Chapter 55

In the midst of cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

I thought the government could just discuss with great scholars to decide where to build the dungeon, but it seems that wouldn't work.

First, the circumstances are different.

It's not for the purpose of fostering human growth to prepare for Dampul's invasion, as it has been until now. That phase has ended.

This time, it seems the dungeon is being built to weaken the power flowing through Dampul's dungeon.

The monsters in Dampul's black dungeon are stronger than those in regular dungeons because they convert the strong emotions rooted in the land into power.

The reason a dungeon was created at Mount Fuji, a symbolic place in Japan, is because of this.

And this time, the dungeons are being built in amusement parks and other entertainment venues around the world to be placed in places where people can have fun.

I thought, "If that's the case, why not build them at Universal Studios Japan or Disneyland?" It seems I wasn't the only one thinking this; Dampun had the same thought.

The battle between Dampun and Dampul is taking place not only in this world but also in others, but this kind of thing is apparently the first time.

So, Dampun and his team held a remote meeting and decided to take countermeasures.

They decided to weaken the power of the newly created dungeons.

For this, two conditions are necessary:

1. Build it relatively close to the black dungeon.

2. It must be a place where energy that contradicts the energy flowing through the black dungeon can be channeled.

Regarding the first condition, the closer the better, but it seems that within Osaka Prefecture or Nara Prefecture would be fine.

What I don't understand is the contradictory energy.

"What kind of energy? A spicy, adult amusement park? Or a place like a black company?"

"A place like an abandoned amusement park, and it should have a sad history. Also, the closer it is to the dungeon on Mount Nara, the better."

Building a dungeon in a place with a sad history feels more like the villain's job.

Is there even an abandoned amusement park in Osaka and Nara?

I thought it would be better to leave the search to the government,

"If we leave it to the government, they'll add all sorts of conditions... like rural revitalization or tourism. It's tiring."

"Yeah... I heard there was quite a bit of debate about whether to build it in Tennoji or Namba."

"But we Dampun don't have much information about the surface world, so we need collaborators. I was assigned to choose the location because I live close to the newly created Dampul dungeon and I have the most free time. The only person I can ask for help is Taira."

The latter is definitely the main reason.

If that's the case, I guess I have no choice but to do as much research as I can.

It feels like I've been given a strange homework assignment instead of a way to relieve stress in the dungeon.

I went back home and started compiling information about closed amusement parks.

I never thought there were so many amusement parks in Osaka and Nara.

I remember seeing the closure of Misaki Park in the news. Wow, there was an amusement park in Kashiwara. It opened in the Meiji era.

After researching, I found that there were quite a number of amusement parks in Osaka Prefecture and Nara Prefecture, and many of them were closed.

Among them, a sad story would be an amusement park that became a funeral home after closing, but it doesn't seem to fit the "sad history" Dampun mentioned.

When a fun place closes, it's sad, so it might meet the conditions.

"Taiga, what are you doing?"

While I was sitting in the living room, muttering to myself with my smartphone, my father called out to me.

"Father, welcome back. You're early. You're already back?"

"I came straight home from my rounds. What, homework?"

"Sort of, I guess. There's still some time before the deadline. I'm researching closed amusement parks. Do you know of any place near Mount Nara with a sad history?"

"I wouldn't know off the top of my head. But I have a friend who's a ruin enthusiast and knows a lot about such places. I'll ask him later."

He patted his chest and said he would help.

Well, I guess I can leave it to my father.

Still, it feels strange to go to PD without a location decided.

And I can't watch videos on my smartphone because my eyes are tired from staring at it for so long.

"Kuro, Shiro, let's go for a walk, even though it's a bit early."

When I said that, Kuro and Shiro ran over eagerly.

You guys really love walking, don't you?

Shiro is still young, so she gets tired and stops if we walk for a long time.

But when that happens, I put her on Kuro's back, and it works fine. In fact, Shiro wants it, and Kuro doesn't mind either. They have a relationship like parent and child.

I attached the leash and went to a park a little further away.

There was a dog run, and no other dogs were there, so I decided to let them play off-leash.

Shiro playing with Kuro is so cute.

I couldn't help but take a photo with my smartphone.

I added a caption: "Today, I plan to spend about an hour relaxing in the park with Kuro and Shiro," and uploaded it to social media.

The last time I learned about this from Milk and Ayame, I only have three followers, including Hime, so it's mostly for my own satisfaction.

After uploading the photo and relaxing, I heard—

"Uno-san? What a coincidence to meet you here!"

It was Ayame who called out to me.

She was out of breath, so maybe she was jogging?

"Ayame also comes to this park. Even though our houses are quite far apart, it's really a coincidence."

"Hello, Kuro and Shiro."

"Huh? Did I introduce Shiro to you?"

"Ah, if this one is Kuro, then this one must be Shiro, right?"

I see, the pattern was obvious.

I'm so simple.

"By the way, Uno-san. Regarding the Mount Nara amusement park... Was Uno-san called for that?"

"Yeah, kind of... in that direction?"

"Sure enough, it was Uno-san."

We didn't say it specifically, but it's obvious.

The identity of the mysterious hero who defeated the monsters overflowing from Mount Fuji is me.

"Uno-san, you can't use that magic multiple times, right?"

"Yeah. But outside the dungeon, I can use a cheat to fire about once a minute."

"Is the cheat the earth magic you used?"

My entry into PD was shown on TV.

People think it's a type of earth magic. No one can see the stairs to PD.

"Sure, it's not very convenient, so I don't want to use it much."

Anyway, it's boring to stay in PD until my magic power recovers.

If I'm asked to do it again, I'll only do it in a real emergency.

"Sorry for keeping secrets, like the detailed appraisal. There are still many secrets."

I haven't told her about PD, the skill orbs, or how I tamed Kuro.

"No, if Uno-san decided it was necessary, I won't blame you. Absolutely. I don't think you have to tell all your secrets. I also—have things I haven't told Uno-san."

"Thanks... Your words are a relief."

That's right.

Being friends doesn't mean you have to reveal all your secrets.

"It's nice to talk with friends after school."

"Friends... Yeah, if there was a dungeon nearby, we could all go after school."

"Right."

The dungeon Dampun will create.

If it could be built around here, we could invite Milk, and the three of us could go to the dungeon.

"Huh? Taiga, and Ayame too!? What a coincidence."

Milk arrived.

Is this park popular with high school girls? Or were Milk and Ayame meeting here?

Shiro was tired from playing and fell asleep, so I said goodbye to them and put Shiro on Kuro's back to go home.

When I got home, my father told me right away,

"Taiga, I just called a friend, and there's a perfect amusement park! And it's only a few minutes by bike from here!"

This story is fiction.

It has no relation to any real persons or organizations.

There is no dungeon at Mount Nara Amusement Park. It is not temporarily closed.