Returning to the ger, we have a meal with the village chief's family.

The chief pours some stew into his mouth, but eats it all without leaving anything behind. It looks like he'll live a long time.

When everyone has finished eating, I ask the chief on behalf of the family.

As I'm sure Ayesha has told you, we have come for the sacred shield in the prairie dungeon.

...... heard that. No, you don't have to ask. I knew that a brave man like you would come one day.

"Unfortunately, I'm not a brave man.

"I see. No stigmata. But I believe it's not the saints that a brave man needs, but his mind-set.

My father said something similar.

I guess . But, well, it really doesn't matter this time. The holy shield isn't a special equipment for brave men.

That's helpful. What does a holy shield look like?

The holy shield was one of the artifacts given to the holy ones by the gods at the time of the Holy Demon Wars.

"Artifacts, it's a creature of God

No. . . anything that can not only protect others, but also attack them, like a shield.

"...... is an unusual shield,

So. Well, no one from this village has actually seen the real thing, so it's just a matter of lore. But that doesn't stop me from knowing that deep within that dungeon lies a sacred shield.

"...... sacred shield?

I'm just going to let out a sigh.

I'm a dagger user, so a shield isn't an important piece of equipment for me, but I knew that Lunamaria wanted it.

I've been leaning forward so as not to miss the village chief's words.

She thinks I'm going to be a hero, or rather a great hero, and she wants the right equipment for that.

For me, the mithril dagger my father Ronin gave me is enough, but I convince myself that I might need a shield from time to time.

(Maybe someday I'll be able to protect my friends from the dragon's breath when I face the old dragon.

Envisioning such a future, I bowed to the village chief and asked him where the grassland dungeon was.

The chief nodded his head.

Alright. I don't want anyone other than the grasslanders to take it, but if you're not a grasslander, I'd like you to take it to you.

The village chief assured me and marked the location of the dungeon on the map.

The dungeon is a few li to the west of here. Take Ayesha with you as your guide.

After saying this, the chief hugs me lightly.

May the winds of the prairie protect you.

Apparently it's a good luck charm for the departure.

After thanking the chief for his concern, we headed to the meadow dungeon.




The prairie dungeon is located west of Jukachi village.

It's not particularly hidden, but its entrance is said to be modest.

Even though it's wide open on the magnificent plateau, it's not easy for a layman to find it.

It would be hard to find without a guide from the prairie people.

And is in the words of Ayesha.
She continues.

Is that the first thing to do? Winning the trust of the prairie people. Mr. Will has managed to do that.

I guess that means there's still a first.

Right. The second test is to get to the bottom of the dungeon, I believe it's on the fifth level.

It's pretty deep, depending on how much space there is across,

And that was the word of Luna Maria.
Leah looks out over the meadow and says with a sigh, "With this much land, we could expand it horizontally.

''With so much land, we can expand it as much as we want.


An ominous prophecy, but not an unfounded prophecy.
When I asked Ayesha about that, she shook her head.

She says the dungeon is not so vast.

That's a big help.

A relieved Leah.

But at the lowest level, a third trial awaits.

That's the guardian you're talking about, isn't it?

"Yes.

He nodded seriously, "I don't know what it looks like.

The village does not even know what he looks like, but he seems to be a very powerful guardian.

That's scary. I hope we can beat it.

It's okay. Mr. Will is invincible.

Runamaria says.
Leah follows.

"Well, our Will has a lot of room to maneuver. I feel like we're finally going to have a hard time with the evil gods and demons class.

I would like to say that it is like an example of overrating, but ignore it and I say.

I wonder if that rock hole is the path to the prairie dungeon.

Ask Ayesha and she nods.



"Yes, it seems so. I'm glad you noticed.
Blink your eyes.

That's quite a distance. Maybe even the prairie people don't have eyes this good.

I was trained by my father, Vandal, the god of magic. He would take a book I wanted to read and put it a few dozen feet away, and I was trained to read it.

"...... is an amazing practice,

Ayesha is stunned.

I was trained to use the Distant View without magic, if my concentration is at its peak. Father Vandal says that magic is supreme, but he also says it's not universal.

Not always able to use magic, was Dad Vandal's habit.

Wonderful father. In fact, he's been very helpful in our adventures.

And is, in fact, helpful, although in the words of Lunamaría.

Father Vandal was an eccentric sorcerer, but he was not a fool to neglect practice.

He was a man who knew the emptiness of the theoretical theories, separating research from study and practice from practice.

When he was young, he used to explore the world and collect artifacts and books of magic, while pursuing the truth of magic.

I learned many things as a son from a god who knew the essence of such adventures.

I was very fortunate. It made my adventures easier and gave me a better chance of avoiding the dangers of the people I was traveling with.

I say goodbye to Ayesha for showing me the way.

That's enough to get you there. If you ride back, you'll reach the village by evening. You take care.

Ayesha returned to the village quietly, hoping to get inside the cave in a hurry.

Before she left, she sloppily gave me a package.

"Here's your lunch. Have some for dinner.

It was a sandwich-like dish if you look at it.
The filling is not ham, but mutton. It looks delicious.

Thank you, Ayesha. I'll be sure to bring the sacred shield home to show you.

"I wish you good luck.

And then, running the horse as it is, Ayesha becomes smaller and smaller.

We watch her disappear until she disappears, but then Leah breaks the ice.

"Will is a natural harem, isn't he?

I wondered what the basis for such a statement was, but she explained.

Normally I would take the holy shield back to the village, but in Will's case, I would just plainly show it to 'you'.

He can make a woman fall in love with him without even knowing it.

"It's a bit of a tendency to overthink things,

I stare at Lunamaría as I defend myself, and she stares at me, too. No, she listens to me.
You're right, Master Will is like that. He's equally kind and gentlemanly to all women. There are some men who are beasts, but I think most women will like that attitude.

I suppose I should think of myself as well as Lunamaria, but they don't make fun of me any more.

The open-mouthed dungeon was looming.

The grasslands are littered with animals, but strangely enough, there are none in the vicinity.

The whole area is filled with a strange atmosphere.

This is indeed a dungeon that can only be visited by a select group of grasslanders. It's intimidating.

And so, we went into the dungeon