Isekai Yururi Kikou - Chapter 471 (Patreon)

Stopping For Now
"Alright, let's call it a day."

After thoroughly exploring up to the 26th floor, and returning to the 23rd floor, while collecting plenty of glass beads and butterflies, I decided to wrap up this dungeon exploration.

(“”Ehhh~"”)

The children let out sad voices.
Well, this reaction was expected.

"We've been in the dungeon for quite a number of days. Let's head back to the city for now. After taking a break for a while, we can come back to this dungeon again."

Since there's no sense of confinement in an advanced dungeon, I feel like we've stayed a bit too long.

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Dungeon Record

The 4th dungeon "Earth" 15/15 floors
The 16th dungeon "Snow" 15/15 floors
The 53rd dungeon "Ripples" 30/30 floors
The 55th dungeon "Minerals" 30/30 floors
The 65th dungeon "Large Animals" 30/30 floors
The 71st dungeon “Scorching Heat” 15/50 floors
The 80th dungeon “Precious Stones” 26/50 floors
The 89th dungeon "Entwined" 7/50 floors
The 94th dungeon "Colors" 15/50 floors

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Moreover, perhaps due to the ease of conquering, I realized that our record for advanced dungeon had reached an all-time high.

“”Muu... alright."”

The children pouted a bit, but they obediently accepted.

“”Hey, hey, Oniichan.””
"What is it?"
"The first floor, you know."
"Can we check it out before going back?"
"The first floor?"
“”Yeah! The color of the forest might have changed!"”
"... Ah. Are you talking about the diamond branches?"
“”Yes!””

Although we have seen all the types of forests on the first floor, we missed the diamond branches. So, they want to check it out with the hope that they might be there.

"Alright then, let's take a quick peek."

So, after finishing the exploration of the 26th floor, having Joule and others return to my shadow, we headed toward the transfer device, aiming for the first floor.

“”Yay!"”
"Oh, we're lucky~"
"No, that's too lucky!?”

Lo and behold, the first floor turned out to be a diamond forest.

"We should head to a place where there aren't any people for harvesting."
“”Then, over there~””

Without delay, we headed to a place with no people, and the three of them happily collected as many diamond branches as they wanted, in high spirits.

◇　◇　◇

Upon exiting the dungeon, an employee from the Dungeon Management Headquarters, who seemed to be a staff member, delivered a message asking us to come to the headquarters as soon as possible.

"... Moreover, it's a joint message from Chris-san and Ethan-dono."
"Takumi, is there some urgent matter?"
"No, I have a feeling it might be about the branches from the first floor or some dungeon materials."
"Is that so?"
"Probably. But if it turns out to be really urgent, it would be troublesome, so I think we should head there immediately after returning to the city. Is that okay?"
“”Sure~””
"Umu, I don't mind either."

Since we had just finished lunch, we decided to head to the Dungeon Management Headquarters.

"Welcome back~!"
“”It’s Chris-chan! We're back!"”

Upon arriving at the headquarters, we were naturally guided to the director's office, where not only Ethan-dono but also Chris-san was present.

"Eh~ How come you are llready here?"
"There is a simple transfer device near the dungeon entrance to enable emergency communication."

Ethan-dono answered my question, explaining that the headquarters had been informed that I received the message, and since they expected us to come quickly, they had called Chris-san over as well.

"Wow, our actions were anticipated. But... huh?"

Besides Ethan-dono and Chris-san, there was another person in the director's office whom I had never seen before...

"... He looks similar?"

Not just the hair and eye color, but the atmosphere also reminded me of Isaac Risner, a knight from the country of Guardia.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Patrick Listener. I've heard about you from my brothers."
"Huh? Oh! Now that you mention it, there are three brothers!"

Cedric-san is the eldest, Isaac-san is the youngest, so there must be another brother in between.

"Oh, it's an honor to meet you. I'm Takumi. The Risner family has always been very kind to me. But why are you here, in the Regulus Empire? And is it alright if I call you Patrick-san?"
"Yes, that's fine."
"Are you here for a trip?"
"No, it's for work. I am involved in diplomatic relations and happened to be in the Regulus Empire. Although I was in the Capital."
"So you're a diplomat. I see."

The eldest son is a lord, the second is a civil servant, and the youngest is a knight. I thought nobles often followed their parents' professions, like a family of knights, but it seems the Risner family is different.
And it appears that Patrick had originally been in this country.

"The project I was involved in concluded, so I reported back to my country... and was then asked to take on another project."
"So, you came to this city for work too?"
"Yes, you could say that."

If he's here in town of Glad for work and at the dungeon management headquarters, it must be related to the Dungeon of Precious Stones.

"Takumi-san, I've heard that you've obtained some rare branches or something..."
"............... Huh?"

So, Patrick-san's work is related to us after all...?

"Along with checking the situation, if any negotiations or issues arise with the Regulus Empire, I am to handle them or act as a shield."
"!?”
"Oh, please don't misunderstand. I'm not here to stop you from selling the items you've obtained. It's just that if the other side tries to force anything, that's where I come in!"

It's confirmed! Patrick-san's work extension is completely because of us!
And without a doubt, it was Tristan-sama who asked him!

"I apologize for the trouble!!"
"Oh, no need to worry. If there's no negotiation involved, it's like I'm on a vacation for sightseeing. I actually visited the first floor of the Dungeon of Precious Stones, and it was magnificent."
"......"

So, he has already seen the dungeon!

"”Are you going to the dungeon with us?"”
"No, no, I'd just be in the way, so I can't join you."
"”Is that so?””
"Unfortunately, I'm not very good at physical activities."
"”Oh my~””

… Allen, Elena, I think that reaction is a bit inappropriate. And it's hard to correct or comment on it!

"”Then, how about shopping?””
"If I have time, I'd be happy to join you."
"”Yay~!”"

It seems Allen and Elena have already warmed up to Patrick-san. Maybe it's because he resembles Isaac-san so much? Well, Patrick-san himself seems approachable and gentle, so that might be why.

"Hey, can we join the conversation now?"
"Oh, sorry."

I completely forgot that Chris-san and Ethan-dono were there, as I was engrossed in talking with Patrick-san.

"It's alright, it's important. But I don't think there will be any need for Ristener-dono's involvement, as we don't intend to force anything on someone who can get a recommendation letter from the King of Guardia in a day."
"While Chris-dono and Ethan-dono shouldn't worry, there's always a chance that some less intelligent individuals might get wind of it. That's my concern."
"Oh, that's possible~"
"... Yes, we can't rule that out."

It seems that Patrick-san, Chris-san, and Ethan-dono had been interacting and establishing a level of trust while we were in the dungeon.
And despite Patrick-san's gentle demeanor, it seems he has a rather stern side as well.

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