Inario Dungeon (1)
Long ago, Ferio had called dungeons "living fortresses."
After that, I'd asked Agnes about them.
"Dungeons take root deep in the earth, possessing a will of their own that invites adventurers inside.
Each one has its own personality, its own quirks—even tastes of its own, allowing it to change and grow by itself.
Adventurers see dungeons as a challenge. But perhaps the dungeon sees adventurers as the challenge. Or maybe it's just amusement... or proof of its own existence.
Kirgil, you must always remember this: When exploring a dungeon, don't focus solely on the monsters or traps before you. First, grasp the will of the dungeon itself."
That led me to imagine this world's dungeon entrances looking like the gaping maw of some massive sandworm from a desert planet.
In other words, a giant living cave.
"We welcome you all to the Inario Dungeon."
Inadia pointed to a cave exposed beneath a massive tree root.
A dungeon named after Inadia's father, the Second Knight Commander of Darania. What a bad vibe.
I could buy it if it was named after the discoverer, but did he really find it himself? No way a knight commander comes out here.
Probably bought the rights or bribed the real finder.
Anyway, this ill-named dungeon lay northwest of the Forest Hideout city.
The forest I'd wandered was to the city's east and south, known as the Three-Colored Forest—or the "Three-Colored Hell" for short.
I hadn't known, but apparently no one survives entering the Three-Colored Forest alone.
Instead, it's packed with dangerous monsters and hidden dungeons, making it a stage that tempts countless adventurers' curiosity.
The Inario Dungeon had been found not in that direction, but in the unremarkable woods on the opposite side that no one paid attention to.
That's why it went unnoticed, and since it hadn't been around long, it was considered relatively safe.
Common knowledge: the older the dungeon, the deeper and more dangerous it gets.
In short, this Hero party of nobles and their kids from various nations aimed to earn fame as dungeon conquerors in an easy one near the city.
Like a big corporation sneaking a politician's son into their company with salary and credentials as bribes instead of cash!
Damn, whether here or my home world, the rich all play the same game.
Or maybe my perspective's warped?
"Hey, porter. We're entering the dungeon tomorrow morning. We're camping here tonight, so get ready."
"Yes, sir. As you command."
Even for a Boy Scout-style escort mission, monsters that could threaten our lives might lurk inside.
Best to go in at peak condition, fully prepared. Avoid pointless friction too.
I'd brought my weapons just in case. But judging by how Inadia treated me like underling trash, he probably wouldn't use my combat power anyway.
"Kirgil, start the campfire. I'll prepare dinner."
"Princess Ashushikara, leave the work to him and..."
"I'll fetch some good kindling."
"Ahem... Leave the fire to me. There's good wood right here."
Huh. Contrary to my prejudices, they didn't seem keen on being pampered. They looked serious about adventuring.
Even Ierpanashi grabbed his weapon and asked me what needed doing.
"Need hunting?"
"No, we have plenty of rations. And I don't want to stir up the area with blood scent here."
"Understood. I'll stand by. And Ier is a goldkeeper title. I am Panash."
Panash said only what was needed and left. Most people can't just sit idle even without tasks due to the group vibe, but he ignored it entirely.
"You don't all have to..."
Look at Inadia. People who care about optics get fidgety when out of sync with the mood.
"...I'll look for firewood nearby too."
He ended up excusing himself. But why the glare as he left? I didn't do anything.
Hodo's campfire setup was pretty unique.
He dragged over a whole log, split it into six cake-like wedges with his axe—but not all the way through. Then he pried the gaps wider, hollowed the inside a bit, and lit it up.
Like instant briquettes, even if the material differed.
"Oh my, it's like a little kitchen."
"Using the log like this makes it super convenient to set pots on top for cooking. And it'll burn a long time."
I'd decided to use formal speech with Ashu during this trip. Our positions made me self-conscious.
"Master Hodo, your craftsmanship is impressive. That weapon looks fascinating too. If it's not too rude, may I take a look?"
I'd been curious about Hodo's axe-crossbow for a while. Complex weapons break easily or lack durability, but dwarf magic probably compensated.
And Hodo didn't mind the interest in his craft.
"Ahem. Well, you can... take a look... ahem."
"Oh, thank you. Let me just... whoa!"
This thing's heavy as hell!?
Dwarf bonus like this? Easily over 10kg. Felt like lifting a barbell.
I aimed it at a tree outside the firelight, thinking of firing. Tried standing and sitting shots—stuff any fit Korean guy could do.
Ugh... heavy, and the balance is so front-loaded I can't aim. Hard to even hold steady.
"Master Hodo, I couldn't use this. The weight distribution would make arrows hit low."
"Kirgil. Ahem... ahem! Noticing the mechanism over the axe head. Impressive. And perfect form! You're the real deal!"
Huh... Hodo's suddenly excited. Sees me as a fellow "otaku." Guess he acknowledged me as a true enthusiast?
"I'm really into shooting mechanisms. I use a bow a bit too. But this is my first real crossbow."
"Kahaha! I'll make you one soon. Try it and give feedback."
He grabbed some firewood he'd chopped. Planning to craft mid-adventure?
Wild wood needs processing to be proper timber, but any tree work?
Ah, he's already started. Dwarf tech bonus, I guess.
After dinner and final prep—bedding down—Inadia called everyone.
"The rest of you face life-or-death battles starting tomorrow, so tonight's watch is on the porter..."
"I'll take first watch, Lord Inadia."
Ashu cut him off the moment "watch" left his mouth.
"I sense an ominous shadow from the dungeon. So before you all sleep, I plan to perform a Kalderan prayer to dispel ill omens."
"R-right. Thank you for your consideration, Princess. But does the prayer really take hours? So..."
"Yes."
"......"
Inadia swallowed his words at Ashu's firm tone. Priests' faith defies logic anywhere. Doubly so for a saintess in this world.
"Don't worry. I'll hand off to Kirgil after mine."
"I'll take last watch. I had nothing to do."
Panash volunteered for the final shift too.
I'm not clueless. Inadia wanted to slave me out with all-night watch plus hauling. But Ashu blocked it with her prayer excuse.
Plus, everyone here except Inadia wasn't here to be babied. They were geared for real dungeon diving.
Time to revise my prejudices again.
Anyway, even an idiot like Inadia would accept the situation now.
"V-very well. With everyone so passionate about adventuring, the porter's burden lightens too. Hahaha."
Sneaky dig on his way out.
Ashu winked cutely just for me.
Owe her big today.
Sleeping amid adventure tension is precious. Me and the others crashed by the fire.
"Hm?"
I felt a weird sensation and opened my eyes.
Ah, the new moon's already up. Shift time. But this feeling...
"Ashu, what if someone sees?"
I whispered to her so no one woke. Lips to wake me with people around? Kinda much.
Stretched, checked weapons, sat on a fallen log—Ashu sat beside me.
"Aren't you tired? Go sleep."
She leaned on my shoulder.
No way she's sleeping like this, right?
"I've wanted to stargaze like this once."
"Switching from Sun Saintess to Star Saintess?"
"Wanted to do it with you, Kirgil."
Tch, turning my joke romantic. She's gotten good after a few losses.
Can't just sit. Confirmed others asleep, then hugged leaning Ashu with one arm.
She giggled softly.
"Kirgil. Even if I said it to thwart someone’s scheme, that dungeon does feel ominous. For real."
Ashu's intuitions were usually spot-on.
Hoped my role here was just porter. Probably not.
Rematch with Inadia needs caution too.
Stargazing, Ashu soon breathed evenly on my shoulder.
Can't let her sleep till dawn. Gently princess-carried sleeping Ashu to her bedroll without waking her.
Covered her with cloak-blanket—suddenly her hands cupped my head, pulling it to her face.
Pretending to sleep, huh. Sneaky girl.
No choice. Gave her a light goodnight kiss.