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“This is the entrance to the underground canals… Are you really going?” 

The boy from the orphanage who guided us there had an uneasy expression.

“It is okay. If it looks dangerous, we will go back immediately.” (Makoto)

“So you say, but you have excitement written in your face.” (Aya)

It looks like it was clear to the eye of Sa-san.

The place we arrived at was at the ends of the city, a place that’s like a big water well.

I peek at the circular hole made of stone blocks, and it seems to connect deep underground.

In order to go down, you have to use a rusted ladder.

“Then, we will be going now.” (Aya)

“Be careful…”

Sa-san and I enter the underground canals while being seen off by the boy.

◇◇

 “Ah! …Sa-san, are you okay?” (Makoto)

There’s little light sources in the underground canals, and it is practically pitch black.

I have [Nightvision], so I can see though.

“Eh? I can see as normal. It is brighter than in Laberintos.” (Aya)

“Ah, that so.” (Makoto)

As expected of a Lamia (reincarnated) born in Laberintos and raised there.

Her body specs are on a whole other level.

“But that’s a relief. They said it was a drainage facility, I was imagining a more dirty place, but the water is pretty.” (Aya)

“It is something created by dragging the water of the Saint Ruin River that’s flowing horizontally from Symphonia after all. The downstream is connected to the sea.” (Makoto)

“Is that so.” (Aya)

We move through the underground canals slowly.

By the way, I am holding hands with Sa-san.

Her hand is as cold as usual.

“This Water Movement magic is handy. But are there no monsters inside the water? Like a Sea Serpent or something.” (Aya)

“Sa-san…this isn’t Laberintos.” (Makoto)

There’s no way there would be a strong monster like that here. 

They have a monster repelling barrier after all.

“There’s apparently only weak Class 0 creatures here.” (Makoto)

“Class 0?” (Aya)

“The danger class of monsters. The Adventurer Guild sets them.” (Makoto)

Since there’s the chance, I explain the class divisions in the strengths of the monsters. 

– Monster Danger Level – Recommended Adventurer Rank

Class 0: Harmless – Even regular people can defeat them.

Class 1: Danger Level Low – Stone Rank Recommended.

Class 2: Danger Level Mid – Bronze Rank Recommended

Class 3: Danger Level High – Iron Rank Recommended

Class 4: Calamity Designation Village – Gold and Silver Rank Recommended

Class 5: Calamity Designation Town – Platinum Rank Recommended

Class 6: Calamity Designation Country – Mythril Rank Recommended

Class 7: Calamity Designation Continent – Hero and Orichalcum Rank Recommended

Class 8: Calamity Designation World – Bring Savior Abel-sama!

“Huuh, it was so detailedly set, huh.” (Aya)

Sa-san said, impressed.

“By the way, you are a Calamity Designation, Sa-san.” (Makoto)

“Fuh?!” (Aya)

She is crazy surprised.

It seems she wasn’t aware.

Sa-san doesn’t notice her own strength after all.

There’s small routes of 2-3 meters in width, and medium routes of more than 5 meters that are branched a whole lot.

We advance carefully while I use [Mapping].

There’s no monsters so, different from a dungeon, it is peaceful.

What we should be careful about is encountering the Snake Church or the mafia, so we have to make it so they don’t find us.

We haven’t met anyone for now.

We were leisurely moving through the underground canals, but…

“Sa-san, stop.” (Makoto)

There was a reaction from [Detection].

“Yeah, I can hear footsteps. Moreover, several of them.” (Aya)

We activate [Stealth] and hide in the shadows.

Did we get it?

Is it the Snake Church?

We held our breath, and waited for the enemies.

*Clank Clank*

Noisy footsteps.

They appeared.

They have human shape, but there’s no meat in their body.

Beings that can move despite being only bones.

Undead.

(Skeletons?!) (Makoto)

(There are monsters here, Takatsuki-kun!) (Aya)

 This is weird…

What happened to the monster repelling barrier?

(What should we do, Takatsuki-kun?) (Aya)

(Hmm, we could ignore them.) (Makoto)

The rule in conquering a dungeon is usually to defeat as many monsters you meet.

It is in order to avoid getting pincered. 

‘Always make sure to secure an escape path’, is what the veteran adventurer, Lucas-san, warned me a lot of times.

“Let’s defeat them, Sa-san.” (Makoto)

“Understood, Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)

The underground canals have a lot of water that serves as my weapon.

Fortunately, there’s a decent amount of Spirits too.

“Water Magic: [Ice Floor].” (Makoto)

I freeze the ground and take the footing of the skeletons.

There’s 3.

I thought about defeating them one by one, but…

“Hoito.” (Aya)

Sa-san smashes the 3 monsters all at once with her gigantified hammer.

Cracking sounds were made as the skeletons were smashed to pieces.

“Uwaah…” (Makoto)

“Eh? Is that it?” (Aya)

“Well, as you can see.” (Makoto)

The bones that were formerly skeletons had been smashed onto the wall in pieces.

No turn for me.

…Let’s move on.

After that, what showed up were…

“Skeletons, skeletons, zombies, skeletons…there’s quite a lot.” (Makoto)

“All undead…” (Aya)

Sa-san mutters with a weary expression.

Sa-san defeated them all with one hit.

Yeah, handy.

But what bothers me is that…

“They were all acting in groups of 3.” (Makoto)

“It is…not a coincidence, right?” (Aya)

“Probably. Someone might be commanding them.” (Makoto)

Having groups of 3 is apparently common sense in this continent’s army.

Controlling skeletons and zombies is part of the moon element, necromancy.

Meaning that there’s a necromancer somewhere controlling them?

“Does it have to do with the devilkin…with the Snake Church?” (Makoto)

“Wouldn’t it be better to go back, Takatsuki-kun?” (Aya)

Sa-san has been unbeatable for a while now, but she recommends withdrawing.

She seems uneasy.

It is true that I would like to avoid encountering even stronger monsters in higher numbers.

Let’s go back…is what I wanted to say, but…

“S-Someone!! Damn it, these guys…!” 

We heard the scream of a man.

In this suspicious place where there’s a whole lot of undead around, someone is asking for help?

It definitely isn’t decent…

What to do…

“Takatsuki-kun, let’s go!” (Aya)

Ah, you don’t just watch and see huh, Sa-san.

How manly.

We headed to the direction of the voice.

“Hiiiiiiiih!” 

A young man was surrounded by skeletons and zombies.

Oi oi oi, we were just barely in time.

“Water Magic: [Water Dragon]!” (Makoto)

The target of the magic is…the man that has been surrounded.

“Uwaaaah!” 

The magic I shot hits only the man and takes him away.

The skeletons and zombies remained.

I draw the man over to where we are.

“Sa-san!” (Makoto)

“Okay~.” (Aya)

*Pang!*

The full swing of Sa-san’s giant hammer sends the undead flying.

There were around 20.

“Done~.” (Aya)

“Fast!” (Makoto)

It ended in less than 1 minute.

“What about the person who was attacked by the monsters?” (Aya)

“He fainted. Ooi, wake up~.” (Makoto)

I slap the young man’s cheek.

From what I see, he is around 20 years old and on his head there’s the ears of a dog…or maybe a wolf? 

It is dark so I can’t see well, but the clothes he is wearing seem expensive.

This attire, even though it is the 9th District.

Suspicious…

“…Ugh, what happened to me? Did I die?” 

“You are alive.” (Makoto)

“W-Who are you people?!” 

The man takes distance, and then, after seeing the pieces of skeletons and zombies at the back of Sa-san, his face dyed in shock.

“You defeated them all?!” 

“Sa-san here did.” (Makoto)

“You guys, just who…no, you saved me. Thanks.” 

“No no, don’t mind it.” (Aya)

Sa-san returns her giant hammer to a small size.

Now then…what to do with this person?

Is he from the Snake Church? Mafia? Thief? A regular citizen?

…The last one is impossible.

“My name is Peter Castor. You can call me Brother if you want.” 

He introduces himself with a smile.

What a pompous man.

In a japanese way of saying it, it would be gaudy.

“So he says, Sa-san.” (Makoto)

“You are the leader of our party, Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)

The one who defeated most of the monsters was you, Sa-san.

“I am Takatsuki Makoto, the one here is my comrade, Sasaki Aya. We are adventurers of the Water Country of Rozes.” (Makoto)

Let’s not mention that I am a Hero.

“Why is an adventurer of Rozes here? …Ah, you are subjugating monsters? Thanks to that, you saved me. The Adventurer Guild is fast!” (Peter)

Peter-san seems to have reached a conclusion of his own and nodded.

Looks like he isn’t suspecting us.

I can’t just suddenly ask ‘do you know the Snake Church?’, so for now, I begin by having some casual talk.

“Do monsters show up often in the underground canals?” (Makoto)

“Oi oi oi! There’s no way that’s the case. The underground canals have been my playground since my childhood, and this is the first time I see undead showing up!” (Peter)

Looks like it isn’t common to have monsters here.

Something strange is happening.

“But we defeated about 10 groups of skeletons and zombies before arriving here, you know.” (Aya)

“How can this be?! Is that true, young girl?! Then, I won’t be able to use this place for transactions in the future!” (Peter)

Peter-san held his head in agony at the words of Sa-san.

This person’s every movement is like an over-reaction.

“We are about to leave. Want to come with us?” (Makoto)

“Ooh! That would help out a lot. I was together with some comrades, but we ended up separating after being attacked by monsters.” (Peter)

Peter-san says happily.

“Is it okay to not search for them?” (Makoto)

“I became a decoy and pulled the monsters, so they should have been able to run away.” (Peter)

“I see.” (Makoto)

What camaraderie.

We met in a weird place like this, but he might not be that bad of a person.

“Then, let’s go.” (Makoto)

“I will guide you. I have been playing here since childhood, so I know all the shortcuts.” (Peter)

Peter-san says proud.

…Isn’t this supposed to be a place that children shouldn’t get close to?

◇◇

“Hoi.” (Aya)

Sa-san swung her giant hammer, and the monsters were sent flying.

“That lady is strong, amazing. The monsters are turned to smithereens!” (Peter)

Peter-san raised a shout of excitement.

“But Takatsuki-kun is stronger~.” (Aya)

Sa-san returns while making her hammer smaller.

Eh, wait! Don’t say random stuff!

“Wow, Brother! What rank are you?” (Peter)

“Silver Rank, mid tier adventurer. Sa-san is just flattering me here.” (Makoto)

I show my silver badge and explain.

“By the way, Peter-san, what were you doing in the underground canals?” (Makoto)

I try probing him in this talk we have.

“Oi oi, no need for the -san! Peter is fine, Brother! We came here to meet up with someone for business related reasons, but the person didn’t show up and monsters did. What a terrible day. But thanks to the lady and Brother, it has turned around! Thanks, Goddess Ira-sama.” (Peter)

Peter offered a prayer to the necklace crafted in the form of a big money sign. 

(It is clear that he is not from the Snake Church now.) (Makoto)

The Snake Church believes in the Demon God King, Typhon.

And according to Noah-sama, the pious believers wouldn’t pray to other Gods even as an act.

(The Goddess Ira is the Goddess that rules over luck and business. Most of the believers are merchants…) (Makoto)

“That was unfortunate, Peter. Is the exit over here?” (Makoto)

“Yeah, it is here. No doubt about it.” (Peter)

We came out from an exit that was slightly apart from the place where we entered.

“Bright.” “My eyes aren’t used to it yet.” 

Sa-san and I came from the pitch black water canal to the bright surface, and covered our eyes with our hands.

I want sunglasses.

“Haha! Brother, this is necessary when coming out from the underground canals, you know.” (Peter)

When I looked, Peter had sunglasses.

Oi! You have sunglasses, Isekai?

Well, colored eyeglasses shouldn’t be that weird of a thing, huh.

“Young master!” “You are okay?!” “Were you hurt?!” “Who are you guys?!” “What did you do to the young master?!” 

Geh! Tall built men with things like tattoos and hairdos appeared! 

Everyone has sunglasses! 

Who are these people?

“You guys! These people are my benefactors who saved my life at the underground canals! Don’t be rude to them!” (Peter)

His lighthearted atmosphere of before disappeared, and he shouted with a powerful tone.

““““Apologies, young master!”””” 

““Eh?””

Sa-san and I look at Peter dumbfounded.

“Sorry, Brother! I don’t have time today, but I want to thank you another day. I will lend you this as proof of that promise.” (Peter)

Saying this, he gave me a golden badge with some sort of crest in it.

“See ya, Brother! Let’s meet again!” (Peter)

Peter left surrounded by the tall black clothed men.

““…””

Sa-san and I were left there in shock.

“Hey, Takatsuki-kun…” (Aya)

Yeah, I understand what you want to say.

“Peter was a young mafia boss, huh…” (Makoto)

Looks like the Goddess Ira-sama is popular not only to merchants but the mafia and thieves too.

“Takatsuki-kun…what’s a young boss?” (Aya)

“Who knows… It is apparently a position in the mafia at the movie I saw before.” (Makoto)

“I see. What do we do now?” (Aya)

“…Let’s go back.” (Makoto)

“…Okay.” (Aya)

In the end, we returned to the inn without getting a clue about the Snake Church.

What was waiting for me after returning was an order to head to the Highland Castle.

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