第４１８堀：混乱する神様 (Part2)
“It’s a bit of a strange tale, really~. You see, dungeon mana can be collected just by having people stay there for a set amount of time; you don’t actually have to kill them. That mana is converted into something like a currency called DP, which is only used between Lady Luna and the Dungeon Masters. They use it to procure supplies and goods~. That’s why it’s impossible for us to be ‘losing’ in terms of total mana capacity~.”
I could feel her words slowly sinking into my mind. Because of that, my head was spinning in confusion. What was the truth?
“D-Do you have any proof that would make your story believable?”
“Let’s see~. Then, how about this~?”
As Lilishe spoke, she projected something into the air. It was a display filled with characters and numbers.
“Dungeon functions can be used by people other than the Master, provided the authority is transferred~. This is DP, the currency-like thing I mentioned. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I can see that.”
“Then~, let’s use this DP to order some supplies~.”
“Is that not a waste of mana?”
“It’s fine~. Yuki-san told me I could use this personally as a reward for helping him~. It’s like a salary, you see~. We have that much to spare~. In the first place, we wouldn't be doing this if we were struggling~. Do you really think Lady Luna would be so proactive in lending a hand?”
It was true. Lady Luna always told us to improve the world through our own strength. Even if she had brought someone new here herself, there was no way she would be so overprotective.
“Besides, if she were going to get that involved, Lady Luna would have just done everything herself from the start, right~? Well, never mind that. Anyway, it’s hot out, so shall we have a cold treat~?”
“A cold treat?”
“Yes, exactly~. Ah, here it is.”
As Lilishe spoke, a box-like object suddenly appeared on the table. It didn't feel like she had pulled it out of an Item Box; this must be the act of procuring goods using mana—DP. It was my first time seeing it.
“And this is the cold treat?”
“Yes~. You’ll understand once you touch it~. Oh, Hifi-chan, plates and spoons, please~.”
“Understood.”
I watched Goddess Hifi stand up to get the plates and spoons, then reached out toward the round box. The moment my fingertips touched it, I felt a sharp, refreshing chill.
“It really is cold. How are you doing this? Is it magic?”
“There is magic that hurls ice at people, but there shouldn't be any magic specifically for chilling things~.”
“...That is true. Then, are you using ice to keep it cold?”
“You’re not far off~. We have something similar to an icehouse or a snow cave~.”
“What? Those are for storing natural ice and snow from the winter in dark places like caves to use later, right? While it does snow here in Weed, surely there isn't enough to last until summer?”
“That’s why I said you weren't far off~. We’ve managed to create something similar artificially~. That refrigerator over there, for instance~.”
Lilishe pointed toward a rectangular object that looked like a small closet.
“A refrigerator? Judging by the name, is it like a portable icehouse?”
“That’s right~.”
“May I look inside?”
“Sure~. But please don’t leave it open for long~. If the tea gets lukewarm or the ice cream melts, I’ll kill you~.”
My hand, which had been reaching for the refrigerator, froze at Lilishe’s words.
“Is leaving it open truly that dangerous?”
“No, five or ten minutes is perfectly fine. It cools back down as soon as you close the door. Lilishe is just joking. If the contents spoil, we can just buy more at the supermarket. Anyway, the ice cream is ready, so let’s eat.”
“I’m not joking, you know~?”
“Sigh... Lilishe is being impossible, so please ignore her for a moment. Here you go, Lord Faide.”
With that, Hifi took a white, cheese-like substance out of the cold, round container, placed it in a bowl, and offered it to me.
“It is called vanilla ice cream. Please, try it. It’s delicious.”
“I see. Then, I shall partake.”
As I replied, I thought to myself that the conversation would likely go much smoother if I spoke with Hifi instead of Lilishe from now on. I popped a spoonful of the ice cream into my mouth—and was struck with shock.
“Wha—!? What is this coldness?! And this sweetness and aroma I have never experienced before?!”
The sensation was so entirely new that I found myself shouting and standing up from my seat. As far as I knew, nothing like this existed in this world. I found it hard to believe that humans could prepare such a thing. If so, then it really must be Lady Luna’s power... As I thought this, Lilishe spoke with a smirk.
“You have a look on your face that says you can’t believe it~. Well, I expected as much~. As further proof, why don’t we make some ice cream together~?”
“Pardon?”
***
What a thing to say.
It’s not that Faide is in the wrong. He’s just acting with total sincerity, and he’s currently experiencing the "Science is amazing!" moment.
In cases like this, I’ve decided that proof is better than theory, and seeing is believing. So, it’s time for a cooking lesson!
That said, I don’t usually make sweets myself because the preparation and cleanup are such a pain.