The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

"Master~ How do I use this new tool~?"

Our kitchen is Punisuke's territory.

The other day, after meeting Navi, we did a lot of shopping at the Luney Trading Company main store.

In the end, we couldn't meet Gin, Monon, or other top executives of Luney Trading Company, but Nagi's "Sage's Secret Elixir" was returned as promised. It's fully functional again, and I can't thank them enough.

Not exactly as a thank-you, but we held our occasional Ruruk Prime Day where we buy everything that catches our eye!

Of course, we also bought a bunch of new kitchen utensils.

"Oh, that one. That's one of my favorites."

What Punisuke was fiddling with was a device for slicing boiled eggs.

It's not particularly new, and you can buy it elsewhere besides Luney Trading Company, but I bought it because it felt nostalgic. Of course, Punisuke doesn't need it since it's faster to cut them herself. I just wanted to use it myself.

"You put the boiled egg here, and when you pull it like this, it cuts cleanly."

"Wow~ That's interesting! Then what's this one~?"

"That's a tool for cutting carrots into star shapes. It's cute to put star-shaped carrots in a bento box, right?"

"Bento! I want to make bento too~"

"Oh! Then shall I ask you to make the bento for next week's dungeon lesson day?"

"Leave it to me~!"

Punisuke hitting her chest (?) with a bouncy motion is too cute.

For now, I decided to teach Punisuke the basics of making bento, so I start lecturing while recalling my previous life. Removing excess water, letting things cool down - hygiene management is important in bento making. Well, thanks to my skills, I won't get sick anyway.

"Then I'll practice! Master isn't allowed to look~"

"Okay, okay."

I get kicked out of the kitchen.

For the sake of my cute familiar, I'll make sure not to peek until the day comes.

By the way, the dungeon that Seori destroyed is apparently about to be restored, so our relaxation period is only until today. I plan to start training hard again from tomorrow.

As I was walking down the corridor towards Seori's room to train her, as she's probably gotten dull after slacking off for the past few days, the head maid Jacqueline came running from the front.

"Ruruk-sama, you have a visitor. I've shown them to the general reception room for now, what would you like to do?"

"That's unusual. Who is it?"

"They introduced themselves as Marquis Cardel, a court magician from Mataisa."

"I'll go right away."

Cardel-san at our house? I wonder what for.

I had a vague bad feeling, but there's no option not to meet. I didn't have any plans anyway besides teasing Seori and Nagi since I was free.

Led by Jacqueline, I went to the reception room right next to the main entrance.

Sitting on the sofa was an old woman with a staff - Marquis Dimaria Cardel.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. Thank you for your help the other day."

"Sorry for dropping by suddenly. I heard from Kam-boy that you live here."

"Kam-boy... Could it be that you know Guildmaster Camlock-san?"

"Didn't you hear from him? I'm Kam-boy's aunt. I took care of him when he was little, so he can't talk back to me."

"Oh~ I see."

That's an unexpected connection.

Come to think of it, was Verugana's adventurer party more influential than I thought? People who can order around guildmasters of two countries...

Well, anyway.

"What brings you here today? Is there any problem with the teaching job?"

"Nah, I heard from Dyna that the first day went fairly well. Seems my disciple didn't cause any problems either."

"Princess Margaria was very well-behaved."

"Unlike a certain duke family's idiot son, eh?"

That's clearly about Savey.

I'm a teacher, albeit temporary. I've decided not to speak ill of any student while I'm a teacher.

"So, why did Cardel-san come all the way to our house?"

"Impatient men aren't popular... is what I'd like to say, but this is an emergency. This time I've brought a request for you as an adventurer. This is a designated request form I received from Dyna."

What Cardel handed over was a designated request form directly from the Mataisa Guild Headquarters.

The request content was "Dungeon Exploration".

The estimated difficulty was A to--

"SS rank!? What does this mean?"

The dungeon in Mataisa Royal Capital had already been explored to the point where you could buy strategy information.

The maximum depth is 100 floors. The total area is about twice that of the Bargia dungeon, and it takes an average of 5 years for an A-rank party to reach 100 floors.

Compared to Bargia, it's larger, but it's only about half the size of the Stoania dungeon up to the same 100 floors, so several groups have already completed it.

Of course, the dungeon boss is an S-rank monster on the 100th floor. I don't know what kind of monster appears because I haven't bought the information, but the limit is an S-rank monster at most.

For it to be possibly SS rank means they're expecting something beyond that.

"First, answer whether you'll accept it or not. It's going to be quite an important confidential matter."

Cardel had a very serious look.

Important confidential matter, huh. Dungeon, SS rank, and the fact that they brought this case to us specifically... I see.

"Could this be about the labyrinth core?"

"...Sigh, it's troublesome when you're too perceptive."

Cardel made a sour face.

Indeed, information about the labyrinth core is top-secret, at the level of guildmaster authority. If we hadn't known about its existence in the demon realm, I think even now Camlock wouldn't have told us.

"You want to ask us because we know about its existence?"

"That's right. Well, since you understand this much, I'll explain first. But it's strictly confidential. You have an obligation of secrecy now that you've heard this."

"I understand."

"Then that's fine. What we want to request from you [Rozewill] is to search for the labyrinth core. Last night, the labyrinth core we were keeping in the court disappeared and is now missing. It seems it was probably stolen."

"What? Isn't that a major incident!?"

If someone destroys the labyrinth core, the dungeon will collapse. Or if someone registers as the master and that master dies, the dungeon will similarly disappear. That's aside from whether they can destroy it or register as master.

Because it's so important, I hear that each country keeps their labyrinth core without registering a master.

If it's been stolen, who knows what dangers there could be.

"It is a major incident. That's why I rushed here in such a hurry."

"I see. So about the search..."

"As you probably know, the labyrinth core can be taken out within a few kilometers of the dungeon. However, that's only if you don't use the core. If you want to use it, you need to be closer... or rather, to operate it precisely, you need to be deep in the dungeon."

"Ah, I see."

Come to think of it, I think Camlock said something like that too.

"Therefore, if whoever stole it wants to use the labyrinth core, they're likely to be in the dungeon. I want you to find it. Or rather, this request is like asking the sheep-folk girl."

"I see... So what's the specific reason for the possibility of it being SS rank?"

"If the opponent has registered as the master, you'll have to face the dungeon itself. Even though the dungeon is alive, sudden changes are difficult, but it can easily create monsters. You'll have to fight constantly spawning monsters while retrieving the core without destroying it. And if the opponent has registered as master, you'll have to do all this without even killing them. These are all worst-case scenarios, but originally, finding a single labyrinth core without any hints is a high-difficulty quest in itself."

Indeed, that level of request is too difficult for ordinary adventurers.

Without Elen's search magic, it might take years to accomplish, if at all.

"...I understand. Can I ask Elen about it first?"

"Please do."

"Alright. Please wait a moment."

I looked around the mansion with my "Eye of Illusion" and teleported back with Elen from the basement.

I immediately explained the situation, and Elen nodded without hesitation.

"Understood."

"Do you think you can do it?"

"Mm."

Elen spoke to the high-ranking court magician without any hesitation.

"She's even more gutsy than the rumors say."

"So we'll accept the request. Should we head to Mataisa right away?"

"Please do. And if you don't mind, could you take me back with you?"

"Of course, this time I'll escort you, lady."

And so, we suddenly accepted an ultra-high difficulty quest.

We gathered all the party members and teleported to the Mataisa Adventurers' Guild along with Cardel.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

-- Mataisa Kingdom, inside the royal castle.

The Mataisa Royal Castle, known as the White Castle, is composed of three areas.

The outer area functions as a normal castle, with facilities used for political purposes such as audience chambers and great halls.

The middle area is called the court, where important government officials and servants work, and the royal family often works here as well.

And the center is the area exclusive to the royal family.

In other words, the living space of the royal family.

Only those who have received special permission can enter this area besides the royal family.

Butlers and maids exclusive to the royal family, or relatives who can't be publicly acknowledged, live here in a world completely hidden from outside view. Of course, it's far from the hustle and bustle, always filled with a serene atmosphere.

In that quiet corridor, there was one shadow that didn't fit at all.

"Huh!? What was I..."

The one who got up with a clanking of armor was a young knight.

With curly brown hair and copper-colored eyes, he was covered in sturdy muscles, but he was still only a few years into adulthood and inexperienced as a knight.

Originally, he wasn't someone who should be in this residential area exclusive to the royal family, but he had been sleeping here.

Or rather, it would be more accurate to say he had been unconscious.

"It's morning too... The dormitory head is going to scold me again. And why was I sleeping here anyway?"

For now, the young knight stands up and tilts his head.

He couldn't make sense of it because his memory of last night was completely gone.

Well, remembering can wait. Right now, he needs to hurry back to the dormitory.

As he was about to proceed down the corridor, thinking of an excuse for staying out without permission, it happened.

"Oh, are you awake already?"

Hearing a voice from behind, the young knight turned around.

There stood an 8-year-old girl in nightwear.

Dazzling golden hair with gentle waves, and round eyes. She was looking this way innocently, still wearing thin nightwear.

The young knight immediately knelt down.

"Princess Maple! Good morning!"

"Hmm~ You're still being so formal. I'm not happy about that."

"Of course! Princess Maple is a royal princess. My position as a knight is different!"

"Mmmm~ I'm very angry!"

Princess Maple crosses her arms and turns her gaze away with a pout.

As always, the young knight had a troubled expression.

"Even so, for me, a mere knight who has just come of age, to be allowed to serve by your side is already exceptional."

"Shut up! Gavin is always making excuses!"

The young knight trying to calm down the grumpy, sulking princess is named Gavin Muuteru.

He is the son of a duke family and one of the royal guards of Princess Maple, the sixth princess.

"B-By the way, Princess Maple, why did I spend the night here? I remember going for a walk in the garden with you last night, but..."

"Do you want to know? Hey, do you want to know?"

Maple's eyes suddenly sparkled.

Although he had an ominous feeling, he had no choice but to ask.

"...Yes. It would be helpful if you could tell me."

"Hehehe, after our date, Gavin became a beast. Papa said before. When a man goes on a date, he becomes, um, an Escort... yeah, that's it, an Escort Wolf. Gavin became an Escort Wolf too! And then we were united!"

"...Eh?"

"So Gavin is going to be my husband! You can't make excuses anymore!"

Maple said with heavy breathing.

Gavin pondered for a while, then shook his head with a sigh.

No matter how much his reason might fly away or he might lose consciousness, there's no way a romance could occur with a child who doesn't even know the meaning of words.

Besides, it's not the first time Maple has tried to manipulate Gavin like this.

"Sigh. Princess Maple, please make sure to learn the proper meaning of 'Escort Wolf' next time."

"Ah! You don't believe me! I'm getting angry!"

"Aren't you already angry?"

"I'm even more angry now!"

In reality, she probably drugged him or something. This young princess, being royalty after all, carries sleeping drugs for self-defense. I need to report this reckless use to her tutor and have them lecture her properly.

"Princess Maple, I need to go to morning assembly soon or I'll be in violation of my duties, so I'll excuse myself for now."

"Why! Wait, this is a royal order!"

"I'll come back as soon as the assembly is over."

"Really!? Then we'll play together today!"

"Today too, huh."

Gavin bowed with an exasperated look and turned his back to Princess Maple.

He is a royal guard and an attendant. His duty during working hours is to protect Maple from the closest position... no matter how much she pranks him, he can't leave her side.

Well, he's sworn loyalty to her including that somewhat excessive mischievousness, so he's never been dissatisfied with it to begin with.

"Well, let's do our best for another day."

Gavin walks while rotating his shoulders to loosen his muscles.

Even though he was promoted to be a princess's royal guard at this age, he never became arrogant thinking it was due to his own ability.

He has never won even in mock battles against his father or step-brothers. He's well aware of his weakness compared to them. Moreover, even his father and brothers are still no match for the old woman who is their master.

The world is far away.

Gavin is clearly aware of this, so he never complains no matter the situation.

Even if he has to start work in poor condition after being drugged by the princess he's sworn loyalty to.

As Gavin left the royal family's residential area like this.

Waiting for Gavin in the court corridor were his senior knights.

"Gavin Muuteru. You are under arrest on suspicion of treason against the state."

"...Huh?"

Gavin Muuteru's unfortunate day had begun.