"And so, Lory, what about you?"
While everyone was trailing behind Aster, who was manufacturing limbless monsters for them, Cassy turned to her and asked.
"You had something in mind when you requested this Revive skill from the big lady, right?"
"That's..." Lory's voice trembled slightly, before checking everyone's faces. "Not now. In time, I'll tell you." But she couldn't muster enough courage to ask.
Honestly, she wanted to get rid of the hateful chip behind her left eye as soon as she could. However, to the outside world, she's nothing but a "prisoner under parole," a truth that she didn't even dare mention to anyone.
To add to that, her race was loathed by the entire world.
The Aracelli Race once tried to take over the world, starting what was eventually called the Divine Retribution War using their unique ability—their eyes that could control other races.
However, they eventually failed and were driven close to extinction. All surviving members of their race were turned into slaves—prisoners—whose sentence extended even to their descendants.
Revenge. That's the only thing fueling their race to persevere until now.
Although she's willing to use Aster and his party to free herself, she couldn't risk it just yet. What if dying from the chip causes her to lose her ability? The small alterations she made to everyone's memory would come to light! It wouldn't be weird if she's persecuted then and there if that happened.
'When all my preparations are done... When I'm sure of success... I will remove this accursed chip and stand on top of the world!'
All the dark emotions in her heart were hidden behind the facade of a kind, naive woman. And when the time comes, the world will know her true colors.
---
Everyone didn't rush, slowly heading for the exit while hunting. Of course, Aster mostly handled the "hunting" part, while the others rode on his bus, earning EXP without much effort.
*Arf!*
But this changed when they ended up encountering a roaming Rogue Boss Wolf.
Argus, bored from just following them around, launched a powerful Red Lightning attack and one-shotted the Field Boss, along with all of its lackeys. All five girls glowed as he did, showing that they leveled up.
"Ohh~! You cute puppy, so you're this strong?!"
"I guess the same division as last time?" Liz tilted her head in wonder.
"This time, I'll come with Darling~!" But Tina objected, grabbing Aster's arm and asserting her presence to everyone.
"Don't you have troubles with your father right now, Vixen?" But Kali's words made him frown.
"Problem?" Aster asked. "Why, what happened?"
"Don't mind it, darling! It's just that old man trying to take me back home after I returned injured from the dungeon." Tina smiled, downplaying the situation, but Aster could tell how severe it was.
Tina's the youngest princess of the Zirroth Family. With the assets they have, it would be easy for them to force her out of Aster's party... Even Magnus, the Mayor of Orinfeld City, would have a hard time stopping them if they decided to go all out!
"... Alright, I'll go with Tina tomorrow," Aster decided in the end. "Tina, we shouldn't ignore your father's words. We should visit them tomorrow before we go shopping."
Of course, his intentions were just to go there and reassure her father that he wouldn't let Tina get into the same level of danger again. However, the person herself took it in a different light.
'Darling is greeting my father! The time for our wedding ceremony might be close~!'
"...?"
Aster was unsure about why Tina's gaze suddenly changed color, but the other girls could faintly read her mind.
"Tinya... and Star...?"
"Stop daydreaming, bitch! That's not why Leader's going with you!"
"Tina... You really love Aster, don't you? Haha..."
"... Well, best wishes to you two."
As the night grew deeper, everyone harbored hope for a brighter future as they headed to their respective lodgings. Only Aster remained tense, thinking about countless things. Experience more content on mvl
He turned back, looking at the Dungeon's entrance, and frowned.
His troubles were far from over.