A room in an inn located on a back street of Exil. Inside, two men were in the midst of a conversation.
Or rather, to be more precise, one man was desperately pleading with the other.
"I’m finished with those people! Never again! I refuse to have anything more to do with them!"
"...So, even a trap wasn’t enough to stop them after all. I had hoped to stall them on that floor for at least a few more days."
"Well, obviously! Luckily, I had the Robe of Concealment, so I wasn't found... but if that Crimson had spotted me and realized I was the one setting those traps, I’d be a dead man right now without a doubt!"
"Well, considering your opponent was Crimson, I suppose that’s true."
Perhaps it was due to Rei’s usual conduct, or perhaps because his actions on the battlefield—where he earned the Alias of 'Crimson'—were so iconic. Rumors had spread that Crimson was a man who showed no mercy to his enemies and was cruel to the absolute extreme.
In truth, Rei was indeed ruthless toward his enemies and occasionally resorted to brutal methods, so the rumors weren't exactly unfounded.
"Anyway, why are you messing with Crimson in the first place? We’ve never targeted specific individuals like this before. We didn't even do anything to Arbor's Edge..."
The man brought up the name of the B-Rank party that had currently reached the deepest point of the Dungeon in Exil.
However, his superior simply shook his head as if the comparison were irrelevant.
"Honestly, how far someone has conquered the Dungeon means very little to us. I suppose it matters to the people living here in Exil, but to us, it’s trivial. Our highest priority is the experiment he is conducting and the results it yields."
"I understand that, but... anyway, I’m done. I can’t lay a hand on Crimson's Entourage anymore. One look was all it took to see the difference in our caliber. If you intend to try something else, please find someone other than me."
"...Very well. It’s true that facing him alone is a suicide mission for you. In that light, your request has some merit."
"I mean it! I’m really, truly finished!"
The superior let out a soft sigh at his subordinate, who was speaking with a face full of desperation. He reached into a pouch in his breast pocket, pulled out several Silver Coins, and handed them over.
"For now, go get a drink and clear your head."
"...Understood."
The man reluctantly accepted the Silver Coins and left the room.
Watching him go, the superior turned his gaze toward the robe hanging on the wall.
"The Robe of Concealment, hm? It’s useful, certainly... but the fact that one cannot move while invisible is a glaring weakness. Still, the experiment being conducted here in Exil is indeed highly beneficial to us. But if I leave everything to him, he’ll surely miss the golden opportunity. ...Well, regardless of my next move, I suppose I must go and make my report."
Muttering to himself, he stood up from his chair with a bitter sigh.
"I’m exhausted today..."
"Yeah. We made quite a bit of progress in our exploration, after all. It’s only natural to be a bit tired."
Elena replied while sipping chilled Fruit Water.
It was already night, and the summer sun had long since set. Despite that, the air remained muggy, a testament to the peak of midsummer.
However, the Golden Wind Inn where Rei and Elena were staying was a luxury establishment. It was constructed to keep guests comfortable using Magic Items; the inn was filled with cool air, standing in sharp contrast to the sweltering heat outside. They even provided services like the chilled Fruit Water Elena was currently enjoying free of charge.
This level of luxury was possible because Exil was larger in scale than Gilm, and above all, because it enjoyed the bountiful blessings of the Dungeon.
...Though, that Dungeon brought as much danger as it did wealth. In a sense, it was the epitome of high-risk, high-reward.
At any rate, Rei was thoroughly enjoying service that surpassed even that of the Dusk Wheat Inn. He sipped from a cup of chilled tea and turned his gaze toward Elena.
Elena usually exuded a dignified, sharp aura, but now she radiated a sense of relaxed enjoyment, coupled with a certain dewy allure. The way she put the cup of Fruit Water to her lips was enough to unintentionally draw one's eyes.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Ah, no. It's nothing. ...So, about tomorrow, what's the plan?"
He asked quickly, trying to hide the fact that he had been momentarily captivated when their eyes met.
"What do you mean? We haven't obtained the Magic Item we're looking for yet, and more than anything, you've hardly gathered any Magic Stones, right, Rei? Naturally, we'll keep moving through the Dungeon."
"No, I didn't mean that. We'll start from the tenth floor tomorrow—that much is fine. But from what I heard from Vihera, the eleventh floor and beyond is a Desert, right? I have my Dragon Robe, and Seto is a Gryphon, so he's naturally resistant to environmental changes."
Rei said this, but even Seto felt the heat when it was oppressive. In that regard, the Golden Wind Inn had even installed cooling Magic Items in the stables—though not to the same extent as the main building—showing careful consideration for horses and Tamed Monsters.
For a moment, Rei thought he heard the sound of Seto purring happily in the distance, but he dismissed it as his imagination.
"...You're right. Even though I’ve absorbed the Ancient Dragon Magic Stone, it might be difficult to challenge the Desert Floor with my current equipment."
Elena's equipment consisted of a Whip-sword for a weapon. Her armor was the Pure White Light Armor, paired with a Golden Mantle that matched her hair and Sleipnir's Shoes, just like Rei. Every piece was a high-level Magic Item, perfect for the battlefield, but they were hardly suited for the desert.
"In that case, how about we skip the Dungeon tomorrow and check out a Shop for Adventurers?"
"A Shop for Adventurers?"
"Yeah. Since Exil is a Labyrinth City, they must sell specialized equipment. If there's a unique floor like a Desert, there's bound to be a shop selling the right tools and gear for it. ...We'll have to find such a shop first, but I'm sure we'll manage."
"I-I see. If you say so, Rei, then let's certainly do that."
Rei tilted his head inwardly as Elena answered, her cheeks flushing a faint shade of red. From Elena's perspective, this meant going shopping with just the two of them. In other words...
(Based on what Ara told me... this could be considered a date, couldn't it?)
She whispered the thought to herself.
Heading into the Dungeon was also technically just the two of them, but it was a stretch to call a monster-infested dive a "date." However, going shopping together was undeniably one.
"...Elena?"
"Hm? No, it's nothing. You're right, if we're challenging the Desert Floor, it's best to be prepared. Very well, let's go shopping together tomorrow."
Though slightly overwhelmed by Elena's oddly forceful tone, Rei nodded.
"A-Ah. If you're fine with that, then I don't mind. We've been diving every day since we arrived in Exil, so a bit of a break is probably for the best."
He recalled the owner of the Skewer Stall where they bought Lizardman Skewers every morning. The man had mentioned that Rei and Elena weren't normal for heading into the Dungeon day after day without rest. While they were far from ordinary humans, even they weren't immune to fatigue. Rei decided that a day off was a fine idea.
(It’ll be fun to just spend the day out with Elena, too.)
Rei himself was looking forward to the outing, and so the two of them stayed up late discussing how they would spend their shopping trip the next day.
"Don't screw with me!"
With a roar of fury, a cup was slammed onto the floor.
The owner of the voice glared at the person standing before him, his face flushed red with rage. Ordinarily, he would have loved to smash the cup right into the face of the man standing there with such a calm expression. However, he couldn't. Despite being younger, this man was the head of the group with whom he had formed an alliance.
"Even if you say that, we are equally troubled. After all, the Mutant Species... no, I believe the Guild calls them Anomaly Species? Regardless, the Anomaly Species we were supposed to be nurturing have been defeated."
The man spoke smoothly, his tone laced with subtle provocation. Unfortunately, the old man in front of him seemed oblivious to the contempt in the man's eyes as he continued to glare.
"...Who was it? Who defeated the specimens that were supposed to be my pawns?"
"We don't know the specifics yet. But surely, as the Head of House Rebisole, you could investigate that much with ease?"
"Hmph, it would certainly be difficult for the likes of you to uncover anything."
Shafner Rebisole—the old man who had been raging seconds ago—snorted proudly, convinced that the other man was admitting he couldn't even handle basic Guild intelligence without his help. He remained entirely unaware of the disdain in the younger man's gaze.
"Then, may I leave the matter of the Guild to you?"
"...Fine. Honestly, between you and my subordinates, everyone besides me is useless."
A twitch.
At Shafner's words, the man reacted for a split second.
"By 'subordinates'... did something happen?"
"Hm? Ah. That Crimson fellow entered my Exil. Since he's an Alias Holder, I had my subordinates keep an eye on him... it seems they offered him a Pickup Party but were rejected. Honestly, this is why the youth of today are so worthless."
Hearing the explanation, the man clicked his tongue inwardly while looking down on the old man who was so convinced of his own brilliance.
(What a fool. Doing that will only make the target suspicious. If you were going to monitor him, you should have done it from a distance... no, if it's Crimson, he would immediately notice if someone at the level of this man's lackeys was watching him. The result would have been the same. But now, how to handle him? Should we use the Robe of Concealment to monitor him? With that, we wouldn't have to worry about being spotted. But...)
The drawback of being immobile while using it crossed his mind, and the man shook his head slightly.
Shafner misunderstood the gesture. He nodded as if to say, "So you understand my frustration," and spoke.
"So, it seems there are many useless people among your subordinates as well?"
"...Yes."
The man nodded without a moment's hesitation.
Shafner let a smile touch his lips, never realizing for a second that the "useless person" the man was referring to was Shafner himself. He poured Wine into a fresh cup and brought it to his mouth.
"I thought so. One should experience as much hardship as possible while young. I was the same way in my prime."
"I am certainly experiencing a great deal of hardship."
The man spoke as if he couldn't be bothered to deal with the old fossil in front of him any longer.
"Now, if you'll excuse me. I must devise countermeasures for Crimson and, more importantly, observe the state of the Anomaly Species."
"Hm? Yes, very well. ...Remember, the only reason you people are permitted to operate in Exil is because I allow it. As my influence grows, so will yours. Don't you ever forget that."
"I am well aware. Now then, may the Blessing of the Goddess of Holy Light be upon you."
The man bowed elegantly and departed.
Once the man was gone, the faint smile on Shafner's face twisted into an ugly grimace, and he downed his Wine.
"Hmph, 'Goddess of Holy Light,' my foot. How irritating. They only managed to create those Mutant Species because of the research I was already conducting. And yet they claim their technology is superior? ...There is no way they intend to remain loyal to House Rebisole. I'd better prepare some countermeasures of my own, just in case."
He muttered to himself, closing his eyes to think.
...A few minutes later, when the mansion's Butler peered into the room, he found only the figure of Shafner, snoring loudly in his sleep.
"...As I thought, one must be careful when choosing an ally. There is a world of difference between a true partner and a disposable tool to be used and thrown away."
Looking up at the moonlight, the words of the man who had been speaking with Shafner dissolved into the night air of Exil.