Chapter 281: Inside the Dungeon with Qiong Xing

For the record, Qiong Xing was not short.

He was around average height.

The problem was that everyone around him was simply too large, making him feel small in comparison.

Goat, chicken, rabbit.

One after another, the meat was tied onto the horses.

Qiong Xing could not help but think this meal was more luxurious than the soldiers’ usual rations.

"Wait, we have to prepare our own meals?"

"Yes. This is a kind of training for situations like this. Also, when hiring helpers, women are not allowed in that area, so inevitably we have to take care of ourselves."

When Qiong Xing was asked whether they cooked, he explained that they did so in the dormitory, which surprised them quite a bit.

It would certainly be easier to hire helpers, but that was not an option.

Since they served the country and the king, they could not simply hire outsiders.

In the end, when war broke out, they would have to take care of themselves anyway, so it was also good training.

"...That sounds tough. Do you take turns cooking?"

"Yes. It is usually the job of the newest recruits, so the menu does not change, and most of them have no cooking experience. It is hard to call it tasty."

Though after so many years, he had gotten used to it.

He reminisced about the old days when he would get stomachaches and run to the toilet.

"Then please eat a lot today. Though I am not exactly confident in my cooking either."

"Eh? Qiong Xing’s food is delicious though?"

Since there were children involved, they decided to expect at least something better than their usual meals.

Along the way, Qiong Xing had been collecting edible wild plants and fruits in addition to meat, checking them carefully.

Because they usually went straight to the dungeon during training, travel today was taking longer than usual, but the soldiers did not rush him since it was also useful practice for emergencies.

Well, more than half of them also hoped that if they helped Qiong Xing, he might make them good food later.

The soldiers also welcomed the chance to shorten training time, so everyone was cooperative.

"Now then, we have arrived. We will be entering the dungeon, but Qiong Xing and the others should stay in the center. If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately."

He told them not to stray from the group, which made Qiong Xing look slightly uneasy.

"Is it that dangerous?"

"It is a dungeon. It is usually not considered extremely dangerous since we come here every year, but a dungeon is something we can never fully predict."

The dungeon they were entering had been chosen for relative safety, but a dungeon was, in a sense, something almost alive.

It was as if it read the atmosphere, placing treasure chests when least expected, or setting traps on the way back when people let their guard down even though the way in had been safe.

Of course, monsters appeared on every floor, and on some levels a boss waited as well, so they could not let their guard down.

"I will be right behind Qiong Xing and the others, so please feel at ease. Now, let us go."

Since it had taken longer than usual to arrive, the detailed explanation would be given while walking, and they immediately entered the dungeon.

Qiong Xing looking around curiously as if fascinated by everything was quite amusing.

"It looks like a normal cave, right? But you never know where traps might be, so do not touch anything carelessly."

"That’s what he says."

"Hey, why are you looking at me when you say that, Albe?"

"Because in here, the only one who would mess something up is Qiong Xing."

Well, that was true.

He did not say it out loud, but he fully agreed.

"Hey, that makes me sound like some kind of troublemaker. I am a proper adult, you know, so I will be careful and pay attention. Oh, a mushroom."

...We really need to keep a close eye on him.

Rohen silently made up his mind.

"Can I eat this?"

Qiong Xing asked, but since he had never seen it before, Rohen could not answer.

He asked his subordinates as well, but no one knew.

About to stop him in case something happened, he was interrupted.

"Really? Then let us try putting it in the hot pot."

...?

No one had said anything, yet Qiong Xing had already reached his own conclusion.

Rohen tilted his head in confusion.

Qiong Xing was cheerfully gathering mushrooms while talking with his dog.

Could it be that he was just that kind of person?

"Can you eat that?"

"It does not smell strange, and Fenrir just ate it and seems fine."

Wait, why are these two talking so normally?

"Qiong Xing, can you... understand what the dog is saying?"

Rohen asked cautiously, half expecting some alarming answer.

"Huh? Ah, right! I forgot to mention, but this child is my familiar."

What? A familiar? Seriously?

He had heard of them, but never seen one in person, so he was shocked.

A familiar meant Qiong Xing must have an enormous amount of magical power.

"This is Fenrir. He says it is safe to eat. Cute, right?"

It was cute, yes, but hearing that it was a familiar made it feel dangerous to touch casually, even if it looked small.

"To be able to have a familiar, Qiong Xing must be quite a skilled mage."

Rohen thought he was just an interesting person based on appearance and behavior, but it seemed he had seriously underestimated him.

...

To Qiong Xing, that place was already like a money tree, or perhaps a mountain of treasure.

"These dungeons are amazing. They give you so many things you want."

"..."

No one said anything to the sparkling-eyed Qiong Xing.

Though in their hearts, they were all shouting, "That is not the point!"

"I have wanted this for so long."

Everyone tilted their heads at the large bottle he was hugging, not knowing what it was, but Qiong Xing grinned at finally obtaining something he had long searched for.