DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON
I smell something good.
Senshi?
There he is.
I see you woke up.
Good morning.
You made breakfast?
Senshi is a very fine cook.
He really is.
Senshi is amazing.
BREAKFAST PREPARED BY SENSHI
So good!
Yaad, would you like to try some?
But I can't taste...
Here.
It's warm and soft.
Your sense of taste is like a muscle.
If you don't use it, it weakens.
Start by savoring the texture.
Right.
Oh, look at you.
Long ago, every now and then,
I used to sit at the table like this with my grandfather and parents.
Always beside my grandfather stood Thistle,
the lunatic magician.
My great-grandfather originally welcomed him into the castle as a jester.
They say my grandfather and Thistle were raised together like brothers.
When my grandfather ascended the throne, he encouraged Thistle to study magic.
And Thistle began to distinguish himself.
Our realm was once abundant with relics from dwarves and elves,
likely including items of black magic.
Thistle's thirst for power consumed him and drove him toward madness.
Ultimately, he cast a spell of immortality over the kingdom.
I actually want to talk to him.
Where can I meet him?
Talk to him?
Absolutely not!
Having a conversation with him is impossible.
It was a struggle just to let my grandfather slip away unnoticed.
Some were even put to death on suspicion of aiding him.
Simply meeting the magician is easy enough.
The magician's eyes are sensing something amiss in this village.
It's only a matter of time before he arrives himself.
This dungeon is like his arms and legs.
You're familiar with his terrifying power, aren't you?
But I still need to try.
I don't know if you can have a conversation with him.
But seek the aid of the Winged Lion imprisoned in the depths of the dungeon.
You should be able to subdue the magician's power.
This passage will lead you within the castle walls,
taking you back to the dungeon.
Please take this!
Thank you.
Don't give them too much, or it will burden the carriers.
The carriers?
I'll have them take you back the same way they brought you here.
Thank you. We owe you.
Good luck.
I know I shouldn't say this, but are they really the ones?
I'd like to think so.
Yaad.
T-Thistle!
Who were you talking to just now?
For the umpteenth time!
This place...
Ow...
It's a reservoir crafted by ancient dwarves.
That insanely huge place, right? Which section of it are we now?
My compass isn't working.
Dwarves do cunning stuff like that.
Apparently, it was also once a defensive stronghold.
Dwarves...
Senshi, are you feeling teleportation sickness?
Given dwarves' sensitive semicircular canals, it's quite common.
Do gnomes suffer from it as well?
I think they get mana sickness too.
Where am I?
Are you back to yourself?
W-What...
Are you okay?
Rest there a little.
We'll go explore the area.
Chil.
Can you see these marks here?
Yeah, I see them.
I need you to draw the symbols on the pillars surrounding us.
It will aid us in estimating our approximate location.
How do you know about that?
These locations typically have them.
They're like a code.
Well, it means not all dwarves have a strong sense of direction.
I've got it.
It seems we're in the southeast section...
Everyone, listen!
They're back.
We might have found Falin!
These are Falin's tracks?
She spotted us and ran away, though.
I'm sure it was her.
It was her silhouette, right?
I think it was a Griffin or something similar.
A-A Griffin?
It's a monster with the upper body of a bird and the lower body of a lion.
I've never heard of Griffins being in this dungeon.
Do you recognize the scent?
I'm not a dog, you know.
It smells like a beast.
Anyway, we have to track her down quickly.
No.
Huh?
No? Why?
Well, um...
It might be Falin.
Well...
T-Those are mushrooms I've never seen before.
I want to try cooking them.
Mushrooms?
I recall seeing them somewhere.
They're poisonous, so don't think of eating them.
I don't like Griffins.
How can you dislike a monster you've never met?
Whatever. Let's go!
-W-Wait! Don't! -Huh?
It's risky to move about!
Watch out!
I knew it.
It's a Griffin!
So cool! I've never seen one before!
A Griffin...
All that fuss for nothing!
It's coming back!
Get back!
Sperae Yeptum Rufermus.
Rufermus Sperae Alamandras Tronsum. Yovis Stantinus Histum...
My aim!
Senshi! Don't run with your back to it!
-Senshi! -Senshi!
This is bad.
It happened so quickly, I couldn't do anything.
Did Senshi have any weapons with him?
No, he was unarmed.
We have to go after him now!
Will you climb up each pillar to look for him?
Well, I won't.
Which way did it go?
If it's taken him to a high place, there's nothing we can do.
We won't even be able to find his body.
Just like that?
He was unarmed...
We might never see him again.
Marcille, is there anything we can do?
We'll summon Familiars to search for him.
Familiars?
You're going to conjure monsters?
It's more accurate to say "create" than "conjure."
There are three types of summoning.
First, you can dominate and control existing spirits or monsters.
But the conditions for this are complex,
and it might attract the attention of the lord of the dungeon.
Second, you can alter animals and plants into monsters.
But this isn't an option either,
as it takes an immense amount of time and preparation.
Third, you can create them from scratch.
This time, we'll use this method.
It sounds the most complicated.
It is if you're creating an autonomous creature.
But for now, we only need one that's mobile.
I'll prepare the magic circle,
so gather all the meat we have and throw it into a pot.
Got it.
Is that all we have?
It'd be better if we had a bit more.
There's nothing else.
We do have cheese and eggs, though.
And vegetables!
I suppose they'll help boost the calorie count.
Fetch them.
Right.
What kind of monster are you making?
Can you control it at will?
Show me how to do it.
Absolutely not!
Get certified to handle dangerous magic through the proper channels first!
There's actually a process for that?
Hey, who's that old guy anyway?
How did he join your group?
And what's with his obsession with food?
Huh?
Are you saying you don't know, after acting so friendly with him?
Well, we just never had the opportunity.
None of us are keen on discussing our personal lives.
But...
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious.
There's a lot to question about Senshi's words and actions.
Do you remember what he said when we first met him?
He claimed to have been studying monster food in this dungeon for over ten years.
But this dungeon was only discovered six years ago.
But...
He carries a couple of pots and knives crafted from precious metals too.
And he managed to decipher ancient dwarf code.
He's afraid of a monster from a level we haven't explored yet.
And he persistently treats me as if I'm a kid.
The last statement is a bit too nitpicky.
Nope.
Folks who aren't familiar with our race often make this mistake.
They don't get that half-foots are their own race.
They think we'll turn into tall-men or dwarves when we're grown.
But...
these misconceptions are only present in certain places, like the East.
If he's been on this island for a decade, he should know better.
Maybe he's not from the surface at all.
Once we manage to rescue Senshi,
we should reintroduce ourselves.
Sperae Yeptum Rufermus.
Rufermus Sperae Vilal Indumreezbam.
Martis Tilnunt Eesdum.
Histum Eres Anjarkant Rementalent.
Is it ready?
It should be.
Let's open the lid.
Thank goodness!
I was worried, but it looks like it worked!
What's with the expression? As long as they move, it's fine!
We can't waste limited resources on unnecessary details!
Okay, fly!
What's wrong?
Their vision is overlapping with mine, and it's making me sick.
Someone, cover my eyes.
The lunatic magician controls many of these.
How does he manage all the information?
I'm so curious.
Save that for later.
Right now, focus on Senshi.
I'll look for any foreign objects
by following the Dungeon Cleaners and spirits.
Follow me!
You can't follow, is that it?
I-It's not easy to walk while flying!
I'll carry her.
Izutsumi and Chil, take my stuff.
Here we go, Marcille.
What? I'm scared!
Put your arms around me.
No! I'm going to fall!
Stay still or you will fall!
What kind of position is that?
It seems like this is the most comfortable for her.
The Dungeon Cleaners are gathering around that pillar!
That's probably where...
Senshi!
I found him!
He's pinned high up on a pillar!
Griffins impale their prey, huh?
We're here to rescue you, Senshi!
Can you tell who I am?
A fly?
He won't budge.
How can I get him down?
Careful, Marcille.
Griffins have incredibly sharp eyes.
By the time we spot them, they've already spotted you.
I can't see anything anymore.
A Griffin's body is highly functional.
Their wings are powerful.
Their supple bodies are agile, with explosive power.
Their beaks and talons are sharp as well.
Outwitting one will be very challenging.
Creatures are shaped the way they are out of necessity.
They don't have unnecessary details.
Laios, what form would be effective against a Griffin?
Do we really need that horn?
Streamlined bodies experience less air resistance,
which should enhance agility.
Remember the Wyverns under the lunatic magician's control?
They were as swift as arrows.
Let's try to replicate their shape.
This should do for now.
Try flying it.
It's flying completely differently!
We should have a chance now!
While Senshi climbs down,
I'll keep the Griffin distracted!
Everyone else, be prepared to fight and provide backup!
Why's she doing that?
Maybe she needs to feel a sense of unity.
Come on, Senshi.
Use this rope!
Good, and now...
It's fast!
I'll draw the Griffin away!
Come on, follow me!
Now, back to the ground!
It got me.
It's not good enough...
I'm no match for it at all.
What should I do?
I've got it! Leave it to me!
I'll make it stronger and tougher!
I'll add horns, give it fangs and sharp claws!
I'll cover it with scales and even add another head!
With more potential, it's sure to be strong!
And it'll breathe fire and ice too!
So cool!
How do I take down a Griffin?
Do I need to focus on offense or defense?
No!
-My Giga Double-headed Flame Ice Dragon! -We don't need claws or fangs.
It should be faster, more lithe, and more beautiful.
What's needed here is determination and ego to make a creature
with the single goal of rescuing Senshi!
At that moment, Marcille's intense passion
and her prayers
brought about a miracle.
I'll give you a name.
With silver-white wings that streak across the skies...
I summon the Sky Fish!
It's so...
lame.
No, this is fine!
Now, go!
-It's so fast! -The way it moves is gross!
I'm going all out!
Everyone, get ready!
Seriously, what's her deal?
She's putting in her best effort, that's what.
I can't change course!
This time!
I'll turn around and...
Punch through!
Are you okay?
Y-Yeah.
You should take a break for a bit.
We'll start cooking, so just rest over there.
Thank you.
You did well.
Sky Fish...
This is amazing.
The vegetables are packed inside like organs.
Did you still need it?
No, but...
I was expecting you to mourn a bit, you know?
I wanted some time for that.
-Are you okay, Senshi? -Marcille.
They've already fulfilled their lives.
Consuming their bodies is a way to honor them.
But still...
Fine. Do as you want.
Cut the Familiar into appropriate lengths.
Remove the wings at the base.
Dab away excess moisture with a cloth,
and season with salt and pepper.
Fold the wings up small.
Blend flour, egg, and water thoroughly, then coat the slices in the mixture.
And deep fry them.
The wings will brown quickly so a quick dip will do.
Serve with sauce and...
It's done!
SKY FISH AND CHIPS
The meat and vegetables have melded together and it's delicious!
Yeah, literally.
Summoning might actually be a superior cooking technique!
If it consumes a week's worth of food for just one meal, it's hardly superior.
Damn. I should've taken their liquor along.
Izutsumi, eat the other parts too, not just the wings.
I don't want to.
Senshi, have a bite too.
Is the Griffin bothering you?
Want to drain the blood?
N-No, never mind.
I'm not hungry right now.
Hey, Senshi.
My name's Chilchuck.
I'm from a small village nestled in a basin, northeast of here.
For about a decade,
I've been doing business around different dungeons.
From picking locks to interpreting, mediating, and appraising.
Also, I have a wife and daughters,
but I haven't seen them in years for various reasons.
What?
-That's pretty much my backstory. -A wife and daughters?
Now, tell us about yourself.
Why are you living down here?
What happened?
My name is Senshi of Izganda.
I used to belong to a small mining crew.
We were miners, but not for ore.
We sought relics from before the war,
dreaming of hitting the jackpot.
That said, the majority of our discoveries were ore,
and finding relics like gears or lenses was a rare stroke of luck.
Then, one day,
we unearthed something huge.
An ancient castle gleaming with gold.
That's right. It was this very dungeon.
Subtitle translation by: Ai Matsuoka