(Zhenya Pov)

The avatar. A battle-ready Alice, tome in hand, stared us down, uttering two words. “Please, leave.” Protecting a palm-sized gem floating behind her on a pedestal. Ah. Freddie, Nick, Su, and I all thought the same thing. ‘This really is Felschonheit all over again.’

So unassuming, one would think she was some fragile flower to coddle. One who, on a flip of the coin, could wreak untold destruction. Or the dungeon could they might as well be the same.

We weren’t going to repeat the mistakes of the past. Turning around, a looseness in our step, knowing that this long, long night was finally over, the dive was over. We bested another floor, another accolade on our belts.

*Cough* And the promise of a shit load of Gp to rest our laurels on. *Cough* Well, I’ll still have a good bit to spoil myself with after sending a portion back home.

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“So, this it?” Beaten, cut up, and honestly finished with this dungeon’s shit for the foreseeable future. In the castle’s back garden, we stood before a worn door overtaken by the garden’s myriad roots. First thought. This better not be more fairy bullshit. Second thought, this was one of the fabled checkpoints Freddie lectured me about.

It also answers how Su got down to the third floor so quickly during the Felschonheit incident.

Stained by time, the light wood had faded, leaving the once deeply engraved sunflower a mere hollow of itself. Standing alone against the forces of nature had left the solitary frame scarred. Almost noble in how it stood straight and tall despite all that. Certainly, a breath of fresh air from the twisted crap we just went through.

With a twist of the flower-headed key, the vines unknotted their grasp, allowing us passage. Past that wall of light, unseeable from the other side, was the libar-lobby we’ve come to know and love.

As the last of us stepped through, it felt like a weight had been lifted. Hopefully not from this stack on stacks of loot we got. Say what you want about proper rest, nothing perks the soul up quite like seeing the spoils of your labor.

Usually, Freddie and I can only haul up so much loot, but now with seven... Oh, yeah. Belle is a dungeon construct, isn’t she? Along with Red, the dokkaebi, and even that Alberich fellow, it does pose a question. What is the distinction between life created by the goddess’ opposed to one cultivated within a dungeon? It does become mute if you think dungeons are also creations of the go-

Not now. We can visit Belle anytime we want now that we have the key. Right now is supposed to be a happy moment.

Ahem, with six keys, three bosses killed, a floor conquered. I’d say this is hands down the most profitable and, by extension, the greatest dive in the history of this dungeon. Not that anyone was here to bask in the ridiculousness of the achievement, it’s past midnight, after all, bordering on sunrise.

Under the watchful eye of Alice and the half-risen sun, we lugged our loot back to base. It being closer to the dungeon and not closed for the night compared to the storehouse Antonia had rented out.

But even after chucking our hoard into whatever goddess-forsaken empty corner we could find and changing into casual clothes, we couldn’t settle down. Memories and adrenaline from the recent fights were still fresh in our minds. None of us could stay still, let alone catch a wink of sleep.

“Welp, there goes our sleep cycles. I heard the other day that the public bathhouses just opened. So who’s with me? Might not get any shut-eye, but at least we won’t smell like crap.” Usually, at times like this, we inevitably run into Virgil.

A trope which Tsukiko, in all her infinite genre-spanning wisdom, picked up on. And what else is there to say? With Tsukiko onboard it pretty much meant everyone was, whether they wanted to or not.

But by my guesstimations, it’s more like nobody had anything better to do this fine early morn. That would even have the most dedicated farmers wanting to sleep in.

Let’s be thankful that the bathhouse is open almost day and night.

As expected of a soon-to-be bustling dungeon town, the nightlife, while young, was nothing to scoff at. Packs of people, here and there. Some supporting their smashed friends’ home, calling it a day. While others, less drunk, could be seen exiting various gambling dens among other entertainment establishments.

All within the law... I hope. But honestly, I don’t have brain juice left to spare any more than a thought.

Entering the bathhouse. We took off our shoes, paid our dues, and headed into separate changing rooms. That is to say, we left Nick all by his lonesome.

But as fate would have it, Rudi happened to be here too. Looking like absolute crap, and this is coming from us, who just took down three bosses and conquered a floor.

His eyes heavy and glazed hollow. Skin, somehow more sickly looking than Su’s. And that girl is as close to a walking corpse we’ll get.

At least, this should breathe some life back into the young alchemist. Whatever he’s up to, I hope it’s close to done. Guy’s barely had a wink of sleep since we returned from Felschonheit, and he won’t tell us what the end game is, only that he had to perfect that experimental health potion of his.

Now that I think about it, Rudi being here should be a good sign that he’s close to finishing it. If not we’ll beat some sense him. Seriously, we’re worried about the guy.

From Nick, Tsukiko, Antonia, hell, even the general store owner. Rudi’s a kind guy and is about the number one supplier of potions to everyone, not just adventurers, like some uppity alchemists would claim.

Here’s hoping Nick and him have a bro moment.

Whatever is happening on their end. Us girls were soaking in the warm bathes, letting all that stress loose on the waves. Su excluded, doesn’t handle heat all too well, so she submerged herself somewhere in the cold bath.

Antonia and Freddie secluded themselves in one corner. Continuing whatever ominous debate they’ve been on since we returned from Felschonheit. It’s starting to worry me. Freddie never smiles throughout the whole thing, as Antonia’s brows only furl deeper.

I’ve tried asking about it, but she always shrugs it off, citing ‘personal matters’. Tch, I did say I would respect her privacy when we first teamed up.

Sidling up to the only person left, I drop the single most pertinent question probing my mind that only she could answer. “So, what do you see in Virgil?”

Opening the flood gates, a deluge of words flowed from that pie hole of hers. I’m not gonna lie it’s impressive how fast this girl can talk, all with impeccable enunciation, to boot.

Aside from her usual fantastical ramblings, the shrine maiden did bring up things I never noticed about the guy. Tsukiko’s more perceptive than she lets on. Or is this just another one of those air-headed powers of hers?

“-And how he looks over all the adventurers in town. Always making sure the hotheaded ones don’t do something they regret or cheering people up after a botched dungeon run. Also, did you know he helps the townsfolk too?

And he does it all without a word of praise! Isn’t that just dreamy? Silent, selfless, kind. It makes me want to spoil him silly, pat him on the head, and tell him he did a good job.”

“Is that so... Only ever caught Virgil slacking off. Actually, him goofing off can be misconstrued as a couple of those things.”

“Silly. That’s because he’s-...” She pauses for the first time in a long while. “ReallyGoodAtHiding! Yep. He always does those things without people noticing.” That’s odd behavior even for Tsukiko.

But being good at hiding rings a bell. “By that, do you mean when he does that phasing thing? When the world gets all dark and slowed down?”

Immediately the shrine maiden’s eyes spring open from their relaxed state. Quickly hushing me with unmatched subtlety that none of the others noticed. “Don’t ever speak of that aloud. He is just really good at hiding, kay?” I nod. Unsure of the sudden seriousness Tsukiko is displaying. “We sure are lucky this place is empty~.” or maybe not. “Just be careful when you say stuff like that. There are people out in the wide world who’d commit horrible atrocities to get their hands on people like Virgil.”

Committing that memory, Tsukiko reverted to her air-headed tone, going on and on about her obsession’s good points. Even the more outlandish tales seeming more likely.

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Effectively de-stressed, we got changed and met up with the boys in the lobby. Rudi seems alright, albeit terrified of Nick. He really got an ear full from the mild-mannered adventurer. We even heard him from the other side of the bathhouse. Must be trying to prevent another Sushila situation.

“After some... persuasion.” Rudi glances over to mother Nick, the boy giving him a smile and thumbs up. “Uhm. It’s the reason I’ve been obsessing over my new potion.”

This had us at varying levels of interest. “My mentor. She’s arriving a few days from now to check on my progress.”

“And you want to impress her?” Tsukiko shot first, feeling the signs of a steamy love drama... I hate her for putting that phrase in my head.

“kind of, but the reason I wanted to complete the potion, is for her sake. She doesn’t have the best reputation. So think if a student of hers manages to create a health potion using easily obtainable ingredients. It would benefit the world over! Maybe then people will start seeing her in a better light.

Even if she doesn’t care about the opinions of others, I can’t abide by it. The only reason my research got off the ground in the first place was thanks to her. It’s not a lie to say she’s a co-creator.”

Before anyone, Tsukiko, could get a word in, Rudi continued. “Also, considering what you guys went through, this might come as a shock, but my teacher is also a witch.”

A fact that stuck with all us all the way until we hit the hay. I mean, how else were we supposed to react? We’ve already seen one witch today, so another is just, well, another! Though, I would be remiss to exclude the part where Freddie jumped him for a couple of seconds before we pulled her off.

Eventually, he promised Freddie to introduce the two once she visited, but nothing more. ‘Her reputation can lead to negative expectations.’ was the excuse he used.

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Two days later, after working off the muscle sores, resetting our sleep schedules, and getting patched up. We set up an appointment with a guild appraiser who just so happened to be Virgil, much to Tsukiko’s joy.

That morning, we lugged our loot through the A.A’s back doors, entering one of the meeting rooms. Greeted by Virgil’s flamboyant nature, we exchanged pleasantries, finding that he loved his time at the Crescent Hare’s inn. Although I couldn’t help but notice some weariness misplaced in his jolly recap.

Though all the fangirl energy Tsukiko emitted quickly swept that aside.

The business side of things was pretty stock standard this time round. To sum things up, we made a killing, selling what we decided not to keep. Even after splitting the Gp evenly between Nick’s group and ours, the two knights, not being amused by our bet, chewed us out.

On top of that, selling the maps we charted, and information on the bosses. We were set! Not for life but even after splitting the Gp further between the three of us, I could comfortably buy a few expensive things I’ve had my eye on.

With this adventure truly at its end, we parted ways with Nick, Antonia, and Tsukiko, returning home, content to take the oncoming days slowly. Although that was my take, Freddie had other ideas. These past two days I’ve noticed the girl growing increasingly absent-minded, but once again, didn’t ask since she’s entitled to her privacy.

Before I could close the door, Freddie placed a hand on my shoulder, at the same time grabbing Su’s arm with her other. “Zhenya, Su, please listen.” She started solemnly, sending my gut roiling. The tone did not bode well. “I’ve discussed this at length with Toni. About how one of ours could’ve started the massacre that night.”

Despite coming to grips that she did not, in her own volition, start the Flowering Night Massacre. Su still felt responsible for the lives lost, the reminder feeling like a stake through the heart. But soldiered on, Freddie listened in her time of need, and Su would do the same.

Taking a deep breath, Fredrica continued. “We’ve decided to return home for the foreseeable future. If the true mastermind is still at large, we need to root out the rot before something happens to the Dutchy... Even if it means I’ll come face to face with my father again.

This took a bit for me to process. Hell, I couldn’t even, before words came streaming out. “And what do you think that’ll accomplish? You two, going by yourself. I know you love your country, and that knightly valor of yours wants something to be done. But throwing yourself at this is plain dumb.”

A smile crosses my lips as I remember something. “Wait, Rudi’s master is a witch, right? She has a lot of sway in the Dutchy. Maybe she can-”

Fredrica cuts me off. “Zhenya. She may be a witch, but only their representative may speak for their interest before the council. And that woman is... free-spirited in the most rotten way imaginable.” The girl reaches for the closest metal on her person for comfort, her sword. “Antonia and I concluded that you four are trustworthy. Yes, including Nickolas and Tsukiko. So listen closely.

Antonia’s father is the current head of the council and representative of the military. One of the few sword saints who survived the war. Little to say, the Dutchy has always favored merit, and there is no one with more achievements than that man... And while my father may have retired from knighthood, he still is the country’s best armorsmith and is head of the FrameWorks armor corporation. Due to that, he still retains a spot as the sword saint’s right hand.

If there is anyone who could weed out the corruption plaguing our country, it would be them. Especially now with that revolutionary group Bargas is a part of, seemingly gaining more and more support by the day. The Dutchy is in a precarious position. And who knows, someone capable of orchestrating that massacre may push it one way or another.

Besides, being away from home would make Toni and I prime targets for anyone looking to get one over our Fathers. It would also put everyone in town at risk, including you guys.” Stopping for a breath. Fredrica’s cheeks flush red in embarrassment before she reigns in her emotions.

“We’re leaving today. My luggage is already packed.

Feel free to split my share of the Gp between the two of you.

After this blows over, I’ll be back. Promise.”

Following in silence, taking all this in. Even as we, along with Nick and Tsukiko, looking like they’ve gone through their own ordeals with Antonia’s announcement. Watched as our friends departed alongside Antonia’s entourage.

The four of us still there long after the group had left.