The aristocrats of the Holfert Kingdom were adventurers in the original sense of the word.

　Therefore, being an adventurer was a respectable profession managed by the state, and the nobles would follow their ancestors and become adventurers at one time or another.

　Even in the academy, there was usually a gratifying class where everyone, regardless of advanced classes, had to register as adventurers in the Adventurer's Guild to learn about the hardships of their ancestors.

　Well, for whatever reason, the adventurer's family business was a way for the children of noblemen with no money to earn a little money. It was a popular class in the school, and many students earned money as adventurers during vacations and long holidays.

　It seems that both my father and second brother have earned a lot of money as adventurers.

　It's sad to think that the money is going to be used to pay for social gatherings such as tea parties with girls.

　I'm not a money man, but I still get excited when I hear the word "dungeon".

　It's probably one of the endlessly intriguing things in the world of maiden games.

　--That is, it was supposed to be.

　Mid-May.

　A day when the first year students are about to become adventurers and take on a dungeon in the royal capital. I was looking around and feeling out of place.

Both Daniel and Raymond ran away while their friends were in trouble. No, I'd run away too if I were in the same situation. I'd run away, though!

　Next to me, who was dressed in the equipment of a common adventurer, stood Olivia-san, who was also wearing the equipment of a common adventurer.

　She looks apologetic to me.

''I'm sorry. Angelica-san insisted on joining us.''

　I look at Olivia, who is in trouble.

　No, I know that complaining to this person is not going to help.

　This is the day I take on the dungeon.

　I've been sent around by a ridiculously noble group of people.

　A tall, smart-looking, serious-looking man with blue hair and eyes, dressed in fashion-only gear that I don't know how to protect myself from.

　He wears only a single sword at his waist.

　He is a character to be attacked, a serious vanguard swordsman - or should I say a swordsman in the game. The son of the Sword Saint of the Horfath Kingdom [Chris Fear Arkwright].

　He comes from a court noble family. He's the heir apparent to an earl family that was founded on a single sword.

　In contrast, a muscular man in a sleeveless outfit that looked like he had his red hair upside down was carrying a spear.

　This rough-looking man, who claims to be more of a practitioner than a practiced swordsman, is a man who has challenged dungeons and defeated many monsters even before entering the school.

　Character to attack. He is a powerful vanguard, and his family is a lordly, aristocratic county family.

　He is sleeveless, but is a rich bon vivant.

　With his red hair and tanned skin, he doesn't look like a monk.

　His name is 【Gregg Fow Seberg】.

　The game was set up in such a way that Chris and I didn't get on the same horse, but I think there was a friendship event along the way. Although it wasn't necessary to conquer the game, I felt that it would have been easier later on if I had done the friendship events.

[Julius Rafa Horfert]
[Zilk Fear Marmoria]
[Brad Fowfield]
[Chris Fear Arclight]
[Greg Fow Seberg]

　These are the five characters to be attacked - the five who will be the main character's counterpart.

　In the game, it was nostalgic that I remembered them as black, green, purple, blue and red in order from the top.

　Originally, another beautiful elven boy named 【Kyle】 would be added here. Kyle is a slave that the protagonist is going to buy--a resident servant.

　Originally, he's a handy character who can teach me how to take care of my personal affairs and other favored things, and he'll use magic to support me in battle.

　It seems to be a cute little brother position, but I only felt like a maid to the main character.

　By the way, in Horfert, the middle name Rafa indicates royalty, Fia is from a court nobleman, and Faux is from a lord nobleman.

　The five of us are all together, and the most skilled of their cronies are surrounding us.

　The shape of me and Olivia-san are mixed in with them.

　One reason is the interest of the five of us.

　Olivia-san is a special student, and I'm an adventurer who has made a track record... From the school's point of view, they want me to guard the crown prince in the dungeon.

　It's considered tactless to use knights and soldiers brought from my family's home, and I think the people around me also used my family's power. But if there's a guy my age whose track record is outstanding, like me, they'll have a reason for just working with him or something.

　I don't know, but I guess they don't want strong knights and soldiers to be brought in on their own, so they're taking care of the problem with students.

　The school's intentions, Angelica-san's reasoning, and many other things came together to produce this kind of result.

　Or rather.........the place we are about to enter now is also elementary.

　It's too overprotective to have all the guards here.

　His Highness also looked a little uncomfortable with that, perhaps because he was concerned about it. Come to think of it, I think he told the hero that he didn't like this kind of thing.

　If I looked around, His Highness's fiancée, Angelica-san, was also in this group. These places are equal in terms of gender.

　It's a given that men and women will enter the dungeon regardless of gender.

　In terms of the number of people, it's a group of about thirty people.

　I think it is a lot, but this time it is like sightseeing in a dungeon. There's no problem with this number of people.

But even so, we haven't been approached despite being called.

　As I looked around, Olivia looked anxious.

'Should I call out to her from here?'

'I don't know.　They'll think it's a runaway, and you might as well follow instructions.

　If I really wanted to say it, I'd be curious to see who of these people would be attached to the main character, but I didn't want to get involved, so I wanted to keep my distance.

　The teacher starts to explain in front of everyone.

''Well then, please form a group. This time you will be asked to come back once you reach the second underground level of the dungeon. Do not proceed any further.

　Even if we were to form a group, we would move in close to thirty people.

　His Highness and the others who shouldn't be injured would be in the center, and we would be the first group to walk in the front. Well, this is not a problem.

　However, there is a problem when we are divided into groups.

''I'm telling you to get yourself together!

　Angelica-san's angry voice echoed throughout the dungeon.

　When everyone turned around, Angelica-san was standing there in front of Marie.

　The teacher was young, and she was cringing because she was dealing with a duchess.

　When I asked her what was going on, it seemed that they had a dispute over the division of the group.

　Marie goes behind His Highness.

''Angelica, that's enough of that.

　Angelica-san also said back to His Highness who was defending her.

''Your Highness, will you forgive this man's selfishness?''

　Marie was slumped behind His Highness. She pinched His Highness's sleeve with her fingers, making a cute but oddly annoying gesture.

''Your Highness, I just thought it would be better to be with Your Highness. If it's a nuisance, you can refuse if you want.

　Miss Angelica shouted angrily at Marie as she bit her way through.

'Don't go figure!　You and your highness are of a different status. I've tolerated you in the past, but if you're acting like that--

　Angelica had an image of being angry a lot.

　It's the same with games. The character is a metaphorical "instantaneous water heater" or something like that. Well, she's the hero's rival, the villainous daughter.

　She may have been imagined as a short-tempered, painful woman who wielded her beauty and her family's power.

　But in this scene........the one being protected is Olivia-san, who is right next to me. Olivia is just panicking, "What's going to happen to you? And so on.

　.........this one looks strangely cute. It's very different from Marie.

　I think about why this happened, but there is only one reason.

"Isn't there something wrong with that Marie woman?

　Olivia thinks about my words for a moment.

''Well, come to think of it, the bullying has gotten worse than me lately, hasn't it? People say you're the daughter of a poor baronial family, or so the rumor goes.

　Although the Viscount's family was larger than the Baron's family, it was in the past that some families had fiefdoms that were commensurate with their debts and titles, and there were several examples of small fiefdoms now.

　As the two of them talked, the people around them agreed with Angelica-san.

''It's impossible to slip up to that extent in front of your fiancé, isn't it?
Didn't she get along with some of the other boys?
Unbelievable.

　Judging from the reactions of those around her, the woman named Marie seemed to have taken away the position of the protagonist. When I tried to talk to Olivia-san--'

''Enough!''

　His Highness shouted out, and the surrounding students closed their mouths.

　Angelica-san has a surprised look on her face.

''So, Your Highness?''

　The one who stepped forward to protect His Highness was the normally kind-looking Zilk. Standing in front of Angelica-san, he held his right hand out to the side, showing his posture of protecting His Highness and Marie.

''Angelica-san, I hope you won't embarrass Your Highness too much.

"Embarrass me?　You think I'm embarrassing you?　I did it for your highness' sake--

　It was Greg, who looked bored, who bit at the words.

　He was carrying a spear and squinting at it.

'They say that kind of attitude is annoying. Don't bring your outside relationships into the academy. It's annoying to watch.

　His Highness was speaking to the teacher when the people around him were unable to speak back to the words of the powerful nobleman's heir said.

''I'm sorry. We'll team up with Marie here. You can organize the rest as you see fit.''

　The teacher nodded repeatedly in a hurry.

'Ha, yes!'

　Angelica-san was stunned, but I didn't miss the fact that only Marie was smiling while everyone else was not looking at her.

◇

　

　There are wooden posts and beams at even intervals in the wide passages.

　From time to time, ores were unearthed from the walls, which were also the treasure of the dungeon. The treasure chests also seem to have been placed there at some point, but the reason for this has not been determined.

　It must be a game-like reason.

　There's no point in dwelling on it.

　Olivia is taking out the ore buried in the wall.

　The ore she found is iron or something else. In the first place, it's strange to find iron that looks like it was refined.

''Ehehe, I've found it.''

　Olivia looked happy, but she had wiped her sweat off her hands while she was preoccupied and it was dirty with dirt on the head of her nose.

'Congratulations. You're sure to get a hundred deer with this one.

　I receive a heavy lump of metal and I throw it into the luggage compartment.

　The currency units are [Dear] and [Dill].

　It's one thousand dirs, one dia.

　Gold and silver coins are also present, but I don't see them very often as bills and coins are present.

　The good quality gold coins that occasionally come out of the treasure chest are elaborately crafted and I heard that a single piece is worth between one thousand five hundred and two thousand dirs.

　Olivia looked around.

'What's the matter?'

''No, um.......I was wondering why this kind of phenomenon happens in dungeons. I've heard there are treasure chests, so it's a bit strange.

　I feel like I shouldn't feel uncomfortable there.

　After all, it's a treasure trove of materials and funds that have supported the kingdom.

It's strange. Okay, let's move on.

Well, wait a minute!　Doesn't that bother you, Mr. Leon?

　I let out a sigh.

'Not really.'

　Olivia is depressed.

'Mr. Leon is cold,'

　I've been very open with her but unfortunately she's a commoner by origin. When she is eventually recognized as a saint, she will be out of reach.

　I couldn't marry someone like that, so we stopped being friends.

　It's a real shame.

　If Olivia-san was a daughter of a nobleman, she would have confessed. The content of the person in question - not because of her heart or any other sweet reason, but realistically, she's the ideal partner.

　The person in question grew up in the countryside on a remote island. It seems that she's thinking of returning to her parents' house in the future, and she'll be able to live in my parents' house without any problems.

　It's a shame, really.

"Don't be depressed, and get on with it - oops, should we stop?

　A rising star and a special student.

　It's not possible to work well with the other team members, and although we're being allowed to take the lead, it's actually easier to move.

　I'm going to have to put Olivia behind me and draw the sword from my back hip. It's a sword, or rather a broad sword.

　It's a good idea to use a sword for the soul of a Japanese, or so the guy from Luxion said. It seems to be his way of provoking me to use it if it's something I can use.

　I'm not a descendant of a samurai or a Kendo practitioner, but I was willing to accept the offer.

　However, the Japanese sword that he created is a fantasy sword.

　It looks similar but feels different.

　Olivia-san was trembling behind me.

''That's........the monster.''

　What came out was a giant ant. It was a big ant, about seventy to eighty centimeters in length.

　However, if you get bitten by its large jaws, you'll be in trouble.

　When they come out, they are numerous and often appear in dungeons.

　It is rumored that they are said to be the cleaners of dungeons, carrying fallen adventurers and the like somewhere.

'It's a pain in the ass because you can't even use your rifle in these passages.

　This is still a rural upbringing, and my dad has trained me.

　It reminds me of my dad, who said he would only teach me how to fight because I would probably have to earn money in dungeons in the future.

　I'm sure my dad has had a hard time in dungeons too.

　When the giant ants found us, they came at us one by one.

　There were five of them.

　First we cut off the heads of the enemies in front of us.

　The monster emits black smoke and disappears, but we don't care, and attack the next opponent.

　The giant ant is a nasty opponent, but the connection between its head and body is relatively fragile.

　Its jaws and head are quite strong, so if you slash at it, it will be torn apart.

　That's why I tried to slash at the weak points.

''Yes, the second one!　And the third one, huh?

　He slashed through them one after another with the sword he was holding.

　Quickly turning to the side, he repeated the process of swinging his sword down, and the fight ended safely with the last Giant Ant decapitating him as well.

　In the game, you get attacked by your opponent in a turn-based system, but in reality, if you make good use of your positioning, you won't get attacked.

　However, the same can be said for your opponent.

　If they surround you, you'll really have trouble dealing with them. Or rather, you'll die.

　As I carried my sword on my shoulder, Olivia-san approached me. She emits black smoke and looks a little scared as she sees the disappearing monsters.

''Rion-san, you were so strong. How could you defeat all those scary looking monsters one after another?''

　It's true that the Giant Ant is disliked by girls because of its appearance.

　But with a gun, it's one shot. If it hits, that is.

　And if you know how to beat it, it's easier to take them out.

I know your weaknesses and stuff. Olivia, you'll be able to defeat them easily if you become one.

　While looking at Olivia-san's troubled face, I suggested that we put the sword away in its sheath and move on.

''Rion-san, you're very reliable.

'There's plenty of room around here. Besides, there's only small fry. Oh, be careful of the traps. Alright, let's get cracking!

　I noticed that Olivia had a complicated look on her face.

◇

　The group that Julius and the others were in was basically the middle group that followed behind the group that was ahead of them.

　There were squads behind them as well, and they were well protected in front and behind.

　However, in a dungeon with intricate and forked paths, there were times when monsters would jump out at them.

　Even traps can be dangerous at times.

　The dungeon that goes underground.

　It's possible to die if you're not careful, say on the first or second underground floor.

　Julius was sweating a little for his first dungeon and actual battle.

　Zilk, who was standing next to him, could see that he was nervous about protecting Julius.

　Brad, who was usually sarcastic, was not talking much, and Chris hadn't removed his hand from the hilt of his sword from nervousness.

　Gregg is used to dungeons, but he looked bored, as if he had no interest in this kind of school play level adventure.

　Julius pays attention to the woman behind him - Marie.

''Is your walking pace okay?''

　Marie smiled at the slightly clumsy dialogue.

'It's all right, Your Highness.'

　To Julius, Marie is a fresh and impressive girl, the type of girl who is not found in the royal court.

　He has heard stories of her struggles, and he is intrigued by her desire for protection.

　Greg held his tongue.

'I'm more worried about the Dauphin than I am about Marie. Marier is strong, but he shouldn't be poorly brought up in the royal court.'

　Chris narrowed his gaze at the words.

''Well that's good nerve for a rough country boy. But the disrespect to His Highness cannot be overlooked.

　Zilk immediately stops him.

'Chris, you're also very serious. We're students now, so you don't need to worry about it.''

　Guffawing, Greg laughed.

'This is rude. But if I recall well, even the lord nobleman had a big head on his shoulders. I was wrong.'

　It was easy to see who he was talking about.

　Brad had a blue streak on his forehead.

　He straightened his glasses and then said in an exasperated voice, sarcasm in his voice.

'Brainiacs think things through quickly with arm strength. 'Marie, you'll have a hard time marrying a man like that.'

　As Marie giggled, Brad spoke back. His flustered look seemed to indicate that he was trying to clear up Marier's misunderstanding.

'Hey, stop lying!　Marie, I'm not going to give you a hard time about any woman who comes to me. The one who's going to be Brad's wife with all the sarcasm is going to get tired of his too detailed personality.

　The two of them were arguing with each other, and the squad of guards who were nearby heard them and looked awkward.

　The squad protecting Julius and the others is also present, and among them is Angelica.

　A noisy group.

　However, the air changes drastically when Greg quickly holds the spear in both hands and holds it up.

''........Hey, all of you be on guard. It's the Giant Ant.

　Everyone hurriedly picked up their weapons.

　Dungeons. Especially in the corridors, we are afraid of fighting each other with guns.

　That's why we're not supposed to rely on guns.

　The boys weren't allowed to carry firearms, even though Zilk and the girls had pistols for self-defense.

　Greg gets a little impatient.

'There's ... six of them. They're coming out of the side streets.'

　A slightly impatient Brad had a bitter look on his face.

'What was the squad ahead of you doing!

　Chris silently drew his sword.

　Then he took a clean stance.

'If they came from a side street, they probably didn't meet the preceding squad. But still, six bodies is a lot of them. Your Highness, please step aside.''

　But once Julius turned his gaze to Marie, he stepped forward and picked up his sword.

(How can he show his pathetic appearance here?)

　Greg whistles.

'Great, your highness. That's what royalty is all about.'

　While dismayed by Julius's fighting stance, Zilk also held his gun. Zilk is skilled in handling a gun.

　Then Angelica, who was in the back--.

''What are you doing!　Protect your highness!

　There were two groups of six people around to protect Julius and the others. Originally, it was their job to deal with the monsters.

　However, Greg yelled at them.

''Back off!''

　Wielding a spear with the same red ornamentation as his hair and eyes, Greg jumped out and swung his spear down to shove his escort students away from him and smash them.

　As the crushed Giant Ant was enveloped in black smoke, two of them loomed in between such Gregg.

　When he lifted his spear, one of them was cut in two by the slash, while the other one was burned by the flames.

　If you look, you can see Chris with his sword at the ready.

''That's a lot of wasted movement.''

　Behind him, Brad was there, holding his wand. It was Brad who released the magic.

'You're a brainiac after all. If it wasn't for you, we could have defeated three of them at the same time.

　Immediately after, two shots were fired.

　The two giant ants that had been shot out of their heads were about to disappear in a cloud of black smoke.

　White smoke was coming out of the muzzle of the revolver-type pistol that Zilk was holding.

''You're being too cautious. --His Highness.''

　And so the last remaining one was headed to Julius' place.

　Angelica shouted.

'What are you doing!　Quickly protect your highness!

　Zilk says to an exclaiming Angelica.

'I suppose we'd better have a little look. Angelica, your highness is not weak.'

　Unlike the dismayed Angelica, Zilk was calm.

　Julius rushed out and raised his wide western sword with both blades.

''Ha!''

　The blow that was swung down slashed the Giant Ant's head and torso, causing it to disappear in a cloud of black smoke.

　Julius felt sweat trickle down his cheeks, and when he wiped his hands on it, he realized he was shaking.

　Then Marie, who had rushed in from behind, grabbed Julius' hand.

''Your Highness, are you alright?''

　Julius is relieved at the warmth of the crisp hand in his.

(Relieved.) Is this love?　(No, is it love?)

　Julius was happier with Marie, who was more worried about him after the fight like this than Angelica, who would stop him if he tried to fight.

　Angelica approaches. At that moment, she pushes Marier away from her.

''Your Highness, I've brought you a towel.

　However, such an Angelica was annoying to Julius.

''........No need. We'll go further than that.''

◇

　The entrance to the second basement floor.

　If you go down the stairs from the first basement floor, you are on the second basement floor, but once you arrive, this class is over.

　A teacher is waiting to make sure that the students don't get carried away and move on, and Olivia and I will wait in a room that has been prepared for us when we arrive.

　I smiled when I saw the luggage I was able to carry.

It's a dungeon in the capital. When I was allowed to go ahead of you, I thought all those nobleman's bondmen were going to go to hell, but I got a lot of metal.

　Iron, copper, and many other things, but it's a quintessential fantasy world, with metals coming out of the ground that look like they've been refined. I'm so grateful that I'm crying.

　And among them was a beautiful crystal called a magic stone.

　Olivia took the crystal in her hand and looked at it.

''It's like a gemstone. It's beautiful. What on earth is it used for?''

　I would talk crap about the magic stones while calculating how much the treasure pile I had obtained would sell for.

''Let's see, this and this will be two hundred dias--oh, magic stones?　It's an energy resource. I also heard that when you forge metal, you can throw it into a cauldron to get a good workout. I don't know much about it, but it's a great stone. I don't really care about this one, though, because I can sell it for a lot of money.

　The whole thing is five hundred deer hard.

　Since we got it first, this should be ours. The rich bondmen won't even look at this level of treasure anyway.

''With this much, even if we split it between the two of us, it wouldn't be enough for a tea party........... d*mn, we need to earn more money.''

　We have the tea utensils and other things we bought last time, but if we buy tea leaves and sweets, we will soon run out of a hundred or two hundred dias.

　When I'm depressed, Olivia speaks to me.

　I couldn't help but feel that my attention was focused on the future, so I was lazy to respond.

　So I let my game-like knowledge and settings slip away and talk.

'Why do they unearth the magic stone?　The metal is still buried, so that makes sense to me, but there are no mines where magic stones are found, and I've heard that they only come out in dungeons, so I'm curious.

"Oh, that thing. That thing. When you defeat a monster, its magic power is released and it accumulates in the ground. That's what becomes a magical stone.

'Really?　I've never heard of this before?　Well, the textbooks say it's still not understood.

'Trust me. I think I've read that somewhere, so I must be right. Huh?　If so, is the treasure chest also a thing that has accumulated magic power and taken shape?　Magic, or rather, magic, is useful, isn't it?

　Should the next tea party be more tailored to them?

　Then I'd have to re-buy it from the tee set, but wouldn't my current inexperience leave me in a stiff and painful state, just for the tools?

　d*mn, how can tea be so profound?

　I mean, I want a famous tea set.

　I'm beginning to understand a little bit how the Japanese warlords bought all the tea sets.

　I saw that this world's tea parties have something in common with the tea ceremony.

　As I was seriously thinking about it, Olivia-san was looking into my face.

''...What?''

You're very knowledgeable, Leon. I'm surprised.

　You know something?　That's not the case.

　In general, it's the second life of the school, but the average score on the school's entrance test is positioned in the upper 70s.

　If you're an excellent student, there are many others.

　But I'm happy to be praised.

　I'm a small person. But I don't hate myself for that.

'Really?　If there's something you don't understand, do you want me to tell you?

　When I say that, Olivia gives me a big smile.

''Yes, please!''

　Well, I don't have a problem with it, as long as I watch the study in between looking for a marriage partner.