chapter 197 New Dungeon Investigation Report
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After Kazumi’s assessment of the salary distribution, everyone was chatting excitedly during lunch.
”Next members for the new dungeon,” “Ways to spend our salaries,” “The Zett Merchant Guild just opened a new sweet shop,” “The clothing store is open too, and they have a good selection of underwear,” “Gorge and Asuka’s new place just needs the interior done,” etc…
After lunch, I, Liz, and Dorothy were set to report to the guild. Kazumi was going to discuss clan and clan house finances with Rena. The others were planning to go shopping at the sweet shop and clothing store.
* * *
”I’m glad everyone is satisfied with the results.”
It was a bit far, and it was lightly snowing, but we decided to walk to the guild. On the way, Liz sighed in relief next to me.
”From now on, we’ll be diving seriously. Motivation is important, after all.”
Dorothy was on my left. Both of them were clinging to my arm like they were seeking comfort.
”So, what do you think? Should we send Gièze, Sister Karina, Lotta, and Noriss to attack?”
After the dungeon opened, the rookie team led by Gièze was hoping for that…
”They can’t do it alone. It’s not just about their skills… considering the clan’s role, we need to pair them with someone.”
”At the same time, we want to attack the deeper floors… so it’s tricky to decide who to pair them with.”
That’s true. The best option would be to add Asuka and Gorge to the team…
”Asuka’s close combat skills are essential for the deep floor team…”
”Then Gorge would be the right choice. It’s a shame to split them up, though.”
Liz responded to my mumbling.
”Also, we need to consider one of Ms. Aluda, Ms. Eluda, or Ms. Meluda. ── All 3 of them have blacksmithing jobs too, so it’ll be interesting to see how that works out.”
”I need to keep an eye on one of the Wolf kids as a porter. That means Ms. Hanna and one of the Wolf kids will be left behind.”
Hmm. More and more tricky issues keep popping up.
”For now, I want to put out a call for porters. Once the new dungeon opens, adventurers will probably come flocking in from the Royal Capital and Mundo.”
”Yeah. And if possible, I’d like to invite them as ‘clan members’ rather than in a ‘hired’ capacity.”
Walking to the guild, I was discussing this with Liz and Dorothy.
* * *
I figured the guild would be quiet since it’s the afternoon… so when I opened the door…
”Sorry for the mess. The lord will be here soon, so could you wait in the back room?”
It seems they’re in the process of moving to a building in the northern part of the southern district that was originally built for the town hall. They’re worried that the current guild won’t be able to handle the influx of adventurers when the new dungeon opens. The planned town hall will be using this place. For business, the size of this guild should be enough.
The Guild Master’s family also lived here, so they built a house next to the new guild. With my own move coming up, it must be a bit chaotic.
* * *
Once we entered the back room and sat on the sofa, a girl brought us some tea.
”It’s been a while. Big Brother Hiroya…”
That quiet-looking girl is…
”Could it be AliAli!?”
Jan’s little sister, that energetic and mischievous AliAli. I hadn’t seen her since summer break when I got busy with the S-rank dungeon. …She used to come to the guild all the time, though.
”Yes. I always hear about Big Brother Hiroya’s achievements from my brother and dad.”
It’s only been 4 or 5 months, but she’s changed a lot. It feels like… she’s become more of a girl.
”AliAli, you’ve changed a lot… it feels like you’ve become a girl.”
”Big Brother Hiroya has also… um… become really wonderful!”
Covering her face with a tray, AliAli shyly looks at me. …Come to think of it, she seemed to have a crush on me since I saved her from that Goblin.
”W-well, I’m busy with moving too, so… I’ll take my leave now! Please, take your time!”
Alisa says that and quickly scurries out of the room.
”Since we went to the hot springs together… that girl has really become more feminine, huh?”
Liz gives me a side-eye.
”She’s the guild master’s daughter, right? Did you know Mr. Hiroya?”
Even Dorothy looks at me strangely, so I explained how we met.
* * *
”Was it during the ‘haunted house’ incident when you helped Ms. Martina? …To her, Mr. Hiroya is a hero, you know. …It’s no wonder she has that kind of expression.”
”That kind of expression?”
”That was the face of a ‘girl in love,’ you know? Right? Ms. Liz?”
”That’s true. Well, don’t overthink it, Hiroya. Just treat her normally.”
Liz grins.
”Yeah… I think it’s better to leave her alone unless she makes a move… but…”
Dorothy gently continued while staring at the door Alisa just left through.
”Please don’t treat her harshly…”
* * *
”Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Dad walked into the room with the Guild Master.
”I plan to finish the moving work by tomorrow, but… sorry for the chaos.”
The Guild Master scratches his head.
”Soon, Van… the guild staff that Lord Elberhardt arranged should be arriving. It’ll be busy right after the move, but hang in there until then.”
Dad lightly pats the Guild Master on the shoulder.
Then, I quickly shared the situation of the new dungeon and the results of this exploration.
”Hmm. Well, since it’s a dungeon, having a ‘Thief’ is essential. Lord Elberhardt has already arranged for an increase in applicants for the ‘Thief training course’ at the training facility. But it’ll still be a few years before we see results.”
Dad crosses his arms.
”Thank goodness the lower floors are only about rank E difficulty. Even our younger folks can take it on.”
The Guild Master smiled happily.
”And the rewards aren’t bad either. Decent loot from monster gems. People should be able to manage even if they hire a porter.”
Saying that, the Guild Master took a sip of the tea that Alisa had just brought again.
”About that porter, once the news of the new dungeon discovery spreads, they’ll probably start gathering here. Good job on the investigation.”
Dad extended his right hand to Liz, while the Guild Master did the same to Dorothy.
”Our goal is still to conquer the S-rank dungeon and defeat Azradelius… but for that, I think we should gain experience to ‘get stronger’ in the new dungeon.”
Liz firmly declared as she shook Dad’s hand back.
”Liz, I know it’s tough to rally the clan members, but I’m counting on you. Do your best. ──Dorothy too. Both of you… I want you to support Hiroya well moving forward. I’m counting on you.”
”Yes. Centered around Ms. Kazumi, we will support Mr. Hiroya properly.”
Dorothy also happily shook Dad’s hand back.
”Hiroya… of course, I’m counting on you too. Don’t cause trouble for everyone.”
”Of course.”
”…Just don’t push yourself too hard. The only thing waiting at the end of recklessness is──.”
”‘The only thing waiting at the end of recklessness is death for adventurers,’ right? I get it.”
”I see… then I’m counting on you. Also──.”
Saying that, Dad leaned in close to my ear.
”Make everyone… happy. Protect them no matter what. That’s what it means to be a ‘man’.”
He pulled back and winked.
”Yeah. No matter what. I swear on this ‘Yamikirimaru’.”
I gripped my beloved sword tightly.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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