Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Sana's Back
Iroha's younger sister -- to search for and rescue Kagari, I had dived into the dungeon, and I was able to rescue her safely.
Although there were casualties among the moles and the adventurers, the fact that there were survivors is, first of all, a cause for celebration.
This time it wasn't connected to the Labyrinth Cult, but we were attacked at the very end.
Since I already knew what kind of person the enemy was, there was no need to hold back, and I took them out with a preemptive strike.
――That's what I thought, but it seems they managed to escape by a hair's breadth.
They escaped, but Kaorulko and Sana's magic definitely hit them.
Even if they aren't dead, they must have taken a huge amount of damage.
They shouldn't be able to move for a while.
We returned to the safe zone on Floor 6 to take a short break.
After all, Iroha came in the evening, went straight into the dungeon from there, and stayed up all night.
According to Kaorulko's watch, it seems to be morning on the surface now.
If it were just high-level adventurers, a forced march would be possible, but this time we have the rescuers with us.
Their levels aren't high.
It's impossible to return at the same speed as us.
Even if we brought out bicycles, we couldn't fit everyone on them -- so we'll have to move on foot.
"Let's eat for now."
The mages cast light magic.
I don't know if it's a nap or a full-blown camp, but let's think about that after eating.
"I'm hungry! Darling, what are we eating?"
Iroha had just eaten four pieces of bread a moment ago.
"Hmm, how about yakisoba?"
"That sounds good!"
Dungeon meals are basically made in large quantities, so we can't serve anything too fancy.
The basic rule is that it must be easy to make in large amounts.
School lunch menus might be a reference.
Yakisoba, stir-fried meat and vegetables, curry, stew, pork soup -- and so on.
If it's soft noodles, ramen, soba, and udon should be possible too.
Besides, there are the large bento boxes we bought at the supermarket, but if we keep eating those every time, we'll get bored quickly.
"As for the rest, eat as many onigiri as you like."
I pulled out a mountain of onigiri in a huge pot from the Item Box.
"Yay!"
Iroha and Kagari jumped for the onigiri at the same time.
Maybe because they are sisters, or maybe they just look alike.
"It's delicious!" "To be able to eat such a meal inside a dungeon!"
The men who were saved are also eating.
They had run out of food and were starving, so I was worried, but it seems they are fine.
"Gya!" "Gyagya!"
The Harpies have arrived too, so I give them food.
These guys eat anything.
They seem to like sweets, so they probably have a sense of taste for sweetness.
"Well, I'll eat too."
The Princess and Kaorulko are holding down both sides of me.
Sana seemed to be aiming for my side too, but it seems neither the Princess nor Kaorulko intends to yield.
"But well -- I'm glad your sister is safe."
"She made everyone worry..."
"Sorry, Big Sister."
"Anyway, you were unprepared. Going to floors after Floor 6 with only two adventurers?"
"She said she was good with her hands, so I trusted her."
Kagari's words were interrupted by the Princess.
"I've never met anyone with such 'good hands' who actually has good hands."
"Hahaha! That's right."
"But risking your life to escape your companions is worthy of praise."
The Princess muttered while holding yakisoba.
"When we get back, go pay your respects to the guild where you hired those guys."
"I know, Big Sister..."
The mood got a bit heavy, so let's change the subject.
"I'm glad I brought Sana along this time."
"I'm glad I could come with Daisuke-san too."
"Still, you managed to master Compressed Light Bullet in one shot. Was there some trick to it?"
"Hmm, I guess it was just that what I thought might work... worked."
"Oh, I see. What did it feel like?"
"Daisuke-san, do you have a towel?"
"Yes."
I took a towel out of the Item Box and handed it to Sana.
"At first, I thought maybe I should crush it tightly?"
She rolled the towel into a ball and crushed it like an onigiri.
"If you do that, it doesn't seem like it will get smaller."
"Yes -- so I thought it should be done like this."
Sana twisted the towel as if wringing out a rag.
"Oh! I see!"
"Yes, that's how it was."
Koeda, who was watching, seemed to understand what Sana meant.
"Haa..."
Kaorulko let out a big sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"I -- after getting a hint from Yuuki-san, I seriously thought and tried for about three days before I finally found it..."
"Kaorulko mastering it in three days is amazing, but Sana, you really are a genius."
"Hmph... it was just luck that it worked out."
It seems the Princess really doesn't want to admit Sana's abilities.
"The Princess says that, but she is quietly closing in on your back."
"Unbelievable!"
"Sana, if Darling's place is no good, come to mine?"
A genius mage is being scouted by Iroha.
"Thank you. But I have my own guild..."
"I thought Kirara would be the leader, but to me, Sana looks like the leader. She can do close combat too..."
"It's amazing that a mage can do close combat!"
Koeda was also surprised by Sana's fighting style.
"N-no, it's because Daisuke-san was there..."
Sana was always reserved, but Kagari interrupted there.
"More importantly, Big Sister! Stop doing it in the dungeon!"
"I-it can't be helped! The buff made me lose control..."
"Why do I have to hear Big Sister's moans in the dungeon!"
"Ah, you said 'ahen'..."
"No, you did say 'ahen'!"
What kind of conversation is this?
Sana, who was listening to Iroha's conversation, turned red.
There was no time to talk about such things due to the sudden rapid development, but now she is remembering various things and feels embarrassed.
When she makes that face, it makes me uncomfortable too.
"A-ah... Daisuke-san."
"What is it?"
"How was I?"
"I said it earlier, but your magic sense is amazing, isn't it? You might really be a genius."
"N-no, that's not it... about my naked body..."
Her face turned even redder, and it seems steam is rising from it.
"Oh, that side. It was very beautiful. Your breasts are big, hahaha."
Seriously, when asked such things, even an old man like me feels embarrassed.
"Guu nu nu!" "Ahem!"
She gets body-checked from both sides by the Princess and the Empress.
"H-how was my butt...?"
"It's round and curvy, isn't it the best?"
"Darling!"
The Princess's pech-pech attack is coming, but since Kaorulko is next to me, I can't escape.
"And my back..."
I was about to say something about my back, but I closed my mouth.
Because there was a black pattern on her back.
I shouldn't mention that.
"Back? What about the back?"
"Eh? Eh~ no, it was beautiful."
"What is it? Are you hiding something?"
"No, no, hiding... you have various things too."
"What is it? I don't understand! Please say it clearly!"
Eh? Wait a minute... is it okay to say it?
Well, maybe she isn't that bothered by it herself...
"It's the pattern on your back..."
"Pattern? What pattern?"
"Eh?!"
"Eh?!"
Sana and I looked at each other.
It feels like our conversation isn't clicking.
Maybe I should speak clearly here.
"There is a black pattern on your back... but I don't mind it."
"Eh?! There is no pattern on my back?"
"Eh?!"
"Eh?!"
Again, Sana and I looked at each other.
What's going on?
"Probably the Princess and Iroha saw it too -- right?"
"Yes."
"It was definitely there."
The Princess saw it too, after all.
"I thought Sana was doing quite naughty things -- hahaha!"
"What is that?! I don't know anything about it..."
"No, there was definitely something black -- since it was a geometric pattern, I thought it wasn't a scar from illness or injury."
"That's right, it had a design like wings spreading. I thought so too."
Well, everyone would think that normally.
"Eh~?! Daisuke-san!"
"Yes."
"Please look again!"
She removes her belt and other equipment, turns her back, and lifts her black dress.
"Nn~"
As expected -- there is a pattern on her white back like wings spreading.
The other girls gathered around to watch.
They must have been curious after all.
"Sana, it's there after all."
"R-really?!"
Judging by her reaction, it seems she didn't know her back was like this at all.
"Didn't Mio-chan say anything?"
"No."
"So, does that mean Sana's back became like this recently?"
"Eh? Is that so?!"
"Could it be the influence of the dungeon?"
"Darling, I haven't heard such a story?"
If the veteran adventurer Iroha hasn't heard of it, then I shouldn't know it either.
"Um..."
Koeda, who was looking at Sana's back with me, raised her hand.
"What is it?"
"Isn't this like the Emblem Squad's emblem...?"
"Emblem Squad?"
Mages who can use magic in the dungeon can only use magic near the dungeon.
The power attenuates the further they get from the dungeon, but there is no such thing for the Emblem Squad.
According to internet rumors, it seems they can use magic with a power completely separate from the dungeon's power.
"I've heard of the Emblem Squad, but do their bodies have patterns like this too?"
"It's just a rumor -- it seems no one has seen it."
The organization is classified, and no information is released at all.
Sometimes images secretly taken by ordinary people are uploaded to the internet.
The Emblem Squad shown in those images -- seems to be a mixed-gender team in black suits and black ties.
"Then -- could it be that Sana can now use magic outside the dungeon?"
"Eh?! Really?!"
"Let's try it next time."
"Yes!"
"Guu nu nu..."
For some reason, the Princess is glaring at Sana.
"Yaegashi Sakurako-sama, your advantage is fading away."
"Hush! Whose side are you on?!"
The Princess raised her voice at Kaorulko's words.
"I am on Daisuke-san's side."
"Guu nu nu..."
Sana, who was excited about her new possibilities, suddenly slumped and looked down.
"What's wrong?"
"...I'm sorry..."
"What? Did something happen?"
"...When Daisuke-san went to find Ren-chan and came back with Cherry Princess... I thought he was such a cold person..."
"I can't make excuses about that. It's true."
"But, now that I'm diving into the depths myself -- I thought if Daisuke-san can't do it, no one else can."
"It might sound like an excuse, but the Labyrinth Cult members can move freely inside the dungeon, and we don't know where their base is -- currently, adventurers can't break through Floor 7."
"...Yes."
"I also gave up on the way back from the depths with the Princess and the others."
"..."
"I understand being called cold. When the world stopped, people in our village died like flies. I think we've just gotten used to people dying."
Iroha joined our conversation.
"People dying is the same in Tokyo. My parents were like that too."
"Yeah..."
Kagari nodded at her older sister's words.
"Things that can't be helped by struggling are just not helpable -- I think giving up early is also part of it."
It's unavoidable to be called cold for that.
"...No, that's not it."
"Hm? What's different?"
"I said Daisuke-san was cold, but in the end, I was enjoying diving into the dungeon... and also doing such things with Daisuke-san... waaaah."
She started crying.
She probably feels guilty about living happily and doing fun things.
No, that's normal, and maybe I'm the weird one, having become a cold human.
I stood up, went to Sana, and hugged her.
Unfortunately -- through the equipment, I couldn't really feel her warmth or softness.
"Sana says that, but if you're an adventurer, it's a daily occurrence for comrades to die or disappear?"
"Iroha is right. Instead of crying and continuing as an adventurer, let's live brightly and happily with those who survived."
"Great Darling! That's a good point. Otherwise, you can't continue as an adventurer?"
If you can't switch gears like that, you can't continue as an adventurer.
"This time, two moles and two adventurers were casualties."
"Phew... it's sad, but this is the dungeon... strange, if you say it's crazy, I have no words to return."
Kagari doesn't seem to be depressed about the casualties either.
Of course, she probably reflects on the crisis caused by this plan and lack of preparation.
"What will you do? Are you quitting being an adventurer?"
When the Princess's severe gaze and words were directed at Sana, she wiped her tears and answered.
"No -- I won't quit."
"I see."
The Princess smiled while eating.
Did she admit Sana a little?
"Let's believe we will meet Ren again."
"Yes."
Of course, such words are only comfort.
After seeing the fate of the Dancing Darkness members -- honestly, I think it's impossible now.
"For now -- when we go back up, let's try if Sana's magic works outside the Special District."
"Yes."
"That sounds interesting! Can I go too?"
"Is it okay for the ladies to go to Sensei's place?"
"Oh, there was that... well, it should be fine?"
It's a plan to have an egg examination and freezing storage at the recommendation of Sensei, who studies monsters.
"Maybe Sana's back matter should be kept secret. If the emblem is real, the Emblem Squad might scout her."
"That's possible."
Kaorulko, who was listening to my words, nodded.
"Just join the Emblem Squad. It's a rare chance to become a civil servant these days? Your life will be stable too."
The Princess threw a slightly mean-spirited word at Sana.
"Even if such a talk comes, I will decline."
"You have a younger sister, don't you?"
"It's useless to try to keep me away from Daisuke-san."
"Tch."
She returns from Sana's side to the Princess's side.
"Snapping your tongue isn't good."
"Hmph!"
She threw her body against me roughly.
"It's my usual jealousy."
"Don't say 'usual'!"
The Princess reacted to Kaorulko's words.
"Good, good, hahaha -- ah, but whether Sana's pattern is real or not -- everyone keep it a secret."
"Of course, we are fine -- hey! You guys don't talk about it to others either?!"
"Or should I leave you here?!"
The Iroha sisters are threatening the men.
"We won't say!" "People with loose lips aren't trusted..." "That's right."
Even though it was a critical situation, I think it's out of bounds to assault women -- but that aside.
People who talk about other people's secrets or gossip easily will do the same elsewhere.
In the end, no one will pay attention to them.
After eating, everyone has some leeway.
It's still Floor 6, so we can't let our guard down.
We drank coffee and such for now, but I remembered something.
"That's right -- Iroha took down the Demon, didn't she?"
"Yeah, it's a bit vague..."
It wasn't too bad, but she was in a berserker state.
"It seems some drop items fell, so I picked them up..."
"Eh?! Is that so?! I completely forgot!"
"Well, everyone rushed in after that..."
"Next -- Darling said there was a survivor's voice, so everyone's attention went there."
That's what the Princess said.
I myself had completely forgotten until now.
It was that hurried.
I take out what I stored in the Item Box.
I thought it was something like a black cloth...
"What is this? Cloth?"
Iroha lifted the black thing.
It was indeed cloth.
"I think that's correct."
"Mantle?"
As she looked at the cloth, something like a black cord hung down.
"Some cord is coming out..."
"What is this?"
Iroha lifted the black thing... but it had a triangular piece of cloth attached to the cord in a shape I recognized.
"Could it be that..."
I pointed to the Princess's bikini armor.
"Eeeeeh?! Please have some mercy!"
Iroha screamed.
It was more of a micro-bikini than bikini armor.
"Could it be super high-performance like the Princess's bikini armor?"
"Eh... really?"
She stared at the cloth she lifted.
"After all, it dropped from a big enemy like a mid-boss."
"That's right. Darling is right."
"This Cherry Princess! You're the one who dressed like that, intending to drag me in!?"
"I didn't intend that -- but whether to use or not use the super high-performance drop item is your choice."
"Waaaah..."
"I want to see Iroha wearing it too..."
"Hey, Darling! Are you serious?!"
"By the way, Iroha-san. Didn't you say you'd do anything?"
Kaorulko added fuel to my words.
"Are you bringing up that promise now?!"
"Oh, I think it's up to us when to play the card we were given..."
Kaorulko says a lot too.
"Waaaah..."
She agreed to wear it when I said I wanted to see it.
The other girls also seem to want to know the rare item's abilities.
Iroha is changing clothes hidden behind the blanket I took out of the Item Box.
"You guys don't look! If you look, I'll leave you here!"
Kagari is threatening the men.
"S-so..."
Well, men would want to see, but I can't show them.
Only we who participated in this rescue operation have that right.
Kagari is Iroha's younger sister.
The men are outsiders no matter how you look at them.
Give up.
"H-how is it?"
Iroha showed her face from the blanket.
She's hiding it, probably because she's embarrassed, but the cloth is so small that various things seem to be spilling out.
This is truly a man's romance.
If you ask what romance, I'm in trouble, but it was nothing but a man's romance.
"Ho! This might be wonderful. A feast for the eyes, a feast for the eyes."
"So, how is it ability-wise?"
"Yes, it is."
The Princess and Kaorulko seem interested in the rare item's abilities, so I will represent them and try a little attack.
"Yo!"
I lightly punch towards her abs.
"Nn oh! It's not reducing damage at all..."
"Eh? Is that so?"
Then, what about magic resistance?
I have her approach the magic light.
If she has magic resistance, I think it will interfere with the light and cause a change.
"Hey, there's no change at all?!"
"Eh? An item dropped from such a strong monster is a dud?"
The Princess reacted to my muttering.
"Based on past experience, that's unlikely..."
"But~ this is just high exposure, with absolutely no good points!"
She stopped hiding, so she's almost naked.
Well, I've already seen her naked body, but this feels more erotic than being completely naked.
"Besides -- buffs to power or speed?"
"I see!"
Hearing my words, Iroha threw punches and ran around.
It's surreal, but it doesn't look like her speed has increased visually.
"Hey! This is amazing!"
Suddenly, Iroha shouted loudly.
What's amazing?