*

　The birdsong woke Mary up.
　She sat up and straightened up.
　It's a crisp morning.
　That's what the 30A per night inn is all about.
　The previous inn - the "nameless hero" pavilion - didn't quite wipe out the feeling of fatigue.
　The place was cheap, but the environment was bad.
　The walls were thin and you could see what was going on next to you, and there were bugs.
　The smell was terrible because it was in the lower reaches of the river.
　The security of the surrounding area was also bad.
　I'm sure they were unknowingly cautious.

''Well pay attention to what you can't see?''

　Mary murmurs softly.
　It's the words of a master.
　Even though he is a master, his real job is the village's vigilante leader.
　He grew vegetables in his garden and taught the children of the village how to fight in his spare time.
　I'm not sure why he taught me how to fight.
　In hindsight, I think that Master wanted to give the village children a choice.
　My master was a C-ranked adventurer.
　He had left the village when he was young, and came back after his dream was broken.
　A broken dream sounds tragic, but he was respected by the villagers.
　The fact that he was a C-ranked adventurer must have had no small effect on that, but I think it was also largely due to his personality.
　He had a gentle personality and rarely got angry.
　The master was the equivalent of the hero of the story to the children of the village.
　When was the last time he told me to pay attention to something I couldn't see?
　He searched his memory, but he couldn't remember.
　I should have listened to him more seriously.
　That way, I would have figured out that I should pay attention to what I couldn't see - fatigue.
　I let out a small breath and looked next to him.
　Then I saw Anne asleep.
　She was in her underwear, her butt facing me.
　She's within arm's reach.
　It would be a shame if she wasn't, since we're sleeping in the same bed, but it would be misunderstood if someone saw us.

'Anne, wake up.'

　I call out to her, but Anne keeps her butt facing me.
　Anne, I call out to her again.
　Then Anne turns over with a small growl.
　Her eyelashes tremble slightly and she opens her eyes in a state of bewilderment.

'Good morning,'
Not a good morning. Get up early.
Please let me sleep some more.

　Anne answered without any time lag.
　There was often a pause before she answered, but she wasn't slow.
　Rather, she's a quick thinker.
　She just thinks too much.
　As a result, it takes her a long time to get the words out.
　That is not the case when it's someone as well-acquainted with you as you are - but.

'How long?'
We're almost there.

　Then Anne closed her eyes.

'Hey!　Makoto-san is taking me to the dungeon.
That's not true.

　Raising her voice, Anne said with her eyes closed.

'What's the difference?'
'I'm not going to the dungeon today. It's a day to talk.
It's not the same thing.
No, sir.

　I'm miffed and say it back, but Anne doesn't give in.
　She's stubborn.

'Same thing,'
How?
I'm with you in the sense that if I get upset, it's over.
I see.

　Anne kept her eyes closed as she said.

'Anne, you need to be a little more decent. We don't have a lot of time left.'
I know, sir.
I hope so.

　I look up at the ceiling, wondering if I really know what I'm doing.
　Since I came to this city, I've had a string of failures.
　I became an adventurer, but I didn't earn a decent amount of money.
　To begin with, it was hard to get work done for the E rank adventurers.
　The parting gift he received when he left the village was gone in a flash.
　We worked on the E rank job while in debt, made connections and participated in exploring the dungeon.
　As a luggage carrier, but at the time, we thought we'd gotten lucky.
　But the team was easily wiped out.
　They were attacked by ghouls.
　Mary and Anne escaped and were driven away by the Skeleton Warrior.
　I shudder to recall it now.
　If it wasn't for the ghouls chasing them and the Mako and the others who escaped - the Black Flame - they would have died.
　I feel ashamed when I remember the time I met Black Flame.
　The Black Flame was famous enough to know what kind of team they were just by doing a little research.
　Especially their leader, Mako, who was also highly regarded for her charisma.
　To be honest, Mary didn't think that Mako was that much of a person.
　At best, he was a shifty boy.
　But now she thinks she didn't have a good eye for people.
　A famous mercenary and the lord's guard knight have abandoned their positions to join the members.
　That's the proof that they are equipped with high charisma.
　We didn't know we were such a team, yet we didn't know it ourselves.
　We didn't know about it because we didn't know enough about it.
　We were ridiculed for being a fledgling team, and that was understandable.
　If you think about it, that's what has brought about the current situation.
　Anyway, I was lucky to get to know Black Flame.
　It's also the fact that he said he'd be there to help if anything happened.
　But misfortune is like a bruising rope.
　After the good fortune came the bad luck.
　Rumors began to circulate that adding ourselves to the team would bring us bad luck.
　Fortunately, thanks to our participation in the defeat of the seven evils, we were able to pay off our debts.
　However, if he didn't graduate from the fledgling team as soon as possible, he would be back to his old self.
　It would be nice if I could join another team as a baggage carrier, but due to the bad reputation, I can't do that either.
　The bar has been raised even higher than when I came to this city.
　This time, it doesn't seem like the last time they invited me to explore the dungeon.

''Anyway, let's get up quickly,''
A little more--
If you don't help out at the inn, you won't get paid.
I understand.

　Mary interrupted her words, and Anne swiftly sat up.

'....Anne.
It's important to keep food costs down.

　Well, that's true," Mary says, letting out a sigh and getting off the bed.



　Mary and Anne got ready and left the room.
　They walked quietly down the hallway so as not to wake up Yuka and Liv, who were staying on the third floor.
　And of course, as quietly as possible as they walked down the stairs.
　I stop on the second floor and look at the first floor.
　On the first floor, the innkeeper - Shelly - is sweeping the floor with her broom.
　She's s*xy from the back.
　She seems to be Mako's lover.
　I don't know the truth, but based on the totality of the information I've gathered, I'm not sure.
　Isn't she a mistress?　Anne said, but I think her lover is more of a dreamer.
　Besides, Shelly has been good to me.
　It's better than believing bad rumors about people like that.
　Mary stepped out.
　I was halfway down the stairs when Shelly took a break from cleaning and looked at me.
　I couldn't help but freak out.

'Good morning, Mary, Anne,'
Good morning.
...Good morning.

　He returns the greeting and walks over to Shelly.

'We'll clean up and you can rest, Shelly.
'It's bad for the guests. Besides, you must be exhausted from your adventures.
I slept through the night and I'm fine.
I'm fine.

　Anne blurted out as Mary made a force bump.

'Besides, you've helped me with a lot of things, so I deserve this much.
Okay, good luck with that.
Yes, I'll take care of it.

　Mary nodded and accepted the broom.

*

I guess it's time for lunch.
Yeah.

　Anne murmured to herself and Mary nodded.
Although the "Golden Sheep" pavilion is both a dining room and an inn, there aren't many guests who come for a meal.
　So when I finish helping at the inn, I have to sit at the table and do nothing.
　I worked much more than I did when I was in the village.
　The comparison makes me feel guilty.
　As I was wracked with guilt, I heard a slamming sound from above.
　From the way it sounds, it's probably the third floor - Yuka or Liv.
　I looked at the stairs.
　Then I saw a white leg.
　It's Yuka. A great wizard who uses shifting magic and is also known as 'Starry Down'.
　Yuka descends the stairs to the middle of the stairs and Shelly looks at her.

''Good morning, Yuka-san.''
....

　Yuka walked down the stairs in silence and patted her chest.

'Good. I thought you beat me to it.'
'Don't worry about it so much, your husband is asleep.
That's naive. As for Makoto, whenever I let my guard down, he's bound to wake up early and say good morning to me.

　Yuka said with a frown and turned her gaze to us.
　Mary stands up, and Anne stands up somewhat later.

'Good morning,'
...Good morning.

　He bows his head deeply.

'Good morning. You're both early.'
I'm just starting out.
...of course.

　I lifted my head, wondering if I made the wrong choice of words.
　Then, Yuka looked like she was not full of it.
　It seems that she succeeded in getting into a good mood.

''Good graces. Keep up the good work.''
Yes, I'll do my best.
I'll do my best.

　Yuka took a seat at the counter with a light step.
　Sherry put her glass on the counter and Mary and Anne took their seats.
　Phew, she exhaled.
　She has a moody side, so just being in the same space makes her nervous.
　However, she's the No. 2 of the black flame, and she can't afford to be in a bad mood.

''Puh-hah!　There's something special about waking up with a drink in your sleep!

　Yuka exhales and sets her glass down on the counter.
　Shelly chuckles and looks up the stairs.
　It looked like someone was coming down again.
　The one who came down was Fujika, a monk.
　Monks don't have two names, since monks are not suited for combat.
　However, after the city was attacked by a group of undead, there are apparently people who revere her as a 'saint' because she healed the wounded without charge.

''Good morning, Fujika-san.
Good morning.
Good morning?

　Fujika returned the greeting to Shelly.
　Then Yuka said in a voice that seemed to resonate from the depths of the earth.

'Like a good morning.'
It's all right.

　Fujika grunted and Yuka nodded in satisfaction.
　There may be some circumstances, but I'm not going to get into it.
　Besides--.

''Like, could you get me some water?''

　With that, Fujika sat down next to Yuka.
　Tsk, Yuka clucked her tongue, but she didn't try to get rid of him.
　They don't seem to be on bad terms with each other, for what it's worth.
　After a while, Shelly looks up the stairs again.
　She looks happy.
　That's enough for me to know who came down.

'Sir, Fene, good morning.
Yeah, good morning.
Good morning.

　Mako scratches her head, while Fene returns the greeting cheerfully.
　Mary and Anne stand up--.

''Good morning--''
You're up early for a meeting.

　Before Mary could say hello, Yuka was sarcastic.

'You're being sarcastic in the morning,'
I'm just pointing out facts. Facts.

　Mary gave Anne a look and sat down in her seat in silence.

'Really, I envy you for getting up so late.
So why don't you do the same?
Well, I'm an early riser and an early riser.
Oh, yeah?

　Mako said grimly and took a seat at a table in the center.
　Fene took a seat next to Makoto, while Fujika moved from the counter to the table.
　I sat down, facing Makoto.
　Mako turns her gaze towards us.
　I can't help but feel a bit spooked.

I'm sorry I'm late for sleeping in. I'd like you to move over so we can start talking.
Oh, yes.

　As I stand up to move my seat, Anne stands up as well, somewhat late.

''Good morning ...''
Oh, good morning!

　Anne bows her head in a bow and hurriedly follows.
　My back is sweaty with the realization of my failure.
　How could I fail at such an important time?
　If I could do it over, I would.

'Yeah, good morning.'

　He returned the greeting gently and patted his chest inwardly.
　Apparently, they didn't mind.
　Mary and Anne walked over to the central table and sat down next to Fujica.

'Well, let's get the discussion started. As I said yesterday, the reason we're exploring the dungeon this time is to establish Fujica's fighting style.''
I'm sorry to bother you.
'No!　That's not true!

　Fujika said apologetically, and Mary hurriedly denied it.
　Thanks to her, I can explore the dungeon with Makoto.
　I'd rather say thank you.

''Like it makes me feel a little better when you say that.
It's a social call, of course.
"-Oh!

　Yuka was sarcastic and Mary gasped.
　If she denied it, she would be in a bad mood.
　What on earth should I do--.
　When I was desperately thinking about it while sweating fat, Fene opened her mouth.

''Miss, Mary's words meant what she said.
Yeah?
'A fledgling can explore the dungeon with his brother?　Moreover, I'm a very skillful guy, and Fujika, a monk, is with me.

　Yuka gave her a quizzical look, but Fene said in a slightly dumbfounded tone.

''That's true, too.''
Glad you understand.

　'Mm-hm,' Fene nodded with satisfaction.

'Since the goal is to establish Fujica's fighting style, I think a swarm dungeon would be appropriate, what do you think?　Give me your honest opinion.
I don't think it's a problem for us to explore the lower levels.
I think I can handle the skeletons and zombies.

　Fene and Fujika gave their opinions and Mako looked at us.
　I didn't expect them to listen to our opinions, so I got nervous and my body strengthened.
　I have to make sure I don't displease him--.

''We will obey Mako-san's decision.
I'm going to comply.

　Makoto narrows his eyes.
　Have I missed something again?

'Yuka, come here for a minute.'
You're coming, right?
Come with me.
I don't blame you.

　Makoto grunted, and Yuka stood up.
　She looked like she wasn't full of it.
　Yuka sat down next to Makoto.

'So what do I do?'
Just talk to me as you normally would.
Oh, excuse me. I'm always serious.
Keep up the good work.
All right.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'I'd like to explore a swarm dungeon to establish a fighting style, so I'm assuming Mary and Anne are in favor of it?

　Mary nodded as Mako asked again, and Mary nodded.
　Anne, too. Then--

"What's a level 3 warrior and a level 2 hunter talking about?

　Yuka said in a dumbfounded way.
　I couldn't help but cower my head as I felt like I was being accused.

''You can't get a safety margin at that level, can you?''
Come to think of it, you've been running from the Skeleton Warrior.

　Fane said as he remembered.

'So that means the swarm dungeons are tough. Are there any other affordable dungeons out there?'
I hear there's a new dungeon.

　Fene answers Mako's question.

'Why didn't you tell me?'
It's because I heard about it after I defeated Kuzuha. Also, they said they only see skeletons in the city.
'Surely then you should take the request or explore another dungeon.
That's why I didn't tell you.

　Fene said with a sigh.

''So we're going to explore that dungeon over there then?''
What if it's been invaded?　A dungeon full of skeletons could have been conquered and gone by the end of the day, right?
That too, I suppose.

　I wondered if Mary needed to assume that much, but Mako seems to be different.
　He turns his gaze to Fene.

'Are there any other dungeons for beginners?
I haven't heard of any other dungeons being built.
Well, how about the new dungeon as your first choice and the swarm dungeon as your second choice?
If the first option doesn't work, we'll explore the second option, right?
Isn't that what you mean by "candidate"?
I'm not sure that's what he really meant.

　When Makoto asked back, Yuka said, miffed.

'Well, it's important to check,'
You just need to know.

　Hmm, Yuka sniffed.
　It may seem like a fry-up, but perhaps this was important.
　If you think about it, there wasn't much of an opinion in the last team he participated in.
　Or rather, we decided to go to the dungeon and that was the end of it.
　Is there this much of a difference between a team that is superb and a team that gets wiped out?

''Moving to the dungeon........ Yuka, can you ask for it?
I'll do it for you because I have to.

　Humph, Yuka sniffed.
　It's still a face that doesn't seem to be full.
　It's probably a pleasure to be relied upon.

The first candidate is a newly created dungeon and the second candidate is a group dungeon. I'm not going to be moving in a horse-drawn carriage, but using Yuka's magic.
How are you going to get home?
I wish I could tell you to pick a time to meet up, but it's hard.
It'd be easier if Missus would follow me.
That's no way for Fujica to develop a fighting style.
'When Yooka comes along, his fighting style is like... nothing.

　Fujika fell silent.
　Yuka glared at her.

'Next in line, me and Mary will be the vanguard, Fujika in the middle, and Fene and Anne in the rear?
Wouldn't it be better if Fujica was the rear guard?
It wouldn't be able to respond to a surprise attack from behind!

　Yuka said with a smirk, and Fujika's voice broke out.

'So I said,'
Yooka is a demon.
Where is this beautiful demon?
'I hate to say if she's pretty or not, but the devil's here and-'
Here?　You mean in your mind?
Uggh, it's about Yuka.
Better than your demons.

　Hmm, Yuka sniffed.

'Whether my brother is going to be the vanguard or the rear guard, one of us is going to be short-handed.
'Yes. Speaking for myself, can Fene and Anne handle melee combat?
I can do that.

　Fane touched the dagger at his waist.
　It's an ordinary dagger that could be found anywhere.
　Anne also has a dagger, but it would be tough to deal with the undead with a dagger.

''A new weapon?''
I wish I had a machete or a dagger with a heavy tip.
A dagger with a heavier tip?

　Yuka tilted her head curiously at Fene's words.

The heavier the tip, the more destructive it is.
Hmm, that's the way it goes.

　Fene explained, and Yuka countered with a disinterested look.

'If it was a dagger with a heavy tip, I think it was in the basement.
Are you sure?

　Shelly opened her mouth and Mako looked as if she was confused.
　'I'm not sure, but I'm sure it's important.

'If the young ones are going to use it, they'll all be happy about it.
Well, I'm not going to take it from you if it's important to you.

　Mary cowered.
　I'm honestly interested in receiving what I can get.
　But I don't want to ask for something that I know is important.

I didn't say I was going to give it to you. I'm just lending it to you. Please come and return it properly.
But, but...
...Mary.

　Mary tries to say no, and Anne blurts out.
　She turned to look at him.
　Then she looked more serious than ever.
　Then she made up her mind.

'I will be grateful to use it.'
Yes, use it. I'll give it to you after we talk, okay?
Thank you.
Thank you very much.

　Mary and Anne bowed lightly to Shelly.

'Do you have a pole axe or a pole hammer?'
'Yes, I have. But isn't it too big for you, Faine?
It's not me. It's Mary Rice.
Is it me?

　Without thinking, Mary pointed at herself.

'Spears are tough against skeletons.
I've never used either of them.
So I'm going to practice now.

　Fene said as a matter of course.
　I'm worried about whether the hake is going to work.
　But I don't think she is saying it without thinking.
　And I think she's right.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find some effective weapons and not use them, and if you don't try, you won't be able to use them.

'I understand. I'll do my best.
That's the spirit.

　Fane clenched his fists and looked at the stairs.
　He looked at the stairs as he was followed.
　Then he saw Liv was about to come down.

'Guys, you're early.

　Liv raggedly scratched her head and took a seat at the counter.

'Do me a favor.'
What are you asking for?

　Liv looks at Fene with a cumbersome look.
　A little bit of pressure.
　As expected, it's a member of the Black Flame.

'I want Mary to teach her how to use the pole hammer.
Well it's not much of a choice.

　Liv answered after a short pause.

'Take it easy, okay?'
I know. I'm not gonna smash your head open.

　When Mako nailed it, Liv replied, a little miffed.
　I'm horrified by the word "crack my head open".
　But it's still an opportunity.
　I don't think it's a good idea to be given such preferential treatment.

I'm sure the ranks will be manageable. About the luggage--
I'll take care of that one.

　Fene interrupts Mako's words.

'Are you sure?'
I'm the one doing the asking. And I'm sure I'm well aware of how much money I'm starting out with.

　'Sorry,' said Mary, hanging her head.

'Fene, you'll have to charge me for what you've incurred.
Are you sure?
I'm the one who decided to have Mary and Anne follow me around.

　I look at Mako without thinking.
　The age is not supposed to change, so how can I become like this?
　I knew that the person who can be promoted to B grade in a short period of time is different from the way of thinking.
　I must use this opportunity to study hard.

Fujica, why don't you give me some money?
Me too?
''It's a dungeon exploration to establish your fighting style, so it's only fair to pay for it. You think they'll do everything for you, and this is why you don't want to be a young lady.
Uggh, that's a very poor choice of words.
I'm more patient than I've ever been.
So?
That's obvious. If you weren't patient, you'd be dead from stress.
Like I'm paying half price.
It's all right to know. We just need to know.

　Yuka said in a tone of voice that said, "Do it.

''For now, we've got our story straight. Tomorrow, we'll head to the newly built dungeon. If it was attacked and lost, it will be changed to a group dungeon. Me and Mary are in the vanguard, Fujica is in the middle, and Faene and Anne are in the rear. After lunch, we pull out the weapons from the basement, Fujica, Mary, and Anne will train, and I will go shopping with Faene... well, that's about it. Any suggestions?
Except for the fact that you didn't mention how to get around.
No.
No.
No, sir.
We're clear.
All right, let's get your lunch and get moving.

　Yes, sir!　And Mary and Anne raised their voices.