Lefiya, dressed in a blue-gray mage robe with a side ponytail, watched the grisly scene ahead as the huge swarm of monsters was wiped out with ease. She couldn't help but praise:
"So many Poison Vermis, handled effortlessly."
She then glanced toward Fischl, standing nearby with her bow in hand…
"No wonder even Riveria-sama praises her summoning magic as the highest rank. The battle power of a quasi-archfey life form is seriously incredible."
"Lefiya, your words are a bit rude~"
"Riveria-sama emphasized last night that Fischl-san isn't just a summon; strictly speaking, she's a respected adventurer in her own right."
"Your previous remark could be misinterpreted."
Hearing this…
"Oh, sorry." Lefiya quickly apologized to Fischl, bowing deeply.
"I didn't mean that, it was a slip of the tongue. Sorry..."
"The noble are destined to be lonely. A few careless words are nothing worth worrying about." Oz said.
"Uh, what the lady means is, she forgives you, no offense taken."
Nearby…
"Fischl's words are hard to understand."
Tiona whispered to Lumine, leaning close:
"Lumine, are your 'Genshin' summons like that too?"
"Uh, I don't think so, hehe~" Lumine smiled awkwardly.
Just then…
"Um, Lumine-san." The rabbit-girl named Rakta approached Lumine shyly, gathering courage to whisper very quietly:
"Thanks for saving me earlier."
After saying this, the little rabbit bounced quickly, still sneaking glances at Lumine.
Lumine just returned a friendly smile, saying nothing more.
Well, people with rabbit traits really are quite cute.
I really want to scoop her up and use her as a cuddly pillow... A certain blonde-haired, gold-eyed fool thought this silently, completely unaware of how sinful that thought was.
Just then...
"Ais, Tiona, and everyone." From afar came a familiar voice.
Led by Finn, about thirty people carrying large packs were approaching.
"Are you all okay?"
Looking around, the group's wooden carts used for transporting supplies were gone.
Either destroyed in the earlier chaos or deliberately abandoned by Finn.
Given the current situation, continuing the expedition seemed unrealistic.
The next step would be to retreat temporarily, find and regroup everyone, then consider heading back.
Perhaps during this time, they'd hunt more monsters inside the dungeon and estimate remaining supplies to replenish some stock.
But exploring unreached areas was obviously out of the question.
Right now...
"We're all fine~" Tiona reported immediately:
"All the nearby Poison Vermis were just wiped out by Lumine... oh, and Fischl too."
"Fischl?" Finn turned his head toward Fischl, who stood not far off.
Next moment, Riveria, the vice captain, walked over to Fischl with proper courtesy:
"Fischl-san, thank you very much for your help."
"For a princess, brilliance, shock, and attention are all just ordinary daily things."
"Uh, what the lady means is: no need to thank me for lending a hand." The crow translator beside the floating girl quickly added.
Line was momentarily stunned but said she could reluctantly understand.
At that moment...
"Hm?" Finn looked around the group with furrowed brows:
"Have you found anyone else?"
Hearing this…
"We haven't had time to search nearby yet... What is it, Captain?" Line answered nervously.
"Including you, we've already found most of the expedition members."
Finn said solemnly:
"Right now, only..."
He looked at Lumine:
"Lefiya and Aether are still missing."
"Maybe they fell to a lower floor."
At this point...
"Aether and I have a special skill that lets us stay connected at all times."
Lumine explained:
"Right now, Aether is with Lefiya."
"But their exact location..."
================
"37th floor?"
Amid the gray-white rock walls, Aether half-squatted and gently set the still-unconscious Lefiya down, letting her lean steadily against the wall.
Then, focusing his mind, he summoned the ice elemental Genshin, Diona, who had been on standby.
Next, he planned to have her heal Lefiya's wounds... and maybe restore some health for himself.
But just then...
Crack~
A fissure suddenly split open in a nearby rock wall.
Deep inside, at least a Level 4 tunneling monster was hatching.
=============
129+ Advance Chapters Available on Patreon! Patreon.com/Veltoria
250 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
Add to Library to support