第６６掘：おかねちょうだい？ (Part1)
Dig 66: Give me money?
In yesterday’s "Pit 1 Dig: I Want Sushi!!", there were many comments.
Replying to each one individually is a bit of a hassle... or rather, since it was mostly just me declaring my favorite tropes, I’ll skip it.
My apologies to those who wrote thoughtful feedback.
Please write it in this chapter instead, and I’ll surely be able to reply then.
Give me money?
Side: Yuki (Real Name: Kazuya Torino)
"So, shall we say a capacity of 400 to 500 people per week?"
"Yes, please proceed with that. As for the screening process, as discussed earlier..."
"Understood. Dest and I will handle the mediation."
Well, that’s how things are going. After lunch, we’re hammering out the future schedule.
Oh, are you wondering if Ritia might attack?
Nufufu, no need to worry about that.
There isn't a direct connection from Ritia to this dungeon.
While traveling to Ritia by carriage, I formed a transit dungeon during a camping break.
This dungeon is designed so that you cannot enter it from that location.
It’s connected to my dungeon and Ritia’s Cathedral dungeon via a gate.
While access from the dungeon to Ritia is unconditional, the reverse requires either me, a representative, or a specific item to open the gate.
So, even if Ritia goes crazy and tries to attack, they’ll just hit a dead end at the transit dungeon.
Besides, the dungeon’s field effect seals the release of magic and skills, so there’s basically no problem at all.
A monster called a Blood Minotaur, who used to be a cleaner in the old dungeon, acts as the leader, and an Orc Army provides security at that transit point.
Well, they’re bored, so they apparently spend their time farming in that dungeon.
No, really—when I gave them tomatoes, they were so happy that they started growing them from the seeds.
The Orcs seem to like cucumbers. I hope they don't start growing plates on their heads.
It’s a peaceful, 4km-square dungeon with a small farm and a gate.
"Someday, we’ll fill this dungeon with delicious vegetables!!" my subordinates are shouting with enthusiasm.
What a wonderful agricultural spirit. Aren't you guys basically carnivores? Can you even eat vegetables? Omnivores, huh!!
Oh, the modified pillbugs are also helping to till the fields. The modified pillbugs are doing great work here too!!
Come to speak of it, the Blood Minotaur is named "Mino-chan," and the Orc Army leader is "John."
All the monster naming was done by Aslin.
It’s not like they get stronger just because they have a name, but Aslin said she felt lonely if they didn't have names, so I left it to her, and that’s what happened.
By the way, all my current monster subordinates have received their names from Aslin.
I don't remember them. After all, there are over a thousand of them.
She remembers them well, doesn't she? Maybe Aslin has a talent for being a Monster Tamer?
Speaking of names, I heard from Mauve and the others that "Named Monsters" are strong, but seeing Aslin, I thought the opposite.
In other words, it’s not "they are strong because they have a name," but "they have a name because they are strong."
After all, when I summoned the Blood Minotaur, it was already level 96 and had the strength to deserve a name, yet it didn't have one.
Then, the moment Aslin called it "Mino-chan," the name was added to its status, so I suspect it gets attached the moment the monster itself accepts it.
...However, I’m bored.
"Now, regarding financial aid, we are accepting 10,000 people. A half-hearted amount won't cut it. Even when Seraria-sama arrived, we received 400 platinum coins as operating funds. That was for 355 people. And even that amount wasn't enough to prepare housing for everyone. Therefore, I would like at least 20,000 platinum coins."
"Wait a minute!? We can't prepare that kind of sum!! That’s one-tenth of the annual national budget. To ask for such an amount..."
"Oh, Alstaire. You should just ignore the opposition. Do you want to make enemies of both Roschur and Gartz at the same time?"
"Seraria-sama... surely there will absolutely be those who argue that this shouldn't be done, even if it means war. That is not what you desire, is it?"
"Haah, I don't really care what happens. I’m searching for a minimum plan so the people don't starve, and if you just tell me 'we can't' or 'it's impossible,' I could just crush Ritia from this dungeon in one go, you know? It’s apparently right under the cathedral, so shall I suppress it all at once? Alstaire, you’re mistaken. All you can do here is think about how to convince Ritia."
"..."
"If you can convince Ritia, you can continue to live peacefully. If you can't accept it, then your position and Ritia itself have no meaning."
Like this, Seraria is the public representative, so I’m leaving the negotiations to her while I listen and doze off, but Seraria is really pushing hard.
Alstaire is resisting desperately, but her position means nothing to her right now.
If the matter of Elju is used as a shield, foreign countries will all become enemies at once.
And as Seraria says, she can easily take down Ritia from this dungeon.
Well, the request is indeed unreasonable.
After all, they are suddenly saving refugees they had ignored until now and transporting them to other countries.
And exporting 20,000 platinum coins for aid and support.
Alstaire has no choice but to nod for the dual reasons of this dungeon and Elju, but the upper echelons of Ritia, who haven't actually seen this place, won't be convinced.
Well, time to find a middle ground.
"...Hmm, Seraria. Surely the Ritia upper brass won't be convinced all of a sudden. Why don't you give them some time to weigh whether it's appropriate to accept our demands?"
"H-how dare you address Seraria-sama so casually!? You rude person!!"
"The rude one is you, Alstaire. Is there any problem with a husband addressing his wife casually?"
"H-husband!?"
Oh, right. Kiyu is over there grinning at me, and this is the first time Alstaire is meeting the real me.
I completely forgot.
"My apologies. I am Seraria's... fiancé..."
"Husband."
"...I am serving as her husband. My name is Yuki."
"Eh, the same name as Yuki-san?"
"No, his real name is Kiyu, and he is my half-brother. Given the circumstances, I had our highest combat power step out. As for the name, it’s for safety reasons."