It was a clear day without a cloud in the sky when the Arrivers returned to Puriff. Naturally, a young-looking priestess was with us. We’d successfully retrieved Neme.
Following my battle with Suiz, I’d found myself unable to sneak past cathedral security alone. I was camped out in an empty room waiting for my chance to move when the earthquake struck, casting the church into chaos. The guards scattered and Neme managed to get out of her room, so we were able to meet up. It wasn’t too hard to find Roslia and Sofie after that.
The earthquake was apparently caused by Roslia activating the core of the fortress. Sure, I’d asked her to create a diversion. Never did I expect her to send the whole church into a panic, though. Nevertheless, thanks to that, the four of us were able to rendezvous safely via the hidden passageways that opened up amidst the confusion. I’d then activated Gate to get us out of the city, just like that. I hadn’t detected any pursuers during our journey back to Puriff either.
From what information we’d gathered along the way, Visril was so preoccupied with the reactivated fortress that they didn’t have time to be concerned about anything else. Visril’s fortress was a relic left to them by their national hero—and its revival after centuries was cause for celebration. The citizens we’d met on the road home were all overjoyed. Market streets and bars alike were abuzz with cheer. The entire nation was in a festive mood. With things like this, Aifan would probably be at peace even without a saint.
“Still, why am I a wanted woman now...?” Roslia mumbled. She was sitting on the living room sofa, a newspaper we’d obtained on the journey home open in her hands. I peeked over her shoulder and saw her name written in a small corner of the page.
“Because you went and caused all that trouble,” Sofie said, glaring.
“You mean reactivating the fortress? Visril is celebrating because of that! They should be singing my praises, not trying to arrest me!”
“And what about me? I’m also on the wanted list because of you. How am I supposed to explain this to Princess Leyfa...?”
“Don’t you worry. I’m sure your princess will sort things out!”
“You expect Her Highness to renegotiate our arrests? I’m going to tell her not to bother with yours.”
“How heartless can you be?!”
When I laughed at Roslia and Sofie’s banter, the latter shot a sharp glare my way.
“Why are you laughing, Note? You snuck into the church too. Why aren’t you on the wanted list?”
“Because I wasn’t involved in whatever Roslia did...?”
“That’s outrageous. I’m going to ask Her Highness to petition for your arrest instead.”
“Hey, don’t sell out your comrades.”
Sofie was apparently most unhappy about being caught up in Roslia’s mess. I’d thought someone serious like her would be able to keep Roslia under control, but Roslia’s recklessness exceeded my expectations.
Force took one look at Sofie’s exasperation and said, “Looks like sticking with Erin was a good call.”
“You got even with Cardinal Fuge, didn’t you?” I asked.
“Yup. Beat him up good this time,” he replied.
According to the story, Force had had his revenge for the humiliation he’d suffered in the raid on HQ. Cardinal Fuge, the man who’d won over Suiz, was a wily one. He’d cleverly gone after Erin, the keystone of our plan, but he’d underestimated Force’s strength in a critical moment and paid the price for it.
“Now we can finally get back in the dungeon,” Force said, clapping his hands together.
Erin interrupted him. “No, not yet. What are you going to do about your broken sword?”
“Oh, yeah... I forgot about that. This whole thing with Neme distracted me.”
“How could you forget about that?!”
“Well, I guess I can just look for a new one while we’re diving.”
There were plenty of treasures yet to be discovered within the dungeon. If we took our time, we’d surely be able to find a good blade for Force. We had a lot on our plates right now, but that was one problem that should naturally resolve itself eventually. As for the immediate...
Her first time back at HQ in over a month, Neme entered the room with a bow.
“Everyone, thank you for saving me. Thanks to that, we can go back to clearing the dungeon.”
“It’s only natural, isn’t it? If a party member’s in need, we’ll help ’em out,” Force replied first.
Erin followed up, “We can’t go dungeon diving without you anyway.”
“We all know you’re the most passionate about the dungeon,” I said.
Roslia continued after me in a proud tone, “You could thank me a little more for my role in the rescue, you know? I accept gratitude in all forms.”
“Read the room, Roslia,” scolded Sofie. “And show a little more humility.”
It was nice having Roslia around to brighten a solemn mood, but it was nicer having Sofie around to stop her when she went too far.
“I’m also glad to have you back, Neme.”
“Thank you, Sofie.” Neme bowed once again, looking at everyone in turn as she said, “In the past, I said I wanted to conquer the dungeon to meet God.”
“I remember that,” I said.
“But I don’t believe I need to meet God anymore now.”
“What?! Does that mean you’re quitting?!” Erin shouted.
Her reaction was so in-your-face that Neme let out a strained laugh. “You’re jumping to conclusions. Please just hear me out.”
“That’s not where this was going...?”
“What about Neme’s expression right now made you think that? Maybe you should focus on training your skills of perception, Erin,” chided Roslia.
“Huh? Am I that insensitive?”
Erin looked around the room, and almost everyone nodded. There was one knight in a maid outfit who just looked confused, but let’s leave her be for now.
“So what were you saying, Neme?” Erin cleared her throat awkwardly.
Neme clenched her tiny fists. “I want to continue dungeon diving! I want to see our dream come true, and I want to know what’s waiting at the end of the dungeon!”
“Same goes for me.” Force echoed the sentiment. “I originally said I wanted to clear the dungeon to be popular with women, but I honestly don’t care about that anymore. I just want to keep adventuring with you guys and see Jin’s dream realized.”
“Never thought I’d live to hear that come out of your mouth, Force...” I muttered.
“Hey, listen, ladies have been chatting me up on the street recently. I think I’m actually way more popular when I keep quiet, man.”
“Except you ruined it by opening your mouth just now...”
That part of him hadn’t changed. I guess it’s not that easy for people to change who they are deep down.
Leaning against the wall, Erin spoke up next. “I don’t care about being the top mage anymore either. I get how Neme feels.”
Roslia tapped a finger against her lips and asked, “So why are you sticking with dungeoneering?”
“Why...? I wonder.”
“You don’t even know?” Roslia tugged on my sleeve. “Look, Note! We’ve got an unmotivated party member on our hands! People like her are bad for morale, so let’s give her the boot ASAP!”
“Why are you trying to get rid of me?! If anything, we should get rid of the partywrecker who’s always trying to kick someone else out the drop of a hat!”
“Hic, thanks for everything until now, Erin. I’ll never forget you... Sniffle...”
“Stop it with the obvious crocodile tears! I’m not leaving, even with a touching send-off!”
At the end of the day, Erin and Roslia hadn’t changed much since they’d first met either. Were they on good terms or not? Probably the latter, but at this point, the Arrivers just wouldn’t feel the same without their bickering.
“I could ask the same of you, though. Why are you continuing with dungeon diving?” Erin shot at Roslia.
“Obviously, to be with Note,” she replied, hugging me from the side. A soft, warm sensation pressed against my arm.
“That’s so unfair! I wanted to be the one to say that!” Erin shouted.
“Too late. Early bird gets the worm.”
“Grr...”
“Still, that isn’t the only reason anymore,” Roslia said. “It’s fun hitting the dungeon with everyone.”
I hadn’t expected that. In spite of the way Roslia carried on, it seemed she really treasured her time with the Arrivers.
“I am also here, not for Princess Leyfa, but for myself. I want to keep living that way. I’d like to show my gratitude to the Arrivers.”
“So says the knight. Now, what about you, Note?” Roslia asked, tightening her embrace around my arm.
I stopped to think. What was my reason for clearing the dungeon? I’d originally joined Arrivers to change myself, to grow out of being someone that I hated. And I wasn’t that guy anymore. So if I still wanted to keep going anyway...that had to mean I was enjoying it. The dungeon was scary, painful, and dangerous, but I cherished every minute I spent exploring it with this party from the bottom of my heart.
“I guess it’s because I love dungeon diving.”
“Just the answer I expected from you, Note...”
We’d all strayed from our original motivations, but the Arrivers’ collective goal was still the same—conquering the heretofore unknown depths of the dungeon. And to that end, for the sake of that dream, we’d keep coming together, stronger every time.
What awaited us on the next floor? My heart raced at the very thought. I couldn’t wait to find out.