Chapter 82: Genius in Memory
[Name] Dan Ji Shi = Masutaro (Male)
[Species] Automata
[Age] 768
[Status] Contract (Shirasaki Setsuna)
[Occupation] Dungeon Master
[Condition] Excessive Stress
What's this... such a haphazard name. Poor Shirasaki-san, this is just pitiful. I wish they had put a little more thought into it. Well, then again, maybe they seriously struggled and this was the result.
"Excuse me, Mr. Dungeon Master Masutaro. May I have a word with you?"
He really looks just like a human. His clothing is so unusual, though. A leather jacket for an upper garment is fine, but a sailor skirt for the lower part? I wonder if people in this world just don't care about that.
"Hmm? Who are you to know me?"
"I'm Kakeru, an adventurer. I'm from another world."
"Oh, it's been years since I met anotherworlder like my Master. Nice to meet you, I'm Dan Ji Shi = Masutaro."
Masutaro-san says with a bow. Surprisingly polite.
"I'd like to ask you, Masutaro-san, are you the Dungeon Master of this labyrinth?"
"Yes. It's a secret, actually. Otherworlders are outside the contract, so it's safe."
Why did he suddenly start talking like a robot... Is it just his style or something else?
"So, to get straight to the point, there seems to be something strange happening in the dungeon. Do you have any idea?"
"Oh, that. The Stampede is about to happen soon."
He casually informs me.
"By the way, when will it happen? And there's no way to stop it, right?"
"About a week from now. Stopping it is impossible; it's necessary for the dungeon's maintenance. Also, please don't say that I told you, as advance warnings are prohibited. I even used a Minotaur to warn people."
"I see. I understand. I'll prepare for the Stampede then."
If we know it's coming, we can prepare for it. To me, the Stampede is a bonus stage, so there's no way I'm going to miss it.
"As expected, your quick understanding is a relief. I'd be in trouble if this town disappeared. I'm glad you came to help."
Masutaro-san visits the town regularly to relieve stress, even though Dungeon Masters can't usually leave their dungeons. This town is considered part of the dungeon, so it's safe for him.
"It must be tough to feel stress as an automaton, Masutaro-san. Was it Shirasaki who created you?"
"Yes. Pursuing humanity led to me feeling stress. Master does some terrible things, but it also allows me to enjoy various things."
"But, Master Shirasaki has already passed away, right? How long will you continue as the Dungeon Master?"
"...I don't know where Master went. And dungeon management is necessary to protect the world. It won't end until a replacement arrives."
For a moment, he seemed tired and sad, but he quickly returned to his usual self.
"Well, I'm going to enjoy the town now."
"Masutaro-san, thank you very much. I hope we can meet again."
"...I see, you're an otherworlder. In that case... yes, friend request accepted. You can contact me anytime. Goodbye!"
He says and leaves.
"My knight, if what he said is true, it's serious. We need to inform your father and the guild immediately."
"You're right; let's head back to the guild right away."
They part ways in front of the guild. She needs to report to the Border Count.
"By the way, when he mentioned Shirasaki, did he mean Setsuna Shirasaki?"
"Lieselotte, do you know her?"
"I don't know her, but anyone around here does. She was a child prodigy who earned an honorary doctorate for creating autonomous robots as a grade schooler. She's known as the greatest alchemist and genius inventor in history. Most of the magical tools still in use today are said to be created by her."
"I see. So the possibility of that Shirasaki Setsuna is high..."
"What? You're saying my knight knows her? But she lived nearly 800 years ago!"
"We're not exactly friends, but I've met her before."
Setsuna Shirasaki... Back when I was in elementary school, she created autonomous robots and earned an honorary doctorate. She was the youngest ever to receive the Nobel Prize, but she disappeared along with the plane heading to the awards ceremony. They talked about it on the news for a while.
I never thought she'd end up in another world.
We were the same age, and I had the chance to collaborate with her in research and investigations a few times as fellow geniuses. It's a bit disappointing that we're not in the same era, but it's a complex feeling to unexpectedly learn about the fate of someone I knew.
---
At the Badur Adventurer's Guild
"Um, Lord Kakeru, also known as the Black Reaper, has arrived at the reception. He says he has something to discuss with the guild master, so what should we..."
"Let him in immediately. Right now!!"
"Y-Yes, I'll escort him right away."
"Didn't he just leave a moment ago? Did he forget something?"
"Hahaha, I can't concentrate at all; you have hearts in your eyes!"
I appreciate Lilith's support, but I wish she'd spare me the consequences. Reno sighed deeply.
---
"I'm sorry for the delay, Lilith-sama."
"It's okay, Kakeru-kun. I'm here just for you, anytime you need. After all, that's why Reno is here."
"Just to clarify, that's not the case."
Reno interjected, but Lilith didn't seem to care.
"In fact, regarding the investigation request, it's been completed."
"I see. I knew it was a difficult request, of course... What did you say!?"
Reno-san, thank you for doing this.
"That's amazing, Kakeru-kun! Now that the request is done, it's time for us to..."
"In a week, there will be a Stampede."
The words Kakeru spoke froze the expressions of Lilith and Reno.
"...Kakeru-kun, what did you just say?"
"Unfortunately, it's an unavoidable situation. Prepare for the Stampede that will occur a week from now. Rizelotte has already gone to report to the Border Count."