◈ 240. [Side Story] Preparation for Exploration
There are a total of five dungeons in District 5 of the Lake Kingdom.
Everything was cleared, including the ruined Coliseum.
In other words, the long-awaited acquisition… … This means that you got a new defense tower that drops guaranteed in District 5.
I tossed and received the blue scroll in my hand.
[Summon Scroll: Shield Turret <Player Skill>]
It’s a defense game, so I’d like to give you a new turret after I’ve progressed this far.
Well, strictly speaking, it’s not a tower defense game, it’s a character defense game… … Genre distinction is not important. Umm… … .
Anyway, I stopped by the alchemist’s workshop to research the scroll.
After a long time, when I brought a new summoning scroll, the head of the alchemist guild caught my ear.
“how! scroll next! when do you give I couldn’t speak and waited patiently. What is it!”
“Yes… … Didn’t you say… … .”
The Tower Summon Scroll is a guaranteed drop by area, so I can tell you when it will be available… … .
The head of the Alchemist Guild said that the research would take about 10 days, and then rushed into the studio with the scroll in mind.
I will leave it up to you. That tower is pretty good, so I’d like to use it on this stage if possible.
“How are you, Lily?”
After stopping by the alchemist’s workshop, he said hello to Lily.
Lily, who was filling out artifact management documents at her desk, smiled bitterly at me.
“A public servant’s day is always the same, Your Highness.”
“Tell me if you have any difficulties or need anything. You know I care about you, right?”
No, it’s not empty talk. How much do you care about our senior wizard? A precious colleague who has been together since the beginning of the tutorial base.
“Come on, Your Highness, then please retire… … .”
“If you bring that up one more time, you will be promoted. Do you want to increase your work?”
Lily made a familiar joke, so I responded with a joke.
Lily was so amused by my joke that she even took out a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes. Hee hee I can’t go!
“Ah, Your Highness. Can I ask you one thing?”
“then? Feel free to ask.”
Lily hesitated for a moment, then asked in a small voice as if crawling into a rat hole.
“That, God Hand… … When are you back? It seems like it’s already been a while since I left after receiving the mission… … .”
“… … .”
I put on a surprised expression for a moment, then I smiled mischievously and pushed Lily’s shoulder with my fingertips.
“what. Are you worried about that?”
“No, no! What are you worried about!”
Lily, blushing, shook her shoulder in disgust.
“just! Didn’t he leave the frontline and run away in the name of a mission? As a senior wizard, I’m worried!”
“Hmm~”
“Because all elves are like that! Playing with people’s beliefs and taking advantage of them! Because they are a race that is like the incarnation of selfishness!”
Seeing Lily screaming in embarrassment, I laughed. Just be honest and say you’re worried.
“… … .”
However, I was in a position where I could not give a clear answer.
It was true that the shadow unit had exceeded the time it should have returned.
It was well past the time I expected to return.
‘Did an unexpected situation occur?’
The Shadow Unit went to the Principality of Bringer to deliver my proposal to the Dragon Lady Duke.
I was confident in my heart.
I am sure that the Dragon Lady will positively review my proposal.
And the certainty that God Hand and the Shadow Unit will not fail to carry out the secret mission.
The former was a conviction based on 742 game experiences.
After all, the Dragon Lady who was defeated in the Principality of Bringer can only choose to retreat here on the southern front.
At least, at least, he won’t pretend to be with me.
The latter was because he knew the abilities of the three God Hand, Body Bag, and Burnout.
With the ability of the three, it would be easy to re-infiltrate and escape the Principality of Bringer.
however.
‘The return is late.’
I gently bit my lower lip.
Did something happen?
Or was it really, as Lily said, betraying me and leaving? They were sent to us as spies for the imperial family in the first place… … .
‘After entering the Duchy of Bringer, Ader’s surveillance system stopped working… … The stat status is also showing up as Unknown… … .’
I’m lost in trouble
“majesty?”
Lily asked anxiously. I immediately smiled and waved my hand.
“Don’t worry too much. I will definitely come back.”
Remember the death and dedication of the members of the shadow unit.
I still believed in them.
“When I get back, let’s pat him on the back and ask. Why are you so late?”
“… … .”
Lily, who only blinked quietly, responded with a smile.
“yes. That seat, please hug me too.”
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***
smithy.
I approached a dwarf blacksmith who was pounding something metal while lying face down on a bed in front of a furnace in his workshop.
“Kelly Bay, how are you? Oh, just take a break. You’re working until you lie down.”
“Oh, prince kid. You’re welcome.”
Kelly Bay deftly turned the bed around and came slithering towards me.
“You’ve faced werewolves directly on the back of Jormungandr. That’s when I got an idea. I made some equipment that will help you defeat them.”
“Hoo? What is it?”
Werewolves do not have any special weaknesses.
At least it takes additional damage from silver weapons, but the effect is not so great.
So I was only thinking of recycling the silver weapon I made in Stage 5 last time. Have you made anything else?
“Now, look!”
What Kelly Bay put forward… … It was a grappling hook launcher used during the defeat of Jormungand.
“Isn’t this a grappling hook launcher? It was made to ride comfortably on the back of Jormungand.”
“okay. Modified it slightly, instead of a hook, like this… … .”
Kelly Bay removed the hook and fitted a large silver stake in its place.
“If you mount a silver stake! And with just a little adjustment of the output!”
“Hoo?”
“Become a disposable silver stake launcher! What if I shoot these werewolves in the belly?”
Took-!
The furiously shot silver stake flew through the air and crashed into the wall.
“Like this, the silver stake shoots so hard!”
“Huh… … .”
No matter how hard the output was adjusted, the part of the arm sleeve left after the silver stake was fired was cracked and tattered.
“No matter how thick their fur is, I’ll be able to drill a hole through it.”
“Is it for close range?”
“yes. The greater the distance, the less damage. But the closer you are, the more lethal damage you can inflict.”
Werewolves are strong, but not very regenerative.
If you use it in a situation where the werewolves are right in front of you, it will cause great damage, so it will be a great emergency tool. I nodded.
“It’s good. It is suitable as additional armament that can be used in an emergency. You can also recycle the equipment you made before.”
“Kuh, even though this old man is old, his creativity still shines?”
“sure. He is a master craftsman who is recognized worldwide.”
As soon as we agreed moderately, Kelly Bay’s nose rose. Hee hee, you seem like an easy inspiration.
“I will adjust the existing grappling hook launcher to a silver stake launcher and place an order for additional quantities. My father-in-law, please supervise me well.”
“Truck. Just leave it to me.”
“It looks like we’re going to explore the dungeon tomorrow, so please make 10 right away by tomorrow morning.”
“okay. I will send it to the manor house by tomorrow morning.”
As we were exchanging such conversations, I saw a boy with shaggy hair running to the side of the studio carrying a load full of luggage.
It was Hannibal, a newly hired N-rank boy mercenary.
Hannibal found me, put my luggage down on the floor, and greeted me politely.
“Hello, Prince!”
“Uh~ yes. A lot of work.”
Hannibal, who bowed wide, grabbed his luggage again and sprinted away.
Even though he is sweating profusely, he is not tired and moves quickly.
I asked Kelly Bay, chinning in Hannibal’s direction.
“How about the assistant I gave you this time? Is it worth it?”
“Hannibal? then. It’s very clever that he only did a snot. If you teach one, you will enlighten three and four… … It’s like watching my childhood.”
Those words involuntarily made me imagine Kelly Bay’s childhood.
Umm… … A young dwarf… … I wish I had a beard back then… … ? Would the hair be plentiful… … .
“But I think you have something to hide.”
Sweeping her chin, Kelly Bay groaned.
“Well, it doesn’t matter to me since I’m smart, fluent, and good at work.”
What to hide?
I tilted my head as I watched Hannibal diligently running around. What is that child hiding?
“… … .”
Suddenly, I remembered the Camus incident that happened yesterday. Camus also had a secret. I had a bitter taste.
Everyone has a secret.
As a commander and lord, what should I do to ensure that the secrets of each mercenary gathered on this front are not fatal to the operation of this front… … .
“You look like you’ve embraced all the problems in the world. Straighten your face! You little bastard!”
Kelly Bay slapped me on the back in agony. I stumbled and laughed bitterly before asking.
“Kelly Bay. Can I borrow some of the old man’s wisdom?”
“huh? Gorum. Wouldn’t I be much wiser than a young boy like you who has lived many times longer? why? What’s going on?”
I briefly explained what happened yesterday. About the work of Camus, Raina, and Junior.
And even my worries about these fights that will increase in the future.
“What can we do to prevent fights like this from happening in the future?”
Then Kelly Bay snorted.
“You mean it won’t happen? That is impossible.”
“yes?”
“You are not a god, child. He’s just a spoiled brat commander. No matter what your subordinates have inside or what their intentions are, it’s impossible for you to figure out each one and prevent accidents. All you can judge is their actions, not their intentions.”
I blankly listened to Kelly Bay.
“look. No matter how much I make the best sword in the world, what will I do? The guys who use it swing it like a beggar, knocking out teeth, breaking balance, bending and breaking, and coming back with a lot of fucking. Then would I go ahead and say something like, ‘Ah, if I knew how to handle a sword like this, I would have made this part stronger’?”
“Then what do you say?”
“Don’t say anything! Does that restore the sword to its original state? I have no choice but to repair the broken part while cursing or ignoring it.”
Kelly Bay thumps the workbench once with the hammer! She snapped and continued.
“Things that explode must eventually explode. What you have to do as a commander is to clear things up about what happened.”
“… … .”
“Determine the principles. And don’t break the rules. When rewarding, give abundantly, and when punishing, cut off boldly. Punish the person who caused the accident, and reward the person who prevented the accident.”
The old dwarf smiled and raised his beard.
“If the principles you established are strong, even if your castle shakes, it will never collapse.”
“… … .”
“If it breaks down, Shibeol, I have to fix it again! What are you going to do? Monsters come in every day. Aren’t you going to fix it?”
Principles and principles… … .
As I pondered Kelly Bay’s words, Kelly Bay issued a congratulatory order.
“Come on, get out, young Commander! I’m busy making 10 Silver Stake Launchers from now on.”
***
dinner.
Before leaving for exploration, the party members were gathered and briefed while eating, which had been repeated for the past two weeks, so the party members were convened today as well.
Exploration members remain the same.
4 members of the main party, excluding Junior, and 5 members of Quilan’s punishment unit. A total of 10 people, including Belldandi, who joined on the spot.
“Tomorrow we leave for District 6.”
Drawing a simple map of District 6 and beyond on the blackboard, I began my explanation.
District 6. i.e. depth 6.
The true darkness of the Lake Kingdom, also called the Demon Realm, unfolds from here.
“The Lake Kingdom is divided into two parts. Districts 1 to 5, where the commoner class lived, and Districts 6 to 10, where the aristocratic class lived.”
It is presumed that the population was less noble, but rather, the internal section with 6 to 10 districts is wider.
In fact, it seems that it was a wall built to distinguish each other’s living spaces in the city.
It is not known exactly what kind of social system the Lake Kingdom had, but it is possible to guess that it was a deformed structure somewhere.
“This gateway to District 6 is sealed. Tomorrow we have to break through here.”
I pointed with my hand at the narrow gate leading to the inner sanctuary.
Immunity Checkpoint (檢問所).
It is the name of the dungeon to be attacked tomorrow.
“This place is not very high, but the walls are built, and the terrain structure is advantageous to the defenders. In other words… … .”
I grinned.
“This time, we are fighting a siege war, not a defensive war.”
Surprise crossed the faces of the party members at the unexpected story.
okay. Didn’t you just defend the castle wall on a fictional day?
‘Sometimes it should be fun to attack and capture it!’
