“So, that’s the Demon Lord I defeated.”
“…It’s amazing, truly amazing!!”
The warehouse of the Simple Adventurer Guild was filled with giant alligator steaks. It was no wonder Pinche was so surprised; the Berserk Sword was terrifying, capable of slicing through it so cleanly.
(Though it looks like the blade got a little chipped.)
It seemed to self-repair to some extent, but it had effortlessly cut through the ice as if it were a cake. While it couldn’t be used often as it consumed the Hero’s magic power, it was used without hesitation against a Demon Lord.
“I’ve melted the ice and removed the magic stone, but what shall we do with it?”
The giant water-attribute magic stone could probably be used with an Appraisal Crystal as is.
“…Shall we buy all the skin and meat then?”
The gloomy person, no, Mr. Xel, adjusted his glasses and said with a crisp tone.
“No, half. I hear the meat is delicious, and the skin can be used for various materials. We have those who want to eat the meat, and the skin can be used to make waterproof and fireproof equipment.”
“…You know quite a lot. Understood, but the dismantlers won’t arrive until tomorrow, so could you wait?”
“That’s fine. This warehouse seems to have preservation magic applied to it.”
The gloomy person seemed to be contemplating something.
“…I am sorry, this is a matter that needs to be consulted with the Imperial Capital.”
“Was it a Demon Lord of that caliber?”
“…Anju-san?” “? …Me?!”
*Like, is it me?* was the reaction. Well, she’s a girl (19)!
“I want to go to the Imperial Capital right away, so could you teleport me to Masuma Town?”
“Eh, ee! Is that okay?”
For some reason, Anju asked me.
“If it’s a request from the Adventurer Guild, I think it’s fine.”
“Derus, if it’s a request, let’s make it an official request, Miss Pinche.”
“Y-yes, understood. Um, I’ll put it down as a request for the Porter.”
Things went smoothly at times like this, even with Nina’s pressure! But, thinking about it, the rescue of people from the Mu Mu Empire was also an official request from the Adventurer Guild, so why aren’t they more cooperative?
(With someone interfering within our own ranks, it’s unbearable.)
“Mr. Xel, while you’re at it, could you deliver a tribute to the Queen of the Mu Mu Empire?”
“…Why me?”
“If you prefer, I can make it an official request to the Adventurer Guild.”
“…It depends on the item.”
“The item is this.”
He handed over the magic stone of the Demon Lord Lakeside Alligator!
“…Is that alright?”
“Yes, but the condition is the official departure of the 89 people who wish to leave the country.”
“…A negotiation? I will convey your message.”
It’s a waste, but it’s the quickest way to move forward with our requests. They will likely tell us to defeat more Seven Great Demon Lords, but that’s exactly what we want.
“But Miss Pinche, I apologize.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I’ve run out of energy after defeating the Demon Lord. There’s probably a child or an egg in the inner chamber.”
“Ah, that can’t be helped. It seems a new Demon Lord will emerge, but that will be in six months.”
“During the festival? I see, the water recedes then.”
In the end, the reason why the water recedes only once a year remains a mystery.
“Then Anju, take her with you.”
“Aye aye!”
“…Miss Pinche, I’m going to the Imperial Capital, so I’ll be back in a while…”
Anju teleported away unceremoniously mid-sentence! I should probably scold her a bit later, but I wonder if the gist of it got across. Getting back into work mode, Pinche turned towards Nina.
“Then I will purchase half of the materials.”
“Leave it to us. It’s tomorrow, right? Will you receive the payment immediately?”
“Yes, you can receive it at other Adventurer Guilds if this amount isn’t enough.”
Indeed, there’s nothing more for me here. Where should I go next? The only option is Masuma Town.
“Excuse me, Miss Pinche.”
“Yes, Mr. Derus, what is it?”
“Is there a dungeon in Masuma Town?”
“There is, but it’s a rather strange dungeon.”
“Eh, what kind of dungeon is it?”
Pinche traced out a shape like a box, no, a house, with her index fingers.
“It’s an eight-story, mansion-shaped dungeon.”
Ah, it sounds interesting.
“Does someone live there?”
“Yes, a Demon Lord… no, a witch.”
“Like, ‘Eeeh-hee-hee-hee’ like that?”
“Please ask for details at the Adventurer Guild in Masuma Town.”
“Ah, I see.”
Of course.
“I’m home!”
“Ah, welcome back, Anju. How was it?”
“This is a message from Pinche: she won’t be back for up to five days.”
“Is… is that so?”
“And she asked me for something too!”
Eh, what could it be?
“Anju, what did she ask you to do?”
“She asked me to create a Magic Circle next to the one in the basement of the Termite Dungeon, that connects to this Adventurer Guild!”
“That’s our return route. However, she alone can’t perform teleportation magic… I see, Sufma was there.”
Clarice also joined the conversation.
“So, that Illusionist old man, his teleportation, unlike Anju’s, must be…”
“Impossible, or only for extremely short distances. Like, unable to reach the surface from the 222nd underground floor.”
“And, I just realized, wouldn’t it be simpler to just set up a new Teleportation Magic Circle connecting the Adventurer Guilds?”
Anju is surprised!
“Derus-kun, you’re so smart!”
“No, you don’t have to pat my head!”
“You’re right, Miss Pinche, is that alright?”
“Yes, well, I want to try teleporting too!”
“Then let’s make it right away. Explain the situation to the guards and have them clear out a storage room where luggage was placed.”
Well, it’s only natural that the person who put it there should clear it away.
(Still, with this kind of progression, it looks like it’s time to say goodbye to this village.)
