The Way to Absolute Dungeon Administration – There Is No Reason To Meet With the Opponent! - Volume 01 Chapter 30: SS - Before the Hole Was Dug

Volume 01 Chapter 30: SS – Before the Hole Was Dug

This is a region in the territory of Rocheur Kingdom. A forest stretches here, unremarkable and without much to note.

It’s not some perilous maze where those who enter never return.

It’s just an ordinary forest, home to ordinary flora and fauna, roamed by ordinary magical creatures.

Nothing particularly valuable grows here, so no one bothers to develop it. It’s just a forest, isolated from the nearest town.

Rustle.

A bush stirs, and a forest creature peeks out.

Its ears twitch, scanning the surroundings.

As if reacting to something, it slips back into the foliage.

“Come on, let’s grind and rank up!”

“Wait, rushing into the forest is dangerous!”

Two beastman women exchange words as they venture into the forest.

They wear swords at their waists and cheap armor.

Likely adventurers, one of the professions on this continent.

Adventurers take on requests to earn their keep, handling tasks like gathering specific resources, slaying magical creatures, exploring dangerous areas, or filling labor shortages.

In simple terms, they’re a jack-of-all-trades organization.

Their requests often involve risks too great for ordinary folk—tasks where death is a real possibility.

Will these women who entered the forest make it back safely?

Some time passes, and the forest grows quiet again.

Birds chirp, and small animals occasionally poke their heads from the underbrush.

Now and then, goblins and other magical creatures chase after prey.

About two days after the beastman women entered, a carriage passes near the forest, stopping by a nearby pond.

Likely a brief rest to ease the fatigue of travel.

“You lot, drink water, do your business, and get back to the carriage! Don’t make trouble!”

This isn’t an ordinary traveler’s carriage. It’s transporting slaves.

On this continent, people can be bought and sold for money.

Those traded are called slaves.

Each has their own reason for falling into slavery, but no one chooses it willingly.

“Ow!?”

“You okay?”

“Are you alright!?”

There seem to be young children among them.

“Hey, kids, stay quiet! You’re in the way!”

A guard raises a whip and brings it down on one of the children.

Crack!

“Ugh!”

“Stop it!”

“Please, stop!”

“Then get that fidgety brat back to the carriage! Ugh, this is why I hate kid slaves.”

This scene is all too common on this continent.

Slaves aren’t treated as people but as disposable goods.

The children huddle together, supporting the injured one as they return to the carriage.

“…Th-thank you… S-chan… A-chan.”

“It’s fine… N.”

“Don’t worry about it. We rarely get to go outside, so it’s no big deal.”

One can only hope their new master is kind.

After a while, the carriage finishes its break and departs.

Silence returns to the forest.

A day later, the beastman adventurers emerge from the forest.

They seem unharmed.

“Alright! We took down an orc! Knocking out goblins and bagging a big one like that—we’re the best!”

“Don’t get cocky, L. You insisted on hauling back materials, so it took longer than planned. Our food’s barely holding out.”

“It’s fine, Ri. From here, even if it takes a while, we’ll reach town in half a day. When we get back, it’s feast time! Alright, I’m starving for good food, so I’m heading out first!”

“Hey, I said don’t get cocky! Magical creatures can show up outside the forest too—wait!”

They sling heavy bags over their shoulders and dash toward town.

Shortly after, a traveler approaches from another direction.

“Hm? That’s the smell of blood. And… an orc?”

“Enemies?”

“Nah, this is a beginner’s hunting ground. Probably some seasoned adventurers came through and took out an orc. That’s how they keep strong magical creatures from breeding here.”

“Why do you think that?”

“No corpse. In a dungeon, bodies vanish, but outside, they usually stay. If there’s no body, they took it for materials. Orcs fetch a decent price.”

“That pig? The meat’s tasty, but orcs aren’t that strong…”

“That’s because we fight magical creatures daily as village self-defense. Weren’t you running scared at first, Ya?”

“Don’t bring that up, Captain! Anyway, let’s sell this stuff, get paid, and head back to the village. Everyone’s waiting!”

The fox-eared beastman woman sprints off, followed by a fox-eared man chasing after her.

It’s unusually busy today.

For a while after, the days are quiet.

I didn’t count, but some time later, more adventurers arrive.

Unlike the earlier beastman duo, this is a trio of burly, seasoned men, exuding experience.

They inspire more confidence than the two women.

“Ugh, why do we have to thin out some other town’s hunting ground?”

“Don’t complain, Bu. The guild in this town doesn’t have dedicated hunters.”

“Ya’s right. But you were griping about being bored, Bu. This is perfect, no?”

“Well, sure, but straying too far from town’s a pain. My daughter might attract weirdos…”

“Here we go again.”

“Let’s get to it and hunt some orcs.”

“Hey, ignoring me? Fine. Lee got us this job, but next time, I’m asking for something fun or easy.”

They head into the forest, chatting.

No openings in their movements. Definitely seasoned adventurers.

But they don’t know the orcs have already been taken out.

They’ll spend days searching, kill a few goblins, and leave.

The forest remains quiet.

Occasionally, people visit or pass through like this.

More time passes.

Today, an unusual number of people gather outside the forest.

Some wear ornate clothing or armor. Nobles, perhaps?

“…A-sama, I’ll keep using my healing magic to help those in need.”

“Of course, Ju-sama. Lilishu-sama will surely watch over you. But don’t overdo it. And, A-sama, you didn’t need to escort us all the way out here.”

“It’s fine. I’m free for now, and it’s good training for the troops.”

“For now… War’s coming, isn’t it?”

“Just a hunch. You should stay vigilant too. If anything moves, it’ll be…”

“…The Demon King, right?”

“Yeah. I’ll warn Gartz and Lumer, but don’t expect much.”

“We’re not exactly close allies with them.”

“Let’s not talk too long. As leaders of troops, wasting resources is like burning our nations’ taxes.”

“Agreed. Let’s do our best for our homelands. I pray to Lilishu-sama we meet like this again.”

They split into two groups and leave the forest.

What a rare sight today.

But their talk was troubling. War soon?

I hope the flames don’t reach this forest.

I can’t move from here, after all.

“Where to next?”

“Hmm, let’s see.”

Oh? After a few days in the forest depths, I return to find people camping outside.

Camping here is rare.

It’s night, so I can’t see them clearly, but their demeanor suggests adventurers.

One has long ears that perk up or droop—likely a rabbitman tribe member.

“I’d like to head toward Gartz. Got some good merchandise too.”

Sounds like the rabbitman woman isn’t an adventurer but a merchant.

Makes sense. The others must be her adventurer escorts.

Guarding merchants is one of an adventurer’s jobs.

“You don’t have to tag along. This trading’s just a hobby of mine.”

“It’s not a burden. No pressing business, and we’ve been a party this long. We’ll stick together until you’ve got a new goal. Right, everyone?”

“““Yup, yup.”””

Oh? Seems the rabbitman woman’s an adventurer dabbling in trade as a hobby.

A rare type.

“Then I’m counting on you all again.”

“Tsu’s a weird one. Decent with a spear, could make it as an adventurer, but chooses this.”

“It’s a hobby. In a way, trading’s what got me into adventuring…”

“What’s that mean? Come to think of it, you never said why you play merchant.”

“Right. It’s a long night with watch shifts ahead. Want to hear the story?”

I’d love to hear it too.

In this entertainment-scarce forest, adventurers are my only source of outside news.

“So, when I was little…”

That night, I enjoy a rare, lively evening.

The next day, the adventurers pack up and head toward Gartz.

If they return, I hope they camp here again.

I thought the forest’s quiet days would resume, but right after the adventurers leave, a strange quartet visits.

Strange how? They look like adventurers, with swords and armor, but their underclothes are odd.

Not just odd—finely made, unlike anything I’ve seen. Nobles, maybe?

Military types might wear such things, but not adventurers.

The last one isn’t even armed.

He wears exquisite clothing, but it lacks magical enhancements. Just cloth, with predictable defense.

Yet my instincts scream that he’s the strongest of the four.

No wasted movements, silent steps.

His grace is on another level.

They dispatch goblins they encounter in an instant.

“Tch, just as the intel said.”

“What now, Ka-san?”

“This place isn’t great for training. Let’s head back to Lumer. It’ll be more efficient.”

“But deeper in, there might be a good spot?”

“Nah, don’t.”

“Why not? Can I ask?”

“…Ko-kun, this is Rocheur territory. We came because it’s near Litea’s border, but going deeper means dealing with nobles or, worst case, royalty.”

“Ugh, no thanks.”

“I’m for heading back.”

“…Indeed. Dealing with Litea-like nonsense is tiresome. Let’s go.”

The odd adventurers turn back immediately.

Their strength’s unclear.

They handle goblins easily, but their movements feel stiff.

Like they lack experience.

I don’t know details, but they’re intriguing.

Time passes, and finally, someone I can talk to appears.

“Elf lady, can you hear me?”

“A spirit?”

Yes, an elf woman passes by the forest.

Elves have high magical aptitude, often able to sense, see, and speak with spirits like me.

Not all can, but this one seems able.

“Greetings. I’m a spirit who’s lived in this forest for ages.”

“Hello. A human-sized spirit? That’s a first. You must have incredible power.”

“No, I’ve never left this forest, so I don’t know my strength. But thanks to you, I can talk again. Thank you.”

“No, I’m traveling to broaden my horizons. Mind sharing some stories?”

“Not at all. I’d love to hear and share plenty. Oh, sorry, I don’t have a name. But humans do, right? May I ask yours?”

“Yes, I’m Eris.”

I spend three delightful days chatting with Eris, the first elf I’ve talked to in ages.

On the fourth day, Eris prepares to resume her journey.

“I’ll come back.”

“That’d make me happy. But only when you feel like it. Your travels broaden my horizons too.”

“Yes, stay well.”

As she turns to leave, I recall something.

“One last thing. It might be unnecessary worry, but rumors say war’s brewing. Not sure how reliable, but when you reach a town, gather information.”

“Got it. Farewell.”

She bows and walks away.

I hope we meet again.

Talking with someone after so long used up a lot of magic.

Time for a nap.

“Hmm, this spot’s probably best. Other areas have annoyingly strong creatures… but that guy could probably handle them…”

An immense surge of magic jolts me awake.

What is this power?

A hero or Demon King from the rumors?

Terrified, I hide in a tree trunk and peer at the source.

A blonde woman with mismatched eyes stands there, breathtakingly beautiful, even to a spirit like me.

Strange. This shouldn’t affect me.

I lack such functions, no need for desire.

Who is she?

“Hey, perfect timing. Spirit, come out and talk. I’m a goddess, got it?”

A goddess. That explains it.

Her magic, her stunning attire—otherworldly.

My reaction makes sense. Drawn to a higher being.

She asks about the forest in detail, then leaves.

“What was that? No, a mere spirit like me can’t predict a goddess’s actions…”

Days later, a young man settles in this forest.

More precisely, he builds a dungeon and lives inside.

This forest is about to get lively.

I won’t be bored, but I might forget details by the time I see Eris again.

Maybe I’ll carve a record on stone.

“Hmm, it’s been a while since I wrote. First… I need a name, don’t I?”

I create a stone tablet and carve:

Side: Nameless Forest Spirit