[theme music playing]
DELICIOUS IN DUNGEON
[groans]
[Laios] Something smells good.
[Chilchuck groans]
Hey, Senshi?
[Senshi grunting]
[exclaims, chuckles]
There you are.
[Senshi] Oh, you're awake now.
Good morning to you.
I see you made breakfast.
Isn't it great?
Mr. Senshi is an amazing chef.
-Yeah. You're right. -[Senshi] Hmm.
Senshi is the best there is.
BREAKFAST PREPARED BY SENSHI
[light music playing]
Mmm. So tasty!
-[Senshi] Yaad. -Huh?
Do you wanna try some too?
[Yaad] But I won't be able to taste it.
[Senshi] Here.
[gulps]
Oh, it's warm… and it's soft as well.
[Senshi] Your sense of taste is almost like a muscle.
If you don't exercise it regularly, then it gets weak.
[Senshi] So start building it back up by enjoying textures first.
Got it.
-Good. Stay still. -[Izutsumi groaning]
[Yaad sighs]
A very long time ago,
I used to dine with my parents and grandfather like this.
[Yaad] Always next to my grandfather was Thistle,
who you may know as the mad mage.
-My great-grandfather first brought him… -[young Thistle] Hold on!
-…to the castle as a court jester. -Come on, Thistle, hurry up!
-They say that the two of them… -[pants]
-Wait for me! -…were raised like brothers.
Once my grandfather ascended the throne,
Thistle was asked to learn magic and excelled in it.
These lands were originally filled with dwarven and elven artifacts,
so there was likely black magic mixed in too.
Thistle soon became obsessed with power
and eventually cast a spell of immortality on us.
Actually, we've been wanting to talk to him.
Do you know where he is right now?
Talk to him?
You're asking for the impossible!
A normal conversation is out of the question.
[Yaad] We went through great trouble to help my grandfather escape.
Those suspected of helping were executed.
But if you just wanna meet him,
the mage's eyes have started gathering because they've noticed a change here.
The mad mage himself will appear before long.
[Yaad] This dungeon is an extension of his arms and legs.
You are aware of his power, aren't you?
We are, but we still need to see him.
[Yaad] I don't know if you'll be able to talk.
But go seek help from the Winged Lion
that is imprisoned deep within the dungeon.
He might be able to subdue the mage's power.
[birds chirping]
[Yaad] You can get inside the castle walls through here.
Meaning, you'll be able to return to the dungeon.
Here you go. Take this with you.
[Senshi] Thanks. You're too kind.
Let's not give them too much.
It'll be a huge burden for those carrying them.
What does that mean?
Simply that you'll be leaving this place the same way you came.
-[eerie whooshing] -[disgusted groan]
[Laios] Thank you. All of you.
[Yaad] Good luck.
[Laios' party screaming]
[sighs]
I know I shouldn't say this,
but do you really think they're the chosen ones?
I truly wish to think so.
-[eerie sting] -[Yaad gasps]
Hey, Yaad.
[exclaims] Th… Thistle!
[Thistle] Tell me.
Who were you just talking to?
[all screaming]
-[all grunt] -[loud thud]
-[Marcille groans] -Can we stop falling?
Wait. This is…
[Marcille] Ow, my back.
[Laios] It's an ancient dwarven cistern.
[Chilchuck] So it's this whole place, huh?
Which part of it are we in?
My compass isn't working.
I guess I should've assumed this would happen though.
Typical dwarves.
It looks like the remains of a defensive point.
[Laios] Right?
[Senshi vomits]
[Laios] Oh, does he have traveling sickness?
Probably, since dwarves have sensitive semicircular canals.
Is it the same for gnomes as well?
[Marcille] That, on top of mana sickness, I'd assume.
[gasps]
How do we get here?
[Marcille] Oh, you're back?
Huh? Wait. What…
-[happy groaning in flashbacks] -[shocked gasp, shriek]
[Marcille] You okay?
[Laios] Just rest here for a bit.
-We're gonna take a look around. -[whimpers]
[wind howling]
-[Senshi] Chil. -Hmm?
[Senshi] You see these symbols on this pillar?
Oh, yeah. I do see something.
[Senshi] Write down the symbols on the other pillars that are around us.
I can tell roughly where we are that way.
How do you know a thing like that?
[Senshi] These types of places always have some kind of hidden code in them.
Well, I guess in this case,
it just goes to show that not all dwarves have a great sense of direction.
I know where we are.
Looks like we're somewhere in the southeastern part--
[Marcille] Hey!
Guys, we found something!
-[Chilchuck] Huh? That was fast. -[Marcille panting]
We might have found where Falin is!
[Chilchuck] You're saying these are Falin's tracks?
[Marcille] She noticed us getting closer and ran, but…
it was definitely her.
The silhouette said it all! Right?
[Laios] Hmm…
It seemed a lot closer to a griffin to me.
[Senshi gasps]
[Senshi] Re… Remind me what a griffin is.
Its upper half is a bird, and its lower half is a lion.
There aren't records of this dungeon ever having a griffin.
[shivers]
[Marcille] Is this scent familiar?
[Chilchuck] We're not dogs, you know?
[sniffs]
It reeks of beast.
Either way, we need to catch up to it.
[Senshi] No, we don't.
[Marcille] Huh?
We don't? But why?
[Senshi] Uh, well, it's just…
It might be Falin, Senshi.
[Senshi] I-- Um…
Oh, over there!
I've never seen that kind of mushroom before.
Let's cook it.
Seriously?
[Chilchuck] They look vaguely familiar to me.
That said, I'm pretty sure they're poisonous,
so don't eat them.
[Senshi] I really don't like griffins.
Why are you so scared of a monster you've never even seen?
Whatever. Let's just go!
-[Senshi] No, please! Wait a minute! -[grunts]
-[Senshi] It's too dangerous out here! -[gasps]
Move! [grunts]
[suspenseful music playing]
Whoa. I knew it…
[Laios] The griffin!
[griffin screeches]
-[whooshes] -[grunts]
[Laios] How cool!
It's my first time seeing one!
[Marcille] A griffin?
So I got all worked up for nothing?
-Here it comes! -Leave it to me!
[Marcille] Now…
Spelae Yeptum Lufelms.
-[breathing heavily] -[Marcille] Lufelms Spelae Alamandras.
Tronsum Yovis Stantinus Histum…
[Senshi screaming]
[Marcille] Agh! It's too fast!
[Laios] Senshi! Don't run away with your back turned to it!
[panicked panting]
[gasps]
[terrified screaming]
[both] Senshi! [grunt]
[all panting]
[panting continues]
[Laios] Oh, no.
It happened so fast. I was useless.
[Marcille] Did anyone see if he had a weapon on him?
[Chilchuck] He didn't have one.
[Laios] We have to go find him!
Maybe someone should climb on top of each pillar to look?
Ain't gonna be me though.
[Laios] Which way did they go?
We can't do anything if they're somewhere up high.
We won't even find his corpse.
He has no way to defend himself.
Are we really never gonna see him again?
Marcille, how do we save Senshi?
[gasps]
[groaning]
I'll use a Familiar to find him.
You're going to… summon a monster?
It's not so much "summoning one" as it is "creating one".
There are three types of summoning.
[Marcille] One, taking control of existing spirits or monsters.
The conditions for it are complicated,
and it's likely, the lord of the dungeon will notice.
Two, turning plants or animals into monsters.
This one also isn't ideal because you need a lot of prep time.
[Marcille] Three.
Making them yourself.
That's what I'll be doing.
[Laios] That one sounds the most difficult.
[Marcille] It is if you're trying to make a fully independent creature.
But for now, we just need it to be able to move at least.
While I prep the magic circle,
can you gather all the meat we have in the pan?
[Laios] Sure thing.
[upbeat tense music playing]
[Laios] Hmm?
That's everything?
It'd be nice if you could find a bit more.
There. That's it.
Although, we do have some cheese and eggs.
[Chilchuck] Veggies too!
[Marcille] Hmm…
Guess it'd still add to the calories.
-Bring them. -Right.
[upbeat tribal music playing]
What monster are you making?
Is it gonna obey you?
Could you teach me how to--
No!
Go and get yourself certified to handle dangerous magic first!
[sad groan]
Wait. Is that really a thing?
So, who exactly is that old dwarf guy anyway?
[Izutsumi] How'd he end up in your party in the first place?
And why is he so obsessed with making food?
[both] Hmm…
Huh?
How do you not know the answer to that?
You all act like you're old buddies!
I mean, I suppose we've never had a chance to ask.
I can relate not wanting to discuss personal matters with people.
Although…
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious.
There are several things that I'm still hung up on.
Do you remember what he said to us back when we first met him?
It's been a decade since he started researching monster food in this dungeon.
[Chilchuck] But this dungeon was only discovered six years ago.
[Laios] That's true.
[Chilchuck] Also, every single piece of cookware he uses
is made from high-quality metal.
He was able to decipher ancient dwarven codes.
He's afraid of a monster from a floor we just reached.
And he always treats me like a child.
Isn't that last one a misunderstanding?
[Chilchuck] No.
People who don't know about our kind usually jump to that conclusion.
They don't realize that half-foots are another race.
So they assume that we become a tall-man or a dwarf when we get older.
However, that only comes from a few regions, like the East.
If he's lived here ten years, there's no reason he shouldn't know.
[gasps]
Could it be that Senshi… isn't from the surface?
Sometime after we rescue him,
why don't we ask him to reintroduce himself to us?
[Chilchuck groans]
-[chimes] -[Laios] Huh?
[Marcille] Spelae Yeptum Lufelms.
Lufelms Spelae Viralu Indumreezbam.
-Martis Tilnunto Eesdum. -[burbling]
Histum Elles Anjarkant Rementalento.
-[hissing] -[Izutsumi] Whoa!
Is it over now?
It should be.
Let's try to open the lid.
[hissing]
[tense music playing]
[music intensifies]
[hissing]
[all chirping]
[dramatic sting]
Ah! Oh, thank goodness.
I was almost worried I wouldn't succeed!
[Marcille] What's that face? I said they just needed to move, right?
I couldn't spare the resources to make them aesthetically pleasing, okay?
-Now go! -[chirping]
[gasps, groans]
What's wrong?
[Marcille] Its vision is overlapping with my own,
and it feels awful.
Can someone put a blindfold on me?
How can the mad mage send out so many of these things
and also process their info all at once?
I'm curious.
You can think about that stuff later.
Senshi first.
I'll look for abnormalities
based on the Dungeon Cleaners and spirits around here.
[Marcille] Follow my Familiar!
[Marcille] Uh…
[Laios] Huh?
[Chilchuck] Are you not gonna be able to keep up?
[Marcille] Do you know how hard it is to walk while flying?
I'm gonna carry her.
Would you two mind carrying our bags?
-[Laios] And up we go. -[Marcille whimpers]
Wait! I'm scared! [whimpers]
-[Laios] Grab around here. -[Marcille] No way!
Are you trying to make me fall?
-[Laios] Stop moving so much! -[Marcille screams]
The hell is she doing with her arms?
-I guess this is what makes her feel safe. -[Marcille panting]
[Marcille gasps]
[Marcille] That pillar!
The Dungeon Cleaners are flocking to it! That's the place!
[Marcille] Senshi!
There! Found him!
The griffin trapped him on a pillar up ahead!
I see. Griffins do that?
[Marcille] We're here to save you, Senshi! Can you tell it's me?
[Senshi] A fly?
[grunting]
[panting]
[Marcille] Crap. How do I get him down?
Just be careful, Marcille.
Griffins have exceptional vision.
[Laios] It'll already be watching you…
before you even notice it.
[Marcille gasps]
[pained grunt]
Ah… I lost my eyes up there.
[Laios] Griffins' bodies are very functional.
Their wings are powerful,
and their graceful bodies allow them to adapt quickly.
Plus, their sharp beak and claws,
they're near impossible to avoid.
[Laios] Creatures are the way they look because of necessity.
They have no need to just be aesthetically pleasing.
Hmm… Fine then.
What shape should it take to match up to a griffin?
Hmm.
Are you sure that horn is necessary?
This shape will make it a lot more aerodynamic.
So now, it'll be able to move much quicker.
[Laios] Do you remember the Wyverns that the mad mage had patrolling?
They were as fast as an arrow.
Let's try to aim for that shape.
[uplifting music playing]
[Laios] Send it out like this and see the difference it makes.
[grunts]
It moves so fast now! I think this will work!
Until Senshi's back on the ground,
I'll try to distract the griffin!
Everyone else cover me and prepare for battle!
[panting]
[Izutsumi] Why is she flapping?
[Laios] Maybe it gives her a sense of unity?
[Marcille] All right, Senshi.
Grab on to this rope!
Now, the next move is…
[Marcille gasps]
So fast!
I have to lead it away!
Come on, over here!
[suspenseful music playing]
Just get to the ground and…
-[music fades] -[pained grunt]
It got me again.
This is bad.
I can't even compete with it.
What do I do?
-[exciting music playing] -You can leave everything to me!
I've got this. I'll make it way stronger!
[Laios] I'll put more horns here, arrange the fangs,
equip it with sharp claws, add some scales, and…
-give it two heads! -[dragon screeches]
Now all of its strength and abilities are doubled!
It breathes fire and ice!
[Laios] So cool! [cackling]
[Marcille] How can it win a fight against a griffin?
Does it need more attack or more defense?
No!
[excited chuckle] Huh?
[Laios screaming]
-My Giga Two-headed Flame Ice Dragon! -It doesn't need claws or fangs.
[Marcille] Something fast, elegant, and beautiful.
What I need is the resolution and ego
to create a creature made solely to save Senshi!
[narrator] It was in that moment that all of Marcille's thoughts
and her prayers
manifested into a miracle.
I shall bestow you with a name.
Silver wings that will soar the heavens!
[chimes]
[Marcille] I summon thee, Sky Fish!
So…
stupid.
Shut up! It's fine!
Now then, time to fly!
[zapping]
-So fast! -It moves so creepily!
I'm going all out!
Everyone, prepare for battle!
[Izutsumi] What the hell is she doing now?
[Laios] Her best, or… something close.
-[growls] -[scared shriek]
[Marcille shouting]
[grunts]
[Marcille] Whoa! It's hard to control this thing!
[epic music playing]
All right. Now this time…
I'll turn around and…
pierce through!
[screeches]
[Laios grunts]
[grunts]
-[music fades] -[groans]
-[rope rustles] -[Senshi grunts]
[Chilchuck] Are you hurt?
[Senshi] I'm fine.
[Laios] We should probably take a good rest.
You go relax over there, Senshi, while I do the cooking.
[Marcille] Huh?
[Marcille gasps]
[Marcille] Thank you.
Rest in peace.
[Marcille] My Sky Fish…
Whoa.
This is actually pretty cool.
[Laios] Vegetables are packed in there, like organs.
-[screams] -[grunts]
-Did… did you need it for something? -[sobbing]
No, not really, but…
[Marcille] I just… you know, I was hoping to have
a little more time to mourn,
and now I can't…
Are you okay, Senshi?
-[Senshi] Hmm… -[Laios] And besides, eating its flesh
can be considered another way of mourning it.
[Marcille] Yeah. I know, but… [sobs]
It's fine. Do whatever.
[Laios] Chop up the summoned creature into the desired length.
Trim off the wings at the base.
Squeeze out all the moisture with a scrap of cloth.
Salt and pepper.
Take the wings and roll them.
Dunk each piece of meat you chopped earlier
into a mixture of flour, egg, and water.
-Then fry. -[sizzling]
For the wings, quickly dip them in oil to cook them.
Serve with a sauce and…
it's ready!
SKY FISH AND CHIPS
This is seriously the perfect fusion of meat and veggies.
If you say so.
You think summoning spells could play a big part in the art of cooking?
I sure hope not,
considering you need to sacrifice a week's worth of ingredients.
Dammit. I knew I should've brought some of that ale with me.
[Marcille] Make sure you eat more than just the wings, Izutsumi.
Nuh-uh.
Have a bite, Senshi.
[Laios] Uh… worried about the griffin?
-Would draining its blood help… maybe? -[gasps]
[Senshi] N-No. That's not it.
I-I'm just not all that hungry at the moment.
[clears throat]
Hey, uh, Senshi…
My name is Chilchuck.
I was born in a small village found in a basin to the northeast.
Since about ten years ago,
I've been doing odd jobs in various dungeons.
Picklocking, translation, even being the middleman.
Also, I have a wife and kids,
but for reasons, I haven't seen them in a while.
[shocked gasp]
-A wife and kids? -Well, that about sums it up
for my backstory.
You mind telling us some stuff about you?
[Chilchuck] How'd you end up living in this dungeon?
Did something happen?
[pensive music playing]
[sighs]
[Senshi] My name is Senshi of Izganda.
I used to be a member of a small mining group.
[Senshi] And while I say a mining group,
we weren't actually looking to collect ore.
What we were really after were ruins that stood before the war,
hoping to strike it rich.
But ore is most of what we dug up each day, of course.
If we were lucky, we would come across a few relics like cogwheels and lenses
every once in a while.
Then one day, after some usual digging,
we dug our way to something huge.
[amazed gasp]
An ancient castle brilliantly shining with gold.
[Senshi] That's right.
It was this very dungeon.
[closing theme music playing]