The group cleared out all the pantries on the seventh floor and still felt somewhat unsatisfied as they looked at the mountain of valuable dropped items.
Ultimately, it was only at Layla's decisive insistence that everyone reluctantly embarked on the return journey.
Maliu occasionally stole glances at Rod beside her, sighing with a subtle expression.
"This is the first time I've felt like I didn't want to leave the Dungeon..."
And usually, I'm protected by everyone in the Familia, but this time, is it because Rod is a boy... I feel a little fluttery inside....
Nize clicked her tongue and nodded vigorously.
"After all, this time's harvest might be worth five or six years of our funds!"
Selty looked at Rod, who was walking ahead, seemingly deep in thought, her gaze gentle.
"Perhaps Rod is the lucky star of our Astrea Familia. For some reason, I always have a feeling that since he arrived, that strange premonition that was weighing on my heart has disappeared."
"Well, what we should be thinking about now is how to spend that large sum of money!"
"Because of Rod's presence, we were able to bring out so many magic stones and dropped items. Therefore, we agreed to leave one-third of the funds to him, and Alise and Goddess will also agree to this distribution!"
"That's only right. Another third will be used for Familia development funds, and the last third will be split among us."
"I want a new magic staff!"
"My shield is a bit worn out..."
"Updating our armor should be the top priority!"
"Uh... Am I the only one who wants to go to The Benevolent Mistress for a big meal?"
Nize's slightly aggrieved words, as she clutched her stomach, made the girls burst into joyful laughter.
"Hahahahaha... After all, beast people do tend to eat a bit more!"
Layla was speechless, then raised her eyes, which were unusually relaxed compared to before, and spoke louder.
"Then when we get back, let's all go splurge once in a while~"
The girls thus laughed and chatted about the future, all the way back to the fifth floor.
Just as everyone thought this Dungeon exploration trip was about to end, an unusual tremor suddenly came from a distance.
Ryu's gaze instantly sharpened, and she placed her hand on her wooden sword.
"Someone is approaching! No, there are also a large number of monsters!!!"
Layla instantly assessed the situation and cursed angrily.
"Damn it, they just had to show up and be disgusting when everyone was in a good mood."
"It's a [Monster Present], everyone, form up!"
The Astrea Familia immediately switched from relaxed to an enemy-facing formation.
Maliu stood in the center of the squad, having already chanted her magic circle and entered a standby state.
This allowed her to instantly cast healing magic when she saw a comrade injured!
The most important combat rule left in the Familia was what Alise said: "As long as we firmly protect Maliu, there's always a way!"
Asta stood at the very front, looking at the dust in the distance, narrowing her eyes, and letting out a slight sigh of relief.
"The number is in the dozens, not a big threat."
"Hahahahaha, what good luck, my little beauties! I'll leave these troublesome monsters to you!!"
First to appear in their sight was a short, muddy beastman, followed by a large number of enraged monsters.
Upon seeing Laila's group, he immediately accelerated towards them without a second thought.
Behind him followed several adventurers with dispirited expressions and pale faces.
Nize glared fiercely at the beastman, unable to stop herself from wrinkling her nose.
"How annoying, I can smell it even from this far away, such a strong smell of alcohol!"
Ryu held her wooden sword horizontally in front of her and sternly rebuked him.
"Stop, don't come any closer!"
After the beastman clearly saw Ryu's face, his expression changed dramatically, and cold sweat immediately streamed down his face; he was clearly very guilty.
"W-what, it's actually Gale?!"
Damn it, such bad luck! I thought with so many people, I could earn a lot of money for drinks!
If they noticed the Familia's situation because of this, that captain would definitely kill me...
Just as the beastman was conflicted, the adventurer behind him suddenly spoke with a strange laugh.
"Kanu, they are strong, but don't forget… they are a righteous Familia! We are currently just being chased by monsters; how could they possibly stand by and do nothing~"
Kanu's eyes lit up, and at the same time, he made no effort to hide his mocking and sarcastic expression, chuckling.
"Hahaha, that's true. Ignore their threats, keep leading the monsters over!"
"If those foolish, hypocritical guys die, we can just inherit their legacy."
"If they don't die, then we'll come back and split the magic stone harvest, because a righteous Familia couldn't possibly contend with us for profit, hahahaha!"
With a sneer at righteousness, Kanu ignored the girls' threats and rushed over, laughing loudly.
"Hey, righteous Familias, fight desperately to protect us!"
Laila clicked her tongue, frowning slightly, finding it quite troublesome.
This was the predicament one faced when trying to uphold justice.
As someone who had crawled out of hell, she had long since come to terms with this.
It wasn't about knowing how to handle this situation in a way that aligned with justice, but knowing that sooner or later, she would face countless times worse torment than this.
But... there was still a naive and stubborn Fairy Girl in the Familia...
Suddenly, a familiar chant echoed in her ears.
"—Come, wandering wind, stray traveler. Fly across the sky, gallop across the wilderness, move with speed surpassing all things. Conquer the enemy with the light of the stars!"
A ball of light flew out and instantly blew Kanu and the others away.
"W-what...?! "
Kanu painfully crawled up from the ground, glaring at them furiously.
He thought moral blackmail would work, but the reality, which didn't match his expectations, made him furious and ashamed.
"To actually attack us, you're just a hypocritical Familia that only shouts pretty slogans after all!"
The adventurer behind him quickly supported his dislocated arm, his scalp tingling as he watched the increasingly close wave of monsters.
"W-we should leave first, and then we'll find trouble with them once we're out!"
Kanu was in a very bad mood, spat, and reluctantly turned to run into the distance.
As he left, he didn't forget to look back with resentment.
Damn it, wouldn't it have been better to just let us scam you?
"Once I get out, I'm definitely going to complain to the Guild, saying that you inexplicably attacked and bullied us weak adventurers!"
"I want to see how you, after losing the trust of the public, can still shamelessly proclaim yourselves righteous!"
Laila ignored their nonsense, turning around to look at Ryu with some surprise.
"Ryu, you really impressed me! You acted decisively without a moment of hesitation; it was just a little weak. Was it due to magic consumption?"
However, Ryu's face was filled with confusion, and she was at a loss.
"N-no, that wasn't my magic just now."
At these words, Laila's smile froze.
It couldn't be....
No, please, no, otherwise how are we mortals supposed to live...
Her eyelids twitched wildly; she was very unwilling to believe her own guess, but still reluctantly turned to look at Rod in the crowd.
Rod was slowly lowering his hand, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly dissatisfied with that last strike.
He watched the figures of those people fleeing in a hurry, narrowing his eyes, which gleamed with a dangerous light.
Laila completely gave up hope.
It was him who did it after all...!!!
You can even copy magic, Rod, you guy!