Isekai Yururi Kikou - Chapter 462 (Patreon)

Derailment
"Would it be all right if we also arrange for someone to accompany Dill-dono?"

"Of course, that's fine. This is a joint assignment between the Adventurers’ Guild and the Dungeon Management Headquarters. But Dill is currently accompanying Takumi-san, you see~ It would be impossible to verify anything until we surpass at least the floors where mining is active, right~”
"Ah, that's right."

While Dill-san and I were discussing, Chris-san and Ethan-dono were deliberating on when to go collect branches from the first floors. That's when the issue of Dill-san accompanying us on this mission through a special request came up.

"... When you say floors where mining is active, do you mean the fourth or fifth floors?"
"Yes, exactly. So, I personally want Dill to accompany you at least until the sixth floor, ideally up to the end of the seventh floor, to be safe."
"......"

Upon hearing Chris-san's thoughts, Dill-san and I inadvertently exchanged glances.

“”We're done~!"”
“”"Huh?””"
“”Next is the twelfth floor!”"
“””Huh!?"””

When the children casually revealed the conquered floors, Chris-san and the others looked puzzled, as if they couldn't understand the meaning behind it.

“”As said! Next up, the twelfth floor!”"
"Wait, wait, wait! Huh? You've cleared up to the eleventh floor?"
“”Yeah!””
"Really?"
“Really!”
“Not lying!"

Unable to believe what they were hearing, Allen and Elena seemed a bit angry.

"Takumi-dono, is what the children are saying true?"

Beside the conversation between the children and Chris-san, Ethan-dono quietly asked me.

"Well, um... yes, it's true."
"Even though they're lower levels... to clear up to the eleventh floor in a few days. That's amazing."
"My kids have good instincts, so they choose the shortest path to progress, I'm sure."
"Just instincts? It seems a bit hard to believe with just that..."
"Hahaha~"

Well, I think there's more to it, but for now, let's just laugh it off.

"Takumi-san’s group was originally exceptional, so let's not worry about it."
"Director, that's for the best. Delving into the details can be mentally and physically taxing."
"... Dill-san?"
"Is that true?"
"During this expedition into the dungeon together, did you suffer mentally or physically?"

Does this imply that accompanying us was that much of a strain?

"I didn't suffer because I abandoned worrying before my spirit and stomach could be attacked. But it was quite exhausting."

Despite facing quite a bit, it seems like he gave up on worrying.

"You have done well, then. Let's celebrate your efforts and prepare some good meat for a luxurious barbecue."
"Whoa, I'll definitely pass. Just the mention of good meat is scary enough—it feels like something terrifying will come out."

Normally, one would be eager, but for some reason, Dill-san showed clear caution.

“”A barbecue party?"”
"Oh, that sounds great!"

It was the children and Kaiser who eagerly responded, not Dill-san.

“”What kind of meat are we going to eat~?"”
"Allen wants Armored Buffalo~"
"Elena prefers Evil Viper~"
"Shouldn't it we be eating dragon meat here?"
"””.........”””
"... Declining was the right choice after all."

As the children listed their preferences one after another, Chris-san and the others looked bewildered, while Dill-san wore a face that seemed to say "I knew it."

Seriously, Kaiser! You shouldn't talk about those kinds of things so openly!

"... It's just a joke, right?"
"Considering some of the unbelievable things mixed in, I thought so..."

Given the nature of the conversation, it seemed that Chris-san and Ethan-dono took it as a joke.

"... I feel like it's half a joke and half serious. If it's Takumi's group, they could probably defeat Armored Buffalo and Evil Viper."
“”......””

At Dill-san’s muttered words, Chris-san and Ethan-dono suddenly turned to look at us.

“”Yeah, defeated them!"”
"... Allen, Elena."

And Allen and Elena honestly confirmed.

"... That's right. Normally, Ethan-dono aside, people shouldn’t hear this, especially with Dill-san here, but since the kids have already answered, I guess it's fine! Yes, it's fine! It definitely matches the past tasks Takumi-san’s group have handled! Geez!"

It seemed Chris-san had been investigating our past missions as well. While sharing information among officials like Ethan-dono and the Vice-director was acceptable, leaking my information to Dill-san without permission would be a breach of confidentiality. However, since the children had already spoken casually about it, Chris-san proceeded to share the information as if confirming it.

"... I did say I felt like they could defeat them, but I didn't actually think they had."
"Hahaha~"

Dill-san looked exasperated.

“”Dill-san, both are yummy, you know?"”
"Huh?"
“”Let's eat together?"”
"......... No thanks."
“”Ehh~””

At this point, the children once again invited Dill-san to the barbecue. However, he averted his gaze from the children and declined.

“”Why not?!”
"There's no way I can casually eat such high-quality meat!"
"It's free because we defeated those ourselves!"
"It's not expensive, so it's okay!"
"......"

That's right. Since we didn't spend any money to obtain it, the concept of it being high-quality doesn't really matter.

"Oh my, Dill, that's impressive~ Being able to eat the meat of A-rank monsters. I'm so envious~”
“”Chris-chan, are you coming, too?””
"Eh?"

I think Chris-san was teasing Dill-san, but Allen and Elena didn't pick up on it. Taking advantage of the situation, they also firmly invited Chris-san to the barbecue.

“”Ethan-san too~"”
"Hey! Please stop with the 'san'!"

The children also called out to Ethan-dono, but their tone was half-teasing.

"Allen, Elena, you shouldn't do things that bother others."
“”I’m sorry~ Then, E-san?””
"Don't use 'san'."
“It’s not honorifics!”
"It's 'san'!"
“”But if not 'san'... then E-chan!"
"Chan!?"

I thought they were going to use a casual form, but it turns out it was actually "E-chan"! However, whether due to being corrected or not, somehow it ended up as "E-chan" in the end.

They're all smiling so much, I don't think there's any need to correct this to a different form.

In any case, the conversation is completely off track, and we haven't made any progress at all on discussing selling the branches~

Next: https://www.patreon.com/posts/103723253