Chapter 82: Dungeon Rhapsody ⓪ – Hoss and Luma②

A careless remark had led to a huge problem.

I had no idea how to create a dungeon.

“…Alright. I’ll consult the witch.”

When in trouble, the witch is the answer. I changed my plans and retraced my steps.

I entered the warehouse Skier Coffin Ele and went up to the second floor.

“Witch! It’s an emergency!”

When I opened the door, I caught sight of Necia, slipping her jacket up.

Beneath it, her bare skin. Her full, dark brown chest swayed directly in my view.

“S-sorry!”

I quickly shut the door.

But it opened immediately again—it was the witch.

“Oh my, Wof-boy. What’s the matter?”
“Uh, well…”
“Hmhm. Well, you may come in. She’s clothed now.”
“Y-yes.”

Inside the room, Necia was properly dressed.

“Wof-kun. What happened?”
“Ah, well…”

Feeling a bit awkward, I told her what had just happened.

“Oh ho ho. A dungeon creation, you say. That certainly is interesting.”

The witch grinned. I knew she would fully join in now.

“A dungeon…?”
“Well… there’s a garbage area, multiple levels, a maze, monsters, and ruins…”

Hmm… hard to explain.

“Could it be a labyrinth?”

Necia said quietly. She understands quickly.

A labyrinth. I see. That’s what it was called in ancient times.

“Yes. That’s right.”
“You, Wof-kun, are going to create it?”
“…Y-yes… Um, witch, has anyone ever created a dungeon before?”

I clung to the hope that there might be precedent.

“Hmhm. Of course. Throughout history, there have always been such attempts.”
“So there is precedent.”
“But none have ever succeeded. What about you, Necia?”
“No. I’ve never heard of anyone successfully creating one.”
“…Impossible, then. As expected.”

Right… creating a dungeon seems impossible.

But the witch gave a sly, teasing smile.

“Now, now… I wonder about that.”
“Huh?”
“Well, it’s not like starting from zero. The dungeon’s own will will cooperate fully. Though, of course, Kon has never actually created a dungeon before either.”
“That’s true…”
“I’ve also heard that labyrinths are trials given by the gods. Even you, Wof-kun, would find creation extremely difficult.”

Difficult… not impossible, then? Also, I hadn’t heard that the gods gave the trial.

“But, Wof-boy, even if Kon doesn’t know, others do. Fortunately, both you and Kon know the dungeon well… you’re acquainted with Riku Namazu.”
“Ah, that means…”
“Yes, yes. A former First-Class Explorer and Dungeon Master. He should still be working behind the scenes in some dungeon.”

Ah, Alexander-san. Makes sense. He does know dungeons.

“But I don’t know where he is now.”

If he’s inside a dungeon, then I’m stuck.

Yet the witch remained composed.

“Hahaha, don’t worry. Leave contacting him to Kon.”
“Oh, as expected of the witch. Th-thank you very much.”
“Now, now, the first person we need to ask for cooperation is someone important.”
“Me?”

Necia entered naturally.

The witch and I looked at her.

“Hmm hmm. Indeed, you are key for that cooperation.”

“Of course. I am the queen, after all.”

I suddenly wondered what happened to the original relics when Necia became her.

No, more importantly…

“The two major families, right?”

The Zenzera and Gouro families.

The current rulers of Heizen. I certainly cannot ignore them.

But… who will talk to them?

I—there’s no way. Especially the crab.

Belk Cafeteria – Kitchen

I am… I am at a loss.

Luma’s curse has been lifted. There’s no concern.

“…So what should I do now?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know what to do next.”

“…?”

“Cook the meal.”

“I know that.”

“After I cook, I’ll confess to Luma.”

“I know that too… wait, what?”

I turned to Shaldina, the maid beside me, peeling potatoes diligently.

Her black horn on her forehead indicated she was not a Faun.

Apparently, she’s of the Minosdoll race.

I don’t fully understand, but I get that she is Wof’s maid.

Like Annakreutzen and her sister Samarnia, checking ingredients, but Shaldina has white skin while Annakreutzen’s is blue.

Both maids work diligently, always in maid outfits.

Still… why does Shaldina always carry a cutlass?

“After I cook, you should confess to Luma.”

“W-why would you say that?”

“Because you like Luma.”

I was dumbfounded.

“Eh, no, I…”
“Be honest. Confess.”
“Ah! I’ll go buy tomatoes!”

I bolted. Running out of the cafeteria.

What the heck! Me confessing to Luma?!

“Hoss.”

I stopped. A woman was coming straight at me.

Black hair flowing to her waist, white sheep horns.

Tanned skin, light clothing with a blue ebron, and a white sheep tail swaying.

A beast-person of the sheep race.

Tall, shoulders bare, body impressively voluptuous, though slightly thinner than usual.

The mole at the right corner of her lips retained its glossy charm.

Luma stopped and looked at me with slightly moist pale green eyes.

“W-what are you doing?”
“I was curious about the shop.”
“You’re prepared, right?”
“Yes. I trust you, Hoss.”

She smiled faintly.

“…Why?”
“I wanted to see Hoss.”
“What?”

Her words were soft, barely audible.

“Are you going shopping, Hoss?”
“No tomatoes left.”
“Then let’s go together.”
“Sure, that’s fine.”

Luma walked beside me.

A soft, gentle fragrance made me feel embarrassed.

“Walking side by side like this… it’s been a while.”
“…I guess.”
“Yeah.”
“Right.”

She smiled faintly, the same smile from before.

We chatted casually as we headed to the market.

“I made a good friend.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m glad Hoss is reliable.”
“I….”

I had something to apologize for to Luma.

“Do you remember? The stew with miscellaneous meat.”
“Of course. I still make it.”

Luma picked up a tomato.

Slightly green, firm.

“The tomato shouldn’t be too red. Slightly sour is better. Just a suggestion.”

“Of course. I remember well.”

I picked a tomato too. Slightly firm and sour—perfect.

We bought as many as available and continued through the market.

“How’s the hydrangea miscellaneous meat?”

“Different from Heizen. Organs are richer.”

A regional difference, or due to the dungeon?

Monster meat quality varies by location.

“Then removing the smell must be tough.”

“I’m used to it. And it has richness and flavor that Heizen doesn’t.”

Heizen’s meat is milder, then. Perhaps because it’s a surface-type dungeon.

Luma picked up some vegetables and murmured:

“I’d like to try making it someday.”
“Then I’ll make it for you.”
“Really?”

Her face suddenly brightened.

“Yeah. If it’s hydrangea miscellaneous meat, the Skier Coffin Ele storage has plenty. I can make it right away.”

That storage is stocked with a massive amount of ingredients.

“…”
“What’s wrong?”

Luma chuckled softly.

“No, nothing. Then please, make it for me.”

“Leave it to me.”

Yes. This is the Luma I know.

I’m glad she’s back to her cheerful self.

“Hey, Hoss… do you have a partner? You didn’t before, right?”
“Nope. I’ve been single, exploring with two other men.”
“Since then?”
“Did you forget? I’ve always been bad with the opposite sex.”
“Bad with…?”

Luma looked surprised, as if hearing this for the first time.

I sighed. Can’t be helped.

“I’m a dwarf, so I never had confidence in my appearance.”

I hadn’t told anyone before. My looks… I just blurted it out.

“You cared about your appearance?”
“I’m a man too. Of course I care. Mostly, it’s because Luma is beautiful.”
“But Hoss, you’re handsome.”

Wha—? W-wha!?

“Hmm? Hey, Hoss, did you just call me beautiful?”
“Luma—don’t tease me.”

I said gruffly and looked away, walking a bit faster.

Luma hurried to keep up, but I couldn’t look at her or respond.

I felt shy and embarrassed.