Chapter 43

The request is to exterminate the monsters in a dungeon located about half a day's walk east of the town below Saloom Castle. The monsters born in the dungeon generally stay inside, but as the space gets crowded, many of them start to venture out. Once they do, they wander around outside, increasing the danger for travelers. Therefore, the Adventurer's Guild regularly dispatches adventurers to exterminate the monsters. Of course, it's also fine to destroy the dungeon, so we'll do that without hesitation and get the core as well. By the way, the receptionist told me to be especially careful. She said something like, "It's dangerous, so don't complain if you die," but when it came down to it, she might be a nice person after all.

"But, I mean, even without becoming an adventurer, if they wanted me to gain practical experience, couldn't they have just sent me to a suitable dungeon?"

"Dungeons are constantly being born, destroyed, or even moving, so their locations change quite frequently. A map becomes useless in about a month. It's difficult for anyone other than a guild that manages a large number of adventurers to keep track of their exact locations."

"By the way, large dungeons that don't move are managed, and the guild card serves as a pass. It's a bit difficult for non-adventurers to enter dungeons."

"You can also sell the items you obtain, and in other ways, it should be a good learning experience. ...Hmm, it seems to be that."

Following Sylpha's gaze, I see a cave through the gaps in the trees, a bit off the road.

"That's the dungeon! Let's head there right away!"

"Wait a moment."

Sylpha pulls Tao by the collar as he tries to dash off.

"Hey! What are you doing! My neck is getting tight!"

"I appreciate your willingness to help, but this is primarily for Lloyd-sama. Your going ahead would be meaningless."

"Ugh, I get it. I'll try not to get involved in the fighting."

Tao pouts, looking uninterested. He can accompany us, but this is my practical training, so Sylpha said he should try not to interfere. In return, she promised to arrange a tea party with Albert after this mission.

"Hehe, I'm looking forward to the tea party with Albert-sama!"

Sylpha looks down at the excited Tao coldly. By the way, I wonder if it's okay for her to make promises without Albert's permission. Anyway, it's a relief for me to be able to move freely.

"Let's go, Shiro."

"Arf!"

Shiro barks energetically by my side. Yes, another purpose of this mission is to test how useful Shiro can be. I've already figured out how to handle magic beasts using magic, so I'll try various things in actual combat.

We step into the cave immediately. Shiro leads the way, alerting us to the surroundings as we move slowly. Sylpha and Tao follow behind.

"Growl..."

Shiro growls, staring at something ahead. Is it a monster? I send a mental command to Shiro: "Bite it."

"Arf!"

Shiro leaps into the darkness at my command. A scream comes from the darkness, and something emerges. It's a goblin, a monster about the size of a child with horns.

"Arf! Arf!"

Shiro is still barking. It seems there are more in the back. The barking is getting farther away? Is Shiro chasing the goblins as they run? Damn, I can't see what's happening on the other side. Regardless, it's not good to pursue them too far, so I send a mental command for Shiro to return.

"Crash!"

"Whoa!"

While I'm focused on Shiro, a goblin attacks with a club. I jump to avoid it and draw the sword from my waist. It's the one Dian gave me. She probably wants me to use it to get a feel for it. I'll try it out without hesitation.

"Huff."

I exhale and swing the sword. At that moment, I feel a strange sensation in my movements. Shit, I'm not copying Sylpha's sword techniques. But my sword skills aren't as bad as I thought. Maybe my body has unconsciously learned from copying Sylpha's techniques multiple times. The goblin tries to block with the club.

—But the sword cleanly cuts through the club and the goblin's body. The goblin collapses, looking bewildered. Wow, the sword has an amazing edge. The enchanted sword is even better than I thought.

"Arf! Arf!"

The barking returns. I hear multiple footsteps. Shiro must have cornered the goblins. Nice job, Shiro.

"Grunt!?" "Grrr!?"

The goblins, who were being chased, spot me and charge with their weapons. There are five of them. I stop them first. I cast an earth magic spell, "Earth Ball," at the goblins. Normally, it shoots out a clump of earth, but I modified the spell to make the earth more viscous, turning it into a sticky ball of mud.

"Splat!" The goblins' movements are halted as they are covered in mud. They move sluggishly. I step in and swing my sword horizontally.

"Yaaaah!?"

With one stroke, I cut down all the goblins. Phew, I was a bit nervous. I'm still not good with swords. I exhale in relief, and the mud at my feet starts to move.

"Crash!"

The mud-covered goblin leaps at me with a strange cry. Whoa, it was pretending to be dead and hiding in the mud.

"Arf!"

Just as I was about to counter, Shiro ran up and bit the goblin's neck. The goblin thrashed for a moment but soon stopped moving.

"Thanks, Shiro. You saved me."

"Ruff."

Shiro purrs contentedly as I pet him. He's so cute. I glance back and see Sylpha and Tao talking.

"Hehe, even the cold maid was worried, huh?"

"...No, not at all. I trusted Lloyd-sama."

"Then why are you gripping the hilt of your sword? You're a worrywart."

"Speaking of which, you're clenching your fists too."

"Ugh..." "Huff..."

I don't really understand what they're saying, but they both seem to be smiling. These two might actually get along well.

"Still, despite it being your first real combat, your sword skills showed no signs of wavering... It seems the swordplay practice has paid off. Well done, Lloyd-sama."

"Even at such a young age, you don't hesitate to kill monsters. And your use of magic in battle is impressive. Lloyd, you're going to be quite a formidable person."

The two of them mutter as they follow me. ...It's a bit uncomfortable to be watched while doing this.