229-205 Isn't that right?

"What?　Is there such a thing in the dungeon?

"Yes, it is. There were grasslands and forests as far as the eye could see, it was hard to believe we were in a dungeon!

Mitya looked up at Yuki with sparkling eyes as she spoke with gestures.

It seems that Mitya likes to hear about our adventures, and when we're relaxing, he asks us to tell him something.

Yuki is the one who asks for it most often, followed by Natsuki.

As you can see, the reason for this is that they talk with gestures and a sense of realism.

We haven't had many adventures, and I'm not very excited when I talk.

Yuki, on the other hand, has a good way of expanding the story, which makes it interesting for me to listen to.

"Nao, is it true?

"I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.

I nodded to Mary, who looked a little skeptical and uncertain.

Why would there be a forest in a dungeon ......?

It's not that uncommon, actually.　Not that it's common.

According to the book, about 10% of dungeons have hierarchies that recreate environments similar to those on Earth.

Not only forests and grasslands, but also lakes, rivers, snowy mountains, volcanoes, and, very rarely, even oceans.

However, it is not an image of 'the sky and the sea stretching out forever,' but rather an image of a part of the sky and the sea cut out by a barrier, and it is said that you cannot proceed beyond a certain point.

In other words, it may be a limited reproduction, but it seems that the sea is inhabited by fish as well as demons, so it's quite mysterious and intriguing.

If I can find them in the current dungeon, I'd like to try fishing.

I want to eat fish from the sea. Sashimi.

Mary, if you want to be an adventurer, you need to study hard and read books.　You've got the environment to read.

"That's right. Many books cost more than ten gold coins each, so new adventurers don't have many opportunities to read them.

"Yes, I'll do my best. ......

Although she said she would do her best, the expression on Mary's face was rather gloomy, as she was better at physical exercise than studying.

Her reading comprehension is such that she can only manage to read simple sentences, so it is still difficult for her to read the slightly difficult books that we are reading.

Well, it's better if she can read. In this country.

There are adventurers who can't even read the guild's request forms properly.

Such adventurers seem to be able to grasp the contents of requests by reading numbers and words, but their understanding is incomplete, and according to Diora, they sometimes get into trouble.

So, as an adventurer, being able to read text is a small advantage.

But dungeons with forests are rare, aren't they?　If that's the case, will Rafan be able to develop like other dungeon towns ......?

That's going to be ...... a little difficult, don't you think?

Yeah, why is that?

First of all, it's very difficult to get to the dungeon. If you're a ...... rank 5 adventurer like us, you might not have a problem, but if you're a low rank like the ones in this town, there's a very high risk of dying before you reach the dungeon.

And if you're a rank 5 adventurer, that dungeon isn't very efficient.

But if you want to make a lot of money, it's probably better to move to a cooler area, and there are also dungeon cities in this country, so you can make more money there, as well as get appraisals and other support. I'm sure you'll be fine.

I see. Then you can't become a dungeon city. ....... Oh, but what if we build a road to the dungeon?

That would be difficult too. Mary, do you know what this town is famous for?

It's, uh, furniture, right?

Yes. The best ones are made from the best wood that can be found deep in the forest. It's closer to where the dungeon is.

If you can lead the way to a place where you can cut down the famous wood, it is almost certain to be profitable.

At the very least, it is a more solid policy than the Raffan Town Dungeon Project, which may or may not work.

Nevertheless, it has not been done.

In other words, it is that difficult for Viscount Nenus to build a road in that forest.

Making a path to the dungeon would go without saying.

Even before the dungeon, considering the industry of Raffan, he should have taken steps to secure the famous tree even if he had to push himself a little, but considering the fact that he hasn't been able to do so yet, the financial situation of Viscount Nenus must be quite difficult.

If you take into account the turmoil in Kerg, you will not be in a situation where you can "revitalize the town with dungeons".

That's ...... impossible, I guess. I thought that if I bought the land in this town now, the price would go up. ......

We looked at each other in surprise when we heard Mary's disappointing words.

We looked at each other in surprise. "...... Mary, did you think of that on your own?

Yes. You know, you can make money by buying land when it's cheap and selling it when it's expensive, right?

That's true, but ......

It's not a good idea for a child to have in Japan, but it's not a good idea for a child in this world.

When I asked her about it in detail, she told me that she had heard a rumor about the landlord who was trying to get rid of Mary and the others, and that the adults around her had told her about it.

It seems that the landlord was trying to consolidate the land around Mary and her family's house and sell it at a high price.

Mary is quite a good learner, isn't she?

If I don't behave myself as an adult around her, Mary might learn something not so good. ......?

But, Mary?　You don't have the money to buy land in the first place, do you?

That's the point, isn't it? ...... That's right!　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time and money.

I'm sure you can't do it." "...... Mary, how rich do you think we are?　Of course we can't.

Building the road itself may not be impossible if it takes a long time, but it's not very lucrative.

In the first place, there is not enough land in Rafan to buy easily.

It is difficult to buy something with the expectation that the price will rise.

It may be possible outside the walls that surround the town, but if the walls are extended, at best the land will be bought at a fair price, and at worst it may be confiscated.

It would be impossible to roll over the land.

It's a kind of urban development. "It's a kind of urban development. It would be difficult in this country where land ownership is so delicate.

It would be unbearable if the aristocracy took away the fruits of our hard work.

In Japan, it is common for companies to acquire land in the vicinity and develop it on a large scale, but this is only possible because the ownership of the land is solid.

In this country, too, land can be purchased, but there are times when it is forcibly taken away for the convenience of the aristocracy.

However, the vagueness of ownership also allows us adventurers to hunt freely in the forest. .......

Mmm, no dungeon towns? Too bad. I thought it was a good idea.

I thought it would be a good idea." Mary looked unhappy, but you can't do what you can't do. ...... No, you can't do what you can't expect a return on.

As for me, I'd like Mary to earn more solid money. ...... Why do you insist on a dungeon town?

"Because it's easier to be an adventurer in a dungeon town. From what I've heard, dungeons themselves are for beginners.

Is that so? We'll take you there.

Are you sure?

Yeah. It's easy. At least it's easier than making a road, right?

I smiled and Mary looked down, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

She may have acquired the habit of not relying on others as much as possible from her past experiences, but as long as you have accepted her as family, it is only natural that you will take care of her, so please don't be shy.

I hope you won't hesitate to do so. You should at least be able to kill a goblin by yourself.

"Yes!　I'll train hard.

I'll do my best to train." Mary looked up and clenched her fists, snorting.

"Dungeon?　You're going to the dungeon, sister?　Me too!　I want to go too!

The one who jumped into our conversation was Mitya, who had been listening to what Yuki had to say.

When I looked at Yuki, she was smiling as if she was in a bit of trouble.

Was this a case of talking too much?

When you actually enter a dungeon, especially if you don't have a magic bag like us, or if you don't have a magician, there are many hard and muddy parts, but these are the parts that are omitted in stories for children.

You're going to ...... me, you're not even trained.

Do it!　I'm going to kill a demon called Shushu!

I'm not sure what to make of that.

When I looked at Yuki again, she was bowing her head with her hands together.

This is undoubtedly influenced by the "saga" she tells.

Yes, I know the feeling.

When you see a kung fu movie or something, after you leave the theater, you want to imitate it even though you can't do it, right?

Well, .......

Haruka smiled and nodded to Mary, who looked at us as if she was troubled.

You can teach Mitya if you want.

You do!

But if you do, I won't allow you to be lax.　You have to get up early in the morning. Will you still do it?

Ughhhhh, ...... do it!　I'll do my best!

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.

However, Mitya is only seven years old.

I don't think it's right to teach her how to use weapons, but it's a world where even going outside the town is dangerous. Weapons are much closer to us than we think.

I get it. Shall I work with you?

"Yes!

I'm sure you'll be able to understand that I'm not the only one.

In the early morning of the next day.

Early morning the next day.

As Mitya had announced the day before, we had started early morning training with her.

Although it was her first day, Mitya didn't seem to have any trouble waking up early, and she woke up quickly to do light exercises with us, and had already finished her running.

It was not hard for me to get up in the morning when I was in elementary school, but when I was in high school, ...... I just stayed up too late. Now I wake up early, and it's not hard.

And, as I thought when Mary joined the training, the physical strength of beasts is not foolproof even for children, and even though we were running a reasonably long distance, Mitya was able to follow us without difficulty and finish the race.

In Japan, even a junior high school student would have a hard time running this distance, so perhaps we don't need to think of her as a small child.

Now that Mary is practicing with her one-handed sword, do you have any hopes for Mitya?

"Well, I want the same as Yuki's!

"Well, I want the same as Yuki's sister!" Without much trouble, Mitya chose a small sword.

This was probably simply due to the story Yuki had told her yesterday.

I didn't ask why Mary chose to use a one-handed sword, but I think it was probably because Toya, who was also a beastman, was using one.

In fact, Mary is more powerful than she looks, so it's not a bad choice.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

After some thought, Haruka nodded.

In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find it in the marketplace.

We don't even know if Mitya will become an adventurer in the first place. .......

--Well, I guess we'll just let Toya handle that one. I'm sure.

So, Mary, as always, learn from Toya.

Yes!

Okay. Okay, let's go.

Mary and Toya, wooden swords in hand, begin their basic training at a distance.

This is a recent pattern.

Toya would have a mock battle with us in the latter half of the morning practice, but Mary would just keep swinging her wooden sword.

I'm sure it's pretty boring, but so far she hasn't gone rotten, and she's maturing diligently.

I'd like to leave Mitya in Natsuki's hands, if that's okay.

"Yes. Yes, that's fine.

I look forward to working with you.

Natsuki handed Mitya a spare wooden sword that resembled a small dagger, and began to teach him.

Yes!　I'm sorry.

...... Hmm. The speed at which she swings the sword is not that of a young girl.

You'll be able to kill a goblin or two in a matter of seconds.

The fear of little girls is about to become a reality.

"We'll practice on our own.

"Okay.

Me, Haruka, and Yuki will practice on our own.

The usual pattern is to practice magic and weaponry about half and half.

It's a little boring for basic training, but it's bearable if you think of it as experience.

And today we are still training to increase our survival rate.

I'm not sure what to say.

"Mee is more patient than I thought.

After Mitya announced that he was going to participate in the training, we wondered how long it would last, and it was his sister Mary who replied, but she was not lying.

Not once did she whine or complain, even though the training was very boring and not like Yuki's saga, which was probably laced with embellishments.

At some point, early morning training with the seven of us became our daily scene.