Having parted with Rada, I decided to head to one of the Royal Family’s directly controlled territories, where the Large-Scale Dungeon, my target, was located.
Even so, Rada was probably watching me from somewhere. The information I received from Rada might not be accurate, but even if Rada had tampered with it to her advantage, I didn’t intend to scrutinize it too closely.
There should be another contact person, so Rada wouldn’t be able to make any drastic alterations, and she wouldn’t be foolish enough to make alterations that could be discovered in just a few days of investigation.
And more than anything, if it was something advantageous to Rada, she would act according to that information, which would result in her actions being revealed to me.
I bought salt and spices necessary for the journey, and purchased materials for medicines at several alchemist shops and stalls. While I was at it, I bought a coat made from Monster Material, even though it was a bit expensive.
Armor made from Monster Material, like the boots and gauntlets I received from my master, regenerates minor damage with the wearer’s Mana and atmospheric moisture.
The amount of regeneration depends on the rank of the monster, so a coat made from low-level Monster Material wouldn’t have much of an effect, but it would still protect against heat and cold much better than ordinary cloth or leather.
“Gelf, I want a cheap coat.”
“…You’re the only customer who comes to my shop asking for something cheap while ignoring the design.”
Two days after encountering Feld and the others, I visited the Dwarven Armory again.
I waited two days to avoid meeting Feld and his group again. I wanted to see Feld again, but I wanted to avoid getting involved with the noble boys who looked at me with strange eyes.
“Well, whatever. I’ll choose something that suits you at a reasonable price, and give it to you.”
I quietly nodded at the wink that made her huge false eyelashes flutter, and pinched the leather skirt that I had borrowed as a substitute for my equipment.
“Is the equipment repaired? If it is, I’d like to change.”
“You’re not flustered at all… The equipment is repaired, but didn’t you like that outfit?”
I shook my head at Gelf, who was sighing for some reason.
“No, it’s light and comfortable. I get stared at a bit more, but it’s not too bad if I wrap a shawl around my neck.”
“In the end, you put the ash back in your hair… If you’re using illusion magic, you should only apply a thin layer to suppress the shine, or it will stand out even more, you know?”
“I see, I’ll try that.”
“So, why do you want to change?”
“Huh? Wasn’t that outfit just a substitute until my equipment was repaired?”
I wondered why I had to change my whole outfit just to repair my boots and gauntlets, but it seemed that Gelf intended to give me this outfit.
Even with Galbas’s introduction, there was no reason for her to go that far, but Gelf told me the reason why she was giving me this outfit.
“I make equipment to wear cute outfits! But I can’t wear them cutely because I’m a little chubby! So, I’ve been looking for a cute girl to wear them for me!”
“…I understand.”
Honestly, I didn’t understand her passion, but it must be important to Gelf. Even with that woman’s “knowledge,” the category of cute was too broad for me to understand, but I figured that Gelf’s creations would have no problems in terms of performance.
So I tried to pay her at least something, but like Galbas, she only charged me one gold coin. That should only cover the cost of the coat.
“When you grow up, let me make proper equipment for you. Prepare 10 gold coins for that time.”
“…Thank you.”
I returned only the substitute boots and put on the repaired boots and gauntlets.
The boots and gauntlets felt better than ever, so I should be able to move well in the Dungeon.
At the same time, I had a certain gimmick installed on the inside of the arm where the gauntlets were attached.
…It looks like it will be useful.
“…………”
I looked at the tall castle in the distance from the cityscape of the Royal Capital.
Was Elena there? Was she fighting alone in that Royal Palace?
Elena once promised me that she would be on my side no matter who the opponent was. But it’s not time yet. I’m not strong enough to kill her “enemies” yet.
Besides, I don’t intend to rely on her for something like this.
Goodbye… Elena. I’ll go see you when I get stronger.
According to information from the Assassin Guild, the City of Eldo, where the Large-Scale Dungeon was located, was under the direct control of the Royal Family, but in reality, it was managed by the Count Leicester Estate next to it.
That’s not the only reason, but the Magician’s Guild and Adventurer’s Guild were strong in that city, which made it different from ordinary cities.
Traveling there from the Royal Capital would take about four days by carriage, passing through several post towns.
Since it wasn’t necessary to take a carriage for that distance, I chose a route through the Forest to deceive Rada, who was watching me.
Until midnight on the first day after leaving the Royal Capital, I felt a subtle sense of unease behind me, but when I ran through the Forest, I stopped feeling it, so I probably managed to shake off Rada there.
I’m glad I chose the coat made of Monster Material after all. This should be able to deceive Rada to some extent, even if her detection abilities are excellent.
The City of Eldo, where the Dungeon was located, was full of vitality, unlike ordinary cities.
Since the main industry was related to Monster Materials because of the Large Dungeon, that might be why I felt that way, but the biggest reason was probably because there were many Adventurers and Magicians. Here, I could do something a little strange without standing out too much, and unlike the Royal Capital, it shouldn’t be a problem to cause a commotion.
First, I bought a cheap meal like stewed vegetables at a street stall in the city, asked for directions to the Adventurer’s Guild, and headed there.
The Dungeon was located in the center of the city, and a high wall was built around its entrance, with several soldiers restricting people’s entry and exit to prevent monsters from getting out.
It seemed dangerous to have a Dungeon in the city, but it seemed that settlements had originally formed around the discovered Dungeon, so there were no ordinary residents in this area.
The Adventurer’s Guild was also located near the Dungeon, and it was much larger than the Guilds in other cities I had seen so far.
I arrived at the Guild in the afternoon, which was generally a time when there were few Adventurers, but when I opened the door and went inside, I could still see more than a dozen Adventurers.
Perhaps because of the nature of the land, where there were many Adventurers, I wasn’t noticed much when I entered, but when a child like me appeared, some of the older people frowned slightly.
It’s not uncommon for children to be Adventurers in the frontier. They have a reason to do so to survive, and they desperately acquire Skills to earn money as Adventurers, and die because of their unbalanced Skill composition.
But the adults here weren’t frowning because they felt sorry for such children, but because they were uncomfortable with a child stepping into the battlefield of veteran Adventurers, the Large-Scale Dungeon.
“……..”
Judging from the aura I felt from them, I thought they were around Rank 3, but I wondered if there were people who couldn’t measure their strength by their aura and footsteps.
The Female Thief who kidnapped Elena seemed much better, but was this what Rank 3 was like with little experience in interpersonal combat?
Ignoring such a subtle atmosphere, I went to the Guild’s reception desk, chose a friendly-looking staff member, and asked a question.
“How many Adventurer parties can I ask to guide me through the Dungeon?”
When I told him that I was looking for a party that could guide me through the deeper layers, the friendly-looking old man staff member told me with a smile.
“This Dungeon is famous, so there are requests for guidance in the lower levels, but it’s difficult to go to the deeper levels. There are currently five Rank 4 parties in this city, but it depends on whether they will accept the request.”
Most of the Adventurers in this area come to dive into the Dungeon rather than take on requests.
Dungeons have “treasures” that stimulate human desires, and it’s even possible to earn hundreds of large gold coins in one night if you find them, but that only happens once every few years, and most Adventurers earn money by collecting Monster Materials and Magic Stones.
This Dungeon is famous because it is a Dungeon of Beastkin such as Goblins and Orcs.
Dungeons can also produce metal weapons in addition to powerful treasures, and the Beastkin living in the Dungeon may find and possess those weapons, which adds to their earnings.
This Dungeon is recognized as a dangerous place where you can earn money, and the Guild can’t mediate for guidance to the deeper layers.
For now, I asked about the market rate for requests and the names and schedules of parties that might accept, and I found out that one of them was the target, the “Dawn Mercenaries,” and their next return was scheduled for two days later.
Two days later, huh… Rada’s surveillance will probably be back then, so it might be just right.
As I was thinking about checking the Dungeon until then, I noticed a presence chasing me from the Guild.
Is it a rank 2 or 3 Adventurer who heard the story and is trying to sell themselves? Or did they underestimate me because I’m a child and came to attack?
Either way, it’s a pain. If it’s a sales pitch, I could have them guide me through the lower levels since it’s my first time, but if it’s an attack, what should I do…?
Two weak presences. One strong one…
I left the main street where the Guild was and headed down a back alley where there were no people.
I don’t know which area has no people, but whether the other party is trying to sell themselves or attack me, they will probably call out to me in a place that is convenient for them.
“Yo, you ‘Ash-covered’ brat over there. You want a Dungeon guide, right? We’ll do it for you?”
The ones who called out to me in the darkened alley were a pair of Adventurers who looked to be in their early twenties.
Even so, I thought I had reduced the amount of ash on me thanks to Gelf’s advice, but I’m still being called that here.
“The price is all the money you have. Well, even if you say you don’t want to, we’re going to forcibly take you to the Dungeon from now on.”
“…………”
I see, it was both a sales pitch and an attack.
But both of them only have a combat power of about 100. I don’t think they can really guide me through the lower levels with that kind of ability, but such thoughts floated through my head as if it were someone else’s problem.
But where did the other strong presence go?
“Hey, don’t be silent, say something, Ash-covered brat!”
The first man, irritated by me searching for the presence, reached out his hand.
“邪魔だ” (Jama da – “You’re in the way.”)
I stepped forward half a step and struck the man’s chin with the palm of my left hand, and an arrow about 10 centimeters long, shot from the gimmick hidden in my gauntlet, pierced from the man’s chin to his brain.
“…Eh?”
The moment the other man let out a stunned voice at his companion suddenly collapsing, I stepped back away from the man.
“――――ッ!”
At that moment, the man’s entire body suddenly burst into flames.
From behind the man, who turned to charcoal without even having time to scream due to the extremely strong firepower, a light girl’s voice could be heard.
“You really were a strong child. Would you like me to guide you through the Dungeon?”
A pure white robe, long, wavy black hair.
The girl, with pathologically white skin and deep, sunken eyes, looked at me, who had killed a person, and smiled innocently, as if she couldn’t believe I had killed someone.
Who is this girl?
What will be the outcome with Rada?
Next time: Dungeon Trap