My head hurts...

　Lucy has a hangover on her head.
　Because she drinks too much.
　The food and drink at Nekomimi-Tei is great, so I understand how you feel.

"What do you want to do?　Do you want to take the day off?
No!　That's how you're going to party with Fujiyan and Nina!　Then they'll throw me out!

　Lucy shakes her head in an earshot.
　I don't, that's what I mean.
　I've been thinking lately that Lucy is a bit of an assumption taker.

'Well, let's go.'
Aww.....
　Lucy, who walks like a zombie, and I headed to the meeting place.

　◇

　The meeting place is in front of the south gate.

This way, Mr. Tuckey.
Hello, Lady Takatsuki and Lucy. I look forward to seeing you today.
　Nina was waiting with Fujiyan.
　Fujiyan was dressed in his usual merchant's outfit, but Nina-san was wearing light armor.
　However, there's something I'm curious about.

''Nina-san doesn't carry a weapon?''
You're a fighter, Nina. You are a fighter.
　I see.
　I've heard that beastmen have excellent physical abilities and are strong even with their bare hands.

Good day to you.
I'll...
　Lucy is not excited.
'So let's get going, everyone.
　At Nina's words, I walked away.

　◇

　We're walking through the southern forest.
　Unlike the Great Forest, the demons in the southern forest are weak.
　We proceeded to chase away large rats and horn rabbits at random.

''Nina-san, you're from the Land of Fire, aren't you?''
Yes, sir. That's where you and your master met, as fate would have it.
I'm a fighter in the arena after losing at gambling. As a slave.
Hey, master! You promise not to talk about it?
　Nina is waving her hands in a huff.

'Nina-san...'
　Lucy gets a look at the unfortunate person.
'So that's why the rabbit-ear-loving Fujiyan saw that and bought Nina-san.
　It sounds kind of erotic when you put it into words.

''No, but it really helped me at that time. Slaves in the Fire Nation are treated like crap, you know.
Why did you choose Nina-san? Isn't that country full of beast slaves? I ask Lucy.
　I didn't know that, because I'm not familiar with the Fire Nation.
　'Really?

'Yes, you're right. You liked me at first sight, even though I've hardly met you before. You never told me what you liked about me. When Master bought me and freed me from the arena, I thought I would follow him for the rest of my life.
　Nina said curiously.
'Oh well, it's just a coincidence,'
　Fujiyan is vaguely slurring his words.

　In fact, I'm sure Fujiyan must have read Nina's mind.
　That's really useful, the 'galley player' skill.

'By the way, Fujiyan. Where are we headed?
　Fujiyan's eyes light up.
'You'll be surprised! As a matter of fact, there's a dungeon that was recently discovered!
'What! Is there still an undiscovered dungeon near McAllen?
　Lucy was the one who expressed her surprise.

'Is that unusual?'
''Because McAllen is famous for its proximity to the Water Temple and its good drinking, and it's famous for its many adventurers, both newbies and veterans. They say the nearby dungeons have been hunted down.
Yeah, I see. You're a good find, Fujiyan.
Yes, I had a dream that it would be a good idea to check out the southern woods.
'Dreams? Did you believe that and look into it?
　That's a very fluffy story.

It's a good idea to have a hunch and look into the things that interest you, since I became a merchant. Well, it often misses the mark, but this time it was right.
　Fujiyan speaks with a smug look on his face.

''But if no one has ever entered a dungeon before, isn't the difficulty unknown and dangerous?
　Lucy says anxiously.
'It's all right there. I've done the preliminary inspection.'
Nina?
''Yes, I left the dungeon exploration at the master's order. There weren't any demons that strong, so I'm sure the two of you who are bronze-class can handle it.
You're a pain in the ass, aren't you?
　It's going to be a slippery slope when you're with Fujiyan.

　Fujiyan and I looked at each other.
Well, it's good to have a nuruage once in a while. It sounds like you've been having a hard time.
　'Oops, you read my mind.
''Yes, I did. It's been tough lately, having to deal with an ogre all of a sudden and being attacked by a gryphon all of a sudden.
　Let's make it easy this time.


　We walked through the forest for a while, until we came to a cave hidden by rocks and trees.
We're here.
This is a dungeon?
　To the naked eye, it looks like a cave.
You'll know it when you get inside. Let's go!
　Fujiyan is sticking out.


　There was a lamp lit in the cave for some reason.
''What are these lamps for?''
　Lucy finally chuckled as she expressed her doubts.

'Oh my God, Makotori, you don't even know that? Dungeons are intentionally made to make it easier for adventurers to move on in order to lure them deeper.
Oh, yeah?
　It's a different world, indeed.

That's for living dungeons. These dungeons look like man-made dungeons.
Yeah.
　Oh, come on, Lucy.
　What was that bravado of yours before?

It was probably some kind of research facility built by an old wizard. The owner doesn't seem to be here, but the facility is still alive, and that's where the demons reside.
　Nina explains.


'This is awesome,'
It's beautiful.

　After a few moments in the cave, it was a crystal passage all around.