第８９掘：いざ交渉へ
### Dungeon 89: Off to Negotiate
**Side: Yuki**
"Well then, I'm heading off to Gartz. I'll leave the dungeon in your hands."
I turned back to address everyone who would be managing the dungeon in my absence.
"Yes, leave it to us," Eris replied with a firm nod.
This time, the group heading out consists of myself, Seraria, Rurua, Shera, Kirue, Ratz, Kaya, and Narjia. We’ve decided to have Eris lead the team filling the void we’re leaving behind. Given that our subordinates have been growing quite capable lately, the workload has decreased, so I judged it safe to leave. If an emergency arises, well, they are doppelgangers—they can just wake me up if they really need to.
"Deryu. If any problems arise, you are our greatest combat asset. Please protect everyone."
"Hmph. Leave it to me. You can head out with peace of mind."
Deryu seems to have settled in completely and is working hard. Though, she doesn't seem to be very good at helping with my administrative work.
"Rock-san, please make sure you don't cause any trouble for Yuki-san, okay?"
"I know, I know. If I treat the princesses' husbands over there the way I treat people here, my head would be rolling on the floor in no time."
Rock-san is coming along due to his guild connections. We’ve grown close, sharing meals at the tavern after work and checking in on each other’s issues, but as he said, doing that in a foreign land would be a death sentence. I couldn't exactly drag the Grand Master along on a trip, so Guild Master Rock was the logical choice.
The Grand Master is scheduled to visit once the dungeon connection is established. Incidentally, although he returned to Litea after the recent adventurer selection, he basically lives here now. He claims it’s "convenient." To leave behind the place he’s lived for so long so easily—he’s one hell of a geezer.
"Kaya, please take care of everyone."
"Protect them even for my sake!!"
"…Honestly, I don't think that's necessary, but sure."
Tori and Riel sent words of encouragement to Kaya. Kaya is coming along in the capacity of a bodyguard. For such important figures, you’d usually expect a much larger entourage, but well—we’re fakes, right? And we’re high-level, right?
"Shera-chan, be careful."
"Kirue-sama, please take care as well."
"……Both of you, come back safely."
"It’s alright. We’ll definitely return."
"Filia-sama, thank you for your concern. Labyris-sama, please… make sure these two don’t end up crying while I’m away…"
"……If you’re that worried, you could just stay behind, you know…"
"…No, I cannot bear to leave Shera-sama’s side…"
Kirue has been influenced by Aslin and Filia, and she’s now doting on those two. To be so choked up with emotion… those two little ones are not to be underestimated.
"Well then, I shall be off as well… Covil, I leave things here in your care."
"Eh—? Lately, it’s always me, isn't it? *Pout.*"
"You are being paid well for it, are you not? What is it? Do you wish for a pay cut?"
"No! I will work diligently!!"
That side of things is as usual as ever. Narjia-san is coming as the representative of the Fairy tribe to testify that there are no issues with the dungeon. She has the most persuasive power, and her race is, for all intents and purposes, completely independent.
"Ratz, don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"No, that’s my line, Eris. The accounting side is fine since my subordinates—or rather, members of the government office—are handling it, but the Commercial Guild is a real pain. If there’s a serious problem, call me immediately."
"I know."
Ratz is coming along as the representative for dungeon goods and logistics. I’ve gathered this much talent because I intend to press our advantage all at once. It’s a hassle to go back and forth, so I want to accomplish a certain amount in this one negotiation—at the very least, I want to get official permission to build a dungeon connected by a gate. If that’s impossible, I’ll just build it in secret.
"Chii-nee-sama, Rurua-sama, I pray you achieve your goals safely…"
"Leave it to us. Elju, you do your best as well."
"Elju-sama, please take care of the hospital while I am away."
Seraria and Rurua exchanged words with Elju. Both are coming to testify that Roschur and Litea are involved with this dungeon. Since both have faced the heavyweights of Gartz, their presence is very helpful.
"……It’s boring."
"Want to join the group in the back?"
I replied to Seraria’s comment while driving. We are currently in transit. Since we have a large group and Ratz and Kaya have been asking to drive for a while, they’ve had their training, and we are moving in two Marauders. My vehicle carries Seraria, Rurua, Shera, and Kirue. Ratz and Kaya’s vehicle carries Narjia, Rock, and Qual.
Ah, Qual tagged along because, even though Seraria is a fake, she is visiting another country. She’s like a member of the Royal Guard, so in a way, I’m grateful. But still, is there any point in her being in a different car than Seraria? Apparently, her duties include protecting Yuki-sama’s wives, so it’s not an issue.
"Cards, huh… what are you playing?"
Seraria called out to those in the back seat.
"Right now… yes, a nine. I doubt it."
"……Then, a ten."
"I doubt it, Shera-sama."
"Ugh!?"
Judging by the conversation, Shera was doubted and it was a direct hit.
"How do you know, Kirue?"
"Shera-sama becomes strangely calm when she lies. Or perhaps I should say she becomes too composed."
"Th-that’s unfair."
"Well, I suppose I could say it’s because it’s me, but we are heading to negotiate with the brothers and the King—the father—of Gartz. This card game is the perfect practice. Reading the opponent’s gestures and expressions, and guessing their hand. These are skills Shera-sama needs right now."
"I-I won’t lose, you know!!"
"That’s the spirit."
"W-well, it is just cards."
Rurua said with a slightly drawn-back tone, but the two of them seem fired up and are taking it very seriously.
"It feels a bit suffocating to join that group."
"Agreed."
"I wonder if Ratz and Kaya are keeping up?"
"Hmm, look at the mirror on the side… see? The car is following us properly."
"Ah, this. It really is a convenient vehicle."
"Also… Call Ratz."
*『Yes, yes, what do you need, big brother?』*
"Nothing, just checking if you guys are doing okay."
*『It’s getting boring enough to die over here. Everyone in the back seems to be playing cards.』*
"You guys too?"
*『Oh, you too?』*
We chatted like that to kill time.
"Hey Ratz, is Kaya driving right now?"
*『…No, Ratz is driving.』*
"My, you’re quite skillful to take a call while driving."
*『No, it’s just tapping the button to talk, really.』*
"Isn't there anything interesting? I’m bored, too."
*『Hmm, let’s see. Even if this car is fast, it’ll take three days, right?』*
"Well, yeah, one day is impossible."
*『We need to find a way to kill time continuously, or I might as well leave it to the doppelgangers and relax in the dungeon.』*
"I’d like to avoid that. It’s a trip, after all."
*『…True. I think so too.』*
Even so, it’s hard to find ways to kill time. Was there anything convenient?
"Ah, I can't think of anything, but come to think of it, what kind of country is Gartz?"
Remembering the characteristics of Gartz wouldn't hurt, and it’s a good topic for conversation.
"Gartz, huh…"
*『Ah, I’ve never been to the royal capital of Gartz, so I can’t say…』*
*『I heard their wheat is delicious.』*
*『Ah, I’ve heard that too. Apparently, they have a unique cultivation method and it only grows in Gartz…』*
"Come to think of it, wheat was always on the list of Gartz’s trade goods. You can make bread that tastes good… well…"
*『It doesn't compare to the fluffy dungeon bread, though.』*
"Hmm, then couldn't we just buy the wheat and refine it properly here?"
*『Ah, that’s a good idea. Since that fluffiness is just from putting it through a machine, Narjia can examine the machine itself, and we can build it ourselves. Mass production should be possible.』*
"If that creates a unique flavor, couldn't it become a top-tier trade item?"
*『That’s true. I’ll make a note of it during our break.』*
As we talked, the two cars—which are indestructible in this era—continued down the road.
Onward to Gartz!!
What awaits them in Gartz!!
Will they be able to survive!!
No, seriously, stop calling us fakes.