Chapter 43

After finishing the hunt in the Great Forest, we returned to the city of Kama.

On the way, Joseph was shouting something at us with red eyes, but I told him I didn't know anything and went back.

"Amazing! They're all in such great condition!"

When I handed the herbs I had collected to Colette, she was initially surprised by the quantity, but then she started appraising them and was even more surprised by the quality.

"To collect magic herbs in such good condition... Huh!? Even the Pocco flowers! And Moon Grass too!!!"

"Colette, please calm down."

Colette was so excited that I thought her spit might hit me. When I spoke to her, she seemed to come to her senses and her face turned red.

"S-Sorry..."

"How is the house situation?"

"Yes! I haven't forgotten. Right now, I can introduce you to five properties."

We went through each property. As expected, after I told her about the 5 million Madoka down payment, all of them had sufficient size and room numbers.

"This house is particularly large, isn't it?"

"That's a mansion built by a noble, but it's outside the city walls of Kama, so I can't recommend it for security reasons. The noble who had it built hardly lived there and has already sold it.

How about this property? It's located in an area where many nobles and merchants live, and the security is good, so I recommend it!"

Regarding security, we have the Goblin King, and if I use necromancy to control a few more, it shouldn't be a problem.

"No, can I go see this property next time?"

"But if you choose that one, it will be inconvenient to go to the guild and for daily life. Also, that property is for buyout."

"It's fine."

Colette was whispering that we won't see each other much anymore, and I could hear it clearly with my unique skill 'Enhanced Hearing.' She looked so sad.

"I'll still use this place as a base, so I'll be relying on you, Colette."

"Y-Yes! Please leave it to me♪"

The next day, Joseph started following us openly. He no longer bothered with stealth equipment and followed us boldly, criticizing things like my sword grip and suggesting better thrusts, which was annoying. Eventually, I got so angry that I attacked him.

Joseph's intentions were unclear, but after a few minutes of fighting, he seemed satisfied and disappeared. Occasionally, Lena would use magic to surprise us, but I would dodge or dispel it. Nina just watched and said, "Wow~" without joining in.

This went on for about two weeks. Lena's training with the barrier also improved, and now she can maintain a barrier for a few hours while casting spells.

When we returned to the Adventurer's Guild to report on the quest, Nina's rank was upgraded from E to D. Since I had been doing mostly collection quests and Nina had been doing mostly hunting quests, it was inevitable but still frustrating.

After the house inspection was complete, I signed a contract with the real estate agent Colette introduced me to. It was a two-story mansion with a garden. The surrounding area had simple anti-magic devices, but they were only basic and not very effective.

"This is our new home!"

It's my home.

"...It's too big for three people."

She says it as if it's normal for three people to live here.

Today, we spent the day cleaning the mansion and buying furniture. There are still many rooms left to clean, so I'm seriously considering hiring a maid.

"The inn is nice, but nothing beats having your own home~"

"...I agree."

"You guys... Since there are extra rooms, why don't you move out?"

When I tried to sleep, Nina and Lena got into my bed.

"I'll die of loneliness!"

Are you a rabbit...

"...Sniff sniff"

Stop sniffing me silently.

Even if I told them, they wouldn't listen, so I gave up.

The Goblin King, whom I revived with necromancy, seems to be hunting smoothly. Even without skills, his stats are so high that he seems unbeatable in the shallower areas of the Great Forest. I plan to call him back and check his stats next time.

The next day, we headed to the D-Rank 'Gorgo Labyrinth.'

Nina and Lena were growing steadily, so it was time for a boss battle and to hunt the Benathos that appear from the 21st floor.

As usual, the enchanter was at the entrance.

"Hey, kid, it's been a while. Do you need any enchantments?"

"Did you learn any new ones?"

"Hehe... Haha! Listen and be amazed! I've learned Magic Barrier from the 3rd tier, and Energy Absorption and Magic Absorption from the 4th tier!"

I remember Magic Barrier increases magic resistance, and Energy Absorption and Magic Absorption absorb HP and MP during close combat.

This guy is pretty impressive.

"Then, just cast them on me."

"Tch, you again?"

"Wouldn't you make more money if you went to higher-rank labyrinths with those enchantments?"

"You'd think so, right? But in higher-rank labyrinths, the adventurers are stronger, and usually, one of them can use enchantments.

Also, more people come to D-Rank labyrinths, so it's better for guys like me."

I see, demand and supply make lower-rank labyrinths more profitable than higher-rank ones.

He cast the enchantments on me, but since the enchantment level is still low, I can only learn them, not use them.

We reached the 7th floor of the labyrinth in less than 30 minutes. After casting the enchantments on Nina and Lena, I focused on potion-making with alchemy as usual.

"Maybe we can reach the bottom floor today~"

"...With our strength, it's natural."

I thought they were a bit overconfident, but they didn't let their guard down even while joking.

My 'Heavenly Net' detected something. It was human, and the three of them were not ordinary.

Nina also noticed with her 'Scout' and increased her vigilance.

"Hello."

The man who spoke was not human but a dragonkin. The other two were a dwarf and an elf.

"My name is Zep. The two behind me are the dwarf Bol and the elf Saya. Would you like to join our party? Bol can use a shield, and Saya can use magic as a backliner. I think we can be useful."

Zep, the dragonkin, spoke with a friendly smile. I increased my vigilance and got ready to attack at any moment.

"Umm, I only want to party with Yu. Sorry~"

"...We don't need it."

Even after being rejected, Zep didn't show any displeasure and seemed even more interested.

"Can you try to persuade us? You know that a 5-7 person party is ideal for a dungeon. We need a scout and a healer. From what I can see, you lack a shield and a frontliner, don't you?"

"Even if you watch our battle, you can decide afterward."

"That's a good suggestion."

The dwarf and elf continued the conversation without waiting for our response.

"Sorry, but I'm shy and will decline. We need to hurry, so we'll go ahead."

I conveyed my rejection. They were too suspicious. Their equipment, like steel swords and axes, was normal for a D-Rank dungeon, but their levels, as confirmed by my 'Magic Eye,' were Dragonkin level 36, Dwarf level 33, and Elf level 35. The equipment and levels didn't match. Most importantly—

"I see. That's a shame. Let me know if you change your mind."

His expression was the opposite of his words. Zep and the others continued to watch the direction we were heading even after we were out of sight.

"See you later."

"Those people aren't following us, right?"

Nina's dislike of male adventurers hasn't changed.

"...Those adventurers were strange."

Lena is right. If they wanted to recruit a party, the usual places are the Adventurer's Guild or the dungeon entrance. It's unusual to invite someone to join a party inside the dungeon.

"We should be careful about them."

"Why?"

"They have the same rotten eyes as me. And their blood smell is too strong."

When I looked into their eyes, I felt they were broken in some way, just like my stepfather when he hit me.

"Hey... What are you doing?"

Nina pressed her forehead against mine and looked into my eyes.

"Yu's eyes aren't rotten at all~ They're cute, black, and round~"

"...Sniff sniff, you smell good too."

Lena hugged me from behind and sniffed my butt.

I silently tapped both of their heads.