114 She Enters the Dungeon (1/2)

”You!” A muffled cry of frustration followed Robin out of the tent, as her eyes twinkled in mischief. She would probably have to placate Chelsea with a meal later. But for now, Robin eagerly looked forward to exploring the dungeon.

After all, this was a dungeon! The rumored dungeon one can explore in isekai novels, where with danger comes opportunity was right in front of her! Even though she knew it was dangerous, Robin couldn't contain her rising enthusiasm, as she hummed a tune to herself.

'Ah, wait. I'm getting way too excited about this, aren't I?' She thought to herself as she tried to calm herself down.

'It's probably just the residual adrenaline from the battle.' She told herself as she took a deep breath, and slowly let it out. 'Calm down! It's not going to run off on me.'

While there was some effect in restoring her calm, Robin still felt like she might suddenly break out into a grin if she wasn't paying attention. She sat down on a nearby rock, visibly calm, if it weren't for the fact that her right heel was tapping the ground like a woodpecker.

Finally, Chelsea came out of the tent with a scowl on her face.

”Oh? It seems Robin is really looking forward to this dungeon exploration.” Sir Raymond noted as he witnessed a rare moment of Robin forgetting herself as her expressions showed on her face.

”Oh? Isn't it just a dungeon?” Sir Gray asked, confused. ”As I recall, there's one near the Capitol as well.”

”And? Do you think Robin would have the time to enter the Capitol's dungeon?” Sir Raymond pointed out. ”He hadn't even been there two weeks before he left.”

”So, what you're saying is, this will be his first dungeon run?” Sir Gray asked, surprised. ”No wonder he's excited like a school boy before playtime.”

Chelsea listened quietly to the two knight's conversation, as she observed Robin. Indeed, it seemed that Robin was unusually fidgety today. It was like how she had felt when leaving Port Oracle for the first time.

Witnessing Robin's excitement, Chelsea only sighed. It seemed she couldn't really stay mad at Robin. But, that didn't mean she wouldn't extort a meal from her later on, heheh.

But, Chelsea had no idea about the things that she would encounter within the dungeon. But, then again, neither did Robin. In that respect, only the knights had an inkling of what was in store for them.

----

After gathering the torches and the whistle from the guards, Robin's company stepped into the dungeon.

”This is just like a regular cave! How is this a dungeon?” Chelsea asked, sulkily. ”Aren't all dungeons built upon ancient ruins?”

”But, doesn't the fact that it's cave-like make it seem more like a dungeon?” Robin said with an unstoppable smile on her face. ”Besides, we are only more likely to find the ancient ruins if we go farther in?” Robin asked.

”You are surprisingly astute about such things, huh?” Sir Daniel noted. ”Indeed, most dungeons only have signs of ancient ruins in the lower levels. That is why historians will often hire the aid of strong adventurers to help them reach the point where they can study the ancient ruins.”

”Ho?” Robin mused. 'If the skyscrapers on earth were to become ancient ruins, then the most common signs would be building logos, bathroom signs, and emergency evacuation notices. We hardly leave things like ancient writings on our walls, after all.' Then Robin laughed as she imagined someone trying to decipher the restroom symbols as an ancient language.

”What's so funny?” Chelsea asked. ”Perhaps...are you laughing at me!?”

”Ah, it's nothing!” Robin shook her hands. ”I just had a funny image pop into my head. I assure you, it has nothing to do with you.”

”Hmph! It's a good thing that you are speaking the truth. If you weren't, then I would have to punish you!” Chelsea huffed.

---

Back in town, since the people hadn't yet heard the news of the stampede being successfully repelled, Christian, Jasmine, and Keith found themselves facing the pig-faced beaurocrat that they had made an appointment with the day before.

”...And for that reason, we would like to have a look at the maps residing in the castle library.” Christian replied.

The Pig Beaurocrat considered things as he stroked his bearded chin. He squinted his eyes, which were already quite small and beady.

”It isn't impossible...But...” The pig-ocrat glanced pointedly at Jasmine. ”Only one among your party would currently be allowed to enter the castle, currently.”