第２２掘：お風呂は日本が誇る文化である。 (Part1)
Chapter 22: The Bath is a Culture Japan is Proud Of.
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The bath is a culture Japan is proud of.
"Eh, did you just say Dungeon Master?"
Milly's face twitched as she stared at me.
At the same time, she cast a strange glance at Labyris.
"Someone with Appraisal-type skills!?"
Eris exclaimed in surprise.
"...!"
Labyris flinched at the reaction. Looking closely, her body was covered in bruises. Was there some connection?
"W-wait a moment. Me being the Dungeon Master isn't going to cause any harm right now, I'll explain later. And is there something wrong with Appraisal-type skills?"
When I said that, Curse, who had been staring at Labyris, seemed surprised and only looked up when I spoke.
"Ah, I'm sorry. Yuki wouldn't know, of course. Appraisal-type skills, as you said, can appraise and see a person's status, etc. The superior ones can even discern lies in what the other person says. However, there's a problem. It's about whether they are telling the truth."
"I see, so it's about whether they actually have the skill, is that it?"
"Yes, they can conspire among friends and fabricate things. And, as with Labyris, even if it's real, there's a problem."
"Labyris becomes a hindrance...?"
"That's right. If they can truly see the truth, their value is immeasurable, but they can also be a hindrance. After all, they can see all of your status, so there's no hiding anything. In the Adventurer's Guild and towns, there's something called Crystal Appraisal, but that only shows occupation and level. There are no items that can reveal more status than that, nor will we create them."
"But, that alone allows you to know the occupation and level of everyone in the town, doesn't it?"
"That's all the kings and rulers of each country have thought is enough. Further disclosure would cause various problems. That's why people with skills like Labyris are often treated unfairly, accused of peeping, and so on. It's rare that she's been safe until now."
But why did Labyris reveal that now? If she spoke carelessly, she could be killed on the spot.
As I wondered about this and stared at Labyris, she seemed to understand my thoughts...
"...These people were kind to me. ...Especially Aslin, she wasn't scared even after knowing my skill. ...I will protect my friends no matter what."
"Labyris-chan!! Ah, I'm sorry!! Please don't hit Labyris-chan!! Don't bully her!!"
The usually quiet Aslin rushed out, hugging Labyris as if to shield her.
Aslin seems to be quite strong-willed.
"I don't have any particular objections. What about everyone else?"
I looked around.
"The three of us have no complaints. In fact, we're impressed. She'll make a good woman, Labyris will."
Loli-out said with a laugh.
"Excuse me. We've been getting along well with Labyris on the way here. There's no way we'd harm her for something like this now."
Eris retracted her earlier statement and affirmed Labyris.
"From my perspective, I think she'll be quite useful in the future. Of course, I know Labyris is a good child."
"Oh, Labyris has Appraisal skills? How about it? If you do business with me, you'll make a fortune?"
Milly and Ratz also spoke favorably.
"I have no particular problems!! Labyris-chan is cute!!"
"I'm fine with Labyris too!! I'll vouch for her!!"
"...Labyris isn't a bad child."
Tori, Riel, and Kaya also said they loved Labyris.
"Um, Appraisal skills? If you have them, does that make Labyris-chan a bad child? I don't really understand, she's my friend?"
Firia didn't seem to understand, but in a way, her answer was the purest.
"...You can do whatever you want to me, but please don't lay a hand on anyone else... I beg you."
"Labyris-chan!!"
I see, Labyris is protecting everyone because she finds me unfathomable.
She's a good kid, but how should I persuade her?
"...Then I'll do as I please."
"Wha-!? Please don't!! I beg you!!"
Aslin clung to my leg.
But that was no hindrance at all.
Labyris's body was enveloped in light.
"Labyris-chan!!"
"...Aslin."
Am I the villain in some heartwarming story?
I'm not a lolicon, you know.
"Alright, with this, the bruises and other injuries on your body should be gone."
What I did was healing magic, a high-level Extra Heal.
"...Eh?"
"Labyris-chan, the bruises all over your body are gone!! That's great!! Sobbing!!"
Aslin buried her face in Labyris's chest. ...One of them is about the size of Aslin's face, isn't it? Isn't that heavy?
"Well then, you all have no ill intentions towards me. If you did, I would have acted already. So, the reason I, the real me, couldn't appear is because I am the Dungeon Master."
"...What do you mean?"
"Milly, Ratz. Or rather, if you know something about dungeons, you should understand, shouldn't you?"
Eris said to Labyris with a look of understanding.
"That's right. If he's truly the Dungeon Master, and if he were to die, this dungeon would be as good as dead. That's because the Dungeon Core and the Dungeon Master are connected."
Milly continued to explain. Well, that's not actually true, but it's not the time to say it.
"I see, I see. You're quite shrewd, aren't you, big brother~? So, what do you think? Do you think we can be trusted?"
Ratz looked at me with admiration.
"Yes, I think I can trust you. However, finally, I will release you from that slave contract and place you under designated protection."
"...Designated protection? ...And then Yuki will trust us?"
Labyris looked at me as if to confirm.
Everyone else was also waiting for my words.
So, I briefly explained the conditions and rules of designated protection.
"Haa~, that's a convenient skill. I want one too. Ah, I got sidetracked. If what big brother says is true, that skill should definitely be used. I believe you, big brother."
Ratz agreed that there was no problem, and everyone else also said there were no particular issues.
...And finally.
"...Alright. I trust Yuki. But promise me, once you cast that skill, you'll come out in front of us properly."
Labyris added that condition.
"Understood. Then let's begin."
With that, I cast designated protection on nine people.
I didn't make any mistakes like Oriel did somewhere. That was good.
"Really... the slave collars are gone."
"...It's true, isn't it."
Eris and Milly seemed to be in disbelief about what had happened to them.
"That's amazing, big brother. This is going to be interesting."
"Thank you very much!! I will lend my full power to the Dungeon Village!!"
"Me too!!"
"...Thank you."
Ratz, Tori, Riel, and Kaya expressed their gratitude and spoke passionately about the future.
"You did it, Labyris-chan!! Your collar is gone!!"
"I'm so glad!!"
"...Yes. If everyone is happy, then I am happy too."
Aslin, Firia, and Labyris rejoiced together.
"Alright, then, let's formally reintroduce ourselves. As you've already figured out, I am the Dungeon Master here. I look forward to working with you all."
With that, I stepped forward, leaving the doppelganger behind me.
"Oh, big brother, you're wearing unusual clothes~. Where are you from?"
As expected of Ratz, who was a merchant. He's very observant.