Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, Vol. 9
Page 26
Dix was all too familiar with their deity’s hunger for entertainment, having experienced this kind of thing many times before. “Damn that god,” he muttered with his lips curled back.
“So it’s Hermes Familia that’s sniffing us out…meaning they know about our dealings. Is the Guild on to us, too? Tsk, such a pain.”
There was yet another side to Ouranos’s secret mission.
Bell and the party, in addition to bringing Wiene to the Xenos Hidden Village, had served as bait to draw out the hunters, Dix and his subordinates.
That was the mission in its entirety.
“Thinking logically, they didn’t jump us when we were trailing the brats…meaning we were stronger. My bet is they were trying to find this place.”
The pursuers had been more interested in the location of their base than themselves.
Dix ridiculed their opponents while analyzing their actions.
“Wh-what are we supposed to do, Dix? At this rate…”
“The hell is there to do? There’s no way we’re gonna stop doing something so interesting. You all are having plenty of fun all the same, ain’t that right?”
Dix chuckled from deep in his throat as he looked out at the not-quite-humanoid figures locked inside the cages.
Several of the captives trembled upon hearing his cruel laugh.
“If the Guild is getting involved, I doubt they want word about talking monsters spreading around the town. There’s only so much they can do…We continue the hunt.”
Dix stood up and paced back and forth while spinning his spear around in his hands.
“We pretty much know what floor the nest is on. Maybe we should use it for the first time in a while.”
Walking down the line of black cages, Dix took about ten steps.
Holding his breath, he came to a stop outside one particularly silent enclosure.
Hyy! A small, fearful cry emerged from among the bars.
“You’ll do nicely—better prove yourself useful!”
He thrust the wickedly curved spearhead deep into the cage. An earsplitting shriek of pain flooded out not even an instant later.
Afterword
I believe that it is best for a novel’s main story to be resolved between the covers, and I do my best to make that happen.
Normally, light novels take at least three months to write. While that time span remains constant, I’ve noticed that three months feels like less and less time with age. However, I’m sure that many young people would disagree with that statement. At the very least, I remember three months feeling like an eternity back in my teenage years.
Of course, the fact remains that readers want to know what happens next regardless of age. That urge to “read the next chapter” is a trait we all share. Which is why I understand fleshing out a story is very important—but at the same time, I try to bring the story to a close by the end of each volume, even if that means increasing the page count.
After saying all that, I must admit that no, that was not possible this time.
Volume nine and the next, volume ten, are parts one and two of the same story. To all my readers, I offer you my sincerest apologies. Here I was, talking about the beginning of the “Third Act,” making all these bold claims, and I wind up with something this embarrassing. What have I done…?!
Painfully aware of my own needlessness, having to resort to this makes me want to swear off it for good.
Allow me to lightly touch on this novel’s content. I think it opens a brand-new world.
I’ve wanted to write this particular episode since I started the series back in Volume 1 if an opportunity arose. As an author, this new world is my own “adventure.” Fantasy building on fantasy. That being said, longtime readers who have been with me since the start of this journey may feel blindsided.
I believe that every event that has taken place in the main series can retain its meaning while this new addition adds an entirely new flavor to the story. Also, characters who got a running start in the side story have joined the main cast. I’ll try my best to keep everything thrilling.
Changing gears for a moment, I forgot to mention something during the previous volume. Chapter 4, “Beloved Bodyguard,” was originally printed in GA Bunko Magazine under the same title and updated for volume eight. My apologies.
This afterword was really all over the place, but the time has come for me to express my gratitude.
To my supervisor, Mr. Kotaki; to the one who always takes time out of his busy schedule to provide beautiful illustrations, Mr. Suzuhito Yasuda; to everyone involved, thank you for making this volume possible. Lastly, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to every reader who picked up this book.
Concerning volume ten, a certain heroine who barely appeared in this volume will most definitely have a role to play. A certain other heroine, who has gone “dark” if you believe the rumors, will also make an appearance. They will bring forth devastation the likes of which has never been seen before.
Since the story had to be divided into two halves, I am working night and day to make part two available as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you for reading this far.
Let’s meet again in the next installment.
Now I will take my leave.
Fujino Omori
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