Question Time 2

Setting Rokuko aside, let's continue asking Setsuna questions.

"By the way, what type of Core is Core 410? Beastkin-type or something?"

"I don't really know. He might've been a rabbit?"

Setsuna wiggled her animal ears that looked like neither a rabbit's nor a dog's.

… Come to think of it, her younger sister Nayuta has a different father. Their family situation is way too complicated—or is that just how it is for beastkin? If that's the norm, then I can't say I don't somewhat understand the feelings of those human supremacy folks.

"I see. So your mother is a dog-type? Does that black-haired dog-eared person have anything to do with that?"

"Hmm, I'll tell you that… if you tell me about rice."

"Fine. You can obtain rice at a certain place in this dungeon. The location is a secret."

I just decided to give her some inconsequential information.

This isn't a lie either since Setsuna can obtain it by buying it at the inn.

"So this dungeon is where the rice comes from… wait, could it be that Hero-sama comes to this dungeon for the rice…?"

"So, about the dog-eared person?"

"Why do you even care? From the dungeon's perspective, she's just another adventurer, right?"

"She's a regular here. She's weaker than a hero, but for her small size, she's quite strong. It's got me a bit curious."

"Hmm…"

Did that convince her? Setsuna stroked one of her ears.

"I have a younger sister. Her name is Nayuta."

"That blonde dog-eared person who came with you? I heard something like that when you were diving into the dungeon."

"… Un. And I have other dog-eared family members besides Nayuta. But grandma took them away."

That grandma again? She's quite aggressive, isn't she?

"And that black dog-eared person might be one of them?"

"There's a possibility, I guess?"

So 'Toy' was referring to that kind of situation? Also looks like another case of a different father.

"Is there any way to tell?"

"If she's the real Toy, she'd probably know about a certain thing… but if her memory was erased, I wouldn't know."

"Wouldn't you be able to tell if she's your sister just by looking at her?"

"I think I could tell by thoroughly smelling her scent, but I'm not confident if grandma messed with her. If I could snuggle up to her for about an hour and compare her scent to Nayuta's…"

I see, that would be difficult. Something like that couldn't happen without some other form of confirmation.

But if Niku really is this Toy, it would explain why she's so strong.

It might not be a bad idea to lend her out as a hug pillow for one night to find out.

"Your grandma—seriously, who is she? What kind of information would it take for you to tell me?"

"… Hmm, information on where grandma is, maybe…?"

"I don't even know who your grandma is, so how would I know where she is? At least tell me her name."

"… Her name is Leona. As for her age… I don't know. She looks about the same age as me though."

An immortal type? Seriously, what is this grandma… She's not human, is she?

"She's a dangerous person with black hair and red eyes. She doesn't have animal ears though."

"Black hair and red eyes, huh…? What race is she?"

"… I don't really know, but judging by how shameless she is, maybe a Succubus or something?"

For a moment I thought she might be a hero, but a hero wouldn't have red eyes, right?

"Rokuko, do Succubi normally have black hair and red eyes?"

"The only Succubus I've seen is Chloe, and she's blonde."

Is that so? Then there might be a chance she has hero blood mixed in too. But still—Succubus, beastkin, and Dungeon Core… isn't she way too mixed? There's so much blended together that I can't even tell what's what anymore.

On top of that, even her gender has been mixed up.

"Setsuna's way too mixed."

"But Kehma, aren't you both a hero and a Dungeon Master?"

… Now that she mentions it, I'm quite something myself. Does combining light and darkness create some kind of ultimate being?

"Rather, what's with this inter-species marriage thing?"

"Oh? Aren't we partners, Kehma and I?"

"Ah, un."

Eh, huh? … Huh?

While I was busy being puzzled, Setsuna poked the Golem.

"Hellooo? Are you awake?"

"Y-yeah. I was just thinking about something. I do know a Succubus, but she's blonde."

"Who?"

"Would you give me some information about your grandma in exchange for that information?"

"… Mmm, just a little."

We reached an agreement, so I told her a bit about Chloe, Haku-san's butler.

"She's a Succubus at the [White Labyrinth]. I don't know if you could meet her or not though."

"Hmm, then here's my turn. Grandma can change her appearance. In a pretty special way too."

… What the heck. So I can't even rely on the information about her having black hair and red eyes now.

She could be using any number of aliases too, so maybe that was just her name and appearance back then?

"… Isn't finding her impossible then?"

"But even grandma rarely changes her appearance… at the very least, she was using that black-haired, red-eyed appearance eight years ago. Also, a Succubus should be able to tell that something's 'different' about her."

I see. So for now, I've learned that I should be careful around Succubi. I have plenty of extra DP, so maybe I should summon a Succubus?

"Well, I'll keep an eye out for her."

After that, we just chatted about trivial things for a bit before I had Setsuna head back to the small room. The twelve hours passed peacefully, and Setsuna and the others all received suitable items.

Nerune got one too—a potion.

Ah, I gave Wataru a two-liter bottle of Japanese sake. Considering the DP I got from him, I gave him quite the deal, but he was really pleased. He'll definitely come back again.