Chapter 51 - Chapter 51: After Returning
After returning to the surface, we reported the Labyrinth Cult and the adventurer guild Dancing Darkness.
We gathered the members of the top guilds for a meeting and secured their agreement on future policies.
At the same time, we plan to report this to the authorities outside the Special District.
With this, the Labyrinth Cult and Dancing Darkness will have nowhere to run.
Because I hit it off with the Princess, the members of my guild ended up disliking me...
Well, since the veteran Kirara is here, it should be fine.
She seems to be taking things seriously lately.
I, who was moving to a new guild, challenged the Princess to an unlimited one-on-one match.
On such a morning, I was attacked by a twin sister who looked exactly like the Princess.
It seemed she had just come to check on the situation.
That was fine, but the number of views on the video I uploaded last night was an unbelievable figure.
"Um, over 10 million views?"
The counter was still spinning at an amazing pace.
At this rate, it might reach 100 million counts.
"Huh?! What are you talking about?"
Kako, who had been talking with the Princess, seemed to have not missed my muttering.
"No, the video I uploaded yesterday is recording an amazing number of views."
"Show me."
"Ah."
When I lent her the notebook PC, she was watching the dragon video.
"Gyah! Sakura's figure!"
"Since we were fighting the dragon, it's natural that we were filmed."
"Only I am allowed to see Sakura's figure!"
"Princess?"
I looked at the Princess at the somewhat incomprehensible line.
"Yes, this guy is a narcissist."
"Oh, I see. So you love the Princess who looks just like yourself."
"That's right! Sakura was mine alone!"
"Don't treat people like objects. That's why I left you."
"Ugh, Sakura!"
Did she perhaps see the Princess, who looked just like her, as an adventurer and top ranker, and project herself onto that figure?
"But, didn't the Princess's photo book come out?"
"Of course I bought it! About 10,000 copies."
"Wow... you didn't have to do that, it would be a bestseller anyway."
"No, I probably tried to buy them all up and failed."
"Grrr... nowadays, paper photo books coming out in such numbers..."
"Well, if they sell, they'll print more, right..."
I got the notebook PC back.
If you want to watch the video, just watch it on your own terminal.
"I'm sorry~ that I monopolized such a Princess."
"That's right! And besides, such an old man! How did it come to this?! Kaorulko! Stop hiding and come out!"
"Y-yes."
She was supposed to go take a shower, but before I knew it, she had changed into a thin one-piece dress and was hiding.
"Why did this happen!?"
"A group called the Labyrinth Cult used magic or something to fly us to the deep layers of the dungeon... in other words, it was an accident."
"The Labyrinth Cult..."
I explained the current situation to her as well.
"We have already decided to expel any guild that has had contact with the Labyrinth Cult from the dungeon. We also plan to report the matter outside the Special District to the authorities."
"Yes, yes, Princess... do that."
"I understand."
"I get that! I get that! But why are you joining in with them!?"
Kako pointed at Kaorulko.
"That's because we were caught up in the teleportation together..."
"No, that's not it!"
"Yes?"
"You were lying naked on the floor too, weren't you?"
She was looking at Kaorulko with a contemptuous gaze.
"A-ah, well, that... surprisingly... Daisuke-san's back... was so sturdy..."
Kaorulko's face turned bright red.
"Well, maybe after 10 years of farming work, huh, haha."
"Pervert! You were making those big breasts jiggle and oinking like a pig, weren't you?!"
"T-that's not..."
"I'm envious!!"
"Yes?"
I couldn't help but ask back.
"Sakurako and Kaorulko were both mine alone!"
"No!" "That's not true."
The two voices harmonized.
"Kiiiii! Both of you are excluding me!"
"Look—Kako, your way home is over there."
"W-wait, Sakurako, let go! This idiot strong woman!"
There was no way to match the strength of a high-level adventurer.
If it were the Princess, she could push her out with just a finger.
I sent Kako outside, but she was still shouting something outside.
"I apologize for the noisy one."
"Well, she said it too, didn't she think she was being excluded? You were always together, right?"
"That is so, but with that personality... there were never-ending troubles..."
Kaorulko looked somewhat troubled.
"But, they are sisters. I feel they are similar at the core."
"Not similar! Definitely not similar!"
The Princess was denying it desperately, but... I think they are similar.
"They don't listen to a word you say... or if you stop them, they push forward..."
Kaorulko, who has been with them for a long time, knows best.
"Also, aren't you the type who absolutely wants what you want? You don't give in."
"Ah! Yes! Also, you have clear likes and dislikes. You absolutely hate what you dislike."
"Kaorulko! Aren't you on my side!?"
"From today on, I am on Daisuke-san's side."
"You traitor!"
"It's fine, I will serve Sakurako-sama as well."
"I will never hand over Darling..."
Don't glare at me like that.
Don't worry, there's no way she would switch from the Princess.
"Is Oga-san okay?"
"That guy is fine. I can't imagine losing to him."
I don't quite understand, but it's amazing confidence.
While talking, I looked at the video comments—already overflowing with a mountain of them.
'Cherry Princess! Cherry Princess!'
'Empress! Empress! Boobs!'
'Bikini Armor! Bikini Armor!'
Basically, it seems they are excited because it's the first time they've seen footage of the fighting Princess and Kaorulko.
'Labyrinth Cult finished!'
'In the end, among the high-level adventurers who went missing, only the Cherry Princess party returned.'
'Can the Labyrinth Cult freely manipulate [Stone Inside the Stone]? Isn't that scary?'
'Dancing Darkness is too dangerous.'
'To join hands with a cult.'
'There are also rumors that they lent a hand in exchange for rare items inside the dungeon.'
Heh, is this a leak from some guild?
'I went to the Dancing Darkness guild headquarters, and it was already empty.'
'They ran.'
Is that so.
"Princess, it seems the Dancing Darkness guild is already empty."
"They are fast runners, but if they are going to run, it can only be inside the dungeon."
"I think so... but I don't think they can stay there for a long period..."
"I don't know, there might still be collaborators in the Special District."
"Well, if the Labyrinth Cult supplies rare items, the return would be huge."
"That's right. There are people everywhere whose eyes are blinded by greed."
From that day on, the Special District began to move.
The government offices ordered them to appear for questioning regarding Dancing Darkness, but it seems they ignored it.
Before that, they had already fled.
A warning was issued regarding the Labyrinth Cult and the guild Dancing Darkness, and they were to be expelled from the dungeon.
The report to the authorities regarding the cult was also made, but it seems an investigation had already entered as a cult, and house searches were immediately conducted at all cult branches nationwide.
Even so, only a small number of cult believers were detained; most seem to have fled into the dungeon.
It seems some believers even entered dungeons that were not properly maintained.
As expected, search teams could not enter the unmaintained dungeons, and the investigation was quickly called off.
Adventurers who went outside the Special District were detained by the Emblem Squad.
There really is such a special forces unit.
Such incidents haven't happened before.
This incident likely occurred because that woman of the Labyrinth Cult gained the power to move freely within the dungeon.
Really, the power of the dungeon distorts people...
Surveillance inside the dungeon continues, and it has been decided that PK (Player Kill) is allowed upon discovering members of the Labyrinth Cult or Dancing Darkness.
If we don't take the initiative, they will be thrown into the deep layers of the dungeon again, and the number of victims will increase.
They are not opponents with whom one can reason.
The missing high-level adventurers ultimately did not return, and it is thought to be hopeless.
Ren's whereabouts, who stepped into the dungeon to contact the cult, are also unknown.
Probably, this one is no good either.
Perhaps if I hadn't met her, this wouldn't have happened.
Thinking like that, my state of mind is complicated.
—On such a day.
The party from the guild Flower Square, whom I met at the Floor 7 wall, came to visit us.
I told them the entrance point, but did they penetrate inside from there?
I guided the party members to the Princess's room and decided to listen to their story.
We sat facing each other on the sofa, the Princess and I.
The other party consisted of three men and one female mage, unchanged from when we met before.
It seems everyone returned safely.
Their equipment was the same as before; were they returning from the dungeon, or diving deeper again?
"Long time no see. It's a relief you are safe."
"..."
The men were standing around, looking at the surroundings.
"What's wrong?"
"R-really, did you join the Cherry Princess's guild?"
It seems their interest was in me.
"Yes, well..."
"Since he is my Darling, it's natural, isn't it?"
"U..."
"U?"
"Envious..."
"Ugh!"
The men were hit by the female mage.
Well, the Princess was indeed the object of admiration for male adventurers...
Since I was chosen as the partner, I often heard nasty remarks outside.
It's unavoidable that the one who possesses something is envied.
When Kaorulko brought iced coffee, she sat next to me on the opposite side of the Princess.
"So—did you try attacking from that hole in the ceiling I taught you about?"
"W-well... it was more difficult than expected inside..."
"No way! No way! No way! Bugs are absolutely no way!"
The female mage was writhing and shouting.
"Well, that place was terrible enough to make even the Princess crazy."
"Ahem!"
The Princess cleared her throat.
She probably doesn't want to talk about that.
"I see~ so it's impossible after all~"
"Yes, I'm sorry for sharing the information in vain."
"Ah, that's fine... but when you go next time, that rope will probably have been absorbed by the dungeon..."
"Ah, probably..."
Items that are unused and left behind are decomposed and absorbed by the dungeon.
For example—even if I put steel pipes in my Item Box to build a scaffold, only a limited number of adventurers can reach that far.
During that time, the precious scaffold is gradually decomposed and becomes tattered.
Maybe we could cut out the dungeon walls to make stairs...
Or, we could keep expanding that hole in the ceiling and make a hole in the Floor 7 wall...
Simply making a hole would connect it to another space, but if we expand it gradually so the hole doesn't open, we should be able to prevent spatial rupture.
"I thought there was a Harpy up there, what happened?"
"Ah, they escaped."
Hearing that story, I breathed a sigh of relief.
They are monsters, though.
It seems my feelings are getting involved.
"..."
The men were staring at us.
"What is it?"
"Haa~"
The men let out a huge sigh.
"What rude people."
"Ugh!"
The men were hit by the female mage again.
"I apologize."
"Haha, it's fine."
It's probably jealousy towards me who joined the Princess's guild, or maybe they are people who have never worked a normal job.
Many adventurers are like that.
Among them, the female mage seems to be decent.
Well, if adventurers who believe strength is justice say etiquette is unnecessary, I suppose that's a valid thought.
Maybe I'm just thinking that because I'm an old man.
They asked if they could share more information about Floor 7—so I consulted with the Princess and gave permission.
Three minds make one wise man—if we spread the information, a good clearing method might be found.
Since the guests left, I'll edit the remaining videos and upload them to the site.
The dragon battle was uploaded in a rush, so the editing was sloppy, but I'll re-edit that one too.
Since there were a few extra scenes, it will be easier to watch.
Watching the same video twice is killing two birds with one stone.
The video view count has already reached nearly 100 million views.
Dungeons appear worldwide, but it seems we were the first to encounter a dragon.
Because of that, there are accesses from all over the world.
The comments are mixed with English and languages from various countries.
This time there are many rare things, and it's certain to blow up once uploaded.
The dragon topic is currently popular, so let's post them continuously.
—Video of the Floor 9 wall.
If the layer with that dead-end wall is Floor 7, then the place where we were thrown and fought the dragon must be Floor 9.
'Floor 9?! This alone looks like a dead end...'
'There's such a huge wall?!'
'You fought the dragon on Floor 9?!'
'Huh?! How did you get back from such a place?!'
'As expected, Cherry Princess...'
'I wonder how many layers there are in total.'
'If the dragon isn't the final boss, maybe the next Floor 10 is the final boss.'
Indeed, even if we defeated the dragon on Floor 9, it wouldn't count as clearing the dungeon.
Just like the experience I had in my backyard, the dungeon should disappear when the final boss is defeated.
—No, wait a minute...?
I might have noticed something important.
The dungeon created in my backyard could be attacked and defeated from the outside...
But when the final boss is defeated, the dungeon clears and disappears, what happens if you are inside?
Do you disappear with it?
Or are you spat out outside?
In the backyard, a bottle that looked like an Elixir was spat out, so maybe we can get out...
"However—"
When the Princess and I were escaping, something terrifying seemed to be crawling out from a crack in the ground.
If that was the final boss, I feel it's something that cannot be handled by human hands.
Well, I think worrying is useless since I don't even know if I can completely clear the dungeon.
—Video of the Manticore battle.
'Manticore?! There are even such monsters?!'
'First time seeing one!'
'Face is an old man! It's talking! Gross!'
'Magic?! A monster using magic?!'
'Is there anyone who can win against this?'
'As expected, our Cherry Princess and Empress!'
—Or rather, since I am the one filming, my figure does not appear.
Only the Princess and Kaorulko's active performance is shown.
From the viewers' perspective, a beauty in bikini armor and big breasts is better than an old man's video.
Actually, the money should go to the Princess, but I am allowed to take it.
Well, they don't need to rely on that money, both of them are rich.
Besides, if we live together from now on, my money equals their money anyway.
—Video of the Lich battle.
'Lich?! No Life King?!'
'Huh?! Disappeared?!'
'Appeared again...'
'He's hitting something...'
'Probably a potion. For undead, healing causes damage...'
'How many potions does he have?! lol'
'He's not even fighting lol'
'Is there a way to defeat like this lol'
The comments on the Lich battle are extremely unpopular, but the view count is good.
As the one fighting, I can't say such things.
As long as it's defeated, anything goes.
Then safety is better.
Well, gathering that many potions is usually very difficult.
—Video of the Griffon battle.
'Griffon, here it comes!! lol'
'Griffon, cool!'
'Cherry Princess is cool!'
'Here it comes! Empress's equipment has changed!'
'Boobs! Boobs!'
'Breast-Curtain Dress! Breast-Curtain Dress!'
'Empress's magic?!'
'A great magic I've never seen!'
This one is fighting, and with the flashy great magic, it's a huge success.
The playback counter is spinning rapidly.
Thanks to Kaorulko's Breast-Curtain Dress effect, no matter how flamboyantly she moves, the Breast-Curtain Dress doesn't shift due to some mysterious power.
—Video of the dungeon hot spring.
'Hot spring?!'
'Inside the dungeon?!'
'Where are the bathing scenes of Cherry Princess-sama and Empress?!'
There's no way I could release that.
Besides, I didn't film it.
Speaking of which, the hot spring water is still in the Item Box.
It seems to have a mild magic recovery effect, so maybe it could sell.
Real hot springs also have things you can drink.
If I market it as "Water soaked by Cherry Princess and Empress," it would sell like hotcakes, haha.
I won't do it, though.
But if I sell something like that and food poisoning or accidents occur, it would be bad.
—Video of the Floor 7 wall.
'Wow—Floor 7 is like this?!'
'Where do you enter from here?'
'Information was released, but there seems to be a side path at a height of 100m...'
'How do you climb 100m?'
'You'd bring steel pipes like other places and build a scaffold, right?'
'Just have the mole people dig it.'
'If it were a game, it would be a major suck game.'
'If it were a game, it would be a bit better—we can revive and use resurrection spells...'
This place is really troublesome.
How to break through it?
I didn't film the video inside that narrow hole.
There was no time for that.
Since all videos are being played at an amazing pace, this alone will earn a lot.
Since these videos were released, inquiries for information from various guilds have increased.
They are asking for more detailed information about the dungeon, and Kaorulko is handling the window, looking busy.
It seems she also taught them about the great magic she used.
Well, I already released the magic video too.
There's no point in hiding it.
A discussion has also arisen to clear Floor 7 together with the top guilds.
It's probably targeting my Item Box.
No matter how much supplies there are, if I have storage, there's no trouble.
The 100m high entrance can also be handled with the Item Box.
The problem isn't the height, but the inside of that hole...
—On such a day, a guest arrived.
The entrance chime rang.
I knew who came because the front desk contacted me.
I opened the door.
"Welcome~"
"Yo!"
A giant body that looked like it would hit its head on the door frame.
Tight denim, a T-shirt, and a cap with a brim.
It was Oga-san.
"Welcome."
"I heard you said I could borrow Darling, so I came to borrow him."
"Huh? Is this a serious talk?"
"Princess! Is that okay?!"
"Yes, no problem."
The Princess was looking at her tablet, indifferent.
"Well—if the Princess says it's fine, I'm fine..."
"Alright! It's decided!"
She clasped her fists in front of her chest.
"Um, are we going somewhere?"
"It's troublesome! Let's do it here!"
"Seriously... fine, I guess."
—And so, we held an unlimited one-on-one match in the guest room.
A few hours after the match—I came out of the room.
I'll take a shower.
"Phew..."
"Darling, is it over already?"
"Oga-san, he got soft."
"Haha! That's what you get for bragging with such a big mouth every day."
No, it's just that the Princess is amazing.
—Though even in her case, I've figured out various weaknesses and strategies.
After showering, about an hour later—Oga-san came out too.
She was in panties and a shirt, but something was off.
Her face was red, and she didn't have her usual energetic vibe.
She looked like a normal girl.
"Oga-san."
"Hya!"
"You have a very cute voice."
At my teasing words, her face turned bright red.
"P-please stop! I didn't think it would be so embarrassing..."
"It's not like that. You were very cute."
"Uuuu..."
She curled her large body up, hiding her face with both hands, but only her red ears were visible.
It seemed like steam was rising from her whole body.
"Oga-san is cute—Kaorulko."
"Yes."
"I-if this gets out to the party, I can't live..."
"I won't leak such private matters, so don't worry."
"Really?"
"Yes, really."
"..."
Oga-san seemed to accept it, but now the Princess looked unhappy.
"What's wrong? The Princess said it was okay."
"You never said I was cute!"
"Ugh, troublesome."
Hearing the Princess's words, Kaorulko muttered with an exasperated look.
"Don't say it's troublesome!"
"Yes, yes, cute, cute—you said you would never lose to Oga-san."
"Umm..."
As the Princess pouted, my smartphone reacted.
I looked, and a message had arrived.
It was from the old man who always buys.
I had been asked to give my contact information, so I had given it...
Could it be that the method for processing the dragon has been decided?