We all left the building. Naoki and Eugrapia also followed us to the exit to see us off.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”
“I’ve got things to do here. I’ll leave Dad to you lil’ brother.”
“Okay. I’ll make sure to protect Father.”
Naoki and Pero smiled at each other. Actually, when these two met, they got along so well, like they are real brothers. As a father, I can only be relieved.
“Um, are you sure it’s okay to get something like this?”
“You can find a lot of it on this island, and since you came all the way, please take it as a souvenir.”
Liberto and the others smiled wryly at the sight of what they were holding in their hands. It’s a lump of adamantite.
Adamantite, said to be the most expensive metal in the world, was generously given to them by Eugrapia. It’s a bargain sale for angelic weapons and adamantite. That said, it’s nice to be able to strengthen our forces with these items. When we get back to the continent, I’ll ask Liberto and the others to head to Dartan.
“Nyahoho, it was the right decision to tag along after all-nya.”
Heh~, it seems that even Lena, who didn’t contribute to the strengthening of my force also got a lot of adamantite. If she sells that much chunk, they won’t have a problem with money for the rest of their life. I can imagine the Zañas family laughing together as they are surrounded by piles of gold coins. I hope this doesn’t lead a disaster to them. I’m a little worried.
Eugrapia bowed to me.
“Tanaka-san, it’s all up to you. Please be sure to get the proof of the God of Destruction.”
“I have a lot of thoughts about this, but I intend to do so for now. One thing that has been bothering me is that you support the resurrection of the God of Destruction. Doesn’t that contradict your role?”
“Fufu, think about it. What kind of place is a prison? Even if you become the God of Destruction, if you don’t commit a crime that deserved incarceration, there’s no reason to keep you on this planet.”
“I see. In that sense, I must become the new God of Destruction.”
But will I really become a god? It feels quite strange. I’ve evolved a lot, but when it comes to becoming a God, I’m still confused. I don’t really understand what the God of Destruction is in the first place. It’s very unsettling.
“Oh, right. There was something I forgot to mention.”
Just as I was about to start walking, Eugrapia stopped me.
Is there still something else?
“I’ve arranged someone who is familiar with the Great Dungeon. I’m sure he’ll guide you safely to the bottom level.”
“Huh? That’s strange. The bottom level of the Mohed Great Dungeon was supposed to be an uncharted area that no one has ever seen.”
“That’s not true. In fact, there are people who have reached the bottom level. However, because of the absurdity of the things in there, they could only keep quiet about it. Furthermore, most people who reach it end up dying.”
Hey, hey, aren’t you trying to send me to somewhere horrific then?
Well, the Mohed Great Dungeon is a dungeon that is said to be the most dangerous to traverse.
I hope he is a reliable guide.
This time, we really said goodbye to Naoki and Eugrapia.
◇◇◇
After that, we returned to the ship, and using the route taught by Eugrapia, we returned to the continent without incident. After thanking Lena and her father, we returned to the Kingdom of Logas.
Liberto and the others left immediately after returning to the Kingdom and set off for the kingdom of Dartan to process the adamantite they had received into weapons. Of course, I gave them a letter written by me for King Dartan, so I don’t think it would take that long.
And so, we are about to return to our hideout.
“Ahh, no matter how many times I eat it, it’s still delicious!”
“If you eat too much, you’ll get diarrhea.”
“Even so. No matter how much I eat, it never gets smaller. I’m sure God Tree-sama is telling me to keep eating this forever.”
“No, I didn’t feel that kind of vibe from Eugrapia at all.”
Currently, we just left the Temple of Teleportation and we are walking through the miniature garden. Freya is enthusiastically eating the fruit of the tree that Eugrapia had given us as a souvenir as she walked.
The size of the fruit is about 15 cm in diameter, and the surface is yellow and smooth. It emits a sweet scent like a peach, and when you bite into the thin skin, sweet juice squirts out along with the soft ripe pulp. It’s a taste I’ve never had before, but it’s so delicious that it’s addictive. Moreover, even if I bite into it, it will immediately restore and return to its original state.
This is the fruit that Lena’s grandfather once obtained. According to the story I received beforehand, this fruit has been restored by the power of Eugrapia, and it is free to disappear or persist at her will. She said she wanted it to help us explore the Great Dungeon. In an emergency when food is exhausted, it can definitely be expected to play an active role.
……However, Freya was completely addicted to the taste of it, and now it has become her snack. Incidentally, while Freya is fast asleep, I witnessed Erna and Liz secretly eating the fruit. Maybe Pero is also eating it secretly.
“Ah, it’s been a long journey and I’m so tired. Let’s take a break from adventuring today and tomorrow, okay?”
“I agree with Rival. I want to get a good night’s sleep soon.”
“You’ve slept soundly on the ship. You really had the heart to say that huh.”
We proceed noisily through the twentieth floors. We are almost at the hideout. Tonight, I’ll relax while drinking at our hideout for the first time in a while.
Speaking of which, Eugrapia said that she had arranged for someone who was familiar with the Great Dungeon, but she didn’t tell me where I could find him. In that case, we may have to search for people before the exploration.
As usual, I pressed the lion’s eyes and opened the hidden door. That’s when I noticed something was wrong. The lights in the hideout are on. Those lights turn on automatically, so they don’t turn on unless a person passes by. In other words, someone has broken in here.
When I activated the search, there was only one living creature reaction in the room. The other members also immediately noticed something is wrong. They drew their weapons and prepared for battle.
“You guys are late.”
There was an old man sitting cross-legged on the table. White long hair and beard. His face is also deeply wrinkled. The old man was drinking something in a glass.
“Hey! That’s my treasured wine!?”
“Fuhaa-, it’s well aged and delicious.”
Damn! The wine that I had bought with a lot of money! I had hidden it, but how did I find it?! I will not forgive this guy. I will make him pay for this grudge with his life.
“Calm down Father.”
“My, my wine!!”
I can’t attack because I’m trapped by Pero with a bear hug.
Let go, my son. This old man is evil. Perhaps he is an angel in disguise!
“W-Why is the Hermit-sama here!?”
Freya gets down on one knee in front of the old man. I stopped moving completely.
Hermit? Is he an acquaintance of Freya?
“Oh, looks like I should introduce myself.”
The old man stands up on the table, exuding a strange sense of tension. Then, he struck a dynamic pose like a kabuki actor.
“I have walked the path of magic and mastered the path of martial arts! I’m the Fluffy Hermit!”
“Well done, Hermit-sama!”
Freya applauded.
Huh? What the hell? What’s going on?
The fluffy hermit jumped off the table and brought his face closer in front of me.
“Are you Shinichi Tanaka?”
“Y-yes…… Rather than that, how did you get here? Expect us, nobody else know where the hideout is.”
The old man began to laugh wildy as he holds his stomach. However, without warning, he became expressionless again.
“I’m sure there are other people who know about this place besides you people.”
“That can’t be. I haven’t told anyone other than the members here.”
“Think about it, whose house it was in the first place.”
“N-no way……”
I’m stunned. It is impossible. The real owner of this place is a man from thousand year ago. But then again, we never heard that he is dead.
If that is the case…….
“I am indeed Moore, the Great Mage.”
Erna kneels down immediately.
“Ahh, ahhh…my idol, M-Moore-sama is still alive! S-sorry for being rude.”
“Don’t be so nervous. It’s been so long ago that I was called the Great Mage. Now I’m just an old man.”
Moore patted Erna on the shoulder before settling down on the sofa in the living room. Immediately, Freya runs and begins to rub his shoulder. The relationship between the two was refreshing, but for the time being, I sat down on the sofa opposite him.
“Tanaka-dono, he is actually my master. In fact, all the members of the Label family are his students. I’ve heard that Ryan-san, the lord of Mana, was once taught by Hermit-sama.”
“Hahaha, Ryan brings back such a nostalgic name. He had a rare talent for the way of Fluffy, but he was an oddball who wasn’t influenced by it. He might have been able to reach the ultimate level of Fluffy too, if he wanted.”
“Exactly. The way of fluffy is only open to Fluffners.”
Stop, I’m going crazy listening to the two of you.
I deliberately coughed and urged him to continue.
“Of course, I came here because of instructions from God Tree-sama. That is, to guide you guys to the bottom of the Great Dungeon.”
“So you’ve been to the bottom before, haven’t you?”
“Of course. I went all the way to the bottom in search of something. And I’m still there.”
“What do you mean?”
The next moment, Moore’s body shook. Then we were astonished by the sight.
“You’re surprised, aren’t you? I am created by a skill. The true body is still at the bottom level.”
“Could it be the same skill as Eva’s?”
“Yes, it’s the same. The only drawback is that I can only create a clone that is a few steps inferior to the main body. But this is a pretty convenient skill in its own right.”
Then, Moore changes the subject. Apparently, this is the main topic.
“I have been tasked by God Tree-sama to guide you guys to the bottom level, but not unconditionally. There is one thing I want you to promise me in exchange for guiding you.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s about not telling anyone about what’s in the bottom level.”
Not to tell anyone? We all tilted our heads in unison.
“I’ll explain the situation when we get there. So, will you accept this condition?”
There’s something at the bottom. This is for sure Even Eugrapia had said that those who reach there will have to keep their mouths shut because of the absurd details. It’s really intriguing.
“I’ll accept the condition. I’m not going to reveal anything about the things in the bottom level.”
“Very well. In that case, get ready at once.”
Thus, we began to advance to the bottom level of the Great Dungeon.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
Previous ⚜ Table of Contents ⚜ Next
Yume Neiji's Works 