Volume 1 Chapter 50 Gathering In The Lower Layer
"Good morning, everyone. I'm sorry for causing you all worry yesterday."
"Oh! It's Mel-san!"
This morning, after not seeing Mel for a day, she appeared apologetically in front of everyone, and Fatina, upon seeing her, hugged her tightly.
"Are you okay!? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Y-yes. I'm fine now... really."
"I'm glad! I was so worried..."
While being embraced by Fatina, Mel smiled shyly, looking a bit uncomfortable.
When she suddenly made eye contact with me behind Fatina, she closed her eyes for a moment and remained still in that position.
"Well, breakfast will be ready soon. Mel-san, are you hungry too?"
Chester said while looking at the two. He seemed relieved to see Mel looking brighter.
"Thank you, Chester-san. Also... I have something to discuss with everyone about the dungeon."
"The dungeon...?"
"Right. I understand. Since it's not ideal to talk standing here, shall we do it over breakfast?"
The four of us moved to the large dining room to have breakfast.
Unlike yesterday, everyone was eating delicious-looking food.
However, Elliot was not with us due to his work with the merchant guild.
"Mel, what's the story?"
Fatina asked, and Mel looked me in the eye, nodded, and she began to explain.
"As written in an ancient document, the dungeon we entered yesterday, Aquaflow Cavern, has a hidden lower level."
"Hidden lower level? And what is that Aquaflow Cavern?"
Chester said, looking at us curiously.
Since he doesn't know anything about the situation, it's only natural that he doesn't know what she's talking about.
"Aquaflow Cavern is the name of a dungeon in Trasverum, and at its deepest level there is a special item called the [Aquaflow Key]."
"What? I'm sure our merchant guild doesn't know anything about that. Besides, where did you get that information?"
"This information is known only to the royal family of Cretia and some adventurers. And since it is related to Chester-san, I have told you about it."
"What? Does it have something to do with me?"
Chester was left feeling even more confused and stunned.
"Um, in order to enter the lower layer, from the end of the middle layer in Aquaflow Cavern──where Chester-san is calling the lower layer──we need to use [Teleportation Magic] to move further."
When Mel spoke these words, Chester was so surprised that he exclaimed, "Huh?" and stood frozen with his mouth wide open.
"Wow... I didn't know there was such a system."
"Yeah, I only heard about it for the first time from Mel last night. It seems to be true because it was written in ancient documents──"
"Last night...?"
Upon hearing this, Fatina directed a somewhat protesting gaze at me for some reason...
"Chester-san, I know it's unforgivable to say this now, but I'm sorry for keeping it hidden until now."
After saying that, Mel stood next to the chair and politely bowed deeply.
"It's not Mel... I apologize as Princess Merletta."
"P-Princess Merletta...? C-Could it be the real princess of our country!? This is disrespectful!! Please, forgive my repeated rudeness!"
Chester, knowing her true identity, suddenly stood up from his seat and took a big step back, kneeling down.
"Please, raise your head, Chester-san. It is I who should apologize. I have involved you in this. And... please understand that I am asking for something that I should not ask. Could you lend me your strength to go to the lower layer?"
Mel said to him... but on her own face, anxiety could be seen.
And in response to her words, Chester remained silent.
That's true. Even though she is a princess of this country, he experienced such a dangerous situation yesterday.
If Elliot were here, he might have tried to stop him right away.
"Alright! Please take me with you!"
"Huh?"
However, Chester unexpectedly responded with a smile and a loud voice.
Mel looked surprised this time.
"Is that okay? It's a dangerous place..."
When I asked, Chester lightly laughed and said, "Heh."
"I am a merchant. What I must protect is profit. And if I can help the princess herself, it will surely bring great value to our merchant guild."
As he spoke, his eyes had the same look as Elliot's when we first met, the eyes of a merchant.
Chester must have thought that by doing this, he could create a favor with the royal family and establish a connection.
It's a very merchant-like way of thinking.
"Thank you... Chester-san."
Mel smiled with a relieved expression on her face.
"Well then, let's hear the detailed story!"
Chester sat back down and began to speak with a serious expression, different from before.
* * *
"Hey! Allen! Is Allen here?"
Inside the building owned by the Wiol merchant guild, a man was calling out a name loudly in the hallway.
Dressed in noble-like attire, Dolthos, the son of one of the most influential members of the Wiol merchant guild in Trasverum, was searching for Allen, the S-Rank adventurer he had hired.
The B-Rank adventurers who usually followed closely behind him were nowhere near him anymore.
After being defeated by Ark without being able to do anything, they had run away somewhere.
"Oh Dolthos-san, what exactly is all this commotion about?"
As the big door swung open, Allen and his party were all gathered inside.
"Allen! Come here right now! We're going to show those Clow Merchant guild guys what we're made of── Huh!?"
But in the next moment, Allen's sword was pressed against Dolthos' throat.
"Watch how you speak. We may be relying on your merchant guild's help, but that's because we all have the common goal of conquering the dungeon."
"Grrrr... you..."
As Dolthos stumbled back, groaning, Allen sheathed his sword.
There was a reason why Allen and his group were hired by Dolthos.
As they prepared to conquer the Aquaflow Cavern, Allen and his friends had learned the secret entrance to the hidden lower layer from an ancient document deciphered with the help of King Cretia.
But, because the king didn't have any magicians with the [Teleportation Magic] skill, they had to recruit on their own.
Allen thought to himself, "They're underestimating us," but he decided to go along with the proposal from Dolthos, the son of the Wiol merchant guild, because he had a suggestion.
The reason Dolthos hired Allen was to buy rare items obtained from the exploration of the Aquaflow Cavern exclusively for the Wiol merchant guild, and to conquer the unconquered Aquaflow Cavern.
S-Rank adventurers don't become dependent on any particular merchant guild. It's not very beneficial to be tied down.
In the midst of this, just by hiring the S-Rank adventurer party known as the strongest among adventurers, the Wiol merchant guild gained respect in Trasverum and was able to demonstrate their power as a merchant guild.
Furthermore, if he was able to conquer a dungeon that many adventurers had been unable to conquer before, his influence would further increase.
For this reason, Dolthos allowed Allen to take a magician with the [Teleportation Magic] skill from the merchant guild as requested, and even provided him with lodging and expensive potions.
"Hey! Surely, you can conquer the dungeon, right!?"
"Don't worry. We've already explored much of the lower layer. We'll be done conquering it soon."
Allen smiled and told the angry Dolthos.
As a result of fighting in the lower layer, the level of the priestess Leanne is already over 50, and the effect of Healing Magic (Holy Magic) increases as she grows up due to her skill [High Priestess].
Furthermore, because all of Allen's party members were excellent, they were able to deal with the fierce attacks of A-Rank monsters that a normal party would not be able to handle.
"Hey, I have paid a lot of money for this! Make sure you conquer it! Got it!"
After saying that with a dismissive tone, Dolthos stormed out of the room with heavy footsteps.
(What a foolish man... but I'll soon have the key. Once that happens, I won't need anything else.)
"Now, everyone, shall we head towards the lower layer for our conquest?"
"Y-yes!"
Leanne reacted to Allen's words and spoke out.
Ellis and the others finished their preparations and left the room.
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