Isekai Nonbiri Sozai Saishu Seikatsu - Chapter 77

After stashing Dvorak into the magic bag, we began to move with the intention of returning.

Fortunately, we quickly found the stairs to the eleventh floor, and from there, by repeating magic stone detection and avoiding combat, though it took time, we were able to return to the sixth underground floor.

“Phew, finally made it back to the sixth floor!”

“We’re almost there. Let’s hurry and return to the surface.”

“Yes, sir!”

Looking at the familiar spring, I felt deeply moved, but there was no time to linger.

Having returned this far, the path ahead was familiar. The floor wasn’t particularly large.

We passed by the spring and steadily moved forward.

Considering the evaluation of Drogan’s items and the decoration by Rosca, time was of the essence.

Having been in the dark cave for so long, it was hard to grasp the passage of time.

I wanted to believe that we hadn’t been in the mines for over a week.

As I walked while thinking about such things, Rosca suddenly spoke up.

“Wait a moment. I sense human presence ahead. And there are three of them.”

“Really?”

As Rosca said that, I activated my investigation skill and detected a reaction of materials at the end of the tunnel. It wasn’t like other materials just lying there; it was moving slowly.

The silhouette appeared to be human equipment such as breastplates, shoulder guards, and swords.

It could be inferred that people were approaching.

“It seems so. Let’s be prepared to fight at any moment just in case.”

“Understood.”

This was an uninhabited tunnel with no one’s eyes. We couldn’t afford to let our guard down just because there were people around.

We used skills to grasp the opponent’s position and movement speed and prepared to cast magic at any moment. Rosca also readied her hammer to be able to move.

“…Huh? It seems like they’re calling Shuu-san’s name?”

“Eh? My name?”

Though I didn’t quite understand, it seemed Rosca’s hearing picked up my name leaked from the opponent’s mouth.

“Ah, if they can hear my words, then there must be beastkin among them. They’ll definitely come running saying it’s Shuu.”

Huh? Beastkin who have some business with me?

I didn’t quite understand, but it seemed like the opponent had some business with us.

While I was bewildered by the sudden turn of events, I could hear footsteps running towards us from the tunnel.

For the time being, I sent ahead a light ball to illuminate the depths of the tunnel, and the figures of Leona, Razzo, and Erik came into view.

“We found you! It’s Shuu after all!”

“Ooooh! We’ve been searching for you, you bastard!”

Leona and Razzo exclaimed with strange excitement.

Their reaction left me just bewildered.

“Leona-san, Razzo-san, Erik-san, what are you doing here?”

“We came to find Shuu, obviously!? There was a search request for you guys at the guild.”

“Search request!?”

Unexpected words from Razzo’s mouth left both Rosca and I astonished.

“…They said you went to the mines and haven’t returned for three days? The dwarf issued a search request.”

“Yeah, yeah! So we got worried and came to look for you!”

Erik and Leona explained the situation to us while we were puzzled.

Apparently, Drogan got worried about us being holed up in the mines for three days and issued a search request.

Certainly, it’s natural to worry if we don’t return for three days without a word. Although the situation was what it was, we ended up causing a lot of trouble.

“If we haven’t returned for three days, does that mean today is the fourth day!?”

“Huh? Why are you worried about that? Right now, the most important thing is to celebrate being safe—”

“That’s the most important thing right now! Is today the fourth day?”

Leona is showing her confusion, but from our perspective the time is the most important thing.

“Y-yeah, today is the fourth day, but?”

So they must have issued the request on the evening of the third day or on the morning of the fourth day, and Leona and the others came right away.

“Which means, there’s only three days until the deadline! Rosca, if we hurry back now and work, can we make it in time?”

“I’ll make sure we make it! But, if possible, more time would be better!”

That line would’ve sounded cooler if it weren’t for the latter half added on, but it’s natural to be happier with more time.

“Then let’s hurry back!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Leona-san, we’re short on time, so let’s run back to Grantel!”

“Huh!? After we went to all the trouble of finding you, you’re not even a bit moved!?”

“We’re tired so don’t expect us to be all emotional, right Shuu!?”

It’s understandable to feel dissatisfied with such a reaction, considering they came all the way to find us out of concern for our well-being.

“I’m sorry, but we have something important to attend to and we need to make it in time. I’ll treat you to a lavish meal! We’ll handle scouting and detection, so please stick with us for now.”

“Got it!”

With the promise of a feast, the three of them, who had been discontent, gave a very agreeable response and followed along. It’s a splendid turnaround, but it’s really reassuring to have understanding people around.

♦ ♦ ♦

“We’re back in Grantel!”

By fully utilizing my investigation skill, Rosca’s sense of smell, and hearing, we were able to return to Grantel in less than an hour.

“Hahaha, it took us half a day to get here, but we’re back in the city in an instant.”

“How come we didn’t encounter any monsters at all?”

“…It’s unbelievable.”

Leona and the others, who had followed us, seemed shocked by how quickly we had returned.

Well, with monster detection through investigation and understanding of structures, it’s a breeze to take the safest route in the shortest time possible. Thanks to Rosca, we’re aware of dangerous areas, and we’ve passed through these paths many times.

It might seem like nothing if you put your mind to it, but it’s a feat that can only be accomplished with skills that are almost cheating.

“Well then, let’s head to the workshop!”

“Yes, let’s hurry!”

“Wait a moment! If you’re both fine, could one of you at least come to the guild?”

After all, Leona and the others have received a search request. Even if they say the search is complete without us, it won’t be accepted if we’re not present.

“It can’t be helped. Then, I’ll go to the guild—”

“But then, what will happen to the crucial materials?”

Rosca’s casual remark threw me off, leaving me frozen.

“If I leave this bag with Rosca, could you take out the materials…?”

“Doesn’t seem possible. I appreciate the thought, but thinking about being entrusted with something like this and then losing it sends shivers down my spine.”

As an experiment, Rosca tried sticking her arm in, but it seemed her hand reached the bottom right away.

There didn’t seem to be an atmosphere where materials could be taken out. It seems like it’s been designed in such a way that only I can retrieve them.

Right now, I hate how secure it is.

“Well then, let’s stop by the workshop first before heading to the guild…”

“Sure, thanks to you guys, we were able to return this quickly, so isn’t it fine?”

“We’ve come this far, so we’ll stick with you till the end.”

“Thank you very much!”

Ideally, heading straight to the guild would be the logical thing to do, but if we go now, we’ll definitely be caught by Rabis and forced to explain the situation.

Taking advantage of Razzo and Leona’s kindness, we bypassed the guild and headed to the workshop.