Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture.
Once known as a town of foundries and even the setting for certain films, it had gradually transformed into a bedroom community over time... or at least, it had—until the monster disaster changed everything.
The monster disaster that swept across all of Japan spared no part of Saitama, and Kawaguchi was no exception, suffering enormous damage. Although the presence of the Arakawa River allowed for the creation of Kawaguchi Port, it undeniably lagged behind Tokyo’s Akabane Port in prominence. Still, without giving up, the people worked hard, and now Kawaguchi had once again become a bustling industrial city lined with factories.
Shipyards and factories specializing in the construction of small to medium-sized ships and related equipment lined the area, and thanks to the entry of Awakener companies, research institutes for underwater equipment for Awakeners had also been established. Perhaps because of that, the townsfolk—both men and women—tended to be remarkably muscular, to the point that spotting someone slender would make you suspect they might actually be an Awakener.
"Haaah... Crossing but a single river changeth the atmosphere so drastically, eh."
Inari muttered to herself as she walked through a town bustling with musclebound workers and careful, slow-moving trucks. Just as buses had become the main mode of public transport, trucks were now the primary means of moving goods. Even though land routes were relatively safe, any delay in deliveries could severely impact daily life.
Because of that, the post-disaster reorganization of the logistics network had been a top priority, leading to a significant rise in truck drivers’ wages. Thus, even among ordinary citizens, those working here earned quite a good income—and Awakeners working in transport companies earned even more.
But that was aside from the current concern.
"...Now then, where might this Saitama Dungeon No. 3 be?"
Inari was lost. Utterly, completely lost.
Bus stops were scattered here and there, but none clearly indicated a route to the Saitama Dungeon No. 3. The area was dominated by factories and research facilities, most of them off-limits to the general public, leaving Inari with no obvious place to ask for directions.
She naturally ended up asking passersby.
"Huh? The dungeon? No idea."
"I mean, I know it exists, but I’m not from around here..."
Those were the kind of answers she kept receiving. There was one person who gave her directions, but when she followed them, she ended up at a dead end. It seemed she had been misdirected.
Still, it would be wrong to criticize someone’s kindness.
"Nunununuu... What to do now..."
Inari had researched the route in advance, but the layout of the area felt almost like a labyrinth, and everything looked the same. Well, not actually the same, but to a first-timer like her, it might as well have been. Even pulling up a map on her Awakener phone didn't help much—the many unmarked alleys and backstreets rendered it useless.
Thus, the fox had become well and truly lost.
But then, as she pondered her predicament, she spotted a familiar face passing by. The clothes were quite different, but there was no mistake. Inari hurriedly rushed after the figure and grabbed the back of his crisp shirt.
"W-Wait a moment, if thou please!"
"Hm? Oh my, oh my."
Yes—it was none other than Takigawa Sebastian, the head butler of the Servant Uniform Workshop. Today, he wasn’t wearing a butler’s outfit, but rather a crisp shirt paired with slacks and polished shoes—the look of a “capable gentleman on his day off.”
"It has been some time, Kogami-sama. Might you also be here in pursuit of the famed Nabeya Coffee Shop’s brew?"
"Nay, nay, 'tis not coffee that bringeth me here. I seek the Saitama Dungeon No. 3, but alas… I am hopelessly lost."
"Ah, so you have become lost."
"Aye. I would be most grateful if thou couldst assist me…"
"I am at your service. It is fate that we have met."
With an easy smile, Sebastian immediately started walking without hesitation, saying "This way, please."
Inari, who had half-expected to be refused, was a little surprised at how naturally he accepted. Still, she was grateful beyond words, and followed behind him, studying him intently.
"Well, I did ask for thy help, but… Art thou certain? Was it not coffee thou wert after?"
"Fufufu, 'tis not a drink worth abandoning a person in need over. As a member of the Servant Uniform Workshop, one must live a life that one can be proud of even in private. I am merely practicing that philosophy."
"...Hmm. A fine way to live, indeed."
"Indeed. A life lived upright straightens the spine—and that is important, both for a butler and as a human being."
Of course, that wasn’t always true for everyone, but one couldn’t deny the sincerity of Sebastian’s spirit. In fact, even excluding the fact that he was an Awakener, his posture and gait were impressively refined.
"By the way, regarding the Saitama Dungeon No. 3 you wish to challenge..."
"Hmm? Dost thou know aught about it?"
"It is not a particularly pleasant place. I am confident that you, Kogami-sama, will be fine... but I do worry it may sour your mood."
"...Mmm."
Now that she thought about it, that Mitsuhashi fellow had also mentioned it was dangerous—but judging from Sebastian’s tone, there was something more to it than mere danger.
As the two continued walking together, Inari soon found herself wide-eyed at a sight that exceeded even her most imaginative expectations.