Otoko Nara Ikkokuichijou no Aruji o Mezasa Nakya, ne? Chapter 288

Year 7447, Month 4, Day 1

After having breakfast, Miduchi and I started on our way towards the headquarters of the company in the capital. After going over the paperwork and giving out any necessary instructions we'll check out the sausage factory as well. Since Basutoral came last night obviously it won't be in operation today. By that time it was already close to lunch but John or Terry one of the watch guards should be there.

""Ah, master, madam. Welcome.""

When we arrived at the factory John was disa.s.sembling and cleaning the meat mincer while Terry was cleaning up inside of the factory.
Umu.
The hygienic "feeling" is important since we deal in food products.
It's completely impossible to reach modern day j.a.panese standards of hygiene, a level that will never be reached, but just because other places are dirty doesn't mean we should follow suit.
It means that my efforts in harshly directing them paid off.

Since we had the occasion I had them make some tea and have a short break.

"Is everyone getting along well without fighting?"

Miduchi asked the two of them while handing them a bag of candy she bought along the way. We've already read the report from Cathy but there might be some places she doesn't notice. It's possible for fights and bullying to occur anywhere in the world of children. It even occurs between adults at times.

"There were two fights since the year started. Myusshi and Bagu, Maru and Rinbi. But, in both cases it wasn't over anything important."

Terry put a piece of candy in his mouth and smiled while saying.
If you can resolve it all on your own then fight as much as you please.
Incidentally, Myusshi and Bagu are both boys at the same age as John and Terry. This is fine.
However, Maru and Rinbi are the eldest boy and girl who reach adulthood this year.
Get along well with each other...

"Also, there wasn't any cases of bullying anyone. Cathy-san has always harshly spoken out against it since then and..umm, everyone is afraid of being scolded by master."

John said while sucking on some candy as well.
Come to think of it, I guess it was around the end of last year? Something like this happened.

I heard from Cathy that Byogu the smallest child was almost neglected for not moving fast enough. In anger after hearing that without even taking my armor off when it was close to night when we came out of the dungeon I hopped on my horse and rushed into the factory. Rushing my horse from Boil Manor in Baldukk to the factory I arrived in 30 minutes.

After arriving at the factory I told John and Terry who came out to greet me to gather all of the slaves. That day it was already in the a.m. after everyone returned to their inn but I had them all gather within 1 hour.

And then I hit John and Terry. It's only obvious for a small child to have slow movements. Take your time and patiently teach them. Furthermore, using that as a reason to neglect them is absurd. In the first place if you can't resolve it then why didn't you tell me about it? Ah, it doesn't matter either way whether or not you all were involved in neglecting them. After all for the time being future candidates for management positions.

For that sort of reason I yelled and hit them each once in front of everyone. Of course, I properly took off my gauntlet with bra.s.s knuckles embedded into it. Also, I held back quite a bit so healing spells weren't necessary. Obviously I paid no mind whether or not John and Terry had any complaints about it. Though I think they probably didn't have any.

I heard from Cathy that there's a number of children older than John and Terry and with the pa.s.sage of time there was an age based hierarchy being formed. Well it's only natural so I have nothing to say about that. If the oldest one in the group is superior then that person would do just as expected from their age after all. If it was j.a.pan then I think that would have been plenty.

However, the seniors John and Terry learned to read and write from the Basutoral couple and along with that were a bit more intelligent. They're both 13 years old this year. The level of their studies should be around the middle to late years of elementary. After all it seems they can do the addition and subtraction of fractions now. In comparison there's other child among the slaves who reach 15 years old and adulthood this year but supposedly they're at best around the lower to middle grades of elementary school.

It's because it's gotten difficult for Basutoral to take the time to directly teach them and the incomplete teaching that Cathy can do through hearsay. Even in regards to Cathy her calculation abilities and various knowledge are at best around the first year of middle school. In fact this level is already more than enough to consider it high level. Particularly if you think about how she was born at the slave ranking and you could even call it a miracle.

Even on Earth until just a few dozen years ago there were a lot of people that couldn't read or do calculations. Those sorts of people weren't educated with the foundations to make logical thoughts or come up with abstract ideas. Because of that they were said to not have enough imaginations in regards to things outside of their sphere of life. It's just my personal opinion but I even think that a low literacy rate may be an necessary requirement to maintain a system based on social status. I think this is just because the past j.a.pan is abnormal and that isn't the case for the trends of the entire world.

Whatever the case, even if it's not all of them a reasonable number of the slaves who are working in my sausage factory right now have a chance of taking on decent jobs in my country in the future. That's why a certain level of education is necessary. For ruling cla.s.s purposes.

That's the reason why I told John and Terry who were one stage higher from the start for obediently learning things to keep an eye on everyone. I gave them individual rooms for the night watch in the factory and even told all of the others to listen to what they say as seniors, showing the difference between them and the others. And then I've heard from Cathy's reports that no other child has appeared yet that can exceed John and Terry. That's why the only ones I can scold in front of everyone is just those two. Well, the only time I've scolded them was just that once.

Thanks to that John and Terry had the dishonor of being directly scolded by me but at the same time it had the result of putting more emphasis on the fact that they're "left in charge of things" by me after being by the number one adventurer in Baldukk. Just as planned.

Putting that aside, I ended up receiving complaints from the third knight group that act as guards of the capital for running my horse through the town in the middle of the night and had to stupidly pay a fine of 30 silver coins.

.......................................

While discussing various things with the two of them it reached noon. It seems Terry is looking after things for lunch today. Since they were properly cleaning without playing around I thought about inviting even just John for a meal. Intending to give Terry a bit of allowance for his lunch I went to invite John but he nervously said.."I'm sorry, I've already promised someone else.."

Well I'm sure these two at least make appointments to eat with others.

"Oh, is that so? Then it can't be helped. Don't hold back and go ahead."

After I said that John gave his thanks and went to his room.
It might just be my imagination but he seemed pretty happy.

"John said he was treating his father and mother to lunch today."

Terry said. Ah, so that's why he was making that sort of face. If I remember right John's parents were the slaves of a store that was about to go out of business. I wonder if they were somehow able to go on? For just a moment I thought of giving John a bit of money but decided against it. It's better if he treats his parents to lunch using money he earned and saved up himself.

When John returned from his room he lowered his head once and ran off holding his wallet.

"What about you?"

"Ah, that is..It's the same for me tonight.."

"That's something to look forward to right."

Miduchi said to Terry.

"Ehe~"

Terry smiled shyly.

After Miduchi and I had lunch we went to pay a visit to Tukerin's hospital and then went around greeting several places before returning to Baldukk.

.....................................

Year 7447, Month 4, Day 6

We entered the dungeon the other day and pushed ourselves quite a bit to clear four floors a day and just arrived at the teleport room of the 8th floor late last night at a considerably fast pace. And then, today we're finally going to try using the rifle against a boss in a monster room on the 9th floor. If it seems to work pretty well then just like that we'll use it against the Minos. Just when we're using it against the Mino I'll have Angela firing the rifle. Bel will be firing the most important net gun.

"Is everyone ready? We're carrying a huge burden again this time but everyone give it your best."

We stepped foot on the 9th floor. Giberuti is carrying the net gun and rifle. We'll switch equipment just before the monster room.

"Nn..Right now we're here. That direction."

Following Gwine's guidance I continue down the halls. We keep advancing while quickly defeating the {Spotted.Cave Crickets} that appear along the way.

And then we arrived near a suitable monster room.

I'd usually prefer to scout out what's there but this time Miduchi is leading the {Butchers}. I left the lead to Zenom and Ralpha while the rest of our main group follows a bit behind. Of course, Bel's already loaded bullets and standing at the ready with the rifle.

Zenom quietly looked into the monster room before sending everyone a sign with his left hand.

4 Trolls, Cave Trolls, or Troll.Kin huh?

I send out a sign that we had decided ahead of time and we get into formation.
This time Bel using the gun is the guts so we won't suddenly rush into the room.
We'll start off with everyone fortifying the surroundings while Bel is in the center. Giberuti will be on standby a bit of distance away.

Bel slowly started advancing while aiming the muzzle of the gun above and after pa.s.sing between Zenom and Ralpha advanced towards the center of the entrance to the room. Zenom and Ralpha are on standby at both of her sides. Of course they're already using the ear plugs.

I stand on guard with my bayonet besides Zenom as well. Hmn, Cave Trolls huh?
After confirming that everyone's in position I give Bel the sign.
Bel held the gunstock to her right shoulder with her cheek to the rifle at the ready.

Several seconds later.

Bang!!

Along with the roar of the rifle a certain kill bullet was fired.
The troll that was closest to us facing the side fell over to side just like that.
The bullet doesn't have any jacket, since it's just the so-called hard tip lead bullet, after hitting it's believed it didn't change shape inside of the body but just pierced through the head.

Immediately after the other 3 turned over here to the direction of the roaring sound.

Bang!!

Just as I thought a small hole was opened a bit below the left eye of the one on the left side, it fell over face forward on the spot.
Whether they realized that or not the remaining 2 started running over here while holding their clubs.

Even if it's Bel she should be about at her limit.

"I'll take the one on the right!"

I shouted before hitting the one on the right with a {Flame Catapult Missile} killing it instantly.
Ralpha, Gwine, and Basutoral fired off {Flame Bolts} at the one on the left.
Zulu and Angela charged at that one with their weapons ready.
Finally Zenom threw his magic axe and without missing it stabbed into the trolls forehead from the front.

After that we all gathered around and beat the 2 Cave Trolls that were convulsing after being shot by Bel until their regeneration couldn't keep up and they completely died. Ah, I forgot to use {Identify}.

After we killed them I checked their heads and the bullets Bel fired completely pierced through, there was a slightly large hole on the exit from the bullet with gray brains sticking out.
Hmm.
I guess they pa.s.sed out from the large damage to the brain when it hit their heads, or did they die instantly the moment their brains were destroyed...

While it might not be to the point of lead but the bullets are made from considerably hard and heavy iron so they shouldn't have flattened too much when hitting. Most likely they wouldn't have changed in shape anymore than {full metal jacket}. After all making them {Soft.Point} or {Soft.Hollow} might be the best.

I can't tell the precise caliber for sure but I used the image of M80s a copy of 7.62*51mm NATO bullets that were used by the M1 and my Type-64 in the SDF, so they should be exactly as my image seems. Though I don't know whether the amount of gunpowder is the same.

Judging from the penetration force this should be fine in regards to the caliber and amount of gunpowder.

I think taking into consideration the piercing even the bullet-head should be fine like this. However, that's when the opponent is {Lesser Yowie} and such which are difficult to pierce through their bodies. When it comes to Trolls, Ogres, and Minotaur they fundamentally aren't much different from people and horses so it might be best to make some changes...

If it comes to this then a revolver type cylinder ends up being a pain to exchange the bullets.
But, it's fine whether it's bolt action or auto but the complex structure of the parts are on a completely different level so trying to suddenly use some other form of magazine than a revolving cylinder is too difficult right~
Also, if I were to take into consideration exchanging the ball cartridges in the chamber and if I can just make it possible to exchange for each rotating cylinder then the rotating cylinder will be far more useful. After all, they can be replaced along with the chamber.

Well, that can be done eventually..I guess. It's not like you can't kill using bullets with high piercing power.
The possibility that you can't pierce through their skin when shooting them is far more frightening.
Though I say that, even if you can't pierce through they still take the energy from the bullet so I'm sure they wouldn't take no damage at all.
Either way is fine.

However, putting that aside, we've proven the usefulness of the rifle.
If it can pierce through the head of a troll then it should be fine against the mino as well.
Even if it can't pierce through their heads there's no problem as long as it works against their large chest or body which isn't covered in solid bones.
If it quickly pierces through their lungs then either way they'll quickly have difficulty breathing.
If it hits their heart then it just takes one shot I'm sure.

................................

Out of the 7 Minotaur Bel managed to entangle 4 of them, Angela instantly killed 1 of them with the rifle and heavily injured 1 more. She must have had good luck with the one she killed instantly.
The bullet went into it's mouth while it was shouting and then pierced through the back of it's head just like that.

If she can take out 1.5 of them then the rest of us can deal with them in any way we please.

Yeah. It should be fine to call it a big success.

If we have this then there's no longer any enemies that can oppose us on the 9th floor. I'm sure even the 10th floor is no problem.

I'm very satisfied.
I tried to use {Identify} on Angela while she was gathering magic stones from the mino.
Obviously I couldn't do it.
I hatefully glare at the 2 whirlpools of fog that are still swirling around.
If I think about it isn't Angela the first one to completely kill a mino all on her own other than myself?
We always team up to beat them from all sides after all.
Even when we can't beat them from all sides, there were almost no instances where one person could completely kill one alone.
If I remember right then Angela was just a bit more from leveling up to 22.
I'm sure she should have leveled up from that Mino just now.

After taking a short break I intend on going to check out a different room on the 9th floor so it should be fine to {Identify} her then.

...

.....

.........Huh?

【Experience: 1429651(1430000)】

It hasn't..increased...
No, it hasn't increased much?

What about the others? I guess Basutoral is fine.

【Experience: 844678(950000)】

It's increased by about 2,000 since before we fought against the mino, I think. Though I don't have much confidence. But, I can hope for this much.

Why?
I'm sure she killed that mino instantly.
Hmm, though it might be an exaggeration that she killed it instantly but it should have been pretty close to that.
Soon after she fired it started convulsing like the trolls but after we finished off the ones in the net and went to gather magic stones no matter how I looked at it, it was already dead.

She certainly received a large amount of experience over 1,000 but that's from the ones stuck in the net and the ones she defeated together with us..Is it my misunderstanding?

I'll watch the experience points of the shooter once more.

Bel's current experience points are at 【Experience: 1133265(1260000)】 huh.

..........................

Out of the 2 Troll.Kin Bel finished off 1 of them. This sort of fellow.

【】
【Male/28/10/7447.Troll.Kin】
【Condition: Normal】
【Age: 0 Years Old】
【Level: 5】
【HP: 292(292) MP: 1(1)】
【Strength: 37】
【Speed: 16】
【Dexterity: 10】
【Endurance: 28】
【Special Skill: Dark Vision】
【Special Skill: Super.Regeneration Type III】

The remaining 1 was beaten to death by everyone before Bel could do anything.
Everyone who partic.i.p.ated in combat excluding me earned around 100~500 experience points each.
Basutoral who stabbed it with a spear using all of his power received a bit more but that makes sense.
Ralpha and Zulu who parried and dodged it's attacks at the front also received a bit more than the rest as well. That's fine too. I already understand the logic. It's more important that everyone else received experience points that weren't far off from my expectations.

Since Bel defeated 1 of them alone it's fine to hope for about 2,000 from this opponent.

【Experience: 1133265(1260000)】

..Don't screw with me.

I observe the Troll.Kin whose head was shot through by Bel while thinking.

Swords and bows are okay but guns are no good?
What in the world is different?

...

Is it because pulling the strings of a bow require your own physical strength?
Even when it comes to a crossbow in the end it requires human strength to load.
Do you not earn any experience points from defeating enemy soldiers using a catapult during war?

d.a.m.n it.