Year 7444, Month 5, Day 3
The end of the days off. Starting today we're exploring the 6th floor again. Thanks to the information I gained during these days off, the dungeon isn't simply a place for me to gain treasure, but it's become a place where I can obtain the catalyst needed to use a spell in order to negotiate with the one who used this {Report} on me. It will change the amount of fighting spirit I'm putting into it.
Since I was supposed to be in the capital until yesterday, I paid everyone's wages before the break started. There's no way I'd let there be any delays in payment. I was eating a chicken roast, some eggs, and a badly made muffin for breakfast while looking around at everyone's faces. Yeah, I can feel that everyone is energetic from their expressions. It seems they were satisfied with their days off.
"Come to think it, that guy supposedly died."
Ralpha is saying to Zenom and Zulu next to her. What is she doing talking about dead people this early in the morning...It's not like she said it to me, so I'll just ignore it.
"Hn?"
"Who did?"
Zenom put some egg on his muffin while and Zulu put some pepper on his egg while responding.
"Remember, after we came here..Nn~ It was around the time we went to the 2nd floor, so it's those guys that came to Baldukk a short while after Maruso entered our party, right? That Tiger-man noble who came from outside of the country."
I guess there was still some roast remaining on a rib. Ralpha said while taking the bone out from her mouth.
"Ah, that young guy called Rokis or whatever? He was the son of a Marquis or something right? Did he die?"
Zenom finishes his egg muffin while saying.
"No, not Rokis but one of his followers. The male Rabbit-people named Biku. I think it was a short while after Maruso joined us. When Zulu came along with me shopping, didn't it turn into a fight? Don't you remember? Zulu."
"..I don't remember. In the first place there were a lot of people who picked fights with us over Koloil-sama around that time so we got into fights often."
I guess it's that, do you remember every time you've eaten bread? type of thing. It's true I don't remember them all either. Honestly speaking, I don't remember getting into an argument or fight with Rokis and the others either. Other than that one incident in the dungeon the other day. It's not unreasonable that Zulu doesn't remember.
"I see. Well it's fine. And, that Rabbit-people died in the dungeon fighting against an Ork it seems. But, since it was after they started to retreat they weren't able to recover the corpse."
Ralpha is talking while she uses the bone she pulled off the rib as a toothpick. Is this girl really a woman? I feel like I'm about to be stuck with some serious doubts. I'm sure Bel and Toris are stuck together as usual so they haven't noticed but Gwine is frowning as well. I'm sure my expression isn't much different from Gwines as well.
"Isn't it something that happens often? Was there something that seemed strange about it?"
Angela said while putting some roast chicken between her muffin. Zenom is focused on eating his completed egg muffin.
"It's not particularly unusual. I think that Biku just let his guard down. Ah, Kalstalan-sama can I use the pepper?"
Zulu, isn't that too much pepper? I'm amazed you can calmly eat something like that.
"Well you would think that right. But you know, I don't know if it was the 1st or 2nd floor but since Orks will run away all on their own if you defeat or injure one of them, so depending on how you think about it goblins and gnolls are more dangerous right. I guess he must have been hit in a pretty bad place."
It's true it's just as Ralpha says, Orks and Hobgoblins have a decent amount of combat ability individually but since they specialize in group combat, if they even take a bit of damage it's often they start to retreat. Gnolls sometimes show signs of that as well but when it comes to goblins they just keep charging at you so you could say they're more troublesome. There's times when weak adventurers are eaten. However, putting aside newcomers, it's unusual for an adventurers with enough ability to make it to the 2nd floor to get killed by an Ork. Though it's not that there's few enough of them for it to be unnatural though.
"Al-san, why is Ral like this? I don't think she was like this in the past but I guess people really do change.."
Gwine is putting ham on her muffin as she talks to me.
"Really though...I don't know about in the past but she was only putting on a feigned face for the first few days after I met her. After that it was always like this."
Ralpha was watching as I responded to Gwine like that but she didn't say anything. After all it's the truth. I bite off a bit of the roast chicken leg while making a face that said "I haven't spoken any lies" but it seems Ralpha decided to ignore us and she's still continuing to talk to Zenom and the others.
From the other side of Ralpha and the others,
"Really, stop eating just meat and eat some eggs as well."
"Eh~ I don't like eggs. I just took them for your sake."
"Eh..Is that so? Thanks. I love you."
"Of course I do too. That's why if you're not going to eat that chicken I'll take it."
"That is no~good~."
And I hear a strange conversation that I'm not sure if I'm envious of or not. The couple of Toris and Bel are as annoying as usual this morning. I've just decided that you two are standing at the front until the teleport room on the 3rd floor for today.
.............
Year 7444, Month 5, Day 8
After returning from the dungeon last night I slept a full night and today I was able to relax and take a break. Right now I'm having dinner with everyone. This "Murowa" is a good bar to relax where their selling point is the skewers they offer while you have a drink. Since it wears away at your nerves quite a bit exploring the dungeon for 5 days straight, the day after getting back we don't feel like doing anything. I'm lenient towards them spending their time sluggishly and self-indulgent. Even then one of my slaves and myself never miss out on running for about two hours though. Recently I've been seeing the faces of Toris and Gwine when I go for my running in the mornings as well. Since the course and pace differs by person it's not like we're running together.
This time we weren't able to get our hands on anything big while exploring the dungeon. It was just the magic stones from monsters. Since normally this is only obvious, it's not something to get depressed over but since I got quite enthusiastic about exploring the dungeon I was a bit disappointed. Ah, really, I wonder if a raw gem crystal won't come out already?
"Today you know, when I was eating together with Gwine at "Rasurun", I heard about it again."
Ralpha is talking about some sort of information she heard about again. No, it's not something as refined as information. It's like the rumors you hear at the well-side gatherings. Are you a housewife?
"About what?"
Bel tried asking Ralpha. Just ignore her there. Toris and I exchange glances and Toris started pouring some lukewarm beer from the pitcher into my mug. I asked the Laios waitress for two more pork skewers and poured some beer back into Toris's mug.
After the waitress went and gave the order to the kitchen with her swinging beautiful long scarlet hair and then she sat down "next" to Zulu who was sitting alone at the next table over and started talking about something. Why didn't she sit across from him?
Angela, Gwine, and Zenom are getting excited about the topic of the beard Gwine has started growing recently. It's a beard which you can barely tell has started growing if you look closely at the bottom of her jaw and below her nose. It sounds like a conversation to comfort Gwine who is worried about it. Zenom is giving his opinion of "A woman with no beard has no charm" but it seems she doesn't approve.
Toris is skillfully eating some dried ibodi with his {My} chopsticks. I'm eating keiswago in fish and vegetables also with {My} chopsticks while (I get a good impression that Toris is also properly using chopsticks~) drinking some bear as well.
"And you know, this time it seems it was Joni. You remember right? I think it was last winter, ah, since it was last year before we met Toris and Gwine so it should have been after the new year. It's the Tiger-man who tried to pick a fight with us to hit on Bel at "Danfulu"."
It's the voice of a rumor loving housewife.
"Eh~ I can't remember. There's too many."
The voice of a rabbit who is putting on airs.
"Is that sarcasm?"
"No, it's not sarcasm I really can't remember."
"Yes I know, you're popular after all."
"N~ That's not the case~"
"And, it seems it was the other day but that Joni supposedly died. It seems it was a trap. That crossbow one. So there really were people who get caught in that~ I need to be careful as well.."
He~ so that guy died? The one that tried to pick a fight with me. Getting caught up in a trap and dying, he really was an idiot. Before I noticed the dried ibodi that Toris had in front of him had turned into a bone as if it was eaten by fairies, and Toris was looking at that with a difficult face.
"What is it?"
What is he making such a difficult face for?
"Eh? No, this sea bream, I mean ibodi was pretty good so I was thinking of ordering another, or maybe getting some boiled with vegetables like Al-san."
He sure is worrying over something weird.
"Hn, then, I'll give you half. Order an ibodi and then give me half."
After I said that and,
"Is that fine? Then let's do that. Excuse me~"
Toris happily responded and called out to the waitress but she's sitting on Zulu's lap at the table next to ours. Work.
Even then the waitress reluctantly was running a finger along Zulu's chest as she went to take Toris's order to the kitchen. After noticing Toris and my glances Zulu looked the other direction and brought his mug to his mouth. You, the contents of that are either tea or water right?
"Though, if Ralpha's story is true then wouldn't that mean Rokis-sans party is in need of people. If two people were killed then they have 8 people right now right? If they were doing it with 10 people then in terms of combat ability things might be pretty harsh for them right now. Well it's not something for us to worry about but I wonder if they'll buy some slaves or something."
"I wonder about that~ If I remember correctly, weren't there only 6 of them when they came to Baldukk? A short while after that they teamed up with a group of four and become a full party. Though they might have just bought 4 combat slaves. Won't they just scout some random guys or purchase someone?"
"He~ I guess their leader is doing a pretty proper job? Well I'm sure it's fine as long as they're earning."
"I don't know about that far~ But if they're still at the 1st and 2nd floor I'm sure they aren't making much. Isn't it impossible to properly earn anything until the 3rd floor?"
"Then I guess for now they're just good talkers? I'm amazed they keep up at it even though they don't have any achievements."
"No, since they were able to make it to the 2nd floor in a year and a half they're still pretty quick. I'm sure they're reasonably skilled."
..............
Year 7444, Month 5, Day 18
It's the final day of our three day break. After we finished up our cooperation training and were about to take a slightly early dinner. We met up at the restaurant "Rasurun". In order to leave my equipment and get lighter before going to eat the five of us other than the slaves were walking on our way to Boil Manor.
"You're Greed-san right, from the {Slaughterers}?"
There was a young Laios woman who called out to me in front of the inn. Just when I was thinking I had seen her face somewhere before, I remembered. She's the one from Rokis's party. Candice.Hash, level 8 huh? The eldest daughter of the Viscount Hash. I wonder what her business is?
"Yes, I am but do you have some business with me?"
I faced the woman Candy and replied. Everyone from the {Slaughterers} and is watching over.
"There's something I want to talk about for a bit, so I would like to borrow some of your time but.."
She's saying it with some reservations but she's properly looking me in the eyes.
"It's fine. What is it?"
After I replied and Candy made a slightly relieved expression before continuing her words.
"Umm, could you please act as an agent for us with Ronslail?"
"Ha?"
"As a matter of fact..There have been quite a few deaths in our party recently...Another one of our combat slaves died in a boss room on the 2nd floor today...That's why it's came to discussing about purchasing a new combat slave.."
Ah, I see now. Since recently the "Slave Store, Ronslail" that I purchased Angela and Zulu from has made quite the name for itself. After all it was the store that provided two front-line slaves for the {Slaughterers} so it's gotten quite famous for that, any adventurer who has a decent amount of money would prefer to buy their combat slaves not from the exclusive shop "Tani Company" but it's been the recent trend to purchase combat slaves from "Slave Store, Ronslail". Supposedly it even requires making reservations there now. It's great that her business is flourishing.
Even now that elf madam occasionally calls out to me that she's gotten her hands on some good slaves. Come to think of it since we started spending 5 days in the dungeon our bags have increased quite a bit. It might be good to buy a slave for carrying baggage and keeping lookout of our bags.
After thinking for a bit I,
"Wait just a moment."
I said to Candy and turned around to everyone and,
"Come to think of it, I've heard it's convenient to have someone to carry bags right?"
I tried asking everyone that.
"That's true.."
"Yeah, it's always tiring on the way."
"Always forcing Maruso to prepare the meals as well you know.."
"Someone who is better than Zulu at massages would be good."
"It would help if we had one."
They're saying things like that.
"Then, after we change lets go and try buying one. Go ahead to "Rasurun" and wait for me."
I said that and since Gwine and Toris haven't seen a slave trader before they're coming along but "If Toris is going then I think I'll go too" is what Bel said so I just said "If you want to come then feel free.", but for some reason they all seemed a bit excited. Purchasing a slave doesn't feel all that much different from hiring an employee with extremely few human rights. Since Ralpha and Zenom didn't seem interested at all they decided to go and wait at the restaurant.
"Excuse me, sorry for making you wait. Since it was just right we've decided to purchase 1 slave as well. Shall we go together? I'll introduce you."
And Candy was happy after I said that to her. Well normally not many people would do this after all. It's something like sending salt to someone that could become your rival after all. But, honestly speaking the strength of our party isn't really related to the work of the slaves so selling a favor to a reasonably skilled party isn't too bad. Putting it bluntly, there's no way they could become a "serious" rival for us after all."
"Umm, I'll call for the leader right away. We'll be waiting in front of the store, so we'll see you there soon as you please."
"Yeah, we'll head over after we finish changing as well."
I said that and split ways with her.
After quickly changing, putting on some neat clothes, and putting just my sword in the belt on my waist it was just as I saw Ralpha and Zenom head towards the restaurant.
"That part, so they've lost close to four people in these past two weeks right?"
"If they recklessly try to challenge an opponent then those things happen. It's not unusual."
"Well, in our case since we have Al after all."
"That's true. His decisions in the dungeon are correct. Since he's trying to make sure we don't overdo it all the time. Even then we're still earning that much."
They were saying things like that. It's because if we were to overdo things the only one remaining alive in the end would be just me.
Together with Toris and the others, we started on our way towards "Slave Store, Ronslail".
..............
I talk about the time I bought Zulu and Angela with Toris and the others as we head towards "Ronslail" and in front of the store Mittorig.Rokis and Candy from just now were waiting. After we got close Rokis approached and greeted us.
"Greed-san, I'm sorry about this. Since it seems you're going to introduce us to Ronslail..we're really saved. Really thank you very much."
"No, please don't mind it. I was jsut thinking about buying one myself."
I said that and entered the store.
The madam of the store is standing listlessly at the reception desk smoking as usual until we entered the room and she trots over to us.
"This is, Greed-sama. Welcome to our store. Please come sit over here."
And she suggested the sofa to us. I urged Rokis on and the two of us sat down on the sofa. Candy, Toris and the others are standing behind us.
"Yo~ How is business going? It seems you've gotten quite big or something.."
I started from recent news.
"Yes, we have quite a bit. Thanks to you we've gotten quite a few reservations so right now we're stocking up even more than before. Recently the number of combat slaves we deal in has exceeded the total number of labor, sex, and general slaves. We have quite the reputation going for ourselves right now. Up until now we've only dealt in a total of about 30 people per year but thanks to you it exceeded 40 people last year. The increased amount was all combat slaves. Hoho Ho~"
That's quite amazing~ an increase of more than 33%. Well given the location I'm sure it was 10 combat slaves until now and the remaining was a total of 20 mixed slaves or so.
"That's quite amazing. However..I guess that was my mistake then..So there's something like reservations.."
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