Kays Translations

Chapter 105: It's Like a Mammoth

Listening to Merrimus’ telepathic message during breakfast, there was no need to move our mouths as we communicated in our minds. It might seem a bit rude, but with the upcoming dungeon exploration, we wanted to finish the conversation as quickly as possible.

"Sorry to bring it up while eating. So, what's this talk about slave traders? 』

"Yes. You know how Orcs have been appearing near the town, right? Because of that, we can no longer buy slaves... 』

"What do you mean? 』

"All the slaves handled by the slave traders were bought by the lord. Every single one of them. 』

This unexpected development surprised both me and everyone else. For a moment, I thought it might be interference from Ryuunosuke or the lord, but it seemed to be something entirely different.

The detailed explanation Merrimus provided was roughly as follows:

1. Orcs started appearing near the town. Terrified farmers refused to go outside the protective wall, most of whom were Japanese.

2. To continue agricultural work, the lord of the town purchased slaves to secure labor. This was done based on instructions from the council.

3. All the slaves disappeared from the slave traders in Kaemos town. Similar measures were taken in other territories, making it difficult to secure immigrants for the time being.

"I see... So the 20 people that Merry Company had already purchased were seized by the lord. 』

"In name, it was presented as a contribution to the lord... This morning, they were taken away by private soldiers. I apologize. 』

"No need to apologize. Well, we don't need to rush to recruit new people now. For a while, let's observe the situation and continue trading food supplies. 』

"Understood. If there are any other changes, I'll report back immediately. 』

Merrimus was not at fault for this matter. Although it's painful that the personnel reinforcement was foiled, if it's driven by the council, there's nothing we can do.

Merinard issued instructions to consider the possibility of retreating from the town, and she disconnected from the telepathic conversation.

"Tsubaki, are you still listening? 』

"Yes, I can hear you. 』

"As I mentioned before, we'll extend the investigation period. Since we can no longer accept slaves, there's no need to hurry back. 』

"Understood. We'll continue trading and training in the Eastern Forest Dungeon as planned. 』

"Thank you. I'll contact you every night. Take care of the village. 』

"We'll be waiting for your contact. Take care, everyone. 』

Whether the timing was good or bad, there was no longer a need to return to the village as planned. While it's unfortunate that we can't increase the number of villagers, it means we can focus on the dungeon investigation.

Regardless of the reason, we had anticipated that fewer people might come to the village. There's still a chance that refugees or others might show up.

"Now then, everyone. As I promised, we can thoroughly investigate without any rush. If anyone complains and wants to go back midway, I won't let them return easily!"

"We won't forget your words! We won't back down!" 

"I've got your statement on record. I will absolutely not let you go!"

Touya and Sakura immediately responded to my declaration.

Despite regretting my somewhat careless remark, I resolved to continue the investigation diligently and restarted our exploration.

◇◇◇

Day 230 of Life in Another World

16 days since the start of the Eastern Forest Investigation

Ten days had passed since Merrimus's message.

Every day since then, we had secluded ourselves in the dungeon from early morning, hunting Minotaurs until it was pitch dark outside.

In the first five days, we progressed from the 16th to the 20th floor. After that, we used teleportation circles to move to different hunting grounds, continuously slaying monsters.

Everyone's levels were increasing rapidly, and our combat skills were improving. Now, Minotaurs were no longer formidable opponents. Even Merinard, who had little combat experience, had grown to the point where she could defeat one by himself.

Individual levels were as follows: Touya and Sakura at 79, followed by Haruka and Akiho at 75, Drago at 74, and Merinard at 70. As for me, my level had surprisingly reached 85. Thanks to well over a hundred real battle experiences, my physical abilities, as well as my swordsmanship, had significantly improved.

The village remained unchanged, and the report from the Eastern Forest Dungeon stated that they were diligently leveling up every day.

However, there was one concern.

The women who were with Hayato followed Ryuunosuke and moved to the capital city. Merrimus had informed me about this a few days ago.

Initially, they all worked together and endured the persistent harassment, unable to lead normal lives. At that time, they received an invitation from the Japan Trading Company and except for Tachibana and Hazuki, all the other women decided to change their affiliations.

The conditions offered by the Japan Trading Company were said to be exceptionally good. Initially, the women had refused, but in the end, they willingly went to Ryuunosuke.

Tachibana and Hazuki were the only ones still with Hayato. However, harassment persisted, and Ryuunosuke company continued its recruitment efforts.

Ironically, since the number of people they had to support decreased, Merrimus told me they could make a living solely from their earnings in the dungeon.

Surprisingly, Hayato seemed to be doing relatively well. According to Merrimus, he looked calm and composed, as if he had let something go.

With that in mind, the planned investigation period had passed, and today, in perfect condition, we were finally going to challenge the 21st floor.

"That seems to be the first hall. When you see the monsters, please request an appraisal."

"Leave it to Senior Appraiser Haruka!"

Currently, we had arrived at the 21st floor and made our way down the passage to the first hall.

After a short pause, Touya, who was leading the way, peeked into the hall from the side of the passage.

"Hey, hey, hey... What's that? Seriously?"

"What is it, Touya? Let me see too."

"Gah! Don't show your face, Village Chief!"

Worried about Touya’s reaction, I took a look into the hall... and there was an incredibly huge creature right in front of us.

Though the space was quite large, the monster was so massive that it appeared as if it were right in front of us.

"Both of you are in the way! Move aside!"

"Sorry... Sorry..."

While Haruka muttered in a low voice, she appraised the fully hairy giant creature.

"Giant Bull, Lv 85, with the skill 'Hardening.' Literally, it's a passive skill that hardens its own body."

"It's already high level and has a tough body. Does that fur harden too?"

"Keisuke-san, you don't have any objections to calling it a Giant Bull?"

"It looks like a huge buffalo or water buffalo in Japan. Completely covered in coarse hair and has two large horns on its head."

Well, that aside, it was just huge. It's like a mammoth with fur. Ah, I see. It's a mammoth. It looks like a bull, but that's the image it gives off, perhaps.

While I was thinking about things that didn't really matter, 

"Can we fight it?" 

"Touya, there's no need to ask! There's no other choice but to face such a formidable enemy!"

"Oh! Drago-san, you understand what I'm saying! Then, Akiho, do your enhancement magic."

"Wait a moment, Touya. It's Level 85. It's my first time encountering such a large monster, and we need to plan our strategy before it notices us."

"A strategy, huh? Well, that's important, but..."

Touya and Drago seemed enthusiastic. I thought they might be protesting against Akiho's advice, but it seemed slightly different.

“Even if we come up with a strategy, there are often many things that don't go as planned. It's as Akiho said; it's our first time encountering such a large monster, and we don't know what it might do. So it seems like we need to secure an escape route while trying various things.”

(Haruka's advanced appraisal didn't reveal any weaknesses or vulnerable attributes either. Given the current situation where even its attack patterns are unknown, it seems difficult to come up with a strategy.)

"In that case, let's do this. Merinard-san and Akiho-chan will secure the escape route, Haruka will guard against reinforcements from the surroundings and be my escort. Touya-kun, Village Chief, and Drago-san, you three will distract the Giant Bull while attacking. I'll also support from the back with magic."

As Sakura summarized Touya’s plan and assigned each person's role, the battle was finally about to begin.

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