kscans

Chapter 227 - Dungeon Information and the Maid Chief

The next day, Hayato and Esha were on their way to the Maid Guild.

They were going to ask the Maid Chief for information about Necropolis. That morning, Rose had informed them that the information gathering was more or less complete, so he decided to head over with Esha, who had just logged in.

This was also out of consideration for the Maid Chief.

Relic and Sonia probably wouldn't be logging in for a while, but the Maid Chief didn't know that. He thought that making her come to a place where she might run into them would cause her unnecessary stress.

"I don't think you need to be that considerate, you know. Knowing the Maid Chief, she's probably completely over it by now, isn't she?"

"Well, I don't know about that. I had some wine delivered to her a few days ago, and apparently it was quite a scene."

"Do you think we could win against her now?"

"Kicking someone when they're down is not good."

"I'm kidding. By the way, have Maris-sama and the others headed to Necropolis?"

"Yes. They said it wasn't a full-scale exploration, more like a practice run."

Damian, Maris, and Gil had headed to the Necropolis dungeon that morning.

They had planned to start the exploration after the Hero, Ivan, joined them, but they wanted to see how well the three of them could coordinate. They also figured the lower floors wouldn't be a problem, so they began their exploration ahead of schedule.

A full-scale exploration will start when Ivan arrives, and for now they're just checking out the lower floors. It is a makeshift party, after all. And honestly, those three don't get along at all, so is it really going to be okay?

Last night, he had gathered the three of them in the base's dining hall for self-introductions, followed by a sort of get-together over dinner. Hayato had been there too, of course, but frankly, it didn't seem like the three were on the same wavelength at all.

"Skeletons are good. They have high evasion and can instill a latent fear in humans. Zombies are no good. The smell is terrible."

"More importantly, please look at Sieg. This graceful gesture. Isn't it lovely?"

"Both skeletons and cats are cute, but they lack muscle."

It wasn't as if they needed to be best friends to clear a dungeon, but it seemed unlikely they would help each other if something happened.

Should I have gone with them...? But I'd just be useless...

He was about to get the information, but some things were already known.

Necropolis has transfer devices called portals on each floor, which allow teleportation to any previously visited portal. Once you reach a portal, you can leave, and the next exploration can start from any portal you've been to before.

In other words, it wasn't a dungeon that required delving for days on end to conquer. It was possible to go a little deeper each day, like a day trip.

There were dungeons where you had to bring along members with production skills to account for long-term explorations, but that was unnecessary in Necropolis. It was safe to say there was no reason for Hayato to go along this time.

From Hayato's perspective, it seemed like a low-difficulty dungeon, but the fact that it hadn't been cleared yet meant there must be some kind of problem. He had high hopes for the information from the Maid Guild.

Mist-san and the others are aiming for the lowest floor. Even if we rescue her, they'll head for the lowest floor with Damian-san. We'll need information for clearing it, too. I'd like Maris and the others to cooperate until they reach the lowest floor if possible. It would be a problem if they went missing again.

"We've arrived, Master."

It seemed they had reached the Maid Guild while he was lost in thought. Hayato took a step inside, feeling slightly nervous.

"Hayato-sama, it is good of you to come. And Esha, as well."

"Rose-san told me, so I came right away. I'm sorry to bother you so early in the morning."

"Please don't worry about it. You have hired both Esha and Rose, and on top of that, you have given us new work. Please feel free to come anytime."

They were in the Maid Guild's office.

The gentle-looking Maid Chief rose from her chair and greeted Hayato and the others politely. She then gestured for them to sit on the sofa.

"Let us discuss the information I have gathered right away."

Reassured by the surprisingly normal Maid Chief, Hayato decided to hear the information at once.

To summarize the Maid Chief's story, it was this.

Necropolis is a dungeon located in the Demon Country.

It is called the City of the Dead, but it originally referred to a country that existed in the Demon Country. To be precise, it was the capital of a country that existed before it became the Demon Country. The place where the current Demon Lord's Castle stands was also once a certain country, and it was a country at war with that one.

The country that would become Necropolis was exhausted from the battle with that country, and as a last resort, they summoned a demon with immense power. They succeeded and destroyed the country where the current Demon Lord's Castle was.

Their joy was short-lived, as the demon demanded the lives of all its citizens and the country as its reward, and it swallowed the capital and its people into the depths of the earth.

That was how it became the dungeon known as Necropolis.

So far, this was just the lore. The conversation continued to the dungeon itself.

The information was mostly the same as what Damian had provided, but there were a few new details.

"The monsters that appear in Necropolis are apparently humanoid spirits. It seems the citizens of that time are the ones attacking. Their souls must be bound to that land."

"I see."

"However, as you go deeper, it is said that demon-type monsters become more numerous. They are apparently quite strong, which seems to be the reason no one has reached the lowest floor. And it is said that the demon that destroyed the country resides on the lowest floor."

"A Duke-class Demon, perhaps? That would be tough to defeat."

When it came to demons, the best source of information was the Demon Summoning Research Association, but he didn't feel the need for that just yet. More importantly, he needed weapons with holy attributes or special effects against demon-type monsters. Hayato mentally organized the items he needed to prepare.

"I do not know if you have any such acquaintances, Hayato-sama, but it might be easier to conquer with someone called an Exorcist or a Demon Slayer."

"An Exorcist, you say."

Both Exorcists and Demon Slayers were professions that made a living by defeating demons. Exorcists were the type to defeat demons with magic, while Demon Slayers were the type to defeat them with physical attacks.

There were no specific professions in this game, but it was common to role-play them with a similar skill composition. This tendency was more prevalent among NPCs than players.

However, it was just a similar skill composition. There weren't many skills specifically for fighting demons. The only one that came to mind was the "Demon Knowledge" skill.

I don't know anyone... There might be someone at a church, but Diite-chan probably doesn't do church work, so I doubt she has any acquaintances. I guess I have no choice but to manage with production items. Besides, we have the Hero, Ivan. The real Excalibur has a holy attribute, so it should be on the easier side.

"Thank you very much. I understand the general situation, so I'll think about things based on that. The payment..."

"You may pay for that along with Esha and Rose's fees. I will continue to gather information, so if anything comes up, I will let you know."

"Understood. Well then, if you'll excuse us..."

"Please wait. I will make some tea now, so let us chat for a little while."

The Maid Chief's face was smiling. But it radiated considerable pressure. If there was anyone who could refuse this, he would like to know. Hayato thought this, but Esha, next to him, was unfazed, as if she were used to it.

With beautiful movements, the Maid Chief prepared the tea. The only sounds in the room were the small clinking of dishes and the pouring of the tea.

The tea was placed in front of Hayato and Esha. And finally, in front of the Maid Chief.

"Please relax. This is merely small talk. Please, while it's warm."

"Y-yes. Then, if you'll excuse me..."

Hayato brought the teacup to his lips.

"How are Relic-sama and Sonia-sama doing?"

"Guhk."

Hayato choked, even in virtual reality. This was less small talk and more the main subject. He thought she would lead into it, but that wasn't the case.

"Um, uh, they're doing well."

"I see. I hear Sonia-sama's appearance is due to a curse or something of the sort, and that she is actually over sixty. She has been supporting Relic-sama since she was young, I see."

"That's right... Um, what should I say..."

"Please do not mind me. I think it is a wonderful relationship... Hayato-sama, may I say something a little indelicate?"

"I wouldn't think it indelicate at all."

"Thank you. The truth is..."

The Maid Chief paused for a moment. To Hayato, it felt like a long time, but it was probably only a few seconds.

"...I wish to go on a rampage."

"...Pardon?"

"I am overcome with the urge to destroy everything in sight. Sweet foods and alcohol are beginning to lose their effect. Please, laugh at this indelicate maid."

I can't laugh at this...

Hayato looked to his right at Esha, seeking help.

Esha slurped her tea with a `zuzuzu` sound and finished it.

"Are you perhaps asking to go to Necropolis?"

"To be able to perceive such a thing, it seems you have grown as a maid, Esha. That is precisely correct. Hayato-sama, what do you say? I may not look it, but I am surprisingly strong."

It was not surprising at all. The Maid Chief was a close-combat expert who possessed the strength to silence even Esha. Furthermore, since she fought with martial arts, her movements would not be hindered within a dungeon.

The Maid Chief would be a considerable asset, Hayato thought.

There seemed to be various potential problems, but there was no doubt she would be a reliable force. Besides, Hayato did not possess the courage to refuse her here. In that case, there was only one thing he could say.

"O-of course, please join us..."

"Yes. Then, I shall be allowed to rampage in Necropolis. I hear the demon-type monsters are sturdy, so I too shall be able to strike to my heart's content."

The Maid Chief gave an elegant bow.

Hayato felt a little pity for the demons of Necropolis.