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nIn the dungeon Light's Paradise, under a tree bearing yellow fruit in a sunlit room, three people were having a tea party.

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"Eh, what are you doing, Rokuko…?

"

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"A girls' day out, obviously?

"

nRokuko casually replied.

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"It just so happened to be scheduled for today. And since Kehma entered Dungeon Number 219, we decided to watch and have tea together.

"

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"Ehh…

"

nAs I stood there dumbfounded, a beautiful person in men's clothing—who appeared to be Dungeon Core Number 219—spoke up.

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"I'm Dungeon Core Number 219. Nice to meet you—though it's not the first time, right? Remember this guy?

"

nWith that, Core Number 219 presented a Myconid. It looked familiar.

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"… Is that Myconid-senpai?

"

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"That's right. Ah, yes. I realized that the soil attached to the golem was from Tsuia Mountain. More accurately, that it was actually a golem from a nearby dungeon. With that figured out, I thought it'd be nice to invite you over for tea. Make sense?

"

nShe must have identified it based on the composition of the soil or something.

nIs that like stalking?

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"Rokuko. If you had an invitation like that, you should have told me. It turned out okay this time, but what if it had been a trap?

"

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"Oh. That's why I borrowed Igni from Redra. If anything happens to me, Igni'll breathe her fire over everything.

"

nRokuko gently placed her hand on Igni's head, and a small flame poofed out of her mouth.

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"Haha, don't worry. I'm well acquainted with Tsuia Mountain's Dungeon Number 112. I've been nearly killed by him several times, but we made peace about three hundred years ago.

"

nCore Number 219 laughed, continuing on about how that one used to be really fiery, so much that just approaching it was risking your life.

nMaybe the reason I can casually hang out with Ittetsu now is thanks to core number 219.

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"So, what now?

"

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"What do you mean? Do you want some tea?

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"Here, have a cup. Rokuko-hime's Master.

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nSaying so, Core Number 219 poured tea into a wooden teacup.

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"This is my specialty. I picked leaves from a Plant Knight, chopped them, and fermented them to make this tea.

"

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"Plant Knight? Is that something you can actually eat?

"

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"It's fine, humans can eat it too. Unless it's the Assassin Plant, they won't be poisonous.

"

nI thought Core Number 219 was also a plant-type though?

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"Is it okay for plant-type Cores to drink tea?

"

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"Hm? I don't understand. Plants don't really have likes or dislikes like animals, do they? They consume everything and turn it into soil. Plants are the pinnacle of the food chain, after all.

"

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"… … The food chain I know is a bit different.

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"It's just a matter of perspective.

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nI took a sip of the tea it made for me. It had a refreshing aroma and a faint smell of apples or pears, which was nice.

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"… … Well, we came to this Dungeon in search of Ambrosia. Would it be alright if we took some with us, Senpai?

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"Sure. Do you need around twenty of them? They're growing right over there.

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nCore Number 219 had piled up the yellow fruit.

nYeah, it didn't look precious at all. It was even starting to feel just like a normal pear. Maybe I can give one to Ichika as well?

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"You're quite cooperative, huh?

"

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"What? You journey's been enjoying to observe—cough. You've entertained me. Consider it a small token of my gratitude.

"

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"Core Number 219 writes play scripts, you know.

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nRokuko added.

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"Huh, play scripts… Then maybe next time I should show you the books we have at our church?

"

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"Oh, that's a good idea. I'll lend them to you for our next tea party!

"

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"Oya oya, would those books satisfy me, someone who's devoured books from all over the empire?

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"I even have books on agriculture from the heroes' world. And stories too, of course.

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"Wonderful. Let's add another twenty Ambrosias.

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nCore Number 219 made it so much Ambrosia that I wouldn't be able to carry it if not for Storage.

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"Looks like you'll be able to fulfill the request with plenty to spare, Kehma.

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"Oh, ah, yeah. Looks like it.

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nSeeing Rokuko smiling brightly, I nodded.

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"… … So, you're going back today, right?

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"Um… I was thinking of taking 2 or 3 days to earn a bit more?

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"Hmm… Hmmm. I see.

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nRokuko took a sip of her tea.

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"Besides, if we have a tea party like this inside a Dungeon, adventurers might spot us.

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"Oh, don't worry about that. Right, Core Number 219?

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"Yes, it's as the princess said. I'm the Core of this Dungeon and my Master is even watching over us. We're fully prepared for anything.

"

nWell, I know that the Dungeon's side can monitor things through the map and such.

nI wonder if the Master is in the Core Room. Or perhaps he's deep within the dungeon?

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"Well, Tsuia Mountain is my domain, so I'm sure we'll meet again in the future. I look forward to it, KouhaiJunior-kun.

"

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"So Rokuko is a princess, and I'm a junior, huh.

"

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"Yes. My lord is Haku-sama, after all!

"

nAt any rate, we shook hands in acknowledgement of us not being enemies, but comrades in the same faction.

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"… … I should be heading back soon. If I take too long, the Uzoh-Muzoh bros might come to check on me.

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"That's true. Core Number 219, what are they up to?

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"Hm? Oh, they're quietly waiting. But indeed, it wouldn't be surprising if they start to come and check on us soon.

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nWell then. I took out a wrapping cloth and bundled up the Ambrosia, putting half in Storage.

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"Ah, by the way, the Boss of this floor is right over there. If you'd like, feel free to fight it before you go, Kouhai-kun. You should be able to win. It's just a bit stronger than an Ivy Giant.

"

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"… … Thanks?

"

nI might as well take a peek since it recommended it…

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