Ended up sleeping at my usual uploading time xD

*** ​​

Ryuu and Alise shared a glance as they clutched their respective weapons.

Ryuu had Alf's Lumina, a wooden sword forged from a branch of the holy tree in the elven forest. It worked exceptionally with the elven magic power, and could be used as a staff in emergency cases.

Alise had a rapier made out of Mythril. With the magic stone of Amphisbaena, it had improved attack power with fire spells and skills.

"Lion, we need to humble this arrogant junior."

"Indeed…" Ryuu played along, a smile tugging at her lips.

Asahi chuckled and gave them the initiative. Alise spearheaded the charge, and Ryuu followed her. Alise straight up slashed at Asahi's chest, with no hesitation in her attack.

Asahi could see the sword's trajectory going straight for his chest. As if she was confident that Asahi will evade the blade.

Asahi took a small step back to dodge before shifting to his right. The wooden sword missed him by a second and smashed into the ground. Ryuu jumped back and sprinted around Asahi. Her skills and magic spells were centered on raising her attack power and healing. None of them helped in her battle with Asahi. Alise, however, had Lubrude Bequia to boost her base parameters. Her speed exploded in an instant, and she unleashed a ferocious combo of slash and stabs.

Asahi still leisurely dodged her and Ryuu's unpredictable backstabs with his instincts. He could do it even while talking to Klyscha. It was like having an auto button in combat.

'This is like a weaker version of Ultra Instinct!'

Alise stopped, her breathing a little rougher.

"Stop being dodgy. Let me hit you once! It'll feel good, I promise."

"Nope. Try your best."

Alise gritted her teeth and swung her sword at his smug face. The more he evaded her attacks, the more her frustration grew. The image of Asahi and his women kept flashing in her mind, and something warm accumulated in the corner of her eyes.

She didn't realize the root of her rage. It wasn't Asahi's smirk as she believed. All blame went to an earlier event, when she was forced to see Asahi sleeping with his women. Her intense feelings turned into flames of jealousy and exploded in the form of rage.

Asahi realized something wasn't right with Alise. She was too engrossed in swinging her sword with tears in her eyes.

[—Alise Lovell: Affection -5]

'What the hell? Did I go too far?'

It was the second instance of someone's affection decreasing. Both were tsunderes, who refused to admit their feelings. He couldn't find what triggered Alise now.

Ryuu stopped after noticing Alise's erratic behavior and patted Alise's shoulder. "Captain?"

The redhead froze, her sword an inch away from Asahi's neck. She pulled herself together and rubbed her eyes with a forced smile.

"Something went in… my eyes. I'll clean it quickly."

Asahi pulled her hands away from her face and gently wiped her tears. "Alise, I'm sorry, okay?"

"It was dust," Alise blushed and muttered her excuse again. "Don't talk nonsense."

"Yes. Yes. I believe you."

He cleaned up her tears while thinking of a way to solve her problem. He couldn't just say 'I like you. Join my harem' to her. It won't work on Alise. The only feasible way to make her fall was to go all out on offense similar to what he did with Saya.

'I won't find time for that in the dungeon.'

Alise pushed his hands and took her sword again. "Let's do it again. My perfect self won't lose again."

She bounced back to her usual, cheery self as if nothing happened.

"Come at me."

Ryuu sighed. The two were back to their antics.

***

The trio sparred until Nao came to call on them for breakfast.

"So sweaty…" Alise mumbled.

Asahi couldn't stop his eyes from wandering to her clothes. Her white shirt had become translucent with the accumulated sweat. Asahi could make out the pink brassiere under her shirt.

Alise followed Asahi's gaze and covered her chest in a hurry. "You pervert!"

With her hands on her chest, she scampered inside the mansion.

Ryuu looked down. Thankfully, her white sleeveless top wasn't made of thin linen. She gave a nod at Asahi before following Alise.

"Asahi-kun, you should shower."

He closed the distance and threw his arms around Nao. "Am I sweaty?"

"No… you still smell good." Nao gently hugged him. "Like always."

"Good to hear."

He dragged Nao to the shower and spent some 'quality' time with her. As he sat down at the table for breakfast, Loki barged into the dining room.

"Oho, looks delish. Haven't eaten this morning."

She shamelessly took a seat and clapped. "Send some 'ere!"

Asahi just shook his head and continued eating.

After breakfast, Loki wiped her face with a napkin. "I came to grab you."

"I know," Asahi replied with a shrug. "Alise and Ryuu will be coming with me."

"Didn't you say you can only bring ten people?"

"You believed it?"

"Nope."

Loki turning her squinting eyes to the pair of Alise and Ryuu. She would be an idiot if she didn't know the two most powerful members of Astraea's Familia. Her party will only become stronger with their presence, which will only benefit.

"A level 4 and a level 5. Sure, tag along with your man."

"My man?!" Alise blabbered. "You got it wrong! Asahi is just my junior…"

"Yes…" Ryuu nodded.

Loki grinned at Asahi. From the goddess to the adventurers, he had everyone wrapped around his finger. And he did it without using any manipulation or power.

'I wasn't wrong in calling him a demigod.'

Before leaving, Asahi hugged all of his women one by one and kissed them goodbye. Rini, Aimi, Saeko, and even Nao wanted to come with him, but he had told them to farm XP on earlier floors. With Ais's adventurer party around, they will rarely get any chance to fight. He could always return to them whenever he wanted.

After everyone came Astraea's turn. He pulled Astraea in for a tight hug and nuzzled his face in her silky brown hair. "Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything."

"Yeah… I can use telepathy," Astraea whispered, returning his hug. "Return safely."

"You know the answer to that already. And don't worry about Alise and Ryuu. I'll protect them from everything."

"Thanks…"

He pulled back and softly pecked her lips. "Sorry and thanks are forbidden in my family."

Her cheeks turned rosy. With a timid smile, she nodded. "I will keep that in mind… now go."

With Loki at helm, Asahi departed alongside Alise and Ryuu.