Year 7445, Month 7, Day 11
Look, it's not scary~
I let out a sigh and though about throwing a rock at it or something but it might end up teaching them the precise range the trap activates within so I stopped. I'm sure they'll figure it out eventually but even we spent quite a bit of time investigating it. If you all want to know then put some work into it. What~ it's not all that much trouble at all.
I made a blatantly obvious large yawn and started scratching my cheek and I guess he thought I was looking down on him, Koritto made a mortified expression before moving. But, rather than approaching the trap he remained against the wall. It's fine even if you don't go that far. After Koritto passed through then one more, two more, and the rest of them passed through in order with stiff expressions as well.
After everyone had finished passing through to this side, we went back into formation again and started advancing forward.
....................
Year 7445, Month 7, Day 12
According to schedule we should return to the surface today. Judging from things yesterday it seems impossible to make it to the 7th floor in one day. Though if no one were to be injured and we didn't have spend time waiting for mana to recover then we'd probably be alright but it's not something that we can be so optimistic over. I wonder what they'll decide to do?
"In any case let's try teleporting into the 6th floor. If it's an area with an altar room then we intend to challenge it. Regardless we still intend to pull out today just as planned."
Koritto declared that and everyone nodded in agreement.
"Greed-kun. If it's alright with you but could you confirm our location on the 6th floor? If possible I'd like to go as efficiently as possible."
It's nothing special to me and while we might struggle we won't lose so it's fine.
Starting from today until the 19th we have a full week off. During the time we were in the dungeon this time we the first part of {Sun.Ray} earned 2,240,000 Z in magic stones. Since I get an even cut that's 10% or 224,000 Z. The magic stones were sold in the morning and after lunch I went to "Mogorito Manor" to receive my wages from the Rindobel couple.
"Greed-kun, as expected of someone who was the leader of the top team. You worked quite splendidly. I really think it was great that we recruited you. We're counting on you next time as well."
Koritto said that and praised me. They really have such good manners.
I thanked them for my wages and when I excused myself to the entrance of "Mogorito Manor" Meiria followed after me.
"If you have time, how about dinner tonight?"
"Eh? Ah, I understand. Where should I go?"
"I guess so..You can pass through under the name {Sun.Ray} at "Mikkusu". Come at 6:00."
"I understand. 6:00 indeed. By the way, do we always eat together with everyone like this after leaving the dungeon?"
Since they're using the name {Sun.Ray} to pass through to a private room then it should be a gathering of members. It's not unusual for parties to have things like this after making a profit. Thinking that I tried asking but it seems that's no the case. Then, while it's not at the level of "Dorureon", since it's a restaurant {Sun.Ray} is treating me at, I wonder if it's a meeting of leaders?
...............
When I returned to "Kairugu's Inn" Faruergaz and the others were waiting for me. This morning, when we were cashing in the magic stones, they told me they wanted to discuss the rules of {Sun.Ray} this afternoon. They received their wages from this time this morning. When they announced the times they'd be giving out wages this morning mine was the last one so I ate lunch separately.
"I'm sorry about that, making you wait."
"No, we just arrived now as well. Well shall we go?"
Faruergaz said that before taking the lead as he walked down the street. However, we passed by several restaurants (an alternative to cafes) and came out to the outskirts of town. When I asked, "How far do you intend to go?" they just avoided my question. And then, we all stepped foot on the hills leading to the outer crater. Well then? I wonder what this means? As expected I have no idea what's going on. For starters I think it's unlikely but if they were trying to assassinate me it's too unnatural that they'd let me remain at the very rear like this...
After we climbed up the hill a bit we all ended up taking seats on appropriate rocks.
"I'm sorry about calling you out to a place like this. But, we didn't want anyone to hear the details of what we're talking about. This place has a pretty good view as well, if anyone were to approach we would be able to tell right away."
Faruergaz said while making a slightly apologetic face.
"Also, just in case we'll also talk in Japanese. So it would be fine even in the case that it's overheard."
Hirosukol said following that.
"..It seems to be an important conversation right. Neither Kumiru-san and Samyueruga-san are around nor are your slaves after all.."
When I replied like that the two of them gravely nodded.
"Yeah, we discussed it with them as well but putting aside Sanno and Ruttsu, but fundamentally my two slaves are just {Yes-men} so they're not very good for consultation with. Even when it comes to Sanno and Ruttsu they're still pretty young as well. We can't lightly talk about the fact that we were reincarnated either and in the first place those two have some parts that are too softhearted.."
Hirosukol started talking while looking at me.
"I want to ask frankly but Greed-san. What is your real objective for getting so close to everyone? Honestly speaking, if you were a pure Orth person then we probably wouldn't have held any doubts about you at all either. And then, you would have been very welcome."
".."
"We think that it's unbelievable you could split up so easily from Japanese people you met at long last. It's a confession but I don't like you. However, even then you're Japanese people. It's difficult to separate. That's why we started challenging the dungeon, we didn't want to go separate ways from the side of you all, is our true feelings."
Oh, he said it quite honestly.
"And also, if possible we also wanted to join together with you all, is a part of it as well. Unlike Nomu-san, I don't particularly dislike you though...Ahaha, excuse me. But, even I, thought was strange. I thought there's definitely some sort of objective behind it."
Faruergaz said a joke while still making a serious expression.
"I see.."
Toris and the others also predicted that these two would be suspicious of it. And they also thought it would be a poor plan to keep pretending to be white as well. In my own personal opinion I think it doesn't really matter even if I were to continuing insisting on white here. I thought I would talk about it based on how they come out with it the next time we talk. But, there's no meaning inserting my thinking in here. I might offer advice but it's not my role to be making the decisions this time.
"Well, it's only obvious I do have an objective. Just as you say, there's no way I would split up with other Japanese people that easily right?"
"..I thought that was the case...And, what's the objective?"
Hirosukol said somewhat disappointed. I wonder if after all he really does just hate me and thought it would serve me right if I was actually thrown out? or is it still just my own self-centered delusion?
"That, do I really~ need to say it?"
"Certainly, we don't think we have any right to force an answer of you. No, or do we? In any case we'd prefer if you do answer. It's not just us but Sanno, Ruttsu, Denda, and Karimu, there's no guarantee their lives couldn't depend on it as well. I'd like for you to give us an answer here with no objections so we can relax. Otherwise do you intend to harm us in some way?"
Faruergaz looked at me with a bit of a glare while saying it. Hmn, I guess he was able to change a bit?
"I guess so..at the very least we aren't thinking of anything that would progressively endanger you all at all. It's strange saying this but I was able to imagine from the start that I would end up exploring the dungeon in a different group from you all. And also, it bothers me just a bit but if you thought that way then why do you try to invite me like that at that time? If you thought I was plotting something, then wouldn't it have been better to just ignore me?"
It's not as if I don't feel like I'm answering a question with another question but for the time being I already replied so it should be fine.
"I was originally against it..The one who invited you was Ko..It was Rodrick's own decision."
Ho? So they weren't a single rock?
"Just now, I might have said it like that but I thought that you don't have any intentions of harming us either. In that case I thought you might have some other objective. No matter how I think about it this situation is a minus to you after all.."
"That's right, since we don't know what that is that's why I thought we should ignore you. I thought it would be best to keep an eye on things."
Well, that's only natural. It should be something that any Japanese person thinks of normally. It's only obvious different from the other people of {Sun.Ray} and the Rindobel couple.
"The result of our consideration..we were suspicious of whether or not you were planning to make a huge profit off of the hidden fortune of {Sun.Ray}. Ah, I don't know if there's really something like a hidden fortune. Please don't misunderstand. Also, I think that this is the most likely possibility but..are you investigating the method they obtain the temple notes? Since we're strictly sworn to secrecy even among {Sun.Ray} I don't know how you found out about it but depending on how you do it you could make a huge profit from it I'm sure. Although, I only found out about the temple notes recently myself as well but..when I found out I was strangely able to understand. Ah, so the aim was this huh? is what I thought."
"Yeah, that's right. If you can do business then even if there's a bit of dishonor to it you can quickly knock it away. I'm sure you could make a huge profit. But, that's something that the Rindobel-san's came up with after great pains. They're people that are quite intelligent compared to most on Orth."
Oh~ they've gotten closer.
"I see..if you're speaking about the temple notes, then I guess you mean the ones where if you collect a lot of them then they'll use healing magic on you, those notes was it.."
"That's only obvious. What else is there? Since they take so much trouble they're often overlooked but for adventurers they could be a great foundation to rely on in times of need. Even you think so too right?"
"I wonder about that..In any case I have no intention of harming you all and my objective is nothing that would endanger your safety. I don't know if you would be willing to believe me but if you don't then there's nothing more to talk about."
"Well, if it won't do any harm to us then I have no intention of saying too much. We're pleased with our allies in {Sun.Ray}. According to what we heard about the dungeon this time you participated quite actively and even saved them in a dangerous place. I think it's fine to trust in those words. As expected it seems to have abilities suitable for someone who was one of the top adventurers. However, if you intend to cause trouble for Rindobel-san then.."
Hirosukol said in a threatening way.
"Thanks to Rindobel-san we were able to make it to the lower floors all at once. If were were to say it truthfully then you could say Rindobel-san is our benefactor. Greed-san, don't forget that we're watching."
"..I'll take it carefully into consideration."
After that we talked about some normal adventurer stuff that was unrelated to {Sun.Ray} before returning to the town. However, you two, while you were saying things like that you're still listening to everything I say. When I tried saying that sarcastically they looked a bit embarrassed.