kscans

Chapter 268 - A Mine?

After stowing away the Dragon Scales, we looked around the chamber.

"There are no more, right?" I asked Nanapon, checking for any remaining monsters.

"None. No more Sand Dragons or Laughing Skulls."

They were annoying enemies, so if they’re gone, that’s fine.

"Okay, the path is… over there?"

A passage was visible at the far end of the chamber.

"That’s right. Let’s go."

We walked across the chamber and headed for the passage. After leaving the chamber, we continued down the path.

"By the way, what was that chamber for?" Claire asked.

"My disciple said the Sand Dragons were probably cooling off there because it’s hot outside."

"No, I mean its original purpose. This is a mine, right? What was that place?"

What was it?

"A break area, maybe?"

"No, it’s too big for that. A mine wouldn’t need a space like that."

Now that she mentioned it, that does seem plausible. I’ve never seen a mine, but I don’t think you’d need such a large space just for excavating ore.

"Don’t ask me. Maybe it’s not a mine after all."

"Maybe…"

We continued down the straight passage. Then, Nanapon tugged on my sleeve.

"What? If you have to go to the bathroom, either hold it or do it here. I promise I won’t look."

"That’s not it. Um… well…"

Nanapon hesitated, glancing over at Claire.

"Claire, cover your ears for a bit."

"Huh? Why?"

Read the room.

"We have a little secret to discuss."

"Well, alright…"

Claire obediently covered her ears.

"I know you can still hear me, old lady."

"Just so you know, I can read lips, kid."

Lip Reading…

"What’s the weather tomorrow?"

"How should I know? Sunny, probably?"

Amazing!

"You really can do it."

"Just hurry up and have your secret conversation."

Right, right.

"Nanaka-san, what is it?" I asked, covering my mouth with my hand. Nanapon did the same.

"There’s a door up ahead."

"Huh? A door?"

"Yes. It seems to lead to a room about ten tatami mats in size."

Even though this is a mine?

"What does that mean?"

"I don’t know. Like Claire-san said, I don’t think this is a mine. There are no mine carts or anything like that, are there?"

Now that she mentions it, there aren’t…

"Isn’t it Space Magic?"

"I doubt everyone could use it. It’s possible that Item Bags were common, but even so, there’s just too little evidence of it being a mine."

Hmm… There really are no signs at all. It just looks like a normal cave. And a door is the final nail in the coffin…

"Lydia-chan, what do you think?"

"There’s a good chance it’s not a mine. I said it might be, but I have no basis for that."

Hmm…

"Not a mine… and no one has ever lived here…"

This is very suspicious.

"Well, either way, we have to investigate, right? That’s our job."

"That’s true, but…"

"Why did you have Claire cover her ears?"

"There might be hidden treasure. If so, we could disband for now and come back to collect it secretly. Like we did in the underground ruins of Kunaar."

I see. The despicable cheating girl wants to increase her share.

"That’s a bad move. The money-loving old lady will never leave or give it up."

"I agree. This person has a unique skill too, right? People with unique skills never give in."

Just like you.

"So, should we proceed as we are?"

"Yes. You have enough money, don’t you? Besides, I don’t want to come back to a place with Laughing Skulls over and over. What if you get cursed and your Clairvoyance is exposed to the university?"

"I wouldn’t want that."

I thought so.

"Nanaka-san, we’ve already obtained the happiness that is money. Now, we should focus on maintaining it."

"Understood."

Nanapon nodded.

"Claire, you can uncover your ears now."

I lowered my hand and said so, and Claire lowered her hands from her ears.

"What was that all about…"

"Apparently there’s a door up ahead. It seems this isn’t a mine after all."

"Huh… In that case, there must be something there. Let’s go see."

"You’re right."

We started walking again and followed the path. We turned a corner and, just as Nanapon had said, we saw a wooden door.

"It really is a door," Claire murmured.

"Nanaka-san, are there any traps?"

"No, not really…"

Is it safe…

"Claire, open the door."

"Me? I don’t think there are any traps, but…"

"You’re a former soldier and an A-rank adventurer. Go on."

Do your best.

"You’re going to live a long life…" Claire said with a sigh. She approached the door and began to inspect it.

"Well?"

"There’s nothing here. I’m opening it, okay?"

"Please."

Claire slowly opened the door. It creaked open, and nothing happened.

"As expected. Move aside. I’m going in first."

"You really are going to live a long life…"

"That’s the plan."

I’m going to grow old and live happily with an old granny Kaede-chan.