Side: Labyris
Phew... I'm just glad we didn't end up with any actual fatalities right at the start of the dungeon opening. But from what I've heard, it sounds like those adventurers just made a sloppy mistake.
Honestly, there are careless people everywhere, aren't there...?
Sometimes I think Yuki should try letting his guard down a little more, too.
I look at him now, standing there talking to the Guildmaster. He's always, always working so hard. He doesn't seem to realize it himself, but we all think Yuki exerts himself far too much. I'm constantly worried he's just going to collapse one day.
"...So, how... yes, I see..."
"That would be... so..."
But even his profile when he's working hard is wonderful... Ah, what a dilemma...
That's why I use hypnosis magic on him at night to make sure he sleeps soundly—it's my little way of helping. He consented to it and is happy that he can finally get a good night's rest, so it's all fine. Everything we do together is perfectly okay.
"Hey, Yuki. What about them?"
Seraria-sama calls out to him.
"Ah, for now, it seems they've escaped death thanks to Elju and Rurua... but," Yuki trails off.
"But?"
"Well, that is..."
"There's no need to hide it. You may speak freely." a voice interrupts.
"Grandmaster, is that okay?"
Rock-san was speaking, but the Grandmaster of the Adventurer's Guild headquarters—who came all the way from Rithea—seems intent on conveying something. I wonder if there's been some kind of problem?
"Seraria-sama, I understand you were looking forward to this dungeon evaluation?" the Grandmaster asks.
"Yes, of course. We created these dungeons for the first time; this is an important evaluation to determine their worth."
"I thought as much. When the training dungeons were built, even I was consulted, and despite my age, my heart fluttered at the prospect."
"Ara? Grandmaster, you're still very much active in spirit, aren't you?"
"Ho ho ho. But I digress. The truth is, it's quite embarrassing that we've made such a massive blunder this time, but that party is making a certain demand."
"A demand? What kind?"
"Nothing difficult. Thanks to Rurua-sama and her assistants, their injuries are almost completely healed."
"That is good to hear."
"And so, now that they've recovered, they wish to resume their dungeon exploration immediately. Well, they must feel quite ashamed... after all, they were taken down by kobolds."
Ah, I see. That must be humiliating for them.
If they've been healed, they probably feel their honor won't be restored unless they prove they can do it properly.
But to go back for a second attempt on the very same day...
"We are against it. They are a bit too agitated."
"I agree. I side with Orvic on this. They should take a break, at least for a day."
"Yep, I'm with Orvic too," Riel chimes in. "Getting done in by Kobolds at Rank 6... are they really Rank 6?"
"It's a mistake you don't normally see. It almost makes me doubt the Guild's assessment standards," Tori adds.
Tori and Riel's two adventurer friends are firmly against resuming the conquest today.
Well, that's only natural.
"By the way, Rock-san, Grandmaster—will there be any guild response to their mistake?"
I almost forgot, since they made such a mess of things.
Will there be some kind of penalty from the Guild?
"Normally, retreating isn't punishable, but..."
"But this time, it's a major blunder with testimony from Rank 7 Orvic and his party..."
Both of them look troubled.
It's too soon to issue a formal punishment, but the Guild likely wants to do something about a system that allows people who make such mistakes to reach Rank 6.
"Please!! Give us another chance!!"
"We beg of you!!"
As we are talking, the party in question returns and bows deeply toward us.
"Um, honestly, it's impossible to go back right this second." Elju-sama says.
"Please, at least rest for today," Rurua-sama adds, following them out.
"Hmm, then how about this?" Yuki suggests. "Please rest for today. Even our top-tier healers say rest is necessary."
"Top-tier..."
"Oh my..."
Elju-sama and Rurua-sama both look oddly pleased...
"No, but that's—"
"I'm not finished," Yuki continues. "Admittedly, from what I've heard, their mistake was quite severe. However, this was their first time in this dungeon, and it was in front of a princess and Guild dignitaries. A few mistakes due to nerves are to be expected. Therefore, the evaluation for this dungeon will last one week. So, how about we observe their performance during the one-week evaluation period and then decide? It would be cruel to punish them based solely on this one incident."
"That makes sense."
"I agree. That works for us. Do you lot have any objections?" the Grandmaster asks the party.
"If we can have another chance... then..."
That should settle things for now, I suppose.
"Please wait a minute! I have something I want to ask Seraria-sama!" one of the men shouts.
"Huh? Me?"
What now...?
Was there something related to Seraria-sama?
"Is it true that you're choosing a husband from the adventurers clearing this dungeon!?"
The air froze.
...Hah, I see.
It's not hard to understand.
Seraria-sama is known as the War Maiden.
Until now, she's repelled every man who approached her with sheer force, and it's rumored in other countries that she'll only marry a man stronger than herself.
And then there's this dungeon evaluation.
They must have thought she was using this to screen candidates.
...But reality is cruel.
The man asking the question looks dead serious, surely intending to give it his all. Because he means it.
"Pfft, sorry. Yes, well..."
"?"
She entwines her arm with Yuki's and clings to him.
"We haven't made it public yet, but he is my husband."
She tells the man with a bright, triumphant smile.
"So, this dungeon is just an evaluation—a quest. My husband-hunting is already over."
THUD.
The moment Seraria-sama finished speaking, the man collapsed face-first onto the floor.
"Hey, are you okay!?"
"He's stopped breathing!?"
"A-A doctor, quickly!!"
Elju and Rurua rush over in a panic to check on him.
"...Don't finish him off."
"Ara? I only told the truth."
...But that was definitely a critical hit right through the heart.
"Ah, I see. So it hadn't been made public yet."
"What, Rock? You knew about this?" The grandmaster asked.
"Yes, it was declared when we first migrated to this dungeon."
Rock-san explains.
"I see. That War Maiden, eh...? That Yuki fellow must be no ordinary man."
"Hard to say. Personally, I see him as someone highly gifted in strategy and intellect."
"What, you've never seen him in actual combat?"
"No, Representative Yuki mostly handles desk work. Just like us."
"That must be tough for someone so young..."
Too bad, Rock-san.
Yuki isn't just about strategy. He's second to none in other areas, too.
In fact, I doubt there's anyone in this room who could beat him in terms of sheer capability.
He'd surely say, with that humble face of his, "No way. I'm closer to the bottom."
"In any case, it seems today's dungeon resumption is off the table. What about you, Orvic-kun? You shouldn't have any issues if you wanted to go back in."
"No, we'll pass for today. The Kobolds are still riled up."
"Umu, a wise decision."
"Well, since we have acquaintances among the representatives, the real reason is that we want to talk with them."
"Hohoho, it seems you are blessed with good friends."
He's likely referring to Lallie; she's currently chatting happily with Tori and Riel.
"...By the way, what happens to the adventurers who went to the other dungeons?" I ask.
"That's a standard dungeon conquest, so they'll likely stay in the dungeon and continue their progress. It's only the first day; I imagine many teams will return to check the situation, just like Orvic-kun's group."
I see, so that's how it works.
As I nod at Rock-san's explanation, Seraria-sama comes over, still holding onto Yuki's arm.
"Grandmaster, Guildmaster, this is perfect. Please inform any returning adventurers about my marriage."
"Are you sure?"
"It would be a pity to give them false hope like that man earlier."
"I suppose so. But are you certain? I don't mean to disparage Yuki-dono, but there might be some impressive men out there... men who might catch your eye, Seraria-sama."
The Grandmaster speaks as if it's a bit of a waste, but Seraria's smile doesn't waver.
"That's impossible. My eyes only see my husband."
"My, my. It seems I've offered meddlesome advice. I shall certainly pass the word along."
"Yes, please do."
After that, among the adventurers who returned from scouting like Orvic's group, there were rumors that several of them suffered from sudden respiratory failure... or perhaps they didn't.
I suppose men really do dream of marrying a princess, too.
