第２１４掘：忘れ去られそうな者たち (Part2)
The pebble flew toward the vast sky above... but it didn't soar far. It traveled a mere six meters before striking something invisible and clattering to the ground.
Yes, we were undeniably inside a dungeon.
I don't know the logic behind it, but this sky was merely an illusion projected onto the ceiling.
Honestly, it’s fascinating.
To think a dungeon could be this intriguing—my researcher’s blood was practically singing.
With that thought, I ducked into the tent.
Now, time to put my brain to some serious work.
"Take a seat wherever."
Prism said this as she pulled over a chair from inside the tent and sat down. I took a seat in a nearby chair as well.
"For starters, I can't give you a formal report, so this will have to be an oral briefing."
"Fair enough. We don't have any prospects for supply lines yet, so that's to be expected."
Five days had passed since then.
For the moment, there was no sign of enemy pursuit, but we had lost about a quarter of our supplies to the cave-in and the slimes.
The remaining food was more than I had anticipated, but even with rationing, we only had about three weeks' worth.
Fortunately, there was a clear, drinkable lake on this first floor, so water wasn't an issue.
However, it would be too late once we ran out, so I had already dispatched a unit to scout for food.
"The food situation is dire. We've been gathering wild fruits, herbs, and fish from the lake on this floor, but it won't last long."
"Well, we do have a large number of people to feed."
"Exactly. That’s why I’m thinking of advancing the main force to the second floor, where the scouting parties have been sent, to conduct a large-scale search. It’s a staircase leading upward, and I think that’s better than heading deeper. What do you think?"
Thanks to the scouting parties separate from the food-gathering units, we had discovered staircases leading both up and down.
She intended to move toward the upward staircase they had found.
I understood Prism’s reasoning.
If we stayed here, the army would lose its cohesion due to starvation.
Her solution was to move the main force, using the army to traverse the dungeon while simultaneously securing food and continuing the search.
"The problem is that the security on the first floor will become thin."
"I know. It wouldn't be strange for the enemy to catch up with us soon. That’s why I’m planning to leave the horses on the first floor to use as messengers."
"Ah, I see. The horses don't have a food problem in this grassland, but they’d be hard to use in the rocky, cave-like dungeons of the upper levels."
That’s right; the second floor of this dungeon was just a series of endless, natural caves.
Fortunately, the rocks themselves seemed to emit light, so we didn't have to worry about torches.
"Has the exploration of the second floor itself been progressing well?"
"Yes. We’ve found staircases leading both up and down, and we’ve already sent advance teams to investigate those new levels."
"Aren't you rushing things a bit?"
"Perhaps. But we can't afford to spend our time carefully exploring one floor at a time. We just need to find an exit to the outside."
"…Our goal is to get out of this dungeon and past the cave-in, after all."
"Exactly. Exploring the dungeon is not our objective."
"Haaah…"
I felt a little disappointed after talking to Prism.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh, I was just thinking that my dungeon research would have to wait until we get back to the country."
"That goes without saying!"
Don't get angry at me.
It’s not my fault! I just hate having to leave such an amazing dungeon behind!
***
Side: Yuki
"Hey, dear?"
"Hm? What is it, Seraria?"
"Nothing, I don't mind you spending time with us, but what about your work?"
"Ah, I’ve left that to Steve and the others, so it’s fine."
Wait? Did I say something wrong?
Seraria, still holding Sakura, covered her eyes with one hand.
"Honestly, I never thought I’d find a flaw in you in this regard."
"Excuse me?"
"If you don't want Sakura to grow up thinking her father is a man who doesn't work, then go to work."
"I'm off!"
If a child looked at me with those innocent eyes and asked, "Why doesn't Daddy work?", I think I’d just perish on the spot.
I sprinted toward Steve and the others to shake off that nightmare.
"It’s strange, isn't it? He never wants to rest when he actually needs to, but he wants to slack off when he doesn't need to."
"Uu?"
"Sakura, you’d prefer it if your father was working, right?"
"Ah, ah."
Damn it, that’s just how the world works!
I want to rest exactly when I’m busy!
Everyone, don't forget about Horst and the Enaria army!
Also, everyone wants to slack off when they're busy, right?!