Kujonin Chapter 22

Kujonin
Author: Hanakuroko
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Story 22

"For crying out loud, I didn't understand anything."
Ayl said while unfurling the tent outside the cave.
She's probably talking about how she followed along to observe, but she couldn't determine the secret of my strength.
That's as it should be.
All I did was ring a bell and wake a red dragon, after all.
Even so, when you look at the bottom of my adventurer's card, my level has risen to 77.
Seems like the experience from wyverns is a lot.
"Truly strong people will hide their strength. I suppose Naoki-sama is a truly strong person.
Teyl said while stirring the pot.
"I'm not strong, you know."
I said as I prepared the beds.
"No, you should go see your status at the guild once in a while."
Ayl came my way.
"I don't have any interest, na."
I looked up at Ayl, crossing her arms, and said.
"Nope; when we go to the port city, we're stopping by the Guild."
"Okay, okay. For now, I'm hungry so let's eat."
Even while complaining, Ayl at the bread and soup.
As for me, I thought about the flow of the lava the red dragon talked about.
Lava may be spouting up somewhere.

Leaving the dish cleanup to Teyl, I walked around the cave's surroundings.
But, there wasn't any evidence of lava erupting anywhere within the Search Skill radius.
Come to think of it, I didn't see any of those cave digging ants, the s.h.i.+mants.
When I returned to the camp and asked Ayl, she said that when s.h.i.+mants finish a dungeon, the queen ant gives birth to s.h.i.+mants with wings and they fly off to the next place.
The s.h.i.+mants left behind become prey for the other monsters, so you won't see them, was the explanation that came.
"So they're that kind of creature."
When I admired them for that,
"Naoki, you don't really know much about monsters do you?"
I was asked.
"Aa, I pretty much never left the town, after all."
"I see. It would be nice if we met a monster researcher as we continue on our journey."
"Monster researcher, huh? There are people like that?"
"Aa, when I crossed the ocean to investigate and island evil men's haunts, I heard about it. If I'm right, they should exist in the port city ahead."
"I see. It would be nice if we met one."

After that, Teyl and Ayl began to talk romance with no reserve, so I went to my bed and slept.

The next day, for some reason Teyl and Ayl are lying next to me, stinking of liquor.
A suitably large amount of liquor had disappeared from the Item bag, so it seems that the two drank quite heavily.
The two show no signs of waking.
It's better to leave them be like this for a while.

I put away my bedding and tried climbing the mountain.
I can reach the summit from the cave with 30 minutes of walking.
Facing the forest, I can see the ocean.
I can also properly see the campsite.

I decide to contact Balzack and Sera for the first time in a while.
I put just a little magic power into the Communication Bag.

"It's been a while. Doing well?"
["Oo-! Naoki-sama, it's been a while. How are you? And how's the journey?"]
From the Communication Bag, Balzack's voice responded.
There was absolutely no reaction from Sera.
"Everything's fine here, you know. I wonder is Sera is sleeping?"
["Yes, it seems the magic school is quite severe, so the mornings will be quite late."]
"I see. How are you, Balzack?"
["Right, I am doing well with no problems. I've been asked about Naoki-sama."]
"I see. Right now I'm trying journeying with the adventurer Ayl and slave Teyl."
["Hou. Both of them, are they ladies?"]
"That's right."
["As always, your luck with the ladies is strong. Naoki-sama."]
"Even if my luck with women is strong, there isn't any amorous relations, so it doesn't mean much."
["The other side might not think that way."]
"Here they doesn't have any of those intentions towards me. Ma, I'll patiently look."
["I'll look forward to it."]
[CRAAAAAs.h.!.+ "Naoki-sama! Naoki-samaaaaa!!!"]
After the sound of something falling over, I hear Sera's screaming voice.
"Sera, you're too loud."
["My apologies! There's nothing strange going on?"]
"Aa, none. Are you doing well, Sera?"
["I'm not. I want to meet Naoki-sama sooner. Are you not coming to the capital?"]
"Aa, in a little while I'll be going to the port city."
["It seems that he's journeying together with an adventurer and slave lady."]
Balzack said.
["Wha!? What are you doing!?! Naoki-sama! Immediately get away from them! Because Naoki-sama seems the type that's easily fooled by women!"]
"Balzack, don't say unnecessary things."
["My apologies."]
Just in time, Teyl got up from her bedding and was looking for me.
"Right then, I gotta go."
["Wait just a minute! I haven't talked to you that much yet!"]
Sera protested.
"I'll write a letter, so wait patiently."
["It's a promise! Absolutely, please!"]
"Then, until the next time I call you two."
["Yes"] ["Yes"]
I closed the Communication Bag.
"O-i!"
I waved my hand and showed Teyl the scenic spot.