Starting tomorrow, for the time being, we will be busy with the cherry blossom viewing festival. So, today, I will take advantage of our day off to shop and scout the enemy.
Our target destination is the church and the slave market.
“Shun-oniichan, do you want to go shopping first?”
“Yes. This is so we don’t have to mind taking our time in the church or in the slave market.”
“Got it.”
I plan to go shopping at markets and shopping streets first. I want to buy groceries, clothes and other necessities.
First, we all head to the market.
“Hey, hey, come, come. There’s a good deal on exotic fruits today.”
“We also have spices!”
It was a holiday, so the market was full of people. There are not only products from the local Margravate but also products from the neighboring towns bordering the Margravate are being sold here.
As I bought fruits and bread, I noticed something at a stall.
“Is this a spice set?”
“Yes, it’s a collection of common spices.”
The cat beastman who is tending to the stall answered my question.
Isn’t this a curry spice set?
“Do you have a dish called curry?”
“There is a dish with such a name in the neighboring foreign country.”
“Oh, it exists huh. Alright then, I’m going to buy this spice set.”
I’ve heard that there are a lot of spices in the Eastern Frontier and I got some really good ones. I also got a few peppers and I’m very satisfied.
I used to buy rice in the Southern Margravate, but it was also sold at this market, so I also bought some. Perhaps because it was getting warmer, vegetables are also sold now, so I bought several types.
“Shiro, Ao, I’m going to see if I can make curry when we get back.”
“Curry! Oh, Shiro is looking forward to it!”
When she heard the word curry, Shiro and Ao got excited. They had never eaten it directly before, but they seem to know that it is delicious because of the knowledge from our previous life.
Sue looked puzzled as she asked me what was going on about Shiro and Ao’s excitement.
I told her the reason.
“Shun-san, what is curry?”
“It’s a soup dish with multiple spices, it’s a little spicy, but it’s delicious.”
“Since Shun-san says so, then it must be a delicious dish.”
“Yes! Shiro is looking forward to it too!”
Sue’s small appetite from when we first met has changed, she can now eat quite large servings. And as they enjoyed my cooking, they began to look forward to it.
Hehe, curry is really worth making, so I am also really looking forward to it.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
The flames were coming from the castle gate. I quickly run down the ladder from the roof. As I did so, screams could be heard in the distance. The night has just begun and yet, there is such a frightening commotion.
“Adventurers, to the castle gate! To the castle gate, quick!”
Even the usually cheerful vendors are shouting at the top of their lungs.
“Adventurers, go to the castle gate!”
“To the castle gate!”
“Hurry, go there quickly!”
I hurried to get ready, but my hands are trembling.
I wore my usual clothes with leather reinforced around my chest and joints. I carried my blue crystal short sword with me.
Looking up, my father’s red scarf is swaying against the wall.
In fact, the short sword is for gathering, and I only chose it because it was as light as possible. I was told that if I wanted to become a truly strong adventurer, long swords are the best.
A longsword that can handle both offense and defense is something that my father also used. But right now, this short sword is the only weapon I can reach.
And right now, I should go with a weapon I am familiar with.
“Rion”
When I turned around from the front door, I saw my mother standing there with a lamp.
“Are you going?”
“Yes. It looks like something happened.”
“I see.” Mom answered briefly.
Lu also came down from the second floor.
“Oniichan, come home safely.”
It was a sense of deja vu. It felt like I had seen this scene before —two years ago.
The scene now was the same as Father’s last departure before his death. The only difference is that I’m the one being seen off.
“Go ahead.”
Mom had a surprisingly calm voice.
“Do what you want. You’ve worked hard and done your best up until now. Go forward without looking back. May God protect you.”
I nod to my mother as she says so, and then I bend down to Lu, who is about to cry.
“I’ll definitely be back.”
I unsealed the gold coin.
Skill『Alarm』was used. Executing 【Unseal】.
Only Lu was able to see the figure of the goddess shining like the morning sun.
“I kept it a secret but…… I have a goddess by my side.”
Mom had a puzzled looked on her face, but Lu gasped. As expected, my sister can still see Solana.
“Oniichan, that person….…”
I nodded at Lu.
“I’m going.”
I left the house.
It was the same chilly night as usual. But the air is different. There is the smell of something burning in the air. Solana soars into the sky with her blonde hair fluttering in the wind.
“There’s a big fire in the East.”
“……This is bad!”
It’s winter, the air is dry, and it hasn’t snowed for a while. The densely packed wooden buildings in the royal capital gave the feeling that a catastrophe is imminent.
“I also heard the roar of monsters. And…… I sensed a very strong presence.”
Solana said as she fluttered through the air.
“Rion, don’t hesitate to use your skills, you can use me as a shield.”
“Shield?”
“Do whatever you can.”
I was left speechless.
No, no time to think.
I moved my feet, and I rushed forward. The city that I went to and fro as a wake-up caller, the city I might see for the last time, passed before my eyes.
Maybe it was because my eyes were wandering around like that, I caught something out of the corner of my eye.
“……Raven Warriors?”
There’s an emblem of a pair of ravens on their gray cloak. The person standing in the back alley did not notice me. The other party looked up at the night sky and then they immediately began to climb the wall.
I wonder if they found an enemy on the roof.
“……But why here?”
The house where Lu and Mom are in is also nearby. I couldn’t help but feel anxious. I want to go back and protect my only family.
But I already lost sight of the Raven Warriors, and I won’t be able to catch up with them. Their physical ability is different from mine after all.
“……Shall we chase them?”
“No. Let’s go, Solana.”
All I can do now is stop the advance of the monsters. As my mother said, I’ll run without looking back.
“Solana, save your strength.”
“Okay.”
She returned to the coin. I ran further out onto the main street. It was an unimaginable sight.
“……It’s bad.”
I’m on the main street leading to the castle gate and the Adventurer’s Guild. But now, both the buildings on the left and right side were set on fire. Even the city walls and barracks are burning. The thick smoke has even hidden the moon.
There was a scream.
“H-heeelp!”
Someone is being attacked by a goblin. I dashed forward, then I rammed and stabbed the monster in the neck before it could fight back.
“Thank you!”
The person quickly ran away after thanking me, but it seemed that a considerable number of monsters had already breached the castle walls. Dozens of shadows were coming from ahead, flickering with the heat.
The number of adventurers here is very few. I looked around frantically, but there were less than 10 people gathered here.
“W-where are the others……!?”
I couldn’t help blurting out. Then a familiar voice sounded as a group of monsters were blown away.
“They’re scattered all over the place, maybe some at the castle gate or in the other areas! Or worst, they’ve run away!”
It was Mia-san. Her chain axe flashed as she fought off the monsters.
“But there are a lot of enemies because the gates have been breached. Besides…..”
Shaking her red hair, she stares at the royal castle in the center of the capital.
“No one can command the group. The Adventurer’s Guild is a mess, and the adventurers in the Eastern Dungeon are unreliable to begin with.”
“That’s…… No, this is bad, right?”
“Yeah, very bad.”
I swallowed my saliva. The next hope is for the guards and knights of the royal capital. Nobles have strong combat skills, at least.
But as if pouring cold water on me, Mia-san said another sentence, “Let me tell you, the knights of the Royal Capital won’t be here for a while.”
“No way, right? It’s burning here so much…..”
“Believe or not. Those nobles are having a party today. Somebody will have to stop the banquet first and pull out the captain or the minister. And then those nobles will have to sign the order to mobilize the knights —they won’t come out until then.”
Mia-san’s words were the epitome of despair.
With such a catastrophe, are wereally the only ones available?
The streets where I ran around as a “wake-up caller” is burning. The monsters that had escaped from the dungeon are setting fires everywhere, as if they are destroying unwanted toys.
We are supposed to be targeted by the kobolds and goblins but they’re prioritizing setting fire in the city. They are clearly different from the monsters inside the dungeon.
They had become more sinister and more cunning.
“Is it….. is it because of the seal?”
If the dungeon is meant to keep the monsters locked up. The unleashed monster may even remember its former wisdom.
『Rion!』
I was startled when Solana called out to me.
“M-Mia-san, let’s do it. Even if only a little, let’s slow down the monsters.”
“Got it! I’ll watch your back so we don’t get surrounded.”
Spinning the chain axe, Mia-san complied.
Goblins, skeletons, kobolds, wargs. We became a wall against the enemies that came one after another.
Magic was my greatest strength.
“Wan!”
The spirit that dwell in the crystal can be used with zero magical power. I slammed the monsters with air walls one after another.
Surprised voices came from all around.
“Whoa……”
“Is that Rion?!”
“Wasn’t he….. he got a useless skill, right?!”
I can see the adventurers in the area were startled.
“You guys, please fight as well!”
“But we……”
But your weak?
I shouted with a servile smile.
“Do what you can! Call for evacuation and help those who are in the areas that are on fire!”
The adventurers looked at each other. Some rushed out to those who cried for help. Among them was the one who we had saved when he fell into a pitfall.
The monsters continued to surge in one after another, like a big tidal wave swallowing us. I wielded my short sword, and Mia-san’s chainaxe knocked them down. And with the help of the spirit’s wind magic, monsters are blown back little by little.
As I was running out of breath, I finally felt the layer of monsters thinning out.
“If it goes on like this…… we can do it!”
I took a deep breath.
“Mia-san, let’s move forward. We can start pushing them back to the castle gates now.”
—Suddenly, it became dark.
The moon is missing?
“Dodge!”
Zodooong!
If Mia-san hadn’t yelled at me, I would have died.
It was something like a giant lump of iron. Something that can only be described as such slammed into the ground where I had just moved from.
Then there came a loud roar and vibration.
I couldn’t stand still.
“Gua!”
I suppressed my groan and regained my balance. Mia-san and I get into cover. I still didn’t understand the sudden situation. But even so, my body automatically got into a fighting stance.
Gasp.
There was a short, frightened breath. I thought it was mine, but it was from Mia-san, who was right next to me.
Slowly, that “lump” rose to its feet.
“……G-giant?”
A humungous body is now standing with the moon on its back. He has a shining black armor and a large shield like a castle wall. He was so big that for a moment I didn’t even realize it was a human figure.
This guy must be three meters tall. His mouth was parted down to its cheek and he is clearly smiling.
『Wolf Bone, Skoll……』
Solana spoke.
The being in front of us is the monster general in the basement of the Eastern Dungeon. Skoll calls out to the sky. It was like a howl.
Fear crept up in my entire body, and I couldn’t help but speak,
“I-it was clearly inside the ice….”
Solana jumped out of the gold coin.
I had woken her up earlier but there is probably still some time left. Still, this is a burden to her. Even so, Solana still soars into the sky and tells us what is going on.
“The monsters around us are rampaging even more. This guy, Skoll, has caused the monsters to become enraged.”
Skoll parted lips.
“Oh, I just said I felt a familiar presence. So, it was you……!”
The air trembles as he speak.
“If it isn’t the daughter of the sun! Oh right, you are her daughter, aren’t you?”
He readied his large shield.
I felt like I am challenging a fortress.
“Very good…… superb indeed! The power of a goddess is really incredible….…”
He is the one who defeated Solana’s mother and absorbed her powers—in other words, the demon who killed the gods.
Solana stood in front, protecting me as the tip of my short sword became unsteady.
“Solana, there are people around……”
“As far as my eye can see, except for us, the others must have run away after seeing Skoll.”
We have no choice but to fight. This monster killed a god. The one thing we mustn’t do is leave this guy alone and run away.
“Let’s fight, together.”
Skill, 『Sun’s Divine Protection』was used. Executing 【Golden Flame】 ―――――――――――――――――――― 【Golden Flame】 …… Improves your physical abilities for a limited time.
“Just like with the werewolf zombie, let me deal the last blow!”
After Solana returned to the gold coin, I stepped forward.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
The walls surrounding the Royal Capital are even higher and thicker near the dungeons. Dungeons are both a source of wealth and a den of monsters. Because of that, they are separated by a specially made thick wall.
Looking down from the walls, the chaos was obvious.
“Oh my, something bad is about to happen, fufufu.”
A man and woman look down at the entrance of the Eastern Dungeon. It was the man who is standing who spoke.
Normally, a guard would be placed in this position, but due to the chaos, there was no one at this post now. As if watching the game from a special seat, the man crossed his arms, and the woman sat on the edge with her legs dangling back and forth.
The night breeze flutters their black robe. Their hood was pulled down low, showing the need to conceal their true identities rather than to appear suspicious at first glance.
“Gideon of House Warburg seems to have used it very generously this time.”
The man and woman were the pair who had come into contact with Gideon in the Royal Castle. The woman hidden in the robe curved her lustrous lips.
“It’s the remains of a titan after all. It’s the ashes of a giant who nearly burned the world with the flames of the apocalypse but could not fulfill it due to the seal. Anyways, it only revives the monsters from the Great Seal Era that are sleeping in the dungeon.”
The increase in the number of skeletons in the Eastern Dungeon was also due to that ash. Gideon was delighted with the royalty-like power that strengthened the dungeon and made it more profitable.
—However, it’s actually the opposite.
The Royal Family manages the seals of the dungeons and can make the monsters weak or strong. However, the ashes of the titan is different. With a flame that melts the sealing ice, the ashes only unleash the monsters. If it is a small amount, the number of magic stones will increase and rare items will be discovered. However, if one becomes intoxicated with its power and uses it too much, they will awaken an irreversible presence.
“The Raven Warriors were caught huh.”
“Yeah. They must have thought that they could relax after sealing off the dungeon. The ashes I gave to Gideon were particularly hot and fierce….”
The woman giggles.
“Mr. Noble must have been so vexed that he was beaten by the boy he hates. What a tough luck, fufu.”
Listening closely, you might hear Gideon’s screams coming from the dungeon.
“Mine! It’s miiiiine!”
It was only a short time ago that he broke the blockade and disappeared underground. In a fit of rage, he must have scattered the titan’s ashes throughout the dungeon.
What had he caused?
What was it that he had been using in the first place?
He must have experienced it firsthand.
“Oh, he’ll be coming out soon♪”
The woman pointed out and licks her lips with her long tongue.
“Our target is Rion. We don’t have to go inconspicuous anymore……”
Guards began to flee from the Eastern Dungeon. Having sensed something was wrong, the kingdom’s guards had entered the dungeon. They hurriedly drop the iron bars on the grand staircase leading to the basement.
However, the thick iron bars were blasted away. Monsters crawl out of the dungeon one after another.
Kobolds, goblins, skeletons, wargs and—
“He’s here, he’s coming♪”
The first thing to appear was a shield. It was a large shield that seemed to have torn off the castle gate. A huge body that reaches 3 meters in height followed after. The face was like that of a wolf, with ears exposed. The dark armor shone in the moonlight, and the helmet shone with a crest that resembled a wolf’s tail.
The guards panicked. The guild officials fled first.
“Call the adventurers!”
“Call for Help!”
“Where are the people from the temple!?”
There were chorus of shouts and screams and the woman gasps in delight.
“Oh, truly wonderful…… If the Werewolf Zombie is the covert boss, then he is the true Lord.”
The giant emerged from the dungeon holding “something” in his hand.
“He was probably planning to unleash the power of the dungeon, obtain a rare item, and get back at the boy, but.…”
The giant tosses “it” away.
If Gideon had been conscious, the last sight he would see would have been the dark night sky.
Freed from the ice seal, the werewolf Skoll let out a cry that shook the royal capital.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
As I was about to get into the carriage at the entrance of the casino, I heard a child’s scream coming from a back alley. Char and I looked at each other and we decided to go around to the back of the building.
There, a man is lying on the ground, and a girl is protecting him. Four adults are surrounding them.
“P-please stop! Don’t hit my father!”
The girl stood in front of the men, shielding her father behind her back.
I recognized the man who was lying on the ground. He is the person with the pale face in the casino.
His name is…… right, Kemoncy.
That’s what Masciolini-san called him.
“Step aside, little girl. Your father owes us a huge debt.”
“We… we’ll pay you back! So don’t hit my father.”
The men shrugged their shoulders.
“I’m sorry, but that’s not going to happen. Besides, how are you going to pay back the three million debt? Even if a brat like you sold yourself, you could only get half a million crown coins at most.”
Kemoncy, who had fallen, gritted his teeth and stood up.
“Stop! Don’t touch Hermine.”
“Why are you acting all high and mighty!? You don’t seem to understand your place until you hurt a bit more.”
“Stop!”
Seeing the men raising their fists again, Char and I intervened.
“Stop. If you’re going to be any more violent, we won’t let you off the hook.”
“Brats, don’t get in the way of the adults!”
One of the men threatened me, but the others quickly stopped him.
I’m sure it was because I was dressed like an aristocrat. There is also the status factor, but the children of nobles are often trained in offensive magic from an early age. That seemed to have been the main factor why they stopped him.
“I don’t know who you are, but please don’t butt in our business. This man owes us money.”
The man who threatened me opens his mouth with a sneer.
“What? Are you willing to take care of his debt?”
I was annoyed by his attitude, but before I could say anything back, the girl called Hermine clung to my arm.
“Young Master, please buy me. I will be loyal to Young Master for the rest of my life! So please buy me for 3 million crown coins!”
Buying people with money is out of the question. I can’t do that.
But the moment Hermine touched me, my status screen opened, and the alert came on.
Could it be that this girl is destined to be connected to Gandalcia island?
When I looked it up, it seems to be related to the unlock conditions of the beach house.
But will such a little girl become the main personnel of the beach house?
Well, I’m 13 years old, and she is about the same age, I think. Hermine is probably the same age as me or one year younger.
Does that mean that the release condition is her father?
But…… he is a gambler…..
I wonder if he can actually work hard.
“Please, Young Master!”
“Uhm……”
When I hesitated, the men smiled faintly.
“Stop it, the Young Master is in trouble. No one’s stupid enough to pay 3 million in exchange for a girl like you.”
“Maybe when she grows up a bit, her boobs will start to grow.”
“You’re right! Gahaha!”
I ignored the men who laughed wickedly.
Come to think of it, there were also debt collectors when I first met Lulu. In Lulu’s case, it was a debt made by his sick father, and Lulu herself was not at fault, but Kemoncy’s debt was something he brought upon himself.
Is it really okay to take over something like this?
Still, I stopped the debt collector from trying to take Kemoncy with them.
“Okay, I agree. I’ll take care of your debt.”
“Eh?”
“Not only you, but your father will also have to work for me for three years without pay. If you take those terms, I’ll pay off your debts.”
For now, I’ll have to wait and see.
I’ll build a beach house and have them work there. If they run away along the way, that’s it then. I’ll just have to give up for being a fool to have believed them.
“R-really……?”
Not only the men, but also Hermine, who confirmed it to me again, were surprised.
Kemoncy staggered towards me.
“……Are you sure you want to help us when we just meet for the first time?”
“Well, it’s kind of like a gamble.”
I’m not suitable for casinos, but I feel like I can win this bet somehow.
I believe in the island of Gandalcia and fate.
Kemoncy bowed deeply to me.
“For my daughter’s sake, please help us. I’ll take this opportunity to swear that I’ll quit gambling and work honestly from now on.”
“Good. I’m Baron Cedie Dantes. Nice to meet you.”
I paid off Kemoncy’s debt with my gold coins.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
Seeing that I couldn’t move away from the prize exchange area, Masciolini-san spoke to me.
“Did you find anything you like?”
“Yes. Well, for some reason, I was drawn to this vest.”
“Oh, the Vest of Happiness huh. It’s a mysterious vest that makes the user feel a little happier upon wearing it. But that’s about it. How about this 『Shiny Tuxedo』 instead? It is said that if you wear it, you will be popular.”
Well, that’s a given. The shiny tuxedo increases attractiveness by ten percent after all. It’s not a bad item, but that’s not what I’m interested in.
What I want is not the 『Spear of Lightning』 or a 『Racy Swimsuit』, but the 『Vest of Happiness』.
Coincidentally, I have 1.5 million crown coins worth of gold coins in my purse. I don’t know if I should say I’m lucky or unlucky though. I’m saving up to buy a small sailing ship, but the Vest of Happiness is more attractive than the ship.
“It’s hard for me to say this to you, my benefactor, but this is a casino prize item. I can’t give it to you unless you exchange it with chips.”
“I know that.”
I thought about it for another three seconds and made a decision.
“Masciolini-san, let me play at the casino for a while.”
“Sure. But don’t get too caught up in the swamp.”
To get the Vest of Happiness, I don’t feel that I can get it with just a small amount of money. I decided to buy 1.5 million crown coins worth of chips. If I double this amount, I can exchange it for the Vest of Happiness.
That being said, I know that it will not be easy.
There are a lot of games in the casino but all of them are familiar to me as they are the same as the ones from my previous life. Poker, baccarat, slot machines, roulette and many more. The rules are the same as well.
In the midst of all this, I set my sights on roulette. It is a game where you have to guess which number from 0~36 the ball will land on. There are various ways to bet, such as betting on even or odd numbers, or red or black.
Here, a slender dealer with his hair in slicked back style was in charge of the roulette. He looked truly professional and has no flaws in his movements.
“Welcome, please have a seat.”
His voice is also hoarse. Char and I sat side by side on the chairs in front of the table. There are three other customers besides us, all enjoying a game of roulette.
I’ll first observe it to get use to the game.
The dealer spun the wheel and dropped the ball. The white ball smoothly circles the outer circumference of the roulette.
Now then, where will the ball fall?
I didn’t actually bet on it, but in my mind, I bet 300,000 crown coins worth of chips.
“Bets are now closed.”
As the dealer declared, no further bets on the game were allowed. People are holding bated breath to see how the game unfolds. The ball slowed down and began to spin over the roulette wheel with a clank sound.
“It’s black number 6.”
A sigh escaped from those watching the roulette.
Oh, what a pity!
My guess was right. I should have wagered my chips on black. If I had done that, I would have won 1.8 million crown coins now.
Okay, I’ll bet on it the next round.
I took 500,000 crown coins worth of chips from my pile and placed them on the black tile.
If I win, the amount I get back will double to 1 million crown coins, and I will have 2 million crown coins in my hand.
—However, the reality was not so sweet.
“It’s red number 19.”
My guessed missed!
Which one should I choose next?
Uhm…. Black → red, so black is next.
I bet 400,000 crown coins on black.
“It’s red number three.”
I missed again!
Not only that, but from there, I missed the forecast in a row, leaving me with only 200,000 crown coins worth of chips left.
Oh my God, I didn’t expect to lose so much in such short period of time…….
The dealer spun the wheel and dropped the ball again.
Uh….what next?
I am losing confidence, and I don’t know where to bet.
Suddenly, I felt my sleeve being tugged, and my attention was drawn away. Before I knew it, Char was looking up at me with a curious look on her face.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“What have you been doing, Father?”
Oh my gosh, I was so engrossed in the game that I forgot about Char.
“I’m sorry, Char. Well, I’m trying to guess where that ball is going to land.”
“Oh, that’s all? It’s going to stop at red number 5 next time.”
Char smiled innocently while spreading her palms wide, indicating the number 5.
“Do you understand?”
“It’s easy.”
It’s hard to believe, but perhaps I should trust what Char is saying.
Alright, I’m going to throw my remaining 200,000 crown coins according to the Yellow Dragon’s prediction.
I put all of my chips on the number 5 red square.
“Bets are now closed.”
As soon as I finished placing my chips, the dealer declared that.
Now we just have to wait for the results.
The ball slowed down and began to rattle.
And then…
“It’s red number 5.”
“““Whoa!”””
The customers around me are surprised.
Knowing Char, I was hopeful she’s correct and I win, but when it actually happened, I was very surprised too.
“Congratulations.”
The dealer congratulated me and gave me back 7.2 million crown coins worth of chips.
If you guess red or black, your bet amount will only double, but if you also guess the number, it will be multiplied by 36!
I was so nervous that I completely forgot about it.
“Thank you, you’re amazing, Char!”
“Ehehe, Char is the strongest species after all!”
Char puffed out her chest.
Masciolini-san, who was watching from behind, was also surprised.
“Whoa, I’m surprised. I didn’t expect you’d hit it straight up.”
“This is also thanks to Char.”
“So, do you still want to continue, or do you want to play another game?”
“No, I’ve had enough. I’ll exchange for the Vest of Happiness and go home.”
When I told him that, Masciolini-san was clearly relieved.
Even after exchanging the 4 million crown coins chip for the Vest of Happiness, I still had 3.2 million crown coins of cash in my pocket.
My honest impression is that casinos are really terrifying!
“Cedie, please come and visit again.”
“Thank you. Next time, I’d like to come to the restaurant and theater attached to the casino.”
Masciolini-san saw us off to the front door. Thus ended my casino debut.
However, this win was entirely thanks to Char. If it were just me, I would have lost all the money in my purse. Apparently, I don’t have a talent for gambling. That was the lesson I learned from this social study.
By the way, Char was banned from entering the casino.
That’s to be expected, I guess. Char could win with ease after all.
She is indeed the strongest species.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
“It’s perfect. I’ve heard rumors about you. You’re really a good cook. I would appreciate it if you can teach my daughter how to cook.”
While listening to the complaints of the Magician-oneesan’s mother, I managed to complete the lunch. I made stir-fried vegetables and fried noodles. It’s quick and easy to do, and there are a lot of people here so it’s just right.
“Hey, it smells really delicious. Is it ready yet?”
“I’ll take it out now.”
“Okay, I’ll help you.”
The adventurer-oneesan peeked inside the kitchen as she was lured by the smell. Unable to wait any longer, she helped me bring the plates of food one after the other..
“Mmm, delicious!”
“Boy your food is always delicious.”
Oh, it seems that they have been eating it steadily after she brought it out.
I’ll clean up and eat afterwards.
“More please!”
“”Me too”
“Large portion, please.”
“……”
With Shiro at the forefront, the gluttons handed out their plates. I realized that I still couldn’t eat lunch.
“I’m sorry. I’m a glutton, including my daughter.”
“No, it’s okay. I’m glad that you enjoyed the food.”
In the end, in exchange for being exempt from the afternoon work, I made second helpings of lunch and cleaned up afterwards. I cleaned up after the cooking, but I never expected that some people would come for a third refill.
“The chairman of the cherry blossom viewing committee said that the food will be a big hit this year.”
“Uhm, I’m actually a medical staff.”
“Hahaha, don’t worry about it. I heard there are a lot of skilled cooks this year, so I’m very relieved.”
I have applied for cherry blossom viewing as a medical staff, but I ended up as a cook. Somehow, I feel like I’ll be cooking the whole time we’re at the cherry blossom viewing.
By the way, everyone was motivated during lunch so the potion making was finished earlier than planned.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
We gathered a lot of herbs so there is no need to worry about potions running out of stock. However, to my surprise, we got a new request that is still related to herbs.
“Ah, this is a request from our family. There are not enough people to make potions because there are so many medicinal herbs.”
That’s what the Magician-oneesan of the adventurer trio said.
When we went to the guild, I found out that we were nominated to do the request. As it turned out, the Magician-oneesan’s family runs a pharmacy and they also make potions. But since we collected a lot of medicinal herbs yesterday, there was a shortage of people to make potions.
Hmm, since we are partly to be blamed for this situation, we need to help.
We took the request and we all head to the pharmacy.
“I’m back. Father, come here.”
“Oh, I’ve been waiting for you guys.”
“““Hello”””
“Welcome”
There is a pharmacy in the corner of the shopping street, and everyone enters the store.
Hmm, the Magician-oneesan’s mother looked exactly like her, but her father had a muscular body that look out of place as a pharmacy owner. The young gorilla beastman couldn’t help but stare at the uncle’s body.
“Alright, follow me. There’s a lot of preparation work before making potions you see.”
Saying that, uncle took us to the back of the pharmacy.
First, we had to wash the herbs we had picked yesterday, but it seemed there was one more thing we needed to wash.
“With all these medicinal herbs we don’t have enough bottles. I’m sorry, but please help me wash the bottles as well.”
“Oka~y!”
Shiro and Ao are cheerfully raising their hands, but there are quite a lot of empty bottles. However, since it is a job request, we divided the work and started working.
“Hey, you guys are here too huh.”
“Yes, yes, we’ll help making the potions.”
“Uncle, I’ll help too.”
“Yes. I’ll help you too.”
The adventurer-oneechans all got ready to make potions. After washing the herbs, they carried them inside the workshop.
“Hmm, looking at it now, it’s indeed a lot huh.”
“Yeah. I’ve never picked this many herbs.”
The others are talking while washing medicinal herbs, but it is certainly a rare sight to see a large pile of medicinal herbs like this. Even so, we quickly washed the herbs, being careful not to damage them.
“Shun-oniichan, what do I do with the empty bottles after washing them?”
“Take them to the uncle in the workshop.”
“Okay.”
And when the empty bottles are washed, they are taken to the workshop one after another. As expected, Shiro is as powerful as ever. She lightly lifts a box full of empty bottles that have been washed.
There are a lot of empty bottles, so our morning work will most likely end with washing.
Just when I am thinking so, another job came up.
“Shun-oniichan, Auntie wants you to help her make lunch.”
“Yes. Yes. I asked my daughter to do it, and she said that there is only one person who can cook here. Sigh, she is already at this age so she has to be able to cook one dish at least.”
“Hahaha……”
Uhm, I’ll just pretend I didn’t hear Auntie’s complaints.
I headed towards the kitchen next to the workshop.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
I walked back to Fana and the others. Having defeated the giant cyclops, the golems had stopped moving. Their bodies are scattered all over the place, and it was clear at a glance that a fierce battle had taken place here.
“Fana-oneechan, I’m tired.”
“Mm, Master. Thanks for the hard work.”
I jumped to Fana’s chest, making her catch and hug me.
Guhehehe…… This is the best way to restore strength.
『More than that Master, shouldn’t you hurry up and find the Dungeon Core as soon as possible? 』
(Oops, you’re right.)
The dungeon is controlled by interfering with the heart of the dungeon, so to speak, called the dungeon core.
“Hey, I’ve never heard of Dungeon Core before though?”
“That’s to be expected, I guess. Even if you conquer a dungeon, the dungeon core won’t appear after all.”
“Then where is it?”
The location of dungeon cores varies from dungeon to dungeon. It is usually near the boss room, but it’s not necessarily in a place where you can see it.
“Well, dungeon core is like a mass of magical power. If you look for a place with a high concentration of magic, you will find it for sure. ……Un, yes, this way.”
The three of them followed the direction I pointed to.
“Mm, now that you mentioned it, I feel like its indeed the case.”
“Yes. I feel like there’s more magical power over here.”
Fana and Anje are nodding because they both understand the flow of magic.
Orion, on the other hand, looked very confused.
“The magical power here is stronger? ……I don’t feel it though.”
He doesn’t seem to be able to pinpoint the difference in the magic density. Well, it’s normal, I guess. You don’t have to be too conscious of magic to use magic after all.
“It looks like it is on the other side of this wall.”
“O-On the other side of the wall you say? T-then, there’s nothing we can do about it!”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, the walls of the dungeon can’t be destroyed so……”
That’s when Anje cut in.
“I used to think so too. But that’s not really the case.”
“Oneechan, are you planning on trying it?”
“Yes. I feel like I can do it now.”
Saying that, Anje stepped forward and she begins to accumulate her qi.
“It can’t be…. Oneechan you—”
“Haaaaaahhhh!”
In the next moment, a mass of qi released from Anje’s fist struck the wall of the dungeon.
Dogooon!
It was exactly the same as the technique that Goritia used to release qi. To think that she’d managed to comprehend it this fast….
“Phew…… It was my first time, but it seems to have worked.”
There was a hole in the wall.
Although it’s only big enough for one person to crawl through, but just making a hole in the solid wall of the dungeon was an accomplishment in itself.
Moreover, she kept her consciousness properly. Many have tried doing this technique and at first try, they use too much qi and faints right after doing it.
“Oneechan, you’ve grown. As your Master, I’m proud of you.”
“……W-Why are you trying to bury your face in my chest while saying that!?”
“It’s baby’s instinct.”
“Be either a master or a baby!”
No way! I’ll have the best of both worlds!
“Hmm, is that the dungeon core you’re talking about?”
“It’s beautiful..…”
There is a small room at the back of the hole, in which the dungeon core is floating. It doesn’t look like it was made naturally, it’s like a huge beautifully cut gem. Each dungeon has a different color, but the dungeon core here is red like a blazing fire.
And right next to such a dungeon core—
“W-Who are you guys!?”
“Why are there people here!?”
There were a few suspicious people next to the dungeon core. Apparently, these guys are the ones who are controlling the dungeon core.
“I-impossible! ……You guys conquered the dungeon and made it all to the way here!? We took every precaution to make sure no one could get here…… Just how on earth….?”
An elderly man who seems to be the leader of this group retreats in shock.
No matter how I looked at it, this incident was too large for a single perpetrator. Apparently, it is indeed planned by an organization. I had a feeling that this was the case, seeing as incidents involving taboo items were occurring in various places.
“Should we defeat them?”
“That’s right, Fana-oneechan. But I want to hear the details later, so please don’t kill them.”
“Mm, I understand.”
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
White wine made from sparkling grapes has been completed. I didn’t brew it with 100% happiness, so it is still Château Gandalcia Special. Although it is not as good as the Château Gandalcia Extra, its taste is reputed to be unrivaled.
We have previously supplied the Chateau Gandalcia Special red wine to the Crown Prince’s wedding party, but this is the first time we have made the white wine counterpart of it. I immediately asked Upa and the others to taste it, and they were all so impressed that they were at loss for words to describe how great the taste is.
I was told by Viscount Terbert of the Imperial Household to deliver the special wines when they are ready, so I decided to deliver it immediately. This time, I also made a new label for it. The label of the Château Gandalcia Special red wine has the Baron Dantes family coat of arms printed in gold in black background. For the white wine, I printed the coat of arms in silver color. This one also has a sense of luxury and is a nice touch.
Since I’m going to Luidas, I decided to stop by at Masciolini-san’s place. The reason why the Magic Railway was able to be completed was because Casino Wyal’s stock prices soared. As a thank you, I will give Masciolini-san two bottles of this white wine.
It just so happened that I found out that Eugenie was going to the capital, so I hitched a ride with Char on Gian’s back. Thanks to this, we were able to reach the capital in less than half a day.
Even if the Magic Railway opens to the capital, it won’t be this fast, so I’m really grateful.
“I’d like to treat Gian to a bottle of wine as a thank you for giving us a ride to the capital. But, is that okay?”
“Quee! Quee!”
Gian loves wine, so he’s excited when he learns that he can drink the Château Gandalcia Special.
“Enough, Gian! Don’t chug it down! But are you really okay with this? It’s a precious wine, right?”
“As long as it makes Gian happy, then that’s good.”
Gulping down his wine, Gian let out a satisfied burp.
“I’m sure Father would faint if he found out about this. He’d be so upset, thinking he should be drinking one too.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve prepared two bottles for Earl Simpson as well. Give these to him.”
I have to take care of my neighbor after all.
I parted with Eugenie and went to the palace. Viscount Terbert was overjoyed and bought all 80 bottles of wine.
“Baron, I’m sorry to ask but, the personal favor……”
“I’ve also set aside five bottles for Viscount Terbert alone, well if you’d like to buy them.”
“That’s very kind of you! I’ll be happy to take them. By the way, would you like to have dinner with me, Baron Dantes?”
“Thank you, but there are places where I need to stop by. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the Capital after all.”
“Oh, what a pity. I’ll send you an official invitation next time then. Please come and visit us.”
In this way, we were able to successfully complete this transaction.
Next, we headed to Masciolini-san’s Casino Wyal in Luidas which is also the main one. I haven’t made an appointment though.
I wonder if Masciolini-san is here?
It’s inconvenient to live in a world without phone, I guess.
For the first time in my life, I stepped into the city’s red-light district.
“Father, this place looks very flashy.”
“This is called a casino.”
We are still outside but the enthusiasm of the customers is leaking out from inside the glitteringly decorated building. The excitement and buzz inside are transmitted to us.
The doorman looked suspicious because we are two children, but he didn’t treat us badly.
“Young Master, do you need anything from the casino?”
“I’m Baron Dantès and I would like to meet Masciolini-san. Is he perhaps in here?”
As soon as I told him my name, the doorman quickly arranged his posture.
“So you are Baron Dantes. I have heard about you from Masciolini-shi. Please wait a moment and I’ll inform inside.”
We didn’t wait too long, and we were taken to Masciolini-san’s office.
“Cedie-kun, you’ve come a long way! It’s good to see you.”
Masciolini-san greeted me with exaggerated open arms.
“Okay, okay, have a seat first. Would you like something cold? I have some good, iced tea. For Charlotte-chan, we also have some cake here.”
Masciolini-san has a ruddy face and is full of life.
“It’s great to see that it seems to be a success. There are a lot of customers even in the daytime.”
“It’s just the beginning. At night, this place is packed with people. So, why are you here today?”
“Actually, I got a little present for you.”
I handed Masciolini-san the two bottle of wine with a shining silver coat of arms printed on it.
“Oh my, Cedie-kun!”
Masciolini-san spread his arms wide again, this time lightly hugging me.
“Thanks a lot for this. But I feel sorry that I made you come all the way here, my benefactor.”
“Benefactor? I haven’t done anything though.”
“No, don’t say that. Casino Wyal has recovered because of your wine and hot dogs. It’s no exaggeration to say that the reputation of those items has attracted customers.”
“If you say that, then Masciolini-san is also my benefactor.”
“Me?”
I talked about me buying Casino Wyal Group’s stocks and how it helped build the Magic Railway.
“So that’s what happened. Oh, I’m really glad I was able to help you unknowingly.”
“So today, I brought you the new bottle of white wine to show my appreciation.”
“Thank you, I’ll drink it wisely. By the way, why don’t you do a little social study?”
“Social study? Like a part-time job at your casino?”
“No, no, I’m saying that you should go and have some fun. I’m going to pay for the chips so go and have a try.”
Uhm, even if you say that, gambling is scary…….
In this world, it’s considered the noble’s pastime, though.
“I think I’ll pass.”
“Are you sure? Well, I invited you because you don’t seem to be the type to lose all your money on gambling. But if you don’t want to, I won’t force you. Anyway, let us take a look around for you to see what the casino is like.”
Masciolini-san toured us around the casino, and it was truly a glittering world. Everyone is dressed in formal attire, sipping drinks while enjoying gambling. But not everyone is smiling. There are many people who had slumped shoulders and those who have a scary expression.
Whoa, the man staggering towards us looked quite pale-faced.
He fell right in front of me.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yes, thank you.”
The man went to the toilet with a handkerchief over his mouth.
“Oh dear, looks like he lost again today.”
Masciolini-san let out a sigh.
“Do you know each other?”
“His name is Kemonsy, and he’s a professional gambler. He seems to have been on the decline recently. It’s a bit of a worry for the banker, but he seems to have lost quite a lot of money. I hope he hasn’t borrowed money from dangerous places…”
Gambling is scary after all.
There is a prize exchange area at the back of the casino. It seemed to hold valuable items, as burly-looking guards were guarding the shelves.
“You can also exchange the chips for prizes here. I’m proud to say that we have a lot of rare items that you wouldn’t normally get outside.”
As Masciolini-san was proud of, there are many rare items on the shelves. But I know the effectiveness of these items!
Aren’t all the useful items that appeared in Island Maker here?
There are a lot of things that I think will be useful to me. For example, I could never have too many of the 『Philosopher’s Water』 which restores magical power, or the 『Miracle Fruit』which incredibly increases concentration.
In terms of equipment, there’s the『Fashionable Tuxedos』, 『Sensual Dresses』and……
T-that’s the 『Vest of happiness』!
The Vest of Happiness is a piece of equipment that increases the wearer’s happiness level by 4%. In the game in my previous life, it was an item that was treated as somewhat questionable, but now it’s an item I desperately want!
Because, as you know, this will give me more chances to brew Château Gandalcia Extra.
The vest of happiness can be exchanged for a chip worth 4 million crown coins huh……
I stood in front of the shelf lost in thought.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
The one-eyed giant Magma Cyclops was engulfed in flames. As if in response to its roar, a pillar of flame rises from the surrounding magma pools. It looked like this giant was controlling it, and magma is now attacking from all directions. In addition, chunks of rock began to rain down one after another from the ceiling.
“No! This is bad!”
“What the hell is this thing? It’s absurd!”
In addition, the lumps of lava rocks that have fallen begin to move. Apparently, those lump of lava rocks, are golems.
“M-Magma Golem!? Kuu…. there are so many of them!”
“I’ll take down the boss. I’ll leave the golem to you Oneechans.”
“Understood.”
“Got it!”
Fana and Anje responded vigorously. Orion, on the other hand, has a pale face.
“Oniichan, do your best to escape.”
“Ugh…… I never thought I’ll just be a hindrance……”
I ignored Orion’s frustrated expression and got on Lindwurm. I quickly charged towards the giant.
“Ice Arrow!”
I shot an ice arrow into its body. Well, it wasn’t really an arrow, it was more like a spear, but it melted away before it got close to the cyclops’s body.
“It seems like it is hotter than I expected.”
I thought ice would be its weak attribute…..
It seems that unless it was ice magic on par with Meltera’s, it would be nullified.
“Then…… Explosive arrows!””
The arrows hit the giant’s chest causing a terrific explosion. Unfortunately, the enemy was still completely unscathed.
“That lava armor is pretty hard…… Oops!”
Just when I thought I had dodged the stiff arm that was trying to knock me down, it spewed flames out of its mouth. I dodged that too and quickly approached its one eye.
“It’s common knowledge that the eyes are a weak point for these kinds of creatures.”
I turned Lindwurm into sword mode and tried to stab it into its only eye.
Gakin!!
“Eh?”
However, his eyelids closed just before I can do so and the tip of the sword is repelled.
“Even the eyelids are hard…… But the fact that it defended in that way means that it’s a weak spot.”
I aimed at its closed eyelids and cast spells over and over again, slashing at it with my sword over and over again at the same time. No matter how hard it is, it shouldn’t be unbreakable.
As expected, the eyelids eventually cracked open, revealing the eyeballs.
“Uwoooooo!!!”
“The lava……”
The giant roared and the surrounding lava quickly flew towards its head. Eventually, like a helmet, the head is completely covered by lava.
“For real? It understood that its eye was being targeted so it was quickly protected.”
『That’s pretty clever. Is this also the power of the black magic stone?』
By the way, while I was taking a little time, Fana and Anje were in a pretty pinch situation as they are surrounded by golems. As for Orion, he is now desperately trying to escape. It would have been better if he had waited in front of the boss room.
『What are you going to do, Master? You look quite tired. If it is the previous you, you should be able to defeat monster of this level without any problems. You must have been exhausted after destroying three monster vortex of that magnitude and diving all the way here without a break. 』
“You’re right. With this baby body..… it looks like I’ve pushed myself too hard.”
『If you order me, I’ll use my breath to destroy that disturbing armor. I’m fully packed with magic so there is no need to worry about me going into hibernation.』
“Okay, please do so. We don’t have time to waste right now.”
『As you wish Master.』
Once back in wand mode, Lindwurm’s dragon head opens its mouth wide. A tremendous amount of energy focused in his mouth, and it was released at the giant’s eye.
“~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!?”
The lava helmet that covered its head completely disappeared, and his only eye comes out again. I rushed in as hard as I could.
The giant somehow managed to protect itself with its cracked eyelid. However, sewing through the gap, the tip of the Lindwurm, which had once again transformed into sword mode, pierced the eyeball.
“Uwooooooooo!?”
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
