Chapter 3 Let’s Accept Various Races to the Tower Part-(3.1-3.5)

It has been a month since Kousuke captured the tower.

At last, the first step in making the 5th floor village will start.

Kousuke is currently receiving report from Isnani, someone they sent to Ryuusen.

「Then, is the preparation on the other side complete?」

「Yes. The construction of the base, which took most time, was finished. The interior was cleaned up yesterday. The adventurers also made some educated guesses after we spread stories.」

「That means all that is left is to install a gate?」

「Yes.」

「Hmm. I see….」

Looking at Kousuke's subtle expression, Isnani tilted her head.

「…..is there an issue?」

「Ah, no no. I am currently making something now but I couldn't make it in time. There's no problem with the village.」

「You are making something?」

「Yeah. This one.」

Kousuke happily took out a crystal on a box.

「….that is. What is it?」

「Put your hand on the crystal.」

Since it was Kousuke who asked her, Isnani put her hand on the crystal.

After that, Isnani's current status was displayed on the surface of the box.

「….this is!?」

「Should I call it a status checking device or device of confirmation? In short, it's a magic tool that can check your status or rather, a divine tool because it is using divine power.」

Isnani was stunned by his simple remarks. Kouhi and Mitsuki, who were beside him, also smiled upon seeing Isnani's reaction.

For the two of them, a divine tool was something out of their expectation.

For a while, the 73rd and the 76th floors are completely left to them to manage and Kousuke only checks the wolves and the foxes. In his free time, Kousuke spends his time making something and this is something he managed to make.

In the first place, there is no device in this world that can check the power and skills of people.

And that thing is already expected since only Kousuke's left eye has that kind of power.

It was the result of Kousuke's understanding on using divine power.

Isnani, who somehow managed to calm down, asked.

「If you ask me, this is already amazing. What causes your dissatisfaction?」

「Yeah. To begin with, status is a lump of personal information. I tried transferring it to a card so that only the person himself can see his status but it didn't work well. Now, I'm trying my best to display it in a box.」

「.....I see.What about Kouhi-sama and Mitsuki-sama?」

「If it is magic tool, I can be of help but we are talking about a divine tool here.」

「The same goes for me.」

Both Kouhi and Mitsuki can use divine power but making divine tools is completely out of their specialties.

In the first place, it is already absurd to make something like that in less than a month but Kousuke is not aware of it.

「Ano…..making that divine tool….can you let me join?」

Isnani offered her service with difficulty.

「Hnn? I don't mind but, what about Ryuusen?」

「Eh? You're okay with it? Great!」

Kousuke's first impression of being cool in Isnani has collapsed as she dances for joy.

「No, I'll say it again, what about Ryuusen?」

「There is no problem. Everything's going according to plan so it is okay to transfer one person to another place.」

「Oh, okay. Then, you can do so after getting the permission of the others.」

Kousuke pushed away granting permission to the other team members. Kouhi and Mitsuki can only shake their heads.

Eventually, Isnani will later become the leader of the tower and guild development team. She'll continue to develop holy, magic, and divine tools with Kousuke but that's a long way to go.

「Then, how about the installation of the gate?」

After the derailed discussion of the two, Kouhi finally speaks.

「「Ah」」

Kousuke and Isnani looked at each other with an "I've completely forgotten about it" expression.

Seeing that, Kouhi and Mitsuki both sighed.

As if panicking, Kousuke immediately installed a teleportation gate in the temple of the 5th floor village.

After that, he took out something like a squishy square at the bottom of the management screen.

「And….for the time being, can you take this to the place where the teleportation gate was planned to be installed?」

「….this is?」

「Ah, because the gate will be installed outside of the tower, it will need a marker.」

「I see. I'll take care of it.」

Isnani nods and receives it.

She can't afford to drop it in the unlikely event so she's keeping it with great care.

「After that, you can operate the gate on that side too but, how long will it take for you to get it there?」

「That is…..about two hours.」

「Alright then.」

Isnani(or rather, anyone other than Kousuke) can be teleported out of the tower.

It has been decided to wait for two more hours because they don't know the situation on the other side.

「I will take my leave.」

After seeing off Isnani, who was teleported out of the tower, the three of them headed to their respective jobs.

—Scene Change—

At the Ryuusen base, Wahid's team of six is now assembled.

That's only normal because their hard work will finally come to an end and they can finally see the result.

The six are waiting for the change that Isnani brought back from the tower.

Isnani, who is the most sensitive one when it comes to divine power, noticed.

「Ah, it's about time.」

Hearing those words, the others, who are relaxing, lined up neatly.

In the meantime, the small, square shaped object glowed and grew eventually turning into a gate.

From the gate, Kousuke's group of three appeared.

Seeing them, Wahid's group of six knelt down.

「Ah, No. You don't have to be that formal.」

As Kousuke panicked, he urged them to stand.

「Congratulations, Kousuke-sama.」

Everyone said that.

「Yeah. It is because of everyone's hard work. And this is where the real show begins.」

「Of course, we understand.」

「Then, I'll leave the rest to you. Ah, did you hear about it from Isnani?」

「We heard it. There is no particular problem so please, use her.」

Wahid answers on everyone's behalf. Perhaps because he was the first one who was summoned, he has become someone like the leader of the group of six.

「Okay. And…is the other side okay?」

「Of course.」

「….that's all about it, for now? Is there anything else?」

Kousuke asked Kouhi and Mitsuki and the two shook their heads.

「Ah, right. I forgot to say. Presently, this teleportation gate can only be started by the upper management so be careful since even you can't pass through without permission. The activation is similar to the gate on the management floor.」

They have used the management gate several times so everyone knows how to use it.

「I see. I understand.」

「That's it? Then, we will leave and transfer the wolves to another floor. Take a break for the time being.」

「Yes」

After hearing their reply, Kousuke's group of three went through the teleportation gate and disappeared into the tower.

After seeing them off, Wahid called out the other five.

「As Kousuke-sama said, we have a break but that also means that the real thing is about to start. Everyone, let's do our tasks as planned.」

Everyone responded and left that place to do their own work.

On the other hand, Kousuke's group, who arrived at the temple on the 5th floor, gathered the wolves and had them join the wolves on the 7th floor. After that, they returned to the management floor.

Finally, the 5th floor village is really to accept outsiders.

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Chapter 3.2 – Fairy

A week before the teleportation gate on the 5th floor is opened.

Kousuke, who's trying to make a guild card, is doing all he can to make the status viewable on the management floor.

Kousuke, who is now taking a break, is consulted by Kouhi as soon as she returns from the 73rd floor.

「My lord, may I speak with you?」

「…..Hnn? What's wrong?」

「I have received a suggestion from Liston on the 73rd floor but I want to consult you first if it is acceptable.」

「Suggestion?」

「That is, it seems like that world three has grown enough to grow root in the 73rd floor. However, it seems like to make sure that it grows smoothly, more manpower is necessary.」

「Ah, I see….areh? Didn't Liston already summoned on his own before because of manpower problem?」

As Kousuke said, Liston already summoned two other high elves.

In the first place, high elves are treated as legendary creatures in this world.

A high elf is said to be almost immortal on both physical and spiritual aspects. If that is the case, how did Kouhi even manage to summon a high elf in the first place? That is because he already abandoned his physical body and only exists as a spiritual body.

In summoning, the spiritual body will be called and the physical body will be granted by the summoner.

By the way, as a digression, Kouhi, who did not know anything aside from the fact that she'll summon a high elf, had it worse compared to Liston who even knows the names of those he summoned.

「Yes, that's the situation until now but the three of them are already having a hard time. It seems like the surrounding environment needs to be modified which is something the three of them can't do.」

「I see…..So? Since Kouhi consulted me first before doing it, does it mean that you need to summon quite a large number of people like Mitsuki?」

Mitsuki, who's managing the 76th floor, was also asked by Shrine to summon a large number of familiars.

「No. We're not planning to summon….he said he wants to call the elves from the outside.」

「.....I see.」

Kousuke finally understood why Kouhi came to consult him.

Calling from outside would mean that it would be a considerable number of people.

There's no other way but to go out of the tower and get those elves themselves but given how busy Kouhi is, she can't do it.

Rather than that, it would be better to install a new teleportation gate.

However, that itself is a big problem.

「.....if we install another gate outside, there's a chance that we might invite other things, right?」

「That's right. However, I've already checked them once. The whole clan that we're trying to pull in is a closed clan that has little involvement with the outside world.」

Kousuke replied with a wry smile.

「.....I feel like they'll be very difficult to handle.」

「Yes, but if you think about it the other way, it can be said that the tower is their best place to live in.」

「They're kind of shut in…..maa, okay.」

「That clan is said to be the clan that manages the world tree on Azen continent.」

Azen continent is a continent located north of the central continent.

「Since they are already managing a world tree, why would they even bother coming here?」

「That's….according to Liston, that world tree has already done its duty.」

「…..What does it mean?」

「It seems like the world tree has the role of adjusting the flow of holy power and magic power of the world. That world tree has already come off of the earth vein.」

「I see. So that's what "it has already done its duty" means?」

「Yes.」

「Got it…..For now, I can't say anything without seeing them myself. Is it possible to meet them?」

「Now? I'm not sure but, shouldn't it be better if I check them out first before meeting my lord?」

「It's okay. I'll have both of you come with me. Also, I would like to see other world trees.」

Kouhi looked at the newly returned Mitsuki after hearing Kousuke.

The three of them don't spend much time together since Mitsuki too is busy managing the 76th floor.

「With the two of you, it will be fine.」

「….I understand. I'll talk to Liston.」

「Ah, wait. I'll go with you. I want to see how much the world tree has grown.」

Kouhi agreed with Kousuke so the three of them went to the 73rd floor.

—Scene Change—

「Oya. For you to be all together….did something happen?」

「It's about the elf migration that we talked about before. After talking about it, my lord said he wanted to see how much the world tree has grown.」

It was Liston who greeted Kousuke's group of three when they arrived at the 73rd floor.

However, the three did not see the other two companions of Liston.

As for Kousuke, he was looking at the world tree that has grown up.

It was already big when it was still a sapling but now it has grown even bigger.

「What's our next step...? Kousuke-sama?」

Liston asked Kousuke's decision.

However, Kousuke approached the world tree as if he did not hear Liston.

「My lord?」

「Kousuke-sama?」

They don't feel anything unusual so they are sure that Kousuke is not being manipulated but even so, Kouhi and Mitsuki are looking at Kousuke suspiciously.

「…..Is this the world tree?」

Kousuke is only focused on the world tree and doesn't even bother looking at anything else.

That time, Kousuke can see that the world tree is being surrounded by small and big lights.

Even when they planted the sapling, something like this did not happen.

It is unclear whether he can see this phenomenon because of the tower of his left eye but it doesn't even matter if it did.

That moment, Kousuke is fascinated by that fantastic scene.

Eventually, Kousuke, who was approaching the world tree, arrived at the root of the tree, and touched its trunk gently using his right hand.

At that moment, the world tree emits faint light and even produces small lights on the leaves.

Eventually, the light gathered in front of Kousuke and a palm size fairy(?) appeared.

The fairy happily flies around Kousuke.

「Th…..that…..such a….could it…..」

Liston was stunned after seeing that scene.

No matter how one looks at it, the fairy is not hostile so Mitsuki, who almost took action, just asked Liston.

「It looks like you know what that is. What is that?」

「….No. It's not that I know….I might be misunderstanding something….」

「I don't care about your personal opinion. I want to know what you know.」

「...」

When Liston falls silent, Mitsuki releases a little pressure.

In response, Liston began talking with cold sweat on his back.

「…..It's a legend that is passed down to us elves. A great spirit dwells in the world tree and it will only appear to someone that spirit recognizes….」

「I see. That means it's some sort of spirit or an existence close to it.」

「As expected of my lord.」

Leaving Liston who's murmuring that it's impossible, Kouhi and Mitsuki were convinced while watching Kousuke playing with the fairy.

「Liston, what happened….!?」

「What was that light!?」

Perhaps they noticed that something unusual happened to the world tree, Sera and Zepar also came to the scene.

When they saw Kousuke and the fairy, they stopped and found no words to say.

Seeing the two's reaction, Kouhi and Mitsuki were convinced that it is that fairy that dwells in the world tree.

Kouhi approached the two and asked them.

「I just want to confirm this. That thing dwells in the world tree, isn't it?」

「No….probably….I can't say. After all, its existence is only a legend.」

「We can't even confirm if someone can really dwell in the world tree…..」

「Is that so…..? Maa, anyway, it is not making any strange move against my lord so let's observe for a while. 」

「Alright. Let's do that. 」

Kouhi and Mitsuki made such a conclusion. They stay put and watch over Kousuke and the fairy.

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Chapter 3.3 – Elf Village

Azen continent, north of Central continent.

In the northern part of Azen continent, there is a forest called Keidroya Forest.

During winter, it is covered in deep snow and only monsters that can withstand that kind of environment go there. It's a place that humans almost can't go to.

However, there is an exception. There is one place there where a person could live.

The elves built a village there and the center of that place is the world tree.

Perhaps it is the world tree's blessing. Only the area surrounding it has become livable and is not affected by the severe cold.

It's not that it doesn't snow there but it is much less compared to the outskirts.

Using that area, the elves have lived in that village for a very long time.

The deep, wide forest and the harsh environment have become their natural fortification enabling them to repel the influence of other races.

It is not that there was never any contact but they were not catastrophically affected by any external factor.

However, the village is not without problems.

The biggest of the several problems is their low fertility rate.

There are various reasons like bad effect of being a long-lived race and the influence of the world tree whose role is about to end but no one could give a solution.

Including other problems, the village is presently wrapped in something like a sense of stagnation.

However, a new wind blew away that sense of stagnation and it is also about to blow the elf village.

「…..what do you mean by you want to get close to the sacred world tree?」

Kousuke sighed. That line has been repeated since earlier.

Kousuke's group visits the elf village but not on their usual party of three. There are five of them there now including Sera and Zepar.

They were treated well when they first came to this village.

It is probably because of the presence of the high elves Sera and Zepar. They were neither friendly nor hostile and the talk progressed normally.

A new world tree was born in the tower. To manage the world tree, they want to borrow the elves' hand. For that reason, they want the elves to migrate to the tower.

The discussion went through including the detailed conditions with Zepar as the center. The representatives of the village participated with the discussion with interest rather than opposing.

However, that happened.

The atmosphere changed completely as soon as they said that they(including Kousuke) wanted to get close to the world tree.

According to them, the world tree is sacred and even the villagers can't approach it. They won't let outsiders get close to it.

Aside from the two high elves, they won't allow others to do so.

They used various excuses to not let Kousuke's group of three to approach the world tree.

At that time, they almost wanted to give up since they couldn't understand the reason why the elves didn't want them to approach the world tree.

Then, someone rushed into the room where they were discussing.

「What's this….!? Don't you know that we're in the middle of a discussion with our guests?」

The person(elf) who entered the room whispered something to the elf in the center.

Upon hearing that, the representative's complexion changed.

「...what do you mean?」

「I also want to know but….that's the will of the shrine maiden-sama….」

「…..mumu」

The representative, who thought for a while with arms crossed, stood up.

「Guests, my apologies but I have to leave for a while. Could you please wait a little longer for our response about your previous request?」

「Oh, that's fine….」

Zepar and Sera looked at each other since Kousuke himself answered.

「Thank you….I'll ask you more about the migration of the village when I come back.」

The representative said so and walked out of the room.

Those who were left behind tilted their heads and resumed talking about the migration.

—Scene Change—

After a while, the representative who had left earlier came back when they were discussing the migration to the tower.

「I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. You were allowed to enter the sanctuary so please follow me.」

Hearing those words, the room became noisy.

Mainly on the elves' side.

「Can't you calm down? That's what shrine maiden-sama has said. She wants me to take these people to the sanctuary.」

The noisy place suddenly calmed down.

「There are a lot of things I want to talk about with you but can you follow me to the sanctuary first?」

「Haa….if I could go near the world tree then let's go…」

Despite being confused with the sudden change of policy, Kousuke replied like that.

Upon hearing that, the representative was relieved.

「Then, I will guide you. Please follow me.」

That said, Kousuke's group followed the representative.

When Kousuke's group arrived at the sanctuary, a female elf greeted them.

Unfortunately, Kousuke can't tell the age of an elf so he has only seen her as someone who looks 20 years old.

And for some reason, the female elf, who introduced herself as Sheryl, is wearing the so called Japanese shrine maiden outfit.

(No way, to think I'll see this outfit in this world….)

Kousuke listened to Sheryl while having a feeling of discomfort because she's wearing a shrine maiden outfit.

「Thank you for visiting. I would like to apologize first. Originally, I should be the one who should have picked you up.」

Unlike the other elves, she was treating Kousuke as the main guest.

「Eh, areh?….No, I thought it was impossible in the first place as said by that person….?」

「If it is not you, it would have been true.」

Sheryl is clearly looking straight at Kousuke's face when she says that but Kousuke can't hide his confusion.

「I'm sorry for keeping you here for a long time. Please come with me….Elder Dorje, you can come too.」

「Me too….!?」

The elf called Dorje, who had guided them there, went together with them as Sheryl said.

The sanctuary has a barrier that covers the whole world tree.

It is a considerably big barrier so that the world tree can't be seen outside of the barrier.

By the way, the elves also surrounded the barrier with a fence.

Entering the sanctuary means entering the barrier. Because of that, the world tree, that can't be seen, appears.

Guided by Sheryl, Kousuke's group looked up at the world tree as they entered the barrier.

「….heh. It looks amazing.」

「It is really an existence that supports the world.」

As expected, Kouhi and Mitsuki are also fascinated by its presence.

At first, Kousuke was overwhelmed by the appearance of the world tree too but now, he is distracted by something else.

His left eye can clearly see a figure of a woman at the foot of the big tree.

「...I welcome you…..I'm sorry but I can't leave, can you come closer?」

As told by the woman, Kousuke approached her.

Needless to say, Kousuke knew who that woman was.

「Can I borrow your hand?….Before that, let's have everyone see me first.」

At the same time as those words, the woman, who can only be seen by Kousuke, appeared in front of everyone.

Sheryl, who can only hear her voice, is also surprised to see her figure.

That is not surprising.

As Liston told them earlier, the existence of fairies of the world tree is only a legend for the elves.

It is almost impossible to make them appear in public.

Only after seeing other's reactions did Kousuke realize that she's the only one who could see her earlier.

That said, Kousuke held out his right hand towards the woman.

「…..Please touch the trunk.」

The moment Kousuke's right hand touched the trunk of the world tree, the whole world tree was shrouded in pale light.

Everyone watching gasped aside from Kousuke.

Though his hand touched the trunk, he felt like something's flowing into him.

「…..this is?」

「That's my power as I functioned as the world tree. I don't need it anymore so give it to her.」

「But you're….」

The world tree fairy in front of Kousuke smiled and interrupted him.

「….It's alright. My role as a world tree has already ended. From now on, I will only exist as a normal big tree.」

The fairy said that with a very calm expression.

「…I understand. However, can I have a branch of this tree?」

「?….I don't mind but, what are you going to do with it?」

「From now on, this tree will live like a big tree. However, you're not, aren't you?」

「…..that's….」

「The fact that this tree will no longer be a world tree means you, its fairy, will disappear. That's too saddening since we've only met. I was wondering if you could dwell in that branch.」

This is the method he came up with when he obtained the knowledge contained from the power from the world tree.

「However, you won't last long even if you dwell in the branch so I plan to plant you near that child. That way, you'll be able to continue to exist, don't you?」

Seeing the smiling Kousuke, the fairy lost her word for a while, and bowed her head after.

「…..Thank you.」

After emotionally saying that to Kousuke, she turned her eyes to the elf in shrine maiden outfit who's already in tears after hearing them.

「…..Sheryl, as you heard, take care of things from here.」

「Understood」

After hearing Sheryl's reply, the fairy's figure disappeared even from Kousuke.

「Then, let's go back. It would be bad if we stay like this.」

Before anyone was aware, Kousuke was already holding a branch in his arm.

「My apologies. Please leave the spreading of information to me.」

「I will return with Kousuke-sama. Ah, Sera and Zepar, one of you should go with us. We can't plant the world tree branch if we're not accompanied by someone who knows the circumstances.」

Sera and Zepar nodded to Mitsuki's command.

Kousuke's group returned to the tower in a hurry using Mitsuki's teleportation while the others dealt with the elves.

Dorje, the elf villager, who was stunned by what happened, heard the details from Sheryl and finally understood the seriousness of the matter.

As a result, the elf village, unlike before, must go with a different flow. In the end, some of the elves from that village migrated to the tower.

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Chapter 3.4 – Igrid Race

Kousuke, who brought back the branch of the world tree from the elf Village, headed to the 73rd floor.

The first thing he did was to hand over the world tree power that the world tree of the elf village had given to Kousuke.

After doing that, the world tree grew bigger a little and its spirit, who's only palm-size, has grown dramatically.

The spirit turned into an elementary school girl. She's still lacking in her words but at least she's now able to speak.

That change reminds him of the fairy he met in the elf village.

It asked him to give her a name so Kousuke gladly named her Esena and it made her smile.

Kousuke saw that smile.

(What a cute girl. Am I being awakened as a lo**….!?)

That kind of horrific awakening is another story.

Anyway, the next thing to do is to select the place to plant the branch of the world tree.

This was completely handed over to Sera who came back with them.

Sera chose the place and planted the branch. After that, Esena used her power to make it root on that place.

There was no particular change in its appearance but whether it could grow will be up to those who'll take care of it.

Kousuke and Mitsuki returned to the management floor after seeing everything over.

—Scene Change—

Two days after returning from the elf village.

When he checked the management menu, the tower became LV 4.

However, there was no major change compared to the change it had when it turned LV3.

Along with new objects and summoning circles that can be installed on each floor, a new <Teleport> function was added.

<Teleport> function is a very convenient way to teleport from the tower(management floor) to the place you like in the Central continent.

It can only teleport you within the continent but it is still a very useful function so it should be utilized effectively.

Kousuke, who was still stuck in the creation of a status checking divine tool, was consulted by Mitsuki.

The 76th floor, which Mitsuki manages, has received a whole clan of the vampire princess Shrine.

The way she summons them is different from the summoning performed by Kouhi and Mitsuki.

Shrine's vampire family, of course, has a very close blood connection. They can be said to have the same blood as soon as they became part of the family with the use of a vampire contract.

Shrine herself seems to have never made a vampire contract but it is said that family members can be called similar to how a normal summoning method is performed.

The closest thing that can be compared to is Kousuke's contract with Kou.

Because of that, Shrine easily summoned her family to manage the castle.

「….So? What do you want to ask?」

「It's about Shrine being able to freely go to the management floor that you "Reject"….can you tell me why?」

「Whenever I think of her coming here, all I can see is her targeting my blood.」

「Areh….isn't that good? On the contrary, why shouldn't she target your blood?」

Kousuke's expression is as if he is pierced by something.

「...…..EHHH!?」

「From here on, the 73rd floor will be busier and the 5th floor will be open soon. On the other hand, Kousuke-sama is always staying indoors like now. Things will be really difficult in the future. 」

「.....now that you mentioned it...well, I guess so….」

「That means it is better to have either me or Kouhi's hand as free as possible but Kouhi's hand should be full because of the elves' migration.」

「….I see. So that's why you thought of Shrine?」

「That's right. And one more thing, she and Kousuke-sama have a blood contract.」

「Blood contract….?」

Kousuke never heard of that term before.

「When I summoned her, didn't you give her your blood?」

「All I need to do is give her blood?」

「That's right. She said she liked you so she's tied to you from that moment.」

「....there's no problem with that, right?」

Mitsuki smiled wryly at Kousuke's doubt.

「None. She should have become your familiar.」

「....eh?」

When the bomb dropped, Kousuke let out a silly scream.

「Why don't you check her status next time you meet? Things will be clear then.」

After listening to Mitsuki, Kousuke finally understood why she had to bring it up to him.

Basically, someone who has become a familiar of another will never be able to do anything against the master.

However, it is noted they can't only act against the master so it is up to them if they want to save the master if the master's life is in danger.

Going against means they can't betray nor do anything that could endanger the master's life. Otherwise, the familiar will just become a puppet that listens to what the master says.

This is good news since they now have a new family member when things are getting busy.

「So? Do you get it now? She won't go for your blood so can she be a manager from now on?」

「…..ugh….!」

Kousuke felt like his defense was now crumbling because of logic.

It is certainly important to increase the number of reliable companions for the future.

「….I understand. Let's make Shrine part of the management team.」

「Kousuke-sama, is that true?」

Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind and the person who owns that voice shouldn't be there. Kousuke instinctively tried to stand up.

But he's already too late since he was already being hugged from behind.

He felt like something soft was pressed against the back of his head but decided to ignore it.

「Sh….Shrine, when did you…..!?」

「From the time Mitsuki-dono came here?」

「That's from the beginning….!?」

Kouhi and Mitsuki both didn't say anything so Kousuke didn't notice.

Both Kouhi and Mitsuki were grinning at them.

「So, is it not good for me to join here?」

Hearing the timid words of Shrine, Kousuke clogged up the words he was about to say.

「…..n….no, of course not….right?」

「Really….!?」

「Yeah, well, of course.」

It was a very noncommitted reply but even so, it made Shrine happy and hugged his head tighter.

「Thank you….!!」

When she said that, she hugged Kousuke even more tighter.

「Uwa…..wait a minute, if you put that much power….」

Shrine was puzzled why Kousuke's expression looked weird but she soon realized the reason and smiled.

「I see. Kousuke-dono is a man after all.」

After saying so, she pressed her well-shaped chest to Kousuke even more.

「What are…」

Kousuke hurriedly looked at Kouhi and Mitsuki but for some reason, they sighed and laughed instead.

In this way, Kousuke's defense versus Shrine's offense will continue for a while.

—Scene Change—

「Igrid?」

After the skinship with Shrine was over, which was categorically denied by Kousuke, Shrine spoke to Kousuke again.

「Yeah. If my task is only managing the castle, my family is enough but since we need to take care of the whole floor, they are not enough. Because of that, I want to bring a race that has ties to us over there.」

「You have ties with them?」

「…They are a race that chose to spend time underground to avoid conflict a long time ago. They usually live in a place where no other race can get through. At some point, some of them come out of the surface to start a new life. And that's their problem.」

「Problem?」

「Yeah. Their race is famous for excellent appearance which can be said to be superior to the elves in a different meaning. Simply put, they are often described as dolls because of their small physique and never aging appearance.」

After saying that, Kousuke can already guess what happened.

Their race will definitely be targeted by those with bad hobbies. One can easily imagine what will happen to them.

「….Ah. I see, then?」

「To make matters worse, along with their appearance, the Igrid is a very weak race. At some point, a member of my family made a deal with the right compensation. The Igrid has come under our protection since then.」

「…and that is?」

「It's their blood and they have to make things for our family. They've been underground for a long time and they're famous for being dexterous.」

「….It's blood after all….」

Hearing Kousuke's words, Shrine was somewhat offended.

「Let me tell you this. It seems like Kousuke-dono has a little misunderstanding about us. My family certainly drink a person's blood but it is not a necessity.」

「…Eh? Really!?」

That is the first time Kousuke heard of it.

「That's right. For us, a person's blood is more of a luxury item.」

「Heh, is that so?...my apologies.」

「N-no, you don't have to apologize….No, well….cough. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, they have been under our protection for a long time.」

She nodded to Kousuke, who apologized to her obediently. Shrine stares at Kousuke warmly.

「I see. So Shrine wants to let the Igrid migrate to the tower?」

「…can't they?」

「No, I think that's a good idea. I'm also interested in their dexterousness.」

「Really….! No, I mean, great. Then, I'll arrange to have them migrate here.」

「Ah, oi….wait. I haven't made you a manager yet….」

Kousuke can only smile wryly as he sees Shrine leave the room vigorously.

「Sorry Mitsuki. Can you chase after her and tell her how to operate the teleportation gate? I'll set her up as a manager.」

「As you wish.」

Mitsuki nodded to Kousuke's request and left the management room.

After that, only Kousuke and Kouhi were left behind.

In the end, before the teleportation gate on the 5th floor was opened, the elves on the 73rd floor and the igrid on the 76th floor migrated.

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Chapter 3.5 – Village Building Start

A week after the teleportation gate from Ryuusen opened.

The "Amamiya Pavillion", which is the base on Ryuusen's side, was visited by more people than ever before.

Until that day, only around 10 groups have used that pavilion.

In the first place, it can also be considered as Wahid group's fault since they only informed those who they met when they were still working as adventurers.

In addition, the usage fee for using the teleportation gate is also expensive.

They wanted to narrow it down to those who don't mind paying or to those who rented a building on the fifth floor in order to operate in the tower.

The result is the current situation.

Yesterday, some of those who worked in the tower's village(planned) brought back a variety of materials including medicinal herbs that could sell for a high price.

The monsters there are said to be hunterable for a certain rank. However, they are considered to be rare in Ryuusen so their materials fetch a high price.

The rumor spread around among the adventurers overnight.

As a result, the area around the Amamiya Pavilion was crowded with adventurers.

Some of them are trying to squeeze themselves in to be able to enter the building first and confusion is growing.

That time.

A woman, Sarasa, came out of the building and called them out.

「Please listen. As you can see, many of you want to use the gate today. Unfortunately, the gate can only be used every few hours so take note that it will take time before everyone can get through.」

After hearing that explanation, the adventurers yell "Don't joke around", "Make it faster", etc.

「If you have complaints, you don't have to use it.」

Those words made the crowd quiet down.

「Thus, wait in line properly. By the way, those on the side and not lining up properly as well as those who have been violent will be banned so be careful.」

With that advice, the adventurers reluctantly began to form a line.

「Thank you very much. Also, this is my advice, if you are not prepared to camp, you have to prepare now. It seems like there's no more eye-catching things left in places you can go on a day trip.」

Hearing that, about half of the adventurers went back to Ryuusen.

Those who were left behind waited in line obediently.

There was a person who watched everything from the window on the second floor of the building.

Wahid.

「….good grief….even though they call themselves adventurers, they're not even prepared to camp.」

When he heard what Wahid just said, a man near him smiled wryly.

「There are some rumors circulating since yesterday that you could pick up treasures as soon as you enter the tower.」

「Is that so….? Well, rumors like that will subside soon.」

The 5th floor, monsters' expensive drops aside, medicinal herbs will not come out that often.

「That's already expected….」

Nodding to Wahid's words is the merchant Schmidt.

Schmidt was called by Wahid for something so he went there too.

He was invited to set up a store in the tower's village(planned).

By the way, Wahid doesn't know that Schmidt was the first merchant to deal with Kousuke when he first came to this world.

Of course, Schmidt doesn't know that Wahid is related to Kousuke too.

As a very talented peddler, he had heard stories from several merchants in Ryuusen about Wahid so he made contact with him.

「So, since you have visited me all the way here, does it mean you have considered what we previously talked about?」

「…yes. Looking at what happened, I should definitely jump on it….This isn't something that a merchant like me can overlook.」

Wahid smiled while Schmidt smiled bitterly.

「Maa, I guess so….So, are you going to accept the conditions I asked you before?」

「Yes, of course. Rather than that, like I asked before, is it really okay?」

The conditions that Wahid put out for Schmidt to set up a store in the village(planned) were quite exceptional.

Schmidt even finds it suspicious.

「Of course. So, shall we head to the other side…is what I want to say but since it has become like this now, do you mind going there later?」

「Alright. I agree. That would be better.」

Schmidt nodded and agreed.

That evening, when the chaos finally calmed down, Wahid took Schmidt to the village(planned).

—Scene Change—

「Oya, isn't that Schmidt? What is a peddler like you doing in this place?」

When Schmidt visited the village(planned), there was an adventurer acquaintance that called out to him.

「Oya. Zasan, are you here to hunt?」

「That's right. I heard that you could rent a base in the tower. I rented one to try it out. It wasn't at a price I couldn't pay.」

「I see. So, what's the result?」

Hearing Schmidt's question, the man called Zasan smiled from ear to ear.

「Did you not hear about the rumors about this place?」

「I did but as a person who plans to open a store here, I want to know things as accurately as possible.」

「….what? You're going to set up a store here?」

「That's why I'm here.」

「I see. If that is the case, take a look. If you can take care of these materials so that I don't have to use the gate, I would not ask for more.」

「Thank you….However, it is impossible for me to buy them today. I don't have anything with me now.」

「I know.」

After that, Zasan laughed "gahaha" loudly.

While heading to the base used by Zasan's party, he decided to collect some information.

「So, how does it feel on this side?」

「Not bad. Anyway, presently, if the number of people increases and taking other floors aside, this will be a village for nurturing rookies.」

「….is that so? Does that mean that you have already gone to other floors?」

「We haven't. But I heard Gazara's group went to the 6th floor. As expected, it seems impossible to go there as a day trip from here.」

Gazara is a well-known adventurer's party in Ryuusen.

By the way, they are also the party that brought back materials to Ryuusen the other day.

「That's…..」

Schmidt's eyes popped out after hearing that information.

He did not think that one floor was that wide.

It seems like Zasan knows what he's thinking.

「We didn't think that it would be this wide either. I know how you feel….I don't even know what kind of person will be able to capture this place.」

「From what I heard, there are more than fifty floors.」

「Ah. No kidding.」

They arrived at Zasan's base while talking like that.

Schmidt was immediately brought to a temporary storage location and popped his eyes again upon seeing the items there.

「These are….」

Those items are not particularly rare in some places.

However, that is "in some places".

Some of them are needed for daily life and some things can only be obtained by trading in some place outside Ryuusen.

And those items can be found there.

「How is it?」

「This is wonderful. If you can harvest them every day, Ryuusen will change.」

「No, every day is….No, that depends on the amount….ah, if that happens, this place will be exhausted for overhunting.」

「You're right….」

「Maa, actually, I think it still depends on how big this place is.」

Schmidt nodded in agreement again.

「Thank you in advance. The store you'll open will be very helpful. 」

「Also….I'd be happy if you open up a tavern. 」

「….I'll think about it. 」

「I'll thank you for that. 」

After having such a conversation, the two parted on the spot.

In the end, Schmidt decided to open a temporary store two days later using a medium-sized store that Kousuke had prepared.