Gather Divine Coins and Gacha! - Chapter 54
"We got here earlier than expected."
With the dungeon exit in sight, we ease up.
Unlike on the way in, not only did Kiira refrain from joining the fighting, Marida did too, and there was no scouting from Sera.
On top of that, we’re carrying someone, and we’re moving while exhausted.
Even if the monsters get weaker the farther we go, I’d thought it would take longer than the way in—but we made it out surprisingly fast.
"Because the number of monsters throughout the upper levels had dropped…"
Wolves: 60. Boars: 11. Elk: 8. Black snakes: 4.
And various magic insects.
That’s just what we were able to confirm among the monsters Sera had taken down.
Demons have a habit of drawing nearby monsters toward them, and it seems most of the monsters along the route from the hall to the shallows had gathered there.
Because of that, there was almost no fighting on the upper levels, and in the shallows too, it seems some adventurers got suspicious about the reduced number of monsters near the entrance to the upper levels, turned back, and took out what was left on their way—so there were few monsters, and we were able to dash straight through.
"For the report to the Adventurer Guild, we’ll keep it brief today and give the details later. Even I’m worn out."
The Demon fight—starting from a surprise encounter—seems to have been hard even for this man.
But as far as I’m concerned, I need him to do one more job.
"That’s fine, but you’re all coming to the manor as well. You’ll need to explain things to milady."
"Ugh⁉ Ah—…… no… fine. Let’s go."
Thinking ahead, it’s better to do things properly, and in the end it’ll also serve as an introduction, so it isn’t a bad outcome.
That line of thinking is practically written on his face.
He must have had mixed feelings, but he agrees to come along.
We’ll split not only the reward, but the responsibility too.
They can share in the scolding with us.
◇
"How filthy."
It’s fine that he went to the dungeon with two others alongside Professor’s party.
Bringing them to the manor is probably part of it as well—since I did order Alec to handle recruiting.
But what is the meaning of showing up covered in grime, with Sera unconscious on top of that?
Perhaps my irritation showed on my face without me realizing it, because Alec’s expression looks stiff—but fine.
"Alec. Explain concisely."
"Yes, ma’am. On the dungeon’s upper levels, we encountered a Demon and proceeded directly into combat. Sera acted separately to maintain vigilance over the area and to ensure we could retreat if necessary. We continued fighting for about an hour, but we struggled. During that time, Sera seems to have kept defeating the monsters the Demon drew in. After she finished defeating those monsters, she seized an opening in the Demon’s guard, intervened, and subjugated it."
A Demon… that thing that appears when a human corpse is absorbed in a dungeon.
I’ve been told it sometimes pursues nearby humans.
If it was on the upper levels, perhaps it couldn’t be helped that they went straight into combat…
"...Sera was the one who defeated it?"
"Yes, ma’am. She fractured her leg in the process, but Kiira here has already completed treatment. After the subjugation, the release of fatigue and tension caused her to fall asleep. She nearly woke once during our return, but then went back to sleep. It appears to be simple sleep—there are no signs of danger to her life or any lasting aftereffects."
"...Very well. I’ll hear the details later. Go wash the filth off at once. You—show them the way."
I call for the servants and have them guided to the baths.
The women will use the guest baths.
The men can make do with the servants’ baths.
"Elena, Sera—let’s carry her to my room."
For now, we need to do something about this child…
◇
"Sera, Sera!"
I lightly tap her cheek and call to her while shaking her body.
If she would just bring out 【Hideout】, we could manage the rest somehow, but she won’t wake up.
Compared to the manor, 【Hideout】 is stocked with things that are convenient for all sorts of situations.
If possible, I want to use that.
"Ugh… mmm…"
Perhaps she heard me—she opens her eyes, if only faintly.
"Sera? Bring out 【Hideout】. Let me and Elena inside. Do you understand? Bring out 【Hideout】, and put me and Elena inside."
Before she falls back asleep, she has to do at least that much.
"...Mm."
Whether she understood what I said or not, just as I felt the sensation of passing through a doorway, we were inside 【Hideout】.
Elena is here properly as well.
Sera fell asleep again, but with the two of us, we should be able to manage somehow.
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Sera・【Hideout】【Prayer】・【Floating Orb】【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】・8 cards
Seriana・【Range Identification】・【】・13 cards
Elena・【】・【Green Fang】・0 cards
Alec・【】・【Red Shield】・1 card
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