I was a little worried. With that massive explosion that happened in the Underside, I thought maybe the underground passage leading from my home to the east and west highway had become unusable. But at least from my basement up to the east and west branching point, I confirmed there were no signs of a collapse anywhere. And considering that Isaka and the others escaped, it’s likely that a new large hole opened up toward the north gate, in the direction of Golda. “Then…guess we’ll head out through the east gate again this time.” (Shizuma) I returned home through the fireplace and set out. There are most likely forces trying to track me as well. Kokuri-san, for instance, was always interested in the whereabouts of the brigade. At any rate, I left through the east gate again this time, but instead of heading for the riverside cave upstream or the disguised underground entrance in the rocks, which I always make use of, I went toward the campsite I once visited as Shilent. …By the way, I moved at full speed, so even if there had been pursuers, I think I easily shook them off. Near the place where Melt once made a makeshift open-air bath, I quietly shifted into Seimu’s form. …Yeah, this feels right after all. My height goes up slightly, though. “Oh…the makeshift bath has turned into a little pond.” (Shizuma) Even though only a few weeks passed, the open-air bath had already returned completely to nature. …Return to nature, huh. But is this world really a “natural” world? I suddenly recalled the sights I have seen in dungeons, the information I could peek at with [Appraisal Eye], the role of Dungeon Cores… All of it was raising such doubts. “…Feels like the Dungeon Masters would know something about this…” (Shizuma) I remembered the first day. The moment we were summoned into this world, we encountered the Mansion of Greed located deep within the Dreamhill Great Forest . That Dungeon Master demon said to us: Since your existence in this world has not yet been defined, I have decided to add information to you. Indeed, that was what the Dungeon Master declared. From the way he spoke, it was as if he were saying “the inside of the dungeon is not part of this world.” And he said “add information.” In other words, for a Dungeon Master, granting abilities to existences before they are born into this world and releasing them…is a simple matter. There’s even information that summoning rituals are performed by offering sacrifices to dungeons. Then conversely, doesn’t that mean Dungeon Masters can only affect this world through dungeons? “I don’t know… I don’t even know their purpose.” (Shizuma) That’s enough analysis for now! There’s no point in thinking any further. But at the very least, let’s remember this much: “This world is a world managed by someone” and “Dungeon Masters can be involved in it in limited ways.” I returned to the campsite and looked around. Sure enough, there were outposts for both the Adventurer Guild and the Mercenary Guild, with requests posted on their bulletin boards. But among them, I found a notice that caught my attention. [The upper ranks of the General Guild may soon issue a large-scale request.] [If possible, please refrain from taking distant requests and instead focus on those near Lindblum.] Hmm…? It’s concerning, but there’s no way for me to investigate right now… Suddenly, an incredibly loud voice rang out from the entrance of the campsite. When I turned around to see what was happening, in the next instant… “It’s Seimu!!! Seimu is here at a place !!!!!” I was hit with a rushing + hugging combo attack. Mounted, pinned, and the sky looks so very blue. Oh… Melt-san… What timing this is… “Melt… are you on your way back from a request?” (Shizuma) “That’s right! We left the city the day before yesterday and came here camping along the way! Letty-chan and I made all the meals!” (Melt) “Oh…amazing, Melt. For now, could you get off me?” (Shizuma) Get off my stomach! You’re not heavy but it’s hard to breathe! “Mm. Okay, I’m off.” (Melt) Looking toward the entrance, Letty was staring at us with an exasperated face, while the Company President looked on happily. …I’m sorry, President-san! Even though I know your real name, in my mind you’ll always just be President-san! “Seimu-san, it’s been a while!” (Popo) “It has, President-san.” (Shizuma) The President-san came over in his carriage, most likely returning from some negotiations. Though surprising…the Company President himself was the one driving all the way outside the city. “I’ve heard you’ve begun dealing in precious metals?” (Shizuma) “Yes, indeed. Though it is a very profitable field, it’s difficult for new entrants. Jewel trading requires connections, trust, achievements, and funds… Normally, newcomers like us, who have only just arrived from abroad, would never break into such a market.” (Popo) “But with the transaction record and sales this time, you’ve managed to break into the field in one swoop, correct?” (Shizuma) “Yes. And this is all thanks to you, Seimu-san.” (Popo) Certainly, I may have sparked the opportunity, but it was the President-san’s business acumen that seized it. “So, does that mean your cargo is filled with precious metals? That’s a little scary.” (Shizuma) “Yes, indeed. But this time, I have two reliable escorts with me.” (Popo) “That’s true. A Ruby Rank adventurer, a rising Emerald Rank adventurer, and a young ace of Glory Knights. No bandit could break through that.” (Shizuma) “Exactly. In fact, just as expected, we encountered a group of bandits while heading toward Izbel through the mountain path…” (Popo) …A whole group, huh. They’ve likely caused trouble before, and for them to still be active means they’re quite a large organization? Content orıginally comes from 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍 “I’m glad you’re safe, President-san.” (Shizuma) “Yes. I was truly surprised… I never imagined Melt-san was that strong.” (Popo) So Melt made quite the heroic showing, huh. “You’re heading back to the city now, right?” (Shizuma) “Yes. We stopped here to let the horses rest a little and take lunch ourselves.” (Popo) Letty had moved over to Melt’s side before I realized it. It looked like she was cautioning her about something… If possible, please teach her that clinging to people or straddling them is unbecoming behavior. During our lunch break, Letty, unusually, spoke to me. “Seimu-san, you’ve been away from Lindblum, haven’t you?” (Letty) “That’s right. Not too far, but I was away for a while. I did return briefly for some reports, though.” (Shizuma) “I see. …Um, I know it’s odd to ask someone who’s been away, but…has anything been happening in Lindblum recently?” (Letty) “Hmm…yes. Even if I kept it from you, in your position you’d find out anyway, so I’ll say it. There was a major incident. I wasn’t directly involved, but I’ve heard reports from those who were.” (Shizuma) “! W-What happened…?” (Letty) “You should hear that directly from Shuris-san.” (Shizuma) If Shuris-san chose this moment to send Letty out on an external mission, she must have had some intention behind it. …If I remember right, Letty was of noble birth. Perhaps she has some connection to Marquis Alheus… “…I understand.” (Letty) “Sorry. I may be involved, but you’re technically an outsider. Still, I’m sure Shuris-san will tell you.” (Shizuma) Ah, now that I think of it…wasn’t I also told by Shuris-san to show my face at least once…? “Melt, what will you do once we get back to the city? Go ask right away about your rank promotion?” (Shizuma) “Yeah, that’s the plan. After that, I’m going to take it easy for a while.” (Melt) “Got it. As for me… I’ve been summoned by Shuris-san, but also by Kokuri-san.” (Shizuma) By Kokuri-san…that is to say, by the castle. In terms of priority, that should come first…right? No, but from the way Kokuri-san spoke, it wasn’t urgent today or tomorrow. She told me to be back within three days, so there’s probably a meeting scheduled for that time. “Seimu-san, you also know Kokuri Maya-sama?” (Letty) “Yes, I do. In fact, she summoned me. And since Shuris-san also called for me…maybe it’d be simplest to just go to the castle together.” (Shizuma) “Then, once I return to the clan, I’ll report to the captain that you’ve come back to the city. That should save you some trouble.” (Letty) “Really? That helps, Letty.” (Shizuma) “Consider it thanks for sharing some information with me.” (Letty) …Maybe her attitude toward me has softened a little? After our rest, I joined the escort duty as well, and we successfully returned to Lindblum. “Welcome back, Melt.” (Shizuma) After finishing my reports, I returned home ahead of her to greet her as she came in. “I’m back! I’m exhausted… Escort missions really wear you out.” (Melt) “I heard you defeated quite a lot. Were they strong opponents?” “Nope, not at all. But you have to stay sharp to prevent any casualties. If an arrow or something injured a horse, just that would be a huge loss.” “I see. Good thing Letty-san was there.” (Shizuma) “Yeah. Thanks to her guarding around the carriage, it was much easier to fight. Also…I think maybe three people died because of me.” (Melt) “Well, they were criminals. You must not show mercy.” (Shizuma) “I know that…but still, if I fought better, maybe I could have subdued them instead of killing them. What about you, Seimu? How did things go with Shizuma’s side?” (Melt) “Me? …Well, I probably killed more than ten corrupt knights. Left many gravely injured too. And…I captured three of my former comrades.” (Shizuma) I too reported my results without hiding anything. “I see. Good work. So…is everything over now?” (Melt) “Hmm… Not yet. But one stage is complete.” (Shizuma) “That’s good. At least you’re not hurt.” (Melt) “You too, Melt.” (Shizuma) …The season is about to shift into December. The temperature is dropping, and it probably will snow soon. In other words…this will be a disadvantageous time for the Holy Principality of Lendia. And then there’s the matter of Isaka and Inami, who escaped. If they’re going to act, it will likely be during this period. “If a war with Golda were to break out, would you want to be involved?” (Shizuma) For Melt, the Golda royal family should be bitter enemies. They were the ones who annihilated her kin and tribe. “Why do you ask that?” (Melt) “Because there might be a war.” (Shizuma) “…A lot of people would die, right? I hate that. But…if the king himself were in front of me, I’d want to ask him everything: why he did it, what his goal was.” (Melt) “Hm, I see.” (Shizuma) “And then…I probably wouldn’t forgive him.” (Melt) She must have chosen her words carefully. She held back the stronger, darker expressions. But what she probably meant was… “…Yeah. War itself…it’s better if it doesn’t happen.” (Shizuma) “Of course. But it’s complicated, isn’t it? The fact you’re even asking me…” (Melt) “Most likely, yes. Remember earlier, when I rode on the Pigeon Company’s wagon?” (Shizuma) “Oh, right. Seimu got the comfy spot! Letty-chan and I had to walk.” (Melt) “Haha, sorry, sorry.” (Shizuma) That was when I noticed the contents of the cargo and asked the company president about it. ‘Not just jewels, but you’ve brought in a lot of weapons too?’ I asked. And the President-san replied: ‘Actually, transporting weapons together is currently being encouraged in Izbel. Right now, if you carry weapons along with jewels, part of the intercity tariffs on jewel transport are discounted.’ In other words, Lindblum is stockpiling arms. And then there was that troubling notice I saw back at the camp… “There’s a high chance war will break out. If possible…I’d rather not get involved in it.” (Shizuma) “…Yeah. I prefer gathering, escorting, traveling, searching, hunting; those kinds of adventures. I know fighting people will happen too, but…war is something I don’t want to get too close to. But since we’re part of a nation, maybe it’s wrong to say that…?” (Melt) “Hmm? No, it’s fine to say that. You’re neither a knight nor a soldier. Adventurers are free and neutral by nature. Even if you’re asked, you can refuse.” (Shizuma) “Really?! Then I’m not getting involved in war! I’ll just cheer from inside the city!” (Melt) …Yes, war should just be ended as quickly as possible. That’s right. A “trump card” is meant to be used at times like these.