Chapter 130 - Chapter 130: Did I Become an Apostle?
We advanced the conquest of Floor 8 and began preparations to enter Floor 9.
Before that, we returned to Floor 7 for a moment to rest at the dungeon hot spring there, heading for the hot spring together with Yuuki's party.
As everyone rode slowly on Tetsuo's Shazam, I spoke with Yuuki.
"It seems you intend to recover your mana while at the dungeon hot spring and charge magic stones as well."
If we stay for a few days, we should be able to accumulate quite a bit of mana.
Provided we have food, of course.
"That is correct."
Yuuki affirmed my words.
"Ah, um..."
One of the female magi raised her hand.
"What is it?"
"Is it true that there is a hot spring ahead?"
"Yes, yes, Nagoya Castle has a huge one."
"?"
She tilted her head.
It seems I slipped up.
"Ahaha! It's true, it's true! They say a really huge hot spring is spreading out!"
Iroha's loud voice echoed through the corridor.
"Oga-san, you don't need to shout so loud for us to hear."
Yuuki, perhaps tired, made a face at her voice.
"Wahaha! My apologies!"
Shazam was moving slowly, but the appearance of the gradually darkening and narrow corridor began to change.
The air, which had been cool, gradually took on warmth, and we began to see white steam rising gently from the front.
The steam spread throughout the corridor, blurring our vision, and grew dense, clinging to our skin.
"Is that steam?!""Fuu~ It really looks like a hot spring."
The girls were giggling and squealing.
"It's not just 'looking like' a hot spring, it's a real hot spring."
"Really, this dungeon has many things beyond common sense, but this is truly absurd."
Yuuki looked dumbfounded, but I asked something that concerned me.
"You can't stay in the hot spring with your equipment on, you know? Did you bring swimsuits?"
"Haha, of course. Better safe than sorry."
Well, if you were going to camp in a hot spring, that's the first thing you'd think of.
Suddenly, the view opened up -- it was a hot spring.
"Wow~!"
Cheers rose from the female magi.
Everyone got off Shazam and secured camping spots by party.
Since using magical light was a waste, we borrowed Tetsuo's magical lamp.
With this, we just need to fill it with magic stone mana, so even I can use it.
With the light source secured, we took off our equipment and changed into swimsuits.
From this time on, everyone prepared their own swimsuits.
We set up camp a little away from Yuuki's group, but since the hot spring room is wide, there are plenty of spots.
If this place gets full of adventurers, would it feel cramped?
Would they fight over spots?
Well, if it gets lively enough, adventurers running inns might appear.
"God-sama! Make a slide again with that black thing!"
Iroha, now in a micro bikini, came to Tetsuo.
"Alright! Shazam!"
A large black hand appeared, grabbing Iroha's entire body firmly.
"Gyaaaaa!"
He then threw Iroha's body right into the middle of the hot spring.
"Isn't that a bit too harsh?"
"That woman can handle that much, right? Her level is high too, wahaha!"
"What are you doing! Old man!"
Soaked Iroha popped her head out of the water surface.
"Waaa! What is that?!""Is it magic?!"
The female magi who had changed into swimsuits came over to us.
Ho, this is quite... wonderful.
The girl in the bikini can be seen with the black Holy Engraving of Izal on her stomach, but the girls in one-piece swimsuits, naturally, cannot see it.
Everyone is extremely interested in Tetsuo's partner, Shazam.
Everyone is wearing colorful swimsuits, giving a brilliance that makes you forget this is inside a dungeon.
It's too dazzling for an old man like me.
"That black thing is his partner creature that can change into various things."
"Is that a 'Tame'?"
"Umm, it seems a bit different. It's more like a friend."
"Ahahaha!"
Iroha, who had been furious at Tetsuo's prank, was now in a great mood, playing on the Shazam slide non-stop.
"She's so energetic..."
As an old man, I don't have that much energy anymore.
No -- since becoming an adventurer and getting level corrections, I have stamina, but my spirit is lacking...
"Gya! Gya!"
"Daisuke!"
The Harpies spread their large wings and were bathing in the hot water.
"Can we do it too?!"
The girls' eyes were sparkling.
They probably want to try the slide.
"Yeah, sure."
Tetsuo gave the OK.
"Yay!""Go, go!"
The girls began climbing onto the Shazam slide one after another.
It doesn't feel like it's inside a dungeon.
It has the brilliance of an amusement park from long ago.
Now, due to energy shortages, attractions are almost non-existent.
Until recently, we were barely surviving, with no time to play.
"Kyaaa!""Ieee~!"
Yellow voices echoed inside the dungeon.
While enjoying the sight of the girls, Sana came over.
"Muu! How is my swimsuit?"
The previous swimsuit was something boring I had carelessly prepared, but today's one was prepared by herself.
It was a colorful one-piece with a skirt-like ruffle, but the chest area looked tight.
"Isn't it cute?"
"Darling! How about mine?!"
As I looked at Sana's swimsuit, the Princess came over to me.
Her swimsuit was a simple red bikini.
Honestly, it feels no different from her usual bikini armor.
Does she like red?
"When the Princess wears red, it feels like something special."
"Fufu -- that's right. As expected, Darling. You understand me well."
"Muu!"
Since I praised the Princess's swimsuit, Sana was in a bad mood.
It won't start unless I praise her.
"How about mine?"
Kaorulko came over saying that.
She wore a black swimsuit.
It had gold thread embroidery, and the chest area was boldly open.
On the exposed part of her chest, the black Holy Engraving carved into her white skin created a beautiful contrast.
"Like a Demon General from the movie... It suits you wonderfully."
"Thank you."
"If you put on armor, it would be no different from dungeon equipment, right!"
Perhaps what the Princess said was true.
"No, no, it really suits you."
"Ufufu..."
"Muu! Then! Should I expose my chest too?!"
Sana was trying to expose her chest from her swimsuit.
"Hey, hey, stop that kind of thing."
"Muu!"
"Darling-san! What is that light?!"
Surrounded by beautiful women in swimsuits, Yuuki came over.
She wore black pants and a hoodie-like garment, but below her neck -- on the right side from our perspective -- a black pattern was visible.
"This is a lamp that utilizes magic stones. It belongs to Tetsuo."
"Eh?! Can you utilize the mana of magic stones?!"
"Yes, we sold the same thing to the Yaegashi Group, so if they can analyze it properly, it might be commercialized."
"If that happens, dungeon conquests will progress faster!"
"Not just dungeons, but it will spread to general households, and the demand for magic stones will explode."
Even trash magic stones that currently have no use value can be used as batteries.
"Then, the possibility of the entire Japanese population becoming adventurers..."
"No, no, the country wouldn't be able to function like that."
Although it's no longer a disposable society like before, living normally still requires many daily necessities.
Maintaining infrastructure is also necessary.
"Umm."
The girls returned to where Yuuki was, staring intently at the magical lamp.
"Leader, won't you slide?"
"No, I'll pass."
"Eh? That's a waste!""That's right! You can't do this in the deep layers of a dungeon!"
Then, Kaorulko came over.
"Playing is fine -- but the deep layers of the dungeon are full of dangers. You might be better off receiving a blessing from Tetsuo-san."
"No... I..."
Yuuki was a bit confused by Kaorulko's proposal, when Tetsuo laughed.
"Wahaha, I won't force you. Even if a strange old man you met for the first time says he's an Apostle of God, you wouldn't believe it."
"Does that mean... something good will happen?"
For the sake of it, the girls seemed a little interested.
"Well, I can't guarantee it -- in fact, daily prayer is more important."
"Umm, still, please do it!"
One of the female magi seemed to receive Tetsuo's blessing.
A woman in a swimsuit knelt before him.
"Even the stars circling the black darkness shall halt their steps and praise the Name of Izal in silence alone. That name quiets all things and speaks the truth of the universe in silence. Now, upon those who stand under the Name of Izal, may eternal protection and guidance be granted."
The woman was enveloped in light.
"Ah! Something can be heard!"
"It means God is blessing you too."
"Old man! You're a fraud, but it looks convincing!"
Iroha, who had returned from the hot spring, added a comment.
"Wahaha -- for the record, I am a real Cleric."
Tetsuo answered with a laugh to her words as well.
"Amazing!""Can I have one too?!"
Seeing the light of the blessing, the other girls seemed to change their minds.
Tetsuo similarly gave blessings to the other girls.
"Umm..."
"..."
While the girls giggled, the men grunted.
If Tetsuo were a beautiful woman, they would happily receive the blessing.
"Um, what does God look like?"
A daring question from a girl to Tetsuo.
"I don't know God's true form, but when He descends to earth, He appears as a woman with long black hair. Moreover, she has big breasts!"
In some religions, it's said that God created humans in His own image.
"S-so that's how it is."
"Probably, He prefers women over men."
Speaking of which, I remember hearing that story before.
"Is that so?!"
"Moreover, He likes women with big breasts."
"Eeh?! She's a woman, right?"
"Well, that's the appearance. I don't know if God actually has a gender..."
Speaking of which -- I remember him saying that male believers suffer excruciating pain when touched by Tetsuo.
"That's for real, wahaha."
Tetsuo approached Yuuki and touched the black pattern on her neck.
"Gyaaaaaa!"
Suddenly, Yuuki screamed and collapsed right there.
"See?"
"Whoa, that looks painful."
"W-what are you doing?!"
He sat slumped, holding his neck.
"It hurt, but did you notice any changes in your body?"
"What did you say?! ...Speaking of which..."
Yuuki looked at her own hands, making fists and opening them.
It seems she felt a certain discomfort.
"How is it?"
"Speaking of which... I feel like I'm sensing a surge in mana..."
"I poured my mana through the Holy Engraving. It's like pouring God's power directly, so there's quite an effect."
"Interesting..."
"Now I understand why God prefers women, wahaha!"
"A-ah! What happens if a woman does it?"
One of the women asked Tetsuo.
It seems she is interested.
Perhaps as a magi, she is interested in increasing her mana.
"The mana increases similarly, but the difference from men is -- it feels quite good."
"...Eh?! Is that true?"
"For real, for real -- I've been using this to strengthen believers back in my hometown."
He seems to be originally Japanese, but his hometown is apparently now another world.
Speaking of which, he said he wanted to return home after finishing the work from God.
"Umm..."
She seems interested but can't make up her mind.
Well, there's no need to force it.
"If I pour my power in, the Holy Engraving carved into the body will grow, and you'll be able to use bigger magic."
"Doesn't it depend on the dungeon level?!"
"My God's power has nothing to do with this dungeon."
"Since becoming a follower of Izal, you can use magic outside the dungeon, right?"
Sana said that, but I checked with them just in case.
"Y-yes, that's right."
"Now, you are controlling two different types of power."
"Umm -- I'll try it!"
A woman in a bikini swimsuit stepped forward.
"Challenger!""Are you okay?!"
"Because women don't get hurt, right?"
"Yeah, that's not wrong."
"I'll do it!"
Since the woman seemed determined, Tetsuo slowly reached his hand toward her lower abdomen.
The moment his finger touched the Holy Engraving carved into the soft-looking lower belly --
"Nnnnnnnnn!"
Suddenly, the spasming woman fell flat.
"A-are you okay?!""Hey!"
Held by them, her body trembled and twitched.
"It's fine. This always happens."
"N-no! D-don't touch me..."
"..."
"..."
The two gently placed the woman they were holding down.
"This is how the Holy Engraving in the body grows."
"The difference between men and women is huge..."
At my mutter, Tetsuo reacted.
"Tell that to God, wahaha."
"So, followers coming to Tetsuo do this kind of thing?"
"Well -- how about it, Sana-chan?"
At Tetsuo's words, Sana hid behind me.
"Please stop touching my companions."
"Haha, it's a joke. If I touch a Saintess, I don't know what God will do to me."
"A-ah!"
The remaining female magi came before Tetsuo.
"I don't intend to force you. But your mana flow improves, output increases, so there are various effects?"
"W-well, I'll try it too."
"So curious, wahaha."
However -- the woman in the one-piece swimsuit seems to have a Holy Engraving on her stomach.
Since the back of her swimsuit is open, Tetsuo reached his hand in from there.
"Hiiiii!"
Tetsuo supported the woman as she collapsed right there.
It seems it becomes a similar feeling.
The remaining woman also ended up falling to the ground in the same way.
Three women fell and were groaning on the ground, but it's pitiful on the hard ground.
I took out an air mat from the Item Box and laid them down.
I realized this is a necessity in this dungeon, so I have stocked up on a lot of them now.
"Are there any side effects?"
"No. There might be mental dependency..."
It's like a dangerous medicine with no side effects -- but if God is involved, it should be fine.
"Daisuke-san!"
While I was thinking, Sana grabbed my hand.
"Huh?! What is it?!"
"Touch my back!"
She turned her back to me.
Through the open back of her one-piece swimsuit, a black Holy Engraving like spread wings was visible.
"Eh? W-why?"
"Just do it!"
Pushed by Sana's forcefulness, I placed my finger on the center of her Holy Engraving.
"Nn!"
"I don't think anything will happen."
"Daisuke, pour mana."
Tetsuo was watching us with a grin.
It was advice from him who was looking at me and Sana, but will anything happen just because I do that?
Tetsuo's thing is a miracle given by God, right?
I was half-skeptical but decided to try it.
The black Holy Engraving stood out clearly on her skin as if burned in, and a strange presence seeped from there.
Carefully guiding the mana swirling deep within my body, I slowly poured it into the pattern.
Just as a key fits perfectly into a door's keyhole, my mana was sucked into the Holy Engraving.
At that moment, a change appeared in her body.
"Hyaaaa!"
Her body stiffened and she fell backward, so I hurriedly supported her.
"A-are you okay?!"
"A-a-alright... Nn!"
Sana's face turned red, and her body trembled.
"Darling!"
The Princess flew over with a bright red face, so I stopped her for now.
"Wait!"
I took out the air mat again and laid Sana down.
"Darling! Owa!"
The Princess tried to grab me, but Kaorulko charged in and blew her away.
"What was that?!"
"Daisuke-san! Do it for me too!"
She held my hand with a serious gaze.
"Eh?!"
"Here!"
She slid my hand she was holding between the black swimsuit and her white skin.
"B-but..."
"Just do it!"
Where did her usual gentleness go? Overwhelmed by Kaorulko's presence, I sent mana from my fingertips into her body.
"Nnhoohhh?!"
The moment my fingertips tingled slightly -- Kaorulko rolled her eyes back and fell backward.
"Owa! Are you okay?!"
I thought the mana wasn't much different from Sana's time...
Panicking at her reaction, I caught her soft body.
"Hawahawa... ah."
When Kaorulko sat up, she hugged me.
"Kaorulko! What are you doing!"
The Princess, who had been blown away, returned, but Kaorulko slipped behind me.
She proceeded to stroke my body all over.
"Tetsuo -- does anyone become like this when touching the black Holy Engraving?"
"No, not everyone. Only Apostles can inject mana from the Holy Engraving."
"Is that so?"
"Daisuke, it seems you were quite favored by God, so you might have received such protection."
"Is that kind of thing possible?"
"Well, even I am seeing this for the first time..."
"S-speaking of which -- since I met God who transformed into a Harpy, I've been able to see Tetsuo's black hole..."
"For real? Do you have a Holy Engraving on your body?"
"I don't think so..."
"Then it's my pattern, wahaha!"
If it's the Tetsuo pattern, does that mean I became an Apostle too?
"Gnnnu..."
Thinking she was excluded, the Princess was grumbling.
"Princess, calm down."
"In that case! Shouldn't I just become one of those followers?!"
"Eh?! Are you serious?"
"What matters is -- shouldn't I just pray seriously?"
"Probably, I think so..."
Looking at Tetsuo, he nodded yes and yes.
"In that case, it's simple! I just need to pray to God so I can stay with Darling forever."
"Well, since the Princess can use magic, if she can draw mana from magic stones, things will probably go smoothly..."
"It's decided!"
"Serious... Well, shall you receive a blessing from Tetsuo?"
"Darling should do that!"
"Eeeee?!"
"Darling has also gained the power of that man, right? You should be able to do blessings too."
"Is that how it is?"
Indeed, didn't God say I was His favorite -- Tetsuo said that too...
Looking at him, he was just grinning.
It seems he is enjoying this situation...
The Princess knelt before me, and I held my right hand over her head.
As I tried to speak words, words flowed into my head.
"Stars, fall silent. Praise the name in the deep abyss of darkness. I, lying in shadow, wash my soul before Izal. With my blood, I shall become one with your shadow. My God, Izal -- King of the starless night, Lord of silence. Knowing my name, wrap my soul."
Unexpected words came out smoothly.
Then, the Princess's body before my eyes glowed pale blue, and her hair floated with particles of light.
"Oh, you did it."
Tetsuo was surprised by my power as well...
"Such power..."
Looking at his own hands, he was laughing.
"Yes, as expected! I figured it out."
"Eh? What did you figure out?"
"I'm going to return to my hometown after finishing this job, right? If I do, there will be no Apostles in this world, so I'm trying to make Daisuke do it."
"For real?!"
"Wahaha, probably. Daisuke as Apostle, Sana-chan as Saintess, a two-platoon."
Tetsuo had a mischievous look on his face.
He looked like he was lucky to be offloaded with the troublesome things he was bearing -- but what part of me touched the strings of a supernatural existence?
Was there really an element that made him like me that much?
It's puzzling.
"But, according to Tetsuo, if you become an Apostle, the safety of your family is guaranteed..."
"Well. God's protection will be exerted to the maximum."
"Umm, it depends on how you look at it..."
Right now, I succeeded in earning money, but there are things money can't fix.
For example, health or accidents of bad luck.
If God's power could avoid that...
"Darling."
There was a black pattern on the lower abdomen of the standing Princess.
"If the top-ranking adventurers of the world become followers of Izal -- the number will increase even more."
"Could it be you anticipated that?"
"Wahaha, I don't know, but there is a possibility."
As I was talking with Tetsuo, the Princess held my hand and pressed it against her stomach.
"Do the same thing as before for me too!"
From her happy expression, she might have thought she was being excluded.
"Understood."
I poured what was swirling inside my body into her through my fingertips.
"Nnyaaaaaa!"
Suddenly, she arched her body back and made a strange sound, but it was a sound I had never heard before.
Honestly, I thought it was cute.
I want to give her cat ears.