Someday Will I Be The Greatest Alchemist?

Chapter 218: First? Sanctuary Meeting

When we returned to the Sanctuary via the sea, I entrusted Sophia with the follow-up care of the former Elven slaves, and we discussed a countermeasure for the dungeon that appeared in the Imperial Capital of Divine Empire Sydnia.

We’ve never directly challenged a dungeon[1].

Well, being an adventurer isn’t our main job so that goes without saying. That’s why we didn’t know much about dungeons.

「Otherworldification, huh~. They’ve genuinely begun to act recklessly.」

Our usual team, aside from Sophia who is currently occupied, and the Great spirits were gathered.

「What do you mean? Is that dungeon artificial?」

Undine’s grumbling surprised me so I had to ask.

「H~mm, “artificially” is wrong. As you would expect, creating a dungeon is impossible with the efforts of man.」

「Then do you know what the cause is?」

「Mm, it’s not far from becoming like us.」

「Not far?」

When the words “not far from becoming like us” came from Great Dark Spirit Nyx, I felt uneasy. I was getting bad vibes from this.

「Mm, unlike Spirits that are of sacred energy, it’s a malicious and evil being. It won’t become a Great Spirit, but it’s not far from becoming like us.」

「The heart of an Otherworldifying town is not the work of man. It’s the work of an Evil Spirit like Nyx said.」

Undine said so in affirmation. They didn’t tell me anything, but the Great Spirits probably have something that makes them believe so.

「But it’ll be a nuisance if it’s Otherworldifying.」

「Right you are~ It would be difficult for our power to reach too.」

Great Light Spirit Selene and Great Tree Spirit Dryas spoke as if they were just inconvenienced. Nothing too serious.

「Ahh, there’s no cause for concern. One dungeon has little effect on the continent’s Earth Vein[2]

.」

As if Undine read my mind, she told me the reason why Selene and Dryas weren’t all too serious.

「Nevertheless, it is certain that deep within the dungeon, the master of the boss room is a person related to the Evil Spirit.」

「By any chance, could a midboss or something also turn up?」

「Those false heroes are there, aren’t they? They would probably show up. Well, there’s also the possibility of them coming out as the last boss as a set though.」

Somehow it’s like we’re talking about a game. Would now be the time to talk about levels and skills?

「Great Spirit-samas, are you unaware of what is currently happening within the dungeon?」

「Listen Sophia, even with my status as the Great Earth Spirit, I am still unable to grasp what is in the Otherworldifying place. Sorry.」

「Please pardon this one’s impertinence. It was not my intention to criticize you, Gnome-sama.」

When Gnome apologized at what Sophia said, Sophia hurriedly repudiated it.

「Sophia, you’re back. How were the Elves that became slaves?」

「Yes, they have settled in because of Melty-san and Princess Mimir-sama.」

「I see, that’s a relief. Can I ask you to follow up again after this?」

「Of course.」

Having come back from helping the Elves, Sophia participated in the meeting.

「In the end, we have no choice but to attack the dungeon from the front.」

「That’s how it will be.」

With that being the case, preparation will be the key. After all, from the size of the dungeon to the types of monsters and their strengths, we’ll have to fumble our way through.

「We have stock of all sorts of potions, so that’s fine.」

「There’s nothing more to do with our weapons and armor too.」

Laeva and Akane cited things necessary for the raid.

Laeva and I already stocked up on every potion for our personal use so we’re alright on that front. As for weapons and armor, even our newest members Akane and Lulu-chan’s are done too.

「We don’t know how many days it would take, so I imagine we would need a barrier for repelling monsters.」

「Master (Husband), monsters are not the only thing to be wary of. We also have to be careful of traps in the dungeon.」

The barrier Sophia mentioned wouldn’t be that difficult to make. However, when it came to the traps that Marnie had pointed out, none of us was a scout. After all, we haven’t dived into any other dungeon aside from that one time a while back. And we didn’t take that long in there either. Still, it feels like I’m forgetting something.

「Even if we train a Scout now, it would take too long.」

「We would need to look for a person to learn from as well, after all.」

They had a point. Experience in detecting and disarming traps was important, but there’s no one among us that has the Scout job. We had members that could move like one during battle, but none have experience as a Scout in dungeons. As Sophia said, we’d have to start by looking for a mentor. Something bugged me as I thought that.

「Should we consult with Barack-san? It’s sickening to leave that dungeon be.」

Maria brought up the name of Volton’s Adventurer Guild’s master, Barack-san.

「You’re right. ……Barack-san is a former high ranker and a guild master, so he might be able to introduce us to a skilled and trustworthy scout.」

「Then Takumi-sama and I will go to Volton. How about everyone else participate in combat training in a monster nest and increase your strength while Kaede supports you?」

Everyone showed their willingness at Sophia’s proposal.

「Then wanna try going to the outer edge of the Forest of Death?」

「Indeed. ……the outer edge will be safe if Kaede is around. Don’t overdo it. There might be irregulars like the Treant from before.」

We had gotten much stronger since that time so they’ll be fine, but I still advised them to be careful.

「Still, it feels like I’m forgetting something.」

「Takumi-sama, it’s actually been the same for me.」

「Hm~m, I also think I’m forgetting something.」

Yep, ever since we started talking about Scouts, something had been bugging me. What could this thing I’m forgetting be…………

「Ah! Lyle-san!」

「Ah! We forgot about him.」

「Ahhh, Lyle-san existed, didn’t he?」

Yes, the Scout of 『Lion’s Fang』 , the first adventurer party I met headed by Heath-san, Lyle-san had been forgotten.

「What a relief. We remembered before going to Volton.」

「Indeed. It seems like he would sulk if he had been forgotten, after all.」

「We’d never hear the end of it.」

Since that time, 『Lion’s Fang』 had been promoted to B rank. They had become a top-class adventurer party in Volton. It was us that forgot. It’s truly a relief that we remembered. Lyle-san seemed like the stubborn type.

***

Footnotes:

1. To clarify, Takumi’s party had once gone inside a dungeon to try to lure out the Zealots but hadn’t actually gone to the lower floors, so I think author meant this as actually trying to clear a dungeon.

2. Decided to change ley lines to Earth Vein, in case there are more kinds of “Veins” like the Dragon Vein one.