Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 172: Before Entering the Dungeon
Babylon lay half a day’s journey north of the Royal Capital. As one of the largest dungeons in the kingdom, it was enclosed by multiple massive walls and heavily fortified gates that appeared designed to reject every visitor.
“Those walls are nearly as high as the Royal Capital’s,” Tauro said, staring upward.
“The barriers are extremely powerful too,” Aeris added. “There are several layers.”
“Dungeons contain valuable treasures, so people sometimes try to break in and become rich overnight,” Taichi explained. “The fortifications also contain monsters when great numbers emerge from the dungeon.”
“Monsters come out of it?” Tauro asked.
“A stampede,” Aeris said. “Father told me that once every few decades, an enormous number of monsters may pour out of a dungeon. That’s why the defenses are so extensive.”
“Exactly. The outermost defenses deter intruders trying to enter, while the inner walls are primarily intended to stop monsters escaping from Babylon. Monster stampedes occur in the wild as well, but the same phenomenon can happen inside a dungeon.”
As they spoke, the enormous gate began to open with a low, grinding sound.
“That’s impressive,” Tauro said.
The gate was even thicker than the Royal Capital’s. It opened only far enough for the party to pass.
“Because of its weight, they rarely open it completely,” Tsuyoku said. “Let’s go.”
Tsuyoku entered first. Tauro and Aeris followed, with Taichi and the remaining knights protecting the rear.
A broad, well-maintained road ran from the first gate toward the next defensive wall. Barracks lined the road alongside supply shops, taverns, and other businesses serving the soldiers stationed there. The enclosed district resembled a small town, although almost all its residents were soldiers and their families.
“We’ll eat here before entering the dungeon,” Tsuyoku instructed.
The party stopped at a small restaurant used by the garrison.
During the meal, Taichi explained that their destination was a chamber on Babylon’s first floor near the stairs descending to the second. Reaching it would require several hours of travel.
The first-floor monsters weren’t especially strong, but they were unusual. Anyone entering without the correct equipment could still have serious trouble.
Taichi glanced at Shortsword Tauro.
“With that weapon, you should have no difficulty.”
He refused to explain further, saying Tauro could enjoy discovering the reason once they entered. Tauro considered the clue. Shortsword Tauro carried the light, or holy, attribute.
“I know what appears on the first floor,” Aeris said, eager to tease him. “Would you like me to tell you?”
“Ghosts and skeletons?” Tauro guessed.
Aeris’s shoulders dropped.
“How did you know? Girls don’t like boys whose intuition is too sharp.”
“That’s impressive,” Taichi said. “Most of the monsters are skeletons, but ghosts occasionally appear too. Ghosts rarely attack physically, although they can inflict curses that lower a person’s abilities. Those are troublesome.”
“You gave me the answer. You noticed that my shortsword has a magical attribute and said it would be effective.”
“Correct. Ghosts and skeletons are vulnerable to magic and magically enhanced weapons. My skill told me that your weapon possessed an attribute, but strangely, it wouldn’t reveal which one. What attribute has been granted to it? Anything except darkness should be effective.”
“Light-the holy attribute.”
Taichi stared at the shortsword in surprise.
“That’s the rarest and most valuable attribute. A master smith must have forged it. Do you know the maker?”
“A dwarven blacksmith named Angus, who lives in Saisi.”
“Angus? The rising genius everyone has been discussing? Then his work is even better than the rumors suggest. I should take leave and ask him to forge a sword for me.”
Tauro was pleased that Angus had become so famous. Still, whenever he pictured the dwarf, ‘rising young genius’ seemed far less appropriate than ‘seasoned master blacksmith.’