It was tough...
Really, truly tough.
First, I had to get the impurities outta the seawater—and on top of that, critters kept washin' in with it.
For the first step, I used a coarse-mesh barrier to stop the larger lifeforms and debris.
Next, a finer mesh, then finer still—five barriers in total.
I set this up as soon as I figured out what was going on.
Thanks to that, we had a huge catch today.
Not that I'm happy about it.
Step two: distillation.
I built a big seawater pool and heated it up. Adjustin' the heat was a proper nightmare. Too hot and it'd blow steam everywhere. Ease up even a little and the salt'd burn and crust. Go too gentle and the water wouldn't even evaporate.
It was really, truly rough...
Steps three and four got done together.
I hauled away the finished salt and poured in the next batch of seawater.
This used a 'Pitfall' setup.
Salt'd drop below; once the floor reset, seawater would flood in.
I dried the fallen salt further with wind and fire magic.
With this, I scored a mountain of salt. Might sell it someday.
Step five: I had to turn the vapor back into water.
The steam got sucked through ceiling vents by wind magic and channeled into another room. In that cramped space, it condensed on its own. I cooled it down more, and there we had it.
By the time I finally finished the water purifier, it was already afternoon.
I mean, this is all my own fault, so I ain't got no right to complain...
Come to think of it, Andre knew from the very start, didn't he.
Back when I pumped seawater into the pipes, he double-checked things he wouldn't normally. And when I explained the boiler, his words had that loaded kinda tone.
"Then just say it," I think—but I don't say it out loud.
'S what happens when a dumb Master don't think things through.
If someone said that to me, I couldn't argue.
When water finally came out the tap, I was so moved I shook, tears runnin' down my face like a big ol' baby.
By the way, I used that first batch of seawater to make some saltwater broth. Paimon's water supply had run dry, which got me a bit panicked—but it's fine now. This time, water's definitely comin' out the pipes.
"Delicious!! This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my whole life!!"
"It ain't all that. Only seasoning is the seawater, y'know."
"That's not true at all!! It's, it's like a dream... getting to eat something so wonderful together with... with comrades!"
Paimon's eyes were all teary as she poured her heart out.
I mean, from my side, I only made this as a temporary fix 'cause I had to process all the seafood I'd hauled in and water wasn't gonna be available for a while—so getting praised this much kinda makes me feel bad, honestly.
But hey, for Paimon, I guess it ain't the soup itself that matters—it's the company.
The saltwater broth filled the big new stockpot I'd made. Figured it'd be useful for other stuff too, so I made extra.
"Good?"
"Yes...! ...Yes!"
"Don't cry, don't cry. I'll make sure you get lots of good food from now on, alright."
"Yes!"
Mm. Paimon's cute today too.
Right, I'm way behind schedule—gotta get today's Dungeon Master work done now.
It's already past noon.
And lately, I can feel my smartphone's white stare boring into my hand.
I use 'Summon' to call an Orc.
Skipping the first-meet spiel—same as with Paimon, basically.
"So yer sayin' you'll have us handle the chores, and in exchange you'll grant us shelter and food?"
"Yep. Pretty much. With just eleven of you, reconstruction's gonna be rough, right? And time-consumin'?"
"Aye..."
Once I explained we'd cleared out the Redcaps and the Great Wall Labyrinth made future breaches nearly impossible, the Orc eased up a lot.
From their side, I guess I'm like a hero who avenged 'em.
Thing is, it wasn't me who beat those Redcaps that attacked 'em—and I didn't fight 'em direct either. They died to traps.
"Got it. We'd be right honored to work under ya, Demon Lord."
"Just call me Kiasu. Same here—lookin' forward to workin' with ya."
We shook hands firm, the Summoning Circle vanished, and the Orc stayed. Orc recruitment, smooth and done.
Gotta do this eleven more times, though...
Once I've got some breathing room, I'll send one of the Orcs as a messenger to the Goblin village.
Please, no more Summoning...
Summary:
The protagonist completed a grueling multi-stage salt production and water purification system after accidentally flooding the dungeon's pipes with seawater. Despite securing a massive salt haul and successfully creating fresh water, the protagonist lags behind schedule and still has eleven more orc summons to complete. The emotional payoff from Paimon's tearful gratitude contrasts sharply with the looming administrative work ahead.
Trivia:
The seawater filtration system uses five progressively finer mesh barriers to strain out impurities and sea life.
The distillation process required precise heat control—too much caused steam explosions, too little failed to evaporate.
Wind and fire magic are used to further dry the salt after it drops through the Pitfall mechanism.
Andre had prior knowledge of the seawater crisis but chose to speak in loaded hints rather than directly warning the protagonist.
Paimon's water supply ran completely dry, making the successful water purification a relief beyond just convenience.
The Orc recruitment is part of a larger plan—eleven orcs total, plus future contact with the Goblin village.
The Great Wall Labyrinth serves as a defensive measure that makes future monster invasions nearly impossible.
The smartphone in the dungeon setting functions as a system interface that seems to judge the protagonist's performance.
Notes:
• Andre - A demon of the sixty-fifth rank in Solomon's seventy-two demons, appearing in the form of a peacock. Acts as a conductor of sophistry and a support interface for the dungeon master. Bestows knowledge of surveying, astronomy, and geometry. Displays a formal, refined demeanor with hidden warmth and genuine concern for her master's safety, though she expresses frustration through sharp lecturing. Colleague of the narrator. Speaks to the Demon Lord without fear. Blunt and sarcastic. Uses insults casually but reveals underlying care through actions. Functions as the straight-man tsukkomi character. The protagonist's smartphone companion who serves as both advisor and voice of reason. Speaks with polite, respectful deference while occasionally expressing exasperation at the master's priorities. Questions the safety of dungeon designs and serves as a grounding presence to the protagonist's whims.
• Master - The dungeon master and protagonist of the story. A self-aware individual who acknowledges his own laziness and tendency to prioritize comfort over dungeon management. Possesses absurdly high stats and a vast array of skills despite being Level 1. Maintains a casual, modern internal monologue with self-deprecating humor.
• Paimon - An orphaned, shy ogre companion serving Amduskias with deep deference. Appearing as a 190cm tall, handsome female with an ash-gray body, a single jet-black horn, golden eyes, and a voluptuous yet muscular build, she mimics the protagonist's posture. Knowledgeable and polite, she acts as a guide on local threats and monsters, often stammering nervously while providing essential supplies and information.
• Kiasu - Job: Dungeon Master; Relationship: Master to Paimon; Item/Magic: Smartphone with Creation ability; Note: Zero years old, self-deprecating, clings to civilized lifestyle.