117 - The Beim-Style Dungeon Raid
Dungeon raids in Beim were conducted in a style where they would set out only after gathering the personnel deemed capable of completing the subjugation.
Subjugation was necessary because if a dungeon were left alone, monsters would erupt all at once, causing great damage to the surrounding area.
At times, there were towns or cities that attempted to manage them to reap enormous profits. However, managing one required a corresponding amount of personnel.
It involved many hassles, starting with the management of the dungeon's periphery and extending to cooperation with the Adventurers' Guild, not just the efforts of the lord.
If managed successfully, a dungeon became a place that produced immense wealth.
They would continuously spit out monsters, providing a massive supply of magic stones. Occasionally, treasures could also be discovered.
As long as the treasure in the deepest chamber was not taken, the dungeon would continue to bring wealth without disappearing. However, if they failed, a massive number of monsters would spawn, and there was a danger that the town or city that failed in its management would be destroyed.
The guild in Beim sometimes received requests for subjugation from elsewhere, but they also had their own investigation team and seemed capable of discovering dungeons themselves.
They were capable, but their purpose was investigation, and they did not possess the equipment needed to challenge a dungeon.
For that reason, the guild dispatched adventurers.
"And so... I'd like us to go on a dungeon raid in one week."
After returning to the inn from the guild, I gathered everyone, who were all exhausted, and gave them the explanation.
Shannon, clutching a pillow, looked sleepy and wasn't even listening to the talk.
As for Monica, it was more that she had no interest; if I said I was going, she would go, and if I said I wasn't, she wouldn't, so I didn't ask for her opinion.
She prepared tea for everyone and, once finished, returned to wait near me.
Aria brushed back her hair.
"More importantly, what are we doing about the reward this time? You're not going to say we're using it for preparations for the dungeon raid, are you?"
While the raid itself was not an issue, it seemed Aria had no intention of compromising regarding the reward.
The rewards were split cleanly nine ways, and I paid them out every time.
"I plan to use the money we earned in Central this time. Actually, I'll provide some preparation funds from my side, so please get your equipment in order. I'll go to the guild tomorrow to request participation, and while I'm at it, I'll check how much time will be required."
Though I called them comrades, our party was small.
I possessed a large sum of money, but since earnings were split cleanly nine ways, there was no such thing as party funds.
Normally, because we took that approach, the tacit rule was that preparations were handled from one's own reward.
Eva looked slightly relieved.
"That's a help for me, since I haven't been participating for long. I mean, it's my first time with a dungeon, so I don't know what to get... Oh, let's go shopping together, Novem!"
Novem gave a wry smile at the clinging Eva.
"I suppose so. What about you, Mei-san?"
Mei, who looked young, was sitting on the sofa drinking cocoa that Monica had prepared. She seemed to prefer sweet drinks over things like tea.
"I'd like to go shopping. But I don't really need equipment. Besides, it's not my first time in a dungeon. I've actually experienced wiping out several of them."
Everyone turned a surprised gaze toward her, but even though she took the form of a girl, her true form was a Kirin.
Short golden hair and blue eyes.
Though petite, her chest was large, and Mei—who wore an outfit that looked cold, exposing her navel, shoulders, and thighs—was not human.
Novem said,
"Then shall we buy a robe or a coat? That outfit looks cold, and it's conspicuous."
Mei nodded at Novem's opinion.
"Hmm, then that'll do. I don't really understand how to spend money anyway."
While Mei was fine with that, the problem was Aria.
Monica looked at Aria, bringing the tray to her mouth to hide her grinning face.
"That's great; now you don't have to worry about your equipment."
Aria was someone who always spent a lot of money.
It wasn't that she was idling away her time playing, but rather that Aria used several types of equipment, which cost money. That was also why I decided to provide preparation funds.
(Besides, she was saying something about replacements the other day.)
However, Miranda, who consumed tools in a similar fashion, managed her finances well. Because of that, Aria's position was weak.
Aria averted her gaze from me and Monica, shutting her mouth. Miranda looked at such an Aria.
"Aria, you should think a bit more about how you spend your money. Your income has increased, but you know that Beim costs money for various things."
Aria made an excuse.
"...The timing was just bad. Besides, there were replacements, and if I'd known a dungeon raid was scheduled, I would have..."
(Well, I thought so, which is why I prepared the money.)
At that moment, Shannon, clutching her pillow, was nodding her head up and down as if she were rowing a boat.
Exasperated, Miranda pinched the sleeping Shannon's cheek with considerable force. With tears in her eyes, Shannon let go of the pillow and struggled to pull Miranda's hand away from her.
Then, once released, Shannon said,
"...Hey, wouldn't it be fine if I just stayed behind? I'm not a combat asset, so I think I should just relax in Beim."
To the younger sister who told her to treat her as a non-combatant, Miranda brought down a fist with a smile.
I said,
"Rejected. Can we really afford to leave someone behind in Beim with only nine people? Besides, I'll have you stay behind at the Base."
By Base, I didn't mean the guild we were using.
When challenging a dungeon, the adventurers of Beim prepared simple tents for sleeping and staying. When these gathered, the scale would exceed a hundred people even if small, and if large, it would exceed a thousand.
Since the adventurers returning from the dungeon needed a place to rest, a stronghold on the surface was necessary. That was the Base.
I looked at Clara.
The quiet Clara was sitting on the sofa drinking tea.
When I directed my gaze toward her, she simply nodded, as if there were no problem.
Having been an adventurer in a city with a dungeon from the start and possessing abundant experience as a support, Clara seemed to have no issues.
I wrapped up the discussion.
"I'll go and ask about the necessary details tomorrow. I'll hand over the preparation funds when I explain those things."
Everyone began to move toward the dungeon raid a week later.
The next morning.
Upon leaving the inn, I happened to meet an unusual acquaintance.
When I stepped outside, the narrow-eyed man I had spoken with on my first day in Beim was walking in front of the inn.
"Ah, hello."
"Oh, good morning, Mr. Promising Rookie."
The smiling narrow-eyed man called me a promising rookie. When I tilted my head, he seemed to understand and explained the situation.
"You're famous at the East Branch. After all, word is that you were brokered for a dungeon raid within a month. There's a rumor that you must be a renowned adventurer. Since I guided you on your first day, people gather around me seeking information. Thanks to that, I've made some money."
Looking at the narrow-eyed man who claimed to have made money by selling information about me, my cheek twitched. However, the opponent saw right through my feelings.
"It's alright. I didn't give away any particularly great information. I did say you seemed like a capable adventurer, though. Thanks to that, I had sufficient income this month. Yes! As I thought, it's great when an adventurer I guided becomes famous!"
While I looked at the smiling narrow-eyed man in exasperation...
"By the way, Lyell-kun."
"What is it?"
When I looked at him with half-closed eyes, the narrow-eyed man raised both hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Don't be angry. I really didn't have any great information, I just answered what I was asked. More importantly, you're heading for a dungeon raid, right?"
"Well, yes."
When I nodded, the other said,
"Then, why not buy some information from me?"
I hesitated for a moment in my judgment, but I decided to listen to what he had to say for now.
"Depending on the content. So, how much?"
"What, since I've earned from you, breakfast will do. Actually, I know a delicious shop. The breakfast there is popular."
In other words, if I treated him to breakfast, he would tell me the information.
Even if I was heading to the guild, I had time to spare, so I decided to purchase information from the narrow-eyed man.
With the Sixth Generation's skill [Search], the opponent's reaction remained blue. Caution was necessary, but it should be fine just to listen to the story.
"I understand. I'll treat you. That's all, right?"
"It helps that you're quick to agree."
Led by the excited narrow-eyed man, I headed toward the shop he introduced.
It was a shop that was crowded from the morning.
There were many customers who looked like adventurers, and some were ordering steaks and alcohol from early in the morning.
(A sight typical of adventurers.)
There were managed dungeons in Beim as well, and many adventurers challenged them. And since they spent time inside dark dungeons, they sometimes returned early in the morning.
When that happened, the number of shops that did business like this from the morning for adventurers increased.
(It was the same in Alamsars, so it's not unusual.)
The shop itself was spacious, and sturdy tables and chairs were placed throughout.
The narrow-eyed man ordered from the breakfast menu and ate. As for me, since I had eaten at the inn, I only ordered a drink.
After watching the narrow-eyed man for a while, he finished eating, wiped his mouth, and told me the information I was after.
"Now then, I have to do the work for the reward. Being able to challenge a dungeon raid means you are an adventurer recognized by the guild. Well, I hear that even if one's conduct is poor, they might be brokered if their strength is outstanding, but adventurers with that level of strength leave the East Branch."
Inside the Jewel Orb, the Fourth Generation was summarizing the information heard from the narrow-eyed man.
'Even if it's a meritocracy, they look at a certain level of humanity, then. Since Lyell was recognized in a short period, did he stand out?'
The narrow-eyed man continued his explanation to me.
"You caused a problem immediately after coming to Beim, didn't you? A duel commotion."
"Yes."
"It seems Krate Benini, who stepped in to mediate that, was also chosen for this dungeon raid. It seems it took about half a year, but he has a reputation for being serious. In contrast, a party led by a man named Albano, who looks exactly like a playboy, is also participating. Actually, Krate and Albano came to Beim around the same time."
"And what of it?"
The narrow-eyed man gave me a warning while drinking his beverage.
"Both are extreme types. Albano is flighty and shrewd. He originally led a group of thieves, so he has mobility. In contrast, Krate's party is truly heavily armed and suited for combat. However, Albano is resourceful. He's been brokered for the dungeon raid since several months ago. Well, how should I put it... Krate has a sense of rivalry toward Albano, and Albano, knowing that, teases him; that's their relationship."
The voice of the Seventh Generation came from within the Jewel Orb.
'...Why did they request the raid together? The guild is indeed incompetent.'
I agreed.
If any problems arose, it would be a hassle for us.
The narrow-eyed man continued explaining to me.
"The main party consists of knights led by Alette Baie. Perhaps she's on a warrior's pilgrimage? It seems she came with some troublesome purpose. Her combat power is high, and her support is reasonably comprehensive. Her skill is high. Also, a solo adventurer named Marina is participating. Other than that, there are no famous names."
Hearing that a solo adventurer was participating, I found it strange.
"A dungeon raid despite being alone? Does she have some special skill?"
Basically, being a solo was rare. There were adventurers like Clara who provided support and helped several parties, but that wasn't unheard of.
However, the fact that an adventurer brokered for a dungeon raid was a solo one concerned me.
"She's quite strong. An exceptional kind of strength. You could call her a sort of battle maniac."
The narrow-eyed man laughed, saying things like "As long as you don't do anything rude, she apparently won't lay a hand on you, so it's fine," but I couldn't laugh.
(Exceptional? On the level of Celes?)
What concerned me was this adventurer named Marina, who was said to be that strong. If she was strong, I definitely wanted her cooperation.
"Alette is apparently already decided as the next vice-commander of the knights in some country, so she's a person on the commanding side. She is also the person responsible for this raid. Well, money isn't her goal, and since she's serious, she's reasonably popular among her peers."
What the narrow-eyed man provided as information was data on the other parties participating in the dungeon raid I was joining.
Having finished his drink, the narrow-eyed man smiled at me.
"Was it helpful?"
He asked.
"It was worth more than the cost of breakfast. Ah, and there's something else I wanted to ask separately."
"What is it?"
To the narrow-eyed man, I—.
"You said you were an information broker, but what kind of information can I buy? Information on neighboring countries and such, can I buy various things? I'd like to know in detail."
Then, the narrow-eyed man shook his head.
"It's not my main profession. I can gather things on the level of rumors, but I can't get verification. If you want to buy from a professional information broker, I can introduce you. However, they vary wildly. There are people like me, and then there are those who handle information professionally. Naturally, if you buy information from the professional crowd, you should expect the price to jump."
I thought that it would indeed cost money, and I picked up my cup to drink. However, the contents were already empty.
(Impossible for now, then. But conversely, it means as long as I can manage the money, I can get an introduction.)
I said to the narrow-eyed man.
"Then, when I've become able to earn, please introduce me to a master."
Thinking I was joking, the opponent shrugged his shoulders.
"Sure. Once you've become able to earn, that is."
I picked up the bill on the table and stood up from my seat.