Rei and Elena were conversing behind the inn, but when the words "artificial lifeform" suddenly left her mouth, his expression instantly shifted to one of shock.
"……Where did you hear that?"
He slowly pulled his hand away from hers. Elena’s fingers, as slender and white as porcelain, had been gently clasping his own.
The astonishment on his face was already gone, replaced by a sharp, calculating gaze as he tried to discern Elena’s true intentions.
However, even under such scrutiny, Elena remained unruffled and simply shook her head.
"Rest easy. I have no intention of using that information against you. ……Besides, the Seed of Restraint is already embedded within my body. You of all people should understand that I cannot speak of anything disadvantageous to you, yes?"
At the mention of the Seed of Restraint, Rei’s sleep-addled mind finally seemed to click into gear. His expression softened, and he exhaled a long breath.
"Was it that time when we first met Grimm?"
"Indeed. Everyone besides you and Seto had been frozen by Grimm-dono’s magic. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise; while my body was immobilized, my consciousness remained perfectly clear. I was able to hear everything said during that encounter. I suspect the Ancient Dragon Magic Stone I possess allowed me to resist the effects of his spell."
"……I see."
Rei nodded at her explanation and leaned back against Seto with a weary sigh.
Normally, he would have needed to find a way to silence her, but since the Seed of Restraint had already handled that necessity, he judged there was no need for further action.
"……So, now that you know, what do you plan to do, Elena?"
"Nothing in particular. Though…… well, if you were willing, I would be happy if you eventually told me more about your own world."
Rei looked surprised again, caught off guard by her nonchalant attitude.
"Is that all? I expected you to demand something more—like asking for the Power Axe for free, or shaking me down for other magic items."
"……Rei, do not underestimate me. Do I truly look like the sort of woman who would prey on a person’s secrets just to extort their possessions?"
Elena knit her brows and fixed him with a sharp glare. Rei instinctively tried to recoil from her intensity, but since he was already leaning against Seto, he had nowhere to go. He remained trapped under her piercing gaze.
After a few seconds of silence, Rei raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"My mistake. I definitely overstepped. I didn't mean to insult your character. Please, forgive me."
"Hmph. It is quite offensive to think you held such a low opinion of me. ……Well, no matter. Regardless, it seems the story about you being a mage's apprentice was a complete fabrication."
"Pretty much. But honestly, who would believe me if I said my soul was pulled from another world and placed into a body created as an artificial lifeform just so I could live again?"
Rei gave a cynical smile, and Elena answered with a small, understanding nod.
"Fair point. Had I not overheard your conversation with Grimm-dono, I doubt I would have believed it either. Especially the part about your soul being saved and sent here by the Majin known as Zephyle."
"Even I didn't think I'd end up in a world where thousands of years had passed since Zephyle’s death. I inherited his knowledge, but a lot of it has become obsolete over the millennia."
Rei muttered this while stroking the back of Seto, who was serving as his literal sofa.
"That is only to be expected. In a few thousand years, there are very few things that do not change. ……By the way, if the apprentice story was a lie, does that mean the magic items you carry are also……?"
Rei gave a casual nod to her hesitant question.
"Yeah. The Dragon Robe, the Sleipnir's Shoes, and the Bracelet of Magic Absorption. ……Plus the Misty Ring, which functions as my item box. Every one of them is the work of Estha Nor, an alchemist who belonged to the Zephyle Clan."
"Good heavens…… Do you realize the weight of those words? She is hailed as the greatest alchemist in history. It is said that even within the upper management of the Magic City Ozos—which currently houses the world's top-tier alchemists—there are many who claim to be the descendants of her disciples or carry her bloodline."
"That’s almost certainly a lie."
Rei’s flat rebuttal left Elena momentarily speechless.
"What do you mean?"
"Like I told you, I inherited Zephyle’s knowledge. According to his memories, Estha Nor was the type of person who would rather focus on her own research than spend a single second raising a disciple. She never married, either. ……Well, my information is limited to her time within the Zephyle Clan, so I can't be one hundred percent certain. Maybe she took a student before that, or maybe she had relatives who passed on the bloodline. But it’s unlikely."
"……Even legendary figures lose their mystery when you talk about them."
Elena let out a wry smile at the thought of a historical icon having such a blunt, antisocial personality.
The two continued their conversation for nearly an hour until a small figure approached from the inn. It was Linde, the boy responsible for the inn chores.
"Elena-sama, a visitor has arrived for you."
Aware that he was speaking to a noble, the boy used a polite tone, though his cheeks were tinged a faint pink by Elena’s striking beauty.
"A visitor?"
"Yes. A man named Worker from the guild is here. He said he wished to speak with you regarding recent events."
The mention of the name reminded Rei that the guild staff member at the dungeon entrance had promised to report their return.
"Now that I think about it, he did say he’d contact them. ……Still, for the manager himself to come here, he certainly has a quick turnaround."
"Well, he was on the younger side."
"……He is certainly older than either of us, Rei. What about you? Will you come with me?"
"No thanks. I’ll pass on the bureaucratic headaches. I think I’ll just stay here and rest my body for the day."
With a smile, Rei waved her off without moving from his spot against Seto.
"Phew. I suppose I am the party leader, so the duty of explaining what happened to Worker falls on me. Oh, one more thing. We are departing tomorrow, so be ready."
Elena stood up with a sigh and informed him of the schedule. Between the betrayal and the interruption of the ritual, she hadn't had a moment's rest. Fatigue was clearly catching up to her, especially since her body was still adjusting to the Ancient Dragon Magic Stone.
Rei gave a small nod, acknowledging the plan for the following morning.
"Guruuu?"
Seto, who had been a silent pillow until now, let out a soft trill as if asking, Are you okay? Its round eyes were fixed on Elena.
She flashed a rose-like smile at the creature’s concern, lightly patted its head, and then followed Linde back into the inn.
"Being a party leader seems like a lot of work."
Rei watched her leave, stored the bag with the two platinum coins into the Misty Ring, and leaned back into Seto’s feathers to enjoy a well-earned nap.
In the waiting area on the first floor of the inn, Worker sat waiting for Elena. When she appeared, he rose from his sofa and gave a respectful bow.
"Elena-sama, I apologize for intruding on your rest."
"Do not concern yourself. I intended to report to the guild before leaving town anyway. You coming here simply saves me the walk."
Elena sat on the sofa opposite him. Seeing this, Worker caught the innkeeper’s eye and requested black tea.
"This inn certainly lives up to its reputation among nobles and great merchants. This tea uses quite excellent leaves."
"Indeed. For a place in the frontier, this is a remarkably high-grade blend. ……Now then, your business?"
Every movement Elena made as she brought the cup to her lips was the height of elegance. Worker watched her with admiration before getting to the point.
"The Altar of Inheritance. I need to know what happened there. When a figure as famous as the Princess General challenges a dungeon and returns with half her party dead, I, as the guild manager of this jurisdiction, must have an official record of the events."
"……I see. Your request is reasonable, but there are things I can speak of and things I cannot."
Elena deliberated internally. This was a matter involving the defection of Viscount Sails’s House—a family close to her father, Duke Kerebel—to the Bestia Empire. It was not information that could be released lightly.
(To be precise, they likely haven't finalized the defection yet. It is a race to see whether my letter or Vel’s report reaches my father and the Viscount first.)
Worker took a moment to process her words. He was a man capable enough to be put in charge of a frontier guild despite his youth. He immediately grasped the political weight behind her statement and gave a short nod.
"Understood. Please, tell me only what you are able to."
"Very well…… In short, two of my subordinates were lost to dungeon traps and monster attacks."
"……Traps and monsters, you say?"
"Yes. Traps and monsters. ……You understand the implications, I trust? It is in your best interest to leave the official report at that."
The two locked eyes for a long, silent moment. Though neither moved, the air in the room grew heavy with a tension usually found only on a battlefield.
"……I understand. I have no desire to be swallowed by political currents. If that is Elena-sama's official statement, I shall record it as such."
"I appreciate your discretion. I will see to it that a gratuity is delivered to you later."
"I would say it is unnecessary, but…… this is a small frontier guild. If you are offering support, I would be happy to accept it."
Worker offered a bright smile, the previous tension vanishing instantly. Elena smiled back.
Both were smiling, yet both expressions were hollow. Worker’s smile was a professional mask, while Elena’s was a porcelain-perfect facade. Neither was an expression of genuine emotion; they were purely ceremonial.
Both knew this, yet neither let the mask slip.
With a graceful movement that hid the cold reality of their diplomacy, Elena pulled a card from the pouch at her waist and placed it on the table. It was the privilege card Worker had lent her before the expedition.
"I am returning this to you."
"Thank you. I hope it proved useful?"
"It did. Thanks to this card, we were able to bypass the lines and avoid wasting time at the dungeon entrance."
"Then I am glad it served its purpose."
Worker tucked the card into his pocket, his smile unchanging.
"Returning this card…… am I to assume your business with the dungeon is concluded?"
"Mhm. Everything that needed to be done here is finished."
"And your departure?"
"Tomorrow morning."
A flicker of relief crossed Worker’s face. Elena was the daughter of Duke Kerebel, a pillar of the Noble's Faction, and a renowned general. If she had died in his dungeon, the fallout would have likely razed the town to the ground.
Elena gauged his reaction while maintaining her polite front.
"By the way, if you don't mind, could you tell me about any impressions you had of the dungeon?"
Elena sipped her tea as she recalled the trek.
"The first three floors were manageable since we had maps, but after that, we were traveling blind. I was surprised to find a forest on B4F, and the encounter with the Water Monkey troop was quite a battle. B5F was……"
She paused for a second.
(Grimm-dono must remain a secret. Which means I cannot mention the infinite loop trap, either.)
"Elena-sama?"
"My apologies. Regarding B5F, it is a den of the undead. The stench of decay is so overwhelming that the sense of smell becomes a liability. It would be a nightmare for beastmen or anyone with heightened senses. B6F was a minefield of traps. And the lowest floor…… we did not engage it, but seeing the S-Rank Silver Lion guarding the dungeon core was a shock. ……I believe that covers the essentials."
"Thank you. Very few adventurers ever reach the sixth floor or below. This information is incredibly valuable to the guild."
"Think nothing of it. You provided us with several conveniences, so consider this an equal exchange."
They spent another ten minutes discussing technical details before Worker finally stood up.
"I must apologize, but I should return to my duties. Our guild is small, and we are perpetually short-handed."
"Of course. You have been most helpful. As I said, we leave tomorrow, so this will be our final meeting."
"Indeed. Safe travels, Elena-sama."
Worker gave an elegant bow and exited the inn. Watching his back, Elena finished her tea and headed to her room.
Exhaustion finally claimed her, and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. Thus passed the final night in the village born from the dungeon.
As for Rei, he remained asleep outside until Linde finally woke him up. Seto, for its part, was in an exceptionally good mood after spending a rare, quiet afternoon alone with its master.