Well, I was able to get the big brother-ish Tokoi to fall for them.

This dungeons safety is practically guaranteed if it was able to make Tokoi, a powerful B-Rank adventurer from the capital, into an ally.

Misha, good job picking this dude out.

Still though, its fur is amazing. Theres no beast-like smell to it at all like one of those pets aristocrats have.

Stroking a rabbit from its shoulders to its hind, Tokoi spoke in admiration.

Right? Normally, rabbits would smell oily or dirty some other way.

Yeah, its almost like yeah, like someones grooming them.

His intuitions sharp as expected of a B-Rank adventurer.

Theres no helping it, though. Lets just explain the circumstances. Well, the circumstances Id prepared in advance, of course.

I turned to Tokoi as if to whisper into his ear.

To be honest, this dungeons discovererthat is, Strawberryhas been here many times, she brushes and washes the rabbits.

Hoh?

Its because shes a rabbit beastkin, she feels a connection with the rabbits.

I have heard about beastkin sometimes being able to commune with animals I see, so Strawberrys the reason?

I nodded back to him.

Alright, so thats why she looked so unnatural when she entered the room earlier.

Exactly. Shes even been camping out here for a long time.

She said she didnt want the rabbits to get hurt Tokoi-san, cant you see?

Tokoi looked over to Strawberry, whod constructed a cuddle puddle out of herself and various rabbits.

He was observing her in consideration. I felt a cold sweat drip down my back hoping that this B-Rank adventurer wouldnt figure it out somehow.

But then he nodded.

Your words dont seem to be lies. Strawberry loves these rabbits from the bottom of her heart I can see that much. I can understand how she feels. If she wants to protect them, I will, too.

Uh huh. So you seeing her goodness has nothing to do with you being charmed by the rabbits? I mean, youre stillpetting that rabbit on your lap.

However, Kehko, when did you hear that about Strawberry?

I met her before you, after all. Besides, were both women, so it was easy for her to open up to me Also, Ive been wondering Tokoi-san, isnt it strange for a man like you to love rabbits like this?

Yeah.

His expression reminded me of when hed accidentally caused Strawberry to cry. He nodded, a bitter look on his face.

Theres a problem Ive been thinking about that is, there will be bandits hunting these rabbits when we open this to the public.

When Tokoi said that, the rabbit on his lap stood up with a start.

Whoops sorry, I let a bit of my bloodlust leak out. Just by imagining that happening

Its said that rabbits are just cowardly, but they can definitely feel that.

Yeah, small animals are particularly sensitive to bloodlust. Rats and the like can feel impending danger and scuttle away from deaths door. This guy here, though hes bold.

Tokoi looked down at the rabbit he was petting.

By the way, it wasnt exactly a problem if people decided to hunt the rabbits.

I mean, all of these rabbits were just spawned monsters being controlled by Orange and the others.

A little bit of time went into washing and brushing them, but they were just white rabbits equivalent to around 5 DP each. Everythingll be fine if the personerr, the rabbit on the inside stays safe.

They came from the spawner, so it doesnt matter how many are hunted, theyll replenish forever.

Therefore, as long as there are adventurers who come to hang outRepeat Customers, it doesnt matter if some are hunted.

We could add a pitfall trap that only activates for people who hunt them, maybe.

Like as soon as they kill a rabbit, they trigger a pitfall that takes them to a really cold lake.

Well, theyll probably survive the fall. But there wont be an exit or anywhere to rest, so theyll have to tread water until they die. Good luck.

They might be saved if they can fly, but I dont think anyone like that would come here to hunt rabbits.

Tokoi-san, could you say something to stop that?

Hmm, if its just the capitals adventurers, thered probably not be many people that would if I put the word out but there are some who aim to be powerful adventurers and who dont care about cute things. Its also possible for adventurers not based in the capital to come

I see.

Yeah. Theres also the possibility that therell be people who fall for the rabbits and take them home. Like what if some proficient adventurer starts a take-home business?

Lets have them struggle like they really dont want to leave if someone tries taking them up the stairs. If that doesnt work, theyll play dead. Itll definitely be a trauma for anyone who comes here for the rabbits cuteness.

At any rate, these rabbits just act like normal ones when Orange and the others arent controlling them Theyre just ordinary spawned monsters if they leave the dungeons domain and would die soon enough.

Yeah, lets talk to Orange about this stuff later.

Hey, Strawberry. Could you come here?

O-Okay. What is it, Kehko-san?

Sorry, I wound up telling Tokoi-san that youve camped out here a lot.

Eh! Ah, eh, u-ummm b-but I said dont tell anyooone.

Strawberry put on a suspiciously flustered expression. It was only half acting, but it was bad acting. It felt like she was trying too hard.

Seeing her, Tokoi spoke up.

Strawberry. Did something happen while you were camping here?

Fueh! Oh, um, n-no. This place, well, it gets dark at night, and theres safe drinking water and even without a sleeping bag, the rabbits sleep together and keep you warm.

!!! Hoh, that sounds perfect.

The sheer force of the jolt that ran through Tokois face when he heard her say rabbits sleeping together was astounding. The only reason he didnt stand up right then and there was likely the rabbit still on his lap.

Alright, lets set up camp for the night. As for looking further inside lets stay the night first, as wed planned. If needed, we can stay a second night.

Yeah, its gonna be a two-nighter. No doubt about that.

By the way, our exploration further inside went quicklythere was nothing more than a Core Room with a dummy core in it and a few other small rooms with nothing in them yet.