kscans

Chapter 141 - The Briefing

One of the accompanying SDF members, the female operative named Maeda-san, apparently has a unique skill called Hellish Hearing.

Judging by the name Hellish Hearing, it’s likely a skill that enhances one’s hearing. It probably means she doesn’t miss even the slightest whisper.

"Let’s go back for now. It’s not good to keep them waiting."

Yoshino-san patted my shoulder.

I guess it can’t be helped… I’ll have to be careful about what I say from now on.

"You’re right, let’s go back."

I led Yoshino-san and Nanapon, who was still on my back, back to the two SDF members.

"I’m sorry. We had some business to discuss."

Since she had heard everything, I figured there was no point in lying, so I told the truth and apologized.

"No. It’s not a problem."

"Are you finished?"

The two of them responded politely.

"Yes. Well then, let’s begin the briefing. Though, what kind of briefing is this?"

I wasn’t entirely sure, so I looked at Yoshino-san.

"First, let’s clarify the objective of this mission. The job for the five of us is to investigate the underground ruin found in the Kunaar Ruins, correct?"

When I passed the conversation to Yoshino-san, she confirmed with Yanagi-san.

"Yes, that’s right. Specifically, we are asking you to create a map. There is also the investigation of monsters and the presence of traps, but we will also be conducting that."

Well, since all five of us will be acting together, that makes sense.

"Understood. Eleanor, I’m counting on you for the map."

"Yes, yes."

It’s easy since all I have to do is walk.

"About that, we don’t know the details of that skill or magic of yours. Of course, it’s a tool of your trade, and we have no intention of prying into the information of a private adventurer, but we would like you to explain what it is. Therefore, today, we’d like you to create a map of the Diana Mine as a trial. We will, of course, pay for it."

So they want to know the accuracy of the map first.

"Very well. I’ll give it to you on our way back."

All I have to do is walk. It’s an easy task.

"Next, I hear that you will be dealing with the monsters, but is that correct?"

Yoshino-san moved on to the next confirmation point.

"Yes. We will handle them for the most part. However, we don’t know what might happen in Frontier, so we’d like you to be prepared to fight as well. For now, the only confirmed monsters are Skeletons, so I don’t think there will be a problem, but there might be others."

Huh? What about the Eight-Armed Skeleton, the Hell Knight? Maybe it hasn’t been confirmed?

"Only Skeletons?"

I tried to probe for more information.

"We believe it’s the same as the surface of Kunaar Ruins. So we don’t know what will happen at night. That said, it’s dangerous at night, so we won’t be investigating then. That will be handled by a different team after the map is completed."

So they haven’t confirmed the Hell Knight… Well, it’s probably a small fry, so it shouldn’t be a problem.

"Understood. We will leave it to you for the most part."

"Right. However, you will be in charge of leading the way since you’re making the map. We will be following behind you, so please be wary of ambushes."

That won’t be a problem since Nanapon is here.

"What about drop items?"

"You can have the ones from monsters we defeat as well. Normally, ownership would go to the SDF, but since our item bags have limited capacity, we would have to abandon them on the spot."

So the pretense is that we are picking up what they abandoned. Without an item bag, you can’t bring back a skeleton’s sword.

"And anything else we find is ours too, right?"

This was the most important point to confirm. If we don’t decide this properly now, we’ll fight over ownership of the gold bars. And if we fight with the government, it will take an absurd amount of time, and there’s a chance we’ll lose.

"Yes. That has already been negotiated by the higher-ups. Anything our team discovers is basically yours."

"Basically? I hate that word."

Even though I just used it myself…

"That matter was discussed with Saegusa-san yesterday. I gave her the contract, but…"

Yanagi-san looked at Yoshino-san.

"Eleanor, there’s no problem. ‘Basically’ just means that you can’t take back dangerous items or things that are related to the maintenance of the ruin."

"I understand dangerous items. Like poison or bombs, right? What do you mean by maintenance of the ruin?"

"You know, like in the movies? When you take the treasure, the ruin collapses or self-destructs…"

Ah, so that’s what she means.

"Wouldn’t that be bad for us too?"

"It would. Well, it’s that sort of thing. The headquarters manager and Satsuki-neesan have also confirmed it, so there’s no problem."

So, at the very least, we can take the gold bars back.

"Then it’s fine. I’ll just bring misfortune upon anyone who tries to deceive me."

I’ll close the gate.

"Are there any other points to confirm?"

Yoshino-san looked at Yanagi-san.

"No. Lastly, I would like the three of you to sign these documents."

Yanagi-san said this and took out some papers.

"Sign?"

"Yes. Simply put, it’s a pledge that you will not leak anything you see or hear during our investigation to the outside. The SDF’s adventurer unit is top secret, and the underground ruin in Kunaar Ruins is also a state secret."

…I already told Claire. Well, it was before I signed, so let’s call it safe.

"Do I have to sign?"

"Yes. You do. Of course, we will not leak any information about you either."

Not leak?

"Hmm…"

I stared intently at Maeda-san, who was standing behind Yanagi-san.

"…Is there something?"

Maeda-san asked without changing her expression, despite me staring at her.

"Be careful not to have any accidents. There’s a saying about stirring up a hornet’s nest."

"…I will be careful."

Hmph! Bringing along someone with a unique skill like Hellish Hearing and then making us sign such a pledge. You’re fully intending to pry into our affairs. Well, we have Nanapon on our side too…

"Be very careful. It would be a pity if guild staff and adventurers lost their jobs because of you, don’t you think?"

"…I do."

Maeda-san’s expression hadn’t changed, but the tone of her voice was steadily dropping. She wouldn’t be able to bear the responsibility of getting the gates closed because of her.

"Very well. Hand over the documents. I will sign."

"…Please."

I took the document from Yanagi-san and wrote ‘Eleanor Ocean’.

Hmm, it’s a fake name, but I wonder if it’s legally binding? Well, whatever.

I signed the document and handed it to Nanapon. Nanapon took the document, held a pen, and was about to write her name, but she stopped.

She’s debating between Agent Seven and Yokokawa Nanaka…

"Um…"

"Write your real name. They’ll probably make you rewrite it anyway."

I used a fake name too, but Nanapon’s Agent Seven is a no-go.

"Understood."

Nanapon signed ‘Yokokawa Nanaka’. Then, after writing her name, she handed the document to Yoshino-san.

"Here."

Since Yoshino-san’s name was her real one, she wrote ‘Saegusa Yoshino’ and returned the document to Yanagi-san.

"Acknowledged. Well then, let’s head to the mine. We will create the map and confirm our movements."

Yanagi-san put away the documents and looked at the mine entrance.

"Then, Agent Seven and I will go ahead. Yoshino-san, please provide support. Though we don’t need it…"

The Hide Skeletons that appear in the Diana Mine are terrifying monsters that are transparent skeletons, but in front of Nanapon, they are just skeletons.

"Well, Yanagi-san and Maeda-san will take care of it. You’re on scouting duty."

Yoshino-san patted my and Nanapon’s shoulders and took a step back.

"Nanaka-san, our objective is to make a map, so let’s just walk around randomly. If anything happens, let me know."

"Agent Seven…"

What a pain… She’s starting to like that name a little, isn’t she. That name is hard to say.

"Yes, yes. Well then, Agent Seven-san, shall we go?"

"Yes."

Nanapon and I went ahead and entered the mine, followed by Yoshino-san, Yanagi-san, and Maeda-san.