Let's Teach Aqua How to Use the Magic Camera!
The fact that Elmirah's Ancient Dungeon was floating in the sky spread like wildfire.
It was Princess Eltia—Tia—who made the announcement.
Apparently, after reading our report, she went to verify it herself with the Rivana Knights in the royal garden.
The information was made public through the Adventurers' Guild. Shockingly, my name was printed in huge letters as the one who discovered it.
It was like: "Discovered by Tabito, Tabito, Tabito."
Because of that, a weird nickname started circulating among adventurers: "Sky Tabito."
Well, it's mostly meant in a good way, so I don't really mind.
“Looks like an A-rank party is finally heading into the Elmirah's Dungeon.”
“For real? Think they can make it to the second-floor stairs?”
“Who knows. I heard Sky Tabito already went way deeper though.”
Walking through the city, I heard adventurers talking like this all over the place.
They didn’t seem to recognize my face, which made me feel a little awkward.
Actually, wait a minute... Isn’t this kind of like that thing?
A single line from Tabito sent people chasing the skies.
Find it—I left everything in the sky...
“It’s quite the fuss, huh? The whole city’s excited about the dungeon. It’s all thanks to you, Tabito.”
Just as I was thinking that, Milfie called out to me.
That was close. I was about to start thinking some pretty cringey lines.
As she said, you really can’t walk anywhere without hearing talk of the Elmirah's Dungeon.
“Yeah. But it’s not just me. It’s thanks to everyone.”
“We never would have found it without you. I don’t think it’s wrong to say it was because of you, Mister Tabito.”
“Aqua’s right! But hey, are you really okay not rushing to clear it? What if someone beats us to it...?”
Sure, that could happen.
But I’m not worried. I gave a smug thumbs-up.
“Don’t worry. I never skip checking the reviews.”
Every morning, noon, and night, I check the guide map.
The Elmirah's Dungeon reviews are piling up—already at 454.
“I wish we could see those too. What kind of stuff are people writing?”
“Let’s see...”
---
B-Rank Adventurer Dreaming of Full Completion
★☆☆☆☆
T-Too many monsters... We're retreating.
Self-Proclaimed Strongest Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Before I knew it, I got teleported back to the entrance.
How the heck are you supposed to clear this?
Leader of a B-Rank Party
★☆☆☆☆
The monsters are way too strong.
How are you even supposed to make progress?
Adventurer Who Loves Gardens
★★★★★
It’s so beautiful.
Can’t believe a place like this existed. So lovely.
---
“………”
“Is something wrong, Mister Tabito?”
I can’t tell them.
It’d be hard to say, “Everyone seems to be suffering a lot!”
And going back to earlier—doesn’t this all kind of make it my fault?
Sure, the excitement is real, but people are clearly struggling.
Well, I guess that makes sense. We were having fun, but come to think of it, our group was made up of top-tier members.
We had Bridget, an S-rank adventurer, Milfie, who’s A-rank, the brilliant mage Aqua, and me—well, I guess I’m “Map Tabito”…
Ugh, I’m starting to feel guilty.
“Th-The garden got good reviews, so that’s something!”
Clinging to the only high rating I found, I answered. The two stared back at me blankly.
Crap. That was probably not the reaction they were expecting.
Gotta change the subject.
“B-But seriously! That thing is amazing, huh!”
“Huh? Oh—yeah, it really is!”
We looked up.
A pillar of water stretched all the way to the clouds.
White bubbles could be seen swirling inside.
A group of four adventurers was rising up, like they were on an elevator.
Their destination, of course, was Elmirah’s Dungeon.
“I never thought the royal family would make such a secret public… That’s some incredible magic.”
Just like Aqua said, Tia ordered it installed, and it was done within days.
According to Bridget, some voices wanted it reserved for Rivana soldiers only, to secure profits.
However, it quickly became a tourist attraction. The transport fees are now being used to fund anti-tidal measures.
Plus, with more adventurers challenging the dungeon, monster appearances have ceased and peace has returned.
In the end, I played a small part in that. Makes me feel a bit proud.
Bridget is apparently swamped with work again. She really is a workaholic.
Whoa!?
“Aqua! Now! Take the magic photo!”
“Eh? Ah, y-yes!?”
I shouted quickly.
Aqua grabbed the magic camera hanging around her neck and peered into the viewfinder with clumsy hands.
The previous adventurers had already disappeared into the sky, but a new group appeared.
She still hadn’t pressed the button.
Click.
“I-I got it!”
Wiping her brow like she’d just finished a marathon, Aqua let out a breath.
I bought that camera at Edilio’s magic item shop.
I figured photos would be useful when I made our guidebook.
We’re still exploring the Ancient Dungeon, but we also decided to finish the Rivana guide map at the same time.
The magic camera runs semi-permanently on the user’s mana.
We later learned that higher mana improves zoom levels.
That made Aqua the best person for long-distance shots.
Rivana has lots of sightseeing spots, and the architecture is unusual, so we’ll be taking plenty of distance shots.
That’s how Aqua became our official guidebook photographer.
Today was her first assignment, but...
“Th-The photo… i-it came out!”
Aqua exclaimed, unusually excited.
Milfie and I stared as the picture printed out with a bzzz, and picked it up.
It was… wildly out of focus.
And the water pillar wasn’t even in the frame. Just the sky. A very blurry sky.
Looks like she’s great at magic, but photography… not so much.
“How is it? Did I do okay?”
Aqua looked up nervously. Telling her the truth would hurt.
What matters now is that she enjoys it.
Milfie and I exchanged glances and gave her stiff, forced smiles.
“F-For a first try, it’s fantastic! Just a tiny bit off-center, and the focus is, uh, soft—but no big deal!”
“Y-Yeah! T-To get the button timing right on the first try, Aqua, you’re a genius!”
Milfie, that’s laying it on a little thick...
But Aqua beamed with pride.
“Really? You know, I’ve always been hopeless at everything besides magic… So I’m really happy to have found something else I’m good at.”
That response was extra sweet.
And she did her little ear-wiggle of joy.
She then reached out with her right hand and said, “Please show me the picture too.”
I quickly stuffed it into my pocket.
“Mister Tabito? What’s wrong?”
“Eh? N-No, uh... they say photos turn out better if you keep them in your pocket for a while! Right, Milfie?”
“Eh, really?”
Nooo, don’t play it straight! Pick up on the lie!
“Y-Yeah, that’s right! A-Alright Aqua, let’s go! We’ve got tons more to shoot!”
“Eh? O-Okay!”
Somehow, I’ll help Aqua improve her photography skills.
---
Milfie
★★★★★
Turns out photos look better after being in your pocket.
First I’ve heard of it! Tabito sure knows a lot!
Aqua
★★★★★
I thought magic was all I had.
But maybe not.
This is fun.
Tabito
★★★★★
Gotta help Aqua improve.
You can do it, me. You can do it. You can do it.
What do you think about this chapter?
