Progenitor-san’s teleportation magic was unusable anywhere within the dungeon, not just on the beach where the Final Trial took place. If it had worked, I would have gone back to the first beach to fetch some supplies. I really wanted to feed Zabuton’s children some steamed potatoes, and I was getting hungry myself.
While the Lamia race had been hauling items into the dungeon, they only went as far as the waterfall. If we stayed here waiting, we wouldn't get anything to eat. I doubted anyone emerging from the trials would be carrying rations, either.
The sun was still high, and it was a bit early for dinner, but the winter sun sets in a heartbeat. I needed to start preparing soon.
I looked at the members of the Sea Race gathered before me. I suppose I’d have to rely on them for ingredients. But wait—how exactly were they moving around? I decided to ask a young merman.
"We can come and go as we please by sea," he explained.
"I see. Do you know where the beach is? The one where we were all gathered?"
"You mean near the river where the dungeon entrance is? Yes, I know it."
"Great. If I put together a raft or something, could you help transport things?"
"I wouldn't mind, but... look over there."
I followed the merman's gaze and saw a small boat being pulled through the water by members of the Sea Race. Onboard were three Lamias.
"I figured you’d be waiting here, so I sent word to the other side," the merman said. "Was that a problem?"
"No, not at all. It’s a huge help. But..." I hesitated. "Those Sea Race members pulling the boat... aren't they from the first beach? Is that allowed? I thought only the racial chiefs were supposed to know about the dungeon's secrets."
"Well, the chiefs can't exactly manage everything on their own," he replied with a shrug. "I’m not a chief, and yet here I am."
"Uh..."
"To be blunt, the secret isn't exactly ironclad. If someone asks, the chiefs will tell them. But the catch is that anyone who hears about it gets pressed into helping with the upkeep, just like me."
"So the people pulling that boat are..."
"Recruits who'll be helping manage the dungeon from now on. Honestly, I'm just happy the cleaning work is going to be easier."
Well, I decided to let the Sea Race handle their own business. I wouldn't meddle. However, I did ask for one thing: that they forgive the ones who had been eager to start businesses. They had worked hard, after all.
The Lamias arrived, bringing cooking tools and raw ingredients rather than prepared meals.
"The maids suggested that if the Village Head was free, this would be more appreciated," they told me.
"I see. Thank you."
Looking at the tools and ingredients, I realized I could probably make something elaborate, but since we were on a beach, a barbecue seemed more fitting. I turned to the Sea Race.
"I’ll leave the seafood to you. I’ll provide the meat and vegetables. Of course, you’re welcome to join us."
Since there were iron plates and noodles, I decided to whip up some yakisoba as well. Last night, I felt like curry and ramen alone hadn't quite hit the spot. When you think of a beach shack, you think of yakisoba—usually the kind with barely any ingredients. But since we had a bounty of fresh catch, I decided to make a deluxe seafood yakisoba. Delicious is justice, after all.
I didn't forget to steam the potatoes for Zabuton's children, and I threw some corn on to grill while I was at it. Then came the main event: the barbecue. I decided to use skewers to keep everyone’s hands clean. I started prepping enough for everyone.
Just then, a trio of Kuro’s children arrived. I gave them a warm welcome, but warned them it was too early to relax. They still had the Final Trial to face. I looked at the Sea Race.
"Ready?"
"Actually," one of them said, looking at the grill, "is it okay if we just count this barbecue as the trial?"
"If you’re sure, I don’t mind... but are you certain? Isn’t this a sacred tradition passed down through generations?"
"Well... delicious is justice."
It didn't feel much like a trial, but we enjoyed the barbecue on the beach until a good number of people had gathered. It was a real shame it was winter.
Once the sun had fully set, Reginleiv and Progenitor-san used light magic to illuminate the area. Bathed in that magical glow were the elite few who had successfully cleared the dungeon: me, Reginleiv, Progenitor-san, seventeen of Zabuton's children, sixteen of Kuro’s children, Galf, and the High Elves and Mountain Elves.
The Sea Race and those who hadn't cleared the trials gave us a round of applause. The non-clearers were only there because the Sea Race had worked hard to ferry them over from the first beach by boat.
The wolves and spiders who hadn't cleared the dungeon were visibly sulking. I tried to comfort them; it was mostly just a matter of bad luck. Lu, Tia, and Ria’s groups had also come up short. I told them they'd get it next time. Daga’s group had been stopped by the Great Rock Trial—that part was indeed a major hurdle.
Then there were Urza, Alfred, and Tiselle. They had the look of people determined to try again tomorrow. I warned them that our schedule depended on what was beyond the Teleportation Gate, so they shouldn't be too upset if they didn't get another chance immediately.
The Teleportation Gate, which had been in the shallows earlier, was now sitting on the sand due to the receding tide. We could enter without even getting our feet wet. Apparently, the gate didn't require you to have cleared the dungeon to pass through, so Lu, Tia, and Ria decided to come with us.
Urza and the others, however, refused. They didn't want to go through until they had cleared the dungeon properly. I admired their integrity and gave them my approval.
"Wait for us at the first beach," I said. "Daga, I'm sorry, but I’m leaving their protection to you."
As for the wolves and spiders, only the ones who had cleared the dungeon would be moving on. The rest would guard the first beach until our return.
With that, it was time to depart. We approached the Teleportation Gate.
...Ah, so I’m not allowed to lead the way? Understood.