Chapter 218: First? Sanctuary Meeting
When we returned to the Sanctuary via the sea, I entrusted Sophia with the follow-up care of the former Elven slaves, and we discussed a countermeasure for the dungeon that appeared in the Imperial Capital of Divine Empire Sydnia.
We’ve never directly challenged a dungeon[1].
Well, being an adventurer isn’t our main job so that goes without saying. That’s why we didn’t know much about dungeons.
「Otherworldification, huh~. They’ve genuinely begun to act recklessly.」
Our usual team, aside from Sophia who is currently occupied, and the Great spirits were gathered.
「What do you mean? Is that dungeon artificial?」
Undine’s grumbling surprised me so I had to ask.
「H~mm, “artificially” is wrong. As you would expect, creating a dungeon is impossible with the efforts of man.」
「Then do you know what the cause is?」
「Mm, it’s not far from becoming like us.」
「Not far?」
When the words “not far from becoming like us” came from Great Dark Spirit Nyx, I felt uneasy. I was getting bad vibes from this.
「Mm, unlike Spirits that are of sacred energy, it’s a malicious and evil being. It won’t become a Great Spirit, but it’s not far from becoming like us.」
「The heart of an Otherworldifying town is not the work of man. It’s the work of an Evil Spirit like Nyx said.」
Undine said so in affirmation. They didn’t tell me anything, but the Great Spirits probably have something that makes them believe so.
「But it’ll be a nuisance if it’s Otherworldifying.」
「Right you are~ It would be difficult for our power to reach too.」
Great Light Spirit Selene and Great Tree Spirit Dryas spoke as if they were just inconvenienced. Nothing too serious.
「Ahh, there’s no cause for concern. One dungeon has little effect on the continent’s Earth Vein[2]
.」
As if Undine read my mind, she told me the reason why Selene and Dryas weren’t all too serious.
「Nevertheless, it is certain that deep within the dungeon, the master of the boss room is a person related to the Evil Spirit.」
「By any chance, could a midboss or something also turn up?」
「Should we consult with Barack-san? It’s sickening to leave that dungeon be.」
Maria brought up the name of Volton’s Adventurer Guild’s master, Barack-san.
「You’re right. ......Barack-san is a former high ranker and a guild master, so he might be able to introduce us to a skilled and trustworthy scout.」
「Then Takumi-sama and I will go to Volton. How about everyone else participate in combat training in a monster nest and increase your strength while Kaede supports you?」
Everyone showed their willingness at Sophia’s proposal.
「Then wanna try going to the outer edge of the Forest of Death?」
「Indeed. ......the outer edge will be safe if Kaede is around. Don’t overdo it. There might be irregulars like the Treant from before.」
We had gotten much stronger since that time so they’ll be fine, but I still advised them to be careful.
「Still, it feels like I’m forgetting something.」
「Takumi-sama, it’s actually been the same for me.」
「Hm~m, I also think I’m forgetting something.」
Yep, ever since we started talking about Scouts, something had been bugging me. What could this thing I’m forgetting be............
「Ah! Lyle-san!」
「Ah! We forgot about him.」
「Ahhh, Lyle-san existed, didn’t he?」
Yes, the Scout of 『Lion’s Fang』 , the first adventurer party I met headed by Heath-san, Lyle-san had been forgotten.
「What a relief. We remembered before going to Volton.」
「Indeed. It seems like he would sulk if he had been forgotten, after all.」
「We’d never hear the end of it.」
Since that time, 『Lion’s Fang』 had been promoted to B rank. They had become a top-class adventurer party in Volton. It was us that forgot. It’s truly a relief that we remembered. Lyle-san seemed like the stubborn type.
***
Footnotes:
1. To clarify, Takumi’s party had once gone inside a dungeon to try to lure out the Zealots but hadn’t actually gone to the lower floors, so I think author meant this as actually trying to clear a dungeon.
2. Decided to change ley lines to Earth Vein, in case there are more kinds of “Veins” like the Dragon Vein one.