Touring [Cave of Desires] (1)

Aidi's visit to the forge took almost the entire day.

I don't get what all she wanted to see, but maybe what took so long was her teaching Kantra so much.

"… That ring of Rokuko's is amazing, isn't it?"

"Oh, is that metal inside the ruby ring? It's obviously amazing, but I have no idea how it was made."

"You didn't make it?"

"Kehma-dono said it came from the dungeon."

"Heeh… so you aren't processing orichalcum here?"

"That's a dwarven mystery, you know? There's no way we could do something like that here."

"Right. I wonder where it is done, then?"

"… In a dwarven village? Somewhere near Corky… I don't know anything more specific than that."

"I'll keep that in mind then."

There were also topics like that brought up here and there, but it wasn't a problem for us as a village. The orichalcum and ruby ring was from the dungeon, after all.

From the dungeon… what a wonderful phrase. Almost everything could be explained away by it. It wasn't even a lie.

"Village Chief. Have you perhaps sheltered a technician in an underground human ranch…?"

"The heck are you saying?"

Aidi whispered into my ear so that Kantra wouldn't hear. I decided to look confused with a smile for now. Please understand me, there's nothing like that hidden here at all.

"Alright, I think that's enough here for now."

"You're done with the forge then?"

"Yeah, I've seen what I wanted. Next… right, how about the dungeon?"

"It's pretty late, how about we go tomorrow?"

"I suppose we have spent a lot of time at the forge… alright. I still have a lot of time to study abroad, I don't mind."

Saying that, Aidi and I returned to the inn.

… Right, I can see what Aidi's wanting to learn from our village. Rather, I can see that she's wanting to explore our dungeon.

This isn't something I could leave to Rokuko to deal with. No, I take that back. It may have been that way for the Rokuko of old, but perhaps the new and improved awesome Rokuko might be good enough?

With that thought in mind, I wondered how Rokuko was doing with Haku-san.

After seeing Aidi off to her suite, I headed over to Rokuko's room.

"Oi, Rokuko—"

"Funya!?"

I heard a strange noise come as a response from inside the room.

"… Can I come in?"

"W-W-Wait a moment! I'm going to tidy up a bit! Ane-sama, please take care of that for me!"

"Yes, yes."

I heard rattling sounds come from inside the room. What in the world was she doing with Haku-san?

A few moments later, I was given the OK to come in.

When I did, I saw Haku-san and Rokuko enjoying tea at a round table… What did they clear away, exactly? What a mystery.

"Fufufu, I was able to see how Aidi's tour went through Rokuko-chan's monitor from here, Kehma-san."

"Oh, did you now?"

"I-It's not like I thought you'd have an affair or anything, you know? It's just, just that Aidi is a customer, nothing else!"

"No, I'm not saying you did anything wrong. I'm actually thankful for it, it'll save me the trouble of having to fill you in."

Also, cold air started drifting off of Haku-san when Rokuko mentioned cheating… Why? Oh. Because we'd have to be dating for cheating to be a thing?

"Just to say it, I haven't made any moves on Rokuko, okay?"

"Oh, is that so? Hmm…?"

"K-Kehma, k-ki… h-hug me!"

"What are you saying all of a sudden?"

Why would you want me to hug you right in front of Haku-san for no reason? That's like asking for her to murder me.

"… Are you refusing Rokuko-chan's request?"

"Eeeh… no, it's just… in front of other people?"

"Haku-neesama is family, so it's okay! Right, Haku-neesama?"

"… Certainly?"

Haku-san smiled coldly, forcing her response out… Haku-san had previously said that she would allow everything up to and including hugs, after all.

Moreover, I had to do it since Haku-san explicitly urged me to do so, right? It's an act of god at this point, yeah. It's fine since it's an act of god. Absolutely.

"Excuse me…"

"Mmmm…"

Rokuko and I hugged each other… Rokuko, how are you not affected by that freezing aura Haku-san's giving off!? Do you have a filter for it or something? I'm about to die from frostbite here!

"Mmm… good Kehma. We're partners, so everything's great, don't you agree? Like how you worry about me."

"Y-Yeah… that aside, Haku-san's watching, so how about we stop for now?"

"Aww, oh well. There's no helping how shy you are, Kehma."

Rokuko separated from me with a smidgen of dissatisfaction.

I immediately felt the cold air coming from Haku-san subside somewhat.

"Come to think of it, Kehma-san. You promised to show Number 666 around the dungeon tomorrow."

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"Do you mind if I accompany you?"

"…"

I didn't immediately know how to respond to Haku-san's offer, but I didn't really have any reason to refuse.

"… It's a little embarrassing for Ane-sama to see my dungeon."

"Oh, nevermind the—no, this is important, Rokuko-chan. I'm an A-Rank adventurer, after all. I have to take a close look to decide if it's the right level of difficulty."

"I guess it has to be just right, like the bras from earlier, right?"

"Rokuko-chan, Kehma-san's right here, so that's a bit…"

"… Kehma, you heard nothing just now. Alright?"

"Ah, right. I heard nothing—nothing at all."

What, they were talking about underwear? As a man, it's safer for me to never touch on that topic.

Still though, I feel like dungeons and bras are a bit different, but I guess they're the same for Rokuko?

"I'm good with you accompanying us, but I won't be showing you what goes on behind the scenes. Please understand."

"Sure, that can't be helped. I'll need to make some preparations, tell Number 666 that I'll see you two around noon."

"Mumumu, I'll have Kinue clean up."

"Doesn't it get rid of the point if she doesn't see how it normally is?"

It's not like I don't feel like cleaning up is a pain. It's also not like I'd be doing it anyway, though.

"C-Cleaning up is just good manners, you aren't saying that you want Haku-neesama to see me all dirty, are you?"

"Ah…"

"Right, right. Don't worry about a bit of dirt… I mean, don't dungeons hit different when they're a bit dirty though?"

"I mind! I'll give you the cleaning instructions!"

I see. Dungeon = Rokuko. It's like her taking a shower, I guess. She likes being clean.

And so the members of our Dungeon Tour for Dungeon Cores by Dungeon Cores were decided.