LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 96 - Episode 96: Arjena's Strengthening Plan Part 4
Episode 96: Arjena’s Strengthening Plan Part 4
We managed to defeat the Scorpion Dragon lurking in the Demon Summoning Dungeon.
We also obtained the Magic Summoning Flute, so let’s check our growth a bit.
Arjena, the demon hunter, and myself are at level 312.
The Great Sage Caphrodyte is at level 305.
And the priestess Mishiri has grown to level 160.
She might have grown the most in this exploration.
She was only level 70 before entering the dungeon, so she’s increased by more than double.
“Arjena-san, Caphrodyte-san, thank you! Thanks to you, I’ve grown!”
Hehe. Getting stronger together is the best, isn’t it?
“The harvest of Demon Grass is sufficient. Mission accomplished.”
The magical contract with Count Zuluy was for one week.
If it exceeds that, we’ll become the Count’s slaves.
Hehe. I was prepared for three days, though.
It went smoothly.
“Well then, let’s stay at the inn tonight, take a bath in the hot spring, and eat delicious food! We can visit the Count’s mansion tomorrow.”
“Ahaha! I’m looking forward to the hot spring.”
“Mishiri, remember, a woman’s worth is not determined by the size of her chest. You should know that.”
Mishiri knew about a good inn.
Despite being only 15 years old, she’s quite mature, even entrusted with the position of foreign minister by Zaus.
She knows more about human territory than we do.
“This inn is famous for its hot springs. They say the parfait made with hot spring eggs is exquisite.”
“Hmm. Mishiri, where do you get such information?”
“When you work in diplomacy, gathering information about territories becomes second nature.”
“I see. With you around, we can stay at good inns.”
“Hehe… I’m glad I could be of help.”
The key to combat was Arjena and Caphrodyte, but Mishiri excelled in providing details such as dungeon information and inn details.
Maybe we’re the best party after all.
We were constantly hit on by men in the town.
It seems our charm attracts the opposite sex.
“Those guys just now, I think those people were targeting Arjena-san.”
“Eh? No way. I’m not cute at all. They must be aiming for Mishiri and Caphrodyte.”
“Ridiculous. The person of the opposite sex should only be Zaus . If they’re interested in me, I could make them my slave for life. Nufufu.”
We had a great time that night.
We bathed in the hot spring, enjoyed a luxurious meal, and savored the hot spring egg parfait.
We went shopping together in the souvenir corner, chatting cheerfully.
It felt like a little vacation.
And then, the next day.
“Arjena, where are we going?
To the Count’s mansion over there?”
“Hehe. A little detour. There’s still something I need to do.”
Saying that, I waved the copy of the magic contract.
If you don’t keep your promise, lightning will strike, but if you fulfill it, it will vanish before burning.
So, there’s no reason not to use it before it disappears.
After finishing our business in town, we visited the Count’s mansion.
Count Zuluy raised his voice in astonishment.
“What!? Y-you conquered the dungeon!?”
“Yes. Thanks to that, we obtained the rare item, the Magic Summoning Flute.”
“S-such… nonsense.
You defeated the boss of the dungeon in just two days…”
“Technically, it was one day.”
“What!?!”
“We finished in the evening, so we took it easy at the hot spring inn afterward. The hot spring egg parfait was delicious, wasn’t it?”
“I-it was only one day…”
“After handing over the Demon Grass, the conditions will be met.”
“Y-yes… That’s right. To enter the Demon Summoning Dungeon, it was promised to bring the Demon Grass within a week.”
“It’s prepared outside the mansion. Shall we go together?”
“Outside? Did you gather that much?”
“Yes. Thanks to you. If it’s troublesome, we can reduce it to the required amount.”
The Count muttered to himself.
“…Tch. Looks like the plan to make them slaves has gone down the drain. Well, at least we made a profit from the Demon Grass.”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
“N-no, it’s nothing. Please guide me. Where is the Demon Grass?”
Outside the mansion were sacks filled with a large amount of Demon Grass.
“Ohhh! There’s probably three times as much as requested!”
“Yes. Thanks to your help. If it’s bothersome, we can leave only the required amount.”
“No, no. It’s no trouble at all. Guhahaha. Demon Grass is a valuable herb no matter how much there is. Guhuhu.”
“Well then, I’ve handed it over.”
“Hmm. Contract complete.”
At that moment.
The magic contract we were holding disappeared in a pale blue flame.
“Yeah. That feels better.”
The Count had his subordinates carry the bag of Demon Grass.
Now then.
“Count, were you aware that Demon Grass is illegal?”
“What of it? Just because a bunch of little girls like you conquered a dungeon, don’t get cocky. If you’re done with your business, then disappear.”
“Yeah. Well, I’ll do just that. I thought I’d pass the baton.”
“Baton pass?”
“Yes. It’s a changeover.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The hot spring town seems to be a special area where residents of the capital and the Count’s domain mingle.”
“What are you talking about?”
“There’s a vigilante group there with a diameter equal to that of the capital, and the organization guards the town under the laws of the capital.”
“…Hmph. Are you trying to say that this is about cracking down on Demon Grass? Kukuku. Calling the vigilante group would be futile. By the time they arrive, the whereabouts of the Demon Grass will be unknown. My subordinates won’t even know where it’s been taken.”
“Do you have a secret storage location?”
“Hmph. Well, something like that. Without evidence, there can be no crackdown. Not only that, those who report it will receive appropriate sanctions.”
“Even those who take righteous action will be punished?”
“Righteous? Kukuku. It’s better for you to stop acting foolishly. In my territory, I am the law.”
“Alliance agreement. Each country should have common laws. Among them, ownership of Demon Grass should be prohibited.”
“Hmph. Are you suggesting that I turn myself in?”
“Yes.”
“Kuhahaha! You little girls! Don’t get ahead of yourselves! Besides, even you who traded in Demon Grass must be guilty!?”
“It was agreed that I would be forgiven if I explained the situation. Our purpose is strictly dungeon exploration.”
“W-what!? So, you’ve already reported it?”
“Yes. Just a little on the way out of the hot spring inn.”
“Fool!!”
The Count snapped his fingers.
Then, three men, each likely over two meters tall, arrived.
They were muscular, with large swords strapped to their backs.
All three were around level 50.
They seem to be bodyguards.
“What are you planning to do?”
“Guhuhuhu. It’s punishment. I’ll make you regret your impudent remarks.”
“Hmm.”
“Guhuhu. Don’t worry. I won’t take your lives. With those looks, you’re plenty useful.”
*Sigh*. Men are such perverts wherever you go. Trying to use their strength to get a woman’s body.
I wish they’d learn a bit from Zaus.
“Well, since you don’t seem to have any intention of surrendering, shall we switch? Attention, members of the vigilante group! It’s your turn!”
At my call, the vigilante group appeared one after another.
They were soldiers clad in armor, surrounding the Count and his entourage with spears and swords at the ready.
“Grr! You… you called them already!?”
“It’s a basic rule to contain the situation. I called them outside for that purpose. The transaction for handing over the Demon Grass was watched perfectly.”
“I can’t believe the vigilante group would believe what these little girls say.”
“The backup of the magic contract copy was persuasive enough.”
“Grrrrrr!! Kill them all!! Kill every last one of them!!”
Saying that,he gives an order to the bodyguards.
Since the vigilante group is around level 20.
It might be a bit of a struggle.
Well then, I should lend a hand.