episode_0091

“They’re blocking the dungeon!”

Mercy’s complexion immediately turned pale at those words.

It seemed to be a topic that other elves did not want to bring up.

“More, it’s a dungeon… ?”

I asked Mercy, who was muttering in disbelief.

“Isn’t there a dungeon here in the first place?”

“Yes… . It was like that originally.”

“Then… .”

While he was about to ask more, the elf’s attention was drawn to a bush.

Soon, several elves rushed over from there.

“It’s a ranger!”

The elves who saw him shouted.

… When I heard about a ranger, I thought of a rough-looking special class that patrols dangerous areas.

He was wearing simple yet rugged armor, half-hidden by a hat, and had a very cold look, something like that.

But, it’s no different from an ordinary elf?

At least it is different in that they wear leather clothes compared to other elves who wear fluttering cloth clothes.

“Ha, ha… . princess… !”

The rangers, the elves, were breathing heavily as they ran in a hurry.

“Back, back, back, back… !”

“First of all, let me guide you… .”

I looked at their clothes as they were out of breath and on the verge of fainting.

Her clothes were torn here and there, and there were a few small scratches as if she had just been injured.

The other elves who saw that were surprised.

“Blood… !”

“I’m hurt!”

“What should I do!”

Helena quickly stepped forward and healed the wound.

“Oh, thank you… . But why are humans here… .”

The healed ranger’s gaze turned to Mercy.

“Umm… . You are my guest.”

“You are a human guest… . Since you are a guest, let’s start with guidance… .”

“Wait.”

I intervened and cut him off.

“First of all, I want to take a look at that dungeon.”

“Yes? It’s dangerous there! This is a place where unidentifiable monsters are pouring out! You can’t send guests away! Even if you tried pouring dirt into the entrance or blocking it with rocks, the dangerous rocks kept coming out!”

“… I guess I have no idea what that tunnel is or how to solve it.”

It’s frustrating, but I understand.

If this is your first time in a dungeon, you might not know what to do or how to respond.

“Uh, uh, these customers are experts in handling dungeons like that?”

“… aha! After all, you are a princess! You foresee our problems!”

“It’s not like that… .”

“Come this way!”

The rangers hurried into the bush.

“… Let’s go.”

I led the group, who were dazed into a somewhat hectic situation, and followed them.

While we were wading through the bush, other elves constantly came out to watch.

It was as if curiosity and wariness were clashing, making a gesture of getting closer but also trying to retreat.

Regardless of whether they were small fairies or ordinary elves, there were many, many elves that became a spectacle.

“There are many elves who live their whole lives without seeing humans… . Please understand.”

Mercy spoke quietly next to me.

Then there was a commotion among the elves watching.

“The princess speaks to a human… !”

“Why? The princess is definitely… .”

“Princess! You’re safe!”

… It’s noisy.

It certainly doesn’t seem to correspond to the status of a princess in human society, as Mercy said.

She has the vibe of being the daughter of a popular village chief.

“By the way, isn’t there such a thing as an elf who has been devoted to swordsmanship or magic for 300 years?”

“That… hmm. As I said, we inherently try to stay away from conflict. It may be different for elves who are immersed in human society. Anyway, even if you study magic, it is extremely academic, and things like swordsmanship are also more important than actual combat… .”

“Are you only focusing on things like academic value?”

“Yes, yes.”

“Then what is a ranger?”

“Huh? It’s just my duty to go out to the forest that day and bring berries or mushrooms.”

“… Yes.”

Well, it’s so different from what I expected, but what can I do about elf culture?

“But, it seems like everyone knows you’re here without even seeing you in person. Is that also possible through the voice of the forest?”

“Yes, yes. yes. Because this place is full of life whose voices can be heard and heard.”

So, is this a much noisier place for Mercy than me?

“Why is that?”

“No, I should say that I personally covet it… . It means that you can convey your thoughts even if you are far away.”

In fact, it is possible for elves to communicate telepathically.

Of course, the environment will have to be fully prepared like this one, and it won’t be instantaneous like my Ring of Subordination.

The distance may not be unlimited, but… .

As I was thinking about forming a scouting team, it was inevitable that I would imagine the scouting team as elves.

“Hmm… .”

If there is an elf who is interested in human society, wouldn’t it be possible to take him with him?

But, when you think about it that way, doesn’t it seem strange that elves don’t know about dungeons?

“But, aren’t there any elves who go out to human society and come back? You wouldn’t know it if you lived here, but if you were an elf who came back from outside, you would have known the basics about the dungeon.”

“It’s very rare, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. But most of the elves who came back like that… .”

Mercy couldn’t finish her sentence.

This is because the ranger ahead shouted.

“There you go!”

The entrance to the dungeon could be seen in the bushes in the distance, and elves were sprawled around it as if they were tired.

Some of them recognized this place first.

“She’s a princess!”

“The princess is really back?”

Wherever she went, Mercy was always welcomed.

This was a passage that showed how well Mercy had been living here.

“Okay, it’s been a while. How has everyone been?”

“I was healthy!”

“Princess, what is the human world like!”

“Who are those humans?”

“Once.”

I went first.

“Let’s start with the dungeon.”

I said that and looked around.

The swords and spears held by the elves are rather crude.

There were many remnants of rocks on the floor with countless scratches.

If you can stop it with just these characters and weapons, it will be a very easy dungeon.

F-class dungeon. Judging by the rubble, it is a rock golem.

“Are there any people inside?”

“It was too dark so I didn’t go in!”

“Hmm.”

I think I can attack it without any problems with my current group, but I’ll have to check just in case.

This dungeon is not even in my memory.

“I will go in and take a look around, so everyone please wait here.”

“Neeh? Oh, alone… ?”

“It will be okay. I will come just to see it.”

“Joe, you need to be careful!”

I left the voices of my companions behind and went straight down the dungeon.

*

The dungeon matched my expectations.

An F-class dungeon with a rock golem.

There was only one road, and only rock golems guarded it sparsely.

I decided to take this time to properly check Lucia’s skills.

There was still an inherent curse left behind, but it was weak.

If you have the skills that I have personally confirmed, you can beat an F-level dungeon by yourself.

It might not be possible if you have the same physical strength as back then.

I removed all the curses and even fed him 1/4 of the elixir, so I guess his stamina would have returned.

The remaining unique curses are very weak.

After asking for understanding from the group and handing over all the necessary weapons to Lucia, I entered the dungeon.

It couldn’t be said to be a good weapon, but it was at a basic level.

“Can I just fight?”

Lucia asked as she warmed up after entering the dungeon.

“Yes. Do whatever you want, just win.”

Unlike Vivian and Helena, I did not tell them what to do.

Avoid and hit, or block and hit.

I was curious about Lucia’s talent.

It is difficult to compare it to Vivian and Helena’s talent, but if we limit it to simply ‘combat sense’, it is not enough to say that Lucia’s talent is innate.

She was optimized for fighting and achieving a winning result.

Indeed, what will they show in their first fight? .

-Kugugung… .

After a while, I could only stare blankly at the rising platform.

‘It’s too much…’ .’

what.

I feel complicated.

I feel frustrated but also proud… .

“Is this the end?”

Lucia asked after trampling the giant rock golem, the boss monster, as if it were a toy.

She finished the dungeon without stopping even for a single step, without breaking a sweat.

On the contrary, when asked if it was the end, I felt a misconception mixed with disdain, thinking that it was just this much.

“… Yes, that’s the end.”

“Umm.”

Lucia muttered, opening and closing her hands a few times.

“It’s worth it… .”

Again.

Just looking at Lucia reminds me of the first time I met Kylie.

I was disappointed because I thought I could reach this level with just talent.

But isn’t this a bit too much?

Kylie was originally a person who blindly believed in and pursued power.

This means that the experience itself was quite a lot when you met me.

But Lucia… .

‘Kylie got me after three months.’

How long will it take Lucia?

It’s almost bizarre to even think about this.

Now I’m thinking about Lucia, who cleared the dungeon for the first time, compared to Kylie… .

“Did I do well?”

Lucia asked innocently.

“… Don’t go anywhere and ask other people that.”

“Yes? Why?”

“I will criticize you for deceiving me.”

“… is it so? Is it that much?”

Lucia, who was looking at the fallen rock golem, looked at me and smiled.

“Ahaha, anyway, I feel good because they say I’m really good at it. It’s been a long time since I moved this comfortably.”

Lucia said, taking a step closer.

“Thank you. Thanks to Ian.”

The feeling of desperation could not last long.

I had such talented people on my side, and it couldn’t have been better.

“I will have to be more thankful from now on. Rather, a dungeon… You don’t know much about it, do you?”

“Yes. Why did that suddenly rise up?”

I briefly explained the dungeons and magic stones to Lucia.

“Ah, that’s the reward. It’s fun. The winner takes it all and the rest just have to look at it.”

I think Lucia will quickly adapt to this warrior environment.

Lucia came down holding the magic stone, and the platform sank.

I’m just about to leave… .

“Ah.”

Something fell from the ceiling onto my head.

When I looked down, I saw that it was a bracelet made of brown string.

“… What is this?”

Lucia asked.

I looked up at the ceiling for a moment before answering.

It’s a ridiculous hypothesis, but I wonder if an unknown person was hanging from the ceiling and happened to throw a bracelet made of leather straps at this exact moment to tease me.

Because that’s what I thought.

Of course that wasn’t the case.

That means soon.

“It’s an artifact.”

It meant a hidden piece.

“… Yes?”

And this dungeon is a place I don’t know anything about.

Therefore, I don’t know what this artifact is.

“Artifacts usually fall out like bat poop, right?”

“Why did you have to call the thing that fell on my head bat poop?”

“… Haha. Since it has a cave-like atmosphere, that’s what came to mind.”

There’s nothing to say because it’s a good reason… .

anyway. I need to check what this is.

“I’ll kick it first.”

I didn’t know what effect it would have, so I put the bracelet on before Lucia.

“It may be dangerous, so stay back.”

Lucia took a step back.

Mana flowed into the bracelet very little by little.

Then, a cool breeze swept through my body, and my entire body felt lighter.

I tested it by twisting my body side to side and rocking back and forth.

It simply wasn’t a mood.

My movements have definitely become easier.

‘Are you using the wind to assist your body’s movement?’

I once taught Sylvia a magic similar to this and had her use it when cooperating.

Although it is a bit different, this artifact alone can produce a similar effect.

“It seems to be an artifact that helps you move your body faster.”

I took off the bracelet and handed it to Lucia.

No matter how much I thought about it, it suited Lucia best.

“Are you giving it to me? What about other people?”

“Hmm… . I think other people will probably give in on their own, but let’s go out and ask. In my opinion, it suits Lucia best.”

“Hmm.”

Lucia rotated the bracelet and observed.

“Good. I will first ask other people and then decide.”

***

Vivian and Helena, who remained outside, were surrounded by forest elves.

In fact, it was not a siege, but rather a siege, as there were so many people watching from a certain distance.

The elves were very curious, but kept an obvious distance.

There was even an adult elf who stopped the young elf when he tried to approach.

Of course, not all elves were like that.

“Ah, there, ugh, ugh… .”

A female elf who had transformed into a fairy flew over, circled around Vivian, and sat down on her chest.

Even then, the innocent Vivian didn’t let go, and now she was jumping around on top of him.

“Ugh… . Oh, Mercy… . Help me… .”

But Mercy just looked worried with a serious look on her face.

‘… I never thought there was a way to play like that. Holy shit! Next time, I will definitely… !’

Only his face was serious.

“Ugh… . Please stop now… .”

“Hmm. Good!”

The elf stopped jumping and sat down on Vivian’s shoulder.

“Human! What is your relationship with the princess?”

“Umm… .”

When Vivian hesitated, Mercy glared at her.

“Oh, that’s it! That’s not it! Well, it’s hard to tell what kind of relationship it is… .”

“Hmm?”

“It’s true… .”

As Vivian cried, Mercy grinned.

“I know everything, you know! We, um, yeah. You could call me a friend.”

“Friend… .”

Vivian and Mercy mainly answered in that way.

On the other hand, there were few people who approached Helena.

Because her expression was not good.

Vivian and Mercy also noticed that Helena’s condition was not good recently, but they had nothing to say.

Because I didn’t share my concerns first.

Vivian was equally distraught, but for different reasons than Helena, and not as seriously as hers.

Then, suddenly, the other side of the bush became noisy.

Soon, a sturdy male elf appeared.

He had a neatly grown beard and was quite majestic.

Mercy recognized him immediately.

The male elf was the first to open his mouth.

“… Mercy. It’s been a while.”

“Ah, Dad… .”

“I can’t believe I didn’t look for Abby first when I came back… .”

The dignified man soon seemed to become sullen and lowered his eyebrows.

“Well, it’s not like that… .”

Mercy’s father and the king who rules the elf forest.

He looked at the group next to Mercy.

“You made a human friend. Are you close enough to enter this forest? .”

“Ugh… .”

“I told you so… . Elves treat humans… No, no. Still, there is no man… .”

Around that time, Ian came out of the dungeon with Lucia.

“En.”

Of course, Ian was surprised to see that the number of elves had increased significantly compared to when he came in.

I was once again surprised by the atmosphere of the male elf facing Mercy.

Black hair and black beard. Blue eyes.

Although the hair color is different, the overall impression is strangely similar to Mercy.

‘You are Mercy’s father.’

Since he is here to ask for a favor, Ian is worried about how to leave a first impression.

Mercy’s father immediately frowned.

“Mercy, I told you so, but… !”

“It’s not like that… !”

“How dare you end up having an affair with a human male!”

“… … .”

Ian sensed that something was wrong.