There were two women running away from the skeletons. One of them is slender and tall, clad in leather armor. Her tanned face gave a wide, energetic smile.
“Thank you for saving us!”
She had her red hair tied in two ponytails and it looked like a cat’s ears. She looks sharp, but her almond-shaped eyes also look somewhat cat-like. She’s older than me, probably 17 years old.
“It’s a shame I could only provide support like that. I’m confident in my throw though.”
A chain is wrapped around her right arm. The chain was tied to a hatchet that she hung around her waist.
……Her weapon is an axe attached to a chain—a chain axe.
When we shook hands, a refreshing smile bloomed in her face again.
“I’m Mia. I give my thanks to you and God.”
Overflowing with strength and flexibility, she shook my hands vigorously. My whole body is even shaking due to such force.
Then I heard Solana’s voice.
『An axe-wielder huh. I mean a warrior that needs an axe. 』
“I think it’s because of『Axeman』skill.”
I whispered back to Solana.
Mia looks very strong and calm. She doesn’t look like the type to be screaming while doing an exploration.
My doubts were resolved when I heard “the other person”.
“T-t-th-thanks……”
There was another girl behind Mia. My eyes were drawn to her long silver hair and pale skin. Her sky-blue eyes were so captivating.
“T-thank you for saving me….…”
She looked so timid, like a small animal. On the other hand, she was well equipped. She is wearing a white robe and a priestess’ hat. She was holding a staff in her hand, and the majestic decorations looked out of place against her teary eyes.
“Are you okay?”
When I called out, the girl looked up. Her eyes are sparkling.
“Mm! That was amazing! You took out that many undead! My, my legs were trembling.…”
Her cheeks were burning with the respect she gave me. From a distance, it may have looked like I had defeated the skeletons in one move. But in truth, it was pretty close call.
Mia shrugged her shoulders, but her brows furrowed.
“As you can see, that’s how my companion is. She lost her nerve so she screamed so hard, thus summoning those monsters.”
“Just as I thought huh……”
Far from being a beginner, she looks like a real amateur.
I have to warn them.
“Uhm…… This is the combat level. It’s dangerous for beginners.”
“Yes, I know. And you even saved us…… how embarrassing.”
Mia turned her attention to the silver-haired girl.
“She made a request to see the combat layer of the Eastern Dungeon. I was hired as her guide. I’ve explored this dungeon deeply solo before, so I thought it wouldn’t be a problem, but….”
I ask the girl who is about to start crying again.
“Then, are you satisfied with what you saw?”
“A-ah!? Y-yes! This is enough! Thank you!”
She tried to push too hard that was why it was a huge mess.
I can’t see her face clearly because she quickly bows her head. Then the girl finally came out in front of Mia. She fixed her hat, holds her rod properly and straightened her posture.
—She’s really beautiful.
“A-Ahem. Sorry for the late introduction.”
She placed her hand on her chest and bowed gracefully. My eyes fell on her brand new, well-tailored gloves.
“I am Parine, a servant of the God Odis.”
I see.
The Temple of Odis is dedicated to the main god, Odis-sama. Since it was Odis-sama who sealed the dungeon, priests often dive into the dungeon.
“I’ve been going around the dungeons of various places as part of the temple’s training. The dungeons in the Royal Capital are one of my objectives.”
Somehow, I feel Solana listening with interest.
The Temple of Odis is at the heart of the dungeon, but it also has a lot of secrets. Like the power of the seal that covers the entire world. The way the ancient items were stored and how monsters were trapped in the dungeons. Furthermore, it seems that the skills related to this “seal” reside in some members of the royal family.
In the founding myth, Odis-sama is said to have given dungeons as a blessing to mankind, and those who receive that grace are the royalty. Rumor has it that it is a skill that affects the seal itself. However, I don’t know the details.
The Temple of Odis welcomes skilled royals, and they manage the core of the dungeons. They also keep an eye on everyone’s daily movements. There are special adventurers who can control the temple, called the 『Raven Warriors』.
The Adventurer’s Guild manages the adventurers, and the Temple of Odis manages the dungeons. The fact that there are guards in the dungeon means that it “belongs to the kingdom”.
Well, the Eastern Dungeon is ruled by nobles under the king but….
My father taught me that it was a give-and-take relationship. So, it’s not surprising that a priest like Parine is in the dungeon.
“Oh no, oh no no……!”
Uh-
Hmmm…. But why does she act like such a beginner?
Mia crossed her arms.
“But I’ve never heard of undead in this Eastern Dungeon.”
I nodded, and Mia pursed her lips.
“Maybe it’s a kind of an emergency? They are not monsters that should be at the beginner’s dungeon.”
“I guess so. Let’s go outside.”
The three of us head out of the dungeon together.
During that time, we passed almost no one. As we climbed the stairs to the exploration layer, Mia had a dubious look on her face.
“The Eastern Dungeon is open late in the morning, isn’t it?”
“Haha…… The monsters are weak, and there are not many people, so there is not enough work to compete with.”
Because the monsters at this level are weak, not many relics come out, and the magic stones are limited. But if you become Gideon’s cronies, you will get some leftovers from the nobles. In a way, comparing the options, it would be better to be Gideon’s henchman than to desperately earn money in the dungeons.
“Mia-san, are you usually diving in another dungeon?”
“Yes.”
As expected, she probably hasn’t been diving in the Easter Dungeon that much.
Why can I tell so? Because she doesn’t feel sluggish and she’s full of life.
“I’m usually at the Western Dungeon.”
“……That’s incredible.”
It’s one of the Royal Capital’s top dungeons. Adventurers who aren’t satisfied with the eastern dungeon ultimately head to the western dungeon, which is the most difficult and has the greatest rewards.
I looked at Mia again.
She holds a well-worn axe. She walks free and easy but without any opening. She is indeed a capable person.
“Someday, I’ll be able to do the same……”
I put a tight lid on such longing. First of all, I must let my family go free.
We then exited the exploration level and went up to the surface. The first place I went to was the reception desk of the Adventurer’s Guild.
When I reported that there was a sudden appearance of a strong monster, the receptionist in charge frowned.
“U-undead?”
“There is no doubt about it.”
The Adventurer’s Guild is under pressure from the nobles. Still, the people in charge are serious and kind. The older sister immediately tightens her expression.
“…… I understand! I’ll report it to the higher-ups and we’ll investigate the combat level. Where did you see the skeleton?”
“Here and here.”
I pointed at the dungeon map.
“Alright. I’m going to warn adventurers in the dungeon. We may even send the guards in as well.”
She marked the areas I pointed in the dungeon map.
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
She bowed politely, but her expression changed when I brought up the next topic. She also turned pale quickly.
“I have a magic stone, can you buy it for me?”
“……C-come this way. I’m going to call the person in charge of that now.”
Next door is a reception desk for buying materials.
—However, the price offered to the magic stone almost made my eyes pop out.
“Ah? I-is this all……?”
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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