“We’re almost there. I can even see the grand facade of their Adventurer’s Guild.”
Will’s words were true. Although the carriage was still about a kilometer from the city, they could see the large “Adventurer’s Guild” sign on the roughly five-story tall building of Yamik City. It’s widely known that the better the guild’s building, the better the local dungeon exploration efforts. It also proves that the Hysterm Family earns the most here. So, seeing this, Will felt a great sense of relief and happiness. Even though he wasn’t the heir to the family, it was still his family’s property, which made him happy.
“Their seared steak is quite good. I ate here three years ago when I was a freelancer, but with how popular it is now, getting a meal will probably be difficult.” Shuna also stood up, gazing at the Adventurer’s Guild in Yamik City.
“Since you’ve been here a few years ago, that proves…”
“Three years ago, this was the place where the famous ice-attribute dungeon ‘Snow Abyss’ appeared…” Looking at it, Shuna recalled some old memories. The Snow Abyss dungeon left a deep impression on her, both good and bad.
“The current dungeon, if I remember correctly, is also ice-attribute?”
“Moonlit Ice Extreme, yes, that should be it.” Shuna, without even needing to think, uttered the dungeon’s name – even though it was actually quite a difficult name to remember.
“Looks like another place with a ‘Dungeon Colony’.” Will said after a moment of thought.
“Hmm? That’s a term I’ve never heard before.”
“This… this is…” Will pondered how to explain this term, which wasn’t his own invention, to people who hadn’t yet reached the stage of scientific research into microorganisms. “It’s like this: mushrooms that can usually be picked in forests will be abundant in this area this year, and will still be abundant next year. This is essentially because the underlying mycelial network has already formed a colony here.”
“Oh…” Shuna appeared to be listening very intently. Not only was she listening intently, but her expression suggested she was thoughtfully considering it herself. “I think I understand. You mean to use a name like that for an area where ‘new dungeons can stably spawn’. That’s quite interesting.” Will didn’t know if Shuna had fully understood, but her answer and explanation showed a clear comprehension.
“Exactly! And fungi are actually underground, and dungeons are also underground, so it makes perfect sense.”
“Hmm? I hadn’t considered that aspect of the logic.”
“However, a name like that… it gives the impression that ‘dungeons’, like the mushrooms on the surface, are externalized products of something, something that can be repeatedly harvested and produced.”
“Hmm?!” Hearing Shuna, Will felt she was once again exploring philosophical propositions about the value and meaning of dungeons in her mind.
“You… you’re overthinking it. How could dungeons be like that?”
“Mmm, alright. Hey, we’re here.” As they spoke, the carriage slowly came to a stop near the Adventurer’s Guild. The reason for stopping nearby… was because the Adventurer’s Guild here was even more formidable than the one in Novice Village, which had served as their “Novice Village” before. The streets, larger than those in Novis Town, were bustling with people. Especially at the entrance of the Adventurer’s Guild, there was a queue just to get in. No wonder it was built five stories high; anything shorter wouldn’t accommodate so many people.
“Ah, this…” Although Will had prepared himself, he hadn’t expected it to be this crowded. “Shuna, I think your steak plan is probably washed out.”
“Oh? Does the Young Master of the Hysterm Family have no way to cut the line early?”
“I… I’m actually being let loose by my family this time, so of course I don’t.” Just as Will said this, he suddenly heard the sound of horses galloping from behind them. *…A carriage is still coming in at this time?* As soon as he thought this, Shuna grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into an embrace, shielding him as she turned.
“Shu… Shuna?”
“Hmph, looks like some people don’t play by the rules.” A ridiculously luxurious noble court carriage whizzed past them – it clearly bore the emblem of a blue rose with a missing petal.
“Ah, so it’s royalty. No wonder they’re not following the rules; some rules are set by them.” Shuna saw clearly. She seemed displeased with the royal family members.
“Can’t you watch where you’re going?!”
“Exactly! With so many people, can’t you see carriages aren’t allowed in anymore?”
“Oh dear, oh dear, it’s almost autumn, but it’s still so hot. It’s really nothing like the mountain villa I stayed at before.” Descending from the carriage was a noblewoman, appearing to be approaching thirty. She seemed to have lived a very comfortable life, as her figure had become somewhat shapeless. Will, who was often educated about the royal family by Treya (or perhaps Will was training Treya), recognized her instantly. This person was likely Grand Princess Julie, significantly older than Treya. In Will’s memory, she had already married into a neighboring country and theoretically wasn’t even eligible to compete for the throne. It was strange that she was back now and appeared here. And she was traveling in a royal vehicle, as if… as if there was some reason for her to return here?
“Can you people move aside? I heard this dungeon is a summer resort, so I took a slight detour to rest here. I’m utterly exhausted.” She fanned herself, looking quite pampered.
“Summer resort…?” Will was stunned by the word. Although… an “ice-attribute” dungeon could indeed be called a summer resort in summer. But… were dungeons really meant for tourism? Will glanced at the various adventurers around them; indeed, many didn’t look like they were there to clear a dungeon. Saying they were here for summer vacation seemed more plausible.
“It’s not entirely unreasonable, after all…” Shuna picked up a poster from somewhere. “Look, this is how Yamik City is promoting it.” The poster bore a large announcement:
[Absolutely Safe!
Super Cool Experience!
Stunning Night Views!
Welcome to the First Ten Floors of Moonlit Ice Extreme!]
“Uh… this…”
“And there’s personalized high-end resort service. If this picture is indeed of the dungeon, then it does seem like a beautiful place suitable for spending a hot vacation.” Shuna showed the poster to Will for a moment before taking it back to examine it. Meanwhile, the regal “Grand Princess” behind Will had stepped out, holding her skirt. No… Judging by the way a staff member behind her slammed the door shut, she was probably kicked out from inside.
“They told me I couldn’t come in because the front is already fully booked?!”
“And according to the Adventurer’s Guild rules, no cutting in line?!”
“Hmph, really giving these commoners from the dungeon a hard time. They wouldn’t dare to presume so much in front of royalty before!” Will watched as the Grand Princess quickly met disappointment and pouted as she walked away. The carriage she arrived in also disappeared in a flurry of activity, just as suddenly as it had appeared. However… their direction seemed to be towards the Capital?
