I loaded a single amphibious Mini Porter with luggage, then used my Skills[Box]to finish my preparations.
At a glance, my equipment looked like I was heading in to take down Monsters within the first five basement floors and come straight back.
I'd be in the center, operating the Mini Porter, with the plan to challenge the Dungeon using lanterns for light from the very start.
Until we broke through the fifth basement floor, I'd decided to ignore Monster materials. Even if we harvested anything, it'd only be the Magic Stones.
Once my preparations were in order, I turned around and checked today's members.
Me.
Novem.
Aria.
Miranda, who was borrowing a spear from Aria.
And Monica.
Five of us would be taking on the challenge, and Monica was especially fired up.
Last night, she had been happily polishing a hammer even larger than the one she'd first crafted from Aramsass.
Everyone had changed into clothes that allowed free movement, removing as much metal weaponry as possible. Wearing leather equipment was a consideration for the seventh basement floor and beyond.
It was a choice we'd made after confirming through experience that metal armor had little necessity up to the seventh floor.
Getting up early in the morning and finishing departure preparations, I noticed Shannon looking sleepy.
May was lying on top of the Porter's ceiling, watching us.
Eva was confirming meal arrangements with Monica.
"Make sure to store the pre-made meals properly. I went to all the trouble of having that Chicken prepare ice for you. Also, eat the things that spoil first. And if you run out, either make something yourself or go buy it."
Eva was—
"I know, but you know how much May eats, right? Do you think this will be enough?"
Eva looked back and forth between May, who was sprawled across the Porter, and the leather bag stuffed with gold coins, her expression full of worry.
May, however—
"I'll be fine. If I run out of food, I'll just forage around. And just so you know, I've been alive longer than all of you, you know?"
Her youthful appearance was deceiving — May had lived for at least eighty years. After all, she had once met the Fifth Generation, who resided within the Jewel.
Novem addressed Eva.
"Then I'll leave the rest in your care. Also, please don't get too absorbed in singing."
Eva smiled awkwardly and took a small step back.
(Novem really laid down the law with Eva there.)
Finally, Clara emerged from the tent and spoke to us.
"Don't worry — once we get back, we'll report everything. Please take care of yourselves, Lyle and the others. Oh, and this is something I was asked to deliver."
I accepted the book from Clara and thanked her.
"Thanks. Well, we'll do our best to bring back good news too."
With a nod, I set off toward the Dungeon.
The mini Porter followed behind me.
Miranda and Aria called out to Shannon and started walking, while Novem exchanged words with May and Eva.
It should have been a heartwarming sight, yet I couldn't shake the feeling of some great wall standing between us all.
The Fourth Generation, from within the Jewel, spoke in a somewhat troubled voice.
"Hmm... it feels like the party's atmosphere is going to solidify just like this. If only there were some kind of catalyst to change things..."
I, too, wanted to somehow improve the current situation, but without knowing how, I was at a loss for what to do.
"(I want to do something about this, but...)"
Whether things were better simply because we weren't openly at odds, or whether it would actually be better to have a confrontation... I just couldn't tell.
Once inside the Dungeon, I used the Skills [Map] and [Search], along with [Speed] to boost my movement speed, avoiding combat as much as possible while pushing forward along the shortest route.
Unlike before, when I'd entered the Dungeon with Crate and the others, both Miranda and Aria seemed perfectly satisfied with this pace.
"I knew it—we'd want to move at about this pace, right?"
The one agreeing with Miranda is Aria.
"Because last time was so slow, this feels faster than usual."
I thought to myself.
"(Well, I am using my Skills too, so that probably has something to do with it.)"
Just then, Novem turned to Miranda and the others—
"Were Crate and the others really that slow?"
—and spoke up.
After a brief pause...
Aria gave Miranda a troubled look, and Miranda casually brushed back the hair hanging over her ear.
"......Well, yes."
Was all she said.
The Sixth Generation, as if recalling something unpleasant, spoke in a trembling voice:
"Stop... Please stop this atmosphere."
That's what he said.
As I was about to explain things to Novem, Monika joined the conversation.
"How troublesome. More to the point, Chicken is shaking, so could you all please stop scaring him? Put yourselves in Chicken's shoes for once, would you? He doesn't have the mental fortitude to handle this tense atmosphere between women!"
That was certainly true, yet for some reason I couldn't bring myself to agree.
When I tried to retort, the Fifth Generation stopped me.
'Don't butt into their conversation. It'll only make things worse.'
I touched the Jewel, seeking advice from the Successive Heads on whether there was some way to break through this stalemate, but...
The Third Generation spoke.
'The only ones among us who actually had harems were the Fifth and Sixth Generations. If those two can't give advice, there's not much point asking the rest of us... Well, it is entertaining to watch, so hang in there.'
He had no intention of offering any real advice.
*(What the hell! You're supposed to be my go-to wisdom source for situations like this!)*
As I fumed, the Fifth Generation spoke with an exasperated tone.
'...At the very least, you need to create an environment where you can have a serious conversation. Somewhere Lyle isn't around, or a situation where she won't interfere.'
Then the Fourth Generation chimed in.
'...Wouldn't using Connection work?'
I rolled the Jewel between my fingertips to signal my rejection. Because Connection—forming a bond—required mucosal contact to establish the lines of magic power.
And when it came to kissing, it had to be a deep, adult kiss.
To set up a discussion for everyone, I would first have to go around kissing each of them... That made absolutely no sense.
Still wrapped in that excruciatingly tense atmosphere, we arrived at the room with the stairs leading down to the third basement floor.
A group was coming up the stairs, so we stepped aside to let them pass.
It was Alette and the others.
*(What is it about this tense situation that makes Alette look so radiant? But she seems tired... Did something happen?)*
She looked somewhat tired, and her subordinates moved more sluggishly than usual.
"Alette, what happened?"
When I called out to her out of curiosity, Alette looked at me and smiled.
"Lael. Perfect timing. We're heading back now, but could you quickly point us the way home? I'm completely exhausted."
At Alette's request, I pulled out a memo and sketched a simple map on it.
While I was drawing, Alette's party used the time to rest, sitting down on the spot and looking miserable.
With a wry smile, Alette explained.
"Actually, we beat the boss on the seventh basement floor. But it was a real pain."
"Was it strong?"
Alette shook her head.
"It wasn't unbeatable. But we also scouted the eighth basement floor, and from here on there are boats. We determined even Albano's group couldn't manage it, so right now we're back on the seventh floor fighting Monsters."
Up to above the waist.
The water reached roughly up to their chests, and it looked like they'd had a serious struggle defeating the boss in its room.
"So we head back to the surface and prepare. We need to gather lumber and build a boat or a raft. Either way, this is a troublesome Dungeon. It'd really help if it actually ended at the tenth basement floor."
The tenth basement floor was the information the Guild had relayed within the range of what they knew. There could be margins of error, and it might even be shallower than that.
But if it went deeper, things would get really bad.
Once I finished the map, I handed the memo to Alette.
"Here you go."
"Thanks. I'm worn out from unfamiliar combat, and I've been pushing myself because we need to get back to the surface quickly... But I suppose I've earned some time off now."
Alette seemed to be struggling less with the strength of the Monsters and more with the annoying nature of the Dungeon itself.
But when Alette and the others began to move out, Miranda sidled up to me.
"That's good, isn't it? The eighth basement floor is completely untouched. It might be a treasure trove."
She said it in a joking tone, and I replied:
"I'd like to hope so. ...We'll camp out on the sixth basement floor. Tomorrow, we take on the eighth floor."
Seeing everyone nod, I headed down the stairs.
As planned, we spent the night on the sixth basement floor, and on the second day we stood before the room where the seventh floor's boss resided.
With water up to my knees, I drew my Saber and issued orders to my companions.
"Miranda, Aria, fall back. Monika, don't move either. Novem!"
Before us stood a frogman—a creature shaped like a human frog—brandishing a spear and shield.
With water reaching up to their knees, everyone's movements were slower than usual.
We could have used the Fourth Generation's Skill, UpDown, to tip the battle in our favor. But to gauge just how strong these enemies were, I chose to fight in our natural state.
Novem raised her staff—
"Wind Blade."
She cast her spell, and blades of wind surged toward the Monsters one after another.
Strong gusts erupted throughout the cave, churning up the water along with them.
The enemy's shield, weapon, and body were all drenched in blood, which spread outward through the water. With the lantern flickering in the wind and the light source unstable, I confirmed the foes had been eliminated and sheathed my Saber.
Aria took up a watch position, and Miranda, now wearing gloves, began harvesting Magic Stones from the frogmen.
Meanwhile, Monika was grumbling away.
"I don't have any problem with getting wet. Having to wear these thigh-high rubber boots... I mean, I was told to make them, so I did, but I never imagined you'd actually make this Monika wear them. That Chicken doesn't understand a thing."
The reason Monika was complaining was reflected in everyone's outfit.
To keep from getting soaked, I'd put on a raincoat.
I figured it would make movement a bit easier, but when I made Monika wear one too, she laid into me, calling me a "perverted bastard."
She was still sulking about it.
"Damn it... I can't pull any tools out of my skirt like this. What exactly are you trying to accomplish by making a maid dress like this?"
I let out a sigh and pressed on through the water.
Novem caught the swaying lantern with her hand to steady it.
"Listen, when you go splashing around in those frilly clothes, everyone else has to deal with it too! Think a little."
Just then—
"Then there's no need to worry. Waterproofing is standard equipment. Besides, it dries quickly."
Monika struck a sharp pose, but Miranda—
"That's enough. Now then, next up is the boss's room. Not that anyone's still there. From what I've heard, it's practically an underground lake down there."
She was right about that.
I decided it was about time to get ready.
Arno and the others had apparently already pulled out, so at this point it was just Marina and us on this floor.
(Come to think of it, what exactly is Marina thinking? The monsters that come out are the same whether she fights on this floor or the one above. Is she a genuine battle maniac?)
Recalling our first encounter on the fifth underground floor, I told everyone to stand back.
"Now then, shall I bring out the boat-type Mini Porter? Actually, should we just standardize on model three? This is the third one already."
Aria looked at me with exasperation.
"Just do it already, I don't care what you pick. More importantly, are we getting on right now?"
I shook my head, then snapped my fingers. It wasn't necessary, but after watching the Seventh Generation use the Skill [Box] like that, I'd just gotten into the habit of copying the gesture.
A magic circle shot up onto the water's surface, a large box appeared, its lid opened, and then it vanished.
Once the boat materialized, ripples spread across the water, and the liquid surged up to thigh level.
"We board from here. Or rather, I'd like to practice a bit in the next room."
It was my first time using this particular form, so I wanted to get a feel for the magic [Golem].
Monica picked up the floatation ring that had come out of the box with the Mini Porter and began putting it on.
(Should I tie the Mini Porter with a rope?)
I planned to keep it tethered and operate it when needed.
I maneuvered the fairly large boat, operating the waterwheel-like devices on both sides, and it started moving.
The unfamiliar controls were a little confusing, but it seemed manageable.
"Alright, let's go."
Monica seemed to be finished, so I headed toward the boss's room.
Eighth underground level.
We boarded the boat and advanced through the dungeon, which had become a waterway.
In the boss's room on the seventh underground level, I tested the feel of operating the boat without any problems.
Then, I sat in the front, surveying our surroundings.
Behind me sat Monica and Novem, with Aria and Miranda positioned in the middle.
Monica said.
"Please don't force it to move too much. It'll sink."
Aria turned around.
"Hey, is this thing defective? Make it properly!"
Monica rebuked Aria with a exasperated look.
"Don't say something so foolish. You should be patting yourself on the back for managing to build this much in such a short time. Although, I suppose I wouldn't mind getting a compliment from the big chicken either."
Ignoring Monica's sideways glances, I was using my Skills.
I had activated the Fifth Generation's Skill, Map—
(No good. It's a bit tough from this vantage point.)
I switched to the second-stage Skill, Dimension, to get a three-dimensional grasp of the surrounding terrain. It was a Skill that let me perceive the underwater environment and our own position in three dimensions.
Miranda placed a hand on Aria's shoulder to keep the irritated woman from standing up, all while surveying the area.
"Even so, I was expecting this to be a hassle, but it's surprisingly easy. We don't have to walk to get around, and as for combat—"
Miranda was still mid-sentence when I lifted my hips and planted my feet at the front of the rectangular boat.
The boat rocked, but not enough to sink. However, keeping my balance on it was no easy task.
I held the Jewel in my left hand and shifted its form into a bow. Shaping it into a short bow, I drew back in a firing pose.
In response, a thread of light appeared on the stringless bow, and as I pulled, five arrows materialized.
I activated the Skill, Select, and took aim at the Monsters closing in on us.
The creature moving freely through the water was a Sahagin, leading a pack of Frogmen.
I drew the bow, took aim, and released.
The five arrows streaked toward their respective prey. The Sahagin that had burst from the water's surface was skewered through the head by the light arrows the instant it appeared.
The remaining four arrows changed course mid-flight and plunged into the water below.
Moments later, Frogmen began bobbing to the surface, lifeless.
I returned the Jewel to its original shape and hung it back around my neck.
Monica started clapping.
"Oh, that was quite the performance."
Aria looked at me with a slightly displeased expression.
"We weren't even needed. Actually, from here on out, Laiel alone should be plenty—everyone else just needs to provide support."
I picked up the oar and nudged the floating monster corpses closer to the boat. I grabbed the nearby book and decided to work while checking how to properly strip the sahagin materials.
"That's not happening. The mana consumption is way too high. ...Stripping materials on a boat is going to be tough. Maybe I should just collect the Magic Stones?"
What Clara had given me was a book about past dungeons similar to the one we were currently conquering. It described what kinds of monsters inhabited them and what their structures were like.
The sahagin were covered in it too, but working on the boat would be a pain. Even if I forced the collection, the materials wouldn't be worth the trouble.
Novem, gazing at the sahagin, said:
"...They're monsters that live in the sea, after all. Perhaps from here on, we'll start seeing more monsters that come from the ocean."
Inside the cavern.
The structure was reminiscent of an underground lake, but it seemed to be something a bit unusual.
"If that's the case, will this book alone not cut it? But it does mention ocean-dwelling monsters in here too..."
Just then, Monica, still looking at the sahagin, spoke up.
"Creatures that live in saltwater being able to survive in freshwater... Well, since they're humanoid, if they can breathe it might not be a problem. But they have gills, don't they? It's strange, or rather—I don't even know what to say. They're biologically wrong."
I grinned.
"You're the one who's wrong as an Automaton. If you fixed that tone of yours, you'd be perfect. Take a page from the Automatons over at Damian's place."
Then Monica:
"Hmph—take a page from them, you say? Let me make one thing clear: just because they don't say it to your face doesn't mean they aren't grumbling and complaining behind your backs. They have zero interest in anyone other than their master. They badmouth everyone else nonstop! When you think about it that way, Monica—who hides nothing and says everything out loud—is a wonderful maid with absolutely no duplicity. I'm certain of it!"
She declared this with a resolute expression, but I just snorted with laughter.
"At least try to hide it a little."