The Day Before the Dungeon Battle

The day before the Dungeon Battle.

The dungeon was finally complete, and tomorrow is the day of the Dungeon Battle.

So today, we're having a banquet that doubles as a send-off party for the Dungeon Battle… In other words, a festive celebration to boost morale.

"Now then, with prayers for victory in the Dungeon Battle starting tomorrow—cheers!"

"Cheers～!"

Everyone raised their cups in response to Misha's toast.

It was a small standing buffet party. The cooks and servers were all humanoid monsters under Haku-san's control, so we could talk about dungeon matters freely.

From our [Cave of Desires], there was me, Rokuko, Niku, and Ichika.

From Haku-san's [White Labyrinth], there was Haku-san, Chloe-san, Misha, Dolce-san, Amelia-san, and Sally-san.

I just met Sally-san today for the first time. She's the only member of Haku-san's party who didn't participate in the Dungeon Battle preparations.

She's a Living Armor onee-san, but she's humanized right now for the meal so she has a physical form.

Normally, she's a formidable person who serves as the captain of the First Chivalric Order… I mean, this country is completely in Haku-san's hands, obviously. Anyway, our first conversation went like this.

"How about a match sometime? Of course, with real swords."

"I respectfully decline. I don't fight on the front lines, and I make it a principle to avoid battles I can avoid."

"Then how about a match sometime? I'll set it up so you can't avoid it."

"Isn't that basically a threat?"

After that, I somehow managed to decline the date invitation by explaining how weak I am. Instead, Niku and Ichika ended up agreeing to a practice match with her later, but that's not my fault.

I poured apple juice into the cup I'd emptied during the toast.

… Why not alcohol, you ask?

The Dungeon Battle starts tomorrow morning, you know? Who would face it with a hangover? Drinking is banned for our group.

And why hold this the day before anyway? Is this sabotage? Haku-san actually wants me to lose, doesn't she? She'd be thrilled to get her hands on Rokuko's "guidance rights."

While I was munching on roast chicken, Rokuko and Haku-san came over.

"Hey Kehma, try this, it's delicious."

"Oh? Looks like some kind of fried rice. Yeah, it's good."

"Fufu. Setting aside the provinces, this is the castle in the Imperial Capital after all. We have the finest ingredients and chefs who can prepare them perfectly. It's only natural the food here is delicious… Oh yes, among the chefs is a direct disciple who received the teachings of Hero Ishidaka, renowned as the God of Food. He was delighted that some secret recipes could be recreated using the 'rice' he received the other day. That 'fried rice' is one of the recreations."

Ishidaka — wasn't that the name I based Ichika's name on?

She mentioned he was called a god of food and god of the sea, but he was a hero, huh.

By the way, the reason he's called the god of the sea is that he taught methods for cooking fish and better salt production techniques, and there's a legend that he cured sailors of a strange disease using lemons. Ah, so that's why he's called a sea god.

He was probably a hero with cooking-related cheats.

While I was thinking about such things, Haku-san spoke up.

"Now, Kehma-san. Speaking of which, we haven't decided on a name for the dungeon yet, have we?"

"Eh, I get to decide? I thought it would just be assigned automatically… Oh right, the person in charge is right here."

"Yes. Since it's a good opportunity, I thought I'd incorporate Kehma-san's ideas. Do you have any suggestions?"

"… Then, borrowing from Haku-san's dungeon name, how about [White Beach]? This dungeon doesn't have any desire-related elements anyway."

"Oh, how lovely. Then let's go with that… Misha, got it?"

"Yes! Understood～!"

Misha responded energetically. Her face is red and she seems drunk already… Is that okay?

"Ehhh～? I'm fiiine, I'm nyat drunk～"

"That's what all drunk people say."

"Then I'm drunk nyow～, nyaan～"

"See, you are drunk."

"Khhh～, you got me～… But Kehma-san～? Why am I the only one you treat so casually～?"

"Well, you sleep a lot, so I feel a certain kinship. Don't make me say it, it's embarrassing."

"Oh my～? Are you hitting on me～? Wanna sleep together after this～? I won't let you sleep though～"

"No, let me sleep. I have an important match tomorrow, so please get away from—hey!"

Misha clung to me like she was wrapping around me. Man, she's strong, I can't shake her off.

"Hey, Misha! Kehma is my partner, get away from him!"

"Nyahaha～! Just kidding～, Rokuko-sama is so～ cute～! Come on Kehma-san, let's kiss～, kiss～"

"This girl's got a terrible drinking habit…"

I used my hands to shield my face from Misha while looking to Haku-san for help.

… Ah, no good. She has no intention of helping. She's hugging Rokuko and looking satisfied.

Also, Misha! Don't lick my hands, it tickles! The roughness kinda hurts too!?

"Hey Misha. Get away from Kehma-sama."

"Amelia～! Can I nibble? Can I nibble on your tail～?"

"No… Sorry, Kehma-sama. She always gets like this when she drinks."

Amelia-san inserted her lamia snake tail (legs) between me and Misha and skillfully pried her off. Phew, saved.

Or so I thought, but—

"As an apology, shall I keep you company? Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

"Um, Amelia-san, are you drunk? You're drunk, aren't you?"

"Here, doesn't my tail feel nice and cool?"

Amelia-san wrapped her scale-covered tail (legs) around me and pressed her soft twin peaks against me, trying to seduce me.

… The cool sensation of her tail (legs) cooled my head a bit. I get it now—this is a honey trap. I mean, Haku-san has been grinning this whole time, whispering things like "You trust Kehma-san, right? Then it's fine" to Rokuko, and Rokuko has been watching me with a "Gununu…" while putting her faith in me.

If I make a move, I'll end up in terrible shape, too messed up to even see tomorrow's match. Dammit, the enemy was among my own.

"Could you please let go, Amelia-san?"

"Oh, how cold. Even though you've been giving my tail such passionate looks…"

"Well then, guess it's my turn? Amelia's time is up～"

They're not even trying to hide it anymore. Next is Dolce-san the Wraith. Wait, does that mean Chloe-san and Sally-san are coming too?

"By the way, I'm a Wraith so I don't have legs or anything… What do you think?"

"Outside my strike zone. Please come back after you humanize."

"Wow, how refreshing, I feel like I'm being purified… Alright, next is Sally."

No motivation at all! Not that I'm complaining.

"A knight of the empire does not stoop to underhanded tactics like seduction! Therefore! I! Pass!"

"Ah～. Well, Sally has a boyfriend after all. Can't be helped."

"W-w-w-what!? T-that's not true!"

"Oh～? Is that so, Sally? How secretive. Please do tell me, who is it?"

"Haku-sama, I have sworn to be a knight of the empire for life. I would not be distracted by something like romance."

"Well, there's the possibility that a honey trap is being set on the captain of the Imperial Chivalric Order, you know? We need to investigate their identity, don't we?"

"Palme isn't like that at all!"

"Heeh, so it's Palme. Could this be the internationally wanted marriage swindler perhaps?"

"You'd better not be fabricating charges!"

Haku-san chuckled in amusement. Good, Sally-san seems to be okay.

Now, let me look for Chloe-san… Huh? She's not here?

"Hm, where did Chloe go? If we're going in order, Chloe should be the finale. Did she run away?"

"Maybe. She is completely devoted to Haku-sama after all."

If that's the case, then I'm saved. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Then it's my turn to seduce ya～! Goshujin-sama～"

"Hey Ichika. This is an order: go eat your food quietly."

"If it's an order, can't be helped～. Oh, Rokuko-sama, there's melon, ya want some? I'll go get it."

"That melon bread-looking thing, right? Yes please."

Phew, that should be everyone dealt with. Satisfied now, Haku-san? Sexual harassment won't work on me.

Haku-san showed me a pleasant smile.

"Then as a reward, I shall pour you a drink. Ale is fine, yes?"

"Um, no. We have the thing tomorrow, so alcohol is a bit…"

"Hmm. So you won't drink my alcohol…?"

The final barrier was power harassment.

I yielded. Damn it…