Chapter 100

When I heard that my brothers had collected a rare mineral, I was on the third floor.

Then, we were heading smoothly to the fourth and fifth floors... but I wish I could say that, as we are having a bit of trouble.

"...What's wrong?"

"...Naga, please stay facing forward. Don't look back."

"...Ah."

"...We're being followed by a group of five..."

My behavior seemed odd, so Naga came over, and I answered cautiously.

The range I can detect with magic sensing. Just within the range that life detection doesn't catch... or rather, it seems they are carefully gauging the limit since they were caught once by life detection.

I also think they are not very good as scouts since they haven't noticed my magic sensing...

"...What should we do?"

"...I think we don't need to make contact because we don't know their purpose."

If they wanted to put pressure on us by making us aware, they would make themselves visible to life detection. Since they are trying to stay hidden, their purpose is unclear.

However, they have been following us for a long time. We can't let this go on until nightfall.

"Um, is something wrong?"

"...They've been following us from behind... Do you know them?"

Seeing the state of Naga and me, Ars also came closer. Crow seemed to have heard as well.

"No. They're not adventurers who have been in town. But they are following us at a certain distance... so I think they have some purpose."

Since they are probably watching our behavior, I take out a water bottle and pretend to take a light break.

We are heading in the same direction. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence, but at every fork, they always go the same way we do. When we start fighting monsters, they stop and watch. Since leveling up is also our goal, we sometimes head in the direction of enemies, so if the scouts were doing their job properly, we wouldn't be going in the same direction.

They would overtake us during our battles or choose a different path... but they keep following us at a distance where we can't confirm their presence.

In this situation, we can't make any strange moves, so we can't just head in the direction of the monsters. Showing that we are fighting is also a bit awkward.

"Have you been followed the whole time?"

"Yes. At a certain distance... out of sight. Within the range I can detect with magic sensing, but outside the range of life detection. They think they haven't been noticed... I guess?"

Ars looks confused and asks, "Why?" but I want to know that too.

We can't make any suspicious moves, so it's difficult to deal with.

I don't want to be caught and get into a fight, nor do I want to be followed all the time.

"...Should we join up with Granos and the others?"

"Hmm..."

"That would be better. It's safer to avoid dangerous situations. If we don't know their purpose, it's not good to keep them on our nerves."

With Naga's suggestion, Crow agrees, and we decide to hurry to our destination.

"Really, they're coming!"

"Hey, you seemed to be in a hurry. Is something wrong?"

"Hey, what's up?"

We caught up with the three near the exit of the seventh floor. We avoided monsters as much as possible and hurried without looking unnatural.

Since the others are still following us, we couldn't call out loudly, but Tiga must have heard us trying to join up and was waiting for us.

"We've been followed since the fourth floor... I don't think they're dangerous right now."

My intuition hasn't activated.

But since I don't know their purpose, I explain that I was having trouble dealing with it, and my brother checks the direction we came from.

"Indeed, there are five of them. Since we've joined up, let's have a meal. If they don't move, we can also stay still and observe," my brother says.

"Huh? I don't understand, but can you see them, Granos?"

"I have good eyesight. Here, help with the meal preparation."

My brother starts preparing, and Naga and Ars join in. When I try to help, my brother stops me with a look and sends a glance to Tiga and Crow.

Hmm. Indeed, the two must have information, but Tiga is smiling wryly, as if he understands my confusion.

"...They seem to be discussing something on their side, now that they've noticed we've joined up. Their target seems to be Crane and Naga?"

"Huh? Me and Naga?"

"In this dungeon, the high-quality-looking armor is worn by a child... They seem to have planned to pretend to help when we were struggling and then strip us of our belongings when we let our guard down. It seems they've noticed we've joined up and are arguing."

"They thought the kid had money... The security is bad. I can't get information unless they're in my line of sight... It's troublesome."

If they get caught, it will be a big problem...

I hope they give up... Since they are arguing, it's unclear what will happen.

It's also not good to keep looking back suspiciously...

"By the way, the child tank seems to be skilled, but the attacker and magic attacker aren't very good. The other child doesn't participate in battles but has very good equipment... they say."

It seems they considered me an easy target. My mistake.

Indeed, I hadn't participated in any battles, so from the outside, I looked like a burden... From now on, I should participate more actively?

It doesn't seem good to be underestimated.

"...Not participating in battles was my fault... Are they adventurers from the Empire?"

"Is that so?"

"At least... the adventurers from Malestadt are familiar with our equipment and wouldn't try to strip us."

This equipment is a memento from my father (foster) and Naga's armor is a hand-me-down from Leonis, so those who know, know. ...Also, the adventurers from that town are quite fond of us, so it wouldn't just be a matter of causing resentment.

"Since our numbers are greater, they seem to be planning a strategy. I'll let you know if there's any movement."

"Thank you."

Since they will inform us of any movement, we decided to have a meal while keeping an eye on the situation. While eating, Shimao suddenly reacted. It seems there was some movement.

Looking at Tiga, he nodded.

"They say they are driving a large number of monsters towards us. They plan to lure the monsters and direct them towards us."

While eating, Tiga spoke. Reus was about to react, but Crow, sitting next to him, stopped him.

"It would be troublesome if we were noticed. Don't react."

"But... is it okay to do that!?"

"It's not okay, but if we're not caught, it's fine... Can I repel them?"

Ars and Tiga looked at me, then turned away. Maybe they thought I couldn't do it?

The monsters that appear on this floor are mostly lizards that mimic rocks or crabs that carry rocks on their backs. Many of them are weak to magic. Ars struggled to defeat them, but I can easily do it with magic. I think it's better to do it this way.

"Do you have any ideas?"

Thinking about the reasons for my brother's question.

One is, if they are watching me, to show my strength. It might make them give up. And...

"Monster train... Pushing a large number of monsters onto someone is prohibited, but it's hard to prove... Also, if they get close while I'm fighting, it's troublesome... If I take the target first, I won't get the loot, so I want to clear them with magic."

"...It's fine."

Naga agreed without looking at me.

Yeah, Naga. You seem to prefer eating over fighting. You haven't let go of your chopsticks and haven't taken your eyes off the meat being grilled.

The other members seem confused, but with a majority in favor, I stand up alone.

I can sense the monsters approaching within visible range, so I gather my magic and cast it.

"Great Waterfall <Waterfall>!"

I push the large number of monsters heading towards us with a waterfall of water.

I only targeted the monsters... I hope. They were lured here, but they are not in sight... They must have moved out of the range of magic sensing, so I don't know where they are.

"Is a waterfall something that flows sideways?"

"No, it's different. It feels more like a muddy river."

My brother and Crow are teasing, but I didn't make it flow sideways. I hit it diagonally from above, so it's a waterfall. I thought it would be more like a muddy river, but... It's the first time I used this magic without practice, and it's the only wide-area water magic I have.

There aren't many opportunities to try wide-area magic. Considering not involving my companions, this magic is also difficult to use. It might push my companions away with the water... I can't use it unless I'm at the back and monsters attack.

"The presence of the monsters seems to have disappeared. The meat is done."

"...Here."

My brother informs us about the meat, and Naga puts some on my plate. I sit next to Naga again and eat the meat. It's delicious, but... I guess it's better to eat while waiting to see what they do.

It's a normal meal time... I guess it's fine.

"Thank you. The meat is delicious."

"Great. The adventurers who lured the monsters haven't noticed yet... but other adventurers seem to be heading this way."

Hmm?

Other adventurers?

Confirming Tiga's words, I can sense them approaching.

After a while, the leader of the B-rank party, Jude, who has helped us in various ways, is heading this way.

"Hey! What are you kids doing?"

"Jude... Ah, um, did we involve anyone?"

"Huh? Was that your magic? We weren't involved, but if you defeated the monsters, you should collect the magic stones! Leon also told you, right?"

The other members nod from behind Jude.

Well, I was told, but we have our reasons.

"No... They were lured. Adventurers have been following us from behind, and there were a large number of monsters, but some were already damaged..."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

When asked, the scout from Jude's party says, "Indeed, other adventurers were there. They fled when we arrived."

Huh? They fled? Looking at my brother, he nods, so he must have seen them.

"We don't know what they want... but we thought they would deal with the monsters if we washed them away. If we stripped the materials, it would cause a conflict, right?"

"Oh, you guys are here too. But... is this the truth?"

I explain our situation. Of course, I don't mention the information Tiga heard.

However, only three of us can use <Appraisal>: me, my brother, and Crow.

Among the dozens of monsters, 4 or 5 were already damaged. There were several types of monsters, so it's clear they weren't acting as a group.

"Hmm... Kids. After you finish eating, write down what happened."

"...Is Jude here for some kind of investigation? Noto and Jude being in the lower floors seems unnatural, doesn't it?"

"Shut up... Have you met Noto and the others?"

"Yes, I have."

Originally, Jude and his party were investigating the Sage Leaf incident in the Eastern Forest, so I know they act according to the guild's intentions. I can guess why they are in the lower floors.

"Well, it's fine if it's you, kid. I can't tell you the details of the investigation, but I want to report the luring incident, so please gather the information. I'll take the magic stones from the monsters. I'll report the number of lured monsters to the guild."

"Yes, please."

At my words, Jude's companions scatter to collect the dead monsters. I feel a bit guilty.

"Can I do something too?"

"What is it?"

"Can you investigate this and give it to Leon's uncle?"

"Oh, it's a <Stone of Life>. You have a rare item?"

"I heard it doesn't appear in the lower floors, but it appeared on the third floor... Also, the appraisal content is alarming."

Alarming?

I appraise it too, and the content is quite serious.

Stone of Life: A stone that has absorbed the life of someone who died with regrets in the dungeon. A rare material.

Yeah. This is a valuable material, but the content is quite scary.

The expression that it absorbs life is unpleasant.

"Do you have an appraisal document?"

"Huh? ...Ah, is this okay?"

Crow is holding the paper given to my brother and doing something. Glancing at it, the appraisal content is floating.

I didn't know such a thing was possible... My appraisal is less detailed, and the location and date of acquisition are also recorded.

"People can die in the higher floors, but if it's the third floor, something might have happened. Please tell the uncle."

"Wait, the Stone of Life is valuable. There's a rumor that when someone dies in the dungeon, it is mined, but the truth is uncertain... The appraisal content... It's serious."

"Yes. It says the person died. I'll attach this appraisal document, so please give it to Leonis. Normally, someone with the ability to defeat the entrance boss shouldn't die on the third floor."

When I tell Jude, he agrees, though he seems confused. The guild will take action. Jude and his party will have to return and interrupt their investigation.

"...There's a death accident, so we are investigating. I'll report this... Will you kids be in the dungeon for a while?"

"Yes. About a week? We're also leveling up before the stampede."

"Got it. When you return, stop by the guild."

"We'll show up even if you don't tell us."

I write down our situation and give it to Jude. As a side note, I also give a drink similar to sports drinks to the members who were working, one cup each.

"Delicious~"

"Kid, what is this?"

"I made a drink to replenish salt and water after sweating. I made it a bit sweet to make it easier to drink."

"Interesting, what did you mix?"

"Water, salt, syrup, and medicine."

"Can you sell this?"

Sell?

As a product?

My companions didn't like it, but if it sells, maybe I'll sell it.

"It's a prototype, so I'll improve it a bit more... By the way, didn't you have drinks like this?"

"Sweets are valuable, so no, we don't."

"Like licking salt and drinking water."

Hmm. Is that okay? Well, sugar is valuable.

Sugar is mostly imported... I haven't seen any plants like sugar beets or sugarcane that can be used to make sugar. ...Honey and other sweet things can be obtained in large quantities from dungeons in the Beast Kingdom.

Sweet things are indeed expensive.

Being able to make sweet syrup from materials through alchemy might be convenient. But to sell it, I need to be able to make it... I'll think about it.

"That's not delicious, is it?"

"Reus, you're on this side."

My brother pulls Reus aside, who mumbled. I heard it, you know?

I wanted to glare at Reus for criticizing my creation, but I couldn't. Then, Jude approached.

Hmm? When I looked up, he whispered in my ear.

"Kid, there are Imperial agents in the dungeon. Be especially careful."

Agents... Huh? Do they investigate such things? I don't know their purpose, but I understand the need for caution.

But, is it okay to tell me this?

"Thanks for your cooperation. We'll leave this with the guild, so come and get it."

Jude's party heads back the way they came.

Jude probably intended for only me to hear his words, but... glancing at Tiga, I get a wry smile in return.

Well, he heard it. He knew.

"What do you think?"

"Should we confirm their origin with <Appraisal>? We can tell if they are from the Empire or the Kingdom, right?"

"Appraising someone without permission is bad manners. Also, I would be repelled by someone stronger than me..."

Tiga looks at Crow... Yeah. Crow is just a cheater. My brother doesn't appraise people either. There's a risk if it's discovered. It's amazing that Crow can read without being noticed.

"I'll appraise and tell you. But it won't solve the fundamental problem."

Still, it would be significant to confirm the origin of the approaching adventurers.

But... I don't understand why the relationship with the Empire has become so tense.

What the agents are trying to do in the dungeon... I can't figure out their purpose. It's becoming troublesome, and I'm getting annoyed.