Touring the Imperial Capital (5)

Today is the mountain. And our escort is Amelia-san, the lamia.

Unfortunately, Haku-san couldn't finish her work and is stuck at her desk again today. Ah, how relaxing.

"May I ask for your cooperation, Rokuko-sama?"

"Um, what should I do?"

"Please say, 'Onee-sama working hard is so cool and wonderful.'"

"Got it."

And thus, Haku-san worked energetically today as well.

Now then, let's enjoy this forest bathing under the pretense of an inspection. Specifically, my plan is to take a nap.

"… Haku-sama is usually a truly amazing person, you know? It's just, when you all are involved, she… loosens up, or perhaps lets her guard down…"

"Ah, yes. I, um. I understand."

"I'm sorry…"

It's not Amelia-san's fault. Really.

Now then, to start over. Today we came to a mountain right on the border between the imperial capital and the Demon King's territory.

The forest was lush, and the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze was pleasing to the ears.

I immediately opened the DP Catalog.

… Hmm, the costs are about the same as at Tsuia Mountain, and I could do pretty much the same things. Haku-san's recommendation wasn't for nothing. I could definitely build a dungeon here with almost the same feel as before.

I could even make an exact replica of [Cave of Desires]. Though that would mean showing my hand.

… Even if Haku-san isn't here, as long as we're within her dungeon territory, she can monitor us freely through Menu-san's power. I can't be careless.

"… Well, I wanted to ask Haku-san about Core Number 666, but since she's not here, it can't be helped."

"Hey, Kehma? What's that net for? Are you going to catch a boar?"

"Nope, this is called a hammock—it's bedding!"

By the way, aside from the net-style one, I also prepared one with cloth like a tapestry. I'm going to test which one is easier to sleep in.

"Heh, that looks interesting."

Amelia-san joined in. By the way, she released her humanization after arriving at the mountain, so her lower half is fully snake now. As expected of a lamia. Total length: 7 meters.

"When I sleep outside, I usually coil around a tree to sleep."

"Oho, a sleeping technique unique to lamias. That sounds nice."

"Yes, I wrap around the tree like this, slither slither, and rest my upper body on a thick branch. So, how do you use that hammock thing?"

"It's like this."

Showing her would be faster than explaining, so I looked for a suitable tree.

Conveniently, trees were plentiful.

I had Niku attach hooks to appropriately spaced trees and set up the hammock there. After confirming it wouldn't fall even with my full weight on it, I hopped onto the hammock and lay down.

It kind of feels like being an orange wrapped in a net.

"Like this. It's quite comfortable."

"Hmm, hmm… Do you have a longer one? About 7 meters?"

"Unfortunately, I don't have one on hand. But the structure is simple, so you could make one."

"I see, I see. Looks like a bedding where you can sleep with your legs stretched out, made cheaply."

Ah, so you call that part "legs." Your snake lower half.

……

Why does it suddenly feel kind of erotic? What the heck.

Just then, Rokuko poked me through the hammock. It swayed.

"Hey, Kehma. Couldn't you do this in our dungeon too?"

"That's that, and this is this."

"Hmm. I want to look around since we're here!"

Come to think of it, Rokuko doesn't go outside much normally. She's gotten into the habit of staying in the dungeon — basically a shut-in.

That said, her personality is pretty active. I can't tell if Rokuko is the indoor type or outdoor type.

"Why don't you go look around? With Amelia-san with you, it shouldn't be dangerous."

"Are you sure? You'll be defenseless, Kehma. What if a mountain animal attacks you?"

Ah, that would be a problem. I forgot there might be bears.

"I will guard Goshujin-sama."

"Ah, Slave-chan, Slave-chan. This is hard to say, but this area is actually quite dangerous, so it would be really bad without me here. There's even a High Orc settlement… ah, they won't attack while I'm here though. I'm stronger than I look."

High Orcs are an advanced species of orcs, and they're pretty strong. Weaker than dragons, but definitely stronger than me. A settlement would require two or three knight orders to deal with.

By the way, that settlement is one of those under Haku-san's control, and serves as reserve forces for wartime against the Demon King's army… Having Amelia-san negotiate so they don't attack us might also count as "assignment from the upper core," so I'd like to avoid that for now. Haku-san did say I should handle negotiations with mercenaries myself.

In that case, we should probably not split up.

"… Hmm, well, even aside from monsters and animals, regular bugs are annoying, and it's not as good an environment for sleeping as the sea… Fine. I'll come along for your foraging or whatever."

"Yay! Let's go, Kehma!"

I decided to follow Rokuko, who took the lead with a beaming smile… It's not like I went along because Rokuko was giving off an aura that screamed she wanted to explore or anything. The hammock just didn't suit me, and I wasn't really sleepy.

"Kehma, can I eat this mushroom?! It's super blue!"

"Hey, don't touch it carelessly. There are mushrooms out there that are dangerous just from touching. Actually, that's obviously poisonous. Throw it away."

"Ah, that one is edible."

"Seriously?!"

"Ah, sorry, I meant for lamias. It's poisonous for normal humans."

"… I wonder if a Dungeon Core could eat it?"

"Haku-sama said it's better not to eat them."

"Amelia-sama, what about this one?"

"Oh, Slave-chan, that's a delicious one that even humans can eat. Let's make hot pot with it later."

And so, we had a fairly enjoyable stroll, with Rokuko occasionally picking up poisonous mushrooms and poisonous plants, and Niku finding edible wild vegetables.

Thanks to Rokuko, I've become quite knowledgeable about the poisons available in this area. Hahaha, could this be useful for something? If we build a dungeon here, it might come in handy.