Chapter 37: Arc Lab (11)

The golden hair of that stunning beauty flowed freely, draping all around her body.

I wondered if it wasn’t a nuisance, but she didn’t seem to mind in the slightest.

She wore an off-shoulder white dress that perfectly suited her—though, honestly, there was a lot showing, and it was hard to know where to look. Haiyaan muttered quietly beside me.

“She’s got the body and beauty of a witch.”

“But her type’s different.”

The witch is seductive—
She is divine.

The witch’s allure is that of a courtesan’s dark, sultry charm.
This woman radiated pure, natural beauty.
If the witch was darkness, she was light.

“Huh? What are you staring at, punks?”

Her voice was cool and graceful—but her tone was straight-up thug.

“Could it be you’re from the Tasan family?”

“Yeah, so what? Got a problem, huh?”

Why does she have to sound threatening with every sentence?
Is she really from a noble house or from a back alley gang?

“I’m acquainted with Rell-san.”
“Rell’s friend, huh?”

Did she get possessed by a delinquent spirit or something?

“Y-yes. I’m Wof.”
“Haiyaan, at your service.”
“Name’s Sue. Sue Tasan. Pleasure.”

She flashed a bright grin like the sun itself—so dazzling it could melt anyone on the spot.
Instead of being led to Liv’s room, we were brought into the living room.

“Later, then.”
“Ah, yes.”

Sue left, and inside the living room was Lupinus-san. Pakira was probably still with Megadia—Lupinus served as Megadia’s Knight Attendant.

Then Liv spoke—her tone strangely sensual.

“Mm… thank you… for requesting me… I am Liv…”

“Well, I did ask for you, but not like that.”

That’s not what I meant at all.

“Now, now, Wof-san, Haiyaan-san. Please, have a seat.”

At Lupinus’s invitation, we sat on the sofa. She served us tea, and Haiyaan greeted her politely.

“Lupinus-san, how goes the collection of monster scream samples?”
“Quite well, thank you. I’ll have them ready soon.”
“Mm… gathered all sorts of voices… even Lupinus’s own screams…”
“E-Erase that! Forget it ever existed!”

Lupinus turned bright red, yelling in embarrassment. Then she coughed lightly to recover her composure.

“Ahem. Terribly sorry about that. Now then, what business do you have with Liv?”
“Actually, I was hoping to make and sell something from the lab—something that can be mass-produced.”
“How interesting.”
“Arc… Lab… we haven’t been using it… to its full potential…”
“Exactly. We’ll need funds for future research.”
“Indeed.”
“So, if possible, I’d like permission to produce and sell it in bulk.”
“Mm… what is it?”
“Light orbs.”

The light orbs—those that Liv had given me.

They float softly, glowing gently. That’s all—but in a dungeon, that light is invaluable.
Most dungeons have faint bioluminescence from moss, but some areas are pitch-black.
In those cases, light orbs are lifesavers.

Haiyaan immediately caught on.

“Ah, that. Yes, that could absolutely be mass-produced!”
“I think many explorers would want them.”
“Quite so. If we can produce them, they’ll be a strong asset.”
“Mm… I see… very well.”

Permission was granted—just like that. Lupinus blinked in surprise.

“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes… it’s not really… something Liv made herself…”

Right, I remember—it was originally part of a Planetary Emergency Survival Kit.
Still, Liv was the current owner.

“Liv, I’ll pay you usage fees.”
“Mm… then… I have a request… for the boy.”
“For me?”
“I want to hire… Minos Doll… as a maid here.”
“Eh—Minos Doll?”

That was unexpected.

“I was wondering what you’d say, but it’s not a bad idea. We’ve actually been discussing hiring maids with the Tasan family.”
“I see. But a Minos Doll?”
“Mm… Minos Doll. Very good. Also strong.”
“Indeed. They’d serve well as guards too.”
“Ah, true enough.”

Given that the Minos Units share identical strength as a base, they’re far more capable than most people.
And since Munieka trains them, they can handle household duties perfectly.

They never forget what they’re taught and execute every task flawlessly.
In short—perfect.

“Mm… as Munieka’s ‘Auto Dolls’… give them your orders as master…”
“That’s a bit much—but I’ll tell her. I’m heading back soon anyway.”
“Knight Attendant, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I worry about Pakira, but if Megadia’s with her, I’m at ease.”
“Mineha and I are there too.”
“Ah, that’s right.”

Just as I reached for my teacup to take a sip—

“Mm… but aren’t you busy… with the ‘Impregnable Fortress’ expedition?”

I nearly spit my tea across the room.

“Oh my, are you all right?”

Lupinus quickly handed me her handkerchief and wiped the table clean.

“Cough, cough, cough! Wh–what are you even talking about!?”

“…I will become… the King of Conquerors…”

“You absolutely will not!”

Liv-san—honestly, she’s just too much sometimes.
And Lupinus-san, why are you laughing too?
Haiyaan’s laughing way too hard—I should hang him upside down.

And that’s how, somehow, we got permission without much fuss.
After dropping Haiyaan off at the lab, I headed back.

On a narrow shortcut along the way, I spotted a Fairial woman.
She looked troubled… and this wasn’t exactly the safest place.

“Um, is something wrong?”

“Oh?”

When I called out to her, the Fairial turned around.
She was breathtakingly beautiful—clearly much older than me, though her looks were those of a woman in her late twenties.
Her honey-colored hair was neatly arranged, and her eyes were a deep sapphire blue.

Her hair color was the same as Mineha-san’s, I noticed.
Her features were refined, almost doll-like, giving off a calm and composed aura.
She wore a crimson dress that clung to her figure, adding a touch of sensuality to her elegance.
There was a blend of cool poise and gentle warmth about her.

“It’s dangerous around here.”

With the Great of Rounds event starting soon, all of Hydrangea was buzzing with activity.
That also meant an influx of outsiders—and with them, a rise in crime.
The city guard had increased patrols, but they still couldn’t keep up.

Crimes targeting women, especially adventurers, were on the rise.
I’d even heard that a noble’s daughter had been attacked recently—terrible stuff.

“Oh my, how kind of you.”

“So, what’s the trouble?”

“I seem to have lost my way. I wanted to get to the fountain by the Hero Statue in Hydrangea Central Park.”

“Ah, you’re heading in the complete opposite direction. Do you have a map?”

“I do, but… I can’t quite figure out how to read it.”

Yeah, I’ve met people like that.

“In that case, I’ll show you the way.”

“My, would you? That would be a great help.”

“Of course. I can’t just ignore someone in need.”

“How polite of you—thank you.”

“All right, this way.”

I led her down the correct street, explaining as we went.

“I’m sorry. Imagine—a so-called explorer who can’t read a map.”

“You’re an explorer?”

“Yes, my specialty’s mid-range combat. My husband was the one who excelled at that sort of thing.”

“Your husband?”

“Yes… though it’s been quite some time since he passed away.”

“I see…”

“But even so, I still remember certain places clearly. For instance, there’s a dungeon near Fairial Village—I can find that without a map. Still, it’s embarrassing not to be able to read one.”

“It’s natural not to know your way around unfamiliar areas. In those cases, the best thing to do is ask someone. When I first came to this city, I didn’t know a thing either. Bit by bit, by asking around, I learned my way.”

“Oh my, I wish my daughter could be that straightforward.”

“You have a daughter?”

“Yes, she’s an explorer too. She takes after me—stubborn to a fault.”

“But I bet she’s kind at heart.”

“Oh, that’s sweet of you to say.”

“We’re here.”

Hydrangea Central Park.
The Fairial woman looked around curiously.

“The hero statue and fountain are over there.”

“Oh my, how magnificent. I’ll be fine from here. Thank you.”

“Not at all. Please take care.”

I turned to leave.

A Fairial woman with a daughter who’s also an explorer…
That sounded an awful lot like Mineha-san.
Even the “stubborn” part fit perfectly.

No way… could it be—?
…Eh, probably not. Never mind.