Hell Mode: Volume 5, page 10
“Once again, I am Nukakai, the foreign minister of Baukis. Thank you for making time for breakfast.”
“Thank you for coming to us. I am Sophialohne, and these are my companions.” Sophie gestured toward the rest of the Gamers, who bobbed their heads in greeting.
Allen kept quiet about being Rohzenheim’s grand strategist. It was something that could be easily found out with only a little digging, but he generally disliked flaunting his position and status. He wanted to avoid being involved with things as best he could.
“Before all else, please allow me to convey our collective gratitude for the valuable elven elixirs your country supplied us. They were an immense help in the war effort against the Demon Lord Army. Thank you very much.”
Nukakai briefly explained that thanks to the large number of “elven elixirs” they had received, the Baukisian casualties were at a record low despite the Demon Lord Army sending twice their usual numbers. Nukakai was now officially acknowledging this and thanking Rohzenheim for its aid on behalf of Baukis.
However, the truth was that Rohzenheim had not sent any elven elixirs to Baukis. The only thing that came to mind was the items Allen had given to Meruru. However, that was something that he had done as a friend and not in any official capacity.
To confirm how Baukis was understanding the situation, Allen spoke up. “I don’t believe the items were supplied directly to Baukis, though.”
“Indeed, it was the student named Meruru who brought them to us. We made effective use of them based on the counsel she offered.”
In other words, Nukakai was insisting that they had not forcibly seized the recovery items from Meruru. Moreover, they had mistaken those items for elven elixirs because Meruru had been schoolfellows and housemates with the princess of the elves herself.
The fact of the matter was that Meruru had not been given elven elixirs but Seeds of Magic, which required only five Rank D magic stones to make and recovered 1,000 MP for allies within a fifty-meter radius. These were far inferior to the Blessings of Heaven—the item that Rohzenheim was officially calling “elven elixirs”—supplied to Giamut; those required five Rank B magic stones and restored both HP and MP to full for allies within a hundred meters, and were even so potent they could regrow lost limbs.
Allen had given Meruru Seeds of Magic because he figured a source of MP recovery would be useful for Baukis’s golem pilots. The Demon Lord Army had attacked Rohzenheim, Giamut, and Baukis simultaneously, sending double the usual number of forces to the latter two. To protect itself, Baukis had conscripted all of its students to the front lines as well as its soldiers. Meruru, who had been on exchange at the time, had received orders to return home; she complied, though not before Allen entrusted her with a whole bunch of Seeds of Magic for her to use while fighting. He had heard that golem users needed MP not only to use skills but also to move their golems.
“I see.” Allen nodded. “We are glad to hear of the many lives that were saved. Now, shall we talk about the future?” He was trying to move the conversation along, figuring there was little point in pursuing how the Seeds of Magic were used.
“Indeed.” Minister Nukakai lifted his teacup and took a sip before continuing. Because Sophie had turned down the offer of a drink, Nukakai decided he would not be drinking either. “Princess Sophialohne, we have received word that you plan on attempting the Rank S dungeon in the Temple of Yanpany. Is this true?”
Sophie nodded. “Yes, I will be going with my companions here. Is this what we need to gain access?” She took out the party’s Rank S dungeon invitation card.
The dungeons in Academy City began at Rank C, with parties later being able to enter successively higher-ranked dungeons once they met certain requirements. Allen’s group had smoothly made their way up the ladder and eventually cleared their fifth Rank A dungeon, at which point the Executive Dungeon System appeared and gave them their invitation.
“Indeed, possession of that invitation card serves as proof of Lord Dygragni’s acknowledgment that your party are worthy challengers of the dungeon.”
Oh? They’re not gonna stop us?
The Rank S dungeon was located within the Temple of Yanpany, a place where the dwarves of Baukis worshiped Dungeon Master Dygragni. Even though the No-life Gamers had received their invitation card from a dungeon in Ratash, the dwarves believed that issuance of these invitation cards was by Dygragni’s will.
“Thank you for the confirmation,” Sophie said, inclining her head.
“However, although we normally celebrate any and all who wish to challenge the Rank S dungeon, when it comes to someone of your station, we feel it our obligation to ask you to reconsider your plans.”
“And why is that?”
“Your Highness, half of all challengers die within a year. The Rank S dungeon is an extremely dangerous place.”
Little wonder no one’s cleared it before.
The Gamers exchanged nervous glances. Only those who had successfully cleared five Rank A dungeons were allowed into the Rank S dungeon. The fact that half of these tried-and-tested warriors were dying in less than a year spoke volumes about just how perilous the place truly was.
“We are fully aware of the risks” Sophie replied. “However, we also believe that there is no circumventing our entering the Rank S dungeon in our quest to take on the Demon Lord Army.”
“Fair enough. There are indeed many things that can only be obtained within the Tower of Tribulation. It is clear to me that you have no intention of changing your mind. As such, I will now explain how our country will handle the matter of your entering the dungeon.”
Nukakai explained that Baukis issued permits for entering the Rank S dungeon that were separate from the invitation cards. These permits were effective for a year and had to be renewed within a month of expiring. If Sophie’s permit was not renewed after a year and there was no record of her ever leaving the country—such as via magic ship—in the following six months, Baukis would announce her death to the rest of the world. The country had to resort to such measures because it was often difficult to confirm the deaths of those who died within the dungeon’s walls.
Sophie listened to all this seriously. The gravity of the Baukisian foreign minister coming in person to tell her in no uncertain terms that this was a dangerous undertaking was not lost on her. The risk of the party wiping in the Rank S dungeon was far higher than any other place the Gamers had visited thus far.
I suppose if one of us survived and made it back to give their account of which of us died, then they wouldn’t have to wait half a year.
“And that is it for the explanation. If you have any specific questions regarding the dungeon itself, please ask one of the clergy in service to Lord Dygragni,” Nukakai said, wrapping things up.
“Thank you very much,” Sophie replied. “Incidentally, would you happen to know what’s become of our friend? I believe we sent word conveying our wish for her to join us.”
“We...did receive the request, yes.”
In sharp contrast from mere moments ago, Nukakai now seemed to have difficulty expressing his thoughts.
“Minister, has something happened to Meruru?” Sophie pressed.
The Gamers had received word that Baukis had beaten back the Demon Lord Army, but they still had no idea what had happened to Meruru specifically.
“Oh, no, Meruru is fine. In fact, she did so well on the battlefield that her Academy has agreed to allow her to graduate early. It’s simply that, well...His Imperial Majesty is worried for her safety.”
Meruru’s Talos General Talent was so rare that it appeared in one out of ten million people. The Baukisian emperor was reluctant to risk losing someone with such a valuable Talent.
“So you mean to say it will be difficult for Meruru to come with us?”
“N-No, the possibility still exists. The Empire of Baukis simply wants to be compensated appropriately.”
Oh? Was all that talk about how dangerous the Rank S dungeon is just a lead-up to this?
The breakfast negotiations with Foreign Minister Nukakai were clearly not going to be over any time soon.
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Quite some time had passed since breakfast began—the main course was long past and dessert was rapidly approaching. Even after wolfing down cuts of meat anyone else would find too large for breakfast, Dogora and Krena still had not had enough. Was it because they were in puberty? Did they just have large appetites? Either way, they asked the servers for more bread. When the breadbasket arrived, however, it was the God of Spirits who got to it first. He scampered over to grab an unclaimed roll, drawing curious looks from the dwarven servers.
“So you mean to say there are conditions for allowing Meruru to join us in the dungeon?” Sophie looked straight into Nukakai’s eyes as she questioned him.
“That is so, yes.” The dwarf nodded firmly, but refused to elaborate further.
It’s not like I don’t get where they’re coming from. We are literally asking to take their one-in-ten-million Talent someplace where the chance of dying is equal to a coin toss.
In all likelihood, Nukakai was not lying about the statistics. Any other country would set conditions if asked to send their valuable Sword Lord, Saintess, Archwizard, or other three-star Talent somewhere similar.
Recalling how much appreciation the foreign minister had just expressed for the Seeds of Magic that Allen had given Meruru, Sophie asked coolly, “Would the elven elixirs that were passed to Meruru suffice to fulfill those conditions?”
“It is true that the elixirs saved innumerable lives of our brethren. His Imperial Majesty was so moved that he is considering returning the favor.”
“In what way?”
“We have heard that your country is currently occupied with rebuilding many cities destroyed by the invading Demon Lord Army. Baukis would like to offer the magic tools needed in that effort entirely free of charge. We will not be able to extend our support to cover any ensuing maintenance costs, which I’m sure you understand.”
The foreign minister was referring to things such as illumination magic tools used as streetlamps or contraptions for purifying drainage. He was also specifically offering the state-of-the-art models—the ones used in Baukis that had yet to be installed in any other country. However, all magic tools required continuous maintenance, and Baukis would naturally be charging for replacement parts as well as dispatching and stationing experts in relevant fields.
These dwarves are merchants through and through. It’s just as we learned at the Academy.
Allen had been taught that Baukis was a country that specialized in magic tool development and that it was trying to control the world economically by exporting their technology. To this end, they would offer valuable magic tools to countries that had no hopes of developing such tools themselves as a way to secure routes of export. This was why sixty percent of the magic tools in Ratash were Baukisian imports. Giamut was doing its best to make do with what it was developing domestically, but it was far from stamping out Baukisian products both on its open market and in its citizens’ consciousness.
Despite being fully aware of Baukis’s intentions, Sophie replied, “I see. I am sure Her Majesty would be more than happy to hear this.”
Rohzenheim’s dependence on magic tools was significantly less than that of the Central Continent. After all, they could call on the spirits’ powers to light their streets and purify their water. In the first place, as a race that loved harmony with nature, the elves had an instinctive aversion to using magic tools. This was why there was no magic train line in the country.
That said, there was no denying that the magic ships had played a crucial role in evacuating civilians and bringing the fight to the enemy forces during the war. What was more, if Sophie simply said, “We don’t need what you’re offering,” the dialogue would have ended then and there.
“If there are any particular magic tools that come to mind, please feel free to let us know.”
“That aside, Minister, Meruru is someone we befriended while attending classes with her. Paying money to have her accompany us seems somewhat inappropriate, don’t you think? This leaves us at a bit of an impasse.”
Sophie cupped her cheek with her hand and frowned thoughtfully.
It was said that elves were a race that disliked violence but were skilled political negotiators. Their diplomatic abilities were one reason Rohzenheim was a superpower within the Five Continent Alliance despite having a population far smaller than that of Baukis or Giamut.
The way Sophie naturally began negotiating with Foreign Minister Nukakai revealed that she, too, had what it took to be a great politician.
“O-Of course not. We would not be as boorish as to ask for money. It has reached our ears, though, that your country has figured out a way to mass-produce your elven elixirs. All we want is for you to export some to us.”
“What we have achieved is not exactly mass production, but a way to make elixirs that are far more potent than before. During the war, we distributed a significant number to various allied nations and used up a lot ourselves, so I’m afraid we do not have much left in stock.”
“Oh, we would be more than satisfied with whatever quantity you can manage to export.”
“Then it sounds like I should do what I can to seize this opportunity to foster friendly relations between our nations.”
“Now I can breathe easy, knowing I get to keep my head! To be honest with you, His Imperial Majesty did warn me to resolve myself should I fail to secure a promise for more elven elixirs. Goodness gracious, what a predicament!”
“Oh, I’m sure you exaggerate. Incidentally, where would Meruru happen to be at the moment?”
The minister shot a look at the clock on the wall, which indicated it was almost nine o’clock.
“She should be arriving at this hotel very soon.”
“Thank you, Minister. Kindly convey my gratitude to His Imperial Majesty for me.”
“Of course. I’m sure you will become quite occupied when you begin taking on the Tower of Tribulation, but if you ever have the opportunity to visit the palace, please don’t hesitate to ask for me, Nukakai.”
Because Sophie had implied that she had no intention of seeing the Baukisian emperor for now, Foreign Minister Nukakai responded accordingly. After that, Allen got some time to ask the minister a few questions about Baukis. When he was finished, the dwarves made their exit, leaving the Gamers to continue waiting for Meruru.
Once they were all alone, Cecil made a displeased groan. “Are all dwarves like that?”
“I have heard that Baukis is a country that prioritizes national benefit above all else,” Sophie replied. “He was actually going easy on me.”
Fifty years ago, Baukis was not an empire but merely one among the many other dwarven kingdoms on the continent. However, it possessed magic tool technology that the other countries did not, and when war broke out against the Demon Lord Army, it managed to use this unique technology and the power of its golems to beat back the monsters. By offering its technological prowess to the other dwarven kingdoms, Baukis gradually expanded its influence over the entire continent, eventually swallowing many other nations under the just cause of “protecting the dwarven race” to form the Empire of Baukis of today. The Gamers had learned this history in their classes at the Academy. What they had just witnessed had verified the contents of those lessons beyond a doubt in their minds.
“Well, this is a country that clawed its way to power by using the Demon Lord. I’m sure they don’t want to return to their days as a mere kingdom.” While everyone else is suffering from all the Demon Lord Army incursions, I think Baukis is the only one that’s managed to successfully use the crisis to its benefit and develop itself.
“You should probably be careful about saying stuff like that where people can hear you,” Cecil hissed.
That moment, there were knocks on the door to the dining area.
“Come on in!” Allen called out as the whole party turned around. Framed in the doorway was the nostalgic face of someone who had been living with them at the Academy until just a few months ago.
“MERURUUU!”
Krena rushed over and wrapped the dwarven girl in a big hug on behalf of the whole group. Everyone else quickly crowded around with big smiles on their faces to celebrate their reunion.
When everyone’s emotions had calmed down a bit, each side caught the other up on what had happened in Rohzenheim and Baukis.
“It was so strong! My golem’s arm flew off like, whoosh! And it was like, booooom!”
The other Gamers gave their full attention as the diminutive Meruru excitedly swung her arms and legs, telling of how she had fought while riding a golem. From what they could glean, her golem had proved capable of tearing through the hordes of monsters with ease.
We finally have Meruru back, but it would be annoying if Baukis did anything to get in the way of her coming with us to the Tower of Tribulation. I should come up with some countermeasures when we’re going through the dungeon.
There was no way that Baukis was going to let go of someone with a one-in-ten-million Talent so easily. Allen knew he would have to come up with something to allow her to stay with the group.
“If only there was a way for her to borrow a golem to bring into the Rank S dungeon,” Allen sighed.
Cecil sighed in commiseration. “Nukakai did say that it was not possible.”
Just now, Allen had asked the foreign minister whether they could borrow a golem for Meruru to pilot, but he had been turned down on the spot. However, when pressed, the man did reveal that there was a way to obtain a personal golem.
“The lowest floor of the dungeon drops the slates that you need, right, Meruru?”
“Mm-hm! Once I have all the parts, I can build my own golem!”
Meruru confirmed that she had indeed summoned the golem she used when she fought the Demon Lord Army using such slates. This meant the minister had in all likelihood been telling the truth.
What is this “slate” thing? Oh man, I’m getting excited just thinking about it.
