Volume 1 Chapter 37 Shadows In The Town
Destroy the key--that's what the princess told us.
"Do you mean we should destroy all the keys in the dungeon?"
"I apologize for the vague answer, but I have a very bad feeling about it. Besides, if we conquer each dungeon, the increase in monsters should stop, and we won't need the keys. That way, my father will surely return to his senses."
The princess surely wants to save the kingdom. And just as much, she must be thinking about her father, who has changed.
"I don't really understand, but if there are three keys, can't we just dispose of one?"
Certainly, under normal circumstances, the shop owner's suggestion would be correct.
"My father has been lying to the adventurers he requested, telling them that 'the true power won't manifest unless all three keys are gathered.' However, it was actually written that even one key can have an effect."
"But isn't there a possibility that this talk about ancient documents is just made up? And does this key that this bro has have some extraordinary effect?"
the shop owner asked, staring intently at the key floating in the air, emitting a faint light.
"Yeah, this key has the power to raise the Level Cap."
"Hmm... wait, what!? It raises the Level Cap!? This is undoubtedly a legendary rare item!"
"I guess so. If rumors of such an item's existence spread, there will surely be a fierce competition for it. No, it may already be underway... Before it is misused, it must be destroyed at all costs."
The princess stated, her gaze fixed on the Emerald Green Key.
"Ark-sama..."
Until just a moment ago, Fatina had been determined to aid the princess, but upon hearing the recent conversation, she began to look uneasy. Perhaps she's curious about my thoughts.
"--Understood. Let's go to the two dungeons and search for the keys. I have my own reasons for needing the power of the keys."
When I answered the princess like that, Fatina's expression brightened up.
Either way, in order for me to become stronger, I need to obtain the remaining keys and unlock the upper limit.
At the moment, there is still room for growth with skill points and the addition of the new Abilities List, but I want to avoid reaching a plateau with my stats.
I will break through the remaining two dungeons-- 'Aquaflow Cavern' and 'Inferno Pathway', and obtain the keys before destroying them.
"I'll go with you too!"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm fine! Besides... I originally intended to follow Ark-sama."
Fatina looked at me with a shy smile.
Suddenly, I remembered what happened when we were talking together at the stall earlier.
Our conversation was interrupted, but maybe what she was about to say at that time was... perhaps it was about this.
"Thank you, everyone."
The princess bowed, brushing away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes with her fingers.
"--Ark-sama, I can hear many footsteps."
Fatina suddenly spoke, pressing her hand to her ear.
It was rare for a large number of people to walk through the back alley.
Most likely, it was the Cretia soldiers searching for the princess.
"This is bad... Princess-san, please hide in the bedroom for now! I'll manage the rest here."
"Y-Yes..."
The shop owner opened the door at the back of the counter and welcomed the princess inside.
Soon, many footsteps approaching on the ground, then gradually moving away.
It seemed they were not on patrol.
"They seem to have gone, but what was that about? It sounded like they were in a hurry."
(...There's a possibility they've sealed off the entrance and exit of the town.)
Perhaps they changed their strategy from searching for the princess through patrols to sealing off all entrances and exits of Voltana.
If Ryuin and the others were still here, they might have been able to use magic or something to jump over the castle walls without arousing suspicion.
But they are no longer here. Therefore, the four of us need to figure something out.
"...Did they go?"
The shop owner asked Fatina, who nodded without saying a word.
"Oh, it seems it wasn't a patrol."
"Phew... That was close."
When the shop owner opened the bedroom door and asked her to come over, the princess came out looking apologetic.
"I apologize for the inconvenience."
"No worries, once this is done, I'll make this shop the official supplier to the palace."
As always, the shop owner seems to have a strong business sense.
"Now, first of all, princess-san, you should do something about your appearance. There's nothing you can do about it if you can't leave here, right?"
The shop owner looked the princess up and down.
Since the soldiers are already aware of her outfit, if she goes out like this, she will be immediately recognized.
"And speaking of clothes, I'll take care of that here... Give me a moment, I'll call someone over, so please wait."
With just those words, the shop owner quickly left through the entrance and disappeared into the back alley.
After waiting for a while, he returned.
"Welcome back, Gail-san... Oh? Who's that with you?"
Right behind the shop owner stood a woman holding a large leather bag.
"She's a skilled tailor who lives in the back alley. Besides that, she's good at various other things, so I thought she would be perfect."
"Nice to meet you. Thank you for saving our town."
The woman respectfully held the hem of her long skirt as she bowed.
"I heard from Gail. It seems you've been through a lot, haven't you? Well then, let's get started right away."
She took scissors and a comb out of the leather bag she was carrying and placed them on the counter.
"Ah, uh... what are you doing?"
Fatina looked at the utensils placed there curiously, and the woman turned her smile towards her.
"Even if you go out, you'll have to change her appearance first. Shall we change her hairstyle first?"
"In that case, please use the room next door."
"Okay. Now come here."
"Yes, thank you."
The woman took the princess and entered the bedroom.
"...There were a lot of soldiers outside. It might be difficult to walk around town without getting suspicious."
After the bedroom door was closed, the shop owner sat in his chair and muttered to himself.
"Are there that many?"
"Yeah, maybe that's why there's a strange atmosphere in town. It might be natural if the princess of a country disappears, but it's a bit abnormal."
"Ark-sama, what should we do?"
Since it has been determined that the princess is in Voltana, it may not be a good idea to continue staying in this town.
(If that's the case, it would be best to escape the town as soon as possible.)
At this rate, there's no way we can conquer the dungeon.
If we're going to go, it would be better to go somewhere near one of the dungeons.
For example, Trasverum, which is close to Aquaflow Cavern.
If we go there, we might be able to escape from our pursuers for a while.
"What about leaving Voltana with the princess and heading to Trasverum?"
"Trasverum, huh... Well, either way, it's impossible to stay in this town for long. It will take a few days if you go. I'll arrange a carriage in advance."
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
"Good grief... I'm already used to it."
The shop owner said that and left the store with a wry smile.
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