Side: Tori
It has been about seven days since the immigrants from the Kingdom of Roshure arrived.
With so many people, there have been some troubles, but so far, there hasn't been any open resentment directed toward us.
Speaking of trouble, it's mostly been squabbles over supplies at the training center.
The culprits usually argue that something belongs to them; recently, two were fighting over a colored pen.
The result? It belonged to a third party who had nothing to do with it.
Idiots... For now, both have been moved to the reflection room. As punishment, they're on toilet cleaning duty for the foreseeable future.
There were other minor issues too—the laundry area was too cramped, so we had to organize turns or group laundry together. There were also morning queues for the toilets, so we had to issue reminders about etiquette.
And just like with the Fairies, there were a few fools who blew through all the money we gave them immediately and then came back demanding more.
Ah, as for threats or robbery, I've given the order through the slave collars to make such actions impossible. It's quite a convenient way to use them.
Anyway, we now have a total of 355 people.
Thirty of them have been assigned to my police force. It's a trial period, but since they chose this path after a thorough explanation, I hope they do their best.
We have the previous Fairy officers with us, so while there's a learning curve for the newcomers, the practical work and guidance are going smoothly.
We also have to allocate personnel to guard Riel's training center, but we have enough people to manage.
As the representative of the police, I'm buried in administrative work—creating rotation schedules for the night shifts, asking subordinates to calculate payroll, and checking necessary supplies.
Because of that, Riel has been helping me with more than just the training center guard duty. Kaya, however, is busy with the farmland, so she can't come over to help just yet.
"The workload increased all at once with the population growth. We've already placed security posts in the areas where residents move, assuming the town is fully operational. For now, I have to focus on getting these reports compiled properly."
I was tidying up the paperwork while thinking about the future when I realized it was already past noon.
"Heyyy, Tori! We're all eating lunch together today, so let's go!"
Riel came bursting into the room.
That's right, Riel was correct—today the representative members were supposed to have lunch together and head straight into a meeting.
"Wait a moment. This is the last one."
I said that and finished the final document for the day.
"Alright, everyone. I'm heading to a meeting after lunch with the other representatives, so please head home once your work is finished. Make sure to double-check the handover with the night shift. If there are any problems..."
I called out to the other police staff continuing their work at their desks and stepped out.
"Man, being the Police Chief is tough, huh?"
"What are you talking about? You're the Deputy Chief, Riel, so you should be doing your fair share of paperwork too, right?"
"I just fill in the blanks on the forms you and Yuki-san prepared. It's nothing like what you do, Tori."
Chatting with Riel like that, we arrived at the inn.
"Oh, you two made it."
"Over here."
"Haa... if Kina finds out about this place, she'll criticize me..."
"Ahh, that was a good bath. Oh, Tori and Riel, you're here."
We greeted the other representatives and took our seats.
Spending time like this, it feels like our respective roles and positions have naturally settled.
"Waaa, everyone! Sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Slow down, Aslin."
"Nii-sama! Nii-sama!"
"Yes, yes, I'm right behind you."
"...Yuki, aren't you going to say something to me too?"
"Like what?"
"...Like 'I love you'?"
"You should at least say that much. As our husband, you need to get used to handling women."
"...Seraria is right."
"What? So you want me to flirt with women everywhere I go?"
After saying that, Yuki-san got his cheeks pinched by Seraria-sama and kicked in the leg by Labyris.
But from the outside, they looked just like a happy family with children.
"Well then, it's a bit heavy for lunch, but today we're having steak. Marbled wagyu."
Yuki-san said this and placed steaks in front of everyone.
I've had steak a few times before, but this is on a completely different level from the steaks on this continent.
It's seasoned generously with spices, and the sauce is exquisite.
It's irresistible!! Such a wonderful flavor!!
And it's marbled!! It's not tough at all!! It's tender—it literally melts!!
Do you understand? Meat like this actually exists!! nd served with it was white rice. The ultimate food that goes with anything!!
It's good fried, good soaked in sauce, and good as a palate cleanser for strong flavors like this!! This dungeon truly gathers the pinnacle of food!!
As a result, I ended up devouring everything served to me... Ah, bliss.
And after something greasy and heavy, a sip of bitter green tea helps me catch my breath... How luxurious...
"Whew... but as always, the food here is delicious. I don't think I have the confidence to live outside anymore. Anyway, Onii-san. Why are you treating us to something usually reserved for dinner at lunchtime?"
Ratz asked the important question on behalf of a dazed me.
"That's because many of you will probably be skipping dinner today, so I made lunch extra big."
"What do you mean? Is there a job?"
"Yeah. Milly's Adventurer District has started moving in earnest with the new personnel assignments. But the most important thing is missing. Right, Milly?"
"Yes. We don't have a dungeon to attract adventurers. So, I'm sorry to ask this, but I'd like you all to build some dungeons, as we discussed in the meeting a while back. Of course, it's not something that has to be done by tomorrow, but the sooner, the better. I'm sorry to Eris and Ratz, but I'll be working with the Guild members to build a training dungeon. Can you two handle the other side?"
"I see, so that's it. We're building the main attractions for this dungeon. I understand Milly's point. The two of us will be fine."
"Yeah, Milly, good luck with your work."
"Thank you."
I see. We've all gotten used to handling DP for various things, so the plan is to use that to create dungeons.
Once you start tinkering with this, it's actually quite fun—I might even forget to eat.
"Well, that's the gist of it. I'll send a message via the call system regarding dinner, but feel free to skip if you're busy. However, make sure you're back here by 10:00 PM. If you aren't, I'll personally come and drag you back. I can't have you missing work tomorrow because of this."
"...'Personally drag us back,' huh?"
"...Is that a bridal carry, I wonder?"
"...Onii-san forcing us... that's more like a reward for me..."
Seraria-sama, Labyris, and Ratz were muttering something, but I decided to leave them to it.
More importantly, there was something I had to ask.
"Yuki-san, is it okay? If we all just build randomly, won't our areas overlap or bump into each other?"
"""Ah."""
It seemed no one else had realized it; their eyes went wide at my comment.
"Of course I've thought of that. Milly will explain."
"Yes. Regarding the construction of multiple dungeons, as Tori said, the issue of space arises. After consulting with the Guild, we've decided on 'Medium' scale for each dungeon. Specifically, an area of 2km squared. The construction will be done in teams, just like before. I've written down the precautions and the team members on this paper, so please look it over."
With that, everyone was handed a sheet of precautions regarding dungeon creation.
"Oh, and for this project, I've expanded the walls another 20km out from the Adventurer District. Please build your respective dungeons within that area. There are eight locations in total, including additions for Mobu and Seraria. You guys can discuss among yourselves which spots to take. Once the locations are decided, I've prepared teleportation circles, so you can start work there."
"Hm? Oh, so you're going to let the adventurers use those circles too? Expecting them to walk 20km would be way too harsh."
"It's as Ratz says, but that's limited to those who have already found the dungeon. The Guild's policy is that people should search for them on their own two feet at first."
"Hmm, like a screening process?"
"Yes. We figured if we guide them from the start, they'll underestimate it and more people will die. Naturally, in that... 'Dungeon District,' let's call it, the monsters have been ordered to intercept anyone who isn't under our 'Designated Protection.' Naturally, they will die."
"So if you can't even reach it, you don't have the right to challenge the dungeon in the first place?"
"Exactly."
I see. As expected of Milly. I hadn't thought that deeply into it; I thought guiding them would be fine.
But it would be a problem if low-level people wandered into high-level dungeons.
Thinking of it that way, it's a good plan.
"Um, excuse me. Regarding the location for the dungeon our Guild is building—since it's for training, we'd like this spot close by. Is that alright?"
"I don't mind. It would be stupid to put a training dungeon in the furthest reaches."
The others seemed to have no objections either.
"Alright, everyone talk it out and decide where you're building. Also, as I said: you're free to use the DP earned there as you like. The DP earned will be stored per dungeon, so there's no need for complicated calculations. However, if you change the map, traps, or monsters, let me know. The difficulty rating we give the adventurers will change accordingly. Good luck—if the monsters are too strong, the traps too frequent, or the treasure too plentiful from the start, the adventurers won't stay long. Balance is going to be tough."
Mmm, Yuki-san is right.
If the monsters are too strong, no one will want to go deeper. If there are too many traps, it becomes a chore. If there's too much treasure early on, there's no need to go further.
Since adventuring is a profession for survival, if people can make money safely, they won't feel the need to push themselves into the depths.
"Hey, hey, Tori, Kaya! Let's work hard and earn DP! I want the 'Muramasa'!"
"...Riel. I'm pretty sure that sword costs 100,000 DP."
"What would you even use it for?" I replied.
"Eh? You two aren't interested? It's a 100,000 DP sword! It's gotta be amazing!!"
"Well, given the price, that'll have to wait," I said.
"...First, we have to decide on a location." Kaya added.
And so, we threw ourselves into the task of creating dungeons.
