Manowa Chapter 78

「Can you wai, wait a second, everyone!?」

After Kazane and the others found the location of the staircase to the fifth layer, they decided to end the exploration and returned to the entrance of the cave, where the administrator could be seen running towards them in a panic.

「What does he want?」

Tiara tilted her head and looked to her friends, but everyone was tilting their heads in confusion about the reason like her.

「What's wrong, administrator-san?」

Kazane asked, and the administrator hurriedly replied.

「Well, here's the thing. I needed a minute to ask you something; was it you who made the house with the hot spring a little bit away from here?」

「That's right, but?」

When Kazane responded, the administrator sighed「as expected, right?」

「Did something happen?」

Zinray frowned at the state of affairs as he asked the administrator.

「Here's the deal. There's a scramble from some adventurers over that house.」

「Scramble?」

「You aren't calm, can you explain from the beginning?」

At Zinray's words the administrator nodded「yes」and started talking about the circ.u.mstances.

The beginning of the matter was a few hours earlier, when an adventurer's party discovered a strange house. Well, they were surprised that a house made of stone and earth that didn't exist a few days ago suddenly appeared, but the stranger thing was the smell of sulfur from inside and hot water flowing in from the side. The party found it suspicious and wrenched open the door to find a bathhouse like the Tolda and Marukuni Hot Spring Towns.  And other parties that heard the story headed over and started fighting over owners.h.i.+p of the house, and some merchants also showed up and started claiming the house belonged to them.

「Was my door destroyed?」

As she hastily walked ahead Kazane asked while forcefully grinding her teeth. The administrator was startled by her bloodcurdling manner but answered「yes.」

「However, rather than saying the door itself, the entire wall the door was set in was destroyed.」

「What about owners.h.i.+p of land in this world?」

Mefirus answered Yumika's question.

『Well, when it comes to owners.h.i.+p of the land nothing can be said other than that we built the house. The dungeon is now B rank, so a town should appear in the future. Then Tsuvara would put a feudal lord in place, and after that such things would be organized to some extent.』

It seemed the country would start putting things in place once the rank reached a level where some profit could be expected. In fact, various preliminary steps had already occurred.

「But the door of the house had wording claiming proprietary rights in Kazane's name, so that should act as evidence that we own the house.」

「In short there is no choice but to scramble; the way things currently are the only way to demonstrate owners.h.i.+p is money, violence, or political power.」

After Louise then Zinray said their remarks, the administrator vigorously shook his head.

「No no, there is a guild and firms, so normally such things will end with discussion. If there is a door that Kazane-san owns then she can normally claim owners.h.i.+p without problems.」

The administrator followed up, but it seemed this time was already abnormal.

「If there is the possibility of a third hot spring town, many groups will not be satisfied with that.」

At Louise's remark the administrator said「that's true」with tears in his eyes.

「Then brute force is fine, right?」

Kazane asked Zinray.

「Don't kill anyone.」

When Zinray replied with such dangerous words the administrator's face turned pale.

「Forgive me, but couldn't you do things more peacefully?」

「People already know about the hot spring, so it's too late to turn back.」

At Louise's remark the administrator groaned.

「Well, this area is managed by the Dinah Firm, right?」

「Ye, yes.」

The administrator nodded at Louise's words.

「Since that's the case, let's go talk with them. Tiara, will you also come with me?」

「Understood.」

Louise stopped and Tiara went to her side.

「Also, Kazane. I hope you won't do anything excessive.」

At Louise's remark Kazane nodded without looking at her.

(Well, she won't kill anyone)

Yumika and Sieg continued to walk behind her.

「Will it be okay?」

To Sieg's question

「It'll be fine ... won't it?」

Yumika replied. Well, since it was her best friend, Yumika thought she wouldn't do a dangerous thing like ma.s.sacring everyone, at least.

◎ Near Rock Hold Cave, Hot Spring Cottage

「I found this place first.」

「Hey Zakenna, you can't mean you built this place.」

「If you're going to say useless things go home. We have the right to use this place.」

Everyone from the adventurers to the merchant escorts were trying to force their way through, so it was an explosive situation.

「Hm. Don't they have any decency?」

Zinray was watching from the outside. Zinray didn't see anyone skilled. If he had to say, the two adventurer leaders and one of the merchant's guards seemed capable, but they were not a threat to Zinray.

「That guy is stepping on my door.」

Kazane muttered from beside Zinray.

「Do as you wish. I'll deal with the small fry.」

In truth, Zinray was also angry. Kazane was like a grandchild, and they were rudely trampling on her hard work. It was an act worthy of death.

「It'll be fine. I will call these children as well.」

Kazane said while patting the pouch on her waist, and then she jumped.

Since it was now a pa.s.sive and could freely be used, she multi-jumped high in the sky, then swooped down toward the man who was treading on the fallen door and kicked him with the Berserk Ogre Greaves. As expected she didn't use Killing Leg, but the man lost consciousness with a single blow,

「You're a nuisance.」

Her kick sent the man flying off the door. This was due to the Berserk Ogre Greaves' sympathetic effect of a.s.sisting Killing Leg. Normally it was used in combination with Killing Leg, but for non-lethal action it alone was sufficient.

「What the?」

Everyone was surprised by this girl suddenly arriving from the sky, but Kazane didn't pause as she swung Black Fang in its scabbard around her and instantly struck down the surrounding men. Kazane's『Warrior's Memory』granted her the power of a warrior equivalent to rank B. Even so, that alone wouldn't have been enough, but with『Intuition』her timing was perfect, and they were struck smoothly thanks to『Nimble.』Kazane was matchless.

「Wha, what is this. A young girl?」

The merchants stared in amazement as the adventurers who had been talking just a moment ago were crushed in an instant. However, Kazane didn't care about the merchants' amazement. Rather, she embraced their fear as she calmly thought it would make her next skill more effective.

「Skill・Tiger Eye」

Kazane glared at the merchants a little as she activated Tiger Eye. The merchants and escorts instantaneously stiffened. They were temporarily paralyzed.

「This girl has a magical eye?」

However, there was one man who wasn't completely paralyzed. It was the guard that Zinray felt was strong, and he was the only Rank B adventurer in this place. It could be said that he had a very strong force of will to avoid being paralyzed, but with his movements dulled he was unable to avoid Kazane's attack. And the next moment, he was sent flying by Kazane's maximally weakened Killing Leg. He flew three meters before he hit the ground.

「It's not a magical eye though.」

Kazane idly muttered. While the surrounding people were staring dumbfounded, Kazane summoned two beings.

「Yuuko-nee, Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun.」

It was the finis.h.i.+ng blow that accomplished the purpose of intimidating the surrounding adventurers, and it caused them to start trembling violently.

「Eh, that's an Elder Cat, isn't it?」

「Why is such a monster cat here?」

「She can also use a Childstone?」

Even if a Childstone holder was killed it was rare for them to submit to being summoned by a person. It was natural that the adventurers watched with surprised faces.

「Funyaaaa!!!」

The adventurers were frightened by Yuuko-nee's intimidation. The adventurers who were unanimously making a racket instantly quieted down. And when Kazane was in complete control of the surroundings, she asked one of the trembling adventurers a question.

「So, who would you say are the bigwigs among you?」

It was a devil's smile. The man succ.u.mbed to his terror and pointed to one of the paralyzed merchants and the two that seemed like leaders among the fallen adventurers. No one could think of it as betrayal. They would have responded the same way if they were asked.

「I, I think it's them.」

「Thanks.」

Kazane smiled sweetly at the man who replied and gave a command to Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun.

「Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun, take those guys into the house.」

Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun nodded and carelessly shouldered the three men like sacks, then entered the house. Kazane then went inside as well.

「Nya」

Yuuko-nee sat at the entrance and glared at the adventurers. Everybody feared her and couldn't move.

Indeed, this number of adventurers was sufficient to fight an Elder Cat. However, it was only after properly preparing their equipment to perfection that they would be in a position to challenge her, and confronting the monster cat in front of their eyes meant antagonizing the something in the shape of a girl who went inside. Everyone thought it was too reckless.

And after ten minutes, the three men who went inside came out while weeping and began to carefully wash Kazane's door. The subordinates outside were stunned as they watched, but the tears of the three men didn't stop, and they kept was.h.i.+ng the door until it sparkled like new.

When Louise arrived later she asked「were we unnecessary?」and Zinray gave a wry smile. Then a merchant appeared from behind Louise and responded「well, formal procedures are also necessary.」

「Fuu, it's s.h.i.+ning.」

Kazane gazed at the door with great delight. The bloodcurdling att.i.tude from before seemed like a lie. The groups of adventurers, merchants, and onlookers were dispersed by the persuasions of the merchant Louise brought, and now only Kazane and the others were outside the cottage. Furthermore, everyone's baggage had gone to the dungeon with them, so the only damage was the cottage door.

「I'm guessing you preached at them with『Fear Voice?』A considerably flashy way to do it.」

Zinray spoke from the side. Kazane answered「that's right.」

「I thought that if I frightened them to that extent the door wouldn't be destroyed again.」

「Well, I understand what you mean.」

At Kazane's words Zinray also nodded. Zinray had the veneer of a man of splendid character that came from a long life, but he had a wild personality.

「Master, you understand?」

Yumika made a confused face at Zinray's remark.

「The truth is there is a possibility of a root of evil remaining, leading to being attacked at night while in the dungeon because of a grudge. The best way is to completely crush such sprouts. Such is necessary to ensure our physical safety. 」

If the opponent was to be left alive it was the only option remaining, Zinray thought.

「Muu. Is that so?」

「That's the way it is.」

The master nodded to his disciple's groan.

「Well, there is nothing mistaken about what Zinray-kun is saying, but having the help of an influential man is smarter, so I brought such a person along.」

With those words Louise introduced the man behind her back. It was the merchant from some time ago.

「Let me introduce myself. I am Dinah Firm's Zakuro. I hastily traveled here to be of a.s.sistance when the Louise Hotel's owner-sama and Princess Tiarsama told me about the matter of the hot spring being dug up, not to mention when they told me they wanted me to manage the hot spring for them.」

「What do you mean by management?」

Kazane reacted to that word in the story and asked.

「What's the best way to put it… Well, your owners.h.i.+p would be guaranteed by the country, so it would be like you're lending it to me. Well, a hot spring hotel and other things would be planned, so money would flow in after a while.」

「Sounds troublesome.」

Kazane grumbled, since she just dug it up because she wanted to enter it.

「But, if it is necessary, why not?」

「Then?」

Zakuro bent forward in excitement. He was a merchant that was dispatched by the Dinah Firm to this place to be a manager. If a town was made in the end, the expectation was that he would be the Dinah Firm's representative for the town. With the hot spring discovered there was a high likelihood of a town developing in a big way, like the two hot spring towns in the vicinity. To be able to keep the source of the hot spring here had a big significance for the future.

「For the time being I'd like to keep using it for a while, so would it be fine if I divided the hot water and prepared a temporary bathhouse over there?」

「Yes, there's no problem but, what do you mean by prepare?」

Zakuro tilted his head in confusion, but Louise thought it seemed interesting, so she asked Kazane.

「Did you decide to make another bathhouse?」

「The cottage I made in Conrad had a large public bath that was separated. I think I will prepare two reasonably wide baths, one for men and one for women.」

Kazane said.

「???」

Zakuro looked to Louise in a way that suggested he didn't understand but

「Well, just watch, it's interesting.」

Nothing was explained. Saying Yo-sh, Kazane used Golem Maker a little distance away.

「Uwaa!?」

While Zakuro raised a surprise voice, it was completed in a flash.

A pair of baths with exactly the same shape were completed. Tatsuyos.h.i.+-kun was currently in a standby state after she took it out earlier, so Kazane ordered it to dig a groove which she reinforced with Golem Maker, and after connecting with the hot water the hot spring gradually began to fill.

「It's outrageous.」

Zakuro turned to Louise with an unaltered astonished face.

「Wouldn't she alone be able to immediately make an entire town?」

『She said she didn't feel like doing civil engineering work.』

Mefirus returned to Zakuro's remark.

「Is that so? Regrettable.」

By the way, when Louise went to the Dinah Firm they had already met. Zakuro thought there was something suggestive about how the summoned Mefirus talked like a king, but he did not realize that he was the former king of his country. Just Tiara brought him to his limit, so if Zakuro knew he might have collapsed.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Magic Swordswoman

t.i.tle: Ogre Killer

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Two Handed Sword『Black Fang』, Silver Breastplate, Silver Gauntlets, Silver Sheep Clothes, Carapace Bull Trousers, Berserk Ogre Greaves, Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, War Spirit Summoning Ring

Level : 23

Health: 80

Magic Power: 138+300

Strength: 38

Agility: 30

Endurance: 19

Wisdom : 40

Dexterity : 22

Spell : 『Fly』 『Torch』 『Fire』 『Heal』『Firestorm』

Skill : 『Warrior's Memory』 『Night Vision』 『Crus.h.i.+ng Blow』 『Dog's Sense of Smell』 『Golem Maker: Lv2』 『Rush』 『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』 『Healing Principle: Second Chapter』 『Air Jump』 『Killing Leg』 『Fear Voice』 『Invisible』 『Tiger Eye』 『Wall Walking』 『Intuition』 『Cheat Death』 『Nimble』『Charge』

Yumika:「For a while I was worried about how it would turn out.」

Kazane:「Well, it was fine since the door was safe. It would have been really dangerous if it wasn't.」

Yumika:「Wha, what?」