After returning from the dungeon, I found myself lingering in the research lab I had visited, and before I knew it, evening had come and gone.

This room has a peculiar sense of time.

Being underground and a vital facility, there are no windows.

Clocks and timers, which are meant for timing the processing work, are scattered everywhere, but there are so many that it becomes confusing instead of helpful.

Adding to that, the constant bubbling and clinking sounds coming from all directions make you zone out if you’re not used to it. It feels like that dull, hypnotic sensation you’d get riding trains in my previous life.

Until Teresa called me for dinner, I sat there idly, resting my chin on the desk and holding the 【Floating Orb】 in my lap while watching everyone else work.

◇

After dinner, Liesel and the others joined me in the lounge for tea.

Since everyone here knew about the dungeon, we discussed today’s exploration and the trial run of the “Combustion Sphere.”

This “Combustion Sphere” is useful, no doubt, but neither adventurers nor the Knight Order use items like this all that often.

Potions are a different story, but even they aren’t readily available everywhere. You usually have to place individual orders to acquire them, and their usage is situational, making them less accessible.

And of course, they’re expensive.

From an adventurer’s perspective, if a hunting ground requires such items, it’s probably out of their league.

There are exceptions—some people enjoy using them—but most shy away from doing so.

For the Knight Order, they have their own mages, so there’s little need to rely on such items.

And then I ordered something rather peculiar.

It wasn’t powerful enough to kill a strong monster, nor could it support or heal allies.

However, it could disrupt monsters’ actions during combat.

This is only effective in dungeons, though.

If it’s easy to use, it could become a dedicated item for dungeon exploration.

Even in lower or unexplored deep layers filled with formidable foes, casualties occur.

But if this item proves effective, even those without magic could hold monsters at bay, potentially reducing the number of casualties.

Liesel gave a firm nod and spoke:

“So, the item worked well, huh? At first, I thought it seemed a bit too simple to be effective, but it looks like it might be worth approving its use in Riana’s dungeon. Not for free, of course, but we could have the territory bear part of the cost.”

Are they planning to sell it through the Adventurer’s Guild?

Well, it’s not something dangerous outside of dungeons, so there’s that.

I don’t know how much each one costs, but offering to subsidize it is quite generous.

“You’re being rather lenient, aren’t you? Will adventurers grow capable if you pamper them like that?”

Even Seriana seemed to think they were being too indulgent and voiced her opinion.

“Even though they may lack dungeon experience, the adventurers here are generally skilled. Moreover, external and new adventurers must demonstrate their abilities before receiving dungeon exploration permits.

We’re currently discussing this with the branch leaders, but we intend to provide some level of support, including dungeon information.”

So it’s part of Riana territory’s support for adventurers.

The branch leader leans toward advocating for favorable treatment of adventurers, so this makes sense.

If adventurers settle in the territory, they could also serve as escorts for reclamation missions or other external tasks.

This territory has plenty of resources, both locations and funds, to support more adventurers.

“That’s fine. As long as no one dies in our dungeon.”

“Ahaha, we’ll make sure of that.”

She’s quite blunt…

Well, for them, it’s about defeating monsters and earning sacred coins.

In any case, it’s better not to dwell on it.

◇

As the conversation shifted a few times, I remained silent, sipping tea, when another topic came up.

“They’ll be arriving at the end of this month or the beginning of next month.”

The topic of the sacred coin transport unit came up.

It takes several months for them to come all the way here from the royal capital. There’s no way they’d travel with just empty boxes, so they must be transporting something. It’s a tough job.

“The day after their arrival, preparations will begin to open the dungeon. Of course, this is just for show. Once it’s confirmed that the dungeon in Riana is operational, they’ll return to the royal capital using waterways via ship. Sera.”

“Huh?”

As I idly listened, my name was suddenly called.

“In preparation for this, the dungeon and Adventurer’s Guild will be closed starting next week, so keep that in mind.”

“Ah… got it.”

Are they planning to do something at the dungeon entrance hall?

It’s still not connected to the guild on the surface, so they’re probably working on that too.

“There’s still some time, but what will you do? Are you going to challenge the lower levels again?”

Seriana asked.

I already reported today’s dungeon progress. If I go again, she’ll probably insist on assigning Zighart as my escort.

“No, I’ll hold off on the dungeon. I’ll take it easy at the mansion for a while and think about how I can move more effectively.”

I should reflect on the battles in the lower levels and simulate more efficient fighting methods.

“I see. Then I’ll spare you the lecture.”

…Safe.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera: 【Hideout】 +1 【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind Garment】・【Floating Orb】 +1 【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Snake’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】・15 cards

Seriana: 【Range Identification】・【】・28 cards

Elena: 【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec: 【Power Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・8 cards