Chapter 104
Golem King : Hahahahahaha
Golem King : It's been ages since we've seen that guy.
ㄴDIP : For real.
ㄴDIP : Haven't seen her since the Stigmatized Elf, right?
ㄴWhaleWhaleYeah : Wasn't her name Restia?
ㄴWhaleWhaleYeah : She's kind of famous outside, isn't she?
ㄴMagic Hero : So the person who took down the Stigmatized Elf boss isn't Newbie...
ㄴMagic Hero : ...it's that female constable! That's the vibe it gave... like back when Dragred happened...
ㄴSealed Conqueror : Didn't they say she was treated like a hero in the South Kingdom?
ㄴSealed Philosopher : I wonder what her position is like now.
ㄴI Have No Minions : Well, if that's how her image got built up.
ㄴI Have No Minions : The big shots probably wanted to use her.
ㄴI Have No Minions : Her social standing probably went up too, naturally.
ㄴI Have No Minions : A hero is, in many ways, an icon of hope.
ㄴI Have No Minions : People naturally rally behind that kind of figure.
ㄴKing Slayer : But why did she come to the Newbie Dungeon again?
ㄴKing Slayer : LOL.
ㄴShibgan Love Dog : Isn't it obvious?
ㄴShibgan Love Dog : That fox bitch... how does she know Newbie is handsome, kind, hardworking, charming, sexy, and all that crap, seriously, damn it.
ㄴShibgan Love Dog : She knows Newbie will take her in because he's kind, so she's already wagging her tail like that.
ㄴShibgan Love Dog : I can flirt better than anyone and I'm confident I can reel Newbie in too, so why can't I go outside? I'm seriously losing it, Newbie, don't you dare act like you know that girl, I'm jealous and it's so hard I might actually die.
ㄴNight Raven : It's a stretch to call this the usual WWE—this one really has gone dark...
ㄴSkeleton Bones : That menhera can't kill herself until she sees Newbie's face in person anyway, so it's fine.
ㄴAnt Queen : That guy comes and goes in the dungeon like it's his own damn house.
ㄴAnt Queen : If she gets found out like that, it'll be trouble not just for her but for Newbie too, so I don't like it.
ㄴKongKong : Didn’t you agree not to give Newbie crap about Restia in exchange for not hiring any busted minions early on?
ㄴAnt Queen : Ah, haha;;
ㄴSquinty-Eyed Character : I think that guy is pretty likable.
ㄴSquinty-Eyed Character : She’s kind, but she isn’t stupid.
ㄴSquinty-Eyed Character : She got help from Newbie, and she’s helped him too, yeah.
ㄴTV Head : Well.
ㄴTV Head : In many ways, Newbie's situation is a little different from ours.
ㄴTV Head : Newbie can go outside, after all.
ㄴTV Head : Being able to build a good relationship with a specific human...
ㄴTV Head : Maybe that's more gain than loss.
ㄴThe World Is Cold : I think so too.
ㄴThe World Is Cold : As long as it’s mutually beneficial, wanting to build a good relationship is human nature, and anyway, I don't think it's completely bad.
ㄴPsych Ward Chief Patient : Dreamland's current reputation outside is abysmal.
ㄴPsych Ward Chief Patient : If she came in at this timing, I think it'd be better to stay wary.
ㄴDungeon Master Was Disappointed : Yep.
ㄴDungeon Master Was Disappointed : Be careful no matter what.
ㄴDungeon Master Was Disappointed : Even a stone bridge should be tested before you cross it.
ㄴAnonymous Butcher : Hmm.
ㄴAnonymous Butcher : Well, Newbie will handle it himself.
ㄴCowhead : Still, make sure you keep your boundaries.
ㄴCowhead : We're tight-lipped, but...
ㄴCowhead : that woman might not be.
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Restia, the lousy constable of the South Kingdom.
She was someone I had a deep connection with in many ways.
We first met in the Rojinrat Great Mountain Range.
I saved her just before she was about to shout 'Die, you goblins and trolls!' at the goblins and trolls.
After that, she was the one who provided me with a bunch of useful information, like the decoy operation, lying to Sinclair, and the situation in the South Kingdom.
Restia was the only relationship with someone from outside that had ended on good terms.
I ran into her again after a long time.
"Didn't we say we'd never see each other again?"
It was nice to see her again, though.
But what was she here for?
If she'd come to Frost Thorn Mountain, she'd definitely know the news from the North Kingdom too.
The outside world's view of me wasn't friendly at all right now.
Because Aboralis had stirred up trouble on his way out.
They were saying I caused the mana storm, that I was the seed of the Demon King.
Well, all sorts of rumors like that had spread.
And there was the matter of Count Wolfhaufen, too.
He was, after all, a human from another kingdom.
Given her personality, she wouldn't act hostile toward me.
Still, I couldn't help thinking some resistance would have built up.
But.
-I'm sorry for suddenly dropping by....
-But I had some news to pass on, and I thought you might be curious, so, ahem.
-The kids Mr. Dungeon Master sent me before are doing well at the facility!
Ah, when was that again.
It must have been during the Yuben Jericho Wave.
If there was nowhere for the kids the greedy baron had wanted to use as meat shields to go, I'd told them to try Restia once.
They had arrived safely after all.
-And, you're not in any dangerous situation right now, are you...?
-I heard Count Wolfhaufen is attempting to clear Dreamland.
-I'm just really worried......
What I saw of Restia on the surveillance monitor was beyond my imagination.
Who exactly is worried about whom here? Give me a break.
I let out a small sigh.
I put on my coat and headed for the elevator.
"Malangie, come here."
"Eep."
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"Long time no see. Have you been well?"
"I've been well. How about you?"
"I've been keeping pretty busy. Julius's death somehow ended up being treated as my achievement...."
Restia fidgeted with her fingers.
She looked like she was nervously checking my expression, as if she'd stolen someone else's credit.
"I heard you became the hero of the South Kingdom."
"S-s-s-sorry...."
"No, thanks to that, no soldiers came to the Forest of Life, and there was no unnecessary friction, so it helped me too. I was just about to say thank you."
"Uuuh, it's not like I really wanted to be a hero or anything...."
"I know."
Restia let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm sure it was confusing, but thank you for taking care of the kids so well."
"I'm a constable, after all. Of course I should do it. Though at first I did apply because I wanted to live comfortably as an office worker...."
I let out a snicker.
They say the job shapes the person, but she was still an ordinary little citizen at heart.
"Guess my days of coasting on the easy life are over."
"I suppose so. My fate even dragged me to the North Kingdom, after all."
"How did you end up here?"
I was curious about how she'd been doing lately.
When I asked, Restia launched into a story full of complaints.
"Well, to put it simply, it's a pretty long story."
"At first, I thought I'd just keep living as a constable."
"After the Stigmatized Elf incident, I started getting called in a lot by people in high places."
"There were high-ranking nobles offering me land and a title if I'd become their vassal."
"I got a lot of recruitment offers like that."
"A hero is useful in all sorts of political ways, and besides, I was the one with the skill to subjugate Julius."
"Seems like I was coveted by quite a few places."
"I turned them all down. Honestly, if I were some amazing person like you, Mr. Dungeon Master, maybe it'd be different. And if I'd really been the one to take Julius down, that'd be one thing, but that's not the case, is it? I know my place."
One day, it'd be exposed.
And the moment that happened, she was done for.
So she had planned to end her life as nothing more than an ordinary Constable A.
"...But I just couldn't bring myself to refuse the princess's request."
"The princess?"
"Yes. At first I said no, but then she asked again, and again, whether I could help her, and since she seemed like such a good person who wanted to do good things, I just sort of got swept along...."
"Ah, you got the three-visits treatment?"
People like that soft-hearted type are weak to someone who pushes hard, after all.
"Anyway, I'm not a constable anymore. I'm the princess's aide now."
"You've made it big. So you came to the North Kingdom because of the princess?"
Restia nodded.
"Broadly speaking, yes, but more precisely, I came to train. My abilities were lacking, so I said I wanted to broaden my horizons. The princess is also a student at the academy right now... anyway, that's how it is."
By the way, Restia's teacher is said to be a Sword Master.
She was introduced to him by the princess, and apparently meets him once a week for lessons.
So it's like training before diving into the real thing?
You're working hard.
"Earthquake?"
"What is that? Come to think of it, I heard one Sword Master died in a dungeon called Dino World......"
Hmm.
I think it's best not to bring up the Icarus Ham story.
"Anyway, I'm relieved to see you doing well, Mr. Dungeon Master. Hehe."
"You really came all the way in just to say hello?"
Restia nodded.
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It felt a bit deflating.
Or maybe it was just a difference in vibe.
For other people, this place is apparently some kind of 'the worst of the worst' nightmare.
But this woman just treated Dreamland like a friend's house.
That made me feel like a fool for doubting her.
It wasn't a bad feeling.
Her existence hinted at a lot of possibilities.
I looked at Restia as she rubbed Malangie with squeaky little motions.
Was she naive, or was I really trusted that much?
Talking face-to-face made it clear.
Restia was harmless.
Old hands said to be careful around Restia.
I agreed with that to some extent.
But what if she was actually one of the people assigned to the dungeon assault?
And what if this conversation was meant to make me let my guard down?
Honestly, that's bullshit beyond a certain point.
I'd rather believe the theory that I'm Oblivion.
Anyway.
"What are you going to do if other people catch you?"
"That part's fine! I always keep an eye on my surroundings so I won't get caught!"
"That's not what I meant."
"Ah, it's okay. I came to Frost Thorn Mountain partly because of my master's assignment, so there's nothing suspicious around here. You can trust me completely on that!"
Fine.
What more could I say to you?
"It'd be nice if everyone were like you."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
I smirked.
Hmm, I happened to have some homework to do, and this turned out nicely.
This is something I need, but there are risks.
I'd been wondering when would be the right time to do it.
If I go through Restia, maybe it'll be fine.
Dreamland's only weakness is magic.
Unlike other dungeons, intruders can use it freely.
That's because they don't provide jamming devices by default.
Of course, if I got help from Mahiro-ham, I could solve it however I wanted, but the distance made that impossible for now.
But.
I can leave the dungeon, can't I?
Then wouldn't there be another way besides the one Mahiro gives me?
"Are you busy?"
"Why's that?"
"I was wondering if you could do me a favor."
Since it's hard for me to go outside, I need help in more ways than one.
I briefly explained the situation.
Then.
"An errand...?"
She blinked, then slowly nodded.