Chapter 59: From Now On - Part 3
The following day, after finishing our usual escort duties at the academy, Chloe and I returned home to the castle. We headed to the princess's chambers to greet her.
"Your Highness, starting today, we'll be taking on adventurer tasks for three days."
"Yes, have a safe journey. I look forward to hearing exciting stories."
"Leave it to us. Please look forward to some souvenirs as well."
Earlier this morning, we received a letter from the guild about the dungeon. The letter stated that they had found a suitable dungeon for us and wanted us to visit the guild.
After finishing our greetings with the princess, we left the castle and headed to the guild. The guild, which we hadn't visited in a week, looked the same as always. We discreetly went to the reception and called for Fine.
Together with Fine, who came out from the back, we moved to a consultation room.
"Jin-san, Chloe-san, here is what we've prepared. These are the dungeon materials. Please take a look."
Fine placed the dungeon materials on the table for us in the room. Chloe and I checked them.
The dungeon's name was "Rock Mountain Dungeon."
As I skimmed through the materials for the dungeon, I couldn't help but celebrate silently. Alright, we hit the jackpot with this dungeon!
Leveling up, acquiring gold, improving exploration efficiency – this dungeon was the best among early-game dungeons in all aspects.
"Oh, dungeons even have names?"
"Dungeons that have already been cleared are investigated, and their features are used to name them. For this dungeon, the entrance is within the rocks, and the interior is mostly cave-like. That's why it's named this way."
"So, they're named based on their characteristics... Wait, does that mean the dungeon we first cleared also has a name?"
"Over there, the monsters that come out aren't as strong inside the dungeon, and it's a place even dungeon beginners can go. That's why it's named the 'Novice Dungeon.'"
Fine answered Chloe's question, and I conveyed our intention to explore the dungeon to her.
"I had a feeling you would say that, Jin-san. So, we've also arranged a carriage to take you to that dungeon."
"What if I had declined?"
"I trusted my instincts that you would definitely go."
Fine smiled and said so, leaving me slightly amazed.
"Chloe, you're up for this dungeon too, right?"
"Yeah, I can test the results of my training, and I want to fight against slightly tougher opponents as well."
Since Chloe also agreed to go to this dungeon, it was officially decided that we would undertake its conquest.
Afterwards, we said goodbye to Fine and Ricola, who had arrived late due to administrative work, and left the guild to head to the carriage location.
"Excuse me, is this the carriage to the 'Rock Mountain Dungeon'? I'm Jin, an adventurer who reserved it through the Adventurer's Guild."
"We've heard about you. You're heading to the dungeon. Are you ready?"
The man who would be driving the carriage responded to my words. He opened the door and told us to get in once he confirmed our readiness.
The interior of the carriage was slightly less luxurious than the royal carriage we usually used for escorting to the academy, but it was still a good carriage. Fine and the others must have secured a nice one... Thank you.
Feeling grateful to Fine and the others, I boarded the carriage, which immediately began moving.
"It's been a while since we rode in a carriage that takes us outside the capital. It's been since the last dungeon, hasn't it? I'm starting to feel excited."
Chloe couldn't contain her excitement for the long-awaited dungeon exploration. Her tail, which she usually kept still, was wagging energetically.
She was really looking forward to this... Well, I was just as excited as Chloe.
Hehe, I can get that item in that dungeon...
Thinking about a certain item, my anticipation for conquering the dungeon grew even stronger.