This time going into the dungeon we were able to carry all of the luggage up to the 9th floor.
Also, we brought a portion of the ores up to the 8th floor where the Treant wood is left.
With this we can return to our usual activities starting next year.
It's fine if the {Saviors} just slowly bring the rest of the stuff out when we return from the dungeon to the surface.

Right now it's about 3:00 pm.
Shortly after leaving the dungeon we cashed in the magic stones from the monsters we defeated at the usual magic tool shop Danhiru.

"Everyone, good work. Next year we'll start entering the dungeon again from January 6th. I want everyone to follow Toris's orders when I'm not around. Get some rest until then."

I commanded Ralpha and the others as they were about to bite into some baldoggie from a cart and declared that it was the start of the New Year's holidays.
Tonight I've reserved out the high cla.s.s restaurant Dorureon so we {Slaughterers} can have a year-end party.
I still haven't return to Boil Manor so I don't know if the caravan from Bakuddo has arrived yet but if it has then it's fine if they join us as well.

Ah, the reason why Miduchi and I won't be around is because we're going to Lail Kingdom together.
We've finished the medicine for Miduchi's older brother after all.
Separate from that I also wanted to try visiting Lail Kingdom once as well.
We have the magic horseshoes from when we previously defeated the giant stag beetles so it's a great help that we should be able to move at a considerable speed.
For that reason, we've estimated that it'll take about one month to make the round trip to Lail Kingdom and back.

Also, it was necessary to split up the teams with the expectation that they'd be active on the 7th floor while we're gone but I decided to leave this up to Toris.

After returning to Boil Manor and the caravan still hadn't arrived.
However, there was an unexpected message.

"Hey~ does anyone know a person named Logwood?"

Separate from the usual promotion letters from the ma.s.ses there was a message asking me to come to a restaurant called Barankusu in the evening if it's a Tuesday when we get back from the dungeon and to their room in Shuni(the largest inn in Baldukk) if it's a Monday.
That was the only thing written down so they didn't state their business or anything else.
Since today is Friday I guess they're in Barankusu.
I don't know why but for some reason it bothers me.

I tried asking the head clerk who received the message and it seems on Monday of this week(the 24th) a young man in his 20s came to leave the message.

Incidentally, no one knew about the person named Logwood.

I thought it might be a new type of promotion message for entering the {Slaughterers} so I considered ignoring it but the caravan still hasn't arrived so I don't have any plans in particular until night other than magic training.
Somehow it was bothering me so I decided to skip magic training and try going there.

"Al-san, I think you should avoid going alone."

Hearing about it from Toris said with a doubtful expression.
Yeah, I think thought so too so I was planning to bring along Zulu and another two combat slaves.
After saying that he was relieved and said, "In that case it should be fine."

I haven't done anything that would make anyone resent me but there's still the worst case scenario so it might just be one of the attendants of the King's illegitimate children that I can't remember.
Or rather, I think that's the most likely possibility.
But, I wonder if that sort of person would call me out without specifying the reason?

At this point for the first time I looked at the people who were looking for the timing to start talking to me since I entered the inn.
In the properly polished lobby young lady Noirura the daughter of Baron Jibekuto was waiting for my return along with  one of her attendant knights.
Young lady Noirura stood up from her seat and started approaching me so I guess everyone was showing discretion as they quickly disappeared ot their own rooms.

"I received invest.i.ture as a knight at the end-of-year ascertainment."

I see.

"That is..congratulations."

Well, she's the oldest one among the three of them so I'm sure there was also her pride.

"And then you know. I'd like to introduce Greed-sama to my foster father but.."

Why?
Look, hasn't Miduchi started glaring over here from halfway up the stairs.

"..What are you talking about?"

There's no what or anything else about it.

"Fufu. Oh Greed-sama you~ I was just thinking of starting with greetings."

Young lady Noirura made a refined smile with a fluffed-up expression.
She looks to be the quietest of the three of them but somehow recently she's been the most aggressive one in trying to make contact with me.
It seems since I saved her underling, otherwise known as subordinate, in that one rescue play she's developed quite a bit of interest in me.

"If it's in regards to that matter then I'm very sorry but I believe I've already turned it down before..and I have my company to take care of as well. It's quite busy during the end of the year so if your business is just that then please excuse me."

I forcefully ended the conversation and tried to return to my room.

"No way, please don't say such cold things. The reason I came myself like this was because I wanted to see Greed-sama's face in person."

I'm sure she came to try and appeal that she's useful now that she's received invest.i.ture as a true knight but if it's my face she's already seen it so would she just go home already...

"Also, I've heard that you lost a combat slave you've trusted and cared for over many years. I was worried that Greed-sama would be depressed so.."

Gu, mu...
In regards to the matter with Angela I just read something similar in the messages from the other two a moment ago.
However, this young lady Noirura went to the trouble of saying she came over because she was worried.
I don't know what her true thoughts on it are but at the very least I have no choice but to recognize that she's given a high evaluation to Angela.

It couldn't be helped so I accompanied her in a conversation for a short while.

In addition to that I tried indirectly asking her about the person named Logwood but it seems she didn't know him.
Then who in the world is he?

After taking a shower and changing I took a break for a few minutes and while I was relaxing the caravan from my family arrived.
It seems brother was leading it this time.

"Oh, Al! It's been a while. Supposedly you defeated a huge wyvern since the last time I saw you!? It's unfortunate that I wasn't able to see it's head but I'm proud of you! Or did you just move it to some place? If we go to the capital can I still see it now?"

After the brat of Boil Manor informed me that brother and the others had arrived I went out and he quickly called out to me.
Nfufu. Something like the wyvern wasn't much of anything at all. I'm serious you know?
After all we defeated something way beyond that..Oh~

"Yeah. It's been a while."

I calm brother down while he excitedly praises me for defeating the Wyvern and told him that that we'd be eating a restaurant for a year-end party tonight so he agreed to rest in Baldukk for today.
I then brought brother to my room as he happily brought up the topic of how I defeated the wyvern.

And then while sipping some bean tea Miduchi made in my room I started telling brother about how we conquered the dungeon.

"A dragon you say!? You're sure amazing!"

Brother was speechless as if he didn't believe it when listening to the story.
Miduchi glanced at me so I nodded.
Take out the sword and ring.

"This is the dragon's magic stone."

I took out the Shadow Dragon's magic stone and showed it to him.

{Rongaruzamuryuzorufaren's Magic Stone(Shadow.Dragon)}

is how it should appear.

"{Status Open}. It's quite impressive.."

My nostrils flare up.
Ueee~

"Also, these are the ring and sword we obtained after defeating the dragon."

Miduchi handed him the {Dragon.Slayer} and {Utility.Ring}.

"..{Dragon.Slayer} it says?..Amazing~!!"

Brother was shocked seeing the status.

"Well, we're still keeping quiet about the fact that we conquered the final floor of the dungeon and defeated the dragon. I'm sorry but please don't tell everyone about it yet."

"Why? You defeated a right, doesn't that make you a hero!"

Brother shook his head as if he didn't understand.

"Yeah, about that. The dragon's head is still frozen deep inside of the dungeon. That's why I was thinking of remaining quiet about it until we bring that out. I've already told everyone to remain quiet about it until then."

"Nn..Well, I guess it's true that it would be best to have something that makes it easy to understand."

...............................................

Later in the evening I left Miduchi to look after brother and left the inn.
Just in case I equipped just the {Dragon.Slayer} and went towards Shuni.

At Shuni all of my combat slaves other than Zulu were gathered.
..Is Zulu at his woman's place?
Well whatever.

"Henry, Mekku. Sorry but accompany me for a bit."

I brought out the two former knights and went towards Barankusu.
On our way there I told the two of them there was a strange message calling me out and I was curious about it.

"And, you two, do you know a person named Logwood?"

"Logwood is it..sorry I don't..have any idea about him."

Henry replied.

"..Logwood..I feel like I've heard it before but also maybe not..But I know about that place called Barankusu. It's not a very tasteful place."

Mekku said.
Come to think of it I've never heard of the place called Barankusu either, even though I don't go there myself I didn't question the location.
I already knew the rough location.
Where had I heard about it again...

Shortly after we arrived at Barankusu.

"Master, first I'll go inside and check if there's anyone suspicious."

Henry said that and went into the place before I could reply.

"Even though it's fine not to worry that much about it."

I looked at Mekku with a bitter smile but he said, "No, it's only obvious since we don't know the ident.i.ty of the other party." and stood by side with her hand on the grip of his sword while glaring around the surroundings.

..Umm you know~
I don't know about other places but there's no one in Baldukk who doesn't know me.
Additionally there's no way there would be someone in this town that would try to do something to me using violence.
Quite literally unless I'm ambushed I have confidence in cutting through just about anything.

"Ah, Greed-san. h.e.l.lo~su"

Look, the representatives of unreasonable violence the yakuza who use the back alleys as their base are ven lowering their heads to me.

"Hey, it's Greed-san! That person supposedly defeated an insanely huge wyvern you know."
"Yeah, I know. I even went to the capital to see it's head."
"Was it as big as they say?"
"It was this~~~ big!"
"Uo! That's huge! If just the head is that big then how big would it's entire body be.."

Some people I don't know the name or face of but they're walking along the opposite side of the street just like us five years back while talking about me.

However, this place called Barankusu, looking at how it's not only cheap but pretty tasteless no matter how I think look it doesn't match up to my tastes.
Where did I hear about it again...

The store sign that was once lit up with a flashy and venomous color has already worn out.
I was looking up at that and trying to remember where I had heard about it when someone called out to me from the side.

"Greed? You really came..."

The one who called out to me was a Dog-person male in their mid 20s.
He had a normal and healthy looking physique but his face was pale as his cheeks were abnormally caved in and there were deep clouds under his eyes making him look unhealthy.
Just, the look he was giving me was a sharp glare.

"Hey, you, what business do you have with master?"

Mekku moved in between the man and I.

"I have no business with you."

The man squeezed out his voice in a low tone while glaring at Mekku but unsuitable for how unhealthy he looks it was easy to hear.
I don't know a person like this but could it be this is?

"Are you Log..foot-san? Certainly I'm Alan.Greed."

I intentionally said his name wrong while putting my hand on Mekku's shoulder and had him move to the side while I walked forward.

"..Kufu.."

Seeing my face the man made a creepy smile.
I reflexively used {Identify} but he's a slave named Bess.h.i.+raizu.Logwood.
Something like slaves are so common if you throw a rock you'd hit one so that part doesn't really matter at all but I really don't have any ideas on who he is.

The moment I thought that!

"Revenge for Maruso!! Die~!!"

He quickly slipped a knife out from his sleeve and thrust that towards me!
His thrust without any preparatory moves was excellent but even I was already on guard from being called out without knowing the reason.

As I twisted my body to the side I knocked the knife out of his hand.
Almost simultaneously Mekku pulled out his sword and kicked the man in the stomach.
It's not the formal movements of a knight group but the movements of an adventurer fighting against monsters.

Ah, just in case I'll mention it but when their levels aren't all that different in most cases the formal swordsmans.h.i.+p that knights and squires use are overwhelmingly stronger than most adventurers.
There's no way someone who spent countless years learning the techniques of soldiers would be standing on the same ground as the average adventurer that's like a random jack-of-all trades with a bit more hair growing.
Although, when it comes to those considered first-rate among the adventurers then it's a different matter.

Ah that's right, come to think of it, I was just being attacked.

After dropping  the knife Logwood's body was bent like the character for ku(<) as="" he="" vomited="" all="" over="" the="">
I stopped Mekku who was about to finish him off there and waited for Logwood to recover from the damage.

"Hey, you. What did you say just now?"

There was something I couldn't overlook included in the words just now.

"I can't understand if you remain quiet right! You, just now said "revenge for Maruso" right?"

I guess he finished throwing up everything in his stomach, Logwood glared at me from the ground with yellow fluids coming from his mouth.

"Yeah I said that. So what about it, you brute! Last week, I heard that Maruso died in the dungeon! You used her a s.h.i.+eld right! If that wasn't the case there's no way she would die!"

..This guy, is he an acquaintance of Angela?
But, he said something I can't overlook again.

"You, what are you to Angela? I'm her owner you know. Who in the world are you?"

I used Angela as a s.h.i.+eld he says?
I don't care about anything else but just this is something I really can't overlook.
In the first place, even if I really did use Angela as a s.h.i.+eld there's no reason I should be blamed by anyone for it.
Whether I boil or bake and eat her it's my choice as her owner.

"I am..I am the man who swore to be together with Maruso in the future! I'll take revenge for her!"

Ha?
I spontaneously opened my mouth.
Since the words he spit out were far too unexpected both Meku and I exchanged glances.

You, did you know about this?
No, I didn't know.

Oh~
I quickly returned to my senses.

"Don't screw with me, idiot. What's that about swearing to be together in the future~!? Even if that was true you have no right to call me her revenge!"

I reflexively said back to him.
I guess arguing in front caused a disturbance, Henry came out from the door of the place.
After seeing our state he ran over.

"Master! What's going on!?"

"Yeah, Henry. It seems this guy is the one who called me out but..I don't really understand what he's saying."
"It seems he's claiming to be Maruso's man but.."

Hearing Mekku and I, Henry made a face as if he didn't really get it but he had already drawn his sword and hit Logwood with it.
An old man who came out after Henry came along and whispered, "Beshu, you..What in the world.." while in shock.
Is it the owner of this place?

Since it occurred in the evening on a road with a lot of traffic there's a lot of witnesses.
Since Logwood doesn't just have a sword held in front of him, we're not letting our guards down at all so it seems he can't attack us at all.

I guess because we were causing a disturbance in front of the place the man who came out together with Henry regained himself and tried to lead us inside.
However, as someone who was just called out to this place and attacked I felt a bit against obediently following along.
I used that as the reason not to go inside.

The old man was the owner of this place and he introduced himself as Bagu while saying he was Logwood's owner.
And then he called a different slave from Logwood and had them tie up Logwood who was still crawling on the ground in agony.
I was told that I should relax since now Logwood can't move but since I can't put aside the possibility that this entire place is working together with him, I decided to listen to things outside.

Of course, he already tried to attack me so normally there would be no need to listen to what he has to say.
Let alone that while I'm at the lowest sub-n.o.bility he still tried to attack a full-fledged n.o.ble which is without a doubt a major offense.
It's fine to hand Logwood over to the knight group and it's fine for me to cut him down on the spot in self-defense without any blame as well.

However, since he brought up Angela's name and even said he was Angela's man, now that he's claimed to be getting revenge for her I felt it was only natural to listen to what he had to say.

I guess I'll give a simple summary about what I heard form him.

It seems it's true that Angela had reasonable relations.h.i.+p with this man called Logwood.
On her days off, it seems Angela would frequently visit this place and play with Logwood.
That's something that the owner of the place Bagu as well as those other than Logwood from the place personally witnessed.

Though it seems no one else knew about the matter of swearing to be together in the future.

And, it's not as if we particularly tried to hide the fact that Angela had died last week so there were quickly rumors about how one of the front line combat slaves of the {Slaughterers} died.
Obviously Logwood found out about that as well.
Logwood seemed to believe that Angela died from being used as a s.h.i.+eld in the same way as the average combat slave.

Since that's usually the cause of death for the average combat slave, it's not unreasonable for him to think that way though...

In any case, Logwood believed that was the case and since him believing was the important point the actual truth didn't matter.
Well since he lost his future partner Logwood fell into despair about his future and started planning to kill me as revenge for her.
Up to there was fine at least.

If you leave that kind of message then it's only obvious for us to be on guard when coming over.
Since he's a slave being used in a store the amount of free time he has is limited so I'm sure something like observing me until I'm alone was impossible.

There was the difference in the days he called me out but Monday was the weekly day he got off early it seems.
Since something like holidays don't normally exist for slaves after all.
The slaves being used by store work everyday from opening time until closing time.
About the only ones that have days off are quite literally combat slaves so calling me out with a message was probably the only method he had.

After hearing the reason there was nothing to it at all.
It's just a matter of him seeking revenge for driving his future family to their death right.

Though I don't know whether Logwood claiming that they would be family in the future is true or not.

In any case, we figured out the motive so I left Barankusu.
In the end I said, "My combat slaves aren't so cheap as to be used as disposable s.h.i.+elds. It's the same as you having insulted Angela." while glaring straight into his eyes.
It would have been fine to beat him down as well but if what Logwood was claiming about having sworn to be together with Angela in the future was really true then I just felt like it would be unpleasant to kill him or hand him over the knight group.
Logwood's owner Bagu, the owner of the store just kept watching the color of my face as well so it made me feel unpleasant.

Incidentally, I thought Angela and Giberuti were in a good relations.h.i.+p so when I tried confirming it with him later he said, "Eh? I've heard about that person named Logwood. Though I wasn't aware that their relations.h.i.+p was that deep.."
And then he also said, "Maruso and I weren't in that sort of relations.h.i.+p. Just as I'm sure master knows, we've had that sort of relations.h.i.+p once but it seems I wasn't really her type.." with a lonely smile.

..Well, whatever.
Logwood, it might have been the right choice not to kill you.

......................................

Year 7447, Month 12, Day 30

Today is busy.
In the morning I'm going to the castle together with brother and the others to make deliveries of the rubber protectors and after that I'll split up with them to visit Tukerin's clinic and meet up with all of our vendors.
Then at night Miduchi and I will return to Baldukk to go to Mila-s.h.i.+sho's place.
And after that either tomorrow or the day after tomorrow we'll depart for Lail Kingdom.
In between moving and the appointments I need to buy the dried fish and various other things as well.

In regards to going to Lail Kingdom we already told Tukerin about it when handing him a late year-end gift on our days off last week.
Miduchi said it as well but there's no problem with me going up to the entrance of where the underground city their capital Erurehei is located.

Well, in addition to delivering the medicine I'll be greeting G.o.du.guru-san and I also planned to talk with the head warrior that is Miduchi's superior. Also, if possible I'd like to make some connections with the elders and build up a friends.h.i.+p with them.

"Then, Al, we'll be heading back to the company once to have a break. Today we'll be staying at a random inn and then return to the village just like that. I'll come back again in the spring so make sure you show me the dragon's head at that time."

"Yeah, of course. Then I'll see you in the spring."

.........................................

Just as planned I finished up greetings at Tukerin's clinic and our various vendors.
Right now it's just before the New Year.
Miduchi and I carried the large amount of dried fish we bought in the capital while it was still daytime and went into the entrance of the dungeon.

It took quite a bit of time.

First off we need to quickly clear to the 2nd floor.