Chapter 34

SIDE: ???

"Sir, I have a report."

"What is it? I'm busy right now."

"It seems the curse on the Red Dragon has been lifted."

"What?! After using so many sacrifices and a high-level catalyst?! Are you sure?!"

"I'm sure. The curse caster was found dead last night. It seems the curse mark was reversed."

So, someone is interfering with my plans again...! Four years ago, and now this time, if this continues, my long-term plans will be in vain!

"Find out who might be involved with the dragon. I believe that dragon changed its residence to the labyrinth. Investigate all adventurers who have entered the labyrinth recently!"

"Understood."

Damn!! I was so close to completing the dragon's curse and making it a puppet!

...Calm down. It was just one of my cards. I still have another powerful card.

"I guess there's no choice. I'll have to put the plan into action a bit earlier. If this goes well..."

Someone who was unexpectedly interfering with my plans was undoubtedly Owl.

SIDE: Owl

When I opened the treasure chest, instead of a seed, an orb was inside. An orb is like a gemstone, and I know this.

"Master, what is this? We've only found seeds before."

"This is called a 'Status Orb.'"

Luna didn't seem to know this either. From the look on Yomi's face, she didn't know either.

"A Status Orb, in simple terms, can reveal detailed information about a person."

"‘What?!!’"

Of course, they're surprised. It seems the concept of status is hardly known in this world.

"W-will my weight be revealed too?!"

"Hehe, even my measurements will be revealed too?"

...Is that so? It can reveal that much?! Ohhh!!

No, no, I'm a gentleman. I can't lose my composure over this. I'd just be a pervert.

"I don't know all the details, but let's try it out."

I held the orb and infused it with magic.

[Do you want to absorb the Status Orb?]

Of course, I chose YES.

The orb glowed, and then it became a translucent orb.

"I don't understand, but can I see the status now?"

Let's check my status first.

Status Open!

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Human/Male/Owl/10 years old/Lv.127

HP: 8600

MP: 33500

Strength: 350

Agility: 280

Spirit: 580

Luck: 88

Blessing: Skillful but Poor

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

...I see. It only shows the parameters. Damn! I thought I could peek at everything!

And it shows blessings but not skills.

Or do the visible items increase as the level goes up? I need to experiment.

"Unfortunately, I can't see your weight or measurements. But I can show you something interesting. Luna and Yomi's statuses are like this."

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Human/Female/Luna/15 years old/Lv.52

HP: 2800

MP: 4500

Strength: 130

Agility: 140

Spirit: 210

Luck: 20

Blessing: Serious

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

Human/Female/Yomi/16 years old/Lv.58

HP: 2900

MP: 3800

Strength: 140

Agility: 210

Spirit: 230

Luck: 45

Blessing: Seductive

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

"‘...’"

"These are the statuses of the two of you. I think you've become quite strong in these four days, haven't you?"

"My blessing, which I never told anyone, has been revealed..."

"Mine too..."

They must have really not wanted it to be revealed. Both of them are sitting on the floor, sulking.

Luna's seriousness and Yomi's seductiveness are largely due to their blessings. I feel a bit bad.

"Well, my blessing is being skillful but poor. Cheer up. I'll make some delicious sweets for you next time."

"‘Absolutely!!’"

They're really materialistic.

Still, it's a good find. With this, I can always check my strength. Let me check again.

...Huh? I can't see it. Is there a limit on the number of times I can use it?!

I was careless... Maybe I got a bit carried away.

But I might find it again, so it's fine.

"Let's go back to the surface and take a bath together."

"I've been waiting! We're finally going back! I want to take a bath quickly!"

"Hehe, I'll wash your back and front thoroughly."

"Be gentle, okay?"

The bath felt especially good after a long time.

"...It's just a bath, okay?! Nothing more, nothing less!!"

"Master, who are you talking to?"

"It's just talking to myself, don't worry about it."

"Hehe, you talked a lot."

Yomi, that's a foul!!

In the morning, I went to the living room, but no one was there. Yomi and Luna were still sleeping.

"Maybe I was a bit too strict? I'll make breakfast for them."

Today's breakfast is bacon and eggs, salad, the old man's meat skewers, pork soup, barley porridge, and hot milk.

It might be a bit meaty, but both Luna and Yomi like meat, and so do I, so it's fine.

"Did the smell wake you up?"

"I overslept, Master! I'm sorry!"

"Hehe, thinking about eating Master's cooking, oversleeping might not be so bad."

Luna, the serious one, and Yomi, the seductive one. They're quite a unique pair.

"It's fine. You were probably tired from being in the unfamiliar labyrinth. Let's eat before it gets cold!"

"‘Thank you for the meal’"

"Master, can I ask about today's plans?"

Luna, I'm glad you're enjoying your meal, but please swallow before speaking.

"I don't have anything special to do today. It's a day off. I'll give you some pocket money, so go out and have fun."

"Can we have a day off?!"

"Getting pocket money too, being bought by Master, Yomi is so happy."

"I'm happy too!!"

"I have a bit to do, but I'll be back by evening."

"‘Understood’"

"Tomorrow, we'll go to the tailor we visited before to pick up the clothes. As a reward for your hard work in the labyrinth, I'll buy you three sets of clothes each, including underwear."

"Is Master a god or something?"

"Hehe, I sometimes forget I'm a slave."

They're getting used to things quite well. It's a good trend.

"Here, I'll give you 5 gold coins each. You can use the money I gave you when you registered as adventurers too."

"‘...’"

Huh, no reaction. Was it too little?

"Was it too little?"

"‘No, it's too much!’"

Oh, that's it. I thought they might ask for more, which made me nervous.

"More is better, right? Both of you are strong enough to defend yourselves, so have fun, but don't go overboard!"

After cleaning up from breakfast, Luna and Yomi started preparing for their outing, looking quite excited.

Well, I have a lot to do too. Let's see...

- Making bacon and other cured meats

- Making tonics

- Making soap

- Making cookies

- Making soy sauce and miso

- Researching golems

- Making wine

...I'm quite the multi-talented person, aren't I? I have my hands in too many things, but it's fun.

I have plenty of meat, and I've collected herbs and seeds in the labyrinth. Making cookies is second nature, and I can make soy sauce and miso with magic.

The problem is the golem and the wine.

"How do I make a golem? I feel like I just need one more key..."

Maybe the core needs to be something other than a magic stone? What can I use? Gems? Crystals? Orbs?

Orb!

I have an empty Status Orb!

...If I infuse it with magic, will it work? It's just an orb, after all!

If I'm going to infuse it, I'll use all the attributes I can!

One, two, three, huff!!!

"Phew! No good! My magic is empty. But if I keep infusing it, I feel like I can make something. I'll try again when I have a chance."

Next is wine, but... I don't have grapes. I'll give up for now. I still have a few bottles from before. I can plant seeds in the garden next season.

Time for a break! I wonder what Luna and Yomi are doing now.

By evening, they had returned with a lot of luggage.

"Welcome back, both of you. That's a lot of luggage. Did you buy all of this?"

"Well, it's a long story, but to put it simply, we received it."

"We received a lot of tributes. Of course, we're loyal to Master, so don't worry."

...They received that much? There are at least eight jute bags, each holding about 20 liters.

Luna and Yomi are scary kids!! I can see a lot of armor, swords, and other adventurer equipment. Not to mention a lot of food. Where did they get it from?

I can guess what happened, but it's good to see they've become so strong.

"Master, this is from us."

Luna and Yomi gave me rings. They look quite expensive.

"What's this? You couldn't have bought these with the money I gave you, right?"

"Hehe, that's a secret, Master. It's a girl's secret!"

I was brushed off, but it seems I received something really good.

I'll get them something soon. Maybe rings too?

It would be nice if they had some abilities.

Hmm, I could buy them, but will I find something good so easily?

...

No choice, I'll make them!

Once I decide, it's all-night work.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it. I'll take good care of them. I'll get you something too, so look forward to it!"

"Your feelings are enough, Master."

"We already have something we can't repay."

"No, I want to give you something. When the time comes, please accept it."

"Understood, Master!"

"Hehe, I'm looking forward to it."

When Luna and Yomi were asleep, I went to the labyrinth alone. The place was the 34th floor.

"Hey, Granzar, are you there?"

The 34th floor is still free of monsters. I think Granzar eats or kills them. Or maybe he's hiding somewhere.

‘What is it, Owl?’

"Well, if there are any rare minerals around here, I'd like to get some. Do you know of any?"

‘...Do you want any rare minerals?’

"I want to make a ring, so if you have something that could be used, it would help."

‘Then, take some of the minerals I've collected.’

"Really?! I didn't know dragons collect minerals."

‘I don't know why, but when I see rare or beautiful minerals, I can't help but collect them.’

Maybe the reason Granzar minerals are now available from the volcano is that Granzar moved from the volcano to the labyrinth and stopped collecting them.

I think I've found the truth.

‘Here, which ones do you want? Take the ones you like.’

"I don't know much about minerals, so can you recommend a few?"

‘Since you've helped me, I'll give you the best. Take Adamantite, Divine Silver, and Mithril.’

"I don't know much, but they sound impressive."

I only recognize Mithril.

‘I recommend using Adamantite as the core, Divine Silver to shape the ring, and Mithril to coat it. This will create a unique ring that can also be used as a magical catalyst!’

Wow! These are perfect for making a ring.

"Thank you, Granzar! You've really helped me!!"

‘It's nothing. The favor you did for me is much greater. Come anytime. I plan to stay here for another year to recover.’

Saying that, he sank into the lava like he was entering the sea.

"I got the minerals, but I don't need this much. I'll ask Gar to make some weapons."

The minerals Granzar gave me were about 50 kg each. The Divine Silver alone is worth about three years of the kingdom's budget, but he didn't realize it.

So, I spent the night making rings and was satisfied with the results by morning.

"Yawn... I'm so sleepy."

I've been yawning non-stop. A child's body can't function without sleep.

Restoration magic can restore my HP, but it doesn't remove sleepiness.

Good night.

I woke up about two hours later. I could smell something good, so I got up.

"I'm hungry..."

"Good morning."

"‘Good morning, Master’"

The food was already ready, and they were waiting for me.

"Sorry for being late. It would be a waste to let the food get cold, so let's eat!"

Today's breakfast was barley porridge with eggs and miso, blanched leafy vegetables, dried fish, and bacon steak.

They can handle miso so well without me teaching them. It's all thanks to their hard work.

Of course, everything was delicious.

"I have something for Luna and Yomi. Here, take this."

"‘...’ What is this? It looks very expensive."

"Well, I was so happy with the rings you gave me that I worked hard last night. I used my magic to process them, and I think they turned out pretty well."

"Master made these... I'm impressed, Master."

"Hehe, they're beautiful. Thank you. I'll treasure them forever!"

"I'll treasure them forever too!"

"These can also be used as activation items. I also added a few limited magic abilities."

Here's what they can do:

- Automatic Multi-Barrier (5 layers)

- Item Box (10m x 10m, 500kg capacity)

- Body Enhancement (1.2x)

- Spatial Awareness (50m radius)

"‘...’"

I guess the phrase "speechless" is used in situations like this. They have such beautiful faces, but they look so silly now.

"I can't even put it into words..."

"You've thought so much about me! I'll visit you tonight!"

I can see Luna disappearing into Yomi. I definitely need to lock my door. My chastity is at risk.

But with these, they should be safe if anything happens.

There's one more function, but I'll keep it a secret for now.

"Let's go to the tailor's now! We don't have much time, so please bear with me!"

"That's already taken care of! I researched the clothes we want yesterday!"

"Please compliment us if they fit well!"

They've grown so strong... Maybe I trained them too much in the labyrinth.

I gave them the maid outfits, and they tried them on. They fit them well. Both of them have unique styles that are quite appealing.

"Great! They fit you both very well! I'd like you to wear these inside the house and in the labyrinth. What do you think?"

"They're so cute! They're comfortable, and it makes me feel like Master's slave, which is nice!"

"Hehe, being a slave maid, Master is quite the man. I'm looking forward to tonight."

Oh? Both of them are getting a bit out of control. I really feel my chastity is at risk.

"If you don't bring the clothes, I won't buy them~?"

They brought the clothes to the counter with a speed that made me think I heard a "whoosh" sound.

...The shopkeeper is a bit taken aback too!

But the clothes here are cheap. Custom-made clothes are expensive, but ready-made ones are cheap and of good quality.

They're really worth the price. The shop is called "Nitr." What a shame!!

Next, let's go to Lebrant's place. I think the "Crimson Wings" are there.

I hope everything goes well.

However, Owl's thoughts didn't reach.

"Lebrant, it's been a while. Is the time okay?"

"Hey, Owl! You're a bit early. They should be here soon. Ah, look who's here...!"

Lebrant suddenly froze, looking at something. What's going on?

I peeked down the street and saw the group of four from the labyrinth. In the middle of the four, there was a girl wearing very expensive-looking clothes.

As I wondered who she and Yomi were, the girl