Earth Dungeon 47.1

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Chapter 47.1. Analysis

Serika's lab was, as usual, in disarray. 

Swords, armor, masks, and golden masks scattered around. Magic circles were drawn on the floor, with full-body armor placed at the center. Flasks, mirrors, and books piled up, and she seemed to forget the concept of organization somewhere.

"Here's a chair... Ah, found one." 

Amid the piles of scraps, Serika pulled out a pipe chair and assembled it before sitting down. Suppressing her displeasure, she sipped a mysterious juice to moisten her throat. 

Serika leisurely drank orange juice and leaned forward.

"So, what did you get?" 

Curious, Serika asked as I took a silver cup from my backpack and placed it on the table. The cup was so shiny that Serika could see her reflection. It emitted a faint light that indicated its magical properties.

"What is this...?" 

"It's something my friend from the abandoned town obtained when soloing a dungeon-nya. I want you to appraise it-nya."

Serika possessed the unique skill [Appraisal]. Thanks to this skill, she could analyze various items and think of useful ways to use them, even low-level ones. She was known for her ability to meticulously analyze the item's useful applications using her [Appraisal] skill.

Serika grabbed my hand over the silver cup and began channeling mana. "Hannya-ra, sonnya-ra, tokabe ga funda." 

Fluttering her hand, Serika used [Appraisal]. 

Mana shone and covered the silver cup.

"I've always thought your incantations are weird-nya. Don't they always change-nya?" 

"This is a venerable incantation. Anyway, I've figured out the cup's properties. It's called the Blessing's Cup. Its ability slightly restores and revitalizes the drinker. Very slightly."

"Slightly-nya? Really-nya?"

"Yes, it only held minor injuries. It can be used only once a day."

Karin's excitement dwindled, and she slumped disappointedly. 

The cup's performance was indeed not very impressive.

The effects of the drink seemed quite subtle.

However, Serika was grinning at me with an amused smile. Was something funny going on?

"No, this is a game-changer. I've never seen one before, but every time you use this chalice, you'll slightly improve in health. Those who are underweight will gain weight, and those overweight will lose some. Bald people will grow fine hair. It even helps prevent adult diseases."

"Really-nya? If it has such effects, everyone important would desire it! It's a treasure-nya!"

I began dancing the "Nyan-Nyan" dance, shaking my cat ears and swaying my tail. But when she noticed Serika's chilling gaze, she immediately stopped dancing. My feline instincts were whispering that something was wrong.

"Is there a problem-nya?" 

I tilted her head, and Serika nodded with a serious expression. There seemed to be an issue.

"This item is best destroyed. It's an item for the wealthy, so anyone you give it to will resent you. If you pass it to someone without power, the recipient threw this cup, and those you don't give it to will hold a grudge against you."

Serika's words drained the blood from my face, as I realized the truth. 

Indeed, it would put her in a precarious position. 

"So...that's true! But destroying it... Oh no. Could it be a cursed item?"

Destroying it would be a waste, but keeping it was also frightening. Kaein struggled, tormented by her thoughts. Her powers were weak, and she couldn't afford to make unnecessary enemies that could jeopardize her position.

U-nya, and now the cat girl is rolling on the floor. Karin's mood from earlier has completely disappeared.

"Hehe. The silver cup could make the underweight gain weight, and those overweight will lose some. Bald people will grow fine hair. It even helps prevent adult diseases. Maybe I should become a lancer. I'll take a regular position at a fish market or something."

Serika happily spins the silver cup in her hands. It's the first time I've heard she wants to work at a fish market, but that's not the point.

"Serika-nya~. Do you have any brilliant ideas-nya? I don't want to carry this thing, but I want to make a profit-nya."

Clinging to Serika's leg, I beg and plead.

"You have an impressively strong desire for profit. Alright, how about you give this to me? Since [Appraisal] didn't show anything significant, I'll buy it from you as a rare item and give it as a present to someone important."

"Muu... to improve Serika's position-nya?"

"That's right. Someone important will seek this present. In return, I plan to raise my position."

I cross my legs and contemplate Serika's cunning smile. In that case, what about my position? Is there any merit for a lowly investigator who roams the outer and abandoned town? A spy on the outside that no one wants to do. A dirty job like mine.

... Although I call it a dirty job, I enjoy it-nya. Unlike before, no people are looking at me with contempt, like Sakimori. Now that there's a market, I can make a living and see people happily eating, making me happy.

"I plan to secure the right to investigate the outer town. And in return, I'll ask for a slight elevation of this laboratory's status and a somewhat better room. With more freedom and authority, you know?"

Serika is doing well, but she's an upstart from the lower class. Those elite members of noble families who always have money and power look at her coldly, and Serika is always vigilant.

While she's the one who exclusively takes orders for combat uniforms, the middlemen who claim to act as intermediaries for her production profit by entangling themselves in the materials' procurement and taking away profits from Serika's creations. She can't resist because she has no power.