Chapter 11: I wonder if it's a mistake to wish for a heroine from the outside.

Guess I'll go back now.

As I turn around, trying to leave.

『Ah, please wait! 』

I heard a voice from behind.

It's probably just my imagination.

Ant can't talk in the first place.

Or perhaps it can in this world.

Hahaha. The first person to talk to me is an ant?

I don't feel that lonely.

What makes me sad is an insect that won't stop talking.

I'm going home. (I'm already inside though.)

Eating gemstones and making stone statues.

Let's do that.

『Wait, pleaaaaaase! 』

Shut up, you're so noisy!

Stop following me!

『Don't say that. Please, just hear me out! 』

I can't stand it anymore. What's with this ant –eh?

I didn't use my voice, right?

Even if I did, it will come out as 「Gigaaaaa! 」 or 「Gugaaaaa! 」, then?

How did I have a conversation with the ant just now?

『That's because I'm using thought transmission to talk with you. 』

If so, that explains it.

『Not a trouble at all. 』

Eeeeeeeeeeeh?!

What's the meaning of this?

I can't ignore it.

『What's the matter? 』

I can't ignore your voice when you're talking to me!

What is this?

This voice of yours, does this mean you're talking directly inside my mind?

『Well, you can say that way. 』

So, it's just like telepathy.

『Telepati? 』

Sigh, okay, let's listen to what you have to say.

So, what is it?

We can talk now.

You're still bothering me though.

Why are you following me?

You're completely healed, right? Just leave already.

『What do you mean? Didn't you make me as your subordinate? 』

Haa? What is this guy saying?

『Isn't that why you have given me so much of magic stone as I was about to die? 』

Magic stone?

What is that?

A talent agency? (TLN: Magic stone was translated from the j.a.panese word 'maseki'. So, the talent agency in this sentence is referring to 'MASEKI GEINOSHA'.)

『A magic stone. Don't you remember? The one you gave to me earlier. 』

Gave? Earlier?

You mean the gemstone?

It's just a stone, right?

Or was it a crystal ore?

『It's a magic stone. 』

…. So what is a magic stone?

『You don't know?! 』

The ant seems shocked, I guess.

In fact, I don't even know what kind of face it’s making right now.

『A magic stone is a stone which contains magical power. And that was my first time ever tasting a high purity magic stone like that before. 』

Hmm, is that so?

I never realized it.

Well, it did take a lot of work bringing them here from below.

A snack of mine that is.

『Thanks to the magic stone earlier, not only I'm cured but I also have evolved into a higher species. That's the reason why I can talk to you like this! 』

The ant gleefully spoke of it.

Hmm.

I want it to get out of here quickly but it completely backfired on me after it's cured.

Guess I have to kill it after all. With the breath of course.

『Please don't do it! 』

The ant isn't going to run away? It looks like it.

We moved to the room on the third floor.

This room was made as a drawing room.

I made it even though there's no one for me to invite.

Well, I would've never guessed an ant will be my first guest.

After running out of patience, I end up bringing this guy here.

Can you sit across the stone table? I fix my eyes on the ant on the stone chair.

As for me, I took a seat on long (stone) sofa and curl up like a cat would.

Yeah, it feels pretty nice.

Clay as cus.h.i.+oning material is a very good subst.i.tute for cus.h.i.+on.

Observing the ant, it looks around strangely.

What is it? Are you complaining someone else home?

『Did, did you make all of this by yourself? 』

Ah, that's right.

『But, how… 』

The ant looks around once more.

Then, with its head down for a while, it began to tremble.

What? What's the matter?

And suddenly, it raises its head up.

『It's-, it's amazing! For you to own a sophisticated dungeon like this! 』

From the looks of the ant, it is excited?

This ant sure likes to overreact.

A dungeon it said?

But this is my home.

『And the stone statue adorned there. That's a golem, right. It has a weapon, so does that mean it's as powerful as a gargoyle? 』

The ant skilfully uses its front foot to point at the decorated stone statue in the corner.

Fufu, this ant sure has a good eye for the stone statue.

You can praise it more.

That's right. The workmans.h.i.+p of that stone statue can be said to be the best among my top 3 works.

It was made by imagining a knight, the main character of a movie where the ancient dragon (me) is the bad guy.

From armour decoration and hilt of the sword to even the eyes and such, it was decorated with lots of gems. A lot of days and very good looking gems was spent to make it.

……. That's not it!

Did you realize I don't understand what you're saying just now?

I gave the ant a piercing glance.

Instantly, the ant flinched.

『Please, please forgive me. I'm sorry for being too excited, this is my first time entering someone else dungeon. 』

Immediately bowing, the ant sincerely lowered its head.

Hmm, being too honest is bad.

Fine, it's fine.

So, what do you mean by a dungeon when looking at someone else home?

By a dungeon, do you mean a labyrinth? Because it certainly is.

『Don't you know the den of monsters is all cla.s.sified as a dungeon? 』

Really?

『Yes. Originally, I lived in the dungeon where my mother lives, but after my growth period end, I was told by her to live on my own. While I was searching for a place to make a dungeon (nest)…… I was attacked by a flying dragon. 』

Oh, that monster.

I say you made it out alive.

Although I almost died.

『Ah, yes. Would it better for me to say that it's more of being involved rather than being attacked? Actually, while I was trying set up a nest around this place a few months ago, there's suddenly a big explosion. 』

I see an explosion was it.

Is it because of the flying dragon breath?

That's really dangerous.

Even though, I only want to live a peaceful quiet life.

『Isn't it. Also, I was off my guard. Flying dragon is almost unconcerned of monsters and anything else on the land but for some reason on that day, it shot its breath on the ground as if it was mad at something. 』

……..I-, I see.

Shooting breath……

A few months ago? I wonder if it has something to do with that time when I was attacked by the flying dragon before withdrawing.

Yeah. It's a coincidence.

『And yes, my newly made nest was destroyed in that explosion. 』

………. Again, what a mishap.

『Even after putting so much work making it, there's nothing I can do about it since life can't be replaced. 』

Ye, yeah.

『Although I somehow manage to escape for my dear life, but then, unfortunately, I ran into an Accurate Crow… 』

Accurate Crow?

『It's a big black bird. But around here, it's known to be a powerful monster, if not the same, stronger than a flying dragon. I was lucky enough to escape from it as well. Is it because I disturbed it during the breeding the season? It emitted quite a strong bloodl.u.s.t. 』

That sounds scary.

『It is. I think maybe it has something to do with its eggs being eaten by other monsters. I heard from my mother that the Accurate Crow purposely breaks their own eggs to use it as feed for the chicks. Thinking it back now, the anger was probably caused by other monsters stealing its broken eggs. 』

………….E, heee.

Well, what a mishap…….

『Indeed. I also got into a fight with some other monster. As a result of the battle, I was completely tattered. 』

O-, Oh. Eh?

Could it be I'm the one who caused this guy to be badly injured and almost dying?

Of course not, right?

It just happened to be at the same time, right?

Yeah, that's right. That must be it.

But somehow, there's an unpleasant sweat flowing on my back.

『Since then, I manage to survive in critical condition. However, my injury can't heal on its own. After moving little by little, I reached to this cave. I was really glad. I can again enjoy this life after almost losing it. This is all thanks to you, Ryuu-sama. There's no word can describe how grateful I am to you right now. 』

Actually, I didn't do that much…. Okay?

『Such… Such a benevolent master you are…. 』

The ant decided to lower its head for the second time.

『Please, Jiryuu-sama, if you will! Please allow me to remain in this dungeon as your subordinate! This life was saved by you! I only want to use it for the sake of you! 』

……..O-, oh.

There's nothing I can say anymore

Thus, I got a subordinate (a security guard) in my dungeon (my home).