CH 262

Episode 262 – Pleasant Atmosphere

“Phew, looks like we managed to make it back to the Safe Area somehow. Rosalie’s movements are looking better, so that’s a relief.” (Lewin)

“I’m really sorry for causing so much trouble… Once we’d left the desert area, I was able to move a bit better.” (Rosalie)

“Even still, the 24th layer was rough. You hardly fought at all.” (Aruna)

“Well that’s because you told me to speak up about it, so I took you up on it! And it was true that I couldn’t move how I wanted.” (Rosalie)

After Aruna had talked it out with Rosalie, we made it up to the staircase on the 24th layer, and we then turned around and returned to the Safe Area. The situation was settled well, but, as expected, mental health problems weren’t that easy to fix. As Aruna had said, Rosalie found that she couldn’t move how she wanted, so she couldn’t join the battles.

However, since she had notified us the moment when it had become too much for her to handle, we had had Rosalie rotate to the rear guard, and, after she had used some of the items and plants I’d made, we were able to clear the Dungeon smoothly without any problems.

While we were on our way back to the Safe Area, she would occasionally go to the vanguard, and I could see that she was starting to become more comfortable again, so I felt that it was safe to continue clearing without returning to the surface.

“She was joining in the fights on our way back, so I think she’s trying her best.” (Lewin)

“Thanks to you and Aruna, I was able to set my heart at ease even though we were in the middle of fighting! But… I’m really sorry for holding you guys back.” (Rosalie)

“Don’t worry about it. As Aruna had said earlier, there’s no problem as long as you let us know! You might not have been able to perform how you wanted this time, but maybe there’ll be a time where I’m the one who’ll hold us back. Or who knows, maybe one day, it’ll be Aruna-san. When that time comes, we’ll all support one another as a party. That’s what I think our party should be like.” (Lewin)

When I had told her this, tears began to form at the corner of her eyes, and she gave a small, shy nod. A party where we could share both our joys and suffering, supporting each other through them… I would be glad if we could work towards that concept, just like [Iron Gear] had done.

After that, if only I could be more like Ahmed and grow stronger as well as become a leader that can pull everyone together, that would be perfect… But I had a feeling that that was still a distant future.

“Sorry to break up the good mood, but I’m hungry.” (Aruna)

“Right. Let’s feast up today and then get ready for tomorrow. With the amount of food we have remaining, even if we eat a lot today, we should be able to clear the Dungeon for another 3 days without having to think about food,” I said while checking the reserves we were carrying.

“Um… Is it okay for me to eat too, even though I haven’t done anything?” (Rosalie)

“Of course! Even if you didn’t do anything, you still did so much up until the 24th layer. In the first place, I wouldn’t say something like ‘you didn’t do anything, so no food for you!’” (Lewin)

“Yeah. Next time you say something self-deprecating like that, I’m going to flick you on the forehead.” (Aruna)

“Eh?! Aruna-san, weren’t you blaming me just a bit ago?” (Rosalie)

“I don’t blame you. And don’t be self-deprecating because then I’ll have to keep flicking you in the forehead, and that’s troublesome.” (Aruna)

“…Y-You’re the worst!” (Rosalie)

As they continued to talk and banter, we cooked and relaxed in an extremely pleasant atmosphere. And then, the next day came.

“There’s a Black Cobra coming from the left. I’ll defeat the Black Cobra, so please deal with the pack of Stinger Rats coming from up front, Lewin-san!” (Rosalie)

“Ah, dodge that.” (Aruna)

“Hey! Watch it!” (Rosalie)

Since Rosalie was more or less back to normal, it seemed that Aruna had switched back to using Magic Arrows, so a considerable number of misfires started to happen. And because of that, Aruna was now causing more trouble than Rosalie had been. But again, as long as we all supported each other, we would be just fine.

If it really got dangerous, Aruna would surely make the decision to switch back to normal arrows, so I wasn’t worried at all about it. Still, it was quite the burden to bear for Rosalie, who had just gotten back on her feet.

After my thoughts reached that point, I carried out my duty and tossed the Sticky Bomb towards the pack of Stinger Rats, sealing their movements all at once. I focused on the Stinger Rats that hadn’t gotten trapped in the adhesive, and I eventually single-handedly defeated the pack of Stinger Rats, unharmed.

“I defeated the pack of Stinger Rats.” (Lewin)

“I’m also finished with the Black Cobra on my side! Aruna-san, all that’s left is the Dry Salamanders. Take them out.” (Rosalie)

“I’m on it. 2 left, 1 left… done.” (Aruna)

“That’s all of them, right? That’s the best we’ve ever done, isn’t it?!” (Rosalie)

Though Rosalie had been at the core of the battle, she had really managed to fight well. There weren’t many flying monsters in the desert area, so the Sticky Bomb was effective as always, and Rosalie’s recovery made the fights go even smoother than they had been in the canyon area.

The troublesome parts about the desert were the hot, humid air conditions and the ground that was difficult to walk on. Also, there were a lot of venomous monsters, but the venom could be handled using plants synthesized by [Plant Master], so it was a good matchup for me.

There were far fewer monsters than in the canyon area, so it was easier to deal with them up front. Depending on Rosalie’s mental state and Aruna’s handling of the Magic Arrows, clearing the desert area was probably going to be much easier for us than the canyon area had been.

Upon finishing such a promising bout, we continued to rapidly press onwards.