Chapter 206 – Labyrinth of Love

After enjoying tea for about an hour, we left the Commerce Guild. We agreed to exchange greetings for the time being and to talk about details in the spring or later.

“I was impressed that you didn’t use your own contacts. You see things more broadly than we do.”

“It’s not such a big deal. I was taught that it is wrong to be above others if you try to do everything yourself.”

“Hm?”

The “Nojalori” indicated her nose questioningly.

“That’s right, it’s from Myrril. You must have been pissed several times, right?”

“Oh, yes. If it’s a job that others can do, it’s your duty as Demon King to take care of it, isn’t it?”

“Yes. And how do you really feel about that?”

“Because Yoshua is mine. If I could, I would keep you all to myself.”

Myrril-san holds my hand happily. So cute.

“Hey, we’re in trouble!”

“Somebody give me a hand!”

Ah, yes. Is this pattern happening again? Every time I get in a good mood, there’s trouble, and I’m sick of it. I have a habit of bracing myself for interruptions like those in a stop-motion romantic comedy.

Some men who appear to be adventurers are asking for help outside the Adventurers’ Guild, but the Demon King is out at the moment, so I’m sorry, but I’m going to let them pass. I’m sure that Ivan-san and the other members of the guild, or Ecla-san, the strongest witch, will be able to solve the problems in the town of Sarz…

“Oh, Takifu, you’ve come at a perfect time!”

…Ivan-san, if you ask me. What’s with that brave pose, grabbing me by the shoulders like you won’t let me go? I’m not working. I just came back to Sarz.

“No, sorry, I’m on vacation.”

“I know.”

“No, no, no, where are you taking me? We’re in the middle of a love date, as you can see…”

“There’s a monster outbreak in the dungeon.”

“Let’s hear what you have to say.”

◇ ◇

Dungeon. Oh, that sounds fascinating.

I was in the guard room, and I was excited to hear about it. When I told them about it in Casemaian, I was disappointed by the reaction of “What the hell is that?” I guess that’s to be expected. If there were no dungeons, there would be no need for a guild. I wonder if they buy meat, fur, magic crystals, and so on. Wow, my dreams are expanding.

“Takifu, why are you looking at Ivan with such sparkling eyes?”

“Mir-san, please don’t use misleading expressions. I’m not looking at Ivan-san. It’s a dungeon, a dungeon!”

“Dungeon? Is it delicious?”

“Thanks for the usual banter. I mean, it’s not food. It’s an amusement park, like a Shokado bento box full of magical beasts.” [T/n: It’s like a square or rectangular bento box with cross-shaped dividers].

“Again, you’re putting words together that I don’t understand at all… The point is, it’s a controlled hunting ground, isn’t it?”

Yes, it’s all very well understood. But I’m curious why it sounds like a fishing pond.

“Hey, a dungeon is not that simple. …Well, it may be a playground for you guys, but it’s usually a place of trials and tribulations where you have to risk your life.”

“Oh. And what happened to that magic beast you were talking about?”

Sembeck-san spread out a map on the table. It was a rough map with only simple place names, village locations, and contour lines, but it gave an idea of the location of the area.

“This is it. The dungeon is east of the ‘Wilderness in Between’ where you came from and north of the Witch’s Lake.”

The Dungeon of Sarz is located in the eastern part of the Wilderness In Between.

The Wilderness In Between is an uninhabited buffer zone near the border between the Kingdom and the Republic. But this is a country-to-country perspective, and the natural environment is a habitat for wild animals and magical beasts similar to the Dark Forest.

“The number of magical beasts in the dungeon has increased to such an extent that they are eating each other and becoming ferocious due to an overabundance of magical power. The adventurers who went in to defeat them have been isolated inside the dungeon. Some fourth-class adventurers who escaped are calling for help.”

“How many are left inside?”

“Four from the third-class party that helped them escape and three from the fourth-class party, seven in all.”

“You said they went berserk. Are there different types of monsters in the dungeon than in the surrounding areas?”

“The types of monsters are the same. The only difference is that dungeons are formed when natural magic power accumulates in the dungeon. Inside the dungeon, the growth rate, fertility, and ferocity of the beasts are higher. The magic crystal inside is also large. It used to be a good hunting ground for adventurers.”

“Was it in the past?”

“Yes. The number of adventurers used to come in and adjust the number of magical beasts, but recently the number of adventurers has been reduced to the bare minimum.”

“Ah, hey. It’s not our fault.”

“I have some objections to that, but let’s put them aside for now. If we leave things as they are, the place will be overrun with monsters, and Sarz will be in danger. If that were the case, it would make sense to send in the guards, but it’s not the right time to do that.”

Following Ivan-san’s line of sight, I looked outside the guardhouse and saw the guards gathered in front of the city gate, in light armor, with hand spears and bows. Is this supposed to be a battle on the plains, not in a dungeon?

“Are you sure they are not all going to the dungeon?”

“Half of them will work with the witch to defend the city, and half of them will go with me to the border of the territory to defeat the rebels. Of course, we will pass through the dungeon on the way, and if there are any magical beasts, we will kill them.”

“The border of the territory, you mean the eastern border?”

“No, the west. The North Lord was… dismissed by the Council, so the former North Lord, that vixen, invaded the western territory with her private army. They have taken over the eastern part of the Western Territories, near the Central Territories, and are expected to move south.”

“Why is this happening again?”

“I heard that they are denouncing the western lord who did not participate in the rebellion as a traitor, but such a statement is meaningless. The point is, it’s the last gasp of a bunch of idiots who have been sentenced to death.”

Well… I’m not sure what’s going on in my head, but we don’t have to participate in this fox hunt in the Northern Territories, so you want us to exterminate the magical beasts that are spilling out of the dungeon, right?

“According to the message, the remnants of the northern army will reach the border between the western and southern territories the day after tomorrow, which means that we, the guards, will not be able to stay in the dungeon area until noon tomorrow.”

“Mm-hmm. From there, it’s up to us.”

Ivan-san bowed his head with a bitter expression.

“I’m sorry. I sent a request to the Adventurers’ Guild, but the Lord took all the good ones, and there are hardly any left. There are a few second-class adventurers, but they are wounded or retired and old. Those below the third class may be in double jeopardy.”

“And this is where you happened to find us, first-class adventurers.”

“Don’t be so sarcastic. The witch is the one who recommended you to us, but I know you’re good at what you do. The reward for defeating the beasts will be a boost, and we will also add some extra money to the purchase of materials for the magic beasts. I’m sorry, but I need both of you to work together to get through this.”

Myrril smiled with satisfaction, and I nodded. It’s done. This is love hunting…

“Don’t make me laugh. Takifu and I will not join forces!”

Huh? What did this girl say all of a sudden? Both Ivan-san and Sembeck-san were astonished by her sudden statement.

“We were one from the beginning!”

Ivan-san’s reaction must have been difficult for him to hear her say that with a big smile on her face. Neither was I. I was intensely embarrassed in spite of the situation. I don’t like middle-aged men with red faces and fidgeting; it’s almost suspicious. Just leave it alone.

“Oh… yes… yes, that’s right… please, I’m counting on you.”

Ivan-san, Sembeck-san, please don’t give me that lukewarm look. I understand. I’ll do it right. Yes.