"It really is a tough choice."
As if responding to Kairo Retsu's call, the head of the Winged Lion emerged from the Winged Lion's Book. "After all… I've found it hard to part with any of you."
"No matter who it ends up being… I'll just go with whoever makes a wish to me first," the Winged Lion said with a sigh. "If only I could make all of you the dungeon master…"
"What I didn't expect is that even after you learned about me… you still want to become the dungeon master?" The Winged Lion's expression was filled with curiosity. "Aren't you afraid you'll end up like Misrun?"
"Is that really your concern?" Kairo Retsu countered. "Shouldn't that be my worry?"
"Winged Lion, communication is important."
Kairo Retsu spoke to the floating head. "Even if your concern isn't worth much, I still appreciate it."
"And you really are quite the talker. If things were different, you might've made a great friend to us. But not yet."
He looked into the Winged Lion's eye, which was etched with the infinity symbol. "Not until one of us becomes the dungeon master."
"Well then… let's talk again next time." Kairo Retsu shut the Winged Lion's Book. "See you later, Winged Lion."
"Hahaha… I'll look forward to our next meeting, Kairo Retsu." The Winged Lion chuckled as it disappeared back into the book.
At that moment, Kairo Retsu and Tanjiro had been carried by the wyvern back to the temporary camp set up by the Felynes inside the dungeon.
"It's the Guildmaster and Hunter Tanjiro, meow! They're back, meow!"
The Felynes happily ran over as soon as they spotted Kairo Retsu and Tanjiro's silhouettes. The moment the two landed, the Felynes surrounded them. "Guildmaster! Are you here to change equipment, meow?!"
"No, just taking a quick break."
Kairo Retsu reached out and patted one of the Felynes' furry heads, visibly excited. "Ah! Felynes really are the best!"
Cats, but clingier than dogs! That's a Felyne! They can even talk and cook!
Felynes are the treasure of humanity!
"Guildmaster, what should we do next?"
Tanjiro asked anxiously, "Joseph-san and the others… they're probably still back at the cabin. Will they be alright?"
"No worries, no worries! Kazuma's got Sneak. He won't be noticed even carrying two people!"
Kairo Retsu gave a thumbs-up. "Kazuma's skills aren't based on this world's magic system! No one here can detect him!"
"As for us… we wait!"
Kairo Retsu plopped himself down beside a stone stump. "Eat some Dango! And wait!"
"Oh!" Tanjiro didn't question further. Hearing there was food, he too eagerly sat down by the stone.
"Hunters want some Dango, meow?! We'll get cooking right away, meow!"
The Felynes rushed over to the makeshift stove and began their preparations. They topped flatbread with rare ingredients and cheese, then slid them into an oven—baking up piping-hot pizza.
"One more thing!"
Kairo Retsu asked one of the Felynes nearby, "How's the progress on the temporary 'Arena' we talked about before?"
"The construction crew is still working, meow!" the Felyne replied. "It's a big job, so all the Felynes are working hard! But it's almost done! Just about one more hour, meow!"
"We'll make it in time!"
Kairo Retsu clapped his hands in excitement. "Can't believe we actually pulled it off! Felynes really can do anything!"
"No regrets making the Felynes build stuff right after we got here… this is a huge project!"
He gazed out beyond the camp.
The Felynes had picked a safe location within the dungeon to set up the camp—specifically, among some dwarven ruins.
"Preparations… are just about complete."
While waiting for the pizza to finish baking, Kairo Retsu gnawed on his finger in anticipation. "It's finally time… to begin the hunt…"
…
"What is going on here?!"
At that moment, Chilchack and Senshi had just woken up from their illusion trance—only to find themselves lying on top of Falin Dragon's body. Beneath them was a sled-like familiar, whose body sported four thick legs. It had dragged them and Falin all the way to their current location.
"Because, because…"
Marcille looked equal parts scared and apologetic. "The elves and those hunters started fighting… then Laios took the Mad Sorcerer and another adventurer and vanished to who-knows-where… and both you and Senshi were caught in an illusion…"
"If we left Falin there, who knows what the elves would've done to her…"
"What?!"
Chilchack raised his voice so much that Izutsumi nearby had to cover her ears.
"They actually started fighting the elves?! What the hell is Laios doing?!"
Marcille briefly summarized what Laios had said to her before leaving.
Right now, she had only one sled-familiar made using kitchen ingredients, and her companions: Izutsumi, Senshi, and Chilchack.
And also, in her arms, was the still-sealed Winged Lion's Book that Shuro had been holding earlier.
"This is bad, really bad! The elves are definitely going to issue a bounty on us now!"
Chilchack clutched his head in full panic. "Why the hell would you fight the elves?! Those hunters really aren't good news after all!"
"I don't know…" Senshi, however, remained calm. "I believe they had their reasons. They're young, but thoughtful… and they clearly respect nature. I don't think they're doing anything malicious."
"Even if it isn't malicious, so what?!"
Chilchack paced anxiously. "The elves have seen us. If they return to the surface, they'll definitely inform the island master and get us wanted!"
"We have to do something! Think! Come up with a plan…"
Izutsumi then pointed to the book cradled in Marcille's arms. "Can't that Winged Lion help us?"
"Right! The Winged Lion!"
Chilchack looked to Marcille with hope. "Maybe it can help us out!"
"But if we unseal it and Kairo Retsu becomes the dungeon master, what then…"
Marcille shuddered, recalling what Chilchack had said the night before about Kairo Retsu's intentions. "Besides…"
She was about to say more, but—
At that moment, the elves had already tracked the trail left by the sled familiar across the dungeon floor.
"Found them!"
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium