Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: Assassin
Sana can still cast magic even when she is away from the dungeon.
This power is immense.
Ordinary magi lose the ability to cast magic once they leave the dungeon, but there are exceptions.
The Emblem Squad, as it is called, is one such exception.
They handle cases and apprehend criminals that ordinary police cannot manage.
If her power were revealed, wouldn't they come recruiting her?
I did mention this to Sana just in case, but she showed no interest.
She seems determined to continue as an adventurer.
And that adventurer profession itself, with the Emerald Dragon she took down in the dungeon, surely brings in a significant income?
When money actually starts accumulating in her account, what will she do?
There are few who do not ruin themselves the moment they hold a large sum of money.
As an adult, can I offer her advice...?
No, if it comes to how to spend money, I think it would be more reliable to ask Kaorulko.
The video of the battle in the dungeon, which we had outsourced for editing, was finished and delivered.
As soon as I uploaded it, the counter started spinning at an incredible pace.
The comment section is also lively.
――Comments on the video of the "Hellhound (Provisional)".
Since Daemon was defeated almost entirely by Iroha, the video was recorded but not uploaded.
What was handed over to the outsourcing team was only the combat scenes; I stopped them from including the scenery of that space.
I did write that they were trapped in a space where they could not escape without defeating the monsters.
『It's burning!?』
The monster, burning bright red with flames reaching the ceiling, was captured clearly.
『Gyaaaaaa!』
『Is there a monster like this?』
『It says Hellhound...』
『Since it says (Provisional), it means it hasn't been officially named yet, right?』
『What happened?!』
It seems the scene where I dropped the tank I took out of the Item Box was not captured well.
It was hidden by the flames.
『Magic?!』
『Amazing!』
『Chain Lightning?!』
『Seems like item magic』
『When the fire goes out, does it have two heads?!』
『Woah! Severed the head in one strike』
As expected, when a new monster appears for the first time, the video counter goes up and up.
There are many comments in English, so it seems there is a lot of access from overseas as well.
『A room where you can't escape unless you defeat a monster like this is too much of an impossible game!』
『If it were a room where you can't escape unless you have S◯X, that would be nice...』
What would you do if only men were in there?
But the video with even more views than this Hellhound is the one of the Emerald Dragon.
The counter is spinning wildly now.
『Is this the Emerald Dragon that was sighted in the market?!』
『Amazing!』
『How on earth do you defeat something like this on the first try?!』
『Is it a real emerald?!』
Here, the Princess and Iroha attacked from both sides of the dragon.
『Cherry Princess and Goriki's Ogre?!』
『Honestly, the attacks aren't connecting at all』
『This is an impossible game, right?!』
At that moment, the magic stone I threw exploded.
It was a stroke of luck that I discovered magic stones could be used as weapons infused with magical power.
They can be used for both physical and magical attacks.
Magic stones were good for selling, but until now, there wasn't a very good use for them, but now they have utility value.
If that woman from the Labyrinth Cult were alive, I would throw one at her next time.
She might be taken out in one hit.
『It exploded?!』
『Magic?! Explosion magic [Explosion]?!』
『She didn't chant, so it's probably not that』
『It might be an unknown magic』
Here, Sana's magic exploded.
We couldn't use magic in the space where we were trapped, but the video doesn't reveal that.
『Another explosion?!』
『I don't know what they are doing...』
『Is this the battle of high-level adventurers...』
『Incomprehensible』
Sana's Compressed Light Bullet was a thin magic like a needle――it might have been invisible, or perhaps because of the Emerald Dragon's sparkling scales.
『Another explosion?!』
『So beautiful!』
『Amazing, sparkling!』
Fragments of the emerald were blown away by the magic, dancing and sparkling.
It's the climax scene of a movie, and it was captured well.
It was truly a fluke.
Even if you told me to aim for it, I couldn't do it.
『Amazing!』
『Boobs! Boobs!』
Sana's lower breasts appeared in front of me.
Because the camera is good, they are captured clearly and beautifully.
『Boobs! Boobs!』
Below that, it continues endlessly with boobs.
It's an amazing level of excitement.
Well, certainly――it sounds strange for me to say, but I think we captured an amazing video this time.
We were trapped in a space with no reason, risking our lives.
No, seriously, it would have been instant death for ordinary adventurers.
While reading the video comments, my phone received a call.
It was from the Prime Minister.
He seems to want to use a hologram communication device.
"Kaorulko, I'm going to use the hologram machine. It seems the Prime Minister is calling."
"I understand."
I learned how to use the machine, so I can set it up myself.
During that time, Kaorulko drew the curtains and made the room dark.
"Okay―― 'We are ready' sending."
The communication started immediately.
I recorded it just in case.
I don't think the Prime Minister would get into a "he said, she said" trouble, but still.
In the dark room, the Prime Minister sat at a desk, and there was another old man.
I think he was some kind of minister.
"Long time no see―― Prime Minister."
『Sorry for the sudden contact』
"If it's a call from the Prime Minister, is it about work?"
『That's right. What about the news that a train running inside the dungeon derailed and overturned?』
"Yes, I know."
It seems the Prime Minister doesn't know that I am the one involved.
Well, there's no need for us to bring it up――but I guessed the work he wants to ask for.
『I want you to use your Item Box to restore it』
"I thought a request like that might come~..."
『Then the conversation will be quick』
"No, no, the Item Box has weaknesses too, you know?"
『Weaknesses?』
"It can only hold things about 10 meters in size."
『I see...』
The Prime Minister looked deep in thought.
"The locomotive was small, but the passenger cars were about 20 meters long... there's no way those can fit."
『We will handle that. We'll split it in half and combine it on-site』
"Hmm, I understand――by the way, is the railway-related privilege issue okay? The important person next door looks like he's frowning."
『He is the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism』
"Oh, that explains why I recognized him."
『Grrr』
Is this really what it looks like when someone bites down on a bitter lime?
『More than privileges, we must restore the dungeon railway urgently! Now, the dungeon in the Special District is the lifeline of the capital』
He was serious, and it seems the situation is truly urgent.
With Japan's logistics paralyzed, being able to get supplies from the Tokyo Bay――there is nothing more wonderful than that.
If that stops, then――that must be what it means.
"So, what about the budget...?"
I made a circle with my fingers.
『Normally, restoration would cost around 100 million yen――but who knows when that would be done!』
"After all, inside the dungeon, it's steam engines powered by magic and manual labor, you see."
『That's right! But if you have your Item Box, it can be restored immediately, right?! Speed is the top priority』
"Well, speed is definitely the fastest, you see."
『If the supply of goods from the dungeon stops, it will have a huge impact on the next election!』
In short, he wants to butter up the people for the sake of votes, but if chaos spreads because of the dungeon, that becomes reality.
As a result, the minister sitting next to the Prime Minister might be affected too.
If a member of the House of Representatives loses an election, they are just a normal person.
『I want to ask you to do this!』
"Since I will be working in the 4th layer of the dungeon for a long time, I will also need guards for the workers."
『That is something I want to ask of you. We have no connections. You can claim the expenses later』
"So, the basic reward is 100 million, and expenses for hiring adventurers and such will be claimed later――"
The cost of the locomotive and passenger cars will be covered by the government, I assume.
『That is correct』
"Then, I accept."
『Thank you! I will send the person in charge to the site immediately』
"I understand."
The communication ended.
Person in charge means an official from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, right?
Someone like Hareyama-san from the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.
Since it's not a remote location like the Nuclear Power Plant Ruins, she will arrive quickly.
"So, it came, didn't it?"
Kaorulko was grinning.
"Well, yeah. No matter how you look at it, it's faster to ask me. When I see the Prime Minister's face, he's genuinely panicked."
"Even so, it seems our information hasn't spread yet."
"Rumors will spread eventually, won't they? I stayed silent because I was afraid you'd say something unnecessary and get told, 'It's because of you guys, so do it for free!'."
"Hehe, that might happen~"
The Princess, who was sleeping on the sofa, jumped up.
"I'm going too!"
"If the Princess is going, that would be a relief. I will pay the reward properly."
"I don't need that."
"Well, since we can use expenses anyway... let's claim about 50 million yen as 'Outsourcing fee for adventurer guard requests' and split it among everyone."
"Hehe, you are quite the rascal."
Kaorulko laughed.
"Again, Kaorulko with that kind of joke."
"Hehe."
"What is that! I don't understand at all!"
Thinking she was being excluded, the Princess was angry.
"Normally, only old men understand that kind of joke."
"Uu~"
Anyway, nothing will progress until the "person in charge" the Prime Minister mentioned arrives.
I can't arrange the construction work myself.
While I showed the video to the Princess and explained the jokes Kaorulko mentioned, a message came.
『Nice to meet you, this is Onoda from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. I am contacting you regarding the restoration work of the railway inside the dungeon』
"Hello, thank you for your trouble. This is Niwa Daisuke, an adventurer."
『May I visit you now?』
"Yes, please. I am staying at a hotel, but do you know the location?"
『No problem. The Prime Minister informed us』
"Then, I will wait for you."
As expected, she is fast.
Where is the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism located? Kasumigaseki?
From Chiyoda Ward to the Special District, it's only about 10km away.
"Princess, a guest is coming. It might be bad if you are dressed like that."
"I know."
She changed clothes immediately.
It was her usual loose loungewear.
Just then, the front desk called.
It seems she has already arrived, so we will be guided here.
The bell at the entrance rang.
When I opened the door, the hotel lady I am always grateful to was there.
"I have brought the guest."
"Thank you."
Behind her was a woman dressed in a navy blue suit like a recruit uniform.
She carried a black bag, wore black-rimmed glasses, and her black hair was neatly parted down the middle and tied up beautifully at the back.
A woman who looked like a drawing of seriousness――but.
What is this sense of incongruity...?
Even though she is a civil servant, her movements are not ordinary.
No――maybe she practices martial arts.
If she is a woman, maybe Aikido or something.
"Nice to meet you, this is Onoda from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism."
"Please take care of yourself. This is Niwa Daisuke, an adventurer."
After letting her in, we held a meeting in the living room.
I asked Kaorulko to order coffee and cake from the cafe downstairs.
"The coffee will be here soon."
"Please, do not worry."
She adjusted her glasses, and the lenses sparkled.
She felt a bit like a "Zamasu character," but her speech was not "Zamasu."
I wanted to make her say it.
Anyway, I received her business card.
"This is the adventurer, Cherry Princess."
I introduced the Princess sitting next to me.
"I am aware of you."
The Princess, known even by such a serious-looking official, is amazing.
No, if she is an official, she probably knows she is the daughter of the Yaegashi Group.
"So, how shall we proceed? I am a complete amateur when it comes to construction work, so I will mostly leave it to you..."
"Yes, that is fine. We will proceed with the construction arrangements."
She was checking something on a slightly large terminal she took out of her bag.
"I understand."
"First, we will dispatch personnel to the site for investigation."
"I see, that makes sense――by the way, are you an adventurer, Onoda-san?"
"No, I am not."
Not an adventurer...
"Then, do you practice any martial arts?"
"...No."
Her movements are clearly different, but I don't think she needs to lie...
At this point, I strengthened my vigilance toward her.
"So, the investigators are also ordinary people, then?"
"That is correct. All the workers at the site are also ordinary people."
I told them I would accompany high-level adventurers from our guild and acquaintances for the guard duty.
"It is very reassuring to be guarded by top-ranking people."
"Well, I am an amateur when it comes to construction, but for the guard, you can feel safe as if you are on a big ship."
"Thank you."
The bell at the entrance rang.
It seems the coffee and cake have arrived.
Kaorulko brought them over.
"Thank you."
At my words, she bowed politely.
I looked at Kaorulko and smiled――but in that instant, the woman sitting opposite moved.
She took something out from her side with a speed too fast for the eye.
Following that, a white trajectory rushed toward me.
This is an attack.
"Oh!"
I twisted my upper body to dodge the attack, but compared to the sharpness of the attacks I practiced with Iroha, it was completely slow.
"Tch!"
The woman's gaze changed in an instant.
The eyes that were until then gentle and friendly sharpened like a cold blade, discarding all warmth of emotion and becoming cold.
Her pupils contracted, her gaze fixed like a bird of prey accurately capturing its prey.
There was no trace of hesitation or mercy, only a cold, ruthless purpose.
In silence, those eyes seemed to announce the fate of destruction and blood that would visit in the next moment――.
"What are you doing!"
The kick from the Princess, who was next to me, blew the woman all the way to the wall of the room.
With too much momentum, she flew even to the sofa she was sitting on.
"Whoa!"
I jumped over the rolling sofa and checked the woman's condition.
"Uu..."
She was bleeding heavily from her mouth and nose, but she did not seem dead.
The Zamasu glasses were also gone, flying somewhere.
I took a towel out of the Item Box and stuffed it into the woman's mouth.
It would be troublesome if she committed suicide.
Who is this person?
Until I know that, my future actions will change.
"The fact that she survived the Princess's kick means this woman is an adventurer, right?"
"Could she be an assassin?"
Kaorulko also came over.
As expected of a high-level adventurer who has crossed the line of death.
She was not flustered, acting calmly.
"Well, probably."
While answering her, I kicked the woman's temple.
"Guh!"
This should cause a concussion, and she won't be able to move for a while.
"Could it be that the government targeted me?"
"That Prime Minister has deep ties with the Yaegashi Group. He would not do anything that endangers that."
As the Princess said.
"That's right."
If they wanted to target me, there were countless chances.
Sending an assassin here now makes no sense.
"――Does that mean she swapped places with the official who was supposed to come somewhere?"
Kaorulko analyzed calmly as well.
"Maybe――hey! Who are you?! What happened to the real official who was supposed to come here?"
"..."
Naturally, she has no intention of speaking properly.
Well, even if she had the will, she has a towel stuffed in her mouth, so she can't speak.
I took out my smartphone from the Item Box and took several photos of the woman.
Naturally, to send to the Prime Minister.
"Um, an assassin disguised as the official the Prime Minister said would come has arrived. Is this your doing?――Sending."
I also attach the photos I took.
"Isn't that a bit too direct?"
Is Kaorulko the type to play games?
"I don't like probing each other's intentions. I want to know quickly."
"I agree with Darling too."
"Well, will there be a reply soon?"
Waiting is boring――in front of my eyes, there was the buttocks of the woman wrapped in a suit skirt.
She must have trained it.
It's a rather nice butt.
I reached out and tried to squeeze that round thing.
"Nggh~!"
The woman was struggling, but since she has a concussion, she probably can't move much.
"A concussion is dangerous if you move, haha!"
"Darling!!"
"I'm getting a reward for almost being killed, rubbing, rubbing, rubbing..."
"You can rub my butt!"
"No, no, you can't do that kind of thing with the Princess's butt, right?"
I lifted the woman's skirt and pulled down her panties.
"Here! Pat, pat, pat on