Otoko Nara Ikkokuichijou no Aruji o Mezasa Nakya, ne? Chapter 206

Finally on with the main story again. Next chapter later tonight and a few more tomorrow morning probably since I'm feeling a bit better. Also just a note I forgot to mention a while back, the j.a.panese characters for {Sooner} is like "very soon" or "just a bit more", so it's that meaning in {Sooner}.
Year 7445, Month 8, Day 4
After the seven of us arrived at the teleport room on the 6th floor around noon we just took a light shower before taking a reasonable break and then stepped foot on the 7th floor. Since it's necessary to properly make the teleport room on the 7th floor into a front line base, while the second and third parties, no, the {Butchers} and {Sooners} are starting over from the foundations on the upper floors I intend to do a number of round trips carrying in the various materials and luggage we need.
Zulu and Angela stand at the front and Gwine and Basutoral support them with spears. Miduchi acc.u.mulates damage with magic and bow and gives out instructions to everyone from behind. Giberuti and I carry the luggage while watching that from a bit of distance away. If it's up to three ogres then I can almost afford to watch safely. These guys have already been fighting ogres for close to a year. They're already considerably used to them. Giberuti has already pa.s.sed through the 7th floor before as well so he doesn't seem to be showing any sort of fear towards the vicious looking ogres holding clubs.
Even Basutoral who was always nervous and afraid when he entered the {Slaughterers} can calmly deal with the movements of the ogres without overdoing things, Gwine is doing a good job of keeping track of Zulu and Angela's movements at the front as she keeps the ogres in check, and Miduchi is luring them into easy to attack positions.
If they can properly deal with three ogres with these numbers then there shouldn't be anymore problems with the 7th floor. After all, I guess the cause of last time was confusion after they were suddenly ambushed and lost all of the front line except for Angela huh...
Come to think of it on the occasion of taking short breaks this time they were always trying to setup two people as sentries. There's far too many unknown factors as to when, where, and how monsters will revive in the dungeon. Even if they have the main group sit with their backs together if they suddenly revive in the middle of the sentries then there's not much meaning to it, since it could result in a crisis from splitting up the forces I had them stop it. It's something that can be resolved if everyone just sits in a circle and keeps an eye out behind the backs of those across from them after all.
The cause of the last time was they were too focused on a single direction and let their guards down from behind. If they even had just one person watching behind they wouldn't have been ambushed. Since I was going to arrive in another dozen seconds and it was unknown if I was alone or not so Miduchi said they intended to confirm the moment I entered the range of the spell {Detect.Life}.
Since I'm making use of spells as well I can't say it loudly but I feel like they're relying too much on spells. Putting it frankly whether I was alone or not it wasn't a very big problem. If I was alone they could have just called out to me when I approached and if I wasn't they would have been able to tell after I got close.
In the first place the reason why everyone was hiding behind the rocks was because we had a.s.sumed that would be the case.
Close to evening, we arrived at the teleport room on the 7th floor. We dig a hole in the ground and bury a bucket, make a foot bath, spread out a rubber cloth and spread it out on the raised ground to create the base for the shower. Then after cutting down some adequately thin trees near the entrance of the room and using those to make the frame of the shower we returned to the surface. We properly rested in our inns and the next day we carried even more materials.
...................
Year 7445, Month 8, Day 5
We're carrying luggage again. This time we need to carry the rubber cloth that will act as the walls for the shower room and various types of tableware. We've already finished carrying in the stove so there's no need to worry about the kitchen. When we arrived in the teleport room on the 3rd floor that evening and the third party {Sooner} had setup camp. It's a total of 9 people including Ginger, Hisu, and the Faruergaz party, lead by Toris and Ralpha. Since the spot next to them was conveniently opened we decided to setup camp for tonight there as well.
"What is it? Since when have you been here?"
Why are you on the 3rd floor? Bel and the others were properly in the inn.
"Ah, Al-san. We've been camping here since the evening of the day before yesterday."
Toris replied to my question.
So when we arrived at the 5th floor {Sooner} was in the 3rd floor huh...Though I say that, it's an unthinkable speed for the previous {Sun.Ray}.
"What about injuries?"
"One person got a bone fracture in their leg, after that it was three people with stabs and cuts to the arms and legs or so."
Ralpha replied.
If it's a bone fracture then as long as they have Toris who can use {Cure Serious} then they can recover to being able to move right away and since Ralpha and Faruergaz can use healing spells as well it didn't end in anything serious it seems.
"I see, how was the state of combat?"
"Ah, there's not much to worry about on that end. As expected of the former {Sun.Ray}. They're properly remaining cautious towards monsters and no one was afraid of them either."
"But it was after all just as we heard. It seems that they've even spent an entire day in the dungeon before without entering combat even once."
Since that reply was something I imagined I wasn't surprised.
"Also, on the map we confiscated the locations you can dig up ores were listed. What should we do? Should we aim for it?"
"It should be fine to just ignore the level of ores that can be found on the 3rd or 4th floors. Rather than that let them acc.u.mulate as much experience in combat as possible. There's only pitfall traps on the 1st floor so return to the 1st floor starting tomorrow. There's no need to push yourselves continuing to camp inside of the dungeon either. It's fine if you just fortify your formation and use {Audible Clamor} to lure monsters. If it's the entry tax then a couple of gnolls is plenty to earn it back right."
"I understand."
"It's fine if you just test out reorganizing the formations as you think is necessary against goblins and gnolls. It's fine to enter the rooms as well but make sure you're confident that it's definitely an easy win before you enter. Anything after that I won't say anymore."
"If it's the 1st and 2nd floors then if Toris and I are here then the room bosses are fun.."
When I glared at her she shut up. So she still didn't get it...
"Listen carefully Ralpha. Alright, I won't say it twice. The fact that you all can fight decently is something I've long since known, that doesn't matter at all. Think carefully about for what reason I've left these guys in your care. Also, why I still can't let you alone look after them as well."
I pulled Ralpha's ear and whispered to her. Ralpha made a frown from the pain but nodded unexpectedly honestly.
After confirming that I returned to the {Slaughterers} camp. It's right next to them though.
"Did Ral say something again?"
Gwine was combing her beard after was.h.i.+ng her face with some water Miduchi made.
"Nn..Well yeah. It's nothing important. Rather than that let's eat."
I look at Giberuti who's stirring the soup while replying.
....................
Year 7445, Month 8, Day 7
While we were making progress with turning the teleport room on the 7th floor into a base by the time things started to get dark we returned to the surface. We went to the magic stone dealer right away to sell our magic stones and then I paid each member their bonuses. I told the three slaves that we'd be having dinner at the usual Murowa before sending them ahead to Shuni their inn. By the time we returned to Boil Manor the sky was considerably dark and the lights started to appear in the restaurants of Baldukk.
We returned to the inn, took a shower, and I was thinking of going to eat dinner but I still don't see Toris, Bel, Zenom, and Ralpha anywhere. Either they're still in the dungeon or since we got back late they've already gone ahead to eat.
Since it couldn't be helped I decided to go to Murowa together with Miduchi, Gwine, Basutoral, and Cathy but in Pegizu which is along the way we found Toris and the members of {Sooner}.
I stopped Gwine who was about to call out to them and after slowly shaking my head we went towards Murowa. It seems they've started to get it a bit. If it's like this then around now Zenom, Bel, and the {Butchers} should be eating somewhere as well.
I guess I must have been smiling since I was in a bit of a good mood. When Gwine was looking at me with a strange face I said, "It's fine so don't worry about it. Let's go." and started walking towards Murowa.
After finis.h.i.+ng up our meals we returned to Boil Manor and I heard simple reports from the four who were being transferred. Miduchi was laying in my bed with some thinly sliced cuc.u.mbers stuck to her face. Since it's creepy when I told her to stop she said, "If I don't do proper maintenance when I'm still young in my teens then I'll be troubled 10 or 20 years later!" so I decided to ignore her.
The {Butchers} did nothing but continue combat and hunt monsters on the 1st floor these past six days it seems. While there were a considerable number of members with light injuries there doesn't seem to have been even a single serious injury. If you think about the combat potential then it's only obvious but I wonder if it was also largely Zenom's ability after being placed at the front line by Bel?
In terms of results they earned over 3,000,000 Z (3 gold coins) in magic stones these six days. That's about 500,000 Z (50 silver coins) per day in earnings. In terms of each individual persons cut, Bel, Zenom, and I each get about 300,000 Z. However, as expenses there's 540,000 Z for the entry taxes and 60,000 Z or so for food expenses, so I'm about 300,000 Z in the red. It seems they were gathering all of the magic stones from goblins as well, but well I'm sure that sounds about right. Bel was making a mortified face as she looked down and whispered "I'm sorry." before going silent.
I guess because he's the elder, Zenom paid in advance on the expenses but after looking at Bel like that with a kind expression he apologetically lowered his head and said to me, "Sorry that we ended up causing you some losses Al." However, he also whispered in a voice just I could hear, "Even then for that port, Bel earned some valuable experience. I'm sure she'll make good use of it."

Furthermore, while the members of {Butchers} earned more than they did during their time in {Sun.Ray} it seems they were making very satisfied faces. Most likely, they still remember the sensation of splitting up the profits from the 26 ogre magic stones we split up between the remaining seven of us in the first party when we went to the 7th floor. It exceeded just over 3,000,000 Z per person after all so it can't be helped.
In comparison {Sooner} not only experienced some heavy injured like bone fractures but they made an amount that barely didn't reach 2,000,000 Z. That's a share of 200,000 Z per person but since they only re-entered the dungeon three times the entry tax was half that at 270,000 Z aw well as food expenses of 60,000 Z for a total of 330,000 Z. Even on this side I was about 130,000 Z in the red. Well, I'm sure their abilities are lower than the {Butchers} after all and in essence the number of times they entered combat was probably low as well so that sounds about right.
Ralpha said, "Since I thought this would be the case from the first day I told Toris we should aim for ores on the 3rd and 4th floors.."
I gave the brat saying cheeky things a flick to the forehead while saying "It's fine if you don't worry about something like that. I already included this happening in my calculations from the start. It's fine if you just be aware of the fact that you're eating that much money." and laughed while Ralpha was holding her forehead.
Seeing that Bel and Toris both were making similar regrettable faces as they apologized. It's fine as long you understand. Something on this level, it doesn't even add up to 1 magic stone from an ogre.
On the {Slaughterers} end we just pa.s.sed through the 7th floor twice but since we pa.s.sed through the ogre mage room both times we ended up with 39 magic stones from ogres and other mixed magic stones worth about 2,500,000 Z for total earnings of around 35,200,000 Z. It's a bonus of about 700,000 Z per person. I guess it's because I flicked her head, the four of them properly accepted it.
"I'll decide the next leaders when we're training the day after tomorrow. Thanks for your work."
And said that before ending the meeting.
.....................
Year 7445, Month 8, Day 8
After I finished my running, I ate breakfast together with the three slaves and Miduchi and then returned to my inn. And then Rozural had come to the inn. It seems that he left the capital on a carriage early this morning.
Dangerous~ If it was a bit earlier then I wouldn't have been at Boil Manor but Kairugu's Inn.
"Ah, Al-sama! Mill-sama has returned! She arrived at the capital yesterday night and on her way back stopped by the store."
Oh~ so sister came back!
"And? The others, everyone from the village!? Are they safe!?"
"Yeah, according to what Mill-sama said everyone was safely able to return to Bakuddo."
I see, I'm relieved.
"The battle itself seems to have quieted down around the end of May and then it seems around the end of June the troops that joined the campaign gradually started to depart leaving just the defense troops. Since Mill-sama and the first knight group seem to have departed ahead of the master and former master so she said they probably still haven't arrived back in the village yet."
Mu, I guess that means father is the former master and brother is the master? Since he was always called Farne-sama it feels off but..because he lead everyone into the battle, I guess that means he was recognized as a full-fledged lord by everyone? Otherwise is it just my imagination? It doesn't matter either way.
"Can I meet with sister?"
"What are you saying. It's for that sake that I came here. According to Mill-sana she has today and tomorrow off."
Rozural smiled and pointed to the back of the carriage. I guess he's saying to hop on. Then without restraint..Ah, that's right.
"Wait just a moment. I'll go though. I'm sorry for your trouble but since there's also the return I'll go on my own horse. But there might also be others who want to come to the capital as well. I don't think it will take very much time so wait just a moment."
I said that before entering the inn and calling out to everyone. The ones going to the capital other than Miduchi and I are Zenom, Basutoral, and Cathy.
After we split ways with Zenom and the others at Greed Company we went to the headquarters of the first knight group just like that for the meeting. Sister came out right away.
"Al, have you been well? It seems you've grown a bit taller again. Did Rozural go out of his way to call for you? Thanks...Are you Chizumagurol-san?"
Sister came out wearing just her under armor while talking in rapid succession and then looked at Miduchi who was holding the reins of our two horses next to me.
"Wa, Yes. It's nice to meet you, my name is Midu~ritto.Chizumagurol. Please call me Miduchi."
Miduchi's stiffened up. Are you an idiot? There's not a single good thing about being liked by sister.
"Hm~~n, it seems you're an adventurer together with Al right? Come with me to the back for a bit."
"Hey, sister! What do you intend to do!?"
Calling her to the back, is she a decades old delinquent? I can't relax thinking about it.
"Nothing in particular, I just thought I'd test her out a bit."
Don't screw around this s.h.i.+tty woman!
"Rather than something like that tell me about what happened in the battle. I've heard that no one died in action though."
"Really~ I'm not talking to you right now...Hey~ Midu-cchi, show me your skills."
Who's this Midu-cchi! Don't be giving her nicknames all on your own! Even Miduchi, look, she's withering back right.
Rozural is surprised as well.
"..Do you not have any confidence? If you want to get along well with me then come to the back. We have as many wooden swords as we need. If you don't like it then it's fine if you turn it down as well."
Mill raised her chin up a bit while glaring over Miduchi as she said it.
"..I'm in your care**, "sister-in-law-san""
Miduchi pushed the reins of the horses into my hand and said while standing firmly by my side. You need to stop saying things that will go to the trouble of encouraging her as well.
"It's not like her chest is big enough to borrow**~ thoughhya"
When I put in a retort a fist immediately came flying from sister. I managed to avoid it at hair's breadth.
"Rozural! Hold down Al! Make sure he doesn't move a single step from there!"
After Mill ordered that of Rozural she yelled towards the headquarters of the first knight group, "Gahashu! Tove! Make preparations for a practice match! Open up the second training grounds!" Since Mill is ordering them that Gahashu and Tove are probably squires.
"Hey, don't joke around! Miduchi there's no need for you to accompany her doing stupid things either!"
I said that but the two of them were already not listening to what I say. Rozural grabbed my arm and said "It's an order from Mill-sama. Al-sama, please don't move from here." Of course it's not like I can't shake him off but as Miduchi calmly said "It's alright, it's not like I'll let myself get killed right" and walked off I just quietly watched that and let myself remain caught.
..Well, certainly she won't get killed. Since Miduchi's skill with the sword is pretty good as well even if it's sister who's always training with the first knight group everyday, it wouldn't be strange for her to win.
"Al-sama, it should be fine to leave them alone here. Mill-sama is just jealous because she feels like her toy has been taken from her."
While he remained holding on to my arm Rozural said that. I already know, something like that. That's precisely why I don't want to just quietly watch the s.h.i.+tty woman pick a fight with my woman over that stupid reason.
"s.h.i.+t. Miduchi, if you're going to do it either way then beat her into the dirt! Also, sister can't use wind magic!"
....................
As a result Miduchi couldn't win against sister. They fought three times and she lost once and somehow managed to bring things to a draw twice. I don't really know why but it seems that both sides didn't use any magic other than healing spells during the intervals between matches. s.h.i.+t, if she wasn't using a wooden one but that sword then she might have won. In that case, sister probably would have been seriously injured though. If it's me I can fix it even if an arm or leg gets off, and I guess that's not the problem huh?
When Miduchi came back with her head down a bit she said, "Ha..She's strong. All of my throwing knives and shuriken were avoided or hit down and when I tried to exchange blows with the sword she smoothly evaded and I ended being countered." Even though Miduchi's level has gone up quite a bit recently, that s.h.i.+tty woman though, I guess she's not just dazing out on the battlefield either. Come to think of it, before I noticed her level had gone up to 12. If I remember correctly before she dispatched at the end of last year it should have been 9. Even though she's not an adventurer she gained experience points at a frightening speed.
I wonder if she polished her skills in training and gained experience in live combat? Otherwise, the training of the first knight group provides a considerable amount of experience? Or maybe both? Well whatever.
"Are you satisfied now?"
When Mill returned with her under armor still dirty from exchanging blows with Miduchi I glared hatefully at her and she grinned and smiled as she started talking to Miduchi and not me.
"You're pretty good. But you still have a ways to go. If you can't win against me then "Hey! Miduchi is just an adventurer! There's no way she'd win so easily against a true knight of the first knight group!"
"..You be quiet. Lord Greed, I wasn't able to win today but next time definitely..""
"It's fine if you call me Mill. But you know Midu-cchi, it's no good for you to call me "sister-in-law-san" yet."
..Are these two idiots?
What did I come here to do again? Ah, that's right, I wanted to ask about everyone from the village as well as Kuro and Mary who should have been partic.i.p.ating as members of the Webdos Knight Group.