Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 71

“Well, we’ve managed to come all the way to the third floor without encountering any monsters…”

Upon reaching the third floor, Rosca muttered in astonishment.

Since there was no reason to stop on the previous floors, I came directly here taking the shortest route, avoiding battles with monsters as requested.

I’ve been to the mine many times, so I was able to do it at a fairly fast pace. Perhaps this is a new record.

“Now, shall we start looking for materials from here?”

“Wait! We should engage in some battles, or we might be in trouble when the need arises!”

“Eh, didn’t Rosca-san say there was no need to do that down to the third floor?”

It’s not convincing to be told that there’s no need to fight and then hear such a statement.

“Even so, I didn’t think we’d really come all the way here without encountering any monsters! Shuu-san, you’re human, right? Why is your detection range wider than mine!?”

“Well, I have a skill.”

Certainly, if I’m able to sense monsters much faster and from a greater distance than a beastkin like Rosca, one would suspect that I have some kind of power.

Since there’s no need to deceive, I’ll honestly admit that it’s the power of my skill.

“I knew it! Is this the secret to how Shuu-san can go gathering alone?”

“Is battling monsters preferable to using my skill?”

Even if I were to say that I received this skill from a god, it wouldn’t be believed, and I don’t intend to explain to be thought of as a crazy person. Casually steering the conversation back, Rosca immediately responded.

“That’s it! The deeper you go in the mine, the stronger the monsters become, so let’s spare ourselves from facing a formidable enemy right away! I want to get used to it around here first.”

Certainly, the monsters in the Demio Mine become more troublesome as you delve deeper down the floors.

Rosca’s point about wanting to regain a sense of combat around this area was understandable.

“Understood. So, shall we go defeat the monsters in an easy-to-fight location?”

“I appreciate it.”

While I’m not particularly enthusiastic about actively seeking out monsters for subjugation, it’s for Rosca’s safety, so there’s no helping it.

Rather than thinking negatively, let’s approach this as an opportunity to obtain materials from the monsters.

I start walking and use the magic stone survey to sense the monsters in the vicinity.

“If you continue straight on this path, there are two Black Antlers.”

“I didn’t sense anything with my ears or nose, but understood.”

Maybe because she was confident in her ears and nose, Rosca was looking somewhat complicated, but readied her hammer and advanced.

Then, Rosca twitched her ears in response.

“Oh, there really seems to be some reaction.”

It’s amazing to be able to pick up sounds from about forty meters away in this quiet tunnel.

We approach the Black Antlers, assuming a combat stance.

Peeking stealthily from behind a rock, it seems the Black Antlers are digging into the wall, perhaps eating ores or something.

“They don’t seem to have noticed us. What do we do?”

“I’ll immobilize them with ice magic, so Rosca-san, please attack with your hammer.”

“Understood!”

Rosca, aware that I don’t have a proper weapon and have abundant magical power, knows that I am a rear-guard magic type.

Having roughly discussed the plan, I jump out from behind the rock.

“Freeze!”

The Black Antlers, who were having a meal, turned around too slowly.

The ice magic that had already been cast raced through the ground, freezing the legs of the Black Antlers.

“Take thaaat!”

Unable to move and even struggle, the Black Antlers received a spirited attack from Rosca, who approached with a hammer.

“Rosca-san, if you have the opportunity, consider defeating them with consideration for the materials—”

Just as I was about to say that, a crushing sound echoed in the tunnel.

Looking at where Rosca had swung her hammer, there were two Black Antlers whose centers had been crushed.

Their bodies were completely flattened by the impact of the hammer, and there were no materials left intact.

“Oh, the acid sacs, sharp jaws, pheromones, and light-shielding eyes of the Black Antlers…”

“Sorry. I’m not skilled in battles, so I can’t control my strength or anything.”

To my despairing voice, Rosca apologetically chuckled with a wry smile.

Certainly, unlike delicate gemstone cuts and decorations, here, she is smashing them energetically with a hammer.

It’s an unreasonable request to expect us to go easy on opponents who are aiming for our lives while trying to defeat them.

“No, since life is more important than materials, it’s fine.”

“When it seems like I can get materials, I’ll try to be conscious of it as much as possible, so please don’t make such a sad face!”

Perhaps my face looked particularly sad, as Rosca was strangely kind afterward.

♦ ♦ ♦

“Thank you! Since I’ve had enough warm-up, I’ll start looking for materials soon!”

Perhaps having regained her sense of combat after fighting some monsters on the third floor, Rosca expressed satisfaction and promptly took action.

“Well then, I’ll start digging up some ores and gemstones in the area.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll work as close as possible, and if there’s any monster reaction, I’ll let you know right away.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust Shuu-san’s abilities, but I’d prefer if you worked nearby as much as possible. Normally, people don’t go mining alone!”

Come to think of it, it seems normal to have someone stand guard while mining.

Rosca, accustomed to that method, must feel uneasy about mining alone.

It’s not a problem for me since I can grasp everything with my skill, but it’s different for Rosca.

“Understood. I’ll mine within a range where I can keep an eye on things.”

Using the detect skill to find materials, I immediately struck my pickaxe into the nearby wall.

Rosca, letting out a relieved sigh, started staring at the nearby wall.

The success now depends on whether Rosca can find the materials that resonate with her.

I’ll try to mine as many types of materials as possible to stimulate her inspiration.

Digging into the wall with a pickaxe made of hardened magic stone, and when materials approach, carefully excavating with a rock hammer and chisel.

【Thunderstone】

A translucent amber-like shade with lightning patterns in the central part.

A ore that, when infused with magic, can generate small sparks.

Highly popular among collectors.

【Blue Flame Stone】

A stone with a mixture of blue and red, its color flickers like flames. It’s faintly warm, so some people carry it in winter.

【Black Speck Crystal】

A crystal that is transparent with black speck patterns floating in it. The specks randomly emerge, and items formed with these specks are particularly popular.

【Roselite】

A beautiful stone with an opaque pink color, containing numerous inclusions.

Named for its color reminiscent of roses.

Among the materials I mined, these four were something new.

With their attractive colors, they seem pretty decent.

“Rosca-san, could you come take a look? I managed to find a few.”

“Huh? You already found something?”

As I approached with the ores, Rosca is surprised, stops her mining operations.

“Thunderstone, Blue Flame Stone, Black Speck Crystal! You managed to mine all these in such a short time.”

“How about it? Do they seem usable for prototype decorations?”

When I asked, Rosca made a thoughtful expression and tilted her head.

“Hmm, they’re all beautiful, but none of them really resonate with me.”

“I see. Well then, I’ll go mine some more and bring a variety for you.”

“Please do!”

It seems none of these four types struck a chord with her.

Well, I don’t expect to find exactly what we’re looking for right away. I’ll show her a variety of materials without getting discouraged and help Rosca find something she’d like to use for decorations.