"I know you fairies all have some strange temperaments, but which is more important, the power to protect others or your own persistence, that's up to your own choice."
In the corridor, Tsubaki returned the well-maintained wooden sword to Ryu, whose face was conflicted.
"However, as far as materials are concerned, the Great Sacred Tree of the Vishe Forest, which is open to the outside world, is already the most suitable weapon for you, except for the Sacred Tree in your hometown."
"I-I understand…"
Ryu took the wooden sword, head bowed, lost in thought, not even noticing Rhode approaching.
Tsubaki turned her head at the sound of footsteps, and her eyes lit up when she saw Rhode. She enthusiastically raised her hand high and greeted Rhode.
"Yo, handsome young man, I've heard your name too many times recently."
Tsubaki Cobbland, with a beautiful face like an East Asian, is a Half-Dwarf born from a human from the Far East and a dwarf from the continent.
Perhaps inheriting a strong human bloodline, she has long limbs and stands at 170cm.
Dwarves are basically short-limbed, so she often draws the envy of some dwarves.
Her work clothes are also in the Far Eastern style, from her mother's hometown in the Far East, with a bright red hakama for the lower half.
Her refined appearance includes black hair and red eyes. Most notably, she wears a pitch-black eye patch similar to her patron deity, Hephaestus.
Compared to Hephaestus, who covers her right eye, Tsubaki covers her left eye.
Unlike the unique purity and innocence of the Astrea Familia girls, she exudes a unique charm of heroic beauty.
"If our patron deity hadn't already taken over your weapon, I would have really wanted to forge an absolutely formidable piece of equipment for you!"
"After all, the best weapons should be paired with the strongest people!"
Rhode smiled and shook hands with the enthusiastic Tsubaki.
"I'm still far from being called the strongest."
Tsubaki carefully scrutinized Rhode's slightly youthful face and chuckled noncommittally.
"Far from it, huh…"
At least from the outside, you, who could wipe out the Soma Familia just one day after joining a Familia, are not qualified to say that.
Lily quietly tugged at Rhode's sleeve at this moment, biting her lip, her voice filled with a tearful attachment and reluctance.
"Brother Rhode, Lily will be good, and will work hard to grow with everyone's help… You mustn't abandon me!"
Ever since she was taken away by Rhode, everyone Lily met had been kind, but she understood the core that changed everything better than anyone.
She was extremely afraid of being seen as a burden and completely abandoned.
Rhode sighed, and with his right index and middle fingers together, he tapped Lily's glabella.
Authority: Absolute Contract, activated.
The contract terms had been carefully considered by Rhode long ago, involving direct and indirect confidentiality, as well as the complete surrender of body, mind, and soul—a nearly demanding slave contract.
However, the moment such a contract appeared in Lily's mind, she was so overjoyed that she almost cheered, and without a second thought, she quickly agreed to the contract, seemingly afraid that Rhode would go back on his word.
Feeling the threads of fate firmly binding her to the person she admired, Lily felt a deep sense of security from the bottom of her heart, and a happy joy appeared on her face.
Never, never again will they be separated…
Lily finally had her own home!
Tsubaki curiously observed the changes in Lily's expression, vaguely guessing what Rhode had done, which made her itch with curiosity, but she ultimately didn't ask.
After a few casual words, Rhode and Ryu left Hephaestus Familia, each returning to the Court of the Stars with their own thoughts.
In the afternoon, Rhode, holding the Vulcan's Blade, followed the second team to continue exploring the Dungeon.
This time, the team consisted of Alise, Kaguya, Iska, Maliu, Noin, and Leyana.
A large number of essential items such as medicines, supplies, and food had all been stored in Kamui Space in advance.
Theoretically, they could live in the Dungeon for a month without any problems.
Considering Rhode's limited uses of Kamui, Alise, despite some reluctance, rationally gave up the idea of clearing floors 1-7.
They planned to head straight to the seventh-floor food storage to collect Blue Morpho Butterfly powder again!
No matter how much of this rare raw material for healing potions was collected, it would not cause price fluctuations.
Even if the panacea was ridiculously expensive, it was still in short supply.
Of course, the premise was not to encounter unscrupulous gods who deliberately suppressed prices.
After collecting the Blue Morpho Butterfly powder, everyone descended from the seventh floor all the way to the tenth floor, and then began to be vigilant.
From here on, it was not an area that newcomers should approach.
The Dungeon would produce mist that obstructed sight and perception, and would also begin to produce events called "Monster Feasts."
Groups of small goblins, similar to goblins, would hide in the misty corners, constantly launching surprise attacks, retreating thousands of miles if they missed a hit.
If ordinary adventurer teams unfortunately encountered them, it would be even more troublesome than facing ogres, and it was possible that casualties would occur under the high pressure of constant sneak attacks!
However…..
Rhode's eyes flashed with crimson light, and he swung the black sword without looking back.
"Jii—!"
The goblin's triumphant expression turned to terror, and it finally turned into a pile of ashes amidst a tragic scream.
The monsters' self-proclaimed sneak attacks were all futile in front of those eyes.
"Alise, there's a group of goblins hiding to the front left."
"Leave it to me!"
The red-haired girl let out a soft cry and confidently began to chant.
"Burn, burn, burn, full power of flame!"
"—Scarlet Pimpernel."