Post-Battle Wrap-Up and Language Differences

"It was my complete defeat."

As part of the post-battle proceedings, Haku-san had come to visit the [Ordinary Cave] once again.

Chloe, still in her butler attire as always, accompanied her.

"I may have lost, but it was a wonderful battle with much to learn from. I never imagined the rats would do that much damage. To think your scouts doubled as warriors…"

It was true that I'd used the rats as scouts, but I hadn't expected them to take down the boss either.

Originally, the plan was to have the rats chart the map while a second wave of golems moved in to take control.

But when I saw that massive Minotaur, I came up with the Issun-boushi strategy. I figured I had nothing to lose with all the rats I had to spare, so I sent about fifty of them on a suicide charge straight into Mino-san's mouth. And just like that, Mino-san ascended to heaven.

By the way, I ordered the surviving rats to claim a designated living area in the forest, so I might be able to use them again eventually.

"I never thought I wouldn't find even a single Dummy Core. So where was the Dungeon Core in the end? Would you mind telling me?"

"I'll tell you if you add another 50,000 DP to the prize."

"Oh my, such a small amount is fine? Then please do tell. I won't be able to sleep otherwise."

Crap, I said it as a joke but she paid up just like that.

… Well, no helping it. I'll tell her. I don't have to mention where the Dummy Cores were though.

Still, the actual core was placed in such a ridiculous spot that she might get angry. With that thought in mind, I answered.

"… Actually, this dungeon extends over there… about one kilometer away, there's a small room. That's where I put it."

The direction I pointed to was the goblin room.

… I thought she'd come there first, but in the end, it stayed untouched the entire time.

As expected, Haku-san was left speechless… But what I sensed from her wasn't anger. It was more like admiration.

"… It's true. Looking closely, I can see the mana connection… To think you extended passages outside the dungeon, not just in front of this cave's entrance… I didn't notice at all."

"Installing the Dungeon Core in a room directly connected from outside the first floor… Such a bold move. I'm impressed, Ojou-sama."

"See! Number 89 Ane-sama's teachings were right after all!"

Yeah, I don't know how she reached that conclusion, but that logic is definitely wrong, Rokuko.

You just left your single room sitting there without building anything else.

"Haah, the labyrinth itself was magnificent, and everything about its operation was a first for me… Ah, but the pitfall traps were quite the gamble. This time I used Minotaurs as my main force, but I could have assembled a force centered on weightless Wraiths instead. The best approach would have been to check your force composition first and then place them on the second floor or below."

True, if she'd done that, the pitfalls wouldn't have activated. Well, in that case, she also wouldn't have found the hidden passages inside the pitfalls.

… Also, my handmade pitfalls that didn't use any DP couldn't have been placed after seeing her lineup anyway.

Since she went out of her way to give me advice, pointing that out would be tactless. Better to stay quiet.

"And… ngh, that [Gate of Wisdom]… Were those riddles from another world?"

"Yes. Man, it was tough. There weren't that many riddles I could actually use here."

"There are more…? They were very well made. Please let me punch you once."

"Hahaha, I'll have to decline."

She must have been really frustrated. I decided not to mention that Rokuko solved it in three seconds.

"… I'm interested in hearing about the riddles you couldn't use."

"Oh, those were wordplay-based ones. It seems like everything gets translated automatically somehow…"

For example, say I told Rokuko "The futon blew away" as a pun in Japanese.

What Rokuko would hear is something like "The blanket exploded." Completely nonsensical. The humor of a classic Japanese dad joke doesn't translate at all.

Therefore, a wordplay riddle like "What do you call a doctor who keeps wrecking cars?" with the answer "A dentist" (because in Japanese, 'dentist' sounds like 'scrapped car') obviously doesn't work.

At first, I tried asking "A sword, armor, and a helmet were riding on top of a speeding carriage. What fell off when it took a sharp turn?" But when Rokuko asked "Hey, does what's riding on the carriage actually matter?", I realized something was off.

The answer to this riddle is "The carriage's speed dropped"… but in this world, the word for "something falling" and "speed dropping" are different, so the pun didn't land.

On top of that, riddles using matchstick numbers are out too. The characters are completely different to begin with.

Diagrams should work fine though, so I'm planning to use those next time I get the chance.

It made me appreciate how amazing magic is all over again, and at the same time, I gave up on learning this world's language. It translates things so thoroughly that studying would be pointless. I could probably manage if I really tried, but I have no intention of putting in that effort.

"Oh, listen to this, Ane-sama! My name is Rokuko now. It comes from 695 in another world's language! 'Ro' is 6, 'ku' is 9, and 'ko' is 5!"

Rokuko hadn't even known the origin of her own name.

When I noticed that and told her, she was incredibly happy for some reason. I thought she'd be angry that her name was just her number, but apparently that's exactly what made it precious. She thought it was wonderful. I don't understand Dungeon Core sensibilities.

There also seemed to be some unique rules, like how adding "Number" before the digits makes it an honorific title.

"! That's wonderful, how lovely that you have such a nice name… Ahh, I'm envious."

"So please call me Rokuko from now on, Number 89 Ane-sama."

"Yes, I understand. Rokuko-chan… Haah, how nice. I'm just called Haku because my hair is white, you know? Honestly, my master had the worst naming sense…"

"… Huh? Haku-san, isn't it Haku because of Number 89?"

When I unintentionally cut in, Haku-san looked puzzled.

"Why would Number 89 become 'white'? … Wait, could it be that's how it works in the other world?"

"Well, there are actually a few ways to read it… but yeah, it can be read as Haku. Both 'white' and 'Number 89' can be read the same way."

Haku-san closed her eyes for a moment, pressing on her temple.

… It seemed like she was processing something.

After a while, she spoke.

"… … Rokuko-chan. From now on, could you call me Haku? That way, we'll both have names that match another world's numbers."

"Yes, Haku-neesama!"

Perhaps still feeling complicated about it, Haku-san smiled wryly as she patted Rokuko's head.

"Ahem, we got off track, didn't we. I'd really love to discuss our moves more, but believe it or not, I'm quite busy… Since a new dungeon was created during this, I need to process all that too… Also, I'm curious about that last thing, but it would be inelegant to ask about a dungeon's trump card, wouldn't it?"

That last thing… she must mean the [Hidden Gem].

I feel like it'd be fine to tell her now, but maybe she enjoys figuring things out herself.

"Well then, Rokuko-chan. Shall I… transfer the DP now?"

"Y-yesh!"

Taking Rokuko's hand, Haku smiled happily.

150,000 DP, including the information fee.

Despite claiming to be busy, she took her sweet time, slowly and intimately transferring it mouth-to-mouth.

Thanks for the meal.