DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON
We're back!
-Nothing beats the air above ground. -Here you go.
Is it morning or evening?
Don't touch the window yet!
You'll disrupt the teleportation spell!
Kabru.
Tomorrow, I'm going to report to the Lord of the Island.
I want you to back up my story.
Are you going to share everything with him?
There's no need to bring up Laios and his party specifically.
I just don't want Falin to take any more lives.
All right.
You should get some good rest today.
Check it out, Kuro!
Huge ship.
I wonder if it's packed with rich folks!
This is bad.
Toshiro,
I think we should head out right now.
What's this white ship?
It's a ship of the western elves.
See that figurehead of a little bird?
They're known as the Canaries.
They show up when a dungeon's danger level rises past a certain point.
Their mission is to investigate dungeons and take control of them.
Word had it they were applying pressure on the Lord of the Island,
but it looks like they're really cracking down now.
Is that even permitted?
This land belongs to tall-men.
Short-lived races are like infants to elves and dwarves.
And the Lord of the Island isn't skilled at negotiations.
We should hurry.
Hey!
It's you, Shuro.
Namari.
Where's Falin?
Laios and the others haven't given up yet, though.
I see.
Were they eating "you know what"?
They were.
We've come to see the Lord of the Island.
That's not possible.
Some important folks showed up suddenly, and he's been in there since.
It's been hours now.
We're too late.
Let's go inside.
We can't do that.
If the elves get hold of the dungeon, it's going to be over.
My hometown also thrived because of a dungeon.
But one day, monsters flooded out,
the elves came, and many lost their lives.
Why did my family have to die?
My mother worked so hard to raise me on her own.
She didn't deserve to die like that.
I don't want to see that happen again.
The existing system, where only certain races wield power,
is detrimental to everyone involved.
Excuse us.
We've come to make a report to the Lord of the Island.
What is it?
As you can see, we're in the middle of a discussion.
We ask you to leave.
It concerns the current condition of the dungeon.
Please hear us out.
I mustn't be intimidated.
Keep it brief.
Just earlier, while exploring the dungeon,
we encountered a human who had been transformed into a monster.
-What? -What?
Dammit. A Chimera.
It's advancing quicker than we thought.
See? What did I tell you?
I knew we couldn't afford to leisurely wait for a response!
Order them to come ashore at once!
You have no right to do that!
Calm down, old man.
Borders become inconsequential when lives are at stake.
You have no right to treat me as elderly!
Tansu, why don't we let them have their way?
What?
I'm impressed, my lord.
You are flexible and wise.
Please place your seal here.
You mustn't! You can't!
That just made matters worse.
If only...
I had the ability to take control of the dungeon,
there wouldn't be an issue.
But it was beyond me.
So I began searching for ways to assist other capable adventurers.
But the majority of them turned out to be self-centered and insignificant.
Just as I resolved to tackle the dungeon myself,
I heard rumors about the Touden siblings.
He must come from good stock.
He's got good instincts, but he's just too selfless.
Anyway, he's weird.
The more I looked into him, the stranger he seemed.
He's not particularly strong, yet he somehow made it to the lower levels.
Giving money to folks with nothing but bad gossip surrounding them.
His mysterious background.
His odd companions.
But for some reason, I had a hunch that this man
might play a big part in the fate of this island.
The question is whether it'll be for better or worse.
I've been eager to talk with him in person and form my own opinion.
And after finally conversing with him, I've become convinced.
All he cares about are monsters.
He's incapable of considering the future of the island.
It shouldn't be left in his hands, but I'm sure of one thing.
Currently,
among all the tall-men, he's the closest to reaching the heart of the dungeon.
This could be his one and only chance.
Therefore, I can't let the elves interfere.
Dealing with him must wait until later.
I've had enough of this.
Do as you please.
My lord!
Give the order to come ashore.
Please wait!
The dungeon's layout, environment, and the types of monsters within
are undergoing drastic changes.
It's extremely unstable.
We're well aware of that.
It's a natural occurrence during a dungeon's expansion.
We must halt it without any delay.
It's similar to a person's growth spurt,
a phase that requires the most nourishment.
What're you talking about?
Fifteen years ago, my hometown
was destroyed because of a dungeon.
It was a town called Utaya.
Fifteen years ago?
That means...
Are you the kid who survived that incident?
I heard that the vice commander at the time took you in.
That's right.
I was in her care for a few years.
Hmm.
She must've doted on you, and yet you became an adventurer.
I dreamt of enlisting, but the racial barrier stood in my way.
But I wanted to do what I could
to prevent another tragedy like the one in my hometown.
How admirable.
Are you making enough to eat?
You should visit her and show her how you're doing once in a while.
And?
You mentioned nourishment.
What about it?
Continue.
Thanks to your efforts,
the dungeon in Utaya collapsed swiftly.
But many soldiers and citizens lost their lives.
Because the dead turned into monsters
and ate people alive.
I heard there were many soldiers who were ambushed from behind.
Even if you charge in with sheer numbers, it will be like Utaya all over again.
I propose sealing the dungeon.
We must not feed it.
Damaging the dungeon through combat can't be what you want either.
What about the people still inside?
Most of them are on the first level.
We'll evacuate them gradually.
Everyone has some connections.
I know people I can reach out to for assistance.
Please let me handle this!
This guy
ate monsters with a background like that?
Hey, begin preparations.
-For an investigation. -Huh?
You're up to something, aren't you?
Since you insist, let's see what you can do.
If anything happens, we'll send in troops at once.
Am I clear?
Yes.
Is it like scrambled eggs?
Huh?
You once likened souls to eggs.
If two souls are blended together,
what kind of egg would that be like?
For example,
a scrambled egg is entirely different from a sunny side up.
Listen.
I didn't use an egg to illustrate a soul
so you could jump on my words and play with them.
Is that so?
I thought it was quite a clever metaphor.
Nothing has as many properties as an egg.
Consider, for example, its coagulation temperature.
The whites and yolks coagulate at different temperatures.
It can be whipped, used as a moisturizer, and serve as an adhesive.
What's interesting is its emulsifying ability.
Despite water and oil being natural opposites,
eggs can blend them together nicely, under the right conditions.
Like so.
Well...
True, why did I liken souls to eggs?
Laios, fetch me the bread over there.
It's done!
SOUL EGGS BENEDICT
How do you eat this?
Use a fork and knife.
Scoop up the yolk and sauce with the bread.
Naturally, it's delicious.
Izutsumi,
would you stop glancing around at nothing?
Or do you actually see something?
Not really.
I just thought I sensed a presence.
What?
Maybe what I'm seeing isn't a hallucination!
Huh?
Well, the other day when I had mana sickness,
I mentioned seeing and hearing things, right?
It's been going on this whole time.
This whole time? Why didn't you tell us?
Because he'd be quick to think there's something wrong with my head.
Am I wrong, though?
What are the hallucinations like?
I hear someone talking to me constantly.
At first, I couldn't make out the words.
But over time, both its voice and form have become clearer.
I was scared, so I've been trying to ignore it, but...
So you could hear me all along.
What did it say just now?
It's upset because I've been ignoring him.
Is it safe to talk with it?
Does it feel evil?
Yeah. If anything, I'd say so.
Hey.
How can I help you?
What's it saying?
It's upset I'm treating it like a fiend.
Also...
it's saying, "Aren't you grateful I saved you from the magician?"
Huh?
I remember now!
That did happen, didn't it?
Thank it for us.
It wants us to meet someone.
What should we do?
This someone better not be a Grim Reaper.
Well, we don't really have other options.
Okay! Take us to this person!
What?
This place...
Hey!
Watch out!
A U-Unicorn!
You guys, are you from outside by any chance?
No, we were in the dungeon and...
This is a big deal!
Come with me!
The monsters are so tame.
They're under orders not to hurt us.
But you outsiders are different.
Always keep the village's things on you.
Izutsumi, what's the matter?
Is it teleportation sickness?
Maybe the fatigue's getting to her.
Is that the Golden Castle?
Yup.
We were brought here by some ghosts.
Are they residents here?
They are.
But you can hear all about it from the person you're about to meet.
I don't really understand why you guys were chosen either.
"Chosen"?
Here we are.
Sit tight for a bit.
The master's gone to worship.
-It's them. -What?
These guys?
Seems you were out of luck a bit.
Make yourselves comfortable in the village until the master comes home.
It seems like everyone's dying to look after you guys, anyway.
What should we show you?
There isn't much to see in this village.
Are they all residents of the Golden Castle?
I don't see any elderly people around.
I want to see where the monsters are kept.
I'd like to check out the fields we passed on our way here.
What? That's what you're interested in?
Sure, we can take you there.
-Hurray! -Hurray!
I'll wait here.
We can't leave Izutsumi alone anyway.
I'll stay too.
A-A Minotaur...
Female?!
They're our milk cows.
Why use monsters as livestock?
Huh?
Well, regular livestock was hard to acquire.
This is a fine, well-tended field.
Do the villagers consume all the produce?
Actually, there's a lot of waste.
But without fields, there's nothing for us to do.
We're maintaining them to replicate our lifestyle from above ground.
Oh!
Izutsumi, are you okay?
At least she doesn't seem to be unwell.
Um, could we get a moment of your time?
Dresses?
Exactly!
We make clothes!
We usually take turns dressing up,
but it's become monotonous with the same members.
I'd be happy to help.
Which one should we try?
I think we should go with red.
Sorry,
they might seem old-fashioned to you.
I wouldn't say that.
This isn't quite what I was expecting.
I suppose being isolated from the outside for a millennium would alter fashion too.
Try these next!
That's good!
I'm pretty particular about my drinks,
but this is pretty decent.
I'm honored.
I serve it to orcs sometimes,
and the latest batches have been quite popular.
It's really nice.
Do you happen to make wine as well?
I've actually just begun recently.
But compared to the ale that I've been brewing for 400 years,
it's been a bit tricky.
Four hundred years?
That's a long-standing brewery!
What generation are you?
I began when I was 600 years old, so I'm the first generation.
I see.
They let me milk a Minotaur!
That's cool.
Keep it to yourself.
This is incredible!
They've completely succeeded in cultivating monsters here!
Just look at that vast Dryad farm!
They've got four nipples, just like a cow!
This is making me feel sick.
Anyway, it was an amazing experience.
Milking a...
Speaking of which, where are Marcille and Izutsumi?
How did that bring them to mind?
S-Sorry for the wait.
What's up with your outfits? You're having too much fun!
It's not like that!
They wanted us to, and we couldn't say no.
I did choose the tamest one, you know.
NOT TAME
Marcille, you...
W-What?
Why is Izutsumi so attached to you?
That's your question?
I wonder too!
It's like she's regressed to infancy.
Hmm!
No!
There are multiple barriers layered on top of each other here.
So maybe they're somehow interfering with something inside Izutsumi.
Because she's half-monster?
Yeah.
I've never encountered a barrier that suppresses aggression in monsters before.
If only I could decipher this.
But there are too many unfamiliar characters,
I can't solve it overnight!
Everything I try to study is censored these days!
But this place is really amazing.
If it weren't for this situation, I'd have loved to remain here forever.
Me too.
Sorry for the wait.
Although modest, we've prepared a meal for you.
Please follow me.
Welcome, everyone.
I've been looking forward to meeting you.
My name is Yaad.
I'm the grandson of Delgal, whom you must be familiar with.
Delgal...
Please take a seat.
I'll share with you the long tale of why I've summoned you here.
Serve them.
VEGETABLES IN SLIME ASPIC BEEF RIB STEAK
BLADE FISH LOAF POTATO AND RABBIT SOUP
Um, what kind of meat is this?
Right. As your group specifically requested,
it's Minotaur meat.
Do you regularly eat monsters too?
Some do, but we generally don't eat at all.
Partly because our sense of taste has diminished,
but in the first place, we don't experience hunger at all.
That's the curse of immortality the lunatic magician has placed on us.
Why did the magician do such a thing?
Who knows?
By the time I was old enough to understand things,
he was no longer in a state to hold proper conversations.
But don't concern yourselves about us.
Please, enjoy your meal.
We might not feel any hunger, but it pleases us to watch others eat!
-I can't say I don't want to eat now! -I can't say I don't want to eat now!
My grandfather...
blamed himself for turning the magician's focus on black magic.
And he agonized over it for a long time.
Eventually, he headed to the surface seeking assistance.
How is my grandfather known on the surface?
As far as I've heard,
he emerged suddenly from an underground graveyard near a village.
He named himself the king of a fallen kingdom,
and offered the entire realm to anyone who could defeat the lunatic magician.
Then, he turned to dust.
Is that so?
At least there's some solace in knowing
that he has been liberated from his suffering.
Many have left the village seeking to escape the curse.
But none have succeeded.
They've simply lost their flesh.
Without their bodies, they gradually lost their identities,
transformed into fiends, and are unable to return here.
You must've encountered some of them.
-We have! -We have!
-We blasted them with holy water -We blasted them with holy water
-and made sorbet out of it too! -and made sorbet out of it too!
S-So,
what's the reason behind inviting us here?
The prophecy.
The prophecy?
That's right.
"There will come one bearing a winged sword,
who will defeat the lunatic magician and free us."
Winged?
Does that mean Kensuke?
It does have wings, but...
Huh? It has a lion's face on it!
When did that happen?
The Winged Lion is the guardian deity of this kingdom.
The lunatic magician has imprisoned it at the depths of the dungeon.
But even now, through dreams, it prophesies the future and guides us.
My grandfather also left for the surface because of a prophecy.
Sir Laios,
the prophecy continues like this.
"The bearer of the winged sword will defeat the lunatic magician,
and become the new king of this kingdom."
You've got the wrong person!
He only picked up this sword by chance!
It wasn't chance.
The fact that it's here now suggests it was predestined.
Sir Laios,
will you give us your word?
That you will defeat the lunatic magician
and liberate us.
I...
Um...
Please let me think about it.
Just say no.
Why are you giving them false hope?
I can't just turn them down.
Kensuke,
when did you undergo your transformation?
It might have happened when the Dungeon Cleaners got to it.
I was so nervous
that I couldn't really taste the food they prepared.
You shameless bastard!
How dare you make a request on our behalf!
In truth, it barely had any taste at all.
They mentioned they don't need to eat.
That's why their cooking skills are lacking.
I've been thinking.
They shouldn't need fields or dishes.
So why do they have them?
Why do they persist in cleaning and maintaining them for a millennium?
It must be because they depended on them
to stay sane and to keep on living.
Laios,
I remember what you said to the orc chief.
Huh?
What did I say again?
Well, you should sleep on it for a night.
Can I stay here too?
Sleep in the room they prepared for you.
I don't want to be alone!
Izutsumi is acting weird too.
Scoot over.
Sleep on the floor!
His hands were cold.
Subtitle translation by: Ai Matsuoka