The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent! - Volume 01 Chapter 22: Bathing is a Proud Japanese Culture

Volume 01 Chapter 22: Bathing is a Proud Japanese Culture

“Did you just say Dungeon Master?”

Milly’s face twitches as she stares at me.

At the same time, she’s giving Labiris a weird look.

“An appraisal skill holder!?”

Eris raises a surprised voice.

“…!?”

Labiris shrinks back. On closer inspection, her body’s covered in bruises. Is that related?

“Wait a sec. Me being the Dungeon Master isn’t harmful right now—I’ll explain later. But is an appraisal skill a problem?”

I look at Curse. He’s shocked too, staring at Labiris until I speak.

“Sorry, Yuki. You wouldn’t know. Appraisal skills let you see someone’s status, as the name suggests. Skilled ones can even detect lies. The issue is whether the holder’s telling the truth.”

“So, it’s about whether they really have the skill?”

“Yeah, people can collude to fake it. Even if Labiris is legit, there’s still a problem.”

“She’d be a nuisance?”

“Exactly. If she can really see the truth, her value’s immeasurable, but she’s also a hassle. She can see all your stats—nothing’s hidden. Adventurer guilds and towns use Crystal Appraisal, but that only shows job and level. Items that reveal more don’t exist and aren’t made.”

“But that alone reveals everyone’s job and level.”

“Right, and kings and rulers thought that’s enough. More disclosure causes issues. So, people like Labiris with appraisal skills are often mistreated, accused of spying. It’s rare she’s been safe this long.”

But why did Labiris reveal it now? That could get her killed on the spot.

As I ponder this, staring at her, she seems to read my thoughts.

“…These people were kind to me. …Especially Asrin, who wasn’t scared even knowing my skill. …I’ll protect my friends no matter what.”

“Labiris-chan!! S-Sorry!! Don’t hit Labiris-chan!! Don’t bully her!!”

Quiet Asrin jumps out, hugging Labiris protectively.

Asrin’s got some real guts.

“I don’t care either way. What about the rest of you?”

I look around.

“We three don’t mind. Actually, I’m impressed. Labiris’ll be a great woman.”

Mauve laughs. Loli-out.

“My apologies. I got along with Labiris on the way here. I wouldn’t harm her over this.”

Eris retracts her initial reaction, affirming Labiris.

“I think she’ll be super useful. Of course, I know Labiris is a good kid.”

“Wow, an appraisal skill, huh? Wanna do business with me? We’d make a fortune.”

Milly and Ratsu speak positively.

“No problem here!! Labiris-chan’s cute!!”

“Labiris is fine by me!! I vouch for her!!”

“…Labiris isn’t a bad kid.”

Tori, Riel, and Kaya all say they love Labiris.

“Um, does having an appraisal skill make Labiris-chan bad? I don’t get it—she’s my friend.”

Filia doesn’t understand, but that’s the purest answer.

“…Do what you want with me, but don’t touch the others… Please.”

“Labiris-chan!!”

Got it. Labiris doesn’t know my intentions, so she’s protecting everyone.

What a kid. But how to convince her?

“…Guess I’ll do what I want.”

“!? Stop!! Please!!”

Asrin clings to my leg.

But that doesn’t stop me.

Labiris’s body glows.

“Labiris-chan!!”

“…Asrin.”

What is this, a tearjerker? Am I the villain?

I’m not a lolicon.

“There, your bruises and injuries are gone.”

I used high-level healing magic, [Extra Heal].

“…Huh?”

“Labiris-chan, your bruises are gone!! That’s great!! Waaah!!”

Asrin buries her face in

Labiris’s chest. …One’s about the size of Asrin’s face? Isn’t that heavy?

“Anyway, I mean no harm. If I did, I’d have acted already. The reason the real me can’t show up… it’s because I’m the Dungeon Master.”

“…What does that mean?”

Labiris asks, patting Asrin’s head.

“Milly, Ratsu. If you know about dungeons, you get it, right?”

“That’s it… Labiris, he’s using a fake to test if we’re trustworthy.”

Eris, looking convinced, explains to Labiris.

“…Why?”

“Simple. If he’s really the Dungeon Master, his death would kill the dungeon. The Dungeon Core and Dungeon Master are linked.”

Milly explains. Well, that’s not quite true, but not the time to correct her.

“Got it~ Onii-san, you’re sharp, huh~ So, do we pass the trust test?”

Ratsu looks at me, impressed.

“Yeah, you’re trustworthy. But last step: I’ll cancel your slave contracts and put you under [Designated Protection].”

“…[Designated Protection]? …So, you’ll trust us, Yuki?”

Labiris stares at me, confirming.

The others wait for my words.

I explain the conditions and rules of [Designated Protection] briefly.

“Wow~ That’s a handy skill. I want it. Oops, got sidetracked. If that’s true, you gotta use it. I trust you, Onii-san.”

Ratsu agrees without issue. The others say the same.

…And finally.

“…Okay. I trust you, Yuki. But promise. After using that skill, show up in person.”

Labiris sets a condition.

“Deal. Let’s do this.”

I apply [Designated Protection] to all nine, one by one.

No mistakes like with Oriel. Phew.

“My… slave collar’s really gone.”

“…It’s true.”

Eris and Milly seem half-doubting what’s happened.

“Amazing, Onii-san~ This is gonna get interesting.”

“Thank you!! I’ll give my all to the dungeon village!!”

“Me too!!”

“…Thanks.”

Ratsu, Tori, Riel, and Kaya speak with enthusiasm.

“Labiris-chan, your collar’s gone!! Yay!!”

“Awesome!!”

“…If everyone’s happy, I’m happy.”

Asrin, Filia, and Labiris rejoice together.

“Alright, let’s start over. Nice to meet you. As you’ve figured out, I’m Yuki, the Dungeon Master. Let’s work together.”

I step forward, moving the Doppelganger back.

“Whoa, Onii-san, that’s some unique clothing~ Where you from?”

Ratsu, the ex-merchant, notices details.

“Hold on, Yuki-san. I get you’re not dangerous, but… how do we build a village or town with this group? Any reinforcements coming? Are we camping in the dungeon’s grassland tonight?”

Eris raises valid points.

“You’re right, Eris. Let’s cover that first. Ratsu, hold off on the clothing talk.”

“Sorry~ Sleeping arrangements come first, huh~”

I activate [Dig There, Doggy] to create a building suited for this group from my planned structures.

Thanks to the knight brigade recklessly charging in before, I earned about 500,000 Dungeon Points. Around 400 died in the dungeon, giving roughly 1,000 DP each. Thanks for the meal.

“Wow~ That’s incredible, Onii-san. So this is a Dungeon Master’s skill~ No wonder you don’t need extra hands~”

Ratsu alone comments on the building that appeared out of nowhere.

The others are wide-eyed, stunned.

“Go on in. Oh, take off your shoes at the entrance. That’s normal where I’m from.”

“Huh~ You’re from a weird place~ …Wait, do Dungeon Masters have hometowns?”

“I’ll explain inside.”

I usher everyone in.

The building, made with 2,000 Dungeon Points, is an inn. With an open-air bath, of course.

Pricey, but as a Japanese guy, I can’t compromise on this.

“Alright, before we talk, let’s wash off the sweat. Follow me.”

“Wash off? A well?”

Eris looks around the unfamiliar Japanese-style hallway.

“Know what a bath is?”

“Only royals and nobles use those! Is there a bath!?”

Milly looks at me, shocked.

“Yeah, a bath… but better. The open-air bath!!”

“Open-air bath? If Onii-san says it’s great, it must be~”

Ratsu follows excitedly, clearly curious.

“Man, it’s been a while. A bath!! First time since meeting Yuki. Feels good!!”

“Yo, Yuki, got any sake? Japanese sake’s best.”

“Open-air bath, huh? Like Yuki says, better than a regular bath.”

Mauve, Raya, and Curse, who learned to love baths after meeting me, are hooked.

Now they drink sake in the bath. Pretty refined, honestly.

“Here we are. Mauve, you guys take the men’s bath. Eris, you take the women’s. I’ll explain to them, so you guys go ahead. Yukatas are inside. Sake’s in an obvious spot.”

“Woo-hoo!! Bath time!!”

“Got it. I’ll drink my share.”

“Your culture’s a luxury for me, Yuki. I’ll relax a bit.”

The three head into the men’s bath through the noren curtain.

“Alright, everyone, this way. I’ll explain, so follow.”

I lead the women to the women’s bath.

“Wow~ This is all so wild, I don’t know how to use it.”

“It’s… incredible.”

“This is an open-air bath…”

Ratsu, Eris, and Milly stare, almost tired of being shocked.

“Clothes for after the bath are in these baskets, one per person. They’re called yukatas. Like this…”

I demonstrate putting on a yukata over my clothes.

“Your clothes will be washed. Towels are in there too. Take a small towel into the bath to wash with soap. Use the big towel to dry off after.”

“…Even soap!?”

Kaya’s shocked. Right, soap’s a luxury here.

“Know what shampoo or conditioner is?”

“Sorry, Onii-san, no clue~”

Ratsu laughs, scratching her head, already naked with a towel in hand.

But she’s not alone—everyone’s naked and approaching me.

“Hey, I’m a guy. You’re women. Don’t walk around naked.”

“Come on~ We don’t know how to use this. Isn’t it faster to bathe with you and learn?”

“That’s not the issue. You’re not slaves anymore. You have rights. I didn’t use [Designated Protection] to exploit you.”

“I get it, Onii-san’s kind~ But normally, we’d be assaulted or turned into meat slaves. This is our thanks and a chance to learn, so let’s bathe together.”

Ratsu says, and Eris and Milly flank me.

“Get stripped by force or do it yourself. Which is it?”

“We don’t know how to use it. Give up.”

“Fine… I’ll strip myself. Hold on…”

Resigned, I join the women in the bath.

“If Onii-san’s up for it, I’m okay with it~”