第２１掘：油断した！？
### Dungeon 21: A Lapse in Judgment!?
A lapse in judgment!?
"Well, since Mauve was a bust, I’m counting on Raiya and Curse for the rest."
I think I should state a disclaimer here. Who for? Why, the readers, of course. Don't call me meta; it’s necessary.
All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older!!
Listen carefully: all characters in this story are 18 years of age or older!!
Therefore, no matter the outcome, it is perfectly legal.
Not that I’d do anything like that, anyway.
"Understood. Then let me go first. Sorry, Curse."
"No, the order doesn't really matter."
With that, Raiya and his three recruits stepped forward.
"For now, I took Yuki’s advice and gathered people who would be useful for security—guards, I suppose?"
Raiya explained his reasoning for choosing these slaves. Unlike Mauve’s group, this was a very welcome selection. Though, it makes them harder to tease.
"Yes, I am Riel. My race is Cat Beastman. As Raiya-san instructed, I have a certain level of proficiency with weapons. If you are building a village or town here, I believe I can be of service."
Riel, level 18. She stands about 150cm tall with a very short, black-and-white mixed hairstyle—she gives off the vibe of a fresh high schooler, doesn't she? With cat ears, of course. She has a slender build; she could even be a model.
...Wait? So far, no "plain" ones... no, why are they all such beauties? If this is the standard for this world, I’d like to give the god who set the standards for Earth a piece of my mind.
"I’m Kaya, Fox Beastman. My specialty is fire magic. My weapon is staff-fighting... Nice to meet you."
"A-awawa, no, no! Kaya-chan, you have to introduce yourself properly, it’s rude! He’s going to be our master. I’m so sorry!! Kaya-chan is always like this."
Riel panicked and jumped in to cover for her. I didn't intend to demand instant worship or kneeling, but still.
Kaya-chan looks like a middle schooler in her later years, maybe late 150s in height? Fox ears, long blonde hair, and a tail. Her build is average, but well-balanced and quite pleasing to the eye.
...Man, if someone could see my internal monologue, wouldn't this be considered rock bottom?
Oh, she’s level 12 with a high mana pool. I see, Raiya chose her as a magic-wielding guard; a soldier who only knows how to swing a sword would be a problem.
"U-um! My name is Firia!! I’m a Dwarf!! ...Er, I’m still small, so I’ve only ever watched blacksmithing!! But I’ll do my best!!"
Firia-chan is on par with Aslin, at an elementary school level. Height is in the low 140s... She’s bright and energetic; she seems like a good kid. Her hair is brown and tied in a ponytail.
Her level is 2, fitting for her size. Her skills, however, are naturally gifted: "Blacksmith Maiden," "Blacksmith’s Blessing," and other strangely specific blacksmithing skills.
Wait, isn't she amazing? This kid?
I’ll admit, she’s a hidden gem.
But why is someone like this mixed in? She looks like a child no matter how you slice it!!
All characters in this story are 18 years of age or older!!
"I’m counting on you all. Riel, don't think you're limited to just guard duty or physical labor. Try to find what you want to do. Kaya, I’ll do my best so we can get along. Firia, as I told Aslin, if you aren't useful now, you just have to work hard for the future. Let’s do our best together."
"Yes, I’ll do my best!!"
"...Understood."
"I’ll study hard!!"
I patted Firia’s head, the youngest of the group. I mean, if I patted Aslin and didn't pat this kid, it would look like discrimination, right? Plus, it serves as proof that I’m acting as a responsible adult toward a child, in case anyone thinks I’m going to lay a hand on Aslin.
"So, Raiya, I understand your policy, but doesn't Firia contradict it?"
"Ah, she seemed to have talent, so I thought she’d grow if I left her with you. Curse had the same idea. We have one small child, right? If we’re building a village or town, we have to think about the successors."
I see. Unlike some "Loli-out," they actually thought about the future.
"Then, it’s my turn. I gathered people with a focus on civil administration. One of them, as Raiya-san said, was chosen with expectations for growth. That’s the official line, but the truth is, it’s a money issue. Slaves for combat or those with an education are quite expensive. I hope you can forgive me."
Curse said with a wry smile. I didn't expect him to bring nine people, but it seems the money issue was real. When I had Mauve and the others go shopping, I gave them some jewels from the DP, but it’s a newly formed dungeon. It must have only amounted to a small sum.
"Excuse me. My name is Milly. I am Human. I worked as a receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild in the town where Mauve-san and the others were stationed. I can handle paperwork and arithmetic to a certain extent."
Milly-san has a university student vibe, black hair in a short bob with straight-cut bangs. Height is about 160cm. Level 14, and her figure is... well, let's just say she’s very well-endowed.
As expected of Curse, she’s perfect for administrative work.
But to think they were slaves from Mauve’s town...
Milly-san must have sensed my conflicted expression.
"I do feel a sense of guilt that I was the only one Curse-san helped purchase. But if I work hard here, maybe I can help everyone else, right? If so, then it’s fine. Please, let me work here."
There was no sorrow in her face, so I’m sure she’ll work hard.
"Nice to meet ya~, I’m Ratz. I’m a Rabbit Beastman, and I used to be a merchant. I became a slave during the recent chaos, but... under you, it seems like I’ll be treated like a person, so that’s a relief."
Ratz is maybe high school age? She’s tall, looks like 170cm. Long, wavy pink hair... Pink!!? Why can I accept that hair color without feeling weird about it? Wait, was Rurua’s hair blue too!?
Anyway. Level 16—I’m losing track of what the average level in this world is.
Of course, she has rabbit ears!! Her build is well-balanced.
"I’m a merchant, but I traveled on foot to sell my wares, so I’ve got some muscle, too~. I think I can be useful in either role."
I see, that explains why her level is decent.
And then, the last one...
"I’m Labyris. My race is... Succubus. As for what I can do... nothing in particular."
Labyris is elementary school size. Is she even 140cm? Purple twin-tails... another outrageous color I’ve somehow accepted.
The problem is her physique. These slaves arrived in just one thin layer of clothing. I hadn't asked about the treatment of slaves in this world, but since all nine are like this, I assume it’s standard.
The problem with Labyris’s physique is that her chest is huge. Because her clothes are thin and sleeveless, it’s obvious that what’s underneath is the real deal.
How big? If you look at the "well-endowed" members like Eris and Milly, Labyris is even bigger. For her height, isn't that the largest by far?
Fear the Succubus race? Or is it just this kid?
Well, as an adult and a gentleman, it has nothing to do with me.
And here, I let my guard down. I let her skills slide because of her chest.
"Nice to meet you, all three. Milly, let’s do our best to save your acquaintances. Ratz, I’m counting on your merchant knowledge. Labyris, let’s do our best with Aslin and Firia."
"Yes!!"
"Sure thing, leave it to me."
"...?"
I patted Labyris’s head without discrimination. I am definitely not a lolicon. Even if *all characters in this story are 18 years of age or older!!*
My steel will shall not be broken by anyone.
Then, Labyris opened her mouth.
"Are you a Doppelganger? ...You aren't Yuki, are you? Where is the real one?"
That’s right. I am currently operating remotely using a "Doppelganger," a shadow double created with DP that has the highest level of reproduction. The fake Elju was also created using this. I’ll explain the details later, but the problem is...
"I have a skill called 'Eyes of Truth.' A Dungeon Master’s familiar? I don't really understand, but I want to talk to Yuki properly. ...Call him here."
Just like that, my true identity was exposed in front of all nine slaves.
Well, I don't know if all nine of them believe it.
Children in this world are not to be underestimated.
I definitely didn't lose to her chest. Don't call me a loli-out!!
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I’m writing this as a hobby, but I’m grateful for everyone’s cooperation.