Chapter 109
As I clean up a massive 400 kilograms fish I’ve just reeled in, I listen to the adventures of Una and Dos.
Collecting information about the outside world, and getting them to act as adventurers, have been key parts of our operation.
Their stories are nothing but thrilling for someone like me, who’s been cooped up in a dungeon.
Well, not that I want to go outside or anything.
But it seems like they’ve been through a lot.
They’ve decimated a band of thieves.
Saved a noblewoman who was about to be attacked by bandits on their journey.
Pushed back a large army of orcs that attacked a certain village.
Freed nearly a hundred slaves who were about to be killed, and condemned the lord who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Somehow, Dos ended up dueling with other handsome adventurers over Una.
And then, for some reason, they teamed up with the guy and together, they defeated a King Goblin.
Dos nearly got proposed to by the noblewoman he saved.
While gathering information in disguise at night――and incidentally driving off any thieves they saw――they gained an infamous nickname: “The Masked Reaper.”
And now, because of his achievements, Dos was awarded an S-Rank certification by the adventurer’s guild of the Holy Kingdom just a few days ago.
『S-Rank!? Dos, you’re an S-Rank now!?』
「…..Un. I’m the fourth S-Rank in the Holy Kingdom」
Dos reports, his cheeks slightly reddening.
「Puru! Puu~」
Pururu might be saying “congratulations,” wrapping her clone body around Dos.
Taran, meanwhile, munches on grilled fish, a simple “Delicious~” escaping him.
『Then, does that mean you’ve become an S-rank too, Una?』
I shift my gaze to Una.
In response, she jolts and buries her face in the bag of tools I brought.
「Uh, well… I tried my best, but…」
「…Una is still B-Rank.」
Dos remarks in a whisper.
「Hey!? Dos, who said you could-」
「…Una, you always mess up at crucial times. That’s why you’re stuck at B-Rank.」
「Stop right there! The idea that goblins, er, no, that humankind’s classifications should dictate――」
「…Gathering information through adventuring was Papa’s order. No excuses.」
「Ugh…」
Una wilts under Dos’ verbal assault.
This is… strange.
I can’t tell who’s the elder and who’s the younger anymore.
And she referred to humans as goblins, huh?
Wait, speaking of…
『If I remember correctly, an S-Rank adventurer can take down a King-class monster alone, right? Does that mean, Dos, you…』
Dos nods.
「…..Single-handedly defeating a King-class. One of the requirements for S-Rank certification. I fought and defeated one.」
『Wow.』
Impressive.
It seems Dos has come a long way in the time I haven’t seen him.
「…A King-class monster called the Hell Kraken appeared in a port city of the Holy Kingdom. I defeated it.」
『Was it tough?』
「…Un. But somehow, I beat it. After that, the guild gave me the S-Rank certification. Plus, the squid was delicious.」
『Is, is that so?』
…So you can eat a Kraken, huh?
According to Elipedia, it’s supposed to be a grotesque squid monster.
『Anyway, congratulations, Dos.』
I pat Dos on the head.
He accepts it, even though he looks a little ticklish.
Una’s gaze is a bit intimidating, though.
After that, we all sit down for a meal.
Well, I can’t eat anything, since this body doesn’t taste or feel anything.
As we talk while eating, the conversation turns to Fáfnir.
Una and Dos already know the situation.
At the time, they were on a mission in the Holy Kingdom, and Berg informed them via a communication magic stone.
When we were fighting Fáfnir, they were in the snowy mountains on the outskirts of the Holy Kingdom.
They tried to rush over here right away, but they were in the middle of subjugating a monster, and some interference prevented them from coming to our aid.
「Father… I’m really sorry. We couldn’t be there for you when the dungeon, when you were in trouble…」
「…Sorry, Papa.」
It seems the two of them regret not being able to join the fight.
Regret over not being able to show up when the dungeon was in crisis.
Hmm… But it’s all water under the bridge now, isn’t it?
I’m not really the type to scold people.
『Listen, you two. There’s no need to bow your heads. In the end, I came out fine. And if there’s a next time, I’ll count on you without hesitation.』
Well, to be honest, it would be best if there weren’t a “next time”.
I’m pretty much done with drugs and armament, and my body still hasn’t returned to normal.
Thanks to all this, I’m still stuck in my vessel golem form.
So, everyone, please protect me.
That’s how I casually say it, but…
「Father…」
「…Papa.」
For some reason, the two of them look even more determined.
Hey, there’s no need to be that fired up, okay?
I doubt things like the dragon slayer’s dungeon destruction incident or the Fáfnir kidnapping incident due to Tsumugi’s dungeon alteration happen that often.
Probably…
I mean, this isn’t some kind of foreshadowing, right?
No, seriously.
We finish eating and take a breather.
「Well then, Father. We’ll head over to Elibel’s place.」
「…..Un. We were called there.」
If you were called, you should have gone there first, both of you…
Speaking of which, Elibel seemed to have something she wanted from the two of them too.
『Oh, by the way, if you two are going to Elibel’s, could you take this to her while you’re at it?』
From my pocket, I pull out the brilliantly colored sphere Elibel had given me.
I’ve already entered the data, but I should return it.
After all, I’ve finished reading everything, including the stuff about my body.
Una respectfully takes the brilliantly colored sphere I hand her and stores it away.
After storing it, for some reason, she brings her hand to her nose.
What’s wrong? Is her nose itchy?
「Suuh, haah. Understood. Then, Father, we’ll be going.」
「…We’ll be going.」
『Yeah, take care.』
With a touch of lingering regret, the two of them disappear into the light of the teleportation gate.
Well, I’ve gone fishing, maybe I should head back to the depths and take a nap.
『So, Pururu, shall we head back?』
「Puu.」
I scoop up Pururu and head towards the teleportation gate.
Glancing at Taran, I see him gnawing on the leftover bones of a fish, saying, “Delicious~.”
Yeah.
Better to just leave him be.
『…Hmm?』
Huh?
I feel an intense wave of magical power.
From above?
When I look up, a white wyvern is flying above the hole.
That size… could it be Gwyve?
I haven’t seen him in a while, so I’m not sure, but I think it’s probably Gwyve.
Also, I feel another magical power mixed in.
Is someone riding on his back?
「Puu?」
Pururu looks up curiously as well.
Taran is looking like he can’t eat “that.”
There’s no sign of him coming down.
He just keeps flying around the sky. What’s up with that?
It’s like he’s cautiously circling the hole in the sky.
『Hmm…. Should I try talking to him?』
…Well, it’s fine.
If he has something to say, he’ll come down or send a thought transmission.
It’s a hassle to start a conversation from my end.
I’m sleepy.
「Puuu?」
Pururu seems to be asking, “Is it okay?”
『It’s fine. If he needs something, he’ll come again. Let’s head home and nap together, shall we?』
「Puu♪」
Pururu also nods in agreement and snuggles into my chest.
Lovely.
It’s so soothing.
When used as a pillow, Pururu provides the best sleeping comfort.
Well, no problem, I guess.
There’s no way trouble would pop up just like that.
…Somehow, I feel like I’ve just raised a massive flag, but it’s probably just my imagination.
And so, we leave the forest behind, diving through the teleportation gate.
Thank you for the fish.
…Not that I’ve eaten any of them.
By the way, Una and Dos also have titles as adventurers.
Dos is known as the 『Gale』, and Una as the 『Water Princess』.
Both have already become figures held in high regard within the guild.
They’re so popular. Damn it.
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