Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

Tiona and Tione were each muttering words of reproach and slightly sarcastic sighs when Ais walked over to them, who had finished their battle first.

She sheathed the Sword of Despair and walked past Lefia and another member of the group.

"...Miss Ais, you've worked hard."

"Um... I'll leave the rest to you, Lefia."

Ais handed over the task of collecting the spoils of war from the aliens behind her to Lefia, who was smiling at her with her eyebrows lowered.

She also told another supporter to take care of the monster's magic stone.

"Come on, come on, you've worked hard, Ais! Want some magic potion? A panacea? How about Ais's favorite red bean cream-flavored potato balls!"

"Since there were no injuries at all, of course there's no need for any elixirs."

Tiona rallied her spirits and went forward to greet her.

Her sister gently teased her, saying that she seemed to have figured out that Ais would be exhausted and hungry after a big battle, so she used potato balls to lure her out at the perfect moment.

Her voice was a little high-pitched.

"I'm fine, Diona. Thank you. ...I'll take the last one."

Perhaps because she hadn't eaten anything before resting, a "gurgling" sound came from near her slender belly button.

Despite her stern expression, Ais's ears were burning with embarrassment as she took the potato ball from Tiona's hand.

However, the potato balls didn't seem to have been stored properly; Ais discovered they were starting to rot. The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

"Anyway, the monsters are mostly dealt with... What's next, Finn?"

After a fierce battle, Rivera looked down at Finn.

While I wouldn't say I've explored the entire floor, I've essentially covered the 37th floor. If I were to continue from the center of my current floor, I would naturally head towards the 38th floor.

The maze became increasingly dangerous with each level she descended. Considering the growing unease about the amount of supplies she had and the wear and tear on her weapons, she consulted the squad leader.

"Hmm—shouldn't we be heading back soon? After all, this trip was more of a hobby, and staying here too long would waste too much time on the way back. What do you think, Rivera?"

Finn seemed to share Riveria's opinion, suggesting it was time to retreat.

This wasn't an official "expedition" to conquer the dungeon, and he said there was no reason to linger, to which Riveria nodded in agreement.

"I'm following the commander's orders... Everyone, prepare to retreat!"

""yes--!""

Tiona and Tione replied to Riveria's instructions, while Lefia and the others, busy with their support work, also responded, "Understood—!"

Tiona began, quite cheerfully—or perhaps to lighten the mood:

"But seriously, if we brought Bert along this time, it would be incredibly noisy—that show-off guy's whole personality kicks in whenever he's around Ais!"

"After the banquet, once he sobered up, I subtly told him: 'You were rejected by Ais,' and he turned completely green with envy."

"Waaaaah—! I really want to see it—! Why didn't you tell me, Dione—!"

Tiony seemed unconcerned about Tiona's behavior, though a small smile played on her lips.

She joined in her sister's conversation by joking about their colleagues to liven up the atmosphere. Incidentally, he was once again unable to join the exploration because of Tiona's cunning scheme.

The task of collecting the "magic stones" and "dropped items" was handed over to Lefia and the others, and the atmosphere immediately became more relaxed with these girls at the center.

However, at that very moment, something unexpected happened...

"...Finn, Rivera. I want to stay."

Ais made this request.

Tiona and Tione turned around in surprise.

Despite their gazes, her expression remained unchanged, devoid of emotion, yet it concealed an unwavering will.

The request made by Ais, who usually goes along with everyone's opinions—a more serious determination than anyone had imagined—truly startled Finn, who widened his eyes slightly.

Riveria closed one eye and stared intently at her.

"You don't need to share any food with me. I won't cause any trouble for anyone. Please."

Ais pleaded with them to let her stay on the floor.

"Wait, wait a minute—! Ais, saying things like that is already causing us trouble! Leaving Ais here like this just makes us worry about you all the time!"

"I agree with Tiona. No matter how low the monster's LV3 is, we can't leave our companion alone in the deep levels. It's too dangerous."

Faced with Ais's request, Tiona couldn't help but press her for an answer. Tione also frowned and slowly spoke after her sister.

Their attitudes are the opposite of showing concern for Ais.

Seeing that the two sisters were genuinely worried about her, Ais couldn't say anything back.

Why does Ais love fighting so much?

When Tiona asked her this question with her eyebrows lowered, she couldn't answer it.

Seeing that she, who considered her a friend, was saddened, Ais remained silent.

Ais could only remain silent in the face of her gentle care.

Perhaps realizing that Ais wouldn't say anything, Tiona changed her mind and started talking non-stop like a shooter, trying to persuade Ais to change her mind.

"Ais is so beautiful, it's such a shame—you need to act more like a girl—even I, an Amazon, dress up more than you, how can that be—"

"I... don't need it."

"Why? You wouldn't want to find a strong male... what kind of man do you like? Is Ais's pretty face just for decoration?"

"Okay, don't impose on others what you wouldn't do yourself."

Tiony thought her words were too outrageous and spoke up to criticize them, while Riveria, who had stepped back to watch, sighed.

She turned to Finn and said:

"Finn, I'm asking you the same thing. Please respect Ais's wishes."

"Rivia!"

Tiona and Tione screamed in disbelief.

Ais was also surprised.

Because she thought Riveria would definitely advise and oppose her.

"Um--……?"

Finn looked up at her beautiful face, as if trying to find out her true thoughts.

"This child rarely makes unreasonable demands. I hope you can grant her request."

"You can't persuade me with that childish, parental attitude, Rivera. What Tiona and the others say makes more sense. As the leader of the squad, I'm afraid I can't agree to that."

"I know I'm spoiling her... okay."

Riveria sighed and looked at Ais.

Ais knew she was causing trouble for her and immediately felt guilty.

Rivera, unsure whether she understood Ais's feelings, raised her eyebrows and red lips in a self-deprecating smile.

She turned her gaze back to Finn and told him:

"I'll stay too."

Rivera told him that she was willing to be Ais's supporter.

Finn gazed into her emerald eyes, placed his hand on his chin, and nodded in a tantalizing manner.

"Okay, I grant your permission."

"How could they do this—, Finn—. You should at least say something to them—"

Tiona, looking indignant, protested.

Finn continued with a wry smile:

"Since Rivera is staying, I think there's absolutely no chance of anything going wrong. On the contrary, we might be in danger on our way back."

"I'm not powerful enough to attack and heal at the same time, Captain."

Tiony never objected to her beloved's decisions, though her tone was slightly barbed. While it wasn't quite a reprimand, her words certainly sounded a bit displeased.

Finn shrugged and accepted their dissatisfaction, and soon decided to let Ais and Riveria stay on this floor.

Lefia seemed to have sensed something was wrong from a distance and rushed back after finishing her work.

"Miss Ais, are you going to stay here?"

"Um... I'm sorry for making such a selfish request."

"Ah, well... well, then, I'll stay too! I definitely won't get in the way, please let me be your support!"

"Ah, then I'll stay too—what? The problem is so simple!"

"I told you we don't have any supplies. It's okay for two people, but if there are three or four, Ais and the others won't have enough food and water to share with us."

"Waaaaahh ...

Upon hearing Tione's criticism, Lefia and Tiona both bent their necks in a miserable way.

Due to issues with supplies and healing items, it's difficult to keep more than three people on this floor. Besides Ais's indestructible sword, the condition of other weapons is also starting to worry people.

Lefia and Tiona had no choice but to leave with long faces.

Just as Rivera stood aside watching the three girls making a ruckus around Ais...

Finn walked silently to her side.

"So, what was your purpose in making that suggestion just now?"

When she heard him ask her in a low voice, Rivera glanced at him.

"It can't really be like what you're saying, can it?"

"...Stopping that girl now is just delaying the problem. She'll cause big trouble somewhere someday. Rather than letting it break down somewhere I can't see...it's better for it to explode right in front of me."

"I see."

Finn, who laughed and said, "I was blind," winked at her after closing his eyes.

His attitude seemed to be mocking Rivera for being overly protective of Ais, causing Rivera to look on with a hesitant expression, but she ultimately didn't retort. "I don't think that beast tamer will show up, but please be careful anyway. I've left all the magical potions I have on hand... You allowed Ais to act unilaterally, so you have to bear the responsibility for her actions as well."

"I know... Also, I'm sorry, thank you."

After listening to Finn explain the proper attitude of a vice-captain of the [Family]—or rather, an elder—Rivilia nodded and thanked him. Taking the test tube the boy took from his bag, she walked towards Ais.

She watched as Finn and the others prepared to retreat, and soon after, she bid them farewell.

Before the only entrance to the "cave," Tiona and Lefia encouraged Ais several times as they left.

"Thank you, Rivera."

In the cave where only the two of them remained, Ais spoke.

Standing side by side, Rivera didn't look at her and replied calmly:

"I really want to say don't do this again, but it's no use saying it now. Anyway, just let me complain once, don't make me worry too much."

"…….sorry."

Ais also felt that she became more natural in front of Riveria in many ways.

Unlike when facing Finn or the main god, or when facing Tiona and the others, what she saw in front of Riveria was her naked self.

Her complaints and her apologies truly revealed a connection that only two souls could share.

Ais wasn't very good at describing it, but it was a little different from the trust she had in her companions; it was a warm feeling.

"..."

In the dark hall, the two did nothing in particular and remained silent for a while.

The monster's roar seemed distant. An unnatural silence enveloped Ais and Riveria, as if no creature was approaching the vast "cave."

The air around the armor and combat suit was icy cold. The 37th floor, with its high ceilings and lack of phosphorescence, had a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

The chilling breath of the dungeon brushed against my neck.

Perhaps surprised by her own unintentional movement, Riveria's emerald eyes turned to Ais.