kscans

Chapter 148 - The End of the First Day of Investigation

Returning to the large hall with the entrance, we decided to investigate the corridor on the left next.

The left corridor had a similar structure to the right one we had just investigated. It seemed this building was symmetrical. And the rooms along the way were just empty white walls, with nothing inside.

After defeating a few skeletons, we finally entered the last room at the end of the corridor. Unlike the right side where there was a hidden staircase to the basement, this room had no bookshelves, only white walls.

"There’s nothing here."

Nanapon said as she looked around the room. This might have sounded like a simple observation, but it likely included the results of her Clairvoyance. In other words, there were no hidden stairs or rooms here.

"It seems so. The other room had stairs, so I thought there might be something here too, but it was a miss…"

When you think of basements, you think of treasure vaults and prisons. If that side was the treasure vault with the gold bars, I thought this side might have a prison, but apparently not.

"What should we do?"

Yoshino-san asked.

"Let’s see. Starting on the second floor now would feel half-hearted, so let’s call it a day. Is that alright with you, Yanagi-san and Maede-san?"

It was almost four o’clock, and while I didn’t know how large the second floor was, we would probably have to turn back midway.

"You’re right. Finishing the investigation of the first floor in half a day is quite good progress. I think this is a good place to stop for today."

"That’s because it’s bright. If it were still dark, it wouldn’t have been this fast."

Even with Nanapon, walking in the dark would have inevitably slowed us down since we couldn’t see our feet.

"That’s true. Securing a light source was a big help for us as well. You can expect a bonus added to the investigation fee. Though I imagine it will be a small one."

To be honest, I have no expectations in that regard. I’ve left the matter of how much the maps will sell for to Satsuki-san, and I haven’t even asked. Our real prize is the gold bars.

"Well, I’ll take what I can get. Let’s head back. This place is suffocating, I don’t like it."

We decided to retrace our steps.

◆◇◆

Returning to the main hall, we met in front of the door to discuss our future plans.

"That’s all for today. Good work."

Yanagi-san said, concluding the day’s activities.

"Not at all, good work to you too. Sorry for leaving all the skeletons to you."

Yanagi-san and Maede-san defeated every skeleton that appeared. On a side note, the Eight-Armed Skeleton, also known as the infernal knight, didn’t show up today.

"That’s our job. More importantly, about the next investigation, tomorrow is no good, correct?"

"That’s right. This one is a student."

I patted Nanapon’s head.

"Understood. I’d like to go on Saturday, the day after tomorrow. How are your schedules?"

I have no plans.

"I’m free. What about you two?"

I checked with Yoshino-san and Nanapon.

"I’m fine too. I’m prioritizing this job."

"I’m available as well."

It seemed neither of them had a problem.

"You heard them. Saturday is fine."

"Understood. Saturday at… would ten o’clock be alright?"

"Not eight-thirty?"

It was convenient for us, but that was probably when these people started their day.

"We have preparations to make. There are various applications and checks to be done."

The SDF is really a hassle.

"Hey, why did you two join the SDF? At your level, you’d make more money working as adventurers, wouldn’t you?"

With their skills, they would definitely be better off as freelance adventurers. There are no restrictions, and they could work and earn freely.

"SDF personnel can only go to the Frontier until they are thirty. I imagine it’s a similar situation for you. But we don’t retire at thirty. We can continue working as SDF personnel after that."

When we retire, we become NEETs. I guess that’s the difference.

"I see, so you chose stability."

"Of course, that’s not the only reason. We also have pride in serving our country and its people."

I wouldn’t know. I never had any interest in becoming a civil servant when I was job hunting.

"Good luck with that. We’re heading back, what about you?"

"We’re heading to the surface as well. We’ll part ways there."

"Then let’s go back………… Should I turn off the light?"

I looked at the protrusion on the wall near the entrance.

"…………I mean, can it even be turned off?"

"If it turned on, it should turn off. It’s a switch………… probably."

I think that’s right.

"Well, I don’t know if the concept of batteries exists here, but let’s turn it off just in case."

We don’t know how it recharges either.

"Yoshino-san, turn it off."

"Me?"

Yoshino-san pointed at herself.

"You’re the one who turned it on. Something bad might happen if someone else does it."

I doubt it, but there could be an authentication device.

"Alright, I’ll touch it…"

Yoshino-san said and touched the protrusion. The protrusion glowed slightly, and the area suddenly became dark.

"It really does seem to be a switch."

I couldn’t see, but I could hear Maede-san’s voice.

"Yes, Maede, sorry, but could you touch it?"

"Yes."

At Yanagi-san’s instruction, Maede-san touched the protrusion this time. The protrusion glowed slightly again, and the area suddenly became bright.

"I’ll touch it one more time."

"Please."

Maede-san touched the protrusion again, and the area suddenly became dark.

Honestly, with the lights turning on and off, my eyes were starting to hurt.

"It appears to be a switch, without a doubt."

"Understood. This is another thing to report………… Alright! Let’s go."

We finished our investigation and decided to leave the building. After leaving the building, it was barely bright thanks to the lights set up by the SDF, but the underground was still dark.

"Hey, don’t you think there’s a switch here too?"

Yoshino-san asked.

"Here too? This is a cave, just a natural cavern, right?"

"We know how to light up the building, but it’s still dark on the way there, isn’t it? So there might be a device to light this place up too."

I see. If they could make something of that level, there might be one here too.

"Should we look for it?"

"Hmm, it’s a large area…"

Well, yeah. It’s no match for the building.

"We’ll investigate that tomorrow."

It seems the SDF will look for it.

"Please do. I don’t like the dark."

"Neither do I."

I bet. Everyone probably feels the same.

As we talked, we made our way back to the cave and arrived at the place with the ladder.

"I guess I’m last?"

I confirmed as I looked up at the ladder. With this robe, Yanagi-san would be able to see everything.

"If you want to show off, you can go first."

Yoshino-san said with a laugh.

"Don’t be ridiculous. Unlike you, I am a lady of virtue."

"Hey. The way you say that makes it sound like I’m not."

"Place your hand on that large chest of yours and reflect on your past actions, you dirty woman."

There’s not a single element of virtue in you.

"Dirty!?"

Yoshino-san looked shocked, then immediately turned to Nanapon.

"No comment………… Also, Eleanor-san is not virtuous. You’re a wicked witch, right?"

I’m a virtuous wicked witch.

"I don’t care about any of this, I’m going up first."

Yanagi-san started climbing the ladder.

"He doesn’t have a shred of ‘ladies first’ in him, does he?"

I said to Maede-san as I looked up at Yanagi-san climbing the ladder.

"No, that’s not………… I don’t think so."

Maede-san fidgeted with her hands.

"Congratulations to you both………… You go up too. Next is Dirty-san."

"Don’t call me dirty. Don’t call me cheap. Don’t call me an M. Don’t call me a thirtysomething."

I get it already… Also, the thirtysomething thing hurts me too. We’re the same age.