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I swear she is in such a good mood that if she were a cat, she’d be purring at the top of her lungs right now. She answers my question right away.
“Isn’t it boring to eat the same food all the time, Mr. Bell?”
“Ahh…”
“Fu-fu, that’s why. Monsters like a little variety, too.”
I keep becoming a little bit smarter every time I ask Lilly about something that doesn’t make sense. So I keep the questions coming.
First I ask her why adventurers completely ignored this really good hunting spot. She explains that this place is too far out of the main path. In fact, every single dungeon pantry is so far removed from the usual route that it will take hours to get to one of them. Even if you manage to find one—and are strong enough to survive fighting everything in here at once—it’s more efficient to collect the magic stones that are worth more from monsters farther down.
But the most important reason is that if you make even one mistake, the danger of being overwhelmed by sheer numbers is very real.
These are the reasons why most adventurers try to avoid turning these places into their battlefield.
…It could also be that they don’t want to ruin such a beautiful place.
At least that’s how I feel, looking out across this tranquil scenery from under our camouflaged cloth.
A wide cavern bathed in soft green light.
The clear crystals emerging from the tree are absolutely breathtaking. Light reflects off the pond beneath it like the moon off a still lake at night. The pond’s surface glistens in silence.
White flowers with blue stems are blooming in bunches all around the lake. Every so often a needle rabbit pokes its head out from between them. Purple moths fly through the flowers and land on the crystals above, resting their wings. Soft splashes fill the air as a small group of killer ants makes their way through the pond toward the quartz tree on the back wall.
The green light makes everything look calm, almost gentle.
It’s hard to believe that monsters that should be violent and horrifying can look this beautiful.
Of course, I fully realize that these beasts are the enemy of humanity.
They’re extremely dangerous and will attack if I try to confront them.
Even still, I don’t want to do anything to disturb this awe-inspiring scenery.
Looking across the cavern, taking in the light, the monsters, everything, I can’t help but feel this way.
“…! Mr. Bell.”
“!”
Lilly’s shoulder stiffens as she grabs and shakes my arm.
My mind comes back to my body as I sit up and follow Lilly’s eyes to the pond at the base of the tree. I spot them immediately.
Butterflies with blue wings fluttering gracefully among the flowers.
A group of four blue papillon, the target of our quest, has appeared in the pantry.
“It was worth coming all the way down here.”
“Y-yes.”
We get up in unison, preparing to leave at any moment.
The butterflies’ elegance and refinement match the cavern perfectly. Each one of their bodies is much more delicate than a purple moth’s, their two sets of wings flowing like water. The light blue trails they leave behind are pretty enough to make my heart skip a beat.
While the blue papillon pose no threat in combat, the scales that flake off their wings heal the injured monsters around them. The reason that Nahza wants blue papillon drop items is because they would make an excellent ingredient for healing potions. Of that I’m sure.
“We mustn’t make a scene in here. Let’s watch them and follow them out of the pantry.”
“Okay, got it.”
My mind back in questing mode, Lilly and I wait with bated breath for a chance to spring our trap.
A light breeze caresses my face.
Closing one eye to shield it from the gentle wind, Lilly and I emerge from the base of Babel Tower with big smiles on our faces.
“That went very well.”
“Yes, to get this many drop items at once is very lucky.”
Lilly looks up at me with a happy grin on her lips. Our plan worked without a hitch. Follow the group of blue papillon, take them down, collect the drop items, and return to the surface.
Just as Lilly said, all of the blue papillon left behind drop items. We couldn’t be happier that we finished this quest so quickly.
Five wings altogether…I have no doubt that Nahza will be more than happy with this haul.
“If Mr. Bell took these to the Guild, they’re worth at least nine thousand vals. The fact they’re in good shape might make them worth even more…Too bad we’re going to trade them~.”
It sounds like Lilly’s only excited because these drop items are from a rare monster. I force a smile at my unusually high-spirited partner as we make our way through Central Park and toward West Main.
That was just what I needed to cheer me up…
That amazing scenery put my mind at ease.
I wasn’t planning on taking a break, but I’m glad I did. Sure, I still ache all over, but it feels good. I’ve got a little pep back in my step.
“Good afternoon! Anyone here?”
“…Bell?”
We enterMiach Familia’s home, a shop in the backstreets.
Nahza watches us come through the door from her chair behind the counter, her drowsy eyes opening just enough for me to notice.
“Don’t tell me, you’ve already finished the quest…?”
“Yes. We’ve dropped by to finish up.”
I take a box roughly the size of a shield out from under my arm and open it to show her the contents.
A rare, energetic expression runs across her face the moment that Nahza sees the beautiful blue hue of the Blue Papillon Wings. A smile is on her face in the blink of an eye.
The fluffy dog tail beneath her long skirt is happily swishing back and forth.
“Thank you, Bell…You’re good; never knew how good.”
“I-it’s nothing…”
“I always believed you could do it if you tried, Bell…”
I shyly scratch the back of my neck, my cheeks on fire, as Nahza gives me compliment after compliment.
She steps up to me and pats my head, almost like a reflex.
“Sorry to interrupt your moment, but shall we trade the goods for the reward?”
Lilly hadn’t said a word since we came into the shop, but she steps in to speed up the process.
Nahza freezes and looks down at her before forming a very innocent smile on her lips.
The two of them have never met before. Nahza must have figured out that Lilly is a member of my battle party because she nods and says, “…Of course,” before making her way behind the back counter.
“Mr. Bell, now is not the time to get sloppy.”
“I-I don’t think I was being sloppy…”
“Remember this well, Mr. Bell. The quest isn’t over until you have the reward in your hands.”
“…Huh?”
I’ve never heard her say something so profound. She didn’t even look at me when she was talking, just kept smiling in Nahza’s direction.
I tilt my head and look at her for a moment before I hear Nahza return with a wooden case in her hands.
“Here’s your reward: two dozen potions.”
“T-two dozen?!”
I normally buy the cheapest potions thatMiach Familiahas to offer, 500 vals apiece. So twenty-four of those…12,000 vals!
I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for her for adding on extra potions as hazard pay.
Liquid happiness runs through my veins as I look at my first-ever reward from the quest. I’m about to hand the box containing the Blue Papillon Wings over to her, when suddenly—Shoup!
A small hand comes out of nowhere and grabs hold of my wrist.
“L-Lilly…?”
“Please wait a moment, Mr. Bell.”
Keeping her gaze locked squarely on Nahza, Lilly swiftly reaches out toward the box of potions.
She withdraws one of the vials full of blue liquid in the blink of an eye.
“Hope you don’t mind. Lilly will pay you back later.”
“Eh, what are you…?”
Without waiting for permission, Lilly flips open the top of the vial and brings it up to her nose.
A few quick whiffs, and she stares at the color of the liquid. A surprisingly flustered Nahza looks on as Lilly pours a drop of the liquid onto her hand and takes a lick.—The next moment.
“—Fu-fu, is this potion worth five hundred vals? What a lovely business you’re running, enough to make Lilly jealous.”
Lilly sounds absolutely terrifying while wearing the face of an innocent child.
““””
“This potion, it’s been watered down quite a bit, hasn’t it? It’s less than half as potent as it should be. There’re extra ingredients mixed in to give it the right color and sweetness. Yes, this is a common scam.”
Shock rips through my body. Is it true?
Nahza and I stand in silence as Lilly drives her point home with that same innocent smile plastered on her face.
“These potions might be worth two hundred vals. It seems you’ve been drastically overcharged, Mr. Bell.—Of course, this reward is nooooooowhere close to the value of the drop items.”
I can practically see the blood draining from Nahza’s face.
Even with her eyes half closed, sweat is pouring down her cheeks. The tail that was happily swaying back and forth before is now bent at a very awkward angle.
I don’t know what to think anymore.
“So, how do you propose we fix this?”
Lilly narrows her eyes and smiles like a little devil as she takes one step toward Nahza.
“My apologies!!”
Lord Miach forcefully throws his head down in a bow.
The red evening sun shines through the open windows, casting everything in a crimson hue.
Standing next to Lord Miach, with his hand firmly clasped behind her head and forcing her down, is Nahza.
“One of my own has caused you a great deal of trouble, and for that I am deeply sorry, Bell! I will return every val that was taken from you this instant.”
“Eh, um, please, Lord Miach, it’s not a big deal. Raise your head…”
He straightens up little by little. I can see his downtrodden face but he won’t look at me. “My apologies,” he says one more time.
Lord Miach’s build is very tall and lithe. Wearing his aquamarine hair longer than most men, he carries himself like an aristocrat. The fact that his gray robe is in rough shape doesn’t hurt at all; in fact, it adds to his charm.
Nahza’s god looks every bit the part of someone from Deusdia, except that right now Lord Miach’s expression is very dispirited.
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“This has caused you problems, too, Hestia. Taking what little money the both of you have available…”
“What’s done is done. Be extra careful that something like this doesn’t happen again and teach her right. You’ve helped me out of a few jams, Miach, so we can let this slide.”
“Yes, it will be done…”
After Lilly had finished grilling Nahza, all of us, including mygoddess, Hestia, had gathered atMiach Familia’s home for an apology session of sorts.
Lord Miach had been unaware of Nahza’s shady activities until now, and he has been doing all of the apologizing.
His hand is still firmly placed on the back of Nahza’s head, not allowing her to stand up.
“I must say, Miss Supporter, great job catching this in time. I’m relieved to see that you’re taking such good care of Bell. Thanks.”
“No, no. Lilly is just happy to be of service to Mr. Bell and Lady Hestia.”
T-taking care of…?
I break out in a cold sweat as I watch the goddess nod with a happy smile on her face and Lilly respectfully bow a few times. It almost feels like they’re bound by some kind of contract that I don’t know about…
“…Nahza. Why did you do this?! Answer me!”
Lord Miach’s voice thunders.
The moment he releases his hold on Nahza, she turns her back on him.
The half of her hair that isn’t tied back floats on air as her head flicks around to look at the wall.
“OurFamilia’s bank account—it’s always moments away from collapse…And the clueless rabbit was a sitting duck.”
My eyes go wide at the same time as Lord Miach’s. What did she mean by rabbit and duck…?
She doesn’t look or sound any different than usual, monotone voice with droopy eyes, but…her bushy tail is shuddering beneath her skirt.
“You fool! What happens when you rob people blind?! This world moves on honesty and trust, especially the business world. You’ve risked the trust of a valued customer for spare change?!
“How foolish can you be?!” he continues with a glare strong enough to make the bravest of people crumble to their knees.
Nahza casually looks over her shoulder, clicks her tongue, and stares down Lord Miach’s gaze with her own.
So shecanshow emotion.
“How can you say that, Lord Miach, when you give out free potions to anyone and everyone? That’s why we never have any money. And on top of that, girl after girl is drawn to you like a moth to the flame and you give them the wrong idea…If I had a val for every time I’ve covered for you…!”
“What…what are you talking about?! I don’t draw in anyone, nor do I try to deceive anyone!”
Lord Miach seems to have been caught off guard by Nahza’s retort. The goddess’s and Lilly’s gazes have gone cold.
I’m sure Lord Miach has stolen many hearts with that smile and the way he carries himself like royalty…but I guess he doesn’t realize it, otherwise he wouldn’t be so confused right now.
“I have wronged Bell…but at this rate, it will be impossible to pay back the loan and it’ll only get worse…!”
Eh? That gets my attention.
I take a look around to see if other people heard that, too. The goddess has a very serious look on her face.
Loan…?
Lord Miach is looking more and more uncomfortable by the moment. Between him and the painful look on Nahza’s face, I get the feeling something suspicious is going on. Something that Lord Miach doesn’t want to talk about…
In that moment—
“FU-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA, I’m coming in!!”
The room shakes with a roar of laughter, and again as the door gets kicked off its hinges.
“?!”
“You got my money for this month, Mii-ahh-chhh?”
A middle-age god with graying hair and a beard appears in the doorway.
I can tell he’s quite a bit older than the gods and goddesses I know, but he still has that perfectly chiseled face they all share…But at thesame time, his aura is completely different. All that handsomeness is wasted on him.
His cheeks peel back in a sickening grin as he looks around the room like he owns the place. He’s wearing an extravagant gold robe with intricate embroidery. Did he choose his wardrobe today just to rub it in Lord Miach’s face…?
“Dian…!”
“I dragged myself all the way out here ’cause you never showed up. Be grateful, you ruined beggar, bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
…I think I have a pretty good idea what this god is like.
“I see your shop is just as dusty as always! Gotta make this a quick visit, being here too long’s gonna make me sick. Oh, I see misery loves company! Hosting some more beggars so you won’t get lonely?”
Nahza’s eyes are burning like this god is her father’s sworn enemy. Lord Miach turns to face the intruder with a very sour look on his face. “Huh?” Lady Hestia’s voice rings out as if trying to get out of the way of an explosion of sparks.
“He’s Lord Dian Cecht.”
“Lilly…”
“He’s the head of aFamiliathat is well respected by adventurers and makes healing items and medicine. Since Lord Miach sells healing potions…they’re business rivals.”
I nod as Lilly whispers information into my ear. That explains Lord Miach’s and Nahza’s reactions, as well as Lord Dian Cecht’s taunting tone. There’s got to be a deep connection between these two, and it’s not a friendly one.
“Well, Miach, where’s my money?”
“Well, it’s…!”
“Fu-fu-fu, do you have it or do you not have it? Gu-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!”
—chit chit chit. I can hear Lord Miach’s and Nahza’s teeth rattling from over here.
“I’ve given you extension after extension out of the goodness of my heart, but I’ve had it with your unpredictability. If you don’t havethis month’s payment by tomorrow, I’ll run you out of this place and sell your home to cover your debt! You might as well kiss this place good-bye!”
Lord Dian Cecht laughs so hard that spit flies everywhere.
“FU-HA-HA-HA-HA!! We’re leaving, Amid!”
“Yes, sir.”
A little girl standing behind Lord Dian Cecht moves out of the way as her god heads for the door. She must’ve been standing behind him the whole time.
The girl is rather short and looks more like a doll than a person. Amid bows to us as her god walks briskly through the broken door, she turns and rushes to keep up with him.
The storm having blown through, the five of us sit in silence.
“Dian Cecht and I have never seen eye to eye, even in Tenkai……”
Lord Miach begins to tell his life story bit by bit.
After what just happened, I couldn’t exactly just go home and pretend everything’s okay. So we stuck around to find out about what’s been going on insideMiach Familia.
“Once we came down to this world, we butted heads at every turn. Our rivalry extended to the children we took under our wing when we got into the same business…”
“I broke that cycle to pieces.”
Nahza jumps into Lord Miach’s story when his words begin trailing off.
“I used to be an adventurer.”
“Eh…”
“I used to crawl the Dungeon like you do, Bell, saving up money…But one day, I screwed everything up. Got thoroughly wrecked by a monster, and itate my right arm.”
She tells me before I could even ask.
Nahza looks down at her strangely uneven-sleeved shirt and starts rolling up the wrist-length right sleeve.
All the breath in my body leaves me a moment later.
“A silver arm…?!”
“Lord Miach got it for me after I lost my real one…it’s from thatDian Cecht Familia. He practically begged them.”
I can hear the shock in Lilly’s voice.
Just as she said, Nahza’s right arm is completely made of a silver metal.
It’s as smooth and shiny as a freshly polished sword. While looking almost exactly like a human arm, it’s easy to see the gems embedded in the joints of the appendage.
Once she takes off her glove, I can see that her right hand is constructed with exactly the same silver metal.
“Dian Cecht Familiamakes medicines and other things. Besides selling potions, they also take custom orders from adventurers and make special items to suit. This airgetlám, or ‘silver arm,’ is one of them.”
Click click. Nahza extends and flexes her arm, showing us how it works.
“Lord Miach took out a loan so he could buy this arm for me. The other members of ourFamiliaturned their back on Lord Miach when they found out…and left, everyone.”
…She says thatMiach Familiaused to be in the middle of the pack in terms of rank. At that time, it was strong enough to compete withDian Cecht Familiaon the open market selling potions.
Then after Nahza’s accident, everything fell to pieces almost overnight.
“All that stayed with Lord Miach was a useless former adventurer and a colossal loan,” she says with fire still burning in her eyes.
“The way I am now, fighting monsters is impossible. I was able to change jobs and become a chemist only because my former compatriots taught me the tricks of the trade…But I can’t make enough money to make a dent in the loan. I’m utterly useless.”
“Nahza.”
“I’m the reason we have to pay anything to that abomination. It’s all my fault—me!”
“Nahza, that’s enough. Stop there.”
Nahza looks like she wants to say something more on the subject,but Lord Miach convinces her to close her mouth with his quiet voice.
A heavy silence descends over all of us.
I can’t find any words. Nahza used to be an adventurer, her arm is fake, and everything else is too much to handle at once. Lady Hestia must not have heard that Lord Miach had been demoted as well. She’s just sitting there, arms folded across her chest and her eyes closed. Meanwhile, Lilly’s calmly looking at Nahza.
Nahza may have scammed me out of some money recently…but if I were in her shoes, I might have done exactly the same thing.
I would’ve done anything to try to support the one god who didn’t abandon me, the one who always extended a helping hand when I needed it most.
That has to be the most difficult thing in the world.
So hard that I’d want to scream out every day.
“…Well, then, what are you going to do? We know what happened, but right now we need to focus on what’s in front of you. Dian’s threatening to sell your home, isn’t he?”
The goddess broke the silence and asks if there’s any way they could have the money ready by the end of tomorrow.
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Lord Miach scrunches up his face and looks toward Nahza from the corner of his eye.
She meets his gaze for a moment and slowly nods.
“There is one way…”
Nahza’s voice is so soft, it’s like it could be snuffed out at any moment.
“But with just me…and Lord Miach, it’s impossible…”
The last of the evening light comes through the window glass, making the room glow red.
We’re a good distance away from Main Street, but I can still hear the din of many voices and footsteps mixing together on the stone road.
Nahza’s body droops as she avoids eye contact. I wonder if she feels like she doesn’t have the right to look us in the face. The very words “help us” must feel so far away after everything she’s put us through.
The silence is making me uneasy. I glance at everyone around the table in turn before looking at the goddess as if she’s our last hope.
She looks back at me with a mysterious blue warmth in her eyes. She tilts her head to the side as if to say,Well?
In other words, she’s asking me to decide what to do about this. At least that’s the sense I’m getting from her.
Her eyes, it’s like she’s looking at her own son…So many emotions are welling up inside me, but I take a deep breath and go for it.
My mind scrambles to find the right words. Now all I have to do is speak loudly enough to break through this dark silence.
“Ah, ahhh…Lilly. Back to what you were talking about before, couldn’t we take up another quest? The last one wasn’t enough…and I still have a lot to learn.”
My acting skills need a lot of work. At the very least, the topic will change one way or another.
Lilly’s eyes pop open. Then she must’ve realized what I was trying to do because she grimaces for a moment and hides a chuckle. She jumps into my “act” a moment later.
“Lilly agrees, Mr. Bell. But where in the world is there a client willing to bestow a quest onto hardworking people such as ourselves?”
Lord Miach and Nahza look on in surprise as Lilly takes my side with an almost giddy smile on her face.
Lady Hestia’s lips perk up in a grin. She turns her head to face Lord Miach.
“So how about it, Miach? Do you have any work for these two? Think of it as helping them out. Their energy has to go somewhere. They’ll do anything if you ask, including helping you pay back that loan.”
“Hestia, are you really…No, my apologies. You have my gratitude.”
Nahza looks at me with embarrassment—or is that shame?—from beside Lord Miach as he thanks us over and over.
“Bell, are you sure…? After all I’ve…”
“…It’s thanks to you, Nahza, that Lilly and I are still alive today.”
It was the day that I was surrounded by a horde of killer ants.
No matter what the actual price was, the fact that she talked meinto purchasing a magic potion was the deciding factor in a desperate battle.
But above all, I can’t just abandon someone who helped me in the past.
I relax the muscles in my brow and smile at her. Her eyes open in disbelief for a moment before she hides her face.
“I’m sorry…Thank you.”
Her last words barely louder than a whisper, she jerks her head down in what is an unmistakable bow.
Quest accepted
• Client:Miach Familia
• Reward: original healing item
• Content: retrieve monster eggs
• Comment: Let’s do our best. They’re counting on us.
We leave the city early the next morning.
I was told as much last night, so I cut my training with Aiz short and meet up with Lord Miach to help with preparations. Lady Hestia and Lilly join us after we hire a horse-drawn cart for the day from another merchant.
Two divine beings and three humans of different races. I doubt anyone has ever seen a party like ours. We arrive at the city wall as the sun reaches the mountains in the distance.
“Bell, you’re such a hard worker. Getting up extra early today to help Miach get ready like this.”
“Ha-ha-ha-ha…”
Just like Lilly, I haven’t told the goddess about my training with Aiz, either. I really don’t want to think about what would happen if she ever found out.
Apologizing over and over in my mind, I quickly engage Nahza in conversation before the situation gets out of hand.
“Hey, um, Nahza. So, as you said yesterday…”
“Yes. There is no time to prepare money for payment by the end of today. So the plan is to turn the tables on them and create an original healing item to sell toDian Cecht Familiato cover the costs…”
She responds in her usual monotone voice. She’s wearing rather loose clothing compared to her usual strange combination of garments.
Once we finish some rather monotonous paperwork, we receive clearance to exit Orario’s East Gate. A vast prairie spreads up before us, greens and golds swaying in the breeze.
“Lilly asked yesterday, but will this plan actually work? Making a new item from scratch is not easy…”
“Not a problem, I’ve got an idea…”
Nahza answers Lilly’s question with a quiet confidence. As usual, Nahza looks like she could fall asleep at any moment.Shff, shff.Her tail is lazily swishing back and forth behind her.
“I didn’t hear where we’re headed today. Where’s this cart taking us?”
“The Deep Forest Seoro. It’s not too far away, but we’ll be in this cart a while. Since we’re all here together, now would be a good time for bonding.”
This time it was Lord Miach who answers Lady Hestia’s question. He looks at Lilly while saying that last part.
This wooden cart is a lot more cramped than I thought it would be. My shoulders brush up against my neighbors every time the wheels hit a bump in the road. All of us are sitting in a circle with Lord Miach closest to the driver, me next, then Lady Hestia, Lilly, and finally Nahza on the other side of Lord Miach.
The morning sun shines down directly on us because this cart doesn’t have a canopy or roof of any kind. Feeling the warmth on our faces, we take Lord Miach’s advice and strike up a conversation.
“Miss Nahza. Lilly knows that you successfully switched from adventurer to chemist. Does that mean that Miss Nahza has learned Synthesize as well?”
“Yes, I have…I learned enough by helping make medicine to gain the correct excelia and was very lucky…”
“Um, is Synthesize one of those…?”
“It’s an Advanced Ability that allows a person to create higher-quality items and medicine, Mr. Bell.”
So that means that an adventurer could learn an ability called Synthesize when they level up, if they have the right excelia. Lilly goes on to explain that it allows a person to create a potion so powerful that it can close wounds on contact, just like a healing spell.
It sounds a lot like the Advanced Ability Forge, in that only professionals tend to learn it and it has a deep connection with creating strong weapons and potent items.
Even if two different people create the same item using the same ingredients, the results will be completely different if one of them has an Advanced Ability.
“Wait, you have an Advanced Ability, so that means…”
“Yeah. I’m Level Two…”
My eyes shoot open as wide as they go.
N-Nazha is just as strong as other upper-class adventurers…
“I made it down into the middle levels, but a monster nearly burned me alive down there…Then it started eating chunks of my arms and legs.”
“Oh no—”
“It took a lot of work to get my left arm and legs back to normal, but my right arm was beyond saving. The beast ate everything, even my bones…Ever since that day, I haven’t been able to fight a monster. Just standing in front of one of them…My body won’t stop shaking.”
Chills run up and down my spine as I listen to her gruesome tale.
The stench of charred flesh all over her body.
The feeling of being on her back and utterly defenseless as a monster devours her right arm.
All of the traumatic memories of pain and fear that have literally been burned into her revive every time she faces any monster. She tells me everything.
“…Sorry, I didn’t want to scare you.”
“Ah, i-it’s okay…”
“Anyway, don’t let your guard down while crawling the Dungeon…It took me six years to level up…but it only takes a second to lose everything you’ve worked for.”
I clear my throat and take Nahza’s warning to heart.
“But that arm of yours, it’s very, very well-made. Do you ever have any problem using it?”
“No, I can move it naturally…”
“It cost an incredible amount of money, but I ordered the best item that Dian had available. While it pains me to admit this, I can trust that anything hisFamiliamakes will be very high quality.”
The deities in the cart change the topic and clear the air. The mood quickly changes from dark and uncomfortable to light and friendly.
We’re following one road that leads from Orario’s East Gate and through a blanket of green that spreads in all directions. Since Orario is the home of the only dungeon in the world, well-kept roads are required to sell magic-stone goods outside the city. The road that we’re on is made of a white stone and is very smooth.
“Lord Miach doesn’t recognize my feelings for him at all…although I’m glad he doesn’t notice all the other girls looking at him with hearts in their eyes…Sometimes I wonder if he really is a god…”
“Ahh, I know the feeling. My Bell is just as dense. I don’t know how many times his cluelessness has made me cry.”
“Hee-hee, but in Lady Hestia’s case, Mr. Bell’s keeping his distance out of respect and doesn’t see Lady Hestia as a girl. It would be a good idea to realize that, you know…And Lilly gets treated like a little sister.”
““…””
Why did all the girls suddenly get so scary, and why does it feel like the cart is shrinking?
I can hear them whispering to each other, but Lord Miach and I can’t understand what they’re saying. All I know is I suddenly feel very small.
We pass by many carts heading toward Orario on our way down the road that cuts through the expansive grasslands.
We finally reach our destination with the sun high overhead.
“S-so this is…”
“Okay, I can see why they call it the deep forest.”
The goddess and I marvel at the scenery. This is the first time either of us have come here.
Deep Forest Seoro.
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It’s an incredibly dense forest located at the base of the Alb mountain range, directly east from Orario.
Every single tree in front of me reaches high into the sky, their trunks many times thicker than any other tree I’ve ever seen. The ground is covered in vibrant wildflowers and moss. This green realm is truly ruled by nature.
All of us quickly hop out of the cart and grab each of the bags we brought with us.
After telling the cart driver we hired to wait for us outside the forest, all of us step into the wilderness together.
“We’re going to get some monster eggs, right?”
“Yep. They’re not drop items, but actual eggs…”
We came all the way out here to find eggs that were laid by monsters. Nahza must need them as an ingredient for her new healing potion.
The monsters that escaped the Dungeon in the Old Age learned to live on land and reproduce on their own. Their descendants are scattered all around the world even today. Considering that they’re still alive, the fact that they lay eggs should make perfect sense…But now I’m so used to the fact that monsters are born from the dungeon walls that the thought of them laying eggs just feels weird.
I keep my head on a swivel, looking for monsters as we make our way through the forest.
“…Bell, stop there.”
I was leading the group down a thin path through the trees when Nahza calls out to me and I stop moving.
She can see something up ahead: a wide, round depression in the ground.
Nahza starts giving out orders a moment later. First, she tells Lord Miach and Lady Hestia to wait here. Then she puts Lilly in charge of protecting them.
Last, she waves her hand and motions for me to follow her.
“Bell, here.”
Keeping her shoulders low to the ground, Nahza brings me some equipment.
A heavily worn broadsword and a backpack with something inside.
“Wh-what’s this for?”
“These guys are tough without a weapon this big…Put the backpack on.”
I break out in a cold sweat, pondering what she meant by that. Nahza goes a few paces ahead of me and stops in the shade of a tree just in front of the depression.
Sniff, sniff.I can hear Nahza taking in all of the smells as the dog ears on her head arch back and open wide.
The tension in the air is starting to make me nervous. My heart begins to pick up the pace when suddenly—Nahza moves.
She reaches past my shoulder and swiftly opens the top of the backpack.
“Uck…?!”
My sinuses erupt in pain the instant a new stench wafts up my nostrils.
I know the smell, but I can’t quite place it. Nahza salutes me as I rack my brain for an answer.
“I wish you luck, Bell. Sorry.”
She takes off before I can even say, “Huh?”
She darts through the trees with the speed and agility befitting a Level 2 adventurer and leaves me behind.
I stare at where she was for a moment, blinking, when…out of nowhere,splat.
“…eh?”
A strange goo falls down from overhead.
I can feel the warm, clear liquid running down my shoulder. Slowly but surely, I look up.
“UuuUuu…”
What greets my eyes is the drooling mouth of a largedinosaur.
Then it hits me: I remember where I’ve smelled the stuff that’s in the backpack. Blood is racing so fast in my veins that I could pass out at any moment.
It’s a trap made of raw meat that draws out hungry monsters.
“UUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”
“DDAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!”
Scream and roar mix.
I turn my back to the massive chin and take off at full speed.
“Uh, isn’t that a large-category monster?!”
“Whaa, B-Bell?!”
“B-bloodsaurus…?!”
Hestia was the first to yell out, followed closely by Lilly’s shriek of surprise.
A five-meder-tall, carnivorous, red dinosaur had appeared.
It let out one bloodcurdling roar after another as it rampaged through the forest, chasing the “rabbit” that was to become its next meal.
“H-hold on a second here. That’s a monster that shows up on the thirtieth floor…!”
“There’s no problem. Monsters on the surface are much weaker than the ones found in the Dungeon.”
In contrast to Lilly’s shaking voice, Nahza’s response was quite calm.
“Now’s our chance to enter the depression. We need to work quickly while Bell leads the monsters away.”
Nahza guided Hestia and the others down the slope.
The depression was revealed to be a monster’s nest; the group spotted ten or more eggs situated in a space between two trees.
“Wasn’t there a better way we could have done this…?”
“No. If we faced all of the bloodsauruses at once, we wouldn’t have been able to protect Lord Miach and Lady Hestia.”
“My apologies, Bell…”
“Less talking, more grabbing, dammit! That thing’s going to eat Bell!”
Hestia scolded the others for pointless conversation as all of them shoved as many eggs as they could into the bags they had brought with them.
Their work done, each of them slung a bag full of eggs over their shoulders.
“Miss Nahza, was that true, about the monsters?”
“It is. Hundreds of generations of reproducing have taken their toll on the beasts. The magic stone in their chests is so small it might as well not be there.”
Nahza answered Lilly’s question as she adjusted her bag of eggs.
Monsters that were separated from the Dungeon followed their instincts to ensure the survival of their species.
They began relying on strength of numbers as their own physical prowess began to decline. Since each individual needed less power to survive, magic stones became smaller over time.
As each successive generation’s magic stone decreased in size, so did each individual monster’s in strength. At this point, monsters on the surface didn’t even compare with the “originals” in the Dungeon.
“Bloodsauruses on the surface might be a little bit stronger than an orc in the Dungeon…”
Said Nahza as she cast her gaze in Bell’s direction.
The boy was currently being chased by three such monsters. Their numbers had increased. Bell’s yelps of fright echoed through the forest.
Nahza straightened up and took hold of the weapon strapped to her back.
It was a longbow that stood just as tall as she did. Holding theweapon steady with her silver arm, she nocked an arrow using her left hand.
There was enough space between her and the monsters to prevent Nahza’s traumatic memories from triggering. The sun’s rays illuminating pieces of the asymmetric light armor equipped over her traveling garb, Nahza narrowed her eyes for an instant before the arrow hurtled forward.
The projectile tore through the air the instant that Nahza lifted her fingers, and it found its target: the eye of a bloodsaurus.
“!!”
A deep roar of pain sounded through the trees.
Its balance and vision gone, the injured bloodsaurus staggered into the one next to it at full speed, sending both of them to the ground.
Bell felt the shock wave of their impact and saw the leaves shake around him. He looked over his shoulder and his eyes went wide as he drew the broadsword into position. The last bloodsaurus charging him with reckless abandon, Bell chose to believe in Nahza’s support, drove his heel into the dirt, and charged headlong into the monster’s path.
“This makes me so happy.”
“YAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”
Nahza, grinning from ear to ear, unleashed another arrow at the same time that Bell let loose a battle cry.
The arrow got there just in time, piercing the beast’s eye just before Bell got into position. Reeling in pain, the monster was defenseless against the incoming blade.
Bell’s jumping strike took a slice out of the base of the bloodsaurus’s lower neck. Fresh blood spraying like a fountain, the beast fell to its knees.
Bell went in for another strike to finish it off but lost his balance in mid-swing. Nahza couldn’t help but laugh as she watched from her vantage point.
“Nahza, that’s enough.”
“Okay…”
She turned to face Miach, the same smile still plastered on her face.
Nahza scanned the group, making sure that both Lilly and Hestia had bags of eggs securely fastened to their backs, before looking back in Bell’s direction.
The boy emerged from behind a tree, using the broadsword as a walking stick. “Can we go now?” he said with a very pathetic look in his eyes. Nahza smiled and nodded.
“Time to go home, Bell.”
Beneath a night sky studded with stars.
A vial containing a dark blue liquid was given to a man standing in the open doorway of a large mansion.
“This is myFamilia’s latest product. I guarantee its effectiveness.”
“Eh, geh…!”
Dian Cecht gasped as he took the vial from Miach’s outstretched hands.
After closely inspecting it himself, the deity handed the vial to his assistant, Amid, and asked for her opinion.
The girl took a sip and went silent. Both of the gods waited with bated breath for a moment before she looked up and gave a very curt nod.
“A double potion that restores physical strength and mental energy…This is the first of its kind. Therefore, you would be able to sell them for quite a high price at yourFamilia’s shops. It is sure to meet the demand of many adventurers, don’t you agree?”
“Geh, grrrr…!”
“I have twenty of them right here. The profits from their sale should more than cover this month’s payment. Please buy them.”
“Wh…Why youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…?!”
A deep roar of frustration rang out under the night sky.
Bell and the others, waiting on the outside of the mansion’s four high walls, knew the transaction was successful the moment they heard it.
“Sounds like it worked…”
“That geezer isn’t dumb enough to turn down the opportunity to make a killing. Although I’m sure he wanted to see us squirm…Too bad.”
Nahza half laughed as she responded to Lilly’s comment.
The group had been waiting just outside the walls that surroundedDian Cecht Familia’s home for Miach’s return.
“Whew, that was a long day! There was no time to sit down.”
“Ah-ha-ha…”
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A battle against time to produce the double potion was waiting for them as soon as they arrived home in Orario after collecting the eggs from the Deep Forest Seoro. While Miach and Nahza worked their fingers to the bone to meet their deadline, Bell, Lilly, and Hestia helped out in any way they could. All of them worked continuously for hours on end.
Bell grimaced as he looked over at his exhausted goddess.
“But you really did a good job making it. And at the last moment, too.”
“The people of Orario are obsessed with the Dungeon and don’t even try to learn about the possibilities around them…There are so many discoveries out there just waiting for people to find them.”
Monster eggs and Blue Papillon Wings. Nahza told Bell she’d created a new item using resources from both inside and outside the Dungeon.
“Oh, Miach. Finished already?”
“Yes. Everything has been settled.”
Miach emerged from the gate and returned to the spot where the group was waiting for him. He smiled and said that they no longer had to worry about being kicked out of their own home as he looked to each person in turn.
“Allow me to thank you once again. This was only possible because of you, and you have my gratitude.”
“I’m happy to hear that your loan has become a little lighter.”
“It was a quest worth doing.”
Hestia and Lilly looked back up at him and smiled. Bell followed suit.
Miach finally turned to face Nahza, his thin eyes smiling.
“Nahza.”
“Yes…”
“Yesterday, you called yourself useless.”
“…Yes.”
“I have never, ever thought that even once.”
Nahza’s eyes opened wide as she listened to Miach’s words.
“I am a god whom you have saved many times. Even if we’re not as well off as we once were, your presence makes it all worth it. So please, don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“…Is that an order?”
“No, a solemn request from the god who watches over you more than any of the other children.”
Miach stepped in front of her as he spoke, reached out, and stroked her hair.
Caught in the warm gaze of her deity, Nahza blushed for a moment before looking at the ground. “So dense…” she whispered under her breath as he patted her head.
Hestia watched them with a twinkle in her eye as Miach once again said and did things that could be taken the wrong way. She used the opportunity to tease him, and Lilly enjoyed every second of it. Bell forced a smile as both sides made fun of each other back and forth. Nahza took the opportunity to break out of the small circle and walked up to him.
“Bell, thank you for today. Really…Really, thank you.”
“Nahza…”
The dog girl gave a deep bow before raising her head and pulling a vial out of her breast pocket.
“Eh, isn’t that…”
“A double potion…There was only one left over, but…this is the reward for completing the quest, and my thanks.”
In contrast to Bell’s surprise, Nahza’s face went back to her usual drowsy expression, but with a smile on her lips.
“If you need help with anything, tell me. After everything I’ve done, I need to make it up to you…”
Bell’s surprise faded away as a smile bloomed on his lips big enough to rival Nahza’s.
He took his reward from the girl’s outstretched hand.
At long last, Bell’s quest had come to an end.
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