After finding the black magic light stone, they continued to investigate the cave for a while.
　However, we didn't find any more clues, and the Shellcanser hadn't shown up since then.
　In the end, we only killed a large number of crabs and shells, and the only thing that could be called an achievement today was a small piece of black magic light stone.

''We will immediately make a crab dish!

'Wow!　I'm going to help you too!

　As soon as he got home, Noll ran into the kitchen and Freesia followed him.

'Those two are in good spirits for having just finished their search.

I'm pretty good at being cheerful, you know?

　Estelle is sitting on a chair with a tired look on her face, playing with her fingertips with the magic light stone pieces she found today while using her cheekbones.
　It was hard to walk in that cave, and she looks quite tired.

''After all that searching, all you found was that little shard.

'Absolutely. Even though I had to cut out of bedtime to go with you.

　Luna sits on Sisha's lap, holding and stroking Moffitt around, her mouth agape.
　I guess that's enough of a discovery, but from Luna's point of view as she sits up heavy, she's not happy.
　Or rather, she's too much asleep to begin with, so even if she says she's cut down on this much.......

''It was better than finding nothing, right? This is still a good enough result.

Yeah. It's a big deal that we found this on the first day. I wonder if the freesia had something to do with it?

"What?　He's saying nice things about me!　I'm embarrassed!'

It's amazing that you can hear.

　Estelle muttered casually and I heard Freesia's loud reply from the kitchen.
　I can't see her, but from the tone of her voice, she's definitely revealing a grimace.
　Hearing our conversation from the kitchen........what an ear.
　Well, I'd rather talk to him about the black magic stone.

"Isn't that the black magic stone?

'Yeah, I think it probably was. As usual, though, we didn't know what kind of magic was in it.

　I had given it to Esther to examine it soon after I found it, but it looks like there's still no way to tell with the state of the shards.
　Now it's clear that Diabolus is there, but there's nothing more to be gained.
　We didn't find anything more in our search, and hopefully we'll find something in the other places we're going to go... or so I thought.

'Let me see what I can find.'

　Luna showed a rare interest in the black magic light stone.
　When she received the shard from Estelle, she placed it on her palm and looked at it.
　She didn't have any particular reaction to the one she found before, so what's up with that?

'Hmmm ... it's kind of comforting to have this. Can I take it with me when I go to bed?

You can't do that!　You don't know what's going to happen!

Mmm, too bad. I'm sure I'll get a good night's sleep.

　With her mouth agape again, Luna sulkily handed the stone back to Esther.
　You're comfortable just holding the magic light stone, or whatever you think it is, it's not good.
　I didn't notice it because I was paying attention to Luna, but even Moffitt is staring at the black magic light stone with his ears up, looking curious.
　It wasn't like this when I got this before........could it be that the effect is different or something?
　Come to think of it, when Luna entered that cave, she said it was comfortable.
　

''It looks like Moffitt is interested in it too........ It doesn't sound like a good thing. It shouldn't be in effect anymore, but we'll keep it in a safe place.

'In that case, I'll help you too. I can't leave anything that would harm Miss Luna, I can't leave her alone!　I'm going to put a seal so powerful that it can't be exposed to the air outside again!

'Could you stop me from giving it to the Society of Adventurers, please...'

　Sisuha gurgles and snaps her fingers, looking at the magic light stone with a face that looks like she's about to smash it.
　It looks like it's going to physically attack me in the name of sealing!
　She seized Sisha, who was about to move, and placed a black magic light stone in the small box that Esther had brought with her.
　Then she lightly waved her staff with the white book in one hand, and the magic circle unfolded and the small box shone dazzlingly.

''........Yeah, it's all good now. I've secured the box so that the magic inside won't leak out.

　After a while, when the light subsided, Esther shook her head with a satisfied grunt.
　She also left the magic light stone she found before, but she kept it like this without our knowledge.
　I really can't get over Esther-san.

''Even so, why was this shard in that place? They were seen flying away, so it doesn't look like someone knocked it over...''

'Sure....'

　The magic light stone we found this time, when we found it, it was already in the same condition as the one we crushed last time.
　We've witnessed Diabolus flying away, so I don't think he was knocked down.
　But in that case, does that mean he left it behind on purpose?
　It's possible that the individual who flew away and another individual could have been knocked down in the cave by someone else... oh, I really don't understand why anymore.
　Estelle and the others are also thinking about it, but they're raising their eyebrows as if they don't understand as well as I do.
　Then, unexpectedly, Luna spoke up with her opinion.

'It was a trap, or what about it?'

A trap?

'Hmm, when that idiot actually picked it up, the demon suddenly attacked.

"Luna!　'Stupid is a terrible thing!'

...annoying.

　A trap, huh? Thinking back, as soon as Freesia picked up the shard, the shellcancer attacked her.
　It was as if it was waiting for someone to pick it up... but... a booby trap, huh?
　If they were aiming for it, then maybe there's an even stronger trap when they go elsewhere... I'd like to think it's a coincidence.
　In the meantime, let's take that possibility into account and keep it in mind.

'In that case, that shell-cancer demon is suspicious. And that one was the only one we were able to encounter this time.

'We'll just have to report it to the Society once we've got that out of the way. Maybe it's a demon that rarely springs up, like Colossus.

　Shellcancer may be a demon that was generated by a magic light stone, just like Grandis.
　But unlike that time, there have been no reports of abnormal occurrences of demons in the vicinity, so it's possible that it's just a rare species.
　For now, we can investigate the place for a few more days and then go talk to the Adventurer's Association in Sevalia.

''Well, let's just say that this discovery confirms the existence of the diabolus.

Yeah. The fact that they actually found proof of this on their own is significant.

I didn't want to prove anything. I wanted to take the guy down. I didn't want to prove anything. You'll get a good night's sleep.

''Haha well then, let's try to work on an early solution so that Luna-san can sleep a lot.

　To Luna, who says with jit eyes and a dull look, Sisha answers with a gentle voice after a bitter smile.
　I was anxious about what would happen in the future due to speculation on many things, but seeing Luna, who is always unflappable, that feeling faded away.
　.........Okay, I won't start being weak just by speculating, and I'll do my best for Luna's sleep.

　A short time after I made that decision, the dinner that Nol and the others were making was ready.

''We've been waiting for you, sir!

I can't wait to eat!

　Noll and Freesia each carried a large pot into the living room with them.
　Even though there are six of them, isn't that a little too much...?　It looks like there are lightly more than 10 servings.

''You've prepared quite a lot of food.......''

I wanted to make a lot of things, because I got a lot of them!　It is a vegetable for Moffoot!

　I opened the lid of the pot and found both crab legs and scissors in it.
　The legs were bare of their plump flesh, but only one part of the shell was still intact.
　One of the pots had a lot of vegetables with it, and even some brightly colored mushrooms of the same kind.
　The other pot was in the form of seafood with shellfish, shrimp, white fish, etc. It looked like a good broth.
　Looks like it's getting a good broth it smells so good. Oh my God, I'm drooling.
　I'm going to be a knoll!　.... but it looks really good. I want to do some zosui to finish it off.

　I help put out the dishes, and it's time to eat the meal we've been waiting for.
　Moffitt is also under the floor, crunching and chewing on some leafy vegetables.

　I pick up a handful of crab legs that are large enough to protrude from the bowl and take out the half-exposed meat.
　Thanks to Noll's proper cooking, it's easy to get it out.
　I always think of him as a clunker or something, but when it comes to cooking, I have to thank him.

　It's still a big crab.......I've never seen anything like it before.
　But big or not, the problem is the taste. Let's see.....

Woo-hoo!

Moo-hoo!　He's a good boy!

　You can't help but scream as you put it in your mouth and the rich crab flavor spreads.
　The meat was so plump and thick that it was frightening. There is nothing to complain about.
　Noor jumped up and down the moment he ate the crab.
　After all, the foodstuff of a demon is different.......I feel like it can't be helped that Noor is willing to go hunting.
　Because it's delicious.
　Estelle and the others also transferred their favorite ingredients to the bowl and are enjoying their meal.

''It's soaked in the crab's flavor and the vegetables are delicious.

Mmm, the shellfish are good too.

That's a big deal.

Don't eat and talk.

　Freesia was talking while eating, and after being angered by Luna's glare as she stared at her with a stare, she silently moved her mouth in silence.
　While smiling at the scene, I somehow shifted my gaze to Esther.........................and I saw her happily chewing on a grey mushroom.
　........Yeah, what is it? It's nice to be eaten more happily than a crab, but it's kind of a mixed feeling.
　So we were enjoying our meal, but there was one guy who was silent with a serious look on his face.......Sisha.

''.........Noor-san, I'm sure your torso fell off too, right?　What's wrong with that?

Oh, it's a shell, isn't it? That's because there was nothing in it.

'What?　I don't.......I was looking forward to it.......

It's a shame, sir. I wanted to eat crab miso.

　Sisha is down on all fours and Noor is chewing on a crab while looking up at his face.
　They're both disappointed, but they're both looking for the wrong purpose... Sisha, get away from the booze for goodness sake!
　We were dumbfounded, but we enjoyed the crab stew afterwards, and what we couldn't finish, Mr. Noll enjoyed.
　I was feeling a little gloomy because of the anxiety, but eating good food like this made me feel better.
　Well, I'm feeling more positive now, and I'll get back to work tomorrow.