90. The Grand Ball and the Kaleidoscope of My Girls
I came to and found myself back in the church.
I checked on the members. Everyone from Levante was there.
"Mm!"
Cecily thrust her knife toward me like she was pressing it against me in return.
"You're alive, huh."
"I can't believe it!"
She seemed pretty pissed.
"Sorry. Next time, I'll do it myself."
"Too late. You knew we were fine already!"
What a noisy girl. I hugged Cecily.
"Gyaah! I'm not falling for that!"
Cecily shoved me away.
Ira sidled up to Cecily in a show of concern. Sneaky bitch. I hadn't forgotten that she'd ditched me just like I had.
I looked around. Altail and the knights hadn't returned yet. It was just us.
"Looks like no one else made it back..."
"They should be back any moment now," Myra replied.
"Still, who would've thought an Area Guarder would use a Special Skill."
Just their existence was terrifying enough, but if there were monsters in inescapable spots unleashing devastating, wide-area damage with divine-granted powers, no one could dungeon dive anymore.
"Me neither. Special Skills are supposed to be gifts from the gods to humans. I've never heard of monsters using them."
"Weren't all the gods except the Goddess Five Pillars hostile to humanity? Doesn't surprise me if they handed one to a monster."
"That's true, but still, I've never heard of it."
Myra shook her head.
"...Well, if this dungeon was spawned by Mii's Crystal Control skill, it might be an exception."
I relayed what Doris had told me inside the dungeon.
"The knight said I did 'splendidly.' Made me think—the Area Guarder might've been a knight buried down here."
"The monster said that?"
I nodded, and Myra's eyes widened. Was it that surprising?
"Monsters don't talk."
"They can't understand meaning, but goblins chat all the time, right?"
"W-well, yes, but goblins come in monster and beast types. And that knight looked human but wasn't."
Myra seemed stumped explaining it. If monsters could communicate like us, dungeon runs would skyrocket in difficulty. I got it—monsters basically don't talk.
"Anyway, no conclusion there. What do you think about Mii generating the dungeon with Crystal Control?"
Myra didn't know everything about the world's mechanics. I wasn't blaming her—just changing the subject.
"Just to distract us, right?"
Mizuki joined the conversation.
"To keep reinforcements from reaching Niren? Then why not trigger it sooner?"
"Not that—for escape."
"...Makes sense. So there might be more dungeons like this along our route. What a shitty parting gift."
"In that case, I bet Izark's heading to Fulft too."
As Mizuki answered, Altail and the knights appeared. The black circle at the dungeon entrance vanished too.
That night, a banquet was held in the castle's grand hall.
We mingled with nobles. Knights who'd cleared the dungeon were there too. But no sign of the king.
It was supposedly to celebrate us, but the setup was too perfect. They must've planned some party anyway.
As rewards, everyone including Mateo Merchant Company got one gold coin each. Me and the five who beat the Area Guarder got an extra one.
Mateo Company scored a trade deal too. Mercedes seemed happier about that than the gold. She and Claire were absent, probably deep in negotiations.
Doris tried handing me Fang's gold coin that Mizuki had received, but I made them keep it as take-home pay. Freshly freed slaves needed a leg up. I gave the caravan escort fees to them too.
Cecily and Ira took their shares like it was natural.
Dinner was a standing buffet.
White cloths draped tables laden with silverware and flower-adorned platters. Attendants gracefully plated fresh fruits and spice-rubbed meats.
They'd lent me some fancy silk or velvet getup—smooth and flashy. My hip-length mantle fluttered when I walked, distracting me.
Fang and Beers wore similar outfits. Both looked awkward. I got it. I probably looked the same.
"...Doesn't suit us."
We muttered together. A weird bond formed in that instant.
"Feelin' antsy? Grab a drink?"
I took a wine glass from a tray-carrying server. Sipped it.
"This is good. Rich fruit sweetness with a refined tartness spreading in your mouth."
"Smooth mouthfeel. That lingering aftertaste deep on the tongue is killer."
I couldn't tell good wine from bad, but Fang and Beers nodded over their expert commentary like pros.
After that ordeal, I wanted cold beer.
I grabbed some plated meat on a small dish. Chewy and tasty. Spices masked any gamey smell perfectly.
"Venison."
Fang was eating the same. He'd mentioned living as a hunter before slavery. Come to think of it, no one batted an eye at the werewolf. Fam could come no problem.
We three stuck together a bit when the entrance doors opened. The women entered in glamorous dresses.
Fam spotted me first and rushed over.
Light blue outfit. Low-cut with a big gem necklace.
She stopped in front of me and spun. Her tail and skirt hem fluttered. A citrus scent wafted—perfume.
"H-how's this?"
Her gaze locked on me, intent on every word. I noticed her makeup, matched to the room's lights. Glossy skin, deeper red lips giving her a mature vibe.
"C-cute... Yeah, I like it."
I meant to compliment more, but words failed. She got the point anyway—her cheeks flushed, and she didn't press.
Her eyes shifted to my wine glass.
"Master, it's a special night. May I have just a sip?"
"...Make it just a sip tonight."
Fam nodded solemnly. Anxiety gnawed, but I handed it over.
She took it firmly, tilted it. Tiny sip. Relief.
"Vintage? So rich and aromatic."
Food critic too, huh.
"What're you making her drink?"
A exasperated voice. Mizuki and Myra had snuck up.
Both in dresses. Mizuki's red, hair up with silver accessories. Elegant neckline. Big gem necklace. Her perfume was mysterious—nice smell.
"W-what?"
I stared silently, and Mizuki spoke.
"You look good in anything, Mizuki."
Striking features and killer figure. Suited any look—did only I think that?
"Hard to put on, so compliment properly."
"Y-yeah... You're hot to begin with, so anything works."
Words dried up again like with Fam.
"...Jeez."
Mizuki pouted downward.
Next to her, another sulker.
"Look at me too!"
Myra in lavish purple. Lace-covered, modest exposure, but bust emphasized—sucking me in. Her shawl floated with every move.
"Wine?" I offered a fresh glass from a server.
"Compliment first!"
"...Beautiful."
"Jeez!"
"No, everyone's beautiful. Can't put it right."
"Everyone?"
Myra pressed.
"...No, you, Myra."
Fam and Mizuki glared.
"Just big sis?"
"No, Fam and Mizuki too... insanely beautiful."
As I fumbled, someone tugged my mantle from behind.
Doris, in green dress.
"...Maybe not as much as you all, but how do I look?"
"No, you're cute too, Doris."
"R-really? Thank you."
She blushed shyly.
Cecily and Ira sipped wine together.
Escaped the others, now with them.
"...I can guess what happened."
Cecily said. White dress. No pointed hat—blonde hair shone. Ira matched Myra exactly. Acted defiant to sis but copied her style and gear. Myra held her glass two-handed. Planning to down all the night's booze?
"Rough time."
"Don't compliment properly, and they glom on harder."
Cecily lectured gently.
"I did."
"Lemme guess—'beautiful' and 'cute' on repeat like an idiot?"
"..." Nailed it. Speechless.
"Listen—spot what she's proud of and compliment that."
"...Got it."
I nodded; Cecily elbowed me. Wanted praise too.
"Your face is super pretty and suits you, Cecily."
"...Mash, no clue what you said, but the intent came through."
She sighed.
"J-just kidding. That white dress really brings out your hair."
Cecily blushed.
"W-well, okay. Now Ira."
"I-I'm fine. He'll say something dumb anyway."
Ira flinched at the sudden pass.
I eyed Ira. Identical to Myra. Praising that wouldn't land. She squirmed under my gaze, chugged her wine to escape.
My eyes caught her glass-holding hand.
"Manicure matching the wine. Suits your pretty fingers."
"...Heard you with Cecily—can't be fully happy."
Still, she bashfully downed the other glass.
Patrolling, I spotted Aver and Zofia.
They were chatting but raised glasses at me.
Aver in usual bikini armor, no sword. Zofia not in chainmail but mobile gear, small sword belted.
About to greet—then Cecily's advice flashed. Aver's armor gleamed more than usual.
"Aver, party bikini? Looks good."
Aver's cheeks softened.
"Heh, spotting this noble bikini armor? As expected. Prep party boomerang pants next time over that getup."
Hell no, but objecting meant brutal morning training. I nodded. Zofia next to her made a pained face. Normal senses.
"Thanks for taking it down. Gratitude again."
We clinked glasses at Zofia's words.
Report said 10th floor: worms and knight. Kept Special Skill quiet. She probably noticed gaps—couldn't explain elite knights losing from my account.
"Said you're adventurers—why join knights?"
"Hm? Wanna join? Welcome."
I shook my head; she laughed.
"Was noble, but too many bros, no cash. Adventured to make my way."
As she spoke, hall doors opened. Kid entered with attendants. Woman behind—mom?
"Our king."
Zofia whispered in my ear.
Band struck up at his entrance. Banquet livened.
"Can you dance, Mash?" Zofia grinned mischievously.
"I'm commoner. No clue."
"Good—I'll teach you tonight."
"N-no. Embarrassing." I backed away.
"Keep refusing, stays embarrassing forever."
She grabbed my escaping hand.
And so, the castle night deepened.
Thank you for reading.
Thanks to everyone who liked, bookmarked, and rated.
It motivates me. I'll keep at it.
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