Dungeon Battle Preparations (2)

Well, with the dungeon preparations delegated, it's time to sort things out with my subordinates—Mikan and the Rabbit Dungeon crew. I moved to [White Beach] and teleported directly to the back of [Rabbit Resting Place] from there.

"Hey, Mikan, you there?"

"Ah, Kehma, what's up?"

Having informed Mikan in advance via email, the orange rabbit-shaped Dungeon Core, Mikan, came hopping over to greet me.

"Yeah. So, we're participating in a dungeon battle requested by Haku-san."

"Heeh~, sounds like it's gonna be tough. Make sure to do your best~"

"Yeah, let's do our best together, Mikan."

"… Nkyuu?"

Mikan tilted his head in confusion.

"No, you're participating too."

"Eh—?! Why nkyuu?! I'm useless nkyuu!"

"Don't say that with such confidence. Anyway, given the opponent, it's better to have more hands on deck."

"That's so… Ugh, I just want to live in peace…!"

Mikan stomped his feet in frustration.

However, it's only thanks to Haku-san's protection that the rabbit dungeon, located between the imperial capital and the Demon King's territory, can live in peace.

"Since you're part of the faction, participating is your duty."

"I know nkyuu… Sigh, can't be helped nkyuu…"

Hmm? But now that I think about it, what's the reward for Mikan and the others' participation?

Do I have to cover it using the 1,000,000 DP preparation fund? Well, it's fine. If Haku-san doesn't reimburse it, I'll just set aside some DP for them.

"Alright, I'll give you 100,000 DP next time. Use that to gather squirrels for the battle."

"Nkyuu? Squirrels? That's it nkyuu?"

"Like we did in the last Dungeon Battle. Just scout around. Haku-san will probably do the attacking."

"I see, I can do that nkyuu!"

Mikan snorted with newfound determination.

Suddenly, I noticed a black goat—no, a Baphomet-shaped Dungeon Core, Number 564, peeking into the room.

"… Hey, someone's peeping."

"Nkyuu? Ah, 564, no need to hide, come in nkyuu."

"Very well, musn't ignore summons…!"

564 entered the room confidently, though seeming a bit fidgety. Was it my imagination?

He also brought a tray with three cups on it.

"Here, it's the vegetable juice we serve at the resting place. Drink it, it's popular with adventurers who play with the rabbits."

"Ah, thanks? … Oh, it's quite good. Sweet too."

"Yes, it was My Glorious Self's idea! A strong body needs vegetables. The sweetness comes from the fruit mixed in!"

564 spoke proudly. [Rabbit Resting Place]'s product, huh? Mikan's crew was pretty inventive.

"So! About that Dungeon Battle! My Glorious Self can participate as well, right!?"

"Hm? Ah, yeah, you can participate."

"Fuahaha! Finally, a chance to wreak havoc! With 100,000 DP, I can get some decent weapons!"

564 laughed heartily. If he's joining, do I have to give him DP too? Ugh, I'd rather not. If Haku-san doesn't cover it, I'll begrudgingly give him a limit…

"How about ten magic swords for you?"

"Muuh!? … What kind of magic swords are we talking about?"

"Let me show you."

I opened my [Storage] and handed a Blade Golem over to Number 564.

… It looked a bit small in his hands.

"Hmm… A magic sword that increases sharpness. Not bad, but not quite satisfying for me."

"Oh? Not satisfied?"

"Yes. Something more sinister-looking and suited to My Glorious Self's size would be preferable."

"Hmm… No complaints about functionality?"

"My Glorious Self fights with his own skill, not dependent on weapons. Sharpness enhancement is just right for a magic sword. Though more durability would be good."

I see. So that's his preference… I can probably accommodate the design, though size might be a bit challenging.

"Can you draw it for me? I'll prepare a magic sword as close as possible."

"Mu?! Really!?"

His goat eyes sparkled with excitement.

"It's fine as long as it's just a sword, right? I'll listen to some requests."

"My Glorious Self has an [Ultimate Magic Sword Design Book]. Wait a moment… here it is!"

With that, 564 took out a bundle of papers tied with string from his [Storage]. It contained several [Ultimate Magic Sword] designs.

"Quite prepared, aren't you… Why do you have this?"

"Mu? Isn't it a common hobby to imagine one's ideal weapons? Didn't you do it as a child?"

"Ah, well, maybe… Wait, your design book's swords are [Unbreakable], [Sends out slashes when swung], and [Enveloped in flames]…"

"That, that's just youthful folly! Look at the designs only!"

I see, the typical chuunibyou of the Demonlands.

"Nkyuu, this scythe design suits 564, doesn't it nkyuu?"

"Mu? Mikan has good taste. That scythe is a masterpiece! A scythe that can sever bodies in one swing and harvests souls."

"Alright, I'll prepare ten magic swords based on this design."

"Ohhh! Really, Kehma?! My Glorious Self once managed to have a blacksmith in town make a physical model and will lend it to you for reference."

"That would be helpful."

Although not a magic sword, it seemed blacksmiths in the Demonlands often recreated so-called [Ultimate Weapons] as a significant source of income.

I decided to create a replica magic scythe for 564 based on the black steel scythe he entrusted to me.

Turning the black steel scythe directly into a magic sword golem was possible, but that would give away too much about my abilities.

I'd rather say I modified an existing magic sword.