When the two of us were welcomed, I couldn't help but mutter.
After spending some time in the labyrinth and at home, we returned to the Permask Adventurers' Guild.
It was a while later that Roxanne returned and informed us that a dragon had appeared.
"Yes. It seems to have attacked the coast this morning. Unfortunately, by the time we entered the city, it had already been repelled."
I wasn't sure what was unfortunate about it, but I felt the Adventurers' Guild was somewhat restless, perhaps because of this.
It must have been a terrifying situation.
Dragons apparently exist in this world.
Not only do they exist, but they also attack cities.
It seems a wall would be necessary.
However, both of us have our mirrors.
Given that we've been doing what we need to do, it might not be a big deal.
"Is being attacked by a dragon a common occurrence?"
After completing our final jump from Permask and recovering our MP in the Koolatul labyrinth, I asked Seri.
"More precisely, it's a Drive Dragon. Since Permask is an island, ordinary monsters don't attack. Drive Dragons can fly, so it's a common occurrence."
"Is it really that common?"
"Many people also have anti-dragon equipment."
Seri replied calmly.
Even with a near miss from a dragon attack, she was unfazed.
It seems this isn't an unusual situation.
It might be like how Japanese people don't get surprised by a magnitude three earthquake.
This world is more terrifying than I thought.
"I see."
"By the way, I sold Kohaku's necklace for twenty-five gold coins."
The dragon was treated as a minor issue.
It's a dragon, a dragon.
"Is a Drive Dragon weak?"
"It's the strongest among the monsters that appear outside the labyrinth."
It can't be weak, can it? No way.
It's like a magnitude five earthquake doesn't surprise them anymore.
They must be living in the future.
"Is that so?"
I took the gold coins from Seri.
Now, the gold coins occupy two rows in the item box.
Since I've also put in several rows of leather, the item box is getting full.
The item box can't store different types of items in the same row, so it takes up a lot of space.
If it runs out, I might have to set it up like a cook.
That would be a hassle.
The more you have, the more you use.
There's no need to put silver coins or rabbit furs in multiple rows, so I can save a bit more.
"The wife of the shop owner said that the necklace Kohaku sold was of high quality. She repeatedly asked if twenty-five gold coins were really enough."
I listened while taking the gold coins.
I estimated that the price of Kohaku in Permask was about five times that in Bode, but it might be even higher.
It's a bit of a problem not knowing the exact market price.
"Would a cheaper one have been fine? Well, it can't be helped. We didn't lose anything."
"I told her it was a special service to get to know each other. She said she would recommend it to her acquaintances because it was cheap."
"Good job."
She's quite the talker.
"I sold the small box for ten silver coins, which is two hundred nals."
"Typical Seri."
"I sold the Kohaku for thirty-five silver coins. Also, I arranged to sell the mirrors for twenty silver coins each from now on if needed."
To sell the small box we got for free and to set the terms for the next negotiation is impressive.
She's both a smooth talker and a capable negotiator.
"Indeed, I didn't make a mistake by leaving it to Seri."
"You're welcome."
Is that it?
Do she and the middlemen dislike each other because they think alike?
It's like sibling rivalry or a family feud.
They might be like two badgers in the same hole.
In the evening, when we returned from the labyrinth, I received a message from Luke, whom Seri dislikes.
He had apparently bid 5,400 nals for the Kobold Monster Card.
If I had bid 5,400, he would have bid exactly 5,400.
"I want to fuse the Kobold Monster Card I just won with the Goat Monster Card into my rod. It will get tough when we reach the twelfth floor."
We talked during dinner.
"Yes, I'll do my best."
"Seri will be fine. I'm sorry for putting the spell interruption on hold."
"No, don't worry about it."
"The monsters on the twelfth floor are much stronger. Strengthening our combat power is essential. We should also consider adding new party members."
The conversation went smoothly.
Adding new party members is necessary to strengthen our combat power.
No, that's not it.
It's necessary to strengthen our combat power.
"Understood."
"I have an introduction letter from the merchant Alan in Baire to a merchant in the capital. We have two mirrors left to order. Once we sell all of them, I want to go to the capital the day after tomorrow to look for new party members."
I explained the plan after seeing the two of them nod.
We have over forty gold coins, which should be enough funds.
"New members will be joining us?"
"If we find good ones, I'd like to add them."
"Yes, of course, strengthening our combat power is necessary."
I got Roxanne's approval.
It would be hard for her to openly oppose it.
Good.
"Since that's the case, let's take a break from exploring the labyrinth tomorrow afternoon. We can't take a break right after adding new members."
I also offered a reward.
Good news and bad news should be alternated.
Too much bad news can be discouraging.
"Can we take a break?"
"It's the same as last time. What do you want to do, Roxanne? Is the library okay for Seri?"
"Yes, if it's okay."
Seri nodded.
Seri is definitely going to the library.
"I don't have any plans for tomorrow. If Roxanne wants to, we can go into the labyrinth together."
I told Roxanne, who was hesitating.
Last time, she said she wanted to go into the labyrinth to train.
I stopped her because it was too dangerous to go alone, but the situation is different this time.
"Is that okay?"
"Well, I'm free too."
I don't have anything special to do.
Sightseeing, inspection, information gathering.
If I want to do something, I can just do it.
There's no need to do it on a break.
The break is for Roxanne and Seri, not for me.
"Thank you very much."
"Got it. Also, can you cut my hair tomorrow? It's gotten too long."
I bought the mirror with the intention of getting my hair cut, but I haven't done it yet.
It's fine to do it on a break day.
"Yes, Master."
"Thanks. Is Roxanne's and Seri's hair okay?"
"Well, mine has grown a bit."
Seri fiddled with her hair, which had just reached her shoulders.
Do dwarves' hair grow quickly?
"It's fine."
"It's okay, Seri."
"That's true. It gets a bit rough when it grows, but it's not so bad because I wash it well."
Roxanne and Seri can let their hair grow longer.
It seems they won't need haircuts for a while.
The next morning, we entered the labyrinth before sunrise without taking a break.
We can't afford to let our senses dull.
Of course, the evening routine is also without a break.
Ah, Seri is going to the library.
Tonight might be a forced break.
Roxanne will have to work hard to make up for it.
After selling the mirrors and having breakfast, I gave Seri one gold coin and five silver coins as a deposit.
I first sent Seri to the library.
The library has a flat rate until sunset, so it's better to go in early.
On the way back, I stopped by the Merchant Guild to pick up the Kobold Monster Card.
I ordered another Kobold Monster Card for 5,400 nals and returned home.
I put a chair outside and had Roxanne cut my hair.
"I might not be very good at it."
"In my case, a hairstyle that doesn't make Roxanne dislike me is enough. If Roxanne takes responsibility, that's fine."
"I, I could never dislike you, Master."
"Thank you. Then, I'll leave it to you."
In this world, it's common to cut your own hair or have a family member do it, so people don't usually care much about hairstyles.
I don't care much about hairstyles even from my time in Japan.
Roxanne cut my hair with scissors.
The scissors might not be very sharp, but they're regular scissors.
Cutting hair isn't a problem.
"Master, how's this?"
"Does it look a bit cooler?"
"Master, you always look the best."
It's a bit embarrassing to hear that.
It feels like I forced her to say it.
"Um, which floor of the labyrinth do you want to go to?"
"Boss battles are good because there are fewer enemies. The Rapid Rabbit, which is fast and good for training, is in the Baire labyrinth."
The topic changed, and she quickly responded.
The Baire labyrinth, huh.
The Rapid Rabbit is the boss of the ninth floor of the Baire labyrinth.
I can't say I'm not good at it.
"...How about going shopping in the capital?"
I can't say I'm not good at it anymore.
I've been challenged to the boss room of the ninth floor of the Baire labyrinth dozens of times.
I don't even want to count how many times I've fought the Rapid Rabbit.
I seized the opportunity to suggest it.
"The capital? Is that okay?"
Of course it's okay.
Rather than being forced to repeat the endless cycle of defeating the boss and returning to the nearest small room.
Accompanying Roxanne shopping is also a challenge.
"It's fine."
"Yes, thank you, Master."
"If you want anything, just let me know."
We immediately warped to the capital before I could change my mind.
We visited stores we hadn't been to before in the capital.
It's a two-for-one deal for information gathering.
Roxanne and I strolled through the streets.
"Hmm, I think this shirt would suit you."
In the clothing store, Roxanne chose a shirt and held it against my chest.
It feels like a date.
Actually, it's a proper date.
We're alone.
With more members, the bed will be crowded.
I wanted to look at beds today, but the atmosphere wasn't right.
It's probably best not to buy a bed for others on a date.
After my shirt, Roxanne went to the children's clothing section and carefully chose a piece.
It's for Seri.
She picked one and said it was good.
"Aren't you buying anything for yourself?"
"This one is 300 nals, and this one is 200 nals. That should be five silver coins."
Two items for 500 nals.
The same as last time, today's allowance.
"Ah, since we're buying for everyone, I'll cover the cost of the clothes as a necessary expense."
"Well, if you buy clothes for Seri, they'll end up being your property."
"I see."
"Besides, this is a gift from me."
Roxanne showed me the shirt she chose for me.
If I buy clothes for Seri, they'll ultimately be my property.
If Roxanne buys clothes with her own money and gives them to Seri, they'll be Seri's without any issues.
The same goes for the shirt I'm wearing, which Roxanne bought with her own money and gave to me.
"Thank you. Then, I'll buy one piece of clothing for you today."
"Is that okay?"
"Choose whatever you like."
"Thank you."
Roxanne is legally my slave until death, so unlike Seri, she doesn't need her own property.
After choosing, I bought three pieces of clothing for Roxanne and went outside.
With a thirty percent discount, Roxanne's allowance had some leftover.
It's fine.
When we went outside, I held Roxanne's hand.
"Shall we go to that store next?"
"...Yes."
Holding a girl's hand in broad daylight is both exciting and embarrassing.
Is this what dating feels like?
Roxanne and I are both armed, so it might seem a bit odd to others.
I felt the softness of Roxanne's hand.
It's a smooth, precious hand.
Roxanne squeezed back.
I pulled Roxanne into the nearest general store.
It was a woodworking shop with various wooden items.
We looked around while holding hands.
"This is..."
"Probably a colander."
We stopped in front of a product.
As Roxanne said, it's a colander.
The bottom is slatted to drain water, and the sides are securely boarded.
"Is there such a thing?"
"You don't see them in Koolatul. They're not absolutely necessary."
A colander isn't absolutely necessary.
It might be a kitchen tool for wealthy households.
A wooden colander.
It looks like a steamer.
If it had a dragon brand, it wouldn't be out of place in a Chinese restaurant.
It's well-made and could be used as a steamer.
If you put two of them together upside down, lay a cloth on top, and cover it with a wooden board, it should work.