Chapter 166

“I heard you were back, so I came to see your face.”

“I see. Thank you very much.”

Cres was slightly out of breath — understandable, considering how hard it must be to run around in full armor.

“I heard Kokuri called you in, right? Have you finished your business with her?”

“Yes, we’ve wrapped up our discussion. I’m just about to head to the Explorer’s Guild.”

“Oh? That place has been deserted ever since the dungeon vanished, you know.”

I see… so it really has become like that.
If I could somehow restore it using the core I possess…

“Kokuri asked me to try using the artificial dungeon core I obtained, to see if we could revive the artificial dungeon. So I thought I’d inform the guildmaster of that plan beforehand.”

“I see… So that’s what this is about. If it works out, you’ll have accomplished quite the feat, Shizuma.”

Cres said this with a beaming smile, as if she already believed the attempt would succeed.
Her openness and sincerity were charming — admirable in a way different from Shuris-san’s calm composure.

“Then I’ll accompany you. If the dungeon truly revives, we’ll need to inspect its interior and ensure there are no issues. The knights will also handle closing the guild and managing personnel for the time being. Most of the explorers have already relocated to Yasha Island.”

“Right, there’s no real reason to go there otherwise.”

And so, the two of us set off together toward the Explorer’s Guild.

“By the way, I heard that your sister, Shuris-san, went to Yasha Island?”

“Oh, word travels fast. Yes, she’s stationed at the island’s guest residence to welcome visiting nobles and has also been tasked with maintaining public order through her clan. Being entrusted with such a position shows just how much the Queen still trusts her, even after leaving the Knights. As expected of my sister.”

“I can tell you really admire her — you’re smiling so proudly.”

“Of course I do. I adore my sister. …But keep that between us, alright?”

“Understood.”

What a wonderful person.
Being able to express one’s emotions so honestly — it’s almost like a privilege of youth.
Yet Cres manages to do it even as an adult, with the right balance of sincerity and restraint.

A person with a sense of duty, patriotism, and real skill — and still capable of giving genuine praise and affection.
She isn’t the solitary type of leader; she’s one who makes others want to strive alongside her, someone worth supporting.

As we walked down the wooded path leading to the Explorer’s Guild — where the scent of trees carried the faint breath of early spring — I couldn’t help but think that Cres herself somehow suited this season.

“It’s been a while, Guildmaster Flügel.”

When I told the receptionist that I had business with the guildmaster, they immediately arranged a meeting — apparently, records still showed that I was under direct assignment from the Queen.

And so, I was ushered into the guildmaster’s office on the second floor—

“…Why are you here as well, Knight Commander Cres?”

“Oh, Shizuma’s matter involves me too, so I thought it would be more efficient if I joined.”

“…I see.”

For some reason, although the air wasn’t exactly hostile, I could sense a faint — very faint — aura of displeasure radiating from Guildmaster Flügel.

Curious, I activated Mind’s Eye to check what might be going on.
After all, the information it reveals tends to change depending on the situation.

Maybe this would tell me something…
Did I perhaps just bring together two people who don’t get along?

Fahren Flügel
Guildmaster of the Explorer’s Guild. A woman around the age where she’s beginning to think about marriage.
Close in age and friendly with Cres Veil — they share the same interests.
However, due to subtle differences in “factions,” they tend to avoid certain topics.
She belongs to the “I want to make them understand” faction.

Cres Veil
Knight Commander of the Holy Kingdom. A woman now beginning to consider her successor.
Close in age and friendly with Fahren Flügel — they share the same interests.
However, due to a past dispute caused by small “faction” differences, they now avoid those topics.
She belongs to the “I want to spoil them” faction.

…??? What is this supposed to mean?
Some sort of ideological rivalry?
But if they’re close friends and like-minded, shouldn’t they get along?

“So then, Shizuma-san — what is this matter you wished to discuss?”

“Yes, well—”

I explained Kokuri’s request, and how the artificial dungeon might be revived using the artificial core.
Naturally, this meant revealing that I was associated with the Expedition Brigade — the very group credited with saving the nation through that dungeon core.

“I’m surprised. I knew you weren’t an ordinary man, but to think you were part of the Brigade everyone talks about…”

“Heh, amazing, isn’t it? The Knights owe Shizuma a great deal. Despite his youth, he’s survived countless ordeals. If I could, I’d recruit him into the Knights on the spot.”

“Why are you the one bragging? …Anyway, I understand the situation. As you can see, the guild is mostly empty right now. I’ll issue an order forbidding anyone from entering the dungeon area or using the transfer devices.”

“Thank you. I’ll go ahead and try using the core then — please handle the instructions.”

“I’ll have a detachment of knights on standby, just in case.” 

Cres added.

“I appreciate it. Then, I’ll take my leave.”

I left the guildmaster’s office ahead of them, walking briskly down the quiet hallway.
Looking out at the nearly deserted Explorer’s Guild and the empty campsite beside it, I couldn’t help but feel — deeply — that a part of the city’s liveliness had truly vanished.

Maybe… just maybe, I was partly responsible for what had happened.

The true cause was probably the fragment of the natural dungeon core embedded in Isaka’s chest — taken out and removed from somewhere. Even so, I couldn’t bring myself to believe that I was completely uninvolved.

That was why I had to hurry. Because maybe — just maybe — I could be the one to break through this situation.

In the guildmaster’s office, after Shizuma left.

Just as Shizuma had seen with Mind’s Eye, the two women — old acquaintances — began to speak about the young man who had just exited the room.

“…You two seem to get along quite well, don’t you? You and Shizuma.”

“Yes. We’ve sparred together before, and we’ve worked on a few missions as well. We have some history.”

“…Of all times, when the guild is quiet and empty, he decides to visit — only for you to show up with him.”

“Of course I did. When I heard Shizuma was coming here, I had a bad feeling.”

In other words, Cres hadn’t accompanied Shizuma merely for the reasons she told him.
Her real reason was far simpler — and more protective.

“I couldn’t just leave Shizuma alone with a pervert like you in the current situation.”

“My, how rude. I only wanted to dote on him a little, that’s all. Maybe tease him a bit. I’m not planning the sort of thing you’re imagining, you uptight woman.”

“…Besides, even if you did try something, he’d probably turn the tables on you. As much as I hate to admit it, Shizuma is stronger than I am now. And don’t forget — he’s part of the Expedition Brigade. What do you think would happen if that entire group turned against our kingdom?”

What had seemed like a petty or even lewd reason for Cres’s presence was, in fact, a precaution tied to national security.

“…You’re right. Knowing who he truly is, I can’t make any reckless moves. The Brigade… they really are something else.”

“Yeah. I’d say most of them are on par with — maybe even stronger than — our kingdom’s Thirteen Knights. Especially… their leader. He’s absolutely terrifying.”

Cres spoke of Rue, the Brigade’s leader, whom she had only once served during a royal banquet.
But as a fellow warrior, she had sensed it — that overwhelming presence.

“Every movement, every breath — he perceives everything. I’ve never met a warrior who could suppress others just with his aura. Standing next to him, any fighter with pride would feel their fighting spirit drain away.”

“For even you, the Knight Commander, to speak of him that way… yes, that sounds like a force we’d better not provoke. Fine — I promise I won’t make any reckless advances. But perhaps… inviting him to dinner wouldn’t hurt?”

“If that’s all, I won’t stop you. Truthfully, I’d wanted him in the Knights myself.”

“That’s not all, though, is it? You seem rather fond of him.”

“…He’s cute, hardworking, strong, and sincere. And younger. Younger, I said.”

“You don’t need to say it twice. Well, let’s just hope we both find good partners someday.”

“Yeah… I’ll drink to that.”

And so their private conversation — one neither of them would ever want overheard — quietly came to an end.

“…So it does respond, huh.”

When I returned home, Melt had already gone out, just as she’d said she would.
But judging from the sight of tools soaking in the kitchen sink, she’d been working on some sort of potion before leaving.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but think again how versatile she was.
She hadn’t had much time lately, yet her violin playing had noticeably improved, and the fried shrimp I’d taught her once — she now made it perfectly.

When I had checked Melt’s information with Mind’s Eye before, I’d seen this note:

“Having trained her innate ability to ‘absorb knowledge’ to its utmost limit, she continues to grow rapidly even after losing that trait.”

In other words, she was both a born genius and a self-made genius.
Even stripped of her innate gift, she remained brilliant — a testament to her own will and talent.

Then, I immediately took out the Lindblum Dungeon Core and activated it.

As before, several menu options appeared before me, and I selected “Fortify Base.”

“The provisional base known as ‘Lindblum’s Den’ has been destroyed.”
“Would you like to use the Lindblum Dungeon Core to restore the base?”
“Upon restoration, the base’s scale and difficulty will increase.”
“Due to your faction Lendia’s rising prosperity, the quality of generated resources will also improve.”

I hesitated for a moment — was it really okay for me to decide this on my own?

But… this nation no longer needed to cling to small, temporary dungeons for survival.
If a new one could be established — one that was difficult but rewarding, that could draw people in and bring prosperity — then surely it was worth the risk.

“…Alright, I’ve decided. I’ll use it here and now. Then, I’ll head straight back to report to Kokuri-san.”

I hesitated for a brief moment, but I felt that this “New Lindblum’s Den” could become a new industry — a new possibility — for this nation.

Trusting that intuition, I activated the Dungeon Core.

“…If only this were related to raising the Order Summon limit, that would’ve been another story.”

Right now, I possessed the Dungeon Core of the Great Forest of Yumegaoka.
And the one I just used — the Lindblum’s Den core — had been in my hands as well.

Even so, the limit for Order Summons remained at one.
That must be because this was an artificial core.

If that’s the case, then there’s no problem using it.

After confirming that the core had been consumed successfully, I immediately made my way back toward the royal palace.

“Hmm! Shizuma, what’s wrong? Did you forget something?”

On the way back, I happened to bump into Cres-san, who seemed to be returning from the Adventurers’ Guild.

I told her that I had just used a Dungeon Core, that certain notifications had appeared afterward, and that I wanted to consult Kokuri-san about the possible effects.

“Oh-ho! Then let us go together again! If you’re with me, you won’t be stopped at the palace gates!”
“Ah, that’s true. Then, shall we go together?”
“Indeed! Let’s go together, Shizuma!”

And just like that, for some reason, she flashed me that same bright smile as before, and we set off side by side.

Honestly, I thought she’d rush back to the guild to handle security or something after hearing I’d used a core…

“…Shizuma, if you ever leave the Brigade and decide to live in this country, you must tell me.”
“Ah—well, I don’t think I’d become a knight, though.”
“Hmm… well, I can’t deny it’s not exactly a job with much freedom.”

We chatted idly as we walked down the road to the palace together.

Surely, this woman bore many burdens of her own — and yet, she continued to support this nation through its turbulent times.

If I could bring even a little comfort to someone like her… that alone would be a great honor.

Together with the Knight Commander, I passed through the palace gates without issue — as expected — and headed toward the research institute.

“…So it’s true, spring has finally come for the Commander…?”
“Don’t say something so outrageous! The Commander would never lay hands on a child…!”

Uh, excuse me? I can hear you, gatekeepers. That’s seriously rude…

There’s no way the nation’s Knight Commander would take that kind of interest in me for that reason…

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