Chapter 577: Taking a Break With a Side Gig Dungeon: [Lights Paradise] (3)

In the dungeon [Light's Paradise], under a tree bearing yellow fruit in a sunlit room, three people were having a tea party.

"Eh, what are you doing, Rokuko...?"

"A girls' day out, obviously?"

Rokuko casually replied.

"It just so happened to be scheduled for today. And since Kehma entered Dungeon Number 219, we decided to watch and have tea together."

"Ehh..."

As I stood there dumbfounded, a beautiful person in men's clothing—who appeared to be Dungeon Core Number 219—spoke up.

"I'm Dungeon Core Number 219. Nice to meet you—though it's not the first time, right? Remember this guy?"

With that, Core Number 219 presented a Myconid. It looked familiar.

"... Is that Myconid-senpai?"

"That's right. Ah, yes. I realized that the soil attached to the golem was from Tsuia Mountain. More accurately, that it was actually a golem from a nearby dungeon. With that figured out, I thought it'd be nice to invite you over for tea. Make sense?"

She must have identified it based on the composition of the soil or something.

Is that like stalking?

"Rokuko. If you had an invitation like that, you should have told me. It turned out okay this time, but what if it had been a trap?"

"Oh. That's why I borrowed Igni from Redra. If anything happens to me, Igni'll breathe her fire over everything."

Rokuko gently placed her hand on Igni's head, and a small flame poofed out of her mouth.

"Haha, don't worry. I'm well acquainted with Tsuia Mountain's Dungeon Number 112. I've been nearly killed by him several times, but we made peace about three hundred years ago."

Core Number 219 laughed, continuing on about how [that one used to be really fiery, so much that just approaching it was risking your life].

Maybe the reason I can casually hang out with Ittetsu now is thanks to core number 219.

"So, what now?"

"What do you mean? Do you want some tea?"

"Here, have a cup. Rokuko-hime's Master."

Saying so, Core Number 219 poured tea into a wooden teacup.

"This is my specialty. I picked leaves from a Plant Knight, chopped them, and fermented them to make this tea."

"Plant Knight? Is that something you can actually eat?"

"It's fine, humans can eat it too. Unless it's the Assassin Plant, they won't be poisonous."

I thought Core Number 219 was also a plant-type though?

"Is it okay for plant-type Cores to drink tea?"

"Hm? I don't understand. Plants don't really have likes or dislikes like animals, do they? They consume everything and turn it into soil. Plants are the pinnacle of the food chain, after all."

"... ... The food chain I know is a bit different."

"It's just a matter of perspective."

I took a sip of the tea it made for me. It had a refreshing aroma and a faint smell of apples or pears, which was nice.

"... ... Well, we came to this Dungeon in search of Ambrosia. Would it be alright if we took some with us, Senpai?"

"Sure. Do you need around twenty of them? They're growing right over there."

Core Number 219 had piled up the yellow fruit.

Yeah, it didn't look precious at all. It was even starting to feel just like a normal pear. Maybe I can give one to Ichika as well?

"You're quite cooperative, huh?"

"What? You journey's been enjoying to observe—cough. You've entertained me. Consider it a small token of my gratitude."

"Core Number 219 writes play scripts, you know."

Rokuko added.

"Huh, play scripts... Then maybe next time I should show you the books we have at our church?"

"Oh, that's a good idea. I'll lend them to you for our next tea party!"

"Oya oya, would those books satisfy me, someone who's devoured books from all over the empire?"

"I even have books on agriculture from the heroes' world. And stories too, of course."

"Wonderful. Let's add another twenty Ambrosias."

Core Number 219 made it so much Ambrosia that I wouldn't be able to carry it if not for [Storage].

"Looks like you'll be able to fulfill the request with plenty to spare, Kehma."

"Oh, ah, yeah. Looks like it."

Seeing Rokuko smiling brightly, I nodded.

"... ... So, you're going back today, right?"

"Um... I was thinking of taking 2 or 3 days to earn a bit more?"

"Hmm... Hmmm. I see."

Rokuko took a sip of her tea.

"Besides, if we have a tea party like this inside a Dungeon, adventurers might spot us."

"Oh, don't worry about that. Right, Core Number 219?"

"Yes, it's as the princess said. I'm the Core of this Dungeon and my Master is even watching over us. We're fully prepared for anything."

Well, I know that the Dungeon's side can monitor things through the map and such.

I wonder if the Master is in the Core Room. Or perhaps he's deep within the dungeon?

"Well, Tsuia Mountain is my domain, so I'm sure we'll meet again in the future. I look forward to it, KouhaiJunior-kun."

"So Rokuko is a princess, and I'm a junior, huh."

"Yes. My lord is Haku-sama, after all!"

At any rate, we shook hands in acknowledgement of us not being enemies, but comrades in the same faction.

"... ... I should be heading back soon. If I take too long, the Uzoh-Muzoh bros might come to check on me."

"That's true. Core Number 219, what are they up to?"

"Hm? Oh, they're quietly waiting. But indeed, it wouldn't be surprising if they start to come and check on us soon."

Well then. I took out a wrapping cloth and bundled up the Ambrosia, putting half in [Storage].

"Ah, by the way, the Boss of this floor is right over there. If you'd like, feel free to fight it before you go, Kouhai-kun. You should be able to win. It's just a bit stronger than an Ivy Giant."

"... ... Thanks?"

I might as well take a peek since it recommended it...