New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (2/3 chapters)
Request Completed
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(POV switch – Ifrina)
When I woke up, I was in a carriage. Looking outside, there were monsters scattered here and there, grazing without paying any attention to us. It was a familiar scene from the Empire. Though it was a familiar scene, I suddenly felt a slight sense of discomfort.
Wait? When did I change clothes? Where is my Arachnid suit? More importantly, why am I riding in a carriage?
—
I was asked by the Demon King to deliver a letter, so I returned to Andal. There, when I tried to report the current situation and ask for cooperation from the Guild Master, I was interrupted by the old receptionist. Well, it wasn’t really an interruption, more like she had become senile and was completely useless.
So, I slept at the inn, burned the adventurers who bothered me, and when the Guild Master came out after hearing the commotion, I reported the situation. Though it looked like his head and stomach were in pain, it was probably because of the heavy responsibilities of being the Guild Master. I heard that the Guild Master there used to be a bureaucrat; he probably worries too much about the small things.
“We can’t handle this here. Take it to Mustang’s Guild Master, or even to Baron Farce in the frontier. Also, return this statue. Make sure it doesn’t get lost. And I’ll prepare clothes and a carriage for you, so change and go immediately. Good grief, it’s an eyesore.” (Guild Master)
Ah, that’s right, I left my Arachnid suit behind and got into the carriage. I’d forgotten because I had slept too much. So, where am I now?
“Ah, you’re awake? We’ve already reached Mustang.” (Coachman)
It seems I slept for quite a while. Normally, I would have been taking turns resting with Selmina. That’s right, Selmina.
When I looked beside me, there was no one there. The sister who was always by my side is no longer here.
I wonder if Selmina is doing well.
—
When I reported the request to Mustang’s Guild Master, he made a difficult face, groaned, and then, he told me to go to Baron Farce. The words “being passed around” came to mind, but I didn’t mind because I had to go to Baron Farce anyway. I might have let those words slip out unconsciously.
“Lady Ifrina Helberth, yes? We’ve been expecting you. Please follow me.” (Claas)
When I arrived at Baron Farce’s mansion, for some reason, the butler was waiting in front of the door, as if he knew I was coming. Normally, when visiting a noble’s house, one makes an appointment, but since it was a hassle, I ignored it. So, there was no reason for someone to be waiting.
Perhaps it was just good intuition or good luck. It happened often. I followed the butler, who had already started walking. Losing sight of a guide in a noble’s mansion is tantamount to death. The butler stopped in front of what seemed to be an office and then knocked on the door.
“Milord, the adventurer has arrived.” (Butler)
“What!? I wasn’t informed!” (Farce)
“I just told you. Please, Lady Ifrina, you may proceed with the report.” (Claas)
Without waiting for Baron Farce’s response, the butler opened the door and guided me inside. He was quite amusing and brave. It would be a waste to leave him as just a butler. I wondered what kind of person this master was, since he was the client, but since the request came through the guild, I didn’t know his face. I expected something interesting, but he didn’t seem like a particularly interesting person.
My first impression was that he looked like a snake. His skin was pale, his eyes were sharp, and no matter what he did, he looked like someone always thinking of something bad. If his mouth had been slit, he would have perfectly resembled a snake.
“What is it? Do I have something on my face?” (Farce)
“Is it skin? Or perhaps the eyes or mouth? But glaring at a young lady is not what a gentleman does.” (Ifrina)
…For some reason, it sounded like the butler was hitting his master. Isn’t it supposed to be a master-servant relationship? Well, as long as it doesn’t disadvantage me, I don’t mind.
“I’ve delivered the letter to the Demon King… I did.” (Ifrina)
Since I had left all the noble interactions to Selmina, I was a bit vague, but it should be fine.
“Lady Ifrina, please don’t overdo it. You may behave as you normally would. Just give your report, and that will be enough.” (Claas)
“Hey, what are you doing on your own?” (Farce)
“Is that so? That’s a relief, I’m not good with stiff manners. The delivery of the request letter is complete. Along the way, I confronted the Demon King and lost without getting a scratch. Then, I was captured, but after showing the letter, they realized I was an envoy of the Empire and released me. And the Demon King said… what was it? Right, he said he wanted to negotiate immediately. This statue is supposed to be proof of the Demon King. Is that alright?” (Ifrina)
Not caring about Baron Farce, I finished the report, the butler clapped his hands, and Baron Farce held his head with a difficult expression.
Thinking too much about the details is poisonous to the body, you know?
“Yes, thank you very much. I will ask a few questions. First, the Demon King’s appearance, then what race he was. Also, how did he seem to think about the Empire?” (Claas)
“The Demon King’s appearance is just like that wooden statue. Because it’s something that modeled the Demon King’s figure. As for race, I don’t know just by looking. He didn’t say anything about the Empire, but since he forgave me just for saying I was an envoy, isn’t that not bad?” (Ifrina)
I see, the butler nodded and then took out three sheets of paper. Apparently, they were proof of request completion. Three sheets? Huh?
I thought at the same time, and then the butler told me where to write my name, and I was also informed that a top-class inn had already been booked. This means I have no choice but to write quickly and go rest. I finished writing quickly, and the butler smiled and checked, and after confirming there were no errors again, he clapped his hands. Then, from beyond the door, a maid appeared.
It seemed the maid would guide me. How well prepared. It was a top-class inn. Surely the food would be delicious, and the bed would be fluffy. I felt bad for Selmina, but I would enjoy it. The maid looked like someone guiding me to paradise.
—
(POV switch – Frace)
“So, what did you make her write?” (Farce)
Request completion documents—originally, something like that had not been necessary. If the reward for the request had been paid with tax money, then one sheet had been necessary, but three sheets had been unheard of.
“These are slave contracts.” (Claas)
In the first place, when Claas had taken actions that followed or gave a good impression of someone, it had usually been when he was planning something. Even if the other party had been me, his master, it had been the same. And that time, it had seemed he had planned to make her write a slave contract while getting carried away. And on top of that, the slave master field had been left blank. This had meant—
“An apology to the Demon King.” (Farce)
“Yes. Even if my lord has only slight fault, since the hired party took hostile action, we must make some kind of apology. So, I was thinking of presenting Ifrina and her younger sister Selmina as slaves to the Demon King.” (Claas)
“Again with doing things without permission.” (Farce)
“Is there a problem? Didn’t you do the same thing, Milord?” (Claas)
Even if it’s the same, there’s a problem in the process between doing it with and without permission. Also, it damages my reputation and image quite a lot.
“Ah, everything I said when Lady Ifrina was here was from the heart, so please be careful. Your gaze is scary, you know?” (Butler)
He’s not someone who cares at this point. And this isn’t something to care about at this point, either. It’s annoying to think everything is going according to Claas’s scheme, though.
“Anyway, no matter the process, it’s a big deal that we were able to contact the Demon King. I’ll talk about what’s next, but I assume you’ve already called the Guild Master. Bring him.” (Farce)
“Well, about that, when I tried to call him, he declined saying he had a stomachache.” (Claas)
“Stop letting him say foolish things and bring him right now!” (Farce)
“Yes, I thought you’d say that, so I brought him forcibly.” (Butler)
Why didn’t you just bring him from the start. No, I understand. It’s just harassment. And now he’s here—correction, the Guild Master was carried by multiple people. That’s not “forcibly” in a small way; he used a rather extreme method. Was it drugs?
“Sorry to disturb your rest. We would like to hear your opinion, so could you please wake up?” (Claas)
Claas tapped the shoulder of the Guild Master, who had been placed on the floor.
“U, uum… Hah!” (Guild Master)
“Good morning.” (Farce)
The awakened Guild Master looked around in confusion, saw my face and seemed to realize something, then looked at Claas’s face and lowered his head as if giving up. From the looks of it, he seems to have figured out the reason he was summoned.
“Now then, I’m sure you’ve also received the report, but the adventurer launched an attack on the Demon King while delivering the letter. Even if the Demon King forgives it, this is not something we can overlook. Therefore, we decided to offer the two adventurers as a token of apology to the Demon King. We’ll fabricate a crime or debt on our end. I’d like you to accept this.” (Farce)
“…With Dan gone, losing those two as well would be tough. Ah, no, no, understood. I’ll handle the groundwork too. Then, I may go home now, right?” (Guild Master)
“Regrettably, from now is the main subject.” (Farce)
It seems like he wants to run away, but I must ask the Guild Master something important.
For that purpose, I put forward the Demon King’s proof that Ifrina brought earlier, the Demon King’s wooden statue. At that moment, the Guild Master’s face stiffened. It seems he understands the matter.
“Great Forest of Owa’s Demon King Nobunaga. What is this guy’s race. What is he good at, and what is he not good at.” (Farce)
The Demon King’s true identity. Normally it is something that can be understood at a glance, but this Demon King resembles none of the demons on this continent. But the Adventurer’s Guild should have plenty of materials. I don’t think they would say they don’t know.
“After Ifrina left, we investigated, but it is unknown. There are similar Demon Kings, but we judged it to be a different species. There is also the possibility that he is altering his appearance with illusions, but the fact there is a wooden statue suggests he has self-display desire, and it is hard to think he would make a wooden statue of an illusion-changed form.” (Guild Master)
I began to feel dizzy.
If even the Adventurer’s Guild can’t identify him, perhaps it is better to think of him as a new species of Demon King. No, the fact that he shows intent to engage with the human race from the start means he should have been considered a new species.
“Claas, do you have any opinions?” (Farce)
Relying on him is extremely annoying, but since he is competent, I cannot ignore him.
“Let’s see, gathering information is important as well, but deciding the response to the Demon King quickly might be better. The Demon King seems to want to negotiate soon, and fulfilling his requests as much as possible will likely result in good impression. Ah, of course, if you want to delay and make the negotiation advantageous, please go ahead. In exchange, I will take a bit of time off.” (Claas)
I understand what he wants to say. What Claas says is correct. But does he have a curse that always says something irritating at the end? If I show an obvious reaction, then more thorny words will come, so I resolve to stay expressionless.
“Then, when shall it be. A near date is good, but considering the number of days the reply takes to arrive. …About (number) days would be just right?” (Farce)
“Milord, is it all right? Does the Demon King have the concept of calendar? If it is ‘after how many days’, it may be understandable, but if it is ‘on what day’, it might be difficult.” (Claas)
“Hmm, then what shall we do. Should we reply with ‘Anytime is fine’, or something?” (Farce)
“Yes, that would be best.” (Claas)
What I said intending sarcasm was readily affirmed, and not understanding his true intent, I looked back at Claas.
“Stupid face. …Excuse me, that was my heart’s voice. Ahem, the reason is, if the Demon King wants early negotiation, then he will come once the reply arrives. That being the case, to come to Mustang, he will likely pass through Andal. We prepare to some extent while waiting for contact from Andal, and Andal welcomes the Demon King while contacting us. As long as no poor actions are taken, it should be fine. Well, the Andal steward is a bit of a demon-hater and not very flexible though.” (Claas)
Truly rude, but the proposal is not bad. For a while I can’t accept faraway jobs, but there is likely nothing more important than a meeting with the Demon King. The only issue is the steward of Andal.
“Therefore, this time I am thinking to ask the Adventurer’s Guild for cooperation. The Guild Master of Andal was a former civil official, should have had good balance sense. If he is made to assist the steward, that would be good.” (Claas)
“Let’s do that, then we shall ask for cooperation. Of course you will cooperate, won’t you? Mustang’s Guild Master.” (Farce)
“Understood. If we send some alcohol, he’ll accept. But please be careful. He’s a guy who lost his civil servant job for drinking too much.” (Guild Master)
That area’s enforcement I’ll leave to Claas. If he appears publicly, he is good at making threats that aren’t seen as threats.
After that, we decided various small matters, and the Guild Master exited the room. Just when I thought the important talk was over and I could take a breath…
“Ah, I forgot to hand this over at the end. The inspection of the Duke’s territory seems to be finished, and they are heading this way.” (Claas)
At the very last moment, he brought out the most important letter. It was told to me verbally, but I looked over the letter just in case. The content was just as Claas said.
It seems we have to make preparations for that as well in parallel. Looks like it’s going to get busy.
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