Welcome to the Impregnable Demon King Castle

196 – Stepping Foot onto my Hometown (Part 2)

I panicked.

My father immediately caught my mother’s falling figure.

「She’s fine. Her heart couldn’t take the sight of our son with beautiful women at his beck and call after not seeing him for a while and she fainted. She’ll wake up soon enough.」

That calm and collected person is my dad.

「N-no, there’s a reason for this…」

「I’m sure there is. Perhaps you’ll tell us later? If you have the time.」

「Yeah… Not right away, but I will visit you guys.」

My dad’s expression softens at my answer.

「Alright.」

After all the Adventurers and Demi-Humans who were nearby exchanged greetings with my dad, they returned home.

「…Urgh… They say you only get one chance to make a first impression and yet… I hope the stunt I pulled just now did not leave a bad impression…」

Milla looked depressed and was mumbling.

「Everyone, I believe it is about time we head towards the investigation camp. Sir Lem, will you be joining us this once? I shall send you to the village before long.」

「Ah, sure.」

At Maggie’s behest, we returned to our carriages.

We passed through the village and head towards the forest.

The camp was established at about the halfway point between the village and the Original Dungeon.

Many tents were set up in the open space, people were coming and going.

A man in his prime acted as the representative and shook hands with Maggie.

The engineers and support staff who are here to carry things separated from us here.

Those who would be diving into the Dungeon all proceed to a certain tent.

It’s big, but there isn’t much in it. There’s a table in the center with a map spread across it.

「Is that a Dungeon Map…?」

As the name implies, it is a map that showcases the structure of the Dungeon in its entirety.

「Yes, but not only is it incomplete, there is also a problem… First, let me explain the Original Dungeon once again.」

Having said that, she begins to speak while holding a bundle of what looks like a written report in one hand.

「This is the 24th Dungeon, a temporary title. The total number of strata it has is unknown. Currently, we have confirmed three strata. We have temporarily established a Safe Room in the pathway connecting the second stratum to the third stratum. Various Imitations have appeared with no prominent characteristics. This appears to be a particularly moody Spirit, for it has been confirmed to often change the structure of the Dungeon. It has been mapped as best as it can be. It tends to not change the bigger spaces or passageways, so please memorize those.」

The Original Dungeon is just given a chronological number. That said, the number refers to how this is the 24th Original Dungeon to appear ever since the world knew peace.

Before that, during the war, both Original Dungeons and Dungeons operating with a Core had to be Cleared by risking one’s life, so Humanity didn’t really have a reason to differentiate them.

In addition, the Magical Energy created pseudo-lifeforms that mimic Monsters spawned by the Original Dungeon are called Imitations.

「We have confirmed the existence of Floor Bosses and wandering powerful individuals, and it has also been confirmed that they will revive after some time after being destroyed.」

This is why establishing a Safe Room is important.

Perhaps because it is mimicking a Dungeon, the pathways connecting a stratum with a stratum often don’t have Imitations.

A Teleport Recording Stone is set up there, and it is fenced off in a room made using Earth Magic, just in case.

With this, the Clearing of the Original Dungeon can proceed smoothly.

With a Safe Room being established in the pathway connecting the second stratum and third stratum, we can begin Clearing the Dungeon from the entrance of the third stratum.

Shortly after that, Maggie continued talking.

「Also, this time, we would like everyone to form a Clan.」

A Clan is an old Adventurer term referring to the formation of a group of multiple parties that all have the same goal.

It might be easier to imagine it like the multiple parties who came together to partake in the Raid Battle against the Demon King Castle.

In regards to Clearing an Original Dungeon, a Clan leader is appointed rather than a party leader, so that in times of emergency, every party can move as one.

In a sense, we are a mishmash group, so it is vital to set up a chain of command.

「I was thinking of having Sir Ex act as the Clan leader. Are there any objections?」

There were none.

「…Hm, it seems it has been entrusted to me. Despite there not being any restrictions on party sizes, is it alright if I keep to the basic foundation of five people per party?」

「Yes, especially since Adventurers are used to forming parties of five. However, I have no issue with a party having less or more than five.」

As soon as he said that, people started to divide themselves up for some reason.

It was quite a long trip and we were told about forming parties beforehand.

I’m sure that in the course of the journey, people have found party members that seem to fit or perhaps balance out their party in terms of combat power.

「Hmm, I want to invite Lem but…fufufu, that seems rather difficult.」

Merlin said cheerfully, sounding somewhat regretful.

The reason for that is that Milla was on my right, Sitri was on my left and Furcus was in front. …Is it a coincidence that everyone ended up in the same positions that they were in a while ago?

It’s a secret that I am Lemegeton, but forming a party with the Demon King Castle members is actually a lifesaver.

They are all, of course, excellent combatants, and we get along well, which is important.

There was no surprise from everyone else as if they realized it during this trip.

「What? The basic idea is to work together. There’s no issue.」

Said Arthur.

Since the Ex party is participating with three members this time, there are two empty slots.

「May I join the Ex party?」

「Oh, my dear Maggie. Do you want to be with me that much? You’re so adorable, come here!」

Merlin spreads her arms out exaggeratedly.

Maggie dodged that with a smile and got permission from Ex and Arthur as well.

She, herself, is a member of the 3rd ranked party, so she has reliable strength.

The remaining spot was taken by a male Minotaur with the Defender Job.

Defender is a rare Job that is said to be a Knight-type Job that specializes in defense.

In terms of defense, they have the Aptitude for it that surpasses that of Paladins.

It’s important to have a role that can defend Merlin and Maggie, so I’m sure his strength will be of use.

If he’s there, those two can focus on attacking.

「Uh-uhm Lem…!」

It was the young male White Sorcerer with pure white hair. His name is Yoss.

I spoke with him quite often ever since the matter with the bandits.

「I-is there any possibility that I could please be a part of your party…?!」

Just to make sure, I looked at the faces of the other three. No complaints.

He is a very welcome addition to me, so I nod.

「Welcome aboard, Yoss.」

「…! Thank you very much! I will contribute to the best of my ability! A pleasure to work with you all…!」

「Indeed, I look forward to working with you.」「Mm.」「Welcome~. You’re so cute when you’re nervous~.」

In the end, five parties were formed. The first team of investigators will also be added to this group, making it a large gathering, but that won’t be a problem since the Original Dungeon has its own way of operating.

After linking the Registration Card with the Teleport Recording Stone, and committing to memory the required information regarding Avatar adjustments and generating spares, we disbanded for the day.

「Sir Lem, your carriage is ready.」

While talking to everyone for a while, a voice called out to me and said that. It was a male member of the investigation team.

「Thank you very much. Milla?」

After giving my thanks, I call out the name of my traveling companion.

「Kya, yes…! Let us go…!」

Accompanied by a nervous-looking Milla, we got on the carriage

This will send us to the village so that I can drop by my parent’s house.

I should first explain what happened with that trio.

It’s a little melancholic when I think about it, but it can’t be helped.

I should try to calm down Milla, who is so nervous she is as stiff as a board, so I look for a topic to discuss.