Chapter 77

As Sherry and the others discovered the altar, they considered it too dangerous to leave it as is for other adventurers to stumble upon, and decided to seal it off so that it would not be visible from the outside.

The master inscribed magical runes on the stone pillars surrounding the altar with his magic-infused fingertips. A barrier formed, connecting the pillars, making it so that only those permitted by the master could see it.

"Ah, Master, thank you for coming to help. I couldn't do anything..."

Liza spoke hesitantly, but at that moment, I realized my face had stiffened.

Clive had blended in with the personnel transferred to the sixth floor, carefully concealing his true intentions until he made his move. I don't know what happened from his escape to his arrival here, but his appearance had changed so much that no one noticed him.

I thought that with Zekt, we wouldn't have much trouble, but even among SS-rankers, compatibility can make a difference. And it's not something a normal person can do to face an opponent who came with the intent to kill, with the same level of malice.

If that's the reason Zekt fell behind an equal opponent, he shouldn't be blamed. However, Liza and Sakuya have been completely intimidated by Clive's overwhelming presence. What can I do for them at a time like this?

The answer wasn't that difficult. At a time like this, I shouldn't be as stiff as a stone statue.

"Don't worry about it. A thief's job is to open treasure chests and disarm traps. Just ensuring our safety and accompanying us is more than enough."

"Master..."

I still don't think I'm good at easing someone's feelings or saying kind words. I used to think it was better to accomplish the mission without the other person noticing, but lately, I've been deviating from that principle.

This is all because the dungeon is too harsh. And it's also because I've trusted the people involved in the dungeon exploration too much.

Low, Orland, and Premiere. One of these three, intentionally or not, must have included Clive in the exploration team. If someone with SS-rank power came in disguise, they would usually carefully verify their background, but either Clive's disguise was perfect, or they knew he was an escapee and added him to the team as a combatant.

In any case, considering that Sherry was once seriously injured, it's not the time to be soft and respect everyone's intentions.

We will keep diving deeper into the dungeon, while the others maintain the teleportation magic circle. We need to eliminate the risk of the magic circle for returning to the upper floors becoming unusable while we are diving. Adhering faithfully to this basic principle is ultimately the shortest path.

"Zekt, Sakuya. This was an unexpected situation, but your strength will still be needed in the future. For now, go back to the sixth floor and report to the Guild Master of the Blue Maiden Inn that we are safe."

"...Understood. I'm sorry, but I shouldn't let my mind be disturbed just because we fell behind the enemy."

"Master, what about Sherry and Lotte?"

The snake pattern on Sherry's chest has disappeared. While I shouldn't just stare at that, it wasn't an illusion; it definitely appeared and then faded over time.

I also want to keep an eye on her until she wakes up. I want to rest a bit and wait for Sherry to recover after descending to the eighth floor and meeting up with Cody and the others.

"Dick, I want to come with you. I know I'm not strong enough, and it's foolish to ask, but if I go back now, I..."

Lotte had been accompanying Sherry, but once she realized Sherry was unharmed, she gradually calmed down. Her eyes were still red, but the usual determined light was returning.

"By the way, you shouldn't overexert yourself. I'm going down, but I intend to reach the magic circle on the eleventh floor after passing through the ninth and tenth floors and then escape. Returning to the upper floors is safer, but advancing is even more important."

"Yes, I understand. I'll assess the enemy's strength and only fight those I can handle. I don't want to hold you back any more."

"...You didn't hold us back at all. Everyone did a great job together. This altar is likely a clue about the 'Snake.'"

Saying that, I patted Lotte's head. I used a recovery spell to fix her hair, which had become a bit messy after the battle.

Then, Lotte started to tremble as she looked at me.

"...B..."

"B?"

"B, baka! I hate men! I only tolerate Dick because my sister approves..."

"I know. Sorry, treating you like a child wasn't good."

"Child... That's not what I meant... Anyway, thank you!"

Being thanked while she was angry was a rare experience. Lotte fixed her hair with her own hands and returned to her sister.

Sakuya and Liza, who had been watching, forgot their dejection for a moment and laughed.

"Hehe... Master, patting someone on the head should only be done in extreme cases, you know?"

"Admiration can lead to such things. I think Master was just trying to encourage Lotte."

"I don't have any ulterior motives. Still, being called an idiot, I have a lot to learn."

Scratching my head, I noticed that Zekt, unusually, had a faint smile on his face. I had been worried that he might feel responsible for what happened, but it's good that he's recovering quickly.

"You're younger than me, but you have a much greater capacity as a man. Really, I'm in awe."

"I still have a lot to learn. Maybe I always will."

"Still saying that... Please, at least recognize your own worth a little..."

"That's Master's virtue and something to admire, so it's not a problem. We'll return to the upper floors and wait. We should probably explain to the patrol team, as Clive was likely with them for a while."

What will they think about Clive's sudden disappearance? If he was just a temporary companion, they might not care much, but if a powerful person goes missing, some will be worried.

"I'll report the details to Kusumi later. For now, just tell them Clive is dead."

"Yes, understood."

"Oh, and the magic stone that fell after you defeated him... Dick, here."

Liza handed me the magic stone. Looking at it, I was skeptical—this was identical to the magic stone dropped by a 'Demon Lord.'

A Demon Lord is a powerful monster that could easily destroy a small city if it appeared. If Clive transformed into a monster, he must have become a high-level one—either way, that altar, which could turn Clive into a monster, is extremely dangerous.

However, the altar also healed Sherry's wounds. If the snake mark and the 'Velsaris Snake' are related, it's not a situation to be optimistic about, but it's also possible that the altar granted power to Sherry, who offered her blood. I decided to ask my master about this.

My master was outside the altar, keeping watch over the sleeping Sherry. Unlike earlier, he seemed back to normal.

"Master, what happened to Sherry? Can you tell me what you know?"

My master, perhaps not wanting to share with the others yet, motioned for me to come closer. Approaching where he was using his lap as a pillow for Sherry, he whispered in my ear.

"As you suspected, Sherry borrowed the power of the 'Snake.' The altar contained a fragment of the 'Snake's' spirit, which reacted to her blood."

"...So, Sherry has the power of the snake now?"

"Yes, I think so. But don't worry, there's no evil aura, right? She won't become our enemy."

"...I hope not. I'll keep an eye on her until she wakes up."

Sherry was breathing quietly. I averted my eyes from her torn chest area.

"Dick, you were really angry earlier, but I'm glad you're back to normal."

"...Sorry. Maybe I should have given him one more chance, even if I couldn't forgive him."

"Considering what would have happened if we hadn't come, I think it was unavoidable. I would have done the same."

She said it as if it were a matter of course. Then, she took the magic stone from my hand and looked at it.

"Even in this state, he was still saying he would kill you. Maybe he'll calm down if Yuma purifies him."

"Can you hear his soul? If so, I'm probably hated..."

"No, more like he's obsessed with women. Just holding it makes my head hurt."

My master handed me back the stone. If I asked how to do it, I might hear Clive's resentment, but sometimes it's better not to hear.

"You don't have to blame yourself, Dick. If it's a heavy burden, I can share it. I can even take it all."

"...No, I'm not that delicate, so don't worry."

"Really? I think you're much kinder than I am. That's for sure."

Even with her smile, I couldn't come up with a good response. Saying that kind people don't kill others would only confuse her.

--- As I thought this, my master smiled in a troubled way.

"In situations like this, the others might be better than me... I'll have to encourage them later."

"Encourage them? What are you saying that sounds so ominous..."

"No, nothing. Dick, it's time for your specialty—carrying girls. Take Sherry to the lower floor."

"A, ah... Maybe it's better to carry her in my arms rather than on my back."

Supporting Sherry's body to avoid putting strain on her, I lifted her. It's called a princess carry, but there's a trick to carrying someone who is limp.

"...Hmm..."

"It seems Sherry will be out for a while. Don't worry, Dick, we'll take care of the Worms."

"Right. Then, I'll leave the escort to you."

"Understood!"

My master and Lotte moved a bit ahead, and I followed. Fortunately, we only encountered the Worms' detection range once and were able to defeat them without any problems.

◆◇◆

When we entered the eighth floor, Lotte was surprised by the change in the scenery, just as we had been.

But something was happening by the lake. Or rather, a scene with a high percentage of skin was coloring the lakeside, something I hadn't expected. Lotte asked the question before I could.

"Why are everyone taking off their equipment?"

"I can guess. The Aquarians in the lake must have done some 'rainmaking.'"

"Oh, that's why the ground is wet. So, Aileen is angry?"

Aileen was swimming gracefully in the lake. She had jumped in with just her underwear, despite saying the water was undrinkable because of the Aquarians just a moment ago. She's decisive.

"Even after I let you off, you repay kindness with ingratitude! Pfff! Wait for me!"

The Aquarians, who seemed timid, apparently held grudges and had taken revenge by making a sudden rain fall on Aileen and the others on the shore, drenching everyone.

Vellene, whose maid outfit was soaked, was now wearing just a slip over her underwear, creating fireballs to dry everyone's clothes. Yuma, Cody, and Miralca were sitting with tired expressions.

"...Hmm, you're back. Welcome, Master. Do you want to eat... or me?"

"Your outfit makes me want to choose the latter, but it seems you had a tough time."

Not just Vellene, but everyone was in their underwear or slips, so I didn't know where to look. Miralca, looking embarrassed, spoke up.

"We thought the ranking with the monster was over, but they held a grudge. If you look at us, we can't guarantee your safety, so if you want to stay with us, you should blindfold yourself."

"We shouldn't be held up by this. Maybe we're having some kind of water trouble. We should probably purify ourselves... Ah, right, Yuma is here, so it's okay."

"I can make the weather rain, but I can purify you anytime♪"

Yuma gave Cody, who was grumbling, her usual healing smile. Cody, thinking I had returned, hadn't taken off his bandage despite being wet. Maybe I should have returned a bit later—though that wasn't possible.

"By the way, I'm not sure if I should point this out, but we were also shaken and forgot. What happened to Sherry? The princess carry is not very peaceful."

"We were exploring the seventh floor and made a new discovery... but we were attacked by an enemy who had infiltrated the exploration team. She's safe, but we need to keep an eye on her until she wakes up, so we'll let her rest here for a while."

"Ah, I see. For this exploration, I thought it would be a good idea to bring camping gear. It's just a simple tent to prevent moisture, but it should do."

"To have such a thing... I'm starting to want the technology to expand the capacity of that basket."

"Hehe... I'll teach you someday. So, there's something I can teach Master."

Vellene said happily, but her exposed brown skin kept catching my eye, making it hard to know where to look. Especially her legs, which were usually in garter stockings, were now bare and very healthy-looking. Her ample chest was something I didn't need to confirm again.

"...Dick, that's not good, is it?"

"Wha... Sneaking up on me like that, you're quite something. Yuma, what do you mean?"

"Your soul is tinged pink. Pink is a bad color. It represents the physical desire that a priest should first cut off among human desires... lust."

"S, sorry... I need more training. I'm not as pure as Yuma, but how can I cleanse my heart?"

"Perhaps... purification would be good. If I take your soul into my hands and calm it, the pink thoughts will be sublimated... Ah, how wonderful..."

My master muttered, "Is it that time of the month?" but I silently agreed that it might be. Yuma, also in a similar outfit to Vellene, was not fully developed, but seeing her was definitely a visual poison. Why do thighs peeking out from under a shirt so stimulate a man's imagination? Even if there's no fabric visible, the idea that there might not be anything underneath is impossible, yet people still hope.

"Dick, thank you for carrying my sister. If you could put her down over there, I'll stay with her."

"A, ah... Sure. No, I'm not thinking anything inappropriate?"

"By saying that, you're somewhat honest. I know it's hard to keep your eyes from wandering, and I feel a bit of sympathy."

Lotte initially stared at me intently but then couldn't hold back a giggle, as it was partly a joke.

"Hehe... Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh. Seeing everyone made me feel at ease."

"Ah, that's good. If you like, take a break and eat something while Sherry is resting. We'll need you and your sister to come with us to the eleventh floor."

"Yes, understood. As the party leader, I'll follow you in anything. I think my sister will feel the same when she wakes up."

"Thank you, I appreciate it."

With this, my party temporarily increased to nine members, all of whom were women. Setting up camp and eating by the lakeside, it felt like we were enjoying an active and fulfilling vacation.

"Master, this tent is from the guild, so you should know how to set it up, right?"

"Ah, right. Wait, is this my secret camping set?"

"Is it? I took it from the chest in your room. I wasn't looking for anything suspicious, I swear."

"Of course not. And don't go rummaging through people's rooms."

It's not that I keep anything suspicious in an easy-to-find place. If it's a noble work of art that describes the sublime human senses, I wouldn't mind showing it to women. If it were found, I'd be open about it.

In the capital, books for adults are called "suspicious books," but due to the limited production of manuscripts and the lack of personal publishing, they are quite rare. Even if a popular book is released, it's written by scribes, and with the limited number of scribes, only about a hundred copies can be made in a month. Popular books aren't always of that nature; there are also educational and magic books, so out of the ten thousand books produced annually in the capital, only about a