The Hidden Dungeon Only I Can Enter

Chapter 106 Brother, that’s no good

「I just learned yesterday, but it seems that harlots often loiter around this inn at night.」

Emma suddenly says during breakfast at the inn. I just nodded casually but when I raised my head and our eyes met I was startled. Emma’s eyes were frighteningly sharp.

「Did you let one in your room?」

「You think, I’d buy one?」

「No, I believe that Noir wouldn’t do such a thing. But, what were those weird voices, that we heard yesterday?」

My face turns white. So we were exposed after all. Looking for help I glance at Laura-san. However, she was merely wiping her lips with a napkin, showing a completely unconcerned expression.

I should get through this with my own wits, huh? No… Rather, is there any particular reason to hide it? I didn’t commit any crimes, I was merely saving LP… No, that’s impossible. I wouldn’t dare to say that I was licking Laura-san’s back.

「Ye-yesterday, I had a nightmare. Probably it was that.」

「Eeh, it was obviously a female voice though… Luna-san was chatting with me the whole time.」

「Fumu, as a half-elf I have good ears. I’m positively sure that was a woman.」

「It was I. Sometimes I make weird sounds during my sleep. Alice often tells me about that.」

It was very forced and painful in two ways at the same time. I’m not fooling them at all and it causes me mental anguish. And after all, here came a timely help from Laura-san.

「That’s what Noir-san is saying, so just leave it at that. Even gentlemen sometimes have an urge to make a female-like voice. I heard it as well, but it was a pretty cute voice. Please, don’t be embarrassed.」

「…Yes.」

I want to acquire that tough mental as soon as possible. It might be difficult since that is the exact opposite of myself. Lately, I’ve been thinking, isn’t personality a talent as well? Then, a man in tailcoat came into the inn and stopped beside me.

「Stalgia-sama I presume. I was sent by Shoen-sama.」

Suddenly, or actually not. Yesterday, he did say that he would like to talk at the later date. Though I didn’t think that he will send for me as the first thing in the morning.

But, it gives understanding that there is this much urgency to it. Since the breakfast was over as well, I follow him. Although the distance wasn’t that big, the carriage was thoughtfully prepared.

When I arrive at the Duke’s residence, Shoen-sama and Perido-san meet me.

「Sorry for calling you so soon after yesterday. You were resting, right?」

「No, I just finished breakfast, so it is perfect.」

「First, take a seat anywhere you like. Though the place is small so you don’t have much choice!」

Shoen-sama is a sociable character, capable of making a joke. I’m really glad that he is such a person since there is a lot of high-struck people among nobles

「In truth, I’d want to start from small talk, but we don’t have such luxury. You know about the monster attack that took place yesterday?」

「Yes, we fought as well.」

「So it were you who defeated the harpies after all. Hearing the resident’s stories I thought it might be the case. Truly, thank you, I appreciate that courage.」

Putting hands together, Shoen-sama gives his thanks. The gesture of gratitude that can often be seen in this country.

Since he just thanked me, I thought it might be a good opportunity and asked a question. 「Could it be that Hornest does not have enough soldiers?」 I ask.

「In part due to being busy with training, but most troops didn’t make it in time. However, even with all of them combined, their numbers are not enough to deal with the big wave.」

「You didn’t request for reinforcements?」

「No, I already sent for it to the royal capital. If everything goes as planned, tomorrow they should reach here.」

I was somewhat relieved. Even the small scale attack from yesterday threw the town in a state of panic. A full-scale attack will turn it into complete hell.

Shoen-sama was a capable person, and thoughtfully researched the previous big waves, and was saying that even if one was to occur this time, they will be able to make it through.

「But I want to raise our chances of success. And therefore I have a request for Noir-kun.」

Request… That was within my expectations.

If a huge wave was to occur now, with a huge probability it would happen in less than a week from now on.

So, they want us to cooperate.

「To say honestly, it pains my heart to ask of it from you all, since you are so young. However, you were skilled enough to save the town of Landan. Of course, you can expect my gratitude. Can you lend us your power?」

Shoen-sama was asking earnestly enough to touch the table in front of him with his forehead. It’s natural to feel cornered. He is a benevolent lord, so he wants to reduce the damage to the city as much as possible.

It would be too bitter if they repelled the wave but lost half of the population. I make a confirmation with everyone. Everyone said they will follow my decision.

「Shoen-sama, please raise your head. If we can be of use we will gladly cooperate with you.」

「Ooh, such welcome words. Our hope just grew greater.」

However, it is not completely settled that the wave will come. It would be best if it didn’t happen at all.

It was settled that we will join up with the troops from the capital that will arrive tomorrow. Then, Perido-san made another essential move.

「Noir, I will send a letter to your father with express delivery. Of course, I will do the same for your friends as well.」

「That is a great help. Since we were planning to stay only for two or three days.」

I, Emma, and Layla-san still were on summer vacation. Laura-san also took a long vacation. The problem was Luna-san, she should have taken only a small leave.

「Will it be okay with your absence? You also have your duties as a saintess, right?」

「No problem. I want to help people. Even if they are from another country, my thoughts stay the same. Even if I will be a bit late everybody should understand.」

It was very reassuring that she will stay since she could use a healing shot.

Thus it has been decided that all five of us will stay at Hornest for a while. Since we can freely use our time until tomorrow, we decided to take a look around the town during the day.

First, districts. This place was well organized, with signboards installed notifying about entering or leaving the district, it was easy to navigate.

「We have no idea where we will be assigned. I prefer to be together with Noir.」

It’s exactly as Emma said. Perhaps we will have to run around the town, so it would be better to memorize the streets.

「Even so, aren’t residents running away?」

「It’s not so simple. It’s another story if you are as rich as Emma’s family.」

It’s still unclear if the wave will even come, but even if it was established, there are many difficulties with living in a foreign country for a while.

And for people who have a trade here, it’s even more so.

Even playful conversations between the kids running around the town with wooden swords give a good insight into the circumstances.

「I won’t lose! I’m not afraid of the monsters!」

「Me too! Monsters are weak!」

Putting monsters’ strength aside, even kids were filled with affection for their hometown. In fact, listening to adults talking around the town, no one had any intentions of backing down to monsters.

「I see, the reason this town had a lot of swordsmanship schools was that they wanted to fight off monsters.」

「I guess so. If every resident of the town is strong then it’s for the best.」

According to what I heard not long ago, the waves started two hundred years ago. This town went through the waves at least a dozen times. That would temper your spirit.

After walking through every district we got hungry and decided to return to the inn for now. It was lunchtime, so when we reached the front of the inn a fragrant smell of cooking would come to stimulate our nostrils.

However, when we came inside we forgot all about the cooking.

「In this world, many men cannot be trusted. But I am different. No matter what happens, I will certainly protect you until the very end. I want to become a warrior that lives to protect only you.」

A brown-haired man was making advances on a young girl that probably was an employee of this inn. He was performing kabedon 1 and firing the cheesiest lines in rapid succession all in the broad daylight.

Since it was her work time, it was troubling for the girl, and guests, that were having their meals, looked clearly annoyed.

「When I become a big merchant and make good money, I will first buy your shoes. High-class shoes to hold your precious feet.」

If I was a woman I certainly wouldn’t be swayed by that. But many girls fall for him. Could it be that such a forced approach is actually rather effective?

Sighing in lament, I put my hand on my brother’s shoulder.

「You are being a public annoyance, please mind time and place.」

「Isn’t it Noir! Where have you been, I was so lonely.」

Clinging to me, he was rubbing his cheek on me, so I push him away with all my strength. Brother, even if a man does this it won’t give me LP, so please stop.

「I was doing this because you weren’t there.」

「Who in the world starts picking-up girls while looking for his little brother…? And, what with this huge luggage?」

An awfully large backpack and a bag were lying on the floor. When brother picked those up his face suddenly turned serious.

「I’m going to escape from this town. According to my intuition, the wave will certainly come in the near future.」

「What about the commercial school?」

「I informed them that I will be absent for a while. When I come back… It might be in ruins.」

Such an ill-omened thing to say. Even so, I don’t think that brother is wrong.

If it was the previous weak I, then I would have certainly went with him.

「I’m sorry, but we will be remaining and preparing for the wave. I spoke with Shoen-sama just a moment ago.」

「You mean the lord?! Just what strings did you… No, more importantly, why are you staying? What are you going to fight for? This isn’t your hometown.」

A most reasonable question. To be honest, half of it is just me going with the flow. And the other half, if I went back, Luna-san and Layla-san would have stayed anyway.

Emma and Laura-san could surprisingly go back with me. But it was different for the two of them, as they had a strong sense of justice and benevolence. I was the one who invited them on this trip.

And if the person who started all this ran away at the first signs of danger, leaving his friends behind… It’s not something a man can do.

「This is also a fate of some sort, we will stay here. Maybe the wave won’t even happen.」

「Wait, wait, wait, I understand your feelings but sometimes one’s strength is not sufficient. Even if Noir became stronger, the enemy is even stronger. For example, there is a talk that an outrageous monster appeared in Landan. The one that can turn human into a stone.」

「Yes, I defeated it.」

「Hyahaa! Your joke was so good that I produced a strange sound.」

「That’s what really happened.」

「Ookay, ookay. Since you insist… Let me put you to a test.」

「You will, brother?」

「Sorry, but there is no way I can believe you. I mean, Noir, among us siblings you were the most… Deprived of talent.」

What brother pointed out was correct. Father made enough achievements with his sword to receive the status of a baronet.

These genes were inherited by his sons. However, it came to be that the eldest son was a prodigy, the second son was talented and the third son was nothing out of the ordinary.

Most likely the firstborn received too much talent. Gillan received remains and no sword talent was left for me. Though these days I’m much happier to have Great Sage.

「Your doubts are natural. Let’s cross our swords for the first time in a while.」

「Alright gotcha! Actually, since then I became fairly stronger. You know, I practiced on my stamina a lot.」

Hee, so apart from his merchant studies he was also training. I can honestly give him respect for that.

「There are small training grounds nearby. Follow me.」

Guided by brother we head over there. It was a public space established by the government, people doing physical exercises and men training with weapons were standing out.

Brother stood in front of me, took a pretentious pose and pulled out his sword with a lot of pomp. A saber that he was familiar with since the old times.

「Hey, Noir, it could be that you didn’t notice it, but I like you very much. Prudent and careful, but daring at times, properly protecting precious Emma-chan, your stance of always putting family first. Honestly… I want to date you.」

「Brother, that’s disgusting.」

「HA HA HA! I’m relieved that your wicked tongue didn’t change! Jokes aside, but it’s the truth that you are precious to me. That’s why I cannot allow you to die in vain. If I win we are going back to Stalgia’s house together. Good?」

I agreed and drew my sword. With the passage of time brother grew up, but the same applied to me. Diving into the hidden dungeon, completing requests, I also fought a strong monster numerous times.

Just in case I activate【Appraisal Eye】. When the brother was still back home, appraisal in a church revealed that his level was 32. Just how much did he…

Name: Gillan

Age: 20

Race: Human

Level: 31

Occupation: Student

Skills: Swordsmanship C

You dork, your level has dropped!