The bell is ringing.
I have to get up.
I have a job as a wake-up caller, so I have to get up before the bell rings. But my legs and arms, well, my entire body is so exhausted that I still want to sleep.
The sound of the bell continued.
It’s a little strange though. It’s strangely loud. It’s like there’s a bell tower right above the house.
“…… Huh?”
I forced myself to get up and opened my eyes.
I can’t help but blink once more though.
I’m in a large room. There is a magnificent fireplace burning, and in front of it was a long table with food on it.
Am I still dreaming?
I got off the bed, and was surprised by the feeling on my feet. There was a carpet. Thanks to this, I didn’t have to feel the cold floor until I put on my shoes.
“Awake?”
A voice called out from the window.
A young man with a staff approached me. He was wearing adventurer-style leather armor and a gray cloak decorated with a pair of ravens. He looked to be a little over 20 years old. The small silver coronet on his forehead reflected the red flames of the fireplace.
He was the one who gave me the horn during the battle.
“Yesterday……?”
The man’s expression softens suddenly. He had a slightly cold face with narrow eyes, but when he smiled, he seemed very kind.
“That’s right. Looks like the horn was useful.”
He nodded lightly and then he placed his hand on my forehead.
“How are you feeling?”
“I-, I’m, fine.”
The man smiled.
“Boy, that’s not what I— …Anyways, meals are over there and your clothes are right there. If you want to take a bath, leave the room and call someone. Please feel free to do so, Hero-dono.”
Then he snapped his finger.
“However—”
He paused for a bit, and continued, “You can’t slow down, because as an adventurer, you have to take on requests.”
“Wait a minute.”
I know it was rude, but I couldn’t help but interrupt.
At times like this, I took a deep breath. I looked around but there was no sign of my family.
The firewood in the fireplace crackled.
“Mom and Lu…… Where’s my sister?”
“Both of them are here. But your sister is in the process of working with the Patriarch—Mistress Pauline, and it is likely to take the rest of the day.”
The bell sounded again.
I began to understand what was going on.
There is specific building where the bell would ring from.
“This place…… I’m at the temple?”
“Yes. This is the base of the Raven Warriors outside the walls of the Royal Capital.”
I’m starting to remember more and more.
At home, after the Gods jumped out of the gold coin, our family was led to Pauline-san’s carriage. I was trying my best to get up, but I remember feeling a blur of consciousness and swayed. It’s embarrassing, but I guess I fell asleep.
The man held out his right hand to me.
“I’m Felix of Raven Warriors.”
I’m pretty sure the name means “good fortune.”.
“I’m leading several parties belonging to the Raven Warriors. My skill is 『Sage』. I’m level 40.”
I’ve never met an adventurer above level 40 other than my father. Most adventurers are concentrated in the low tier, level 10 to low 20’s, and it is said that talent is required to reach level 30 or higher. Level 40 is top-notch, allowing one to enter most dungeons alone.
“Your father has helped me many times. I think we will be able to talk about it someday.”
We shook hands and then I asked Felix about the thing he talked a while ago.
“By the way, the request is……?”
“The dungeon of course.”
He taps his well-worn staff.
“As you know, there are dungeons in the royal capital besides the Eastern Dungeon. Since it happened on the east side, we have no choice but to investigate the other dungeons as well.”
Certainly, we will have to see if there are any monsters like Skoll in the other dungeons.
Felix smiles and holds up one finger.
“I’ll tell you about the enemy that attacked you and about the horn after the investigation. Although it is not an exchange condition but…… I’ll need you to be bear with us for a while, Wake-up Caller-san.」
◆◆◆
The Raven Warriors’ stronghold is located outside the walls of the royal city. So the way of travel is by a horse-drawn carriage.
The four-wheeled carriage rattled along the road. Our destination is the Royal Capital’s “Northern Dungeon”. This is where many beginners head after the Eastern Dungeon. We are going to check the bottom level to see if there was an unexplored area that would open with 『Alarm』.
I guess I’m going to be a dungeon wake-up caller now.
“—Uhm.”
I tried to speak aloud.
There were five passengers, but Felix was the only one who responded to me. Mia, who was always with me, is now away on another errand.
“What’s the matter, Rion-san?”
“I may not be able to enter the Northern Dungeon yet…… I know it’s late for me to say this, but I don’t have an official guild diploma yet.”
Felix laughed softly.
“Fufu, I see! It’s okay, I already talked to the guild. There’s no dungeon in the royal capital that we can’t enter today.”
Eventually, the carriage stops.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The warriors quickly descended.
Felix has his staff, and the other warriors have a variety of weapons, including swords and spears. But their cloaks with a pair of ravens imprinted on it are matching so you can tell from a distance that they are a special group.
“How’s your equipment?”
Hearing the question, I also looked at my equipment.
I’m now wearing armor and boots made from the black leather of the magical beast. Up until now, I’m just wearing everyday clothes, so this is a big level up.
Well, I checked myself in the mirror before leaving and felt a bit happy.
『Rion, you look pretty good.』
『You look strong.』
『It’s cool.』
『Nice』
『I saw you looking at it in the mirror.』
The Gods spoke to me, and I can’t help but chuckle.
(Are you all going to come out in front of the warriors?)
I asked them about it, but god Thor was the one who responded.
『We’ll wait and see. We will go out if necessary. But Rion, you haven’t heard how we’ll show up yet, have you?』
I nodded my head and went down the stairs.
The Northern Dungeon was a forest dungeon. There are trees growing here and there, and a light similar to sunlight pours down from above. It seems that there are squirrels, foxes, and even natural creatures in the exploration layer.
“Wow……!”
This is my first dungeon other than the Eastern Dungeon. It feels like I’ve come close to becoming the great adventurer I’ve always admired, and even at a time like this I feel excited.
I walk carefully, watching my step and making sure not to get tripped up by the plants and root of the trees.
Normally, I would pass by adventurers who were out to gather materials, but today I didn’t meet anyone. I guess the dungeons of the royal capital is now off-limits due to the investigation of the Raven Warriors.
“It’s so quiet when there is no one around….…”
It’s like walking through a real forest.
I wonder if the differences in the dungeons were due to the people or gods who were there.
Only the footsteps of five people echo through the dungeon. Perhaps because of the new blessing, I could even hear the breathing of small animals.
Then, Felix, who walks in the lead, raised his right hand. Ahead is the staircase leading down.
We are now going to enter the second layer, the start of the battle layer of the Northern Dungeon.
“…… Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
I awakened my skills.
It’s time to test the new powers I have obtained from the four gods.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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