“Nicely done, Number Zero!”
“A guy like that actually had the nerve to try and hit on you? He deserved a kick to the groin!”
Watching Number Zero give yet another suitor the cold shoulder through the Dungeon Core, Li Xiuman felt incredibly satisfied.
What is this proud-father feeling...?
Oh well. In any case, I spent so much effort crafting Number Zero. There's no way I'd let anyone take advantage of it.
But... what exactly is that guy Fantes trying to do?
Over the past few days, Li Xiuman had tried to have Number Zero get closer to the human being transported by the Labyrinth Sword under the guise of observing the patient to better formulate the potions.
However, his request was rejected.
This only made Li Xiuman even more curious.
To avoid raising suspicion or putting them on guard, Li Xiuman did not have Number Zero attempt to get close again.
Number Zero also maintained its icy persona.
Just like that, it took them a week to reach the 14th floor.
The Labyrinth Sword planned to offload their loot at the shops on the 14th floor, soak in a hot spring, and stay at an inn for a night before setting off again.
Number Zero, having no need to soak in a hot spring, naturally declined the invitation from the members of the Labyrinth Sword.
This thoroughly dashed the hopes of those who had been hoping for a mixed-gender bath.
That night, through Number Zero's vision, Li Xiuman finally saw the full appearance of the human transported by the Labyrinth Sword.
Just as he had expected, it was a little girl.
Her exposed skin was densely covered in bloody holes, looking incredibly horrific.
Then, as if sensing something, she grinned in the direction of Number Zero's gaze.
Her grin split all the way to her ears, and fresh blood poured down the tear.
Her pupils also elongated into vertical, demonic slits.
What on earth is that?!
Li Xiuman gasped in shock.
Before long, however, the girl was subdued once more by the members of the Labyrinth Sword, tied up, and covered with a cloth.
Farah and the other members of the Labyrinth Sword noticed Number Zero's presence as well, but none of them said anything, calmly withdrawing their gazes.
...
Early the next morning.
The events of the previous night seemed to have significantly altered the atmosphere of the party.
First of all.
From the moment they left the inn in the morning until now, not a single member had tried to hit on Number Zero.
Li Xiuman was extremely confident in his own craftsmanship.
Number Zero is so cute. For you guys to not even try to chat her up, it has to be your own problem!
They climbed the floors one by one.
The floors before the 14th posed absolutely no threat to the members of the Labyrinth Sword.
The exit of the dungeon was drawing closer and closer.
Farah finally spoke to Number Zero.
“Miss, after we leave the dungeon, we would like you to come with us to meet Viscount Fantes.”
“During this time, we hope you will not leave our party.”
As Farah finished speaking, the members of the party subtly began to surround Number Zero.
But their expressions were slightly tense.
Over the course of their time together, Number Zero had displayed quite an impressive level of strength.
They, of all people, knew better than anyone the staggering power concealed beneath that slender physique.
“Yes.”
Number Zero replied coldly.
“We are deeply grateful, Miss.”
As they exited the dungeon, natural sunlight bathed them.
Number Zero naturally followed the Labyrinth Sword to Viscount Fantes's manor.
Li Xiuman followed them out of the dungeon shortly after.
Once outside the dungeon, he naturally could no longer use the Dungeon Core to spy on them remotely.
Therefore, to prevent any accidents, it was best for him to take direct control of Number Zero from here on out.
They entered the manor.
The last time he had been here, he had come through a tunnel. He hadn't expected to enter through the front door in broad daylight this time.
Fate truly works in mysterious ways.
So many maids!
Damned aristocrats!
Just how many gold coins is that ornament worth?
That's actually a magic tool, yet it's used just to display the time?
Damn it, I'm definitely going to come back and ransack this place one day.
Watching the feed transmitted by Number Zero, Li Xiuman's hands practically itched with greed.
“Please come in, honored guests.”
As two maids pushed open the grand wooden double doors, Li Xiuman finally laid eyes on Viscount Fantes himself.
He had blonde hair and was clean-shaven.
No longer a youth, but not quite middle-aged either.
“I must thank you all for your hard work.”
Viscount Fantes spoke, then turned his gaze toward Number Zero.
“And who might this be?”
“Lord Fantes, this is an adventurer we met inside the dungeon.”
“Not only is her swordsmanship superb, but she is also highly skilled in formulating potions. The special medicine she prepared was even able to heal that.”
Hearing this, Viscount Fantes's eyes lit up, and his gaze turned much more intense as he looked at Number Zero.
But then, as if realizing something, he seemed startled, a flash of panic crossing his face for a split second.
Those eyes... they look just like that woman's!
“My beautiful lady, might I have the honor of knowing your name?”
“Teri Zero Xiuman.”
Number Zero gave the alias they had prepared beforehand.
She isn't named Mantield. That's good, that's very good.
Fantes instantly regained his composure.
“Teri, I would like to hire you.”
“The price...”
Fantes looked at Farah.
Farah caught his drift and supplied the previous hiring price.
“I will offer you fifteen gold coins a day.”
“Yes.”
...
Thus, he successfully infiltrated Viscount Fantes's manor.
He was even allocated a rather spacious guest room.
There was no friction, nor was there any immediate danger of his identity being exposed.
Is my crafting craftsmanship really just that superb?
Number Zero's assignment was to take good care of the young girl brought back by the Labyrinth Sword and ensure she stayed alive.
Number Zero did not know the girl's name. Both the Labyrinth Sword and Viscount Fantes simply referred to her as the sacrifice.
The place where the sacrifice lived... or rather, where she was imprisoned, was somewhere Li Xiuman was actually quite familiar with.
It was the basement.
Being led to the basement by a maid, Li Xiuman felt a bizarre sensation looking at the familiar surroundings.
He even walked past the exact spot where he had previously blasted a hole.
It had already been repaired and was even engraved with a fortification magic circle.
Now that he was familiarizing himself with the layout again, sneaking in a second time would only be easier.
Should I wait for a day with nice weather and kidnap this girl who seems so important to Fantes?
No, no, no.
Better not.
Recalling the bizarre scene from the night before, Li Xiuman abandoned the idea.
He couldn't keep bringing strange things back home. This girl was clearly not the type who could be kept alive simply by tossing her a bit of food now and then, unlike a vampire.
When he saw the girl again, she was sitting motionless on the ground, seemingly in a daze.
“Hello?”
Controlling Number Zero, Li Xiuman tried to start a conversation.
“...Hello.”
She replied timidly, behaving just like a normal young girl.
She's back to normal?
“I am here to treat your wounds.”
“What is your name?”
Li Xiuman wanted to prod further.
However, the sacrifice fell silent once more, refusing to speak any further.
Even when the treatment was finished, he had failed to gather any more information.
That maid had stood on the side the entire time, keeping a close eye on Li Xiuman's treatment.
This prevented Li Xiuman from daring to ask too many questions.
The sacrifice also seemed to remain tight-lipped precisely for this reason.
Rate on N.U.
