It was a long journey...Really long..to finish this chapter... Next one in 3-6 hours, I hope.
Year 7445, Month 7, Day 3
The Rindobel couple's room was on the highest floor of "Magorito Manor" on the edge of the 3rd floor. After being let into their room I was offered a seat on the sofa. It was a considerably high-quality sofa and felt quite comfortable to sit on. The wife of the couple Meiria prepared some tea and the husband Koritto prepared some roasted beans to go with the tea before they sat down on a sofa across a small table from where I was sitting. Unlike Viruhaima of {Verdure.Brotherhood} it seems they don't have a slave to assist with their daily necessities.
Meiria noticed the golden cloth tied up around my neck and smiled satisfactorily.
"Greed-kun, I'm glad you made your decision."
After repeating the same words he said just now Koritto shook my hand and following that I also shook hands with Meiria. We did some simple greetings and I formally confirmed my treatment as they explained each one of the rules of {Sun.Ray}. Since there wasn't a lot of them I was easily able to remember them. There wasn't anything in particular that was different compared to the average party but there was one large characteristic.
On the days we don't enter the dungeon, everyone morning it's recommended that we make a visit to the temple individually before eating lunch. It's not an obligation but I was told it's strongly suggested. I already knew about it but when I tried asking the reason and I was told, "God exists everywhere on Orth. Since it's a place where that God? can rest temporarily, if you're lucky you might stop by when that God is taking a break there." Things around there were things I already knew from investigating them and there's no particular problem with the things they're saying. It's very ordinary and something that's said to be only obvious. If it's something on this level then even old lady Shaymi in Bakuddo said it.
"And then, it seems that Greed-kun can use all of the types of elemental magic right. What are their levels?"
It's a question that's only obvious from someone who manages the party. I'm sure even I have an obligation to answer.
"They're all at 4. Though void magic is 5.."
Other adventurers have seen me using attack spells up to arbalest during combat in the dungeon. However, I haven't shown missile (shown, or rather, it's been seen before. Though I killed everyone shortly after), it would probably sound more truthful if I make it that I can use at least {Cure Critical} rather than carelessly under reporting.
Hearing that both of the couple's eyes went wide in surprise. It's only obvious. It's not at the level of super but it's a level that's plenty to be considered first-rate. Furthermore I'm still in my teens after all.
Though I'm sharper than a knife.
"..Th..That's quite amazing..So it's just as rumored huh.."
"So you were a first-rate magician..But as expected..{Cure All} is impossible.."
"Yeah, that's right. It's strange saying it myself but there's no mistake in thinking it's first-rate...Even though that's the case..those guys..that damned dark elf..they all..drove me out together.."
Partway through I started mumbling to myself with a dark and lifeless expression. Ah, I might be able to make it as an actor..If humans get desperate~ they can really do anything I see...Well, recently I've gotten plenty of practice making similar expressions, quite literally to the point of being sick of it. I'm already completely a veteran of making this expression while just acting...Old man Viruhaima said, "That really~~ suits you! It feels good just watching! If it's like that then I'm sure you could make it even you quit as an adventurer and join the theater in the capital! I'll be your patron so change occupations!" while pointing and laughing at me as well.
"Greed-kun, you shouldn't be making such a face. I'm sure you still have various complaints but.."
"That's right. In the first place it's something that's already over right? You should start thinking about things from here on out."
Both of the Rindobel couple made their most charming smiles towards me. But, their eyes weren't laughing. Hmph, "the same scent as me" indeed...
"No, that was quite rude of me...I guess so. What's important is from here on out."
I tried to make a completely different and cheerful expression and nodded in exaggeration.
"But, for them to turn their back's on you even though you're that skilled with magic, it must be true that there's a lot of magic users in the {Slaughterers} right.."
"Yeah, there's a reasonable number. The dark elf woman can use techniques on the same level as me and the elf male can use magic as well. The female Bunny-people has magic at a considerably high level as well. Adding to that the dwarf woman and human woman can also sue magic a somewhat decent level."
There shouldn't be any need to say anything about Basutoral.
"It's just as we heard..I guess that's the driving force for how you could kill monsters to that extent.."
"Well, that's certainly true.."
"We only have five people on our end. But since we're splitting our parties into two in essence there's even less.."
I already know. The husband in front of me, the human man (if I remember correctly he was the son of a noble named Binnodo.Gekudo), the Wolf-people woman, and after that's Faruergaz and Hirosukol right? I've investigated at least that much. Adding to that, the fact that all of them are nothing special as well. The only one who could be considered first-rate is just the husband and since the human male is less than Toris he's about at a normal level, the Wolf-people woman is only at a level slightly better than Hirosukol. It seems like they would struggle quite a bit in the dungeon.
In order for me to accompany them right away starting from their next time exploring the dungeon, it seems that tomorrow we're training to check our formations. For the time being I thought that the same as Faruergaz and the others I would be told to enter the team with Zemyunel as leader next time but it seems that I'll be going to the 6th floor together with the Rindobel couple.
Even if I have experience as the leader of the {Slaughterers} and I've been to the 7th floor for them to suddenly keep me on their side? I read them as starting out a bit more carefully though...I guess that means they feel safer having those who could be dangerous within their sight.
Since tonight's dinner was acting as my welcoming party, everyone in {Sun.Ray} went together to eat. The restaurant was a place not in my memory up until now called "Gonru". It's a restaurant that's close to a cheap pub. It's strange to say since I'm having them treat me but holding a welcoming party at a place of this class, are they poor people.
Just as party reached it's middle stages, it finally reached an atmosphere where I could move from my seat so I took a bottle cheap wine and started going around pouring alcohol for the other members. Newcomers should at least do this much right. It's fine even if Orth doesn't have this sort of culture right. In addition I can naturally talk with everyone after all. When the alcohol starts circulating and everyone is feeling tipsy and good I go around lowering my head to all the members and greeted Hirosukol and the others at their table as well.
"Faruergaz-san, Hirosukol-san. I'm looking forward to working with you from here on out."
"Yeah, we are too. Even though it's fine if you didn't come to greet as politely as this.."
"Oh~ as expected you're an adult. Well drink up."
Faruergaz said that while offering me a cup of alcohol for the one I just poured for him. I finish off the alcohol I was poured in one go. Seeing that Hirosukol poured the next bit of alcohol into my cup(it's a store with no wine glasses even), and when I finished that one off again in one go he got cheerful in high spirits. Just a bit it's not amusing. I guess I'll use {Neutralize.Poison} later. Alcohol this cheap will only make you drunk in the bad way after all.
"Ah, that's right. Rindobel-san and the others never mentioned anything about a contract. Is it really fine not to exchange contracts?"
I already knew the answer but I tried asking partially as a joke. Suddenly Hirosukol's face changed as if he wasn't amused anymore.
"That is..Only obvious right...It costs money and there's no one around who signs contracts for every little thing after all.."
"Fufu, Greed-san please forgive us already. It's not like we've signed anything like a contract either."
It won't hurt even if I say it a bit sarcastically right. But, I was a bit relieved. It seems that these guys have already gained at least that much common sense. Since I had already confirmed that they didn't exchange contracts when they joined up with Kumiru and Ruttsu who are drinking beside them, I didn't think they would demand a contract when they entered {Sun.Ray} but I'm relieved. Also, you two is it fine if you don't confirm whether or not I actually canceled my contract? Well, even if you ask there's no way to answer other than that I did cancel it.
................
Year 7445, Month 7, Day 5
We're entering the dungeon tomorrow. As a matter of fact the other day, I reported the current condition to Toris and the others. About the precise days we'll be entering the dungeon and the members who can use magic and such. I'll know in an instant if I use Identify but they wouldn't know until you can check their status. At the same time I told them I was put into a different part from Faruergaz and the others as well.
The method of contact is simple. It's just a matter of sending letters written in Japanese through my company but it would seem strange if a messenger for my company was coming and going so often and they might get suspicious of it. Just for the first time. If it's just the first time then looking from the outside it's only obvious that I would be trying to get into contact with my company after leaving the {Slaughterers}.
After that, it's only obvious but I've left my war horse in the care of the brat of "Kairugu's Inn" that I'm staying at right now and normally that brat takes care of the horses for the place. He washes them, feeds them, and depending on the case takes them for walks around the town.
I handed the brat some money and just the same had them hand the brat at "Boil Manor" some money so it's easy for them to exchange letters when they're both out walking my and Miduchi's horses. On the contrary if they were to go so far with being suspicious of me to keep lookout on both my inn and "Boil Manor" then they probably wouldn't have accepted me into their party in the first place. It seems that's how Toris and the others imagined it. I have no objections on that.
Well, it maintains a reasonable level of safety and the logic passes. Even if through some reason the letters were to be found and they read them, the only ones who would understand the content is reincarnated people and even if Faruergaz and the others see it in some meanings it's just a matter of them finding out the truth. Adding even more to that the letter is written in invisible ink that requires holding it over a flame so from a glance it just looks like a white piece of paper. If you burn it after reading it then no evidence will remain.
In the first place since paper is expensive unless it's someone with a reasonable amount of money they wouldn't use it so often. When it comes to adventurers at best for something like making a map of the dungeon? Well I'm not the central piece for the job this time. It's limited to nothing more than just a single safety method. I'm just conveying the movements of {Sun.Ray} on to everyone.
..............
Year 7445, Month 7, Day 6
I've stepped foot into the dungeon with the Rindobel couple and the other members of {Sun.Ray}. I'm not carrying my bayonet but rather just the normal long sword form. Including me the party is full with 10 members.
We spent more than half a day only killing the room bosses as we cleared through the 1st floor, then with three hours of rest in between we cleared through the 2nd floor the same way. Our earnings up until here are only the magic stones from the times we had no other choice than to fight and the boss of the room on the 1st floor {Gargantuan Spider} and the bosses of the rooms on the 2nd floor, an {Owlbear} and {Crimson Centipede}, which is just an insanely huge bright red centipede.
When it comes to traps they try to take detours around them to avoid them as much as possible, that sort of thoroughly safe policy. It seems they try to avoid casually walking along the side of pitfalls like we do as much as possible. As expected I feel like that's taking it a bit far but this is probably a normal adventurer.
For the remaining bosses, I guess it's either because we repeated teleporting a number of times to pick a good location, or we only hit ones with slow movements, so we ended up just remaining careful as we got as close to the monster room as possible before running through all at once to avoid them. Just once we tried to take a detour to avoid a group of gnolls but were unable to and they started pursuing us. However, even that we just shot them with spells and arrows from a distance until they retreated. I finished off two of them the spell {Flame Bolt} as well.
There's no problem with the command of the Rindobel couple during combat. Though this is only obvious with them being one of the top teams. However, I was annoyed over how much time they used confirming the safety after the combat, then collecting the arrows, the magic stones, and such. Taking detours to avoid combat and running through the boss rooms to avoid combat as well, I understand the feelings and aim but..even if they repeat teleporting so many times it's rare that the same area will come out again so I didn't feel the need to be so concerned over it.
But, well, this is just my logic and not common logic. Even the current {Slaughterers} occasionally get injured by room bosses on the 1st floor. It's just my feeling that's strange that I'm convinced you can use healing spells at any time and normally. In the first place, the leader isn't be but the Rindobel couple. I should obey the policies of the leader unconditionally.
If the leader makes a completely foolish choice and furthermore there's leeway in time it might be okay to call them out on it but I should think that something like that can be done in either the teleport room or in a situation where I'm definitely sure there's no monsters around.
Even during my period in the SDF the first thing I was told was "commander's aren't mistaken". Commanders always make the correct decisions and don't make mistaken decisions. That's why if you do everything you're ordered without missing anything then you'll win, is what it means. Of course, even if they're a commander, it's not like a God or anything else, since they're just a human this viewpoint itself is a mistake. The instructor and assistants all immediately said "this is strange" pointing out the contradiction. However, even if it is a mistake, and there's some reason to doubt it, the subordinate must never voice those doubts in the middle of combat. The ones who can propose things like that to the commander are just their aides, or if the commander is someone high-ranking then that's the role of the staff officer after all.
Then what should you do in the case that you've clearly been ordered to take action on said mistake? and there was an idiot who asked that question. The instructor started grinning without hesitation and said, "Give up and die since you had bad luck". Well it was a joke but it's not exactly a mistake. And then the instructor also said this. "If you don't want to force those sorts of feelings on your subordinates then frantically learn things and make sure you always give out the best decisions. If you do that then they'll think that by following your orders things will definitely go well. If it comes to that then..even if you gave out a mistaken order then the subordinates who believed in you can die while still believing in you from the bottoms of their hearts. However, if you don't want to hold responsibility over the lives of strangers, of your subordinates that much then you're not suited for a job as leader. I feel bad making the citizens pay taxes to spend on someone as useless as that so you should write up a letter of resignation right away."
If you pardon the opinions of those below you then a commander will be made light of. Adventurers aren't a military organization like the knight group but they risk their lives in combat and they're similar to an army in the fact that they're a group with the purpose of achieving their goals through combat. It would be fine to consider them a small army. Of course, almost at a probability of 100% the objective of them would be more trifling than that of a real army.
If a commander has been made light of once, then after that others will make light of their orders, and there's the fear that someone might not obey their orders when it's crucial. That's why armies proceed with things under the premise that higher ups never make mistakes in their decisions. Putting aside the matter of whether that logic itself is correct or not.
Well, it's talk about my preparedness from here on out. The Rindobel couple is properly making sure to take every step necessary to keep us safe and prevent exhaustion as much as possible. As expected of the heads of one of the top teams for many years I was able to reconfirm that they're excellent leaders. Though I still don't have much to go off as samples but even then their orders and decisions during combat give off the sense of relief that a mature adventurer gives.
And then the first day ends, roughly 30 hours have already passed since we entered the dungeon. The date has long since changed and right now it's around noon on July 7th. We finally arrived at the teleport room on the 2nd floor and are getting some rest. Other than us there's several adventurer parties camping and resting.
"Greed-kun, how was things today? Are you tired?"
I ate the food that wasn't good at all, didn't have any bulk to it, and was tasteless and just as I was about to go to sleep, Koritto started talking to me. Up until here, along the way I slept for about two hours in the teleport room on the 1st floor but other than that I've always been tense inside of the dungeon, there's no way I wouldn't be tired.
"Well, I'm sure this is about right. No one was injured today and I felt relieved with Koritto-san and Meiria-san's command and orders."
"Really~ is that so. We're relieved to hear you say that as well."
Koritto made a brought smile after clearly taking a breath as if he was relieved. It can't be helped, I'll accompany him for a bit.
"Also everyone moved quite briskly. I'm pleased I was able to participate in a good party as well."
"Oh my, you sure do say pleasant things."
The wife Meiria joins the conversation. It would suck if this drags on...But, this is a good chance as well. Sooner or later gathering information is necessary so if I can gather some of it this time then that means I have that much more to report to Toris and the others after I leave the dungeon. Pawns mustn't be negligent in putting in the labor.
"No, as expected I was just showing admiration that you were one of the top teams that has existed for quite a while. There's some things that are done differently with the {Slaughterers} so I was a bit perplexed though.."
"Yeah, since we have no leeway to fit in a porter to carry luggage after all..Honestly speaking, if Santosu hadn't died a short while back we wouldn't have thought about inviting you."
Yeah, that was part of why we chose this timing as well. We were a bit nervous whether you might buy a slave or invite someone else. But, it's someone who screwed up and got injured even under that sort of proper command. I'm sure it wasn't a big loss even if they die.
"Also, since we're not as skilled as the {Slaughterers} we can't clear through the floors in a short period of time as well right? I was worried you might think it was irritating."
"Not as skilled, there's no way that's the case! I think that everyone is plenty skilled. In the case of the {Slaughterers} they just plunge forward because there's a lot of sorcerers. I think that the skill of everyone here is higher."
In terms of caution towards traps and the ability to avoid combat as adventurers, the {Slaughterers} can't even reach the feet of {Sun.Ray} in skill. On the point of aiming for the lower floors of the dungeon safely, {Sun.Ray} is far superior to the {Slaughterers}. Although, this is still the 2nd floor. There's not many opponents that the top team would struggle against. I've only seen the orders the Rindobel couple can give out while completely calm and composed.
"Is that so..But I think that people will be injured from here on out. Greed-kun if you get injured say something right away. It's not as good as you but my husband can use healing spells as well."
"Yes, I'm in your care at that time."
"Yeah, we are as well. We can't afford to lose a person who can use {Cure Critical} after all. I'll heal you with the highest priority."
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