64 - Chapter 4 Epilogue
Having successfully conquered the thirtieth basement floor, I paid a visit to Damian's laboratory.
It took two days to return.
In reality, it was only about one day.
By boarding the Porter to move through the labyrinth and choosing a safe route back to the surface, I was able to return in that amount of time.
Shannon looked exhausted from the unfamiliar environment, but other than that, there were no particular problems.
After returning, I finished reporting to the guild, using the captured adventurers as witnesses.
Today, I had come to Damian's laboratory regarding Poyopoyo—now renamed Monica.
It was a good thing that I had finished breakfast and appeared at the academy with Monica in tow.
However, Monica herself was—.
"Prostrate yourselves, mass-produced units. I, who have received the name 'Monica' from my Master, am different from you mass-produced goods called by numbers."
Chest puffed out, she was acting arrogant in front of three of Damian's automatons.
"How frustrating! It would have been better if you had just stayed destroyed!"
"You deliberately took the attack for the sake of the situation, didn't you... As expected of a custom-made model. Your filthiness is also custom-made."
"Such despicable means... are beyond our imagination."
(I wonder if these guys actually get along?)
The three automatons looked at Monica with frustrated expressions.
Monica was basking in a sense of superiority upon seeing those expressions.
Damian spoke.
"The insides are visible and red liquid splatters... The ancients were truly amazing."
I reported to Damian about Monica's formidable self-repair function, which she possessed despite having been destroyed.
Upon receiving the report, Damian pushed up his glasses and fell into thought.
"You're not going to say you'll break her for an experiment, right?"
I asked because I became a little worried, and the ones who reacted were the three automatons.
"If it is Master's order."
"Yes, we are ready at any time."
"Come, right this instant!"
Seeing the automatons who desired to be destroyed, I became convinced that they were of the same sort as Monica.
Damian scoffed.
"For what purpose? I'm busy with my own research. I've already dumped the automaton research onto other professors."
Damian, having no interest, seemed to have handed over the automaton research to others.
It seemed he had gathered the data he wanted and was now busy with his own research.
"Then, I guess I don't need to report anymore?"
When I asked, Damian shook his head.
"I'm interested in things other than automatons. The Porter. The adventurers are being noisy and it's a nuisance, but the academy has taken notice of it."
Damian had an exhausted expression, but a voice came from the jewel.
It was the usual Fourth Generation.
『Ho... Riel, the time has come to sell your know-how at a high price. The Porter is something adventurers would want even if they have to push themselves. I'm sure they'll offer thousands of gold coins... you understand, right? First, propose a huge amount—』
I ignored the Fourth Generation and spoke with Damian.
"If you can shut the guild up, I'm fine with handing over the data so far. I'll also include the blueprints for a simplified version of the Porter, so it would be a help if you bought it for a reasonable price."
Damian looked at me.
He looked a bit puzzled.
"Is that okay? There are many people making a fuss that it will bring in a considerable amount of money."
Certainly, its value was great within the labyrinth.
However, the Porter basically doesn't reach much speed.
Its movement speed is slow, and it has a structure specialized for the labyrinth.
The Fourth Generation began to make a fuss.
『What are you saying, Riel! Take this huge sum of money and put it in savings—』
The Fifth Generation stopped them.
『If you have that much, you'll just be targeted instead. Moderation is best.』
Besides, the data I possess is certainly precious right now.
But if the academy gets serious, they'll gather it in no time.
At the same time, I didn't think things would go that smoothly.
"I know because I've used it, but while it's certainly excellent for carrying luggage... it requires some talent to handle, and above all, it requires a mage of mid-tier or higher. With a large Porter, you can't even pass each other on a single path inside the labyrinth."
The simplified version can go up and down stairs and is small enough to pass each other in a corridor—it is smaller than the Porter.
Monica had designed it.
When pursuing luggage transport and ease of use, downsizing was essential.
"A valuable opinion from a user. Indeed, I thought downsizing would be necessary if we were to spread it to the general public to some extent."
Damian can use [Golem] magic.
The academy was trying to create a new, large vested interest by utilizing the Porter.
"...The Alamsars guild is reluctant to let us change our home. They say that because of this incident, they're short-handed and definitely want us to stay."
One large party had been crushed, and the Alamsars guild was in a panic.
Leaking adventurer information was a problem, but the fact that they had teamed up with the people who carried out the attack had reached the ears of other adventurers.
Since I had moved to make it so, one could say it went according to plan.
To that chaotic Alamsars guild, I submitted the notice to change my home.
Damian spoke.
"That's a shame. Riel was one of the few people whose name I remembered. Well, those who gained strength here are destined to flow elsewhere. If the guild stays in that state."
The academy had also been protesting to the guild.
It seemed they intended to buy the know-how from me.
More people had their eyes on the Porter than I had thought.
Damian said, "It'll probably be turbulent for a while," while pushing up his glasses with his index finger to correct their position.
"I'll let the higher-ups know. Though the guild will be in an uproar even if I do nothing."
A few days later, when I showed my face at the guild, the reception staff had pale expressions when they looked at me.
Conversely, the adventurers spoke to me with smiles.
I don't know if the Alamsars guild will get better or worse from here, but a big change will likely occur regardless.
I'm not interested since I'm changing my home.
Where should I go next?
I was discussing such things at the mansion.
However, it only bothered me that Aria had a slightly troubled expression.
"I'm counting on you. I'm organizing the materials, so I'll bring them tomorrow."
"You're well-prepared."
When Damian said that, I gave a wry smile and spoke.
"There's a noisy person who says they'll definitely be necessary."
It was the Fourth Generation inside the jewel.
From the start, they had been thinking about making a fortune with the Porter.
『I'm saying it's a waste! Let's claim the rights and get even ten percent of the annual profits!』
The Fourth Generation is noisy about money, but having become an adventurer, I understand that it is also important.
However, the Sixth Generation spoke.
『Riel is just an adventurer. He has neither power nor authority. I don't think anything will happen even if he makes a fuss.』
The Fourth Generation resisted.
『How many people do you think the Porter will affect! Not just the operators. The makers are needed too. The people who repair them! If efficiency increases with this, more adventurers who can earn more will appear! Listen, this vested interest is—』
I respect the Fourth Generation's opinion, but I had no intention of doing it if I couldn't manage those things.
Therefore, this time, I'll just submit the know-how so far to the academy, get the money, and be done with it.
Damian asked.
"Where are you going next?"
"I haven't decided where to make my home, but I intend to head toward Central."
"What about that huge luggage? Are you going to have the Porter carry it?"
The huge luggage was likely the armor of the fortieth basement floor boss that I had purchased.
I bought it thinking it would be useful for something, but it's a bit ambiguous when it comes to bringing it along. However, I currently have no restrictions on skill usage.
"Well, I'll handle that with skills."
"How convenient. I'm envious."
Damian said that and smiled.
In the laboratory, Damian's subordinates were looking at the automaton with twitching cheeks.
"Kuh! Three against one is cowardly!"
"Hmph! I would ask you not to underestimate the coordination of mass-produced units!"
"We'll surround and strike you!"
"You're formidable. Even if broken, you're a special model, I suppose!"
Looking back, there was Monica, fighting in an outfit that was a bit too frilly for a maid, and the three automatons.
I spoke.
"Sigh... let's go home, Monica."
As I said that and left Damian's laboratory, Monica threw a parting shot at the three.
"The cute chicken coward Monica is going home. Well then, goodbye, mass-produced units who could be mistaken for serial numbers."
The three automatons were biting their aprons and pulling them in frustration.
Their acting was detailed, or rather, they really looked like humans.
(...I wonder for what purpose Monica and the others were created.)
I couldn't help but think that.
――Aria had visited Lyra, who had taken care of her.
Lyra was working in her room, and Aria informed her that she would be changing her home.
Continuing her work, Lyra replied as she usually did.
"I see. Well, with that kind of ability, you'll be able to manage anywhere. Next is Beim?"
Beim is even called the Capital of Adventurers, and it's a place where adventurers never lack for work.
At the same time, public order is poor, and it's called the Capital of Adventurers with a hint of irony.
In reality, it's a free city ruled by merchants, but now it's called that.
"I haven't decided that far. For now, I intend to leave Alamsars and head toward Central."
If she heads toward Central, connected carriages go to the major locations from there.
When traveling, one inevitably had to stop by Central.
The purpose this time was securing personnel.
Miranda, Clara, Shannon... she had succeeded in adding those three.
One could say the objective was achieved, but Aria felt lonely leaving Lyra, who had taken care of her for several months.
"...Adventurers meet and part ways quickly. Conversely, there are those who don't part and just drag things along. That's just how it is. There's no end to it if you worry about it."
Perhaps sensing Aria's feelings, Lyra stopped her work.
Then, she spoke to Aria.
"Ideally, it would be better to get out of this kind of work and live decently."
It's not so much the case in Alamsars, but there are many rogues among adventurers.
There are many criminals, and the image was bad.
It's different if you become famous, but even so, there are many people who make a disgusted face just by hearing the word adventurer.
In the special environment of Alamsars, because academy students register as adventurers, they were rarely seen in such a light.
Lyra spoke.
"Darion and Alamsars... nothing but well-behaved places. I'm a little worried about that, but you survived an attack. You'll be fine."
"But, Riel said that was only because the opponent was careless..."
Aria remembered what Riel had said about the opponent.
Possessing skills and using tools at the right timing was fine.
However, they had underestimated them. If the opponent had been just a little more cautious, it would have been dangerous.
"If you had been targeted by people who deal with their own kind, you would have died. Well, people with that kind of skill are probably working busily as mercenaries... but at the point where they choose their targets and attack in a place like this, they're definitely small fry."
Alamsars was a place where those who rushed out to become skilled adventurers gathered to polish themselves and collect comrades.
Even if there were some who boasted of their skill there, they probably wouldn't cut it in the outside world.
"In this world, it's better to be cowardly. Don't forget that. Well, luck is also necessary... the leader of your group is probably a person who has that."
Luck――an element that cannot be helped by effort.
Thinking of Riel, who was told to have that, Aria wanted to tilt her head.
"Is that so?"
"Those who survive until the end and succeed are generally lucky. You won't know about that until the very end, though."
Whether it was good or bad, Aria had decided to follow Riel.
Not because her life had been bought.
But because she decided to follow him.
(...That guy, could that confession... no, but I heard he reads books often.)
There were things that bothered her.
Besides, Aria wanted to become stronger.
Lyra tossed the finished item to Aria.
"A parting gift. Take it."
"Eh? This is..."
Receiving a necklace that looked like it could hold a gem, Aria looked at Lyra.
"Is there anyone who keeps their trump card tied with a string forever? You have to make sure you don't drop it."
Told by Lyra, Aria fitted the red gem into the silver necklace.
When she put it around her neck, she felt the weight of the metal.
"It suits you. Don't forget to pay a little attention to your appearance."
To Lyra, who smiled at her, Aria gave her thanks.
"Th-thank you very much!"
Seeing Aria's eyes moisten, Lyra looked embarrassed――.
At the Sarkrai family mansion, Miranda, who had graduated from the academy, was tidying up.
It was in order to sell it.
Since it was the property of the Sarkrai family, Miranda's family home, she had informed her father, the head of the house, by letter before selling.
She also wrote that she had graduated from the academy and would live as an adventurer.
Regarding Shannon's eyes... she wrote a lie that while the treatment was not complete, she had become able to lead a certain level of life.
(I couldn't exactly write 'it was all a lie'.)
Miranda looked at Novem and Shannon, who were cleaning.
"Come on, you have to clean properly."
"A contractor is just going to buy it and sell it anyway, so I'll at least clean before that! It's absolutely meaningless!"
Shannon resisted the cleaning, but before the smiling Novem, she let out a "Hie!" scream and began to work hard again.
Clara, who had come to help, asked Miranda.
"Um, am I following as well?"
Miranda spoke while cleaning.
"Yes. Because we're comrades, aren't we?"
She had emphasized the part about being comrades a bit, but Miranda looked at Clara and returned her gaze.
She looked a little happy.
More than that, Miranda remembered the letter from her father and thought about it.
Even if she was a daughter who had been kicked out, Miranda was still a member of the Sarkrai family.
Her father had written for his daughter to stop by the family home.
(It does bother me. It's not that he's opposing me becoming an adventurer.)
Miranda's father also seemed to have given up, thinking that if his daughter chose such a life, it couldn't be helped.
However, it was written that she should definitely stop by just once.
(I wonder if there was some problem.)
For Miranda, who had left home, her interest in her family home had already faded.
It had been decided that the second and third daughters would take husbands, and Miranda had been in a position to receive financial support while studying in Alamsars.
There was also the matter of taking care of Shannon, but the fact that she had been kicked out should be known to those around her.
(I hope it's not a hassle...)
Miranda thought about consulting Riel regarding the matter of the letter.
――Inside the jewel.
The Second and Third Generations were talking.
『Riel cleared the assignment safely, too.』
『That's right. It's a shame he didn't grow... ah, I mean physical "growth."』
The Third Generation looked frustrated, saying that they couldn't see "Riel-san" this time.
The Second Generation also seemed disappointed that they couldn't see it, but now was not the time for that.
『...Hey, I think you already know.』
The Third Generation nodded.
『It's just a matter of order, I suppose. It seems my turn will be skipped.』
The Second Generation's skill was useful, but it couldn't be called difficult.
Basically, it was a true support skill that allowed others to use skills as well.
As a secondary effect, it was a convenient skill that allowed one to know the surrounding situation. However, even so, the difficulty of acquisition was not high.
Mastering it required talent. However, just using it could be managed somehow.
The First and Second Generations... the skills of these two were not as eccentric compared to others.
Because they possessed such skills, it could be said that the skills of the other successive heads took a different form.
Because there was a foundation, they were able to seek their own unique skills.
『...I was a plain head, so I wonder how much I can teach that kid.』
When the Second Generation said that, the Third Generation spoke with a serious expression.
『The First Generation cleared the forest, and I was greatly active in the war... being sandwiched between those two, you certainly look plain! Sorry for being so active!』
From a serious expression, they suddenly burst out laughing, and the Second Generation hit the Third Generation's head.
The Third Generation complained.
『Oh come on, it's a joke.』
『Your jokes are somehow dark. Besides, dying in battle... that's the thing that suits you the least.』
『...I think so too.』
The two became sentimental, but the Second Generation spoke.
『I want to finish off with something sharp at the end, too. But maybe I'm plain at my core, because I can't think of anything. Being cool like my father is impossible.』
To the laughing Second Generation, the Third Generation spoke.
『If it's Riel, he'll understand the Second Generation's hardships... he's a good boy.』
When the Third Generation said that, the Second Generation also nodded.
『He's not crude like the First Generation, nor plain like me. And he's not dark like you. He's certainly a good boy.』
『That's mean~』
The Third Generation laughed, but then became serious.
『Well, leave the rest to me. The other members are also reliable.』
The Second Generation spoke.
『...In reality, we shouldn't be able to give advice. Honestly, just because the First Generation――my father bought a blue gem that was being sold off cheap, this happened.』
The successive heads, who were memories inside the jewel, were actually dead.
And yet, they held memories and hearts like this.
For what purpose did the jewel possess such an ability?
Why had it not activated until now?
There were mountains of things that were curious.
If it were just for conveying, it would have been enough for the gem to just give knowledge.
The Second Generation spoke.
『There's probably some reason, but it seems I won't be able to find out... though even if I did, there's probably nothing I could do about it.』
The Third Generation also agreed.
『Right. I wonder why it was necessary to do this... it bothers me as much as the automatons do.』
The two continued their conversation inside the jewel as such――.