Chapter 33

SIDE: The Third Princess

"Your Highness, I have a report. The surveillance on Alice Latte was thwarted by the butler, Albus, and it seems we couldn't find the miraculous chef."

"What?! Tch... As expected from the Duke's butler, Albus. Still active even in his old age."

"Separate from this matter, I have heard a rather interesting piece of information and would like to report it."

"What kind of information?"

"Yes, apparently, the adventurer group 'Crimson Wing' is investigating bacon thoroughly."

"Speaking of 'Crimson Wing,' they are indeed the youngest A-rank adventurers, right?"

"That's correct. The Lebrant Trading Company has the exclusive right to sell bacon. They also have the exclusive right to sell cookies. We don't know why 'Crimson Wing' is investigating bacon, but it seems they suddenly stopped yesterday. From this, it might be that they have found the maker of the bacon. And this is just a guess, but perhaps the maker of the cookies and the bacon is the same person. That is our hypothesis."

Indeed, it's not an impossible scenario. I've heard that when the cookies became scarce, bacon and other products also became scarce. ...Wait a moment? Does this mean that the maker of the other products could be the same person?!

"Place surveillance on 'Crimson Wing' immediately! If they take any notable actions, report it right away! And if you find any other valuable information, let me know!"

It seems we've found a clue where we least expected it. Hehehe, wait for me, miraculous chef! I will definitely find you!

Elizabeth, who unexpectedly found the miraculous chef through a trivial matter, was on the verge of the royal family recognizing the existence of Owl.

---

SIDE: Owl

Today, the three of us came to the dungeon in the afternoon. The reason for this goes back to this morning.

Originally, I wanted to study for the Louina Magic Academy, but it turns out the written exams are just simple language and math, with the other subjects being martial arts and magic.

For martial arts, anything goes, so using staff techniques with enhanced physical strength should be easy.

The language is simple reading and writing, and the math is at an elementary school level.

As for magic, there's no need to worry.

So, I decided to do a little studying just before the exam and focused on leveling up Luna and Yomi early.

"Is it okay for Luna and Yomi to use swords and daggers?"

"I have trained in swordsmanship to some extent, so if you allow it, I would prefer a sword."

"I have always used daggers, so if possible, I would like daggers."

I see. That's what they said during the initial self-introduction as well.

Let's register them as adventurers first.

"I want to register both of you as adventurers, but since you're both cute, there's a chance you might be approached. Would you mind wearing these cloaks to hide your faces while registering? I'll wait near the entrance, so if anything happens, just call out and I'll help."

"Understood."

"Alright, I'll wait for you. Oh, it might cost money, so I'll give you some."

Ten gold coins should be enough, right? If it's not enough, they'll call me, so it should be fine.

There are various stalls around the adventurer guild targeting adventurers, so it shouldn't be hard to pass the time.

"Hey, old man! Twenty skewers, please!"

"Ah, kid. Running an errand? That's impressive! It's three copper coins per skewer, so..."

"It's sixty copper coins, old man!"

"Can you do arithmetic, kid? That's impressive for a child! I'll give you one extra!"

"Thanks, old man! Here are sixty copper coins!"

"Perfect, here you go! Twenty-one skewers! Don't drop them!"

What a nice old man. Let's see, this is the first time I've bought food from a stall in the capital. How is it?

...Delicious!? What is this! The sauce is incredibly tasty! The volume is huge, and for three copper coins, it's way too cheap! The only downside is the meat. It's just an orc, after all.

Would they grill the meat I bring?

"Old man, old man!"

"Hey, it's that kid from earlier. What's up?"

"Would you grill the meat I bring? I have some meat I want to grill."

"Well, I can grill it for you. What kind of meat is it?"

"High Orc meat."

"High Orc? Don't be ridiculous. Such expensive meat... Wait, you have it?"

"Here."

Ah, I took the meat out of the void again. ...Of course, you'd be surprised, right? A child with an item box is pretty strange, isn't it?

"...Kid, how much of this meat do you have?"

"Well, I haven't counted, but I think it's a few hundred kilograms."

Safe! The old man only had eyes for the meat.

"Could you supply me with a little bit at a time? I can't pay you everything, but I want to sell these skewers! I'll grill them for free every time you come to buy them! Please!"

Hmm, I still have plenty of meat. Plus, if the skewers get even tastier, I'd like to try them.

"Sure. In return, make the skewers as delicious as possible!"

"Ah, got it! Leave it to me! I'll be grateful! This will help my wife and daughter a bit!"

Oh, oh. I'm weak for such stories. This is a bonus.

"Alright, I'll leave 100 kilograms of High Orc meat and 20 kilograms of Thunder Eagle meat. The Thunder Eagle meat is a bonus!"

"Thunder Eagle? A bird monster? I don't know much about it, but I can tell this meat looks delicious! I'll study it, so please come back again!"

Yeah, yeah. It was a good encounter. I didn't expect to find such a nice old man in the capital.

The old man's research on the Thunder Eagle and his shock at its value is another story.

"Master, I'm sorry to keep you waiting."

"Hehe, now I'm officially an adventurer! Oh, I have some money left, so I'll return it to you."

"Perfect timing. Next, let's go buy weapons and armor. I have a regular shop, so the money can be your allowance."

We arrived at our destination in no time, looking at the stalls along the way.

"Gar-san! Are you there~?"

"What is it, Owl? What brings you here today?"

"Actually, I want to get armor and weapons for these two."

"Hmm, quite high-quality slaves, I see. What kind of weapons do they prefer?"

"I want a sword."

"I want two daggers."

"Hmm, wait a moment."

After about ten minutes, Gar-san came out. I can trust him with the armor and weapons.

I might buy something good for myself too.

Oh? This is...

"Gar-san! This!"

"Huh? Oh, that's a katana. A weapon merchant recently brought some rare weapons. I bought this one to try, but it's not selling at all. Since it's a leftover, I can sell it to you for 80 gold coins."

Cheap! It looks well-made, and it seems to have a faint magical aura. ...Is this magic power ice-based?

For a katana to cost 80 gold coins is a steal!

"I'll take it!"

"The two of you should be fine with intermediate-level light armor for safety. Each set is 20 gold coins. What about weapons?"

"The best, please!"

"In that case, this. The sword is made of a Granitz ore and mithril alloy, costing 2 platinum coins. The daggers are a pair, one with water and the other with fire attributes. They also cost 2 platinum coins. All together, it will be 6 platinum coins. I'll throw in belts and sword straps too."

"That's very generous, but are you sure it's okay?"

"Actually, I made a stove for myself based on the one you asked me to make. It's amazing! Consider it a thank you."

I see. If that's the case, I'll accept the service.

"Alright, no problem! I'll come back again~!"

"Master... Thank you so much for buying such expensive equipment for us! We will do our best in the dungeon!"

"I'll do my best too. So, please watch us closely!"

---

That day, Luna and Yomi's perception of Owl changed. From 'a kind but naive master' to 'a kind, naive, and incredibly strong and cool master.'

"Alright, we've reached the 10th floor. How about it? Can you do it?"

"We can do it!!"

Their shouts echoed through the dungeon.

From that day on, it goes without saying that Luna and Yomi's hellish training began.

---

SIDE: Luna

After several days of staying in the dungeon, I no longer know how many days we've been in. But one thing is clear: Master is not just kind.

Master first cleared floors 6 to 10 alone. The magic he cast without incantations, the martial arts I had never seen before, and the simultaneous use of multiple techniques were so surreal that I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

Before I knew it, we had reached the 20th floor, and it felt like a routine. Was I dreaming?

Moreover, Master always let us attack once before defeating the enemies. He called it 'leveling up.'

...I felt a bit lighter when we reached the 20th floor. Is it related to something?

Master continued to clear the dungeon at an incredible speed. By the time we reached the 30th floor, I felt as if my body wasn't my own, filled with power.

What did Master do? I'm curious, but I know Master is amazing.

At the 30th floor, Master stopped and returned to the 10th floor to teach us magic.

I graduated from the Louina Magic Academy, so I thought I had a decent knowledge of magic. But after seeing Master's magic every day, my confidence vanished.

The magic Master taught us was very simple.

"Got it? Magic is all about imagination. I can't teach you my imagination, but I can show you. Watch my magic closely and try to understand it. Once you have a rough idea, I'll explain it in detail."

We would then go from the 10th floor to the 30th floor, and during this time, Luna and I burned the magic into our minds. By the time we reached the 30th floor, our imagination was perfect.

The explanations made the images even stronger.

Yomi felt the same way.

However, there are attributes we are suited to and those we are not. I had only practiced water attributes, but what else can I use?

Master easily taught us our suitable attributes. Master can use all attributes and manipulated the magic in our bodies to test each attribute.

...It's not easy to manipulate magic like that, is it? Master really is naive.

I am suited to water, ice, lightning, and neutral attributes. I can use wind and earth, but they are not suitable, so I don't need to force them.

I'll secretly practice wind and earth.

Magic usually requires a focus item, but Master doesn't need one. I thought his staff was the focus, but he uses it as a weapon.

So, we don't use focus items in our training.

Thanks to the practice, by the time we returned to the surface, we could cast magic without incantations. Or rather, it was a place where you couldn't survive without doing so. I could even cast two spells simultaneously, which was truly amazing!

Thanks to this, Luna and I could easily clear up to the 15th floor, and with full strength, we could barely clear the 20th floor.

Master really praised us. He even patted our heads.

...I'll keep working hard from now on!!

---

SIDE: Yomi

The hellish training is over. It was truly hellish, but it was also four days of realizing Master's greatness.

Master's ability to hide his presence is beyond normal. It's so well-hidden that it feels like an illusion.

I gradually understood the technique after being taught and practicing. I was praised.

Praising feels so good... I'm simple, but I'll work even harder!!

Master, who can reach the 30th floor, is really cool. My heart and private parts were fluttering, and I wish he would take responsibility.

Master, who didn't notice, taught us magic.

I can use water, earth, wind, and neutral attributes. I don't have any other suitable attributes, so I'll focus on these four. I can use lightning and ice, but they are not suitable.

...Hehe, I'll secretly practice and surprise him!

Thanks to Master, we can now reach the 20th floor on our own. In just four days, this is beyond abnormal.

This is the result of the 'leveling up' Master mentioned. I can now cast magic without incantations, though I can't cast multiple spells yet.

I want more praise.

---

SIDE: Owl

At least, I've strengthened them enough to protect themselves. I have one more day, so what should I do? I could go back and rest, but...

Strike while the iron is hot. Let's try to reach the 35th floor. I think we can do it with the three of us.

"So, I want to aim for the 35th floor. Is that okay?"

"No problem at all!"

"Hehe, if we do well, please praise us?"

"Hey, Yomi, that's unfair! Master, please praise me too!"

They are really good kids. I have to protect them.

"Alright, let's go."

From the 31st floor, it was a volcanic area. The monsters were all fire-resistant, so using water or ice attributes dealt massive damage, making it a surprisingly good area.

However, it was extremely hot. The lava was nearby, and