Chapter 153: Miss Dungeon (Part 4)
Link: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n7583de/
Author: Hirukuma
Translated by Zzonkedd
Edited by Gumihou
“It is the moment you have all been waiting for. Let us welcome the contestants! A big round of applause for the first person to grace our stage!”
As Munami shouted into the magical megaphone in her hand, a woman walked out from the wings of the stage.
The first contestant was dressed in a green suit dress and black-rimmed glasses. It was none other than the money changer, Acowi. I had not expected someone as serious as her to participate in an event like this.
“I’m sure that most merchants and storekeepers must already know her. It is our very own money changer, Miss Acowi!”
The stage was built in a semi-circular shape, [1] and Acowi walked silently along the edges of the stage, mostly facing the audience before stopping next to Munami, the Master of Ceremonies for the day.
“Miss Acowi, do share your thoughts with us today.”
“My only aim is the championship prize. There’s nothing more appealing in this world than something that comes completely without any strings attached.”
“A-as expected of Miss Acowi, always a pragmatic when it comes to money, right? Thank you very much for your contribution!”
I don’t think it’s good to be so brutally honest all the time, but Acowi’s people are cheering wildly for her. That large man clapping violently away over there must be one of her most loyal subordinates, Goggai.
I heard that he had given her flowers before, and I had to wonder just what kind of relationship they had. I can’t help but be a little curious about them.
“And now, let’s welcome the next participant!”
The next person to enter was a woman with long black hair with her bangs pushed back with a headband. She looked like a demure young woman in a long skirt and apron in subdued colours. This person… she’s that person, isn’t she?
“It’s the face of our very own magic toolshop [2], Fia! Rumour has it that she’s quite popular with male hunters. Many hearts were left broken when she started dating Mister Karios!”
Perhaps embarrassed to be out on stage in front of so many people, she kept her slightly blushing face lowered as she waved shyly at the crowd.
So, Karios’s girlfriend is called Fia, huh? This is my first time hearing it. I’ll remember that.
“Damnit, die Karios!”
“Miss Fia is so cute! Die, Karios!”
“Such a beauty wasted on him, die Karios!”
Wild cheering shook the air. However I have to wonder, is there a rule where you have to attach ‘Die Karios’ at the end of each praise?
Karios himself seemed oblivious to the howls demanding his death as he continued to gaze happily at his girlfriend with a relaxed face. Miss Fia seemed to notice his gaze and waved at him with another shy smile.
At this, the murderous rage of the hunters swelled even further.
Gors, who was seated next to his friend, sighed gustily. Poor guy, it must have been hard on you.
“Please share your thoughts with us.”
“I- I will… do my best…”
Her shy, slightly awkward gesture appeared to have left a good impression on the crowd. The men in particular were buzzing with excitement. Also, the killing intent against Karios intensified even more.
“Now for the next contestant!”
The next person to step up has glossy dark fur, and a charming face with a prominent nose. She paraded daringly onto the stage wearing just a single piece of clothing.
“The only female member of The Big Eaters party! Miss Suko who prides herself on her great agility and an even greater appetite!”
Even though all she did was walk around on her short little legs, the faces of the spectators relaxed as they sighed with appreciation, [3] clearly charmed by a wild cuteness that no humans could ever compete with.
I cannot tell whether she should be considered beautiful or not, but I can certainly say that she is adorable.
“Miss Suko, please share your thoughts with us.”
“Once I win, I want to feast on expensive products until I’m full.”
What a simple and easy-to-understand goal. Although, I think someone else already has the same goal in mind.
“Our fourth contestant from today… is a late entry who came in just yesterday. A surprise participation!”
The person who came out was a woman dressed in vibrant red suit with matching boots. She looked sharp and wilful at first glance, but she was really a kind and responsible person at heart. It was the Director of the Beginner Floor.
She still has that resting bitch face on, but there was a slight blush on her face as she stepped onto the stage. For some reason, she was glaring in our direction.
“Phooweet– ain’t our Director of Beginner Floor cute! Go on darling, give us a smile! A smile~!” The Director of Darkness cheered, not.
The Director of Labyrinth and Director Bear had averted their eyes, not even looking at the stage. I wonder just what had happened.
“She’s seriously glaring at us, wa [4]~ How scary, wa~”
“Given that she’s up there thanks to you provoking her, I’m not surprised,” said Director Bear.
“I did nothing of the sort. I just casually mentioned how, since this is a rare festival shouldn’t we, as Directors take a more active role? Not to mention, should the Director of the Beginner Floor participate in this wonderful activity, wouldn’t the residents also feel more at home on this floor? That was all I said.”
“It can’t have been just that. You also said something about ‘lacking confidence’ or ‘being single at a certain age’, didn’t you?
“I don’t have the faintest idea what you’re talking about, wa~”
Did the Director of Darkness really tricked or provoked the Director of the Beginner Floor? I thought it was odd for such a wilful person to participate in a beauty pageant, but it looked like she had fallen into someone’s scheme.
“Do share your thoughts with us, Director of the Beginner Floor.”
“I am here as the representative of the citizens of my floor. I believe my participation would improve relationships between all floors…”
A fittingly earnest statement from the Director of the Beginner Floor.
I am now here as a judge because she was pulled into the competition on short notice.
“And now, the fifth contestant!”
A short figure entered the stage. Of all the contestants that came in, her outfit looked to be the most expensive, she also had her hair up in twin-tails.
Looks like Suori is also participating. Since she is only about 10 years old, she looked out of place in a Miss Dungeon Contest. She should be in a Kid’s Beauty Pageant.
“Miss Suori, a few words, please?”
“Umu, our only aim is to win. Your support is appreciated.”
Then, she pinched the edge of her skirt and graciously curtsied.
Although she had a rather high-handed way of speaking, it was balanced out by her cuteness. Not to mention, everyone who knew her held her in high regard. Especially after it was made known that she had donated a large amount of money for the inhabitants whose floor were destroyed.
She appears to be more popular with the older generation, who were clapping and smiling happily as though they were at their grandchild’s school play.
I guess that’s about half of them. So far, I knew everyone and could probably guess who the remaining five people would be.
“Now then, get ready for our sixth contestant. She is yet another cute girl~”
Although it was early autumn, the girl who stepped out onto the stage wore a white coat that looked too warm even in this season. Her hair and clothes were all pure white, like freshly fallen snow.
So, Kikoyu is participating too? She was the next most unexpected contender, just after the Director of the Beginner Floor.
Appearance-wise, she looked about the same age as Suori, or even younger. There is a fragile quality about her that arouses a desire to protect, causing the cheeks of older folds to blush. However, seeing those big buff men with slightly flushed cheeks makes me want to report them to the guards.
“Do you have anything you’d like to say to everyone, Kikoyu-chan?”
“Um, I sell fresh vegetables, so your support is very much appreciated.”
Has she participated in this contest solely to promote her sales? From the way she glanced in my direction, I am almost certain of it.
She must have come up here to spread her name to attract more customers. What an excellent strategy. As expected of my fellow store rival.
“And now, we have passed the halfway point! Do you have a favourite yet? If not, keep your card open as we welcome the seventh entry!”
The seventh! I wonder who it could be?
A boyish-looking girl with short hair stepped out with a bow. At first glance, she really does look like an androgynous youth with her slim figure and short hair.
That being said, could you please stop licking your lips as you look my way, Shui?
She must be thinking about all the good stuff she could eat after winning first prize.
“A word from you, please!”
“When I win, I’ll eat until I explode!”
Yup, as expected. She is the same as Suko.
“Only three more to go. Who will be our next challenger?”
Munami’s commentary was starting to sound like a martial arts intro. I must give her credit for keeping this contest interesting.
The next contestant came in dressed in all black. Her milk tea-coloured hair looked like it had not seen a comb for a couple of days. Looks like Hyurumi had gone for the ultra-natural look.
She had a resting bitch face on, but it was clear that the belligerent expression was just there to hide her embarrassment. Her twitching mouth gave away her true feelings.
“Hyurumi, are you all fired up?”
“Hm, I guess, I’ll just do my best.”
Though it may sound a little blunt, I had not actually expected to see Hyurumi on a stage like this. She must be really enthusiastic about entering, considering that she was here at all, even though she did not look it.
“Finally, our penultimate contestant! Oh, a favourite to win!”
Munami’s excited voice shimmered with enthusiasm as she introduced a very familiar Ramis, who appeared on stage with her sideway ponytail, blue shorts and black tights.
She was not wearing her usual armour, which meant that her two most visible assets which were usually tucked away, swayed mesmerisingly with every step. Attracting the gazes of not only the men but the women as well.
Hey, stop staring at them like that!
“Haa-kkooon! I’ll do my best~~!”
She stopped right in front of me and waved her arms wildly. The arm movements were so strong that there was a bit of a breeze…
The eyes of the men around us turned towards me. I could feel the killing intent, but that quickly fizzled out as the men had a double take and… I guess it was kind of difficult to feel jealous about what was essentially a large ‘magic tool’? If I were in my human form, I may have run away by now.
“Ramis, you are as energetic as ever! Please share your thoughts!”
“Um, everyone, please cheer for me!”
She raised her arm to wave at the general audience and received a thunderous applause.
Woah, could it be that Ramis is more popular than I imagined?
Not only young men but people of all ages and genders are cheering for her. Perhaps her friendly personality and contributions to the reconstruction efforts have raised her likability among the residents. We can seriously aim for victory here.
“Now, for our final contestant… The undisputed favourite according to the statistics, the much-anticipated contestant of all!”
The shouting and cheering suddenly died down.
Everyone was staring at one point on the stage.
There, a woman stood in a blue evening dress which exposed a generous amount of skin. The daring low-cut neckline and waist high leg-slit may seem vulgar in theory, but Shirley wore it so well that she made it look more like an art form than mere clothing.
Her glossy black hair glistened in the sunlight, drawing attention to her slightly parted pale pink lips that had just the right touch of gloss to cause men to swallow.
Wh-what is this incredible sex appeal? This mature and high-class appeal clearly sets her apart from all the other much younger contestants.
Her appearance alone was incredible enough, but her every movement, gesture and flick of hair captured the attention of everyone.
Is this Shirley’s true power as the Empress who dominates the night and ensnares men with just a single glance?
“Ah, um, you look very beautiful today as well, Miss Shirley,”
“Fufu~ thank you~”
That smile alone caused several men to become weak in the knees. At this rate, one could describe her beauty as some kind of devilish power.
“Um, could you share your thoughts with us?”
“Indeed, do support me,” she said. Then, she winked and the men roared their approval.
This is bad; if things continue like this, she will snatch victory away. She’s on a different level… We have to make a comeback during the skill time; otherwise, there will be no chance of winning.
It would be great if the clothes Shui made coupled with feats of talent could turn the tide.
[Gumihou: Okay, is Shirley some kind of succubus I wonder?]
[1] Adjusted details for more natural delivery
[2] The actual term is ‘kanban musume’ or ‘signboard girl’, no, no, it’s not a girl wearing a sandwich board standing outside a store, but close. She is ‘the face’ of the shop. It’s like having good-looking people man your counter to attract customers.
[3] Add details
[4] Since the author had established this guy as someone with a thorough Kansai accent, might as well throw in all the wa, sa, na
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