Though I'm sharper than a knife.
"..Th..That's quite amazing..So it's just as rumored huh.."
"That's right. In the first place it's something that's already over right? You should start thinking about things from here on out."
Both of the Rindobel couple made their most charming smiles towards me. But, their eyes weren't laughing. Hmph, "the same scent as me" indeed...
"No, that was quite rude of me...I guess so. What's important is from here on out."
I tried to make a completely different and cheerful expression and nodded in exaggeration.
"But, for them to turn their back's on you even though you're that skilled with magic, it must be true that there's a lot of magic users in the {Slaughterers} right.."
"Yeah, there's a reasonable number. The dark elf woman can use techniques on the same level as me and the elf male can use magic as well. The female Bunny-people has magic at a considerably high level as well. Adding to that the dwarf woman and human woman can also sue magic a somewhat decent level."
There shouldn't be any need to say anything about Basutoral.
"It's just as we heard..I guess that's the driving force for how you could kill monsters to that extent.."
"Well, that's certainly true.."
"We only have five people on our end. But since we're splitting our parties into two in essence there's even less.."
I already know. The husband in front of me, the human man (if I remember correctly he was the son of a noble named Binnodo.Gekudo), the Wolf-people woman, and after that's Faruergaz and Hirosukol right? I've investigated at least that much. Adding to that, the fact that all of them are nothing special as well. The only one who could be considered first-rate is just the husband and since the human male is less than Toris he's about at a normal level, the Wolf-people woman is only at a level slightly better than Hirosukol. It seems like they would struggle quite a bit in the dungeon.
In order for me to accompany them right away starting from their next time exploring the dungeon, it seems that tomorrow we're training to check our formations. For the time being I thought that the same as Faruergaz and the others I would be told to enter the team with Zemyunel as leader next time but it seems that I'll be going to the 6th floor together with the Rindobel couple.
Even if I have experience as the leader of the {Slaughterers} and I've been to the 7th floor for them to suddenly keep me on their side? I read them as starting out a bit more carefully though...I guess that means they feel safer having those who could be dangerous within their sight.
Since tonight's dinner was acting as my welcoming party, everyone in {Sun.Ray} went together to eat. The restaurant was a place not in my memory up until now called "Gonru". It's a restaurant that's close to a cheap pub. It's strange to say since I'm having them treat me but holding a welcoming party at a place of this class, are they poor people.
Just as party reached it's middle stages, it finally reached an atmosphere where I could move from my seat so I took a bottle cheap wine and started going around pouring alcohol for the other members. Newcomers should at least do this much right. It's fine even if Orth doesn't have this sort of culture right. In addition I can naturally talk with everyone after all. When the alcohol starts circulating and everyone is feeling tipsy and good I go around lowering my head to all the members and greeted Hirosukol and the others at their table as well.
"Faruergaz-san, Hirosukol-san. I'm looking forward to working with you from here on out."
"Yeah, we are too. Even though it's fine if you didn't come to greet as politely as this.."
"Fufu, Greed-san please forgive us already. It's not like we've signed anything like a contract either."
It won't hurt even if I say it a bit sarcastically right. But, I was a bit relieved. It seems that these guys have already gained at least that much common sense. Since I had already confirmed that they didn't exchange contracts when they joined up with Kumiru and Ruttsu who are drinking beside them, I didn't think they would demand a contract when they entered {Sun.Ray} but I'm relieved. Also, you two is it fine if you don't confirm whether or not I actually canceled my contract? Well, even if you ask there's no way to answer other than that I did cancel it.
................
Year 7445, Month 7, Day 5
I've stepped foot into the dungeon with the Rindobel couple and the other members of {Sun.Ray}. I'm not carrying my bayonet but rather just the normal long sword form. Including me the party is full with 10 members.
We spent more than half a day only killing the room bosses as we cleared through the 1st floor, then with three hours of rest in between we cleared through the 2nd floor the same way. Our earnings up until here are only the magic stones from the times we had no other choice than to fight and the boss of the room on the 1st floor {Gargantuan Spider} and the bosses of the rooms on the 2nd floor, an {Owlbear} and {Crimson Centipede}, which is just an insanely huge bright red centipede.
When it comes to traps they try to take detours around them to avoid them as much as possible, that sort of thoroughly safe policy. It seems they try to avoid casually walking along the side of pitfalls like we do as much as possible. As expected I feel like that's taking it a bit far but this is probably a normal adventurer.
For the remaining bosses, I guess it's either because we repeated teleporting a number of times to pick a good location, or we only hit ones with slow movements, so we ended up just remaining careful as we got as close to the monster room as possible before running through all at once to avoid them. Just once we tried to take a detour to avoid a group of gnolls but were unable to and they started pursuing us. However, even that we just shot them with spells and arrows from a distance until they retreated. I finished off two of them the spell {Flame Bolt} as well.
There's no problem with the command of the Rindobel couple during combat. Though this is only obvious with them being one of the top teams. However, I was annoyed over how much time they used confirming the safety after the combat, then collecting the arrows, the magic stones, and such. Taking detours to avoid combat and running through the boss rooms to avoid combat as well, I understand the feelings and aim but..even if they repeat teleporting so many times it's rare that the same area will come out again so I didn't feel the need to be so concerned over it.
But, well, this is just my logic and not common logic. Even the current {Slaughterers} occasionally get injured by room bosses on the 1st floor. It's just my feeling that's strange that I'm convinced you can use healing spells at any time and normally. In the first place, the leader isn't be but the Rindobel couple. I should obey the policies of the leader unconditionally.
If the leader makes a completely foolish choice and furthermore there's leeway in time it might be okay to call them out on it but I should think that something like that can be done in either the teleport room or in a situation where I'm definitely sure there's no monsters around.
Even during my period in the SDF the first thing I was told was "commander's aren't mistaken". Commanders always make the correct decisions and don't make mistaken decisions. That's why if you do everything you're ordered without missing anything then you'll win, is what it means. Of course, even if they're a commander, it's not like a God or anything else, since they're just a human this viewpoint itself is a mistake. The instructor and assistants all immediately said "this is strange" pointing out the contradiction. However, even if it is a mistake, and there's some reason to doubt it, the subordinate must never voice those doubts in the middle of combat. The ones who can propose things like that to the commander are just their aides, or if the commander is someone high-ranking then that's the role of the staff officer after all.
Then what should you do in the case that you've clearly been ordered to take action on said mistake? and there was an idiot who asked that question. The instructor started grinning without hesitation and said, "Give up and die since you had bad luck". Well it was a joke but it's not exactly a mistake. And then the instructor also said this. "If you don't want to force those sorts of feelings on your subordinates then frantically learn things and make sure you always give out the best decisions. If you do that then they'll think that by following your orders things will definitely go well. If it comes to that then..even if you gave out a mistaken order then the subordinates who believed in you can die while still believing in you from the bottoms of their hearts. However, if you don't want to hold responsibility over the lives of strangers, of your subordinates that much then you're not suited for a job as leader. I feel bad making the citizens pay taxes to spend on someone as useless as that so you should write up a letter of resignation right away."
If you pardon the opinions of those below you then a commander will be made light of. Adventurers aren't a military organization like the knight group but they risk their lives in combat and they're similar to an army in the fact that they're a group with the purpose of achieving their goals through combat. It would be fine to consider them a small army. Of course, almost at a probability of 100% the objective of them would be more trifling than that of a real army.
If a commander has been made light of once, then after that others will make light of their orders, and there's the fear that someone might not obey their orders when it's crucial. That's why armies proceed with things under the premise that higher ups never make mistakes in their decisions. Putting aside the matter of whether that logic itself is correct or not.
Well, it's talk about my preparedness from here on out. The Rindobel couple is properly making sure to take every step necessary to keep us safe and prevent exhaustion as much as possible. As expected of the heads of one of the top teams for many years I was able to reconfirm that they're excellent leaders. Though I still don't have much to go off as samples but even then their orders and decisions during combat give off the sense of relief that a mature adventurer gives.
And then the first day ends, roughly 30 hours have already passed since we entered the dungeon. The date has long since changed and right now it's around noon on July 7th. We finally arrived at the teleport room on the 2nd floor and are getting some rest. Other than us there's several adventurer parties camping and resting.
"Greed-kun, how was things today? Are you tired?"
I ate the food that wasn't good at all, didn't have any bulk to it, and was tasteless and just as I was about to go to sleep, Koritto started talking to me. Up until here, along the way I slept for about two hours in the teleport room on the 1st floor but other than that I've always been tense inside of the dungeon, there's no way I wouldn't be tired.
"Well, I'm sure this is about right. No one was injured today and I felt relieved with Koritto-san and Meiria-san's command and orders."
"Really~ is that so. We're relieved to hear you say that as well."
Koritto made a brought smile after clearly taking a breath as if he was relieved. It can't be helped, I'll accompany him for a bit.
"Also everyone moved quite briskly. I'm pleased I was able to participate in a good party as well."
"Oh my, you sure do say pleasant things."
The wife Meiria joins the conversation. It would suck if this drags on...But, this is a good chance as well. Sooner or later gathering information is necessary so if I can gather some of it this time then that means I have that much more to report to Toris and the others after I leave the dungeon. Pawns mustn't be negligent in putting in the labor.
"No, as expected I was just showing admiration that you were one of the top teams that has existed for quite a while. There's some things that are done differently with the {Slaughterers} so I was a bit perplexed though.."
"Yeah, since we have no leeway to fit in a porter to carry luggage after all..Honestly speaking, if Santosu hadn't died a short while back we wouldn't have thought about inviting you."
Yeah, that was part of why we chose this timing as well. We were a bit nervous whether you might buy a slave or invite someone else. But, it's someone who screwed up and got injured even under that sort of proper command. I'm sure it wasn't a big loss even if they die.
"Also, since we're not as skilled as the {Slaughterers} we can't clear through the floors in a short period of time as well right? I was worried you might think it was irritating."
"Not as skilled, there's no way that's the case! I think that everyone is plenty skilled. In the case of the {Slaughterers} they just plunge forward because there's a lot of sorcerers. I think that the skill of everyone here is higher."
In terms of caution towards traps and the ability to avoid combat as adventurers, the {Slaughterers} can't even reach the feet of {Sun.Ray} in skill. On the point of aiming for the lower floors of the dungeon safely, {Sun.Ray} is far superior to the {Slaughterers}. Although, this is still the 2nd floor. There's not many opponents that the top team would struggle against. I've only seen the orders the Rindobel couple can give out while completely calm and composed.
"Is that so..But I think that people will be injured from here on out. Greed-kun if you get injured say something right away. It's not as good as you but my husband can use healing spells as well."
"Yes, I'm in your care at that time."
"Yeah, we are as well. We can't afford to lose a person who can use {Cure Critical} after all. I'll heal you with the highest priority."
"Now then, Greed-kun, you...It will probably get even more harsh from here on out so you should sleep while you still can.."
Fu~ with this I'm finally released, and I was only relieved for a brief moment. The other members of {Sun.Ray} started talking to me.
"Hey~ ya Greed-san. Around how much do the {Slaughterers} earn? I heard a rumor that it exceeds 100,000,000 a month in just magic stones but there's no way that's true right?"
This sure is annoying~ really. In the first place I've already talked about things like that several times since the other day. Everyone who talks to me go straight to this...Let's share information between allies a bit more.
"Once we started making it to the 7th floor there were months when it was over 150,000,000 as well..Well, it almost never went that far though"
If we think of the time with the {Larva Purple Worm} as separate then there's still months where we enter the dungeon four times in a month so I said it a bit on the reserved side. Most of it's already known so there's not much meaning in trying to hide it.
The one who whistled was Rokasuto.Keinesutan, a male elf nicknamed Rokko. His level is 15. 29 years old. In terms of physical abilities he's close to his peak so his ability values are reasonably good. He's one of the front line of this party and uses a long sword and buckler shield.
"Then in that case I'm sure the cut is amazing~ as well right...It seems like it would be easy to get your hands on.."
"Get your hands on..What would?"
"Hn? A, ah, a..a much better weapon. Like a long sword from the sword merchant Fuggusu."
He tried to cover it up in a bit of a panic before Rokko made an awkward face.
Incidentally, sword merchant Fuggusu is a sword making specialist blacksmith that has a workshop on the edge of Rombertia. He's well known for making high class swords with a beautiful design and is the primary blacksmith of the second knight group as well. The prices are around 3,000,000 - 4,000,000 Z for just one long sword. They cost 3-4 times more than the price of a normal weapon made in Baldukk. In some meanings it's a store that the adventurers who use swords yearn to visit.
"No, I wonder about that. Since the swords from sword merchant Fuggusu are pretty popular. It seems it's not unusual be left waiting for even a year. There's probably no choice other than buying one at a weapon shop in order to get your hands on it sooner. In that case they'd probably be at a price you can't easily buy right?"
The wife of the Rindobel couple was on her side as she glared at Rokko with a cold expression but when she realized that I was looking she looked in a different direction and burrowed into her blanket.
"Ah..Yeah. If you buy one at a weapon shop, ev..even the cheap ones will cost 5,000,000 I'm sure...It seems like the expensive ones even make it to 8,000,000.."
Well, as expected swords of that class, only a handful of them are sold each year I'm sure. If the weapon shop doesn't take at least that much profit then I doubt it will work as a business. As far as I know, only Viruhaima, Anderson, and Meiria of the Rindobel couple are using long and short swords made by sword merchant Fuggusu. Also, it's cheeky but Angela's broad sword was made there as well. Although, Angela's sword was originally one used be someone in {Bright.Blade}.
Come to think of it Toris was going to try and order one last year it seems but gave up when hear about the one year wait. Though I have some attachment to Toris's long sword for the time I was in it's care when I fell to the 14th floor.
"Keinesutan-san, there's tomorrow as well, let's rest pretty soon. I'm the lookout in three hours."
................
Year 7445, Month 7, Day 10
Starting today we're on the 6th floor. However, as far as I know there's almost no traps you can take a detour around on the 6th floor. Just as I was thinking, they'll show me what they can do, before we departed there was a meeting(?) where they asked my opinion.
"Now then, Greed-kun, I want to hear a bit of your opinion. The opinion of you who hasn't just gained experience on the 6th floor but also the 7th floor. I think you'll definitely give us an effective suggestion but.."
"Even if you ask me for my opinion..In regards to what? I just heard about your method of advancing on the 6th floor but it's fundamentally the same...If I were to raise one point then, it's not that you get close to the traps but if you don't pass through the sides of them, then it's difficult to proceed to the 7th floor."
"..So you have to pass through the side of them.."
"But isn't that dangerous?"
"That's right.."
"But, we heard that when they saved Ginger and Binsu they passed through the side."
Author's note:
Lv. 17, Laios, male, spear
Meiria.Rindobel(43)
Lv. 17, Human, male, battle mace
Rokasuto.Keinesutan(29)
Lv. 16, Hobbit, female, bow, short-sword
Kevin.Firestarter(27)
Lv. 15, Wolf-people, Female, Bow, Infantry sword
Kyumire.Biosukol(25)
Lv. 14, Wolf-people, male, Spear
Alan.Greed(17)*can use magic?
Lv. 17, Dog-people, Male, Spear
Virginia.Nyuman(28)*first party sub-leader
Lv. 14, Human, Male, Long sword
Hisurura.Harurein(21)
Lv. 8, Human, Male, Long sword, spear
Fiorentso.Hirosukoru(17)*can use magic
Lv. 11, Human, Male, Long sword
Rutsogu.Samyueruga(21)
Lv. 9, Laios, Male, Battle hammer
Karieru.Makusu(24)*Rorikku's slave
Lv. 8, Laios, Male, Battle axe