Chapter 227

Chapter 230: So-called Emergency Evasion! (Please Subscribe!)

“No matter what, the monsters have been mostly dealt with… What should we do next, Finn?”

Riviria took a bite of her fried potato ball and asked.

Although they haven’t fully explored it, the thirty-seventh floor has been pretty much covered by now.

If they were to proceed from their current location near the center of this floor, there’s no other way but through the vast “Throne Between” area and head towards the thirty-eighth floor.

Considering their current team situation, especially regarding supplies, Riviria’s words were also hinting that Finn should consider returning.

After all, this wasn’t a formal expedition. It was just to check on the progress of the guild members during this period and to experiment with Haruhi’s magic.

“Hmm, it’s about time we head back. The energy consumption of descending each level is quite troubling, and this time we didn’t bring much in terms of living supplies.”

“It’ll be troublesome if we run out of food and water on our way back after staying here too long… Everyone, let’s prepare to retreat!”

Finn naturally agreed with Riviria’s opinion, indicating that it was time to withdraw.

In short, this wasn’t a formal dungeon “expedition,” so they’d stop when they reached the point.

“I follow the captain’s orders!”

“Understood—!!”

Tiona and Tione happily responded to Finn’s words. Bert silently put his hands in his pockets; for him, following the captain’s command was enough.

Anqi and the rest of the second unit also replied, “Understood!” Everyone packed their bags, stuffing all the spoils into the massive supporter backpacks, taking away everything valuable!

Considering the carrying capacity, they even painfully crushed many magic stones to make space for dropped items.

There must be sacrifice to gain…

On the way, Tiona cheerfully or perhaps to lighten the mood began to say:

“Refia~ After we return to the surface, why don’t we go look at equipment together? I can give you some advice on the style of armed equipment?”

“Isn’t it better to leave that to Ais? What effective advice can you give holding that great double blade? Refia doesn’t suit your style.”

“…… Can Miss Ais help me!?”

“Sure, no problem!”

“—Yay!”

Facing such Tiona, Tione smiled faintly at the corner of her mouth. Adding Refia and Ais, the girls habitually gathered together.

Centered around them, the atmosphere within the team became relaxed as everyone laughed and exchanged ideas with their companions, discussing where to drink or feast upon returning to the surface.

Izay and Haruhi stayed beside Riviria.

“Regarding the choice of staffs, I have some good recommendations, Haruhi can come with me later?… Though in the end, it’s just a referral among acquaintances.”

Her gaze on the fox person girl, Riviria said thus.

“Um…. What does Izay-sama think?”

Haruhi timidly asked, and Izay shook his head indifferently.

“A staff just needs to be useful. As long as the quality is solid, other aspects aren’t important.”

After all, shopping, whether selecting what, always pursues two unchanging goals: meeting one’s heart’s desire and having guaranteed quality.

Seeing him like that, Riviria showed an interested expression.

“Izay…”

“Hmm?”

“Do you know, using Loki’s words, you’re acting exactly like a nouveau riche right now, dumb and rich.”

“Ugh… How could you scold your student like that, teacher? My feelings are hurt, very hard to console!”

Unable to resist smiling, Riviria tapped Izay’s head: “How do you want me to console you? You’re already mocking me?”

≡ω≡

If the situation wasn’t inappropriate, Izay really wanted to show a comical face to depict his psychology.

By the way, teacher, your high-and-mighty image fell, pick it up.

Saying these words doesn’t fit your character~

……

……

Deciding to end the exploration, they chose the shortest route all the way, skillfully fighting off monster disturbances and breaking through quickly. It took four days for the group to return to the surface from the thirty-seventh floor.

Compared to the “going” phase, the return trip saw the group resting well for a day at the eighteenth floor’s “Rivira Town” to relax.

Ais and the others brought Haruhi around to see the sights of the “Maze Paradise,” making the girl express her gratitude repeatedly.

When they returned from their exploration, the surface was already bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

After exchanging the spoils at the exchange office facility of the Babel Tower skyscraper for gold coins, the group swayed with the bustling crowd of adventurers, leaving the Central Square.

While many of their peers headed toward the Guild Headquarters or “The Bountiful Mistress” tavern, the [Loki Familia] returned to their Headquarters.

“—You’re back aaaahhhh!”

The voice came unexpectedly.

As if calculating the timing perfectly, just as Ais and the others walked through the gate while Finn and other partners were handing over the spoils to the remaining members, a figure ran over from the mansion.

Then… directly launched itself at the girls in the group.

“Wow~ I missed you guys so much—!”

A familiar scene replayed, history repeating itself in astonishing ways.

Ais, Tiona, and Tione naturally dodged with ease and familiarity.

After training, Refia’s reaction was slightly slower, but she managed to evade at the last moment. Only Haruhi, experiencing this for the first time, stood blankly with a confused look.

However, seeing a figure rushing toward her, the fox person girl immediately panicked. Her first thought was to avoid being hit.

Acting on this impulse, Haruhi ended up performing a perfect flat fall.

“Slap” — landed on her butt.

“—Ah???”

Even Loki mid-leap froze in astonishment, her divine eyes wide open, perfectly illustrating the bewilderment of a deity.

And under the curious gazes of everyone present, Loki who missed her target “slapped” onto the ground.

Face first…

“Waah! That was amazing, Refia, you actually dodged Loki’s tackle, it’s the first time, isn’t it?”

“…”

Though this statement made it hard to feel happy.

But there’s no denying, it’s true.

What a sorrowful… no, what a celebratory story!

“Is Spring姬 alright? Did you fall anywhere?”

“No, no… Thank you…”

Spring姬 got up, rubbing her little bottom, still somewhat dazed, unable to comprehend the situation.

Of the two semi-parties involved in this incident, the others had someone concerned about them. However, Loki, both perpetrator and victim, was left completely ignored.

Rationally spectating, Izay somehow picked up a stick from somewhere, crouching down beside the prostrate chief deity and poked her side.

Poke poke~

“Not dead, are you?” Speaking while poking twice more, Izay asked mischievously.

“Don’t mess around~ I want some peace~” After a while, Loki lying on the ground merely stretched out her hand to push away the stick Izay extended, not moving any other part, in a state of existential crisis.

“Who’s ‘peace’?”

Loki didn’t respond.

—”Polite Peace: You…” This was her current feeling.

At this moment, Loki seemed to experience the warmth and coldness of this world.

This cold lower realm… even the floor was icy and devoid of warmth.

Not a bit of a girl’s warmth.

“Actually, Loki…”

“—?”

“I think now that Refia has lowered her guard, you should seize this opportunity to attack. Maybe you’ll succeed. This is called cutting your losses early.”

“………. Refia!!!”

“Hey? Loki!? Wait… Ahh—!”

Prompted by Izay, Loki chose to make another attempt, resulting in the familiar scene of her tormenting Refia once again.

Perhaps this is what they call escaping the first but not the fifteenth. The ending truly makes one sad…

“You kid is absolutely despicable, Izay… But you’ve got Loki pegged perfectly.”

Stroking his beard, Gress approached with a sigh.

Izay shrugged with a smile, not denying: “That’s just how Loki is.”

To be fair, he might not be the one who understands Loki the most. But regarding this deity’s nature, he indeed knows it inside out.

After all, the two are somewhat similar in a way.

Maybe saying they share a mutual attraction would be more appropriate~