229 - - Episode 227. Is it different from usual?

I met up with Gina and her friends on my way back from the ninety-first floor. Gina and her group had already conquered the 40th layer and were about to enter the volcano, the front line of the next conquest. Three out of the five members of our party are children, and we have reached the front line of the labyrinth. That's quite a buzz!

After meeting up with the others, we are all flown by Sylphy to the first level of the labyrinth. While we were flying, we heard various reports from Gina and the others.

Marco happily told us about his new equipment, a magic shield. He was also doing something quite reckless. It was able to catch a ruffbird's attack, repel an orc's spear, and even protect against a troll's club, even though his body was swept away.

The troll's club was wielded in the forest, knocking down some pretty big trees, wasn't it? Don't try to catch such a thing with a magic shield. I heard that they had asked Uri and Meral to take safety precautions, but it gives me a heart attack just listening to the story, so don't report it with such a dazzling smile on your face.

I heard that they eventually tried to catch the giant toad too, but Gina and Sara convinced them not to. Maybe Marco is more reckless than I thought. I wonder if Kikka has grown strong enough now that he is more relaxed and childlike.　This may be a good thing, but as an adventurer, it is a cause for concern.

I asked Gina about the effect of the new equipment, but she said she was not sure about it since she had never been attacked. I'm almost unscathed up to the 40th layer...... other adventurers would have their confidence shattered if they heard about it.

Searching, surprise, defense, and attack...... are all highly efficient even for a floating spirit. And Meral and Dolly, they are probably the strongest force in the labyrinth city except for me. If Fuchu and the others evolve into lower class spirits, it will be harder to defeat them.

Sara reported that she met Valkyrie again and she invited her again. Gina told them that they are forbidden to work with anyone other than their own members, just like I said, but it's pretty scary when they come in contact with us at such a good time. The next time they contact me, I'll go talk to them myself. I'm prepared to do the same thing to Gulli and his son.

Next, I talked to Mel and Meral, who told me that they've been very contented lately. She's having fun communicating with Mel in the workshop and burning demons in the labyrinth. She is smiling a lot, saying she's having a great time. It seems that most of the fire spirits, like If and Flare, are fighting fanatics. How about Sheba?

Mel has obtained a variety of materials, and he is going to devote himself to blacksmithing in earnest in his workshop. He promised to have the dagger with the fangs of the fire dragon finished by the time I come to the labyrinth city next. He will return to the workshop as soon as he leaves the labyrinth, so I will give him the hammer of thunder first. I'll give him the adamantite later. I have plenty of adamantite. It won't go bad.

He refuses to give me expensive tools and materials, but I convince him that it is a gift from a master to his apprentice. Mel told me that it is rare for a master to give a gift to his student. He said that masters in the world have a strong spirit.

Finally, we talked to Dolly, who reached the 40th level without any help from Dolly. He said that as a spiritualist, he was able to think carefully and act accordingly. She praised me for being Yuta's apprentice, and I was quite seriously happy.

If I could meet up with Gina and the others, the way back from the labyrinth would be a very meaningful time. I'd like to make the timing of my return with Gina and the others as close as possible from next time. In my case, however, it is difficult because I have not yet reached the next level and I cannot predict the time.

After hearing the general report, we chat among ourselves. But from my point of view, they are moving in a very large group. If you don't see the spirits, there are only six of them, but from my point of view, that's a pretty big group. With the full strength of the group, I think we could win even against the entire continent of El Triudo.

"Yuta, we're almost at the exit.

There are a lot of people near the exit. Gina and the others are here, so I guess we'd better walk from here.

"Thank you, Sylphy. I'll walk from here.

Sylphy drops me off and I walk toward the exit. There were six humans and fourteen spirits, a total of twenty people in the group. Before I knew it, the number of people working together had increased considerably.

"Whew, it's such a relief to get out of the labyrinth, isn't it?

I get out of the labyrinth and straighten my back. Thanks to Sylphy and the others, I'm safe, but I'm still nervous in the labyrinth.

Hey master, what are you going to do for dinner today?

As we were walking toward the inn, Marco asked me a question. It was already dark and the food stalls were getting fewer.　

"Well, it's getting late, let's go back to the inn and have some food from the magic bag. Is that OK with you, Marco?"

"Yes!　Yeah, I'm good with that."

Marco is pleased with my words. Hmm?　Gina and the others around her seem to be happy, too. I was wondering why they were so happy, and Gina explained it to me. The labyrinth search took a long time, and the second half of the trip was spent mainly on portable rations, so the food was poor. The magic bag that Gina and the others left with us is time sensitive, so it's difficult to take the food with us as it is.

"We were able to get meat from the demons we had defeated up to the marshland, but from the 30th level, there were only undead, so it was very difficult.

Gina gave me an additional explanation with a disgusted look on her face. The undead layer must be hard for them since there are no demons that can eat them. We'll have a big dinner tonight. We parted ways with Mel and Meral on the way to the inn.

"Welcome back, are you hurt?

"Martha, I'm home. Everyone is fine, not a single injury.

"Well, that's good to hear. So what about dinner?　I can't serve you a decent meal now that the fire's gone out, can I?"

I'm fine with the food I bought for you. I'll start with breakfast tomorrow, okay?"

Martha slaps me on the back and says, "All right. It hurts a lot, but doesn't Martha's hand hurt?　Well, okay, I'll do you a favor while I'm at it.

"I have a favor to ask of Ms. Martha, and you and Gina go back to your rooms and get some rest.

We'll take Gina and Bell back to their room first.

"Mr. Martha, we are going to leave the labyrinth city in two or three days. We'll pay for the ingredients and expenses, so can you cook a large quantity for us?

"Yes, he's looking forward to it, so there's no problem. Then can you find time to meet Betty?"

Betty?　She was a gourmet receptionist for a commercial guild, as I recall. I remember she wanted to meet me.

"I'll be at Marie's general store tomorrow morning, but after that I can always find time for you. Any time that's convenient for you will be fine, Betty."

"I see. I'll let them know. Give the ingredients to my husband in the kitchen.

"Yes, sir."

I bow to Martha and enter the kitchen in the back. Oh, Mr. Toruku and Mr. Kark are cleaning up. They seem to be getting along well. It's good to see father and son getting along.

Mr. Toruku, may I have a word with you?

"Oh, you're back. I'm fine. What can I do for you?

"Yes, I will be leaving the labyrinth city in two or three days, can I have the large amount of food I asked for before?"

I'll take care of it.

"Yes, yes, please. Where do you want the materials?

"Put it out here. I'll look at the ingredients and think about what kind of dish I'm going to make."

"Oh, yes. Yes, please.

There's some kind of weird aura coming from Mr. Torque. You don't have to be so enthusiastic. I glance at Mr. Kark, who is washing dishes, ignoring me completely. He doesn't want to get involved.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I'll get it right out."

The materials of the labyrinth are laid out in front of Mr. Toruku. There are no new materials this time.

"Here you go, please."

...... Mr. Torque is hard at work again. He's probably thinking about what kind of food he's going to make. I ask Mr. Kark to take care of Mr. Torque and head to Sarah's room. Now let's go get fancy.

**

"Welcome, Mr. Yuta."

"Good morning, Sonia-san."

Sonia-san appears as soon as she enters the grocery store. She looks a little disappointed that I responded normally. I've been surprised every time, so I'm used to it. She must have received the information that I had left the labyrinth yesterday.

Is Marie there?

Yes, we were waiting for Yuta-sama, so we can move you right away. Shall I take you to the demolition warehouse?

Normally I would go to a demolition warehouse, but what happens in this case?

"Um, Ms. Sonia. I am sure that we are here to wholesale materials, but the main material this time is adamantite. We don't have any demons that can be dismantled normally.

"...... can you wait in the back room while I prepare some tea?"

"Yes, sir."

I move to the back room and take a sip of the tea offered. He must have known that I was going after the 86th layer, so he must have had the adamantite in mind. I wonder if he didn't expect to find adamantite in everything.

"Sylphy, do you know how Marie and the others are doing?"

"You've made arrangements for another warehouse. He's going to open the warehouse where the blacksmiths are gathered.

"I see. Thank you, Sylphy.

Well, that will take a little time, won't it?　Bell and the others went to the labyrinth city to play, and Gina and the others went to the Adventurers' Guild, so it won't be a problem if it takes a little longer.

"Thank you for waiting, Yuta-san.

After a short wait, Marie came into the room.

"No, I haven't been waiting that long. I'm sorry for coming on such short notice.

Marie and her friends might have expected me to come after getting the information, but the fact is that I'm storming in unannounced. I'm the one who should apologize.

"No, no, don't worry, you're welcome to come by anytime. ...... So, Mr. Yuta. How much Adamantite do you have?"

"Quantity?　Let's see, I have about the same amount as the demons I usually deliver."

"That much adamantite? ...... Sorry Mr. Yuta, but the market price of rare metals is considerably affected, so would you mind if we take a little time to process it?　Perhaps we will discuss this with the State and the Guild of Blacksmiths."

A large outflow of rare metals is going to have ripple effects in many places. Well, it doesn't really matter to me. I'll let Marie handle it however she likes. I don't want to get involved when Marie, who is usually drooling over the profits, has a serious face.

"Whenever you're ready. After you distribute the materials, you are free to do as you please.

"Thank you."

Marie bows her head deeply. It's like she's going to be used in a war. There's going to be an army of adamantites. Well, the medicinal herbs that I've been selling are probably being used in the war anyway, so there's no point in complaining about adamantite now. Let's talk about the light-attributed staffs.