Farming Life in Another World

My name is Ekaterize.

As an adventurer, I am still quite inexperienced, but I’ve grown accustomed to savoring coffee during our camping in the dungeon.

…

No, even if we’re not camping, this coffee still tastes good.

Could it be because of the beans?

Back at my family home, I used to consider it a bitter brew meant to balance the sweetness of sugar……

But there, we didn’t call it “coffee”, it was known as “kaffa”.

Perhaps they are just similar drinks?

Once we return to our base, I shall investigate further.

Our primary goal remains getting out of this dungeon.

Currently, Ursa-san and I find ourselves separated from E3 and the others, lost within this dungeon’s winding passages.

It’s not due to carelessness.

During our adventures, a single moment of distraction can be fatal.

We were always on our guard.

Yet, well….. perhaps we were just unlucky.

-0-

A place a few days away from our country building base.

We heard that monsters were coming so we went out to defeat them.

Unfortunately, we didn’t find any monsters but instead, we found an entrance to a vast cave system.

The cave looks like it has enough room for three adults to stand side by side.

Thinking that it is the den of the monsters we’re looking for, we decided to go inside.

Of course, we don’t plan to go to the deepest part of the cave out of the blue.

Our current equipment is not designed for exploration.

Our initial plan was to examine any traces of the monsters and then retreat.

Well, we didn’t find any monsters.

However, just as we considered turning back, a complex magic circle spread out at Ursa-san’s feet.

Some kind of magic has been triggered.

I instinctively grasped Ursa-san’s clothing, attempting to pull her out of the magic formation, but I was too late—I, too, got caught in it.

-0-

The effect of the magic circle appears to be teleportation.

The scenery has changed from the earthen-walled cave we were in moments ago to a grand hall with sturdy stone walls and a well-laid stone floor.

Numerous sconces are on the walls illuminating the hall though dimly.

The center of the hall is bright…..ah, there’s a chandelier on the ceiling.

I didn’t notice it earlier because the ceiling was too high.

Given the presence of several doors, we are not trapped here.

Ursa-san…….was behind me.

There is no change from before we teleported.

Thank goodness.

However, E3 and the others are nowhere to be seen.

We’ve been separated.

Now, what else awaits us?

Ehto… let’s see.

One of the hall’s doors creaks open slightly, revealing figures shrouded in black hoods.

There are around 20 of them.

They are not encircling us…..but are setting boxes here and there in the hall.

Are they ignoring us?

Ah, no, it seems they aren’t.

One of them approached and designated a position for me and Ursa-san to stand.

He even kindly marked it for us……

Is it a trap?

Ano, Ursa-san?

I don’t think we should obey obediently like that.

It’s okay since you don’t feel any hostility?

No, well, that’s true, I suppose I don’t sense any malice, but… understood.

I shall follow Ursa-san’s lead.

As we stand where instructed, one of the hooded figures raises three fingers, counting down methodically.

And as the last finger disappears, light emanates from the boxes they’ve set up, directed toward the door.

Accompanied by the echoing laughter of a male voice.

The door opens slowly… and from the other side, light spills forth, revealing only a silhouette—the source of that eerie laughter.

The man ceased his hearty laughter and spoke,

「It’s a bit too bright. Dim the light source, please. My eyes ache from being in darkness for so long. 」

…….

As the light emitted by the boxes were lowered, I observed the man who appeared once again.

His appearance…

Ordinary middle-aged man?

Yet there’s a certain vitality in his skin.

An intriguing contrast.

And he seems to be wearing nobles’ clothes, right?

No, it resembles an old-fashioned butler’s uniform.

Given his gestures, you can see that he is used to that clothing.

In other words, someone who has lived many years?

Is he a demon then?

He doesn’t look like he’s equipped with any weapon.

His physique… lacks the bulk of a warrior.

His muscles don’t seem to be suited for melee combat so he might be someone who uses magic.

As I pondered this, the man cleared his throat and addressed us,

「Welcome to my master’s abode! While I’d like to extend a warm greeting to our rare guests…… my master did not anticipate any visitors. In other words… you are uninvited guests! 」

Well, yeah.

And truthfully, we didn’t come here as guests either.

「If you tell us the way back, we’ll leave quietly. 」

Ursa-san said so, discreetly preparing something on her hand that the other party couldn’t see.

Anticipating combat, I assume.

In that case, it’s inevitable.

I, too, prepare myself.

Those covered all over with black hoods…..raised their hands as if saying they don’t want to get involved in the battle and retreaded to the wall.

I’m uncertain how much trust to place in them, but since Ursa-san seems unconcerned, I shouldn’t care either.

In short, we only have one enemy.

The man in front of us.

「Unfortunately, now that you’ve discovered this place, leaving is no longer an option,.」

It seems like the man is also prepared to do so.

If he fights Ursa-san and I together, we should be able to manage.

The distance between us and the man is around….30 steps.

Hmm?

Is he slowly walking toward us?

Since he’s a mage, he should be keeping his distance…..

Ah.

I realize my mistake.

Unarmed.

No muscles.

So I thought he would attack us with magic.

But I was wrong.

The man possesses a unique way of attacking.

The Magic Eye.

That man’s right eye is a magic eye.

I don’t know its exact effects, but he’s confident it can handle both of us.

His unexpected agility closes the gap swiftly.

This is bad.

Depending on the Magic Eye’s effect, we might be defenseless and killed.

Before I can react, the man widens his right eye in preparation to unleash its power on Ursa-san and…

But just before he fully opens it, sand from Ursa-san’s hand strikes his eye directly.

「Gyaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! 」

The man rolled around in pain.

「I at least know how to counter a Magic Eye」

A-as expected desu!

Then, not letting her guard down, Ursa-san pours more sand on the man’s face.

「Stop! Wait! 」

No hesitation.

And it’s the right call.

The man tries to fend off Ursa-san with his hand, but she slices through his arm with her sword.

?

No blood from the wound?

Instead, the man’s body crumbles apart…

Only to regenerate near the door he first appeared.

Seeing that, I finally got it.

The man is a vampire.

「Y-you! Using such underhanded tactics—throwing sand! Unforgivable! Unforgivable! 」

I grip my mace and steel myself.

I won’t let my guard down again.

Anyone who approaches me will be crushed.

Ursa-san readies her sword too.

Now, bring it on!

「Wait, I-I’ll inform the master! 」

The man flees.

…areh?

The hooded guys in black bow their heads respectfully and exit the room.

Ano, Ursa-san.

Want to go after?

「Once we beat it.」

?

I initially thought she meant chasing down our adversary…

But in the center of the room, a giant made of flames materializes.

Seems stronger than the vampire man.

Yes, I prefer this opponent.

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