Chapter 97

"It's been a while since we had a PD."

Dampun had many things he wanted to ask.

If Dampun knew the way to the other world, then perhaps he would also know what King was trying to do.

I only realized this after I got home and was scolded by my mother, who then issued a dungeon ban. However, it seems the princess had been aware of this possibility from the beginning.

She didn't ask because she was afraid.

Not of knowing the way to the other world.

But of knowing that King had sacrificed children to go to the other world.

In the princess's mind, King's involvement in the Black Dungeon's conquest was already a certainty.

However, when she learned this, which was during her training in PD, it wasn't entirely unpleasant for her.

She had thought:

Dampul is evil.

Somehow, King had negotiated with Dampul and trusted his children to be part of the team to destroy the Black Dungeon.

This hope might have been a way to hide the anxiety that King's true intentions were different.

The princess asked Dampul and learned King's purpose.

She needed time to process the fact that her hope had been shattered to move forward.

And that time just happened to be during this test period.

I learned all this while waiting for Mizuno-san to arrive.

"Tyra, it's been a long time. What have you been up to?"

Dampun was still playing games.

"It was the test period. And I have something I want to ask you."

"There are many things I can't answer. But recently, I've been craving sweets—"

"I want to know how to get to the other world—Dampul's world."

Dampun's relaxed expression suddenly tightened.

"I can't tell you."

Can't tell.

Not that he doesn't know or doesn't understand, but that he can't tell.

That means the way to the other world does exist.

"Is it because you don't have enough resources?" Ayame asked.

"Did you talk to Dampul?"

We nodded.

"Hmm... It's a bit different. Resources are like assets. For example, the game I'm playing now was created using my resources. I also use resources to restore everyone's magic power and repair weapons."

"So, if you run out of resources, you—"

"Indeed, if I run out of resources, I will die. But that's not a problem. The D-coins everyone brings me can restore my resources. Some information can be shared using resources, but the way to the other world is something I can't share even with resources."

"Why is it so complicated?"

"Both we Dampuns and Dampul in the Black Dungeon have only one main body. The rest are clones. But even clones have their own will and can argue with each other and even go against the main body's will. Therefore, there are restrictions on clones. The way to the other world is one of those restrictions."

There were many things he wouldn't tell us even for snacks, but this was the reason.

"But King knows the way. Who told him?"

"I don't know."

Yeah, that makes sense.

It could be the main body of Dampun or Dampul, or a clone without such restrictions.

There's also the possibility that he found it out on his own.

At least, there is a way to the other world.

That's a good start.

"Let's get started, then."

We headed towards the D-cans.

Today, we plan to database the conditions for unlocking D-cans to make the process more efficient.

Ayame took out three laptops from her backpack—

"Why did you bring laptops?!"

"To avoid the hassle of writing by hand?"

"No, that's not it. You can't bring machines into the dungeon!"

Yeah, normally you can't.

But I found a way.

Actually, I had brought them in before.

Ayame's waist pouch.

When she finished changing and came out of the dungeon, she accidentally entered the PD with me.

Naturally, she didn't have time to store or hide her smartphone.

It turns out she had her smartphone with her when she entered the PD.

It seems that using the waist pouch skill allows you to bring items that are normally not allowed into the dungeon.

Since Ayame, who shouldn't have been able to enter the PD, managed to do so, bringing in machines is also an irregularity.

"Using that method to bring in machines is—cheating. You should take the D-cans outside and work on them there!"

That was an option, but carrying all those D-cans out, appraising them, and bringing them back into the PD would be a hassle.

"Come on... I'll bring you something delicious next time. What do you want?"

"I want what Tyra thinks is the most delicious."

What do I think is the most delicious?

It's not necessarily something fancy.

What could it be?

"Alright. I'll think about it and bring it next time. Can you let us do this today?"

"...Fine. But please don't bring too many machines into other dungeons."

"Got it."

We got Dampun's permission.

So, we started the database.

Milk and Ayame input the methods they had already noted on sticky notes, while I read out the methods they hadn't noted, and the princess input them.

"Next, complete a full marathon."

"Huh? I already completed a full marathon before?"

"Oh, right, I gave you that one... That one required a certain agility value, but this one doesn't seem to."

"I should have carried them all at once."

Sorry for not noticing.

But that's strange.

I can't find what I'm looking for.

"What's wrong?"

"Well, I thought there was a D-can that opens when you destroy a dungeon... Dampun, didn't you have an open D-can?"

"I'm holding onto it because it's dangerous to step on."

Dangerous?

A sword or something?

Yeah, if something like that was lying around, stepping on it could lead to serious injury.

Thanks for holding onto it.

"Can you bring it out now?"

"Sure."

"Then bring it out."

Ignoring whether his response was affirmative, I asked Dampun.

Dampun brought it out.

It wasn't a sword.

Not a weapon.

In fact, it didn't look dangerous at all.

It was a snow globe-like ornament.

Inside a hemispherical glass container, a planet floated, which looked like Earth but wasn't.

【Abandoned World: The remains of a world where elves once lived】