CH 113

Information Gathering – i novels

()x9-12 minutes

After exiting from the labyrinth, news finally spread that I had cleared the 50th floor of the maze. As expected, the area around me started buzzing with activity. Now, the real deal begins.

“Master, what’s wrong?” Sara approached me as I stopped a little distance away from the inn.

“Well, it seems like there are people who want to meet me waiting at the inn. Marie arranged for me to enter through the back door, but I realized I don’t know where it is.”

Approaching carelessly would likely give away my presence. What should I do? Should I ask Bell for reconnaissance?

“Master, I know where the back door is. Shall I guide you?”

“Really? That would be helpful. But how do you know about the back door?”

“When we received food from them, we always went through the back door. Follow me.”

Come to think of it, I was acquainted with Martha and the others. It’s interesting how unexpected experiences can come in handy. Guided by Sara and the others, we headed to the back door and knocked. Torque appeared.

“Hey, Yuta, I’ve heard about it. You’re amazing.”

“Hey, hey, Torque-san. Your voice is too loud. We’re trying to hide.”

For now, I don’t want to meet anyone until I receive information from Silphy. I’ll keep a low profile until the plan is decided.

“Oh, right. I want to hear the story too, but let’s do it next time. I’ll have Martha bring the key. Should we also bring dinner to your room?”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. Please do.”

I received the key from Martha, and Kaluk went ahead for reconnaissance. He guided me to my room without anyone noticing. Caluc seemed to be enjoying himself.

I leisurely ate the meal that Martha brought. This atmosphere is really calming. Bell and the others joyfully devour the meat, jumping with excitement. Well, they were already lively to begin with.

Marco and Kika, who have become a little more settled, eat their food calmly. Sara, who is interested in cooking, carefully examines and tastes her food. It’s quite an enjoyable dining experience. I’m a bit worried that someone might come knocking due to the sound of our meal, but I wonder if they haven’t figured out which room I’m in.

“Dolly, how about some alcohol?”

“Well, let me think. I’ll pass. I need to act as Yuta’s bodyguard in Silphy’s place, and I don’t want to deal with Dyne and Nomos when I return.”

Dolly hesitated for a moment and declined the offer for alcohol. It seems she doesn’t want to be bothered by Dyne and Nomos, and she can probably handle being my bodyguard even if she drinks.

Calling Dyne and Nomos is possible, but that would lead to a full-blown party. If Silphy were to join after returning, it wouldn’t be a productive discussion. Let’s refrain from that.

As we finish our meal, I observe Sara and the spirits communicating and interacting. Their questions have become more natural, and it’s interesting to see various inquiries being exchanged.

The way they carefully choose the most delicious menu from tonight’s dinner is particularly commendable. I have also added dishes from the magic bag, so there are multiple options available. Instead of restricting themselves to two choices, they are moving around and tallying the results.

One thing I wonder about is Turu. Turu always stands behind the fluffy creatures and pets them. It seems like Turu is not interested in the menu but just wants to be close to the fluffy ones. Tamamo and Uri seem to be Turu’s favorites.

Turu comes up with unique ways of communicating and has the power to defeat trolls. If someone were to say, “I want to stand on my own,” I wouldn’t be able to stop them. It would be a tear-jerking moment if Sara and the others start standing on their own. While indulging in sentimental thoughts alone, Kika’s head starts nodding.

“Kika seems sleepy too. Let’s rest for the day. Sara and Marco have just come out of the labyrinth, so make sure they get enough rest.”

“Yes. Goodnight, Master.”

“Master, goodnight.”

“Yeah, goodnight.”

I return to my room from Sarah’s room and spend a relaxed time with Bell and the others, playing around. They tell me a lot about how they defeated monsters, which food stalls are delicious, and what kind of games they want to play. They seem to be enjoying the labyrinth city more than me.

“Silphy is taking a while.”

After playing with Bell and the others for a long time, it’s getting quite late, but Silphy still hasn’t returned.

“I think she’s just enjoying an interesting conversation. The guild is probably busy preparing and having meetings for tomorrow.”

That’s true. If it were an uninteresting conversation, Silphy would have returned quickly. If it’s taking this long, it means the Adventurers Guild is up to something.

Since I’m also tired from the labyrinth, I lazily pass the time, dozing off without realizing it, when I feel a gentle shake.

“Hmm? Oh, Silphy, welcome back.”

When I open my eyes, Silphy is there with a happy expression. She seems to be in a good mood, and I’m curious about what the conversation was about. If she’s in a good mood, it means something interesting might happen and she’s excited about it.

“I’m back. Hehe. Yuta, the Adventurers Guild has been considering various things. Now, let’s come up with a plan.”

Silphy says with such force that it feels like big letters should appear behind her. I didn’t expect to apologize so easily, but it seems there was something more to it. And Silphy, finding the various schemes of the Adventurers Guild interesting, makes me curious.

“Understood. First, tell me what the Adventurers Guild is thinking.”

“Yes. First,…”

As I listen to Silphy’s explanation, it seems that the Adventurers Guild is considering five different strategies. They are really motivated. Among the five strategies, the first and second ones don’t matter much, but I’m intrigued by the fourth one, the party of beautiful adventurers. Personally, that’s the one I’m most curious about.

“What kind of people are in the fourth party, the beautiful adventurers?”

“They are the Guild Master’s disciples. The guild has several parties that the Guild Master personally trained, and this is one of them. Their purpose is to control you, Yuta, and act as spies. They were even told that once they defeat the Fire Dragon and a sufficient number of explorers have reached the 50th floor, you can be expelled.”

A honey trap? That’s a terrifying thought. And to use me and then just kick me out, that’s despicable. But I haven’t seen any beautiful party in the Adventurers Guild. It’s hard to believe that I missed it, or maybe the timing wasn’t right?

Using me as a pawn, how about showing overwhelming power in front of them and leading to a harem development? I think it’s okay to have those elements like in a gal game since it’s an isekai world.

“Is that possible?”

Silphy’s expression seems to say, “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“It’s impossible. Let’s just straightforwardly decline.”

It’s a shame, but even with ordinary girls, it’s difficult to use them, let alone a group of beautiful women tied to a high-ranking Guild Master. I don’t feel confident in defeating them, even more so than the Fire Dragon.

Apart from the strategy of using me, they are also planning to place a punishment squad within the adventurers as a precautionary measure. This unit will be active when adventurers commit serious crimes. It seems they are formidable opponents for adventurers who primarily specialize in combat against monsters.

The Adventurers Guild’s strategies seem to involve restricting by rank, by women, and by contracts. They only seem to be thinking about using me, without a care in the world. No, they are actually considering capturing or killing me.

“I’ve heard about it, but the relationship between you and the Adventurers Guild is really hostile.”

Dolly’s bewildered expression is quite rare. She seems surprised by the extreme animosity and is showing an expression she doesn’t usually display.

“Yeah, it’s a terrible relationship. The guild master’s apology tomorrow is just a trap to frame me, so we need to come up with a solid plan.”

As my motivation surges, Silphy joins in.

“Hehe, that’s right. The Adventurers Guild is also preparing thoroughly. Yuta, you need to prepare well too.”

Silphy seems very excited. Surprisingly, she enjoys this kind of thing. Dolly and Silphy stay up late discussing preparations for the next evening, and once satisfied, I go to sleep.

———————–

I have breakfast brought to my room and discreetly leave through the back door. Since I don’t know what will happen after the discussion with the Adventurers Guild, I inform Martha that I might not come back and hand her the recipes for the new menu I’ve been planning.

The recipes include how to make frying oil from the fat of orc meat, as well as how to make tonkatsu and chicken katsu. I’m a bit worried because the method of extracting oil is borrowed from a popular gourmet manga, but if it succeeds, it will become a new specialty.

This dish is possible because I can defeat plenty of orcs in the labyrinth. The problems are the eggs, the heat, and also the risk of fire. I’ve written down everything I know in detail, but it depends on Torque’s skills.

When I inform Torque that I gave the recipes to Martha, he should have come to see me off, but he ran to Martha instead. Well, as expected. I really want him to make delicious tonkatsu… no, orc katsu and lovebird katsu.

As I leave the inn, I realize that I don’t know who might approach me for business negotiations, so I walk as quickly as possible towards Mel’s workshop. While I may blend in, Sara and the others walking at a considerable speed end up standing out. Their levels have increased, so their physical abilities are incredible.